The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-11-07
RULE Is OVERLOOKED
Few Coaches Take Advantage Of
Touchback Play.
Kicking From Regular Formation 10
Ground Gamer and Possibilities Of
sootIng Seen in Chicago
Illinois Game. !:

While rule has been enacted which
allows the team upon which touch
back has been scored to put the ball
in play on the 25-yard line either by
kick or scrimmage, few coaches are
taking advantage of the ruling. .
In the great majority Of cases the
captain elects to punt from the regular
kickoff formation. The defensive team
lines up in receiving formation and
players of the kicking side can be
checked as soon as the ball has gone
ten yards. In this manner the man
who catches the oval has many op-
portunities Of bringing it back at least
half the distance of the kick and
sometimes great deal farther.
AS the center of the defensive eleven
may stand upon the 25-yard line, the
kicker must boot the ball from some
point at least five yards back of the
restraining line. Consequently he gen
orally boots the oval from the 18 or 20
yard mark, writes Walter H. Ecker
sail in the Chicago Tribune. The only
advantage which a team has which
kicks from such formations is that the
players are onside and have the right
to recover the ball at any time except
when it is kicked out of bounds before
being touched by player of either
side.
In order to take all advantage pos
sible. team, If the captain elects to
punt, should follow the regular punt
formation. Then players of the kick
er's side cannot be interfered with
until the bail has gone 20 yards. I'm
der such conditions they have a great
er advantage than If they went down
under a punt from the kickoff forma-
ton. A booter kicking from the regu-
lar formation practically sends the
oval away on it's flight from the same
spot as does the team which kicks
without assuming the scrimmage punt
formation. He is afforded better pro-
lection, has vacant spots in the field
to kick to-, and 1t gives his team bet
ter chance Of recovering the ball aside
from preventing the receiving backs
from running the ball back any con-
siderable distance.
To the average follower Of football
the Importance of this ruling does not
have much weight, but If the altera-
ton is given thorough attention and
consideration the benefits of kicking
from scrimmage punt formation
soon will be realized. Coach Stagg of
the University of Chicago has taken
advantage Of the ruling and has OBJ
tanned the desired results in every
contest.
A team which constantly is being
pressed and is having touchbacks
scored on it frequently should take ad-
vantage Of this ruling, especially when
the opposing eleven has the advantage
Of strong wind. A booter when kick
Ing In the teeth of a wind should al
ways try to kick the ball out Of
bounds as far down the field as pos
sible, and his attempts always should
be Of the law drive variety.
In the games played this year, es-
pecially in the western conference col
leges, the keen Judgment Of the kick
ers In placing their attempts and get
ting their kicks away IN faultless fash
ion has been one of the most impor-
tant factors in deciding contests. Un-
der the present rules an eleven can
not hope for success unless kickers
are developed who can be depended
upon absolutely to get their kicks
away, even in the face of adverse con-
ditions, and who can drive the ball to
deserted parts Of the gridiron.