Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-17

to mention the number Oh otnef uAtes
Soldiers in the flower OF M Wht
had never ventured on the chalk lI!ef
field before they entered the service
engaged in the contests, with the re:
suit many, who had strongly opposed
the game. are now its staunchest sup,
pOrters.
The American youth is eager to en-
gage in some line of athletic endeavoT
in which there is an element of danger,
He longs to match his mental and
physical prowess with others. and foot
bali affords this outlet of pent-up en-
.husiasm. The boy with red blood 1T
his veins longs to be a member OF a
winning team. and with this aim IN
early life will naturally select some
institution of learning which is known
for its successful athletes.
Hiqhest CaIiber Play Game
lit is this type of American youth
who has been successful on the grid
iron in former years and the type who
will be heard from as long as football
continues to be our leading interco1
legiate line of athletic endeavor. Suen
is the caliber of men who are candi-
dates for this. years all-American
teams. which compare very favorabiy
with those selected in the past. Crit
les. like coaches. have their W IDEAS
as to what a candidate should be able
to do to make his college team or any
honorary eleven.
4 Unlike the all-conference and all
western e~levens selected earlier, the
field of all-American material must be
covered thoroughly and efforts made
to place the star performers in com
binations which will bring about the
desired results should the first team
be matched with another of it's kind.
Every angle of offensive and defensive
football must be taken into considera-
ton and no player should be honored
because he speciaiizes in only n de-
partment of play.
Extensively the team should be com
posed of backfield players who can
execute any forms of the many styles
Of attack. The backs should be able
TO run the ends. drive off the tackles,
or hit the line. They should know how
to block and tackle, get in the inter
ference. and be able TO put forth the
last effort when about to be tackled.
In other words, they should be able
to execute the many plays of the close
and open offense in such a manner
that the defense is kept in a quandary
as to what to expect. !
Average Fan Misses Points
While the average fan who attends
football games is constantly on the
alert for the spectacular, he misses one
of the most interesting points in foot
ball by not watching what makes it
possible for a back to get away on a
long run or smash through the line.
Without the aid of a strong forward
wall the best back who ever lived
would be helpless. 1t is the charging
and blocking Of the linemen which has
much to do with successful ground
gaining attempts of the ball carriers.
The same is true of the interference,
and there must be perfect co-ordina-
ton at all times. This is especially
true Of the line and backfield.
One must remember that men play
ing opposite each other in the line sell
dom come in contact with each other.
We often hear or read Of a tackle out
an opposing tackle or a guard
4 guard. This is not true. On offense
the line plays what is known as a tight
game. The defensive linemen play
loose and to the outside Of their oppo-
1ents. On various plays, the offensive
will charge the defensive guard
the offensive end will try to box
he defensive tackle in or charge him
back.
Plays are often evolved of the I'M
balanced line variety. 1t is on these |
occasions that the defensive linemen
must use their heads and try to figure
n a jiffy how to adjust themselves 10
meet the attack successfully. In most
asses they are successful and it is this
.ype of player who should be given a
place on any all-American team. {
Smart Players Figure Plays ;
The same is true of the backfieId I
men on defense. The smart player can !
figure the point of attack and
success or failure of the play depends /
argely upon how fast the defensive 6
'acks move to the objective. It usI- :
My happens THAT a quarter back dis
ards a play when it fails to gain. and !
his is the reason why so many coaches f
instruct their players TO put forth
very ounce of physical energy early +
n the battle to discourage opponents. r
procedure has won many impor q
ant games, and the team which does .
his makes the battle easier to win. o
AS stated in n previous article. any +,
eleven must be fortified in 9
IL departments. 1t must have the =
ripple threat player, the punter, field n
Gal kicker, isrward passer, line plum T,