Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-31
SHIFT PLAYS IN
FOOTBALL CANES
ARE INCREASING
Camp Also Finds That For
ward Is Increasing; Punt
ing Is Also a Very Vital
Asset.
nY MATTER CAMP

Copyright 1921 by Albuquerque JournaD
New York, Oct. So.-At this
point in the season 1t behooves
both the coach and the student Of
football to take stock of the de-
velopment of play produced in the
year 1921. 1t may be fairly said
that the season up to the first OF
November has emphasized the
prime importance of the forward
passing game carried further in It's
finesse than anything we have
seen before. Secondly, 1T has been
shown that punting, both often
sively and defensively, is very vi
tai asset, and thirdly, 1t is appar-
ent that the broadening of the base
of attack both through shift plays
and movable men in the backfield
has made considerable strides and
put an additional burden on the
defense.
Far From Perfect.
The defense to the forward pass
has improved rather measure bly,
but it is still far from perfect.
This was illustrated In the case Of
Yale in her games against Will
liams and the Army. Both these
teams found a sort spot in the
middle of Yale's back field which
was always uncovered. 1t was
there they threw their passes and
this strategy put Yale alarmingly
on the defensive. 1t was not n hit
or miss pass, thrown indiscrimi-
nately In the hope that some play
er might get 1t, but was we'll con-
ceived and we'll executed As it
was repeated time after time in
each game it would have seemed
to have uncovered a vulnerable
point.
Chicago used pass of less dis
lance to Rodney, which netted
them their touchdown against
Princeton. The writer has fol-
lowed in actual observation the
play in both the east and the mid
die west and there is a distinct
difference in the two sections. That
difference lies largely in the fact
that the middle west has used the
forward pass more--that is for a
greater period Of years. Hence their
defense to this play is better.
Western teams are not thrown into
a condition of dazed paralysis
when the forwarding passing
starts. They are more familiar
with seeing the ball in the air and
their actions prove this. They are
more determined tina neastern
| n 10, ~; 90
the passer and they are also a
little quicker in diagnosing the
direction of the pass.
Shift Plays Developed.
Another notable thing in the
seasons development is that shift
plays far from being on the de-
cline, are being developed even
more and are very effective. They
lend themselves to deception and
make it difficult for the defense
to recognize early the point of at
tack and get set accordingly. Chi
cago certainly demonstrated this in
the Princeton Game. The Prince
ton line was quite unprepared to
meet these plays effectively.
Practically every coach in the
country now realizes that attack
must be formed on a fairly broad
basis, either by spreading the four
men in the back field somewhat
by the use of shift plays or by di-
rect passes, which give an extra
man in the interference on or out
side tackle in order to meet the
line-charging presented by a first
class team.
Another feature of the season
Is the steady Improvement in com
bining the forward pass and tho
running game, making one n fol-
for the other and keeping the d,
Tense In trepidation as to whethnr
they must meet a running play
an aerial one.
VaIue OF Tong punter.
The force and power with whic'
plays withTa swinging interferenf
are directed on or outside Of
tackle and end, tempted mar
coaches early In the season to tr,
to get more power into the wings
some instances where this was
effected, 1t has not worked because
the men transferred left weakness
in their old positions. Warner Of
Pittsburgh, was compelled to shift
Steinback as a rowing center after
trying him at end for this reason.
This season more than any 70,
ars, has demonstrated the value
of a long and accurate punter. 4
team with such a man invariably
works UP on an exchange Of
kicks until they have to play In
the opponents territory. This is
not a scoring play-but it keeps the
burden Of defense always upon the
opponents. AS corollary it is of
immense Importance to have men
who can break through and block
kicks. 1t was this ability by Har-
ward that threw Indiana completely
out Of gear.