The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-12-04

| tue spectator, and the sport naturally
grew into greater popularity. But It
did not eliminate PARTICLE of danger.
If mass plays were us dangerous as
some persons assert they can be played
under tho present rules with just as
much danger as they could under the
former laws Harvard has a play over
tackle that brings nearly every man on
the team through the gap
There is no way that danger can no
eliminated from football by changing
the rules. They might change the game
so that 1t would be altogether different
In principle. but then 1t wouldn't bo
football
When the rules of football wero
changed it was with the Idea that tho
sport should be made more open and
that an eleven need not necessarily be
coached TO believe that all hope of its
success depended upon retaining the
ball continually In It's own possession.
1t was heroic struggle for somc
OF the old timers to admit that this
might even be possible. and there arc
some to this day who rebel against 1t.
The theory of mass play IN football
as 1t had worked out not SO much TO
the physical injury OF players as to the
utter lack Of attractivcness to the sport
and the steady tendency that was maxi
ing 1t an exclusive pastime for the
giants as opposed to the men of aver
age physical size. was built on tho
foundation of retention of tho ball at
all hazards
There Is nothing In mass play In foot
ball which Is attractive, It's value is
usually nil nowadays except when 1t
Is employed to gain short distance.
There Is little of mass play as il took
place five years ago. A big team which
contronts smaller team and finds II
easy TO break through the defense of
the smaller team is apt to fall back on
line plays because II Is the easiest way
OF. winning the game There are fewer
teams. however which under the new
ruloS have been able to sweep across
a field for long distances, gaining two
OF three yards or a tr1fle moro at each
down. than there were in the past,
There have been instances where a |
team has made. say, twenty-five yards |
through driving at the tackles or be-
tween them and tho ends. Such an in
stance took place last year in the game |
between Yale and Princeton last year.
pul thut ~ Il rare exception
The injury TO Brync. the West Point
cadet, Is accredited to mass play. Tho
use of that term would appear TO have
been adopted more because 1t sounds
Objectionable than because those who
have employed 1t are thoroughly con-
versant with the real character of mass
play.
when ono man under the now game
essays TO carry the ball he is not sur.
rounded by threo or four others who
form a wedge OF a chisel shaped group.
which seeks TO crowd tho opponents to
earth
he usually runs aIono. One OF his
companions may seek to block GER
,ein player and another companion seek
TO block another player. third may
essay TO get In such a position that he
can ward or runners who try TO solzo
INC man with the ball A fourth may
Try TO get into position whero no can
prevent the back from checking the ad-
vance OF tho ball That Isn't mass
pay 1t Is a running formation. and
US purpose is to scattcr the defense
tno not let II be welded into compact
'ody because another compact body is ,
rylnS 10 break through the line. That