Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-11-06
SCHEMES OF GRIDlRON
Real Football Player Is Thinking
Every Minute of Game.
Rule Which Allows Puntins Anywhere
Behind Scrlmmage Line Permits
Revival-offieiaIs Must Watch
the Ball Closely.

CiOSt lOt1ONSEb Vi lu6 Sdults SspCSldi
ly those who played under the OLE
rules, are watching with interest the
manner in which the players take ad
vantage of the rules, some of which
permit foxy players to pull off" the
unexpected if certain plays are useC
at the proper time.
Although the rules have not beer
changed to any great extent, there
are many ways in which heady play
er can keep his team out of danger by
carefully sizing up the situation and
ascertaining the plays which might
work the best when his team is
crowded near his own goal line. A
real football player is thinking and
scheming all the time, and it is this
type who generally makes name for
himself.
The rule which states that when a
forward pass is thrown out of bounds
before striking the ground in the field
of play the ball shall go to the OPP
ponents at the point where it crossed
the sideline, is one which has not been
taken advantage of enough. There
are many players in a squad who can
hurl the oval 40 or so yards with the
accuracy of a baseball. If coach
is fortunate enough to have such a
player this man should be carried
along for this speciality.
Under the ruling which allows re-
substitution of a player at the be-
ginning of the second and third quar-
tiers and at any time during the final
period, player who can throw the
ball out of bounds 80 or 40 yards down
the field is a valuable asset. If a
team is close pressed and finally takes
the ball away from it's opponents on
the one or two yard line, the natural
thing to do is to punt the ball as far
out of danger as possible.
In striking contrast to this method
of preventing a team from scoring
would be the sure, safe method Of
throwing the ball out OF bounds 80 or
40 yards down the field. Even il the
wind were blowing against the oval
the passer would get more distance to
his throw than kicker, for the sim
pie reason that the ball is thrown in
spiral fashion, thus allowing the
ball to bore through the air and with
definite direction. The defensive
team has no chance of receiving FREQ
trial at the goal and there IS no
chance of the catcher running the ball
any distance.
This play was used sparingly last
season, especially in the early stages,
Near the close of the year the coaches
used it more, and soon discovered tho
value of man who could throw tho
oval long distance with accuracy,
The preliminary practice every season
is devoted to kicking and throwing
the oval and the coaches now should
have a good line on the men who arc
most adept in handling the ball.
The change in the rules which al
lows the ball to be kicked from any
point back of the scrimmage line i'd
sure to bring back the onside kick,
considered by many to be one of the
most valuable ground gaining plays.
AS the rule this season permits tho
kicker to boot the oval from any
position, the old on-side kick is sure
to come back into its own and be
used a great deal, The play will be
all the more valuable because the ball
is free property the moment 1T strikes
the ground, whereas in the old days
the oval had to be touched by an OPP.
ponent before one of the kicking side
could recover it. AS result there
is going to be plenty OF scrambling
for the ball, so the officials will have
to be on top Of the play all the time
to award the oval to it's logical owner,
Although these plays should come
in for lot of consideration by
coaches and players, there are other
points which are of invaluable assist
ance to a team If the players carry
out instructions. The point regarding
a player stepping out Of bounds or
fighting to cross the side line when
he is cornered is a most important
one When a team in possession OF
the ball is crowded within two yards
from the side line the offensive
eleven is in hole" and its chances
of gaining ground nightly slim.
The players always should remem-
Der to fight to get out of bounds when
tackled close to the boundary, 1t is
almost impossible to gain ground on
the wing close to the side line and 1t
Is almost as hard to make any head.
way on the wide side because the !
defense is shifted over to meet an |
expected attack. If a team is forced |
against the boundary 1t is much better
% lose down BY sending play out I
Of bounds than 1t is to try to gain
through the line or on the vide side.