The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1907-10-28
FOOT BALL.
An Explanation of the Various Plays Which go
to Make up the Game-Contest Expected
Next Tuesday,

we nave been fufnlSleQ the 1OlOWlng
article descriptive of the game of foot ball,
which is timely, as game occurs here on
Tuesday:
The field, familiarly styled the gridiron,
should be marked out with ordinary lime
lines. enclosing rectangular space $50
feet long and 100 feet wide. While not
absolutely necessary, 1t is customary to
mark the field with transverse lines every
ten yards, for the benefit of the referee in
determining how far the bal has been ad
vanced at every down, and also with lines
running parallel to the side lines and five
yards apart, in order to aid the umpire in
determining whether the quarterback in
making a run follows rule which pro-
vides that he must cross the line of scrim
mage five yards from the point where the
ball was put in play. In the middle OF
the lines forming the ends of the field, the
goal posts are erected, and are eighteen
feet inches apart, with crossbar ten feet
from the ground.
containing a rubber inner, which is in
f1ated. The costumes of the players
should be of proper and serviceable ma
ture: Jerseys, well padded trousers, long
wooden stockings, and not infreQuently
shin-g guards worn by men playing in the
farward line. Shoes should have leather
cross-pieces nailed across the sole to pre-
vent slipping. Head gears made to pro.
tect the runners are also used.
Eleven men constitute team and are
usually divided into seven rushers or far
wards, who stand in line facing their
seven opponents; quarterback, who
stands Just behind this line; two half,
l. rIo hahin1 ha
back, and finally full-back or goal tend
the half backs. This gives the general
fol- NATION, but is, of course, dependent
upon the plays to be executed.
1t is necessary to have three officials,
referee, umpire and linesman. The two
the toss has the choice of goal or kick off
In case there be wind, the winner of the
toss will take the goal from which that
wind is blowing and allow his opponent
to have the ball If there be no advan
tage in the goals he may choose the kick
of, and his opponents In that case take
whichever goal they like. The two teams
then line up and are ready for the fray;
the holders of the ball placing it upon the
exact center of the field, and the opponents
being obliged to stand back in their own
territory at least ten yards, until the ball
has been touched with the foot. Some
member of the team having the kick
off has to kick the ball, at least ten
yards into the opponents territory. He,
accordingly will endeavor to send it over
the goal line or as far as he can, and still
have his forwards reach the spot in season
to prevent too great headway being &C.
quirsd ny the opponents interference, but
he will not kick it across the side line
The opponents catch aud return it by a
kick, or they run with it. If one of them
runs with it, he may be tackled by the
opponents.
The moment the ball is fairly held; that
is, both player and ball brought to stand
still, the referee blows his whistle, ard
the runner has the ball "down," and some
one upon his side, usually the man called
the centre or snap-back, must place the
mage" as it is termed. The ball is then
put in play again while the men of each
team keep on their own side of the ball,
under the penalty of foul for off side
play, by the snap back passing the ball
to the man right behind him, who is called
the quarter. back. The ball is in play,
and both sides may press forward as soon
as the snap back or center passes the bali.
The quarter back usually passes it to the
half back, or full. back, to kick or run
with; it is the opposing side which is
most anxious to press forward, while the
side having the ball endeavor by all law
full means to retard that advance until
their runner or kicker has had time to
carry out his play.
The team having possession of the ball
have the privilege of retaining it until
they have have had three trials to advance
the ball. If they make the required ten
Yards on three rushes " first down" oc-
ours, and the side having possession of the
ball retain it. 1t Is possible to make q
=. first down" on one play or try, provid
ing the necessary ten yards are made
Suppose one tea ii, by series of runs and
rushes, has succeeded in advancing the
ball, until it succeeds in crossing and
touching the ball "down" behind the
goal line which their opponents are de-
Tending, "touch down" or five point
score occurs for the team having thus
rushed the ball. The side having thus
scored is given a trial to kick the ball be-
tween the goal posts and over the cross
bar. and having succeeded In doing same,
an additional point is SEQ ed, thus making
IS touch down made by team having
a person on it who has any skill at all in
kicking the ball. eventually mean six
point score Thus 60 score in foot ball
means practically the same as 10 score
in base ball.
When a team fails to make a ten yart
advance on three trials, the team in ques-
ton is held for downs" and the ball
must be handed over to the opposition.
There are two other means OF scoring
which we should touch upon: one is the
goal from field and the other the safety
Suppose a team is within striking distance
of its opponents goal; say on the % or 81
yard line. They have failed to gain con
sistently and are in danger of being held
for "downs" and thus be obliged to for
felt the ball. On the "third down" q
drop. kick or goal from placement is gen.
II k..1