Omaha daily bee., 1913-10-26
ON-SIDE KICK COMING BACK
Old Play Has Been Authorized and
is Again Being Used.
HAS HAD A STORMY CAREER
Was OriGtnaIIy Invented by an ola
Penn Coach and since Then Its
Popularity Has Gone Up
ana Down.

NEW YORK. oct. e.--Foot ball fans
looking for the spectacular will have
their fill this season. The on-side kick,
again made legal, Is being quietly tried
az several OF the big centers. and coaches
plan to make this daring play one Of
the greatest ground gamers in the
championship games.
The little-.f fellows. always waiting TO
develop ideas from the more prominent
elevens haven't revealed this play yet.
for the simple reason that the leading
teams refused to divulge their strength
az this means OF gaining ground. Ac-
cording 10 report. Penn State has be-
come very adept at the on-side kick.
and the Princeton coaches, always
kindly disposed 10 this play have assid-
uousiy drilled their charges In the best
way to recover the short kick.
The present open field style OF game
gives the on-side kick a big chance of
gaining. While the play Is hazardous
Il not properly timed. Il Is nevertheless
powerful means OF advancing the bail
II the defending team is strung out in
wide formation.
Has winning Favor.
Gridiron authorities figure that the on
side kick has three chances TO one OF
going through successfully. This is based
on the advantage the kicking slde has Of
recovering the bail The play. while de-
pending lot on luck. is simple.
The attacking team elects to try an
on-side kick. The boOter receives a al.
rect pass from the center. The entire
I k.rl~st.ll
10 the side OF the kicker Each man on
the line. OF course takes care OF his op-
ponent. The scheme IL TO shoot the ball
over the line 20 one side, out OF reach
OF the secondary line. With the kick the
opposing end is sucked into the play and
the three men on the kicker's side break
through 60 recover the ball
II correctly, executed the ball Is placed
out OF reach OF the defending backfield.
the only man having chance to get
to Il being the halfback on the extrems
end The odds are three 10 one In favor
OF the kiekeF>s team recovering the ball
based solely on the ability OF either one
OF the three men TO OUTRAGE the defend
ing half getting 20 the bounding ball
The element OF success is large for the
attacking eleven n the bail bounces either
ahead or In back. n II jumps too far II
is likely to travel out Of bounds. in which
case the defending side would reoeve L.
II the ball bounds In toward the scene
OF play X Is probable that the defensive
halfback would be the first 10 catch a.
This year the rules allow the ball 10 D,
kicked for an distanees-there are no linn,
itatlons
Has Had stormy Career.
The tricky onside kick has had a storm,
career. II was originally invented by DR.
lCArl Williams. the old Penn coach. Geors,
Brooks. the present Penn coach. becam,
80 proficient in the play that the RED an.
Blue stood its opponents on their head
with this play. Coaches. claiming the on
side kick too dangerous. refused to tak,
Il up. and Il was not until 1907. wheI
Eaddie Harlan Of Princeton soeOmDlishe.
miracles with Il. Harlan could boot Will
the accuracy Of a pitcher throwing has.
ball. and the Tigers reeled Off man.
yards gain on this play
l all Al