Evening star., 1926-10-12

ball only on two plays, forward pass
and punt; on other plays he follows
the runner.
ON rush plays the spectator is han
dicap apped. The ball is hidden from
view. On plays against the line and
ends it is impossible to follow the ball
from the stands. because on most of
the plays it is not possible to pick out
the runner until he gets past the
scrimmage line, unless it Is sweep.
| will venture to say that people
who have watched foot ball for wears
have never discovered what happens
on the field when a kick or forward
pass is being made. AS soon as the
ball leaves the pasSers hands or the
kicker'S foot the spectators immedi-
ately follow the course of the ball
They follow ii right to the receiver.
In the meantime the drama that is
being enacted between the point from
which the ball starts on its fight
and where it ends is unknown to the
people in the stands.
| have heard coaches and pla yerS
comment on this, and so | am going
to describe just what occurs on a
kick and pass.
Kick Is Described
The play on d kick gets going, like
all plays, when the ball is passed
back from center. As soon as the
ball leaves the center the ends are
off The kicker's line has spread for
the punt and the ends are going
down the field wide apart. The two
halfbacks OF the opposing side go out
to meet them. 1t is their duty to
blocks the ends out of the play.
If the kicker kicks with his right
foot the left tackle goes down the
field with the ends, leaving the right
tackle to help protect the kicker. If
the kicker is left-footed booter, the
right tackle goes down the field and
the left tackle stays behind. The
man in fullback position OF the de
fense team is supposed to take out
the running tackle. lie should come
up to meet the tackle and dump him
as he enters the secondary zone
The center. the two gIardssand one
of the tackles therefore keep their
stations on the scrimmage line, form
Ing Il wall to block off the opposing
linemen.
There are three men in back of the
kicker's line who are used to cover
the kicker. They take out the first
mea VINO break through.
For IA place or drop kick the ends
and tackle do not go down. but pivot
thelf opponents out OF tne pay on
the line Of scrimmage. The whole
line holds its position when a place
on drop kick is being tried.
Defense Like Boxing.
When a place Kick is attempted only
two backs are available Ia block for
the kicker. since one of the backs is
on the ground, holding the ball. one
Is stationed to the right and the other
To the left OF the kicker. ON a drop
kick and punt two backs are stationed
on the side Of the kicking foot and
one on the opposite side for reasons
quite ohN iUuS.
When the ends go down under Il
punt the defensive backs 20 with
them. The backs try To dump the
ends just Defor- the receiver catches
the ball. Ii they dump them earlier.
the ends frequently can recover and
still reach the punt catcher.
The backs remain on the inside of
the ends. never on the outside. 1t Is
like intighting in boxing, the boxer
keeps his elbows on the inside.
After the backs dump the ends they
form interference for the punt re-
ceiVer. He depends upon his backs to
protect him because his ewes must
stay glued to the ball. Most Of the
fumh!es OF punts are caused by the re.
ceiVer taking his eyes off the ball
momentarily to discover the proximity
cf IN opposing end or tackle He must
watch the ball until It is in his grasp,
then look for a path.
(N0Vf' The Forward