menu_book Chapter 10

1. Halfback between guard and centre on his own side. To send L. H. between L. G. and D. The halfbacks stand about 3 yards behind the rush line, directly in the rear of the opening between guard and tackle, F. B. stands directly behind centre, about 4 yards from line, and the ends play in the line about 1 and 1 half yards from tackles, or as shown in Diagram 5. Footnote. The positions of the backs behind the line may vary from 2 to 4

yards, dependent upon the quickness of the men in starting. End footnote. The instant the ball is snapped, L. H. F. B. and R. H. dash forward for the opening between L. G. and C. L. H. receives the ball from Q. B. as he passes him on the run and strikes the line at utmost speed between L. G. and C. with head down as low as the waist, and the ball clasped tightly into his stomach with both arms. At the same instant the ball

is snapped, L. G. lifts his man back and to the left, C. lifts his man back and to the right to make an opening, while the ends and R. T. pass through the line at full speed, in the lines indicated, to be ahead of and interfere for L. H. in case he succeeds in getting through. F. B. and R. H. following directly behind L. H. at full speed, push him with all their might as he strikes the line. The instant Q. B. has passed the ball,

he follows behind L. H. and helps push him. Note. Many times when the runner is apparently blocked in the line, he may be torn loose and carried on for long gains if all plunge and tear and push till the ball is down. Never let any man cease work until down is called. 2. Half back between guard and tackle on his own side. To send L. H. between L. G. and L. T., the backs and ends occupy exactly the same position as in play number 1. The instant

the ball is put in play, L. H. F. B. and R. H. dash forward as before, L. H. receives the ball at about X on a short pass from Q. B. and with head down and ball clasped at the stomach with both hands, dashes into the opening between L. T. and L. G. while F. B. R. H. and Q. B. follow directly behind and push with all their might as he strikes the line. It will be a great advantage upon emerging from the line to shift the ball to one arm

in order to have the other to use in warding off. End footnote. L. T. lifts his man back and to the left while L. G. lifts his man back and to the right the moment the ball is snapped in order to open the line. L. E. R. T. and R. E. also start the instant the ball is put in play. L. E. dashes into the first man behind the opposing line, making sure at the same time that no one reaches L. H. from outside

of L. T. before he strikes the line, while R. E. and R. T. take the directions indicated in the diagram to arrive ahead of and interfere for L. H. as they go together down the field. Note. It will the duty of R. E. and R. T. to block the opposing R. H. and F. B. and each should make for the point in front of L. H. where he can best interfere with and block his particular man.

3. Half back between tackle and end on his own side. Footnote. This play was made in the early stage of the development of the game, when the runner's ability to dodge was trusted to in order to make the play successful, but is now seldom, if ever, used. End footnote. To send L. H. between L. T. and L. E. the backs and ends occupy the same position as in the preceding plays. L. H. F. B. and R.

H. start forward the instant the ball is snapped, as before, and L. H. receiving the ball at X on a pass from Q. B. dashes for the opening just to the left of L. T. with his head down. F. B. and R. H. and Q. B. follow directly behind, as in the preceding diagram, to throw their whole weight against L. H. when he strikes the line and push him through in case he is blocked. L. T. makes a supreme effort to carry his man back and in the right, while

L. E. runs directly for the opposing end and endeavours to force him out to the left. R. T. and R. E., without stopping an instant to block their opponents, pass directly through the line and take the directions indicated in the diagram to arrive in front of L. H. at the left end and interfere for him in case he passes the line successfully. H. back around his own end.

To send L. H. around L. E., all the men occupy the same position as in the preceding plays of the series, with the exception of L. H., who shifts his position several yards to the left without attracting attention. As before, L. H. F. B. and R. H. start forward at utmost speed the instant the ball is snapped, and L. H. receiving the ball as he runs on a long pass from Q. B., sprints for the left side of the field in order to circle around and

pass to the outside of the opposing end. L. E. makes directly for his opponent and endeavours to force him in towards the centre, while F. B., R. H. and Q. B. follow at utmost speed as before. F. B. and Q. B. seek to overtake L. H., running to the inside of him and interfering for him as they go together down the field, while R. G. follows as closely as possible behind L. H. to prevent his being caught from the rear. R. T. and R. E. pass directly through

the line and take the directions indicated as before, to interfere for L. H. if he succeeds in circling the end. 5. Half back between guard and centre on the opposite side. To send L. H. between R. G. and C. the ends stand about 1 yard back from the line and a yard and a half outside of the tackles. The half back stands between 2 and 3 yards directly behind the guards, R. H. withdrawing slightly to

R. H. too, and the full back stands between 3 and 4 yards behind the centre. The instant the ball is snapped, F. B. L. H. R. H. R. E. and L. E. dash forward for the point between R. G. and C. R. G. lifts his man back and to the right, while C. forces his man back and to the left to make an opening. F. B. dashes straight into this space, passes directly through the line, breaking an opening, and jumps into the first man in his path behind the opposing line. L. H. receives the ball

from Q. B.'s hands as he passes on the run or by a short pass, and plunges into the opening directly behind F. B. with his head down and the ball tightly clasped at his stomach with both hands. R. H. R. E. L. E. and Q. B. dash in immediately after L. H. throw their entire weight against him and push him through. L. T. simply forcing his opponent to pass outside of him, dashes in the direction indicated the instant the ball is in play, to arrive ahead of and interfere for L. H.

