Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-18

~ NE very interesting phase OF
North Cardinals attack
which defeated Georgia Tech
last week and Georgia will
find difficulty In meeting to-
morrow-is the use of the Notre Dame
offense from a set formation. In other
words, the backfield does not shift. In
aSmuch as Notre Dame backfleld ma
neuvering works into a single wing
back formation Just before the ball Is
snapped so the Tarheels start from
single wing man who is stationed about
two yards back Of the line outside the
defensive left tackle.
The writer is not so sure that plays
delivered from this set formation are
not stronger in their effect than when
they grow out of shift. Originally
Knute Rockne's system was based upon
timing-rhythm- which the defense
would be misled as to the exact trend
of the play or else caught moving in
shifting to meet the backf1eld rearrange-
ment This intent was adequately
realized, and, in fact, with the back
field moving up to the time of the snap
ping Of the ball-and often as 1t was
snapped-no defense could cope with 1t
successfully.
Stop Rule Hurts It.
But the rule requiring a full second
pause after a Shift was put into
effect q year ago-has proved, when it
is enforced fearlessly, deadly blow to
the basic intent of these plays.
Indeed, the writer has the idea that
Notre Dame still shifts its backfleld
more because 1t is a trade mark OF
South Bend teams, while at the same
time it involves a certain color, a
pageantry, as Knute Rockne puts 1t,
which appeals to spectators.
It Is not so certain that an onense
started from set formation does not
hit harder, when it is well worked, than
one in which the backs have hoped
into a position. One may argue with
good grounds for his contention that q
settled player can charge faster and hit
harder than a back who snipe-lke has
teetered into his position. But which,
ever way is used there Is always the
argument that the wing back is too
too close to the line, that he is less
than the required yard back, and this
has an illegal advantage in Ranking a
defensive tackle.
The writer today was talking to an
old Notre Dame quarterback-and
great one-about the value OF strange
and weired trick formations. The case
Of the willingness of Warner ana
Rockne to teach their formations at
Summer schools and to diagram them
was cited by way of showing that 1t
makes little difference what the play
is provided it be organically sound. It
will 60 If it Is launched with speed, pre-
cision and perfect team coordination.
Rock Has Nothing New.
Notre Danes plays have not changed
in any material degree in 10 years. Last
year Rockne stressed some spin plays
and the like. but they were not, even SO,
new to Notre Dame.
plays have not changed at South
Bend" said this quarterback, either
out Of Notre Dame long time now and
have not visited South Bend in that
period, yet tomorrow could go In ct
quarterback, call the signals for this
years outfit and get the same response
used to get. It isn't so much the plays
in foot ball; it Is the way you work
Them
Princeton and Yale are the two teams
in the country, so far as the writer
knows, which have adhered to the nom
scouting agreement.
Princeton scouts are absent from
games that Yale plays and Eli observers
are missing when the Tigers 60 into
action
Whatever may be said against the
policy Yale and Princeton seem to be
perfectly satisfied with it, believing that
in all its implications 1t is something
more than gesture. Perhaps 1t Is.
Time will tell. In the meantime the
writer, who has viewed the scheme ad-
versely from its practical side. is per-
fectly willing to let Yale and Princeton
work the matter out without unsought,
and probably undesired, criticism on his
part