The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-21

Crimson's Two Formations.
The Crimson employed two different
close formations from which to launch
its runs. One of these was the familiar
tandem formation, which has charac-
terized Harvard's offensive scheme
for the past ten years. The other was
modification OF the tandem which
Harvard used against Princeton and
consisted in deploying one Of the backs
directly behind the tackle. Similarly
Harvard employed to-day two kick for
nations, from which many running at
tacks we're made. Each Of these kick
formations presented the two arms Of
the backs as the two close formations,
with the exception that in each instance
the fullback played twelve yards dis
tant from the line.
Harvard disclosed at times forma-
ton in which one side OF the line spread
widely across the field, apparently
threatening forward pass in the ter
ritory thus covered BY the spread. but
as the manoeuvre in each instant de-
veloped this spread masked a plunge on
centre.
Yale's mechanism OF offence consisted
OF the balance in the line OF backs be-
hind an unbalanced line. From this Tor
nation Yale raked the Harvard line
right and left for small but unconnected
gains with equal frequency Yale also
employed the tandem formation. shifting
TO the latter from the balanced line OF
backs.
on defence Harvard generally en-
Moved five men in the backfield and six
in the line So strong and connected
however. were the line assaults OF the
Crimson that Yale was compelled 10
man it's line forward at all times
with seven players, thereby protecting
its backfield area with only four men
Nevertheless. one of the most conspicu-
Gus features of the game was Hale's or
fensive strength, which throughout the
rruelling day kept the goal line in blue
unviolated By either foot or pass
Plan of Attack Changed.
Harvard's battle plan in the begin
ming was an assault by forward passes
This system OF attack continued inter
mittently throughout the first nan
-Four OF these assaults by air succeeded
carving the Crimson forward seventy
five wards. Two others were inter
copied by Yale and three grounded with
out damage. During the first half the
forward passing and the interception oil
forward passes by both teams made the
battle extraordinarily brilliant and
thrilling. The unexpected continually
happened the ball changing sides WITH
startling frequency.
Yale during this half with typical
bulldog aggressiveness. adopted a run.
ming attack. directing nineteen plungo'
during the half at Harvard's line, al
through achieving only two first downs
During this first phase OF the battle
however. Harvard made tho discovery
that u could gain with fair consistency
through Yale's line. while Yale was
forced to the conclusion that IL the Blue
was 10 score 2 touchdown II must b.
through the air. Therefore. in the sec
ond half Harvard abandoned forwart
m Uses as the principal method or at
tack and resorted to line plunges. exc
cutting thirty-seven assaults OF thi'
character for total gain OF 121 yards
Yale. on the other hand abandoned The
running attack as p basic system Of
assault and substituted forward passing
In the second half Yale's running at
tacks we're limited 10 eight for a tota
gain OF fifteen yards. In this half how
ever Yale threw tho unusually large
number OF sixteen forward passes. only
four Of which succeeded. These drove
the Blues standard forward forty-foui
Yards Yala's failure 20 accomplish moro
by It's forward passing attack was due
TO tho cause which constitutes the chie
defects OF the Yale eleven Of 1920
namely. lack Of speed and lack or &C
curacy In one particular department OF
attack did Yale far outclass harvard
This was punting. the honors OF which
belong TO Aldrich OK Yale
Frequently throughout the fray did
this human catapult SEND the bail soar
ing sxvvard down tho field fifty and
aftv-fve yards. several times kicking