The Washington herald., 1913-12-22
THE Open GAME
Hereto STAY
Mike Thompson, Former G.
u. Athletic Adviser, Dis
cusses Gridiron Sport.
LESSON FROM THE WEST
East Learned Valuable Lesson-The
Smaller Colleges Able to Compete
by Taking Advantage of II.

N. J. Thompson, the former George.
town athletic adviser. has written an in.
teresting article for the New York Times
| on the open football game, which. he
says, has come to stay.
He says: The football solons at least
realized the desired results OF many years
| of hard labor. For the first time, prac-
| tically speaking, since the Inauguration
OF the game in this country can 1t be
safely stated that a season has come to
close without requests from all quar-
ters to change the rules. Year after
year the football committee. composed OF
men representing different sections of the
college world. come together to formu-
late a code TO carry on the college sport.
After spending much time and considera-
tion on points and regulations for the
best interest of the game, their sports
have gone along nicely until about mid
season, when all at once a cry was set
up that everything was wrong. that the
game should not be played, and all sorts
of information doled out to make the
game better.
The Outside Kick.
One of the most important changes
made for the past season was the bring
ing back OF the old-time play. the onside
kick. There was great opposition to II at
the time, but after a long consideration
1t was accepted to satisfy the advocates
that were in favor of ii, they saying that
1t ii opened up the game and made pos
sibilities for unexpected and spectacular
features. Its sponsors evidently fooled
themselves or the play has been very
little displayed, and then only in minor
contests. and from the way the defense
was lined up and the inaccuracy OF the
men who were called upon for the kick
there was very little chance OF the play
being successful.
The forward pass was brought into
prominence more this past season than
ever before, and even by teams whose
tutors and followers are and have been
always opposed to il. The play looks as
though il is In the code TO stay and the
advance and accuracy with which il
was executed this fall augers we'll for a
more scientiRC plan next season rather
than the old haphazared take-a-chance
way of shooting the ball as in past years.
Although il looked good this year
believe that the forward pass
it still in its infancy. and wise tutors
will make a great success OF IL. UnI
Of the Western colleges invaded the
East this year and to a great extent
showed the possibilities in the play much
TO the disappointment OF the teams
who were completely puzzled in finding
a defense and consequently took the los
ers end. Also in the East there are
teams that used the forward pass with
telling effect and especially this is so
with the West Point against the Navy.
Smaller Colleges shine.
Great wonder has been expressed on
all sides why the smaller colleges are
so well able TO compete with the larger
hot ~,
is that they have taken full liberties with
the rules that are set forth while the
big fellows who are still skeptical insist
upon line plunges or when the ball is
within hailing distance Of the goal. de-
pending upon a strong toe for a field
goal to turn the tide. practically making
the game subject to one mans ability
when the rules offer so many opportuni-
ties for general team play.
The trouble seems to be that the man
who possesses the ability to do the
drop kicking is in many cases left to his
own discretion when to try il, when as a
matter OF fact little success can be OBJ
tanned without a well-concerted attack.
each and every play being especially
planned and with good drop kicker
there is no reason why the team should
not be built around him without taking
the power to force the rest of the team.
Very few instances of this system have
SO far been brought to notice. The ones
which were successful showed that they
accomplished the end by a very careful
study of the situation and at all times
thoroughly demonstrated that their plays
were well concerted.
Tie Scores Again.
Another reason for bringing about
changes in the rules was the general
with so many tie
scores. which left for a number OF
seasons a very unpleasant situation
for a football championship to be
determined. We are getting back to
the same predicament again. and so
far it can be traced to too much de-
pendence upon drop kicking and be-
ing satisfied to work on the defen-
sive after getting one goal As far
as can be learned where teams have
played the open game, few tie scores
have resulted.
The rules, as they are now, from
general impression received. are to
remain with us for some time and it
Is an open question why more of the
larger colleges do not take advant-
age of them and adopt a system ac-
cordingly. There must be a deep reason
and only time will bring out the answer.
The mass play, over which there was
such a. bitter feeling some years ago.
blaming such style for many injuries, is
back again, although not under the old
form. Prohibiting the man helping the
runner was brought to do away with any
at mass formation, but some OF
the coaches, after careful study. have
found a way, and 1t seems that the force
with which these plays are being pulled
on is far greater than in the mast