Evening star., 1936-10-18
Unified Efforts by Backs Linemen
HELPS Runner to Cross Goal Line
Bv NJ. K. Whitehead.

THERE is no greater thrill In the
game of foot ball than scoring |
touchdown, and all players |
Il love to do it. Some fail to
realize that there are other important
parts of the game besides carrying
the ball. Touchdowns are the result
of a unified effort Of three backs
and seven linesmen aiding the runner.
A successful team, however, is COM
posed of individuals in the backfleld
who have diversified abilities. All
backfeld men do not have to be ZOO
pound giants, for the small back can
always find a place for himself If ne
has speed, passing, kicking or de-
fensive ability, and there are many
small backs who have had all OF these.
The first things back should learn
are self-assurance, alertness, calm
state of mind and the ability to think
quickly. He should learn to handle
the ball automatically SO that FUN
bling becomes almost impossible. This
can be done by a reasonable amount
of practice in shifting the ball from
side to side, with the hand firmly
holding one end Of the ball and push
ing the other tightly up under the
shoulder. Carrying the ball like a
loaf of bread" of failing to hold 1t
firmly with two hands when bucking
the line have often resulted in costly
fumbles.
HANDLING the ball from center
should be automatic, and players
must learn a set stance in the back
field which is natural but does not
give any ''tip-offs" to the opponents
as to where the play is going. A glance
of the eyes, splitting on the hands and
pointing" with the body or feet are
very helpful signals to the opponents.
Another important part of backfield
play is the ability to know how to
Ian Wien .ack4eo 1t is difficult to ex-
plain, but with practice, as in calis-
themes, one can learn to fall in
relaxed state so that many serious
injuries can be avoided. In the same
way a complete relaxation between
plays aids immensely in conservation
of energy. This is especially true when
on the defensive. when there are a
few seconds between plays.
This part Of the game is vitality i'm
portant and good backs must love to
tackle and break up passes II they
expect to play on any team consist
emily. A brilliant runner is useless If
he has no defensive ability. Tackling
can best be perfected by practice on
dummy followed by constant "live
tackling." The player should learn to
keep his head on either side of the
man being tackled. He should develop
a viselike grip with his arms about
the runner as he pulls them tightly
to his own chest. If he can learn to
aim at a spot beyond the runner and
hit this with his shoulder. he will be
able 10 minimize the chances of miss
ing a moving object which is intent
on shifting, side-stepping and chang
ing pace in order to avoid being
tackled.
DEFENSIVE ability against passing
is a most difficult thing to learn
we'll. 1t is aided greatly by an alert
mind, which often senses the pass
ahead of time To cover a pass re-
ceiver effectively, the defensive player
should keep between him and his own
goal line at all times. He should be
intent on intercepting the pass, rather
than merely knocking it down, but
many bad estimate of distance has
resulted in touchdown because of
failure to intercept. 1t is better to play
safe and block the pass, turning the
body so that, in case of misjudgment,
the defensive player is facing the pass
receiver on balance in position to
make the tackle.
Above all, blocking is fundamental
of the game Of foot ball. No part of
the game can be performed without
excellent blocking, both in the line
and the backfield. The straight body
block in the open field is much like
tackle in principle, because effective
contact can be made only if the
blocker aims through Chat is at
point beyond) the man on defense
BY doing this, his force at contact
should be strong enough to bring the
man down when hit at the knees.
IN MANY cases, such as that Of
defensive end. who comes straight