The Forward Pass in Football Part 2

INTERCEPTION.

The danger of interception, though much over-rated by many, should be carefully guarded. The interception of a long pa.s.s often means nothing worse than punting to the other team would have meant. Possession of the ball does not count for as much as in the old game. It should never mean worse if the danger of interception is properly guarded. Too often, however, it means a touchdown for the defense.

In the first place when the receiver has been called every other man on the offense should instantly become alive as a possible interferer or possible protector in case of interception. It is a preparedness, mental and physical, that is desired that in itself would probably prevent half of the touchdowns now made by interception. A pa.s.s doesn't _finish_ a play, it simply starts it--and it may _start it either way_.

In the second place all line men and eligible men in the shorter zones, who perhaps can be of no a.s.sistance on the longer pa.s.s, should the instant they find the long pa.s.s in process act as if they expected it to be intercepted.

Finally the pa.s.ser himself and his immediate protectors should, the instant the pa.s.s is off, cover for possible interception. They are the last and possibly by far the most important "safety" in case of interception.

CHAPTER VI.

SUGGESTIVE FORWARD Pa.s.s FORMATIONS AND PLAYS.

The previous chapter attempted a general statement of the fundamental principles upon which a successful forward pa.s.sing game may be built. It is the purpose here to ill.u.s.trate these by definite formations and plays that have been successfully used. The kick formation has lent itself in many ways very admirably to forward pa.s.sing. A slightly modified punt (Fig. 1) formation, in which the left end is one yard back, one half on the line, full fifteen yards back, halves about three yards back, has proven effective for line bucking, end running right or left, punting and forward pa.s.sing. The greatest difficulty lies in getting the left half to go out straight to the side and be content with a short gain.

When this happens a few times someone from the defense is bound to try to cover him. When that is attempted the way is open for runs or pa.s.ses to left end or tackle. This sideward threat, almost a pure lateral pa.s.s, is an important part of the strategy of the successful forward pa.s.s attack. Note in the play the direction and turning of other eligible players, the position of line men for interference in case of a short pa.s.s over center or outward to the wide man and the general protection for possible interception.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG 1.--Punt Formation Pa.s.s.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 2.--Undesirable Pa.s.s.]

A quick s.h.i.+ft of left end to the line and right half one yard back (or even played as it is) gives an equally good formation for run or pa.s.s to the right, the corresponding players going to the corresponding positions and everybody swinging and turning toward the right.

Against this type of play contrast the above (Fig. 2) which, though it has often proven surprisingly successful, seems to the writer to violate most of the principles above outlined. The ends coming in are at no advantage over the defense. The halves going outward have no interference and there is almost no defense for possible interception.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 3.--Springfield-Carlisle Indian Pa.s.s.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 4.--Spread Formation Pa.s.s.]

One of the earliest successful forward pa.s.s formations was a widespread one devised and used by Dr. J. H. McCurdy of the Springfield team in the Springfield-Carlisle Indian game of 1912 (Fig. 3). In this the line was spread out practically across the whole field. It was used for kicking as well, and the whole line was sent down to stop the wonderful Thorpe. The play was good enough to produce twenty-four points against the wonderful Indian team of that year, although the game was won by the Indians 30-24.

The play is given here partly because of its historical value, but also because the principle is still good.

Spread formations somewhat modified from the above are still proving very successful, the following serving to again ill.u.s.trate the principles of the preceding chapter (Fig. 4).

In this formation tackles are out seven to ten yards, halves about three yards back and full is back thirteen to fifteen yards. From this formation line bucks, end runs, double pa.s.s end runs, kicks and forward pa.s.ses may be used. Quick variations may also be made to make tackles eligible if desired.

The formations outlined will doubtless sufficiently ill.u.s.trate the principles discussed. There is no limit to the possibilities. The kick and spread formations here given alone possess sufficient possibilities for a team's entire season's repertoire of open plays. A common mistake is to attempt too large and varied an a.s.sortment of these plays.

CHAPTER VII.

DEFENSE FOR THE FORWARD Pa.s.s.

There is no defense for the forward pa.s.s. In reality the pa.s.s cannot be prevented, particularly in the center of the field. Yet from the unwillingness of some of the great football leaders to adopt this style of game one would infer that it is a worthless game, difficult to succeed with and easy of defense. This is the point of view of a number of teams. Yet it is interesting to note that these are the very teams that have had no adequate forward pa.s.s defense.

Thus far most teams have trusted to luck against the forward pa.s.sing game. The inefficiency and mechanical errors of its offense, aided by the restrictive legal measures adopted, have conspired to make this possible. Signs are not lacking, however, to indicate a greatly increased use of the pa.s.sing game, an improved understanding and appreciation of its fundamental principles and a much greater degree of success for it. The defense for the forward pa.s.s will need to be studied with great care in the immediate future.

The writer does not pretend to have solved this problem. His interest has been rather on the other side. The following suggestions are offered simply as a beginning:

First, "hurry the pa.s.s." Some man or men, not the entire line, should go through and force the pa.s.s at the earliest possible moment, downing the pa.s.ser, blocking the pa.s.s or forcing it to be made before the eligible men are ready or the pa.s.ser has been able to locate them. This greatly increases the chance of mechanical failure. Generally this should be done by the ends. Some teams send the tackles in also. Some send tackles in and have the ends wait. This frequently helps against the pa.s.s but makes end running very easy.

Second, block eligible men. This of course can only be done before the pa.s.s is made. But there is often an appreciable time before the pa.s.s is made when eligible men could be blocked on the line of scrimmage. This is the best work of the center trio rather than charging through.

Third, play a zone defense having each defensive back cover an area and play the ball coming into that area rather than attempt to follow individually eligible men.

Fourth, use the open defense (Fig. 5); that is, play the center out of the line and with the full back about three yards behind tackle. This defense is supposed to make center bucking easy, but it does not if the defensive line is properly coached. This first line of secondary defense is in position to intercept short pa.s.ses or to help stop eligible men on the scrimmage line. They are also in the best possible position to a.s.sist on outside tackle and end runs while still in position to block center bucks. In the judgment of the writer this is the best all-round defense yet devised for the modern open game of football.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 5.--Open Defense.]

The open defense should be played as follows: Guards play to the center, low, hard and stalling, not knifing through. Tackles fight their way into the play through opposing end. Ends play as close as possible, often not over two yards outside their own tackle and tear into every play smas.h.i.+ng the interference and hurrying pa.s.ses. Center and full play about three yards behind tackle, usually a trifle inside and wait until they diagnose the play, then meet it. These men must be the best tacklers on the team and fast, for if the tackles and ends accomplish their work these men have their opportunity. Backs play from seven to ten yards back and nearly straight behind end. Quarter or safety man should play as close as he dares to, considering the possibility of quick punts. This may be generally closer than most quarters play.

The defense with spread formations and for special plays is still too much a matter of individual opinion to be discussed here.