The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-02-04
BY JOHN J. SCHOMMER
Captain Chicago University Basket
Ball Team

Captain Chicago university Basket
Ball Team
When planning basket ball
teams offense, ii is wise to mas
ter a number of plays. To work
three or four plays over and over
gives an opponent opportunities
to get wise and spoil the forma-
tions.
1t sometimes happens that
three or four plays are sufficient
when executed swiftly, but all
teams are not easy, and when a
well trained five is met the team
must have a rather lengthy list of
formations to work at a seconds
.-uotice.
Right here a word Of caution:
Every formation must be mas.
tered thoroughly by every men,
Der of the team. No plays should
be attempted in game until ia
miliar to all players, or they will
be executed in a hesitating man.
ner, which might prove fatal.
If play fails because some
player or players have not been
sufficiently drilled and thereby do
the wrong thing at the wrong
q time, the team will go up in the
air. This must be avoided or the
opposing team may score heavily
before the men get back to earth.
After the plays described in the
last article have been worked fire.
quently, the opposing guards will
be sprinting pell-mell for posi-
tions on either side of the center
on the slightest indication of the
forwards to run in that direction.
Therefore a play must be used to
take advantage of this and make
the offense more deceptive. Here
is one:
AS the ball is tossed up for the
centers, the left forward makes a
feint to run for a position to the
center's left side, then circles
back to the left of the basket.
The left forwards guard, think
ing the ball is to be batted to the
left, as in the play left forward
to right forwards position
sprints to get the ball and the
left forward is left unguarded. The
center, instead of batting the ball
to the side, gives it a hard bat
straight down the field to left
forward who tries for an easy
goal. The right forward makes
the same feint on his side and cir
cles back to the right side of the
basket, while the center runs to
a position in front of the basket,
thus guarding all possible points
of rebound.
The reverse formation is of the
same character, the ball being
batted to the right forward instead
of the left forward. The value of
this play, after being worked once
or twice, is that the opposing
guards do not know what to ex-
pect.
The guards dare not sprint for a
position on either side of center
for fear the ball will be batted
down the field to the unguarded
forwards; and they cannot allow
the forwards to run unguarded.
This is the condition to put them
in. They go up in the air and
are in At condition to have a mum
Der OF plays pulled off on them.
/ have seen this worked four
consecutive times, basket result
ing each time, and the center never
stepped out of the center circle. n
goes without saying that in this
play everything depends on the
center's ability to get the ball on
the jump. Even II he is outjumped
enough time often remains for one
of the guards to get the ball ant
complete the play.
The next play involves the
guards. Center bats the ball t.
his left side. where 1t Is caught b,
the left forward, who sprints fol
II. He passes the ball across the
floor to the right guard in RICH
forwards position. The right for
ward, the instant the ball /,
thrown up between the centers
runs to cover the man left by tn,
right guard. The right guar,
runs wide OF center and then cut
In for good shot at goal.
The instant the guard tries TO
goal he sprints back to cover hi
man and relieve his own right fol
ward. The left forward, after pass
Ing the ball. goes to the left of tn
basket for the rebound, should tn
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