Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-17
BY n. C. BYRD.

Accurate passing and handling of the
ball will be a much greater essential IN
foot ball this year than in any previous
season since the Introduction of the for
ward pass Perfection in that depart
ment of play is mighty apt to be the only
salvation of the eleven this fall.
Under the new ruling which increa ses
the number of downs allowed and also
the other changes which favor the Of
Tense. it may readily be seen that a FUN
BILE almost at any stage of the game will
be a critical matter. The loss of the ball
in any part of the field will be such a
serious problem that teams will take
every precaution not to let it get out of
their possession.
More than ever will a team be con-
strained to play only safe plays in it's
own territory. There will always be the
incentive to take chance of getting
away on a long run. but there will also
be the caution which will prevent capa-
Bile general from doing anything which
would tend to put his goal line in great
jeopardy, as tumble or the loss Of the
oval in any manner would anywhere
within thirty or forty yards Of the goal.
Under the old ruling it was not such
a disaster to lose the ball and it did not
necessarily mean proba bic score on the
part of the opposing eleven. but under
present conditions. when the ball goes out
of the possession of a team 1t means tina
it has probably lost the touchdown it
might have made itself and also has a
proba BILE one registered against it, which
is about twelve points the tumble will
have cost.
1t is that condition more than anything
else which will cause the different clubs
to play safe foot ball. and, instead of
trying to develop the forward pass and
open play. will more than likely turn to
quick openings through the line. Anyway,
it is certain that there will be very little
of the former so-called chance play and
the work of all the teams will run along
the safest possible lines.
The team which has backs behind the
line. who are constantly fumbling the
ball is not liable to meet with much sue
cess, and consequence will also be
that the eleven which is composed of
players well drilled in following the oval
will more than ever be especially effect
i've.
Business High wanted to begin practice
yesterday, but it failed to get the suits
necessary. Several players reported to
the school expecting that work would
start but it was found that Principal
Davis would not allow the uniforms to
be taken from the school.
How business ever expects to build up
its athletic teams to the standard where
1t Will be able to compete on even terms
with the other high schools under such
conditions is not possible to understand.
AS a matter of fact, it never will.
Judging by the reports of the practice
held yesterday at Georgetown, that school
should have the most successful season
in it's history on the gridiron. There
seems little doubt that the most capable
aggregation Of athletes that has ever
represented the school will be candidates
for the eleven. Candidates for the back
field and line both seem to be numerous
and of an exceptionally high character.
Catholic University will not get out it's
candidates until next week. 1t will be
the last of the local institutions to start
practice.
When the Catholic University eleven
gets out to practice Johnny Greer, who
has played center on the Business High
and the Brookland elevens besides being
q prominent candidate for the George
town team during the early part of the
1911 season, will aid in the coaching.
Greer will be assistant coach and will do
the greater part of the work in develop
ing the line, according to dependable re-
ports.
Just who will have charge of the Gal
laudet eleven is question. The Kendall
Green team will have a lot Of good ma
tertal and should go through a success
full season providing 1t can get some
man to take care Of the players. Frit8