University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-01-05
DIR. WRIGHT EXPLAINS
TRAINING METHODS


versity Missourian, from his home in
Philadelphia, this review of the latter
part of the football season.)
Upon arrival at Columbia November
an inspection of the physical condi-
tion of the Missouri University foot
ball squad was made at the gymna-
SUM, in company with Coach Roper.
The injuries discovered were two cases
of moderate effusion at the knee-joint
or water on the knee, two sprained
ankle-jOints which were recovering,
several cases of contusions or bruises,
mostly of the thigh. One case of
haematoma, or blood clot of ear, and
one case of rupture cartilage between
ribs and Sternum. AS far as the prog
nosis was concerned, none of these
injuries was serious, and they sue
cumbed readily to treatment.
/ The squad as whole showed over
training. This was due partly to their
| injuries, which is always a source of
irritation; partly to the very warm
weather experienced, which usually
reduces weights too rapidly; and also,
to the nerve strain incident upon the
keen competition and rapid develop.
ment OF a team to meet the require
ments of a hard schedule A great
factor also to be considered at Mis-
souri, was the unusually light weight
of the players in general. This style
of player reaches form much more
quickly than the heavier player. Mr..
Roper had done remarkably well not
to have experienced a slump in con-
dition previous to the Washington
game. He also had been compelled,
owing to raw nature of his material,
to play his men harder each day than
is usually necessary.
AT this time he had succeeded in |
the selection of team and substi- |
tutes and also had taught them much |
football and rest from scrimmage |
work during the week preceding the |
Drake game-only one day was scrim-
mage permitted-was possible and
required TO save his players. AS a
result, when Drake was met, they
were swept off their feet by the rapid
ity OF plays-and Drake averaged a
few pounds heavier. Also at the close
of this game, the Missouri team could
readily have played another thirty
minute half. The men were in the
pink of condition and yet it was
twelve days before the season closed.
Excepting Shuck's ankle, the game
left no cripples. The question at once
arose how to hold the men in the
form they were and yet permit scrim-
maging to correct faults and develop
better team play. 1t was decided to
run the chance of overtraining and
cut the harder practices down to five
days-with shorter time each day for
the regular men. Even with this
modest schedule, on no one day did
the regular men line up for practice
man for man as they did at the start
of the Kansas game. The men were
actually coached individually and vet
with such judgment that their team |
work in the final game was marvellous. ,
The trip to Excelsior Springs proved ;
the wisdom of its choice. 1t was a 7
natures tonic to all. Isolate from all Y
hard practice-a 1
'estful change in environment and diet
it worked wonders and was badly :
needed mentally as we'll as physically. s
had been ready for the final I
game over a week. They were still !
trifle overturned, and Excelsior
springs proved potent factor in their f,
success. 7
The day of the game proved too T
warm for football. This fact, together F
With the difference in weights and age,
which was decidedly in Kansas favor. g.
made Missouri's task a most difficult B
me. A review of the game will show =
hat Kansas during the last ten min T
ties of each half was not playing the
'ame she did during the earlier part
VI each half. She apparently was
vertrained, more so than Missouri.
he many accidents happening to Mis- b
ouri players during this final game n
'ere the result of fierce tackling on T
llssourls part of men so much l.
eavier. No less than six players L
'ere more or less dazed by concus-
ions. No one was seriously hurt. C
he frequent substitutes saved our =
len, it maintained the strenuous F
fense and defense throughout the
ame and gave to Missouri a credit p
Dr. endurance which eleven men could tc
ever have maintained for seventy +
linutes against team so much
eavier.