Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-26
MTHE. Thick OFAScRIrn1AGE'

inexperienced trying time after time to
get the exact knack of dropping the
other fellow without permanent injury.
After this work has been INDUCED in for
several days, during which time the men
get out and run around the field several
times before going to the clubhouse. light
teamwork is the proper thing. BY this
time the warriors show some signs or
having wind somewhat more lasting than
the train schedules on time tables. When
the preliminary practice in teamwork be-
gins every man has his work cut out for
him. There is no organized scrub team
yet to be mauled by the regulars, but.
nevertheless, the trial is severe one.
The men have to be on their toes every
minute. forming interference. reforming.
bucking the line. sprinting around and
keeping on that short nervous run which
makes foot ball such a tremendous phys
ical exertion.
They are lined up and the quarterback
calls play. Quick flash the team
is off. with the coach behind 1t yelling
a dozen directions and begging his fond
pupils to show some indications Of hav-
ing been blessed with brains. Around
the end they go, and the man to whom
the ball is passed by the quarterback
drops 1t. The coach shoves him heavily
upCn it, with the advice that he remem-
Der in future that he is supposed to keep
an eye on the ball all the time, az that
is what the game Is for.
They start off again, this time through
center. The coach gazes after them in
silent wonder. AS they prepare to re-
form he steps around in front. and,
with a we'll directed push, forces the
center into a sitting position The cen
ter remains seated.
you are supposed to keep your feet
as we'll as pass the ball." shouts the
coach, and you are furthermore sup
posed to remember that the other team
will have a center also-and probably
a center who is a blamed sight better
than you are. Keep your feet, man,
keep your feet
This the center promises to do.
AS the team starts again the center
gets another shove. This time he keeps
his feet and Is well praised for So do
ing. The team works faster and faster.
until quitting time is announced and a
rush is made for. the clubhouse.
In addition to the duties mentioned.
it is the coach's pleasant task to show
fact that punters. like pitchers, are
born. and not made. A man can be
taught the correct manner of holding a
ball and the exact spot where 1t should
meet his foot may be indicated to him.
But unless he has the ability in him
nothing will make him more than
average punter., and considerably more
than that is required by college team.
The men are taught how to run. The
line learns that with legs locked to-
gether it can better prevent some
ubiquitous enemy from forcing his way
into the backfield than when they stand
apart. The guards learn how to support
and aid the center, the tackles how to
protect the guards. The line becomes
an impenetrable wall which gives the
backfield good time in which to form
and act. The backfield discovers that
three men. four men or even five men
can move as one; that interference does
not mean individual harassment of
some tackler. and that If the runner
suddenly decides in the middle of IL
play that he will carry the ball to the
side lines and give it a drink of water
their duty is to follow him. All OF
which they do. Thus slowly but surely,
by degrees which are perceptible to the
personal expenditure like beer or betting,
and ought to be paid for by the con-
sumner of the tobacco.