Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-16
BY 81. c. BYRD.

Upon the caliber of the line is going to
depend the failure or success of the foot
ball team this fall. There is no other
part of the eleven which is going to have
to stand the brunt of the game as much
as will the forwards, and unless they
are of the highest class there is not much
chance for a winning aggregation.
The linemen this season must not only
be heavy, but they must be fast enough
to charge into plays and break them up
before they are fairly started. Once let
play get under way. and there is not OPP
nortunity to prevent the man with the
ball making the required 2k yards Reces-
sary to the down under the new ruling.
II can be plainly understood that team
stands little chance of protecting its goal
under the four down rule, unless it has a
forward defense capable of accomplishing
more than has ever been required of it,
The line is going to be particularly
difficult problem. 1t is necessary more
than in recent years to teach the men 10
charge fast anu hard. and if they are not
able to do that then there is little chance
that they will stop the rushes to be di-
rected toward them. Not only must the
forwards be able to charge with moro
speed and strength than has been the
case in recent years, but they must also
be heavier than previously. There is not
the least doubt in the worlo tnat the ma
iority of the attack is going to be d.
rected toward the line, and unless the
men in it are powerful enough to pillow
through and get the man with the ball
before he is fairly started they are not
likely to stop him al all uhul after lie mas
gone his distance.
That is not saying, though. that the
line attack will be the same as under the
old rulings. Then it was a constant bat
tie with weight as the most decisive fac,
of the attempt to maui down the oppos-
ing forwards, quick dashes for slight
openings by fast and artful backs who
are good broken field runners. Every
must contain a heavy line plunger, but
the men who will do the majority of the
gaining are those who need but the
slightest opening through which to slip.
for gain of or ) yards before being
downed by the secondary defense.
The foot ball team this season which
is to attain the greatest amount Of sue
cess will be the one which will have
line of heavy. fast chargers and back
field which will contain a heady quarter
lack, two halfbacks who are best in an
open field and a heavy. plunging full
back. OF course, the mentioned is an
ideal condition and will probably not be
attained anywhere. but it is certain that
the ELEVEN WHICH, COIucS HcdIcSt W II Will
be the one to finish the year with the
greatest number of games Won and the
best showing made.
Three of the high schools will start
practice today. Central. Business and
Technical are the three institutions
which are to be given their first work
outs this afternoon.
Central did little light work Saturday,
but the real practice will begin today
Suits were given out and arrangements
made for the beginning Of the real work
and this week the players will
until after the championship is de-
termined.
Technical is probably in better shape to
start the season than anV of the other
squads. Several of its men have been
rowing all summer and are in good physi-