The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-10-08
Coach's Hardest Task is to De-
velOp Capable Men for
Those Positions.
By SOL METZGRR
Coach Of the Washington and Jeffer-

VNohcn OF me washington and Jener-
son Football Team
Tho more one coaches football
teams the more he Is impressed with
the difficulty Of producing capable
baolStield players. although. for these
positions-quarter, full and the two
halfbacks-there are more candidates
than for any other places on the eley-
en-. Boys of all sizes AID abilities
come out for the backfeld and few are
fitted to play there. This ia due TO
the fact that in nearly all preparatory
school football teams the big boys and
the small ones, who are faster. usually
play in the buckheld Nothing is
more natural than for them to attempt
the same in college. In spite Of all
this there are few good backs. Most
OF this type know only how 10 run
with the ball and running with the
ball is the last requisite OF back. In
fact, because OF the other require
ments-making interference and play
Ing on defense 1t is more difficult to
play these positions properly than
any other on the team.
Want to Ran with Ball.
All players want 10 run with the
ball. Carrying the ball is as satisfy
ing to the football player as Is dry-
ing $50 yards to the golfer, but a
back must know how 10 interfere 10
be on a winning team, just as a golfer
must first master putting and ap-
preaching. Consequently, making in
reference and playing 4 suff defen-
sive game Is the problem Of tho back
field player and coach. In the former
the back becomes lineman In that
he Ia not likely 10 receive much pub
lie praise for good work In the lat
ter no must not only be able TO tackle
iyiciously, but no must be quick ut
diagnosing tho offanse in order to
break II up before it is under way.
And with equal Importance his value
grows as he is able to catch, pass and
kick the ball.
Few Good Backs.
4 Knowing the requirements for good
ibacktield play II is not strange that
$50 few players really are great backs
To become a great back one must be
quick thinker, aggressive, strong
land speedy in order to accomplish his
tasks as well as to stand the pound
ling one in this position is subjected
~ ANhuAluE Will A4ld JAIL ~ u btt-
ondary consideration OF the good
coach in selecting his first string OF
backs.
There have been few backs playing
on winning teams because Of their
running ability alone. In a number OF
years Of experience in closely follow
ing the game / know OF but one. He
could not make interference or tackle,
yet he proved OF benefit to this team
because he made many touchdowns by
almost superhuman speed. His coach
played him solely because he could
score moro points than the opposing
eleven and no broke up" many games
/ in the first quarter by his magnificent
running time when scores are al
most certain to discourage any opposi-
ton. Yet this back. whose name | am
not at liberty 10 give. was only sue
cess because his teammates made the
needed interference for him. This
player was a football freak, the ex-
ceptlon who proves the rule that in
reference and defense must come
first.
Many Good Runners.
While many backs are better at rum
ming with the ball than others, be-
cause OF speed, driving power. abili-
y to hold their feet and 10 fight for
ward when tackled or because OF some
odd knock in eluding tacklers. they