The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-10-21
TUTORS RELY ON
TACKLE PLAYS
THESE PLAYS WILL BE USED AS
OFTEN AS IN PAST YEARS, SAYS
ECKERSAIl-PART OF OLD
FOOTBALL.
By Walter n. EckersallI

BY Walter n. Eckersall
With the football season we'll under
way it is interesting to note the diff
ferent styles fattack used by the
large teams in the different sections
Of the country. Although the revision
of the rules has made possible any
number Of formations, the coaches for
the most part are clinging to the old
plays which have characterized every
teams attack eer since football was
played in American colleges.
Little experimenting has been at
tempted by any of the mentors, as
they desire to have their elevens as
proficient as possible in simple forma-
tons, and those in which the forward
pass is a factor. Since football has
been played in American institutions
plays directed on and off the tackles
have been the secret of every eleven's
offense, and these plays are the ones
relieved upon to gain ground this sea-
son. With a fast, driving half back
who has good interfereTs this is the
hardest play in the game to stop, and
when the runner hits the forwards his
own momentum carries him along for
an extra yard or two.
Play as important as Ever.
The elimination of the push and
pull of the man with the ball has not
deprecated the value of this play, and
lit is sure to be one depended upon
for gains in later and more important
games. Any team with versatile at
tack is sure to gain ground, but the
one which has two ripping half backs
to plunge on or off the tackles Is bet
liter off than the one which depends
upon the forward pass for most Of its
gains.
The success Of offtackle plays de-
ponds in large measure on the end
and tackle at the attacking point. A
heady tackle is Of great value on these
plays, for he can so adjust himself in
the majority of cases where it is pos
sible for him to handle his opponent
| alone and allow the end on his side
Of the line to check the opposing
half. In this manner the runner with
the ball is sure to get up to the scrim-
mage line unmolested and to point
where it Is easy for him to pick an
opening and gain considerable ground
In some cases the. defensive tackle
may play so wide that the offensive
tackle cannot help in any way in keep
ing him out of the play. In such
cases the offensive tackle charges the
guard in and the offensive end bucks
the defensive tackle out, thus leaving
Ia hole for plunge between tackle
and guard.
Play to Draw Tackle.
II an opposing tackle is playing in
this manner it always Is policy to
shoot plays inside of him in order to
draw him closer to his guard, and
then plays can be sent outside of him
and arond the end. A good defensive
tackle can do more toward checking
an offense than any other player, and
it always is policy for the player run
ming the offensive team to find out
his weakness as soon as possible.
Contrary to number Of early sea-
son predictions that the quarter back
no longer would occupy the position
behind the center, but would take a
place alongside the half backs or off
to one side, most of the coaches are
using this important cog in a football
machine in the old position. Just as
many deceptive plays can be run Off
from this formation as any other if
the quarter is fast and performs his
part in every play to nicely. Plays
|are being used in which the center
passes the ball direct to one of the
halves for a cross drive or run and
1t is an easy matter for a quarter tc
bend his leg sufficiently to allow the
ball to pass and then get out in the
interference.
Several coaches are utilizing more
than ever the ability of linemen who
can forward pass and run with the
ball. The most notable case in the
west is Capt. Butter of Illinois. Being
a powerfully built player, Butter can
be pulled back five yards to either run
or make forward pass, both of which
he does with the perfect execution OF
another player whose ability was util.
lied in this respect number of times
last Saturday in the Illinois game.
Passer Often at Fault.
So far the failure of number OF
forward passes to work properly Is
due to the passer not standing faf
enough back of his own line when he
receives the ball. AS the pass must
DE made from any point five yards
back of the line, it is better for the
passer to stand at least ten yards
back, thus allowing the receivers. OF
the ball plenty Of time to get out in
the open and give the passer better
opportunity. to get his throws away
without any danger Of having them
blocked. In this connection the passe1
can add a. lot of deception to his work
by tucking the ball under his arm as
If to run with it and then taking 4
few steps. With the ball under his
left arm be car orasn = 49, = --' 80
and with the idea of drawing the de-
fensive team into him he has a bet
) ter chance TO make a successful pass
; Another play wlicn - oo-1.. ..~--
to advantage is the double backwaTG
: pass with the half receiving it to the
, end when he is about TO be tackled
This is a good play to pull when the
offensive team has a wide side Of the
, field to make the rIn and il will Ia n