Evening star., 1939-10-20
BY LEWIS ATCHISON.

"a coupe o. IlOuBIlCS puZZln4 IN
our belfry since last weeks games
concern the size of District football
squads, numerically speaking-and
pass defenses. Hours can be spent
on the subjects. reams written, and
the finish undoubtedly will find bat
tie lines clearly drawn between con-
f1icting schools of thought and side
line strategists clinging tenaciously
to private opinions and muttering
under their breath.
No phase of football is more
grossly misunderstood, perhaps, than
the fundamentals of sound pass
defense, and yet grandstand quar-
terhacks boldly and blithely heap
scorching criticism on teams for
their failure in this department
week after week. You've heard the
old refrain, Why don't they do it
this way?' Nor is the strength-in-
numbers idea fully appreciated in
this precinct, judging by the rosters.
Individuals on Spot.
Completion of pass doesn't
necessarily indict the teams defense,
but it may bring into bold relief
an individuals weakness in this re-
spcct. Only two methods of batting
down passes are known to civilized
man and generally accepted by
coaches at this for
man and zone defense. The idea of
having sharpshooters puncture the
pigSkln with b. b. shots was aban-
doned long ago, especially after it
was discovered the boys could do a
bang-up game on the passer-lit-
orally speaking
What happens when the enemy
opens up with an aerial lombard
ment? Two things. The offensive
forces send possible receivers into
enemy territory-one and possibly
two as decoys, and the hot-footed
target in person. Then defensive
players pick them up in a manner
decided on long before the game.
1t its a zone defense, the receiver
becomes the quarry of whoever is
protecting the territory he invades.
II ne goes on through, the sentry
IN that sector promptly forgets him
ana concentrates on any new alien
In the zone. If two receivers romn
INTO the same zone. the defensive
player will be joined by a teamnate
VINO has scented trouble and comes
over to lend hand in the emer-
gency.
We'll, supposing with these added
precautions the pass is completed in
tnat territory, is the system al fault
or were the players not quite up to
the assignment? Obviously the idea
was sound but its execution weak.
Hard to Place Responsibility.
Supposlng, assuming it is a man.
1or-man defense, the player taking
the pass gets between the defensive
back and goal line, takes the ball
over his head and hoofs it to the
goal line. Who gets the credit. or
olame? When the receiver happens
to be taller and faster than his op-
ponent, is that an indictment of a
defensive setup? We don't think So
Remember Gaynell Tinsley at L. S.
u, and how he capitalized on his
physical assets. Tinslev
dldnt beat the system, but out
played his individual opponents. The
boys were in position to stop him
not trapped out of position. but
simply couldn't match his efforts.
Have you ever noticed a defensive
player relax after thinking the dan
ger ended only to be caught nap
ping by a tremendous pass? This
happens when the passer, to all out
ward appearances, is trapped behind
the line and about to be tossed for a
slzable loss, but suddenly evades his
captors long enough to uncork a
long, desperate peg. If he makes
connections the system is not to
blame, but the man who dropped his
guard too quickly.
Every team from the lowliest to