in case he succeeds in getting through the line. It may be best for L. T. to select a particular back and make it his especial duty to take him each time. Note, R. H. may go in advance of L. H. together with F. B. if so desired. 6. Half back between the guard and tackle on the opposite side. To send L. H. between R. G. and R. T. the men occupy the same position as in the preceding diagram. The instant the ball is snapped, R. H., F. B., L. H. and L. E. start forward at utmost speed

in direction of lines indicated. R. G. lifts his man back into the left, while R. T. lifts his man back into the right. R. H. dashes straight through the opening and takes the extra man behind the opposing L. T. L. H. follows immediately behind and dives into the opening so made with head down, the ball held as before. L. E. leaves his position the moment the ball is put in play and follows directly behind L. H. F. B. and Q. B. also dash in and all throw their combined weight

in behind him as he strikes the line to push him through. The play of L. T. is the same as in Diagram 5. R. E. takes his own man and endeavors to force him out toward the side. Note, F. B. may be sent through the opening with R. H. ahead of L. H. to break the line and interfere instead of following and pushing from behind. 7. Half back between tackle and end on the opposite side. To send L. H. between R. T. and R. E. the men take the same position as in the preceding play.

As before, L. H. F. B. R. H. and L. E. start in the direction indicated at utmost speed the instant the ball is snapped. R. E. takes his opposing man and forces him out. R. H. and F. B. dash for the opening to the right of R. T. ahead of L. H. take the first men they meet after passing the line and run in the direction indicated down the field to interfere for L. H. L. H. receives the ball on a pass from Q. B. at X. makes for the opening at utmost speed

with head up and as he turns down the field takes a line a little to the outside of R. H. and F. B. to have the benefit of their protecting interference. Q. B. should, if possible, seek to arrive at the opening ahead of and interfere for L. H. L. E. follows L. H. closely to prevent him from being caught from behind. L. T. going through the line as before makes for the right side and the line indicated to block the opposing backs.

Note, care must be taken by R. H. and F. B. that they do not run so far ahead of L. H. as to diminish the value of their interference. They should precede him from one to three yards. 8. Half-Back Around the Opposite End To send L. H. around R. E. there is no change in the position of the men behind the line. As before, R. H. F. B. L. H. L. G. and L. E. start forward for the right end the instant the ball

is snapped at utmost speed. R. T. blocks his man and forces him as far as possible to the left. R. E. jumps directly into the line and either helps R. T. block his man or takes the first extra man. R. G. blocks his man hard. R. H. runs straight for the opposing end rusher, whom R. E. has left entirely exposed, meets him at about X, jumps into him and knocks him over or forces him in. F. B. following at R. H.'s elbow will, if necessary, assist in blocking off the

opposing end and pass on down the field in the line indicated to interfere for L. H. L. H. receives the ball on a pass from Q. B. on the run and encircles the opposing end at top speed and passes down the field a little to the outside of the line taken by L. G. L. G. breaks away from his opponent as the ball is snapped and cutting in either directly behind Q. B. or between Q. B. and C. dashes for the right end a little ahead of L. H. and between him and the line in order

to interfere for him. A slow and lumbering guard may not attempt this play. L. H. may be obliged to withhold his speed until nearly at the end in order to allow L. G. to get ahead of him. Q. B. must succeed in arriving at the end before L. H. L. E. and L. T. play as in the preceding diagram or in case L. G. runs, L. T. leaves his own man to be taken care of by L. E. and blocks the guard whom L. G. has left. This play requires the perfection of cooperation at every point

and can only be made successfully with constant practice. The attempt to have the guard run should not be abandoned because of numerous failures. Note, in case L. E. on the opposing side plays far out, R. H. may force him still farther out and F. B. and L. H. pass inside of him. Judgment must determine each time whether to pass the end on the inside or outside. 9. Fall back through the line between center and guard. To send F. B. through the line,

between L. G. and C. the men are placed as in the second series. The instant the ball is snapped, L. H. F. B. R. H. L. E. and R. E. dash forward for the opening between L. G. and C. At the same moment, L. G. lifts his man back and to the left, while C. carries his man back and to the right to widen the breach. L. H. rushes straight through the opening and down the field, making for the nearest back who opposes. F. B. receiving the ball from Q. B. as he passes on the run, plunges in

directly behind L. H. with his head down and the ball clasped at his stomach with both hands. L. E. R. H. R. E. and Q. B. rush in behind F. B. and throw their entire weight against him as he strikes the line, to push him through in case he meets with any resistance. R. T. slips through the line to the inside of the opposing tackle, without attempting to block him an instant, and takes the direction of the line indicated to arrive ahead of and interfere for F. B.

in case he succeeds in passing the line. L. T. and R. G. block their men. Note, it may be well for R. T. to run directly for the opposing R. H. and make sure that he is thoroughly blocked. 10. Full back between the guard and tackle. To send the full back between L. G. and L. T. the men stand as before. All three backs and R. E. dash for the point between L. G. and L. T. the instant the ball is put in play. L. T. lifts his man back into the left,

while L. G. lifts his opponent back into the right. L. H. rushes through the opening ahead and takes the extra man behind the tackle. F. B. receives the ball at X, on a pass from Q. B. as he runs and dashes into the opening, directly behind L. H. with his head down in the ball held as before. R. H. Q. B. and R. E. follow immediately behind F. B. and throw their entire weight in to help him as he strikes the line. L. E. takes the first man in the line outside

of the tackle and prevents the opposing end from coming in. R. T. without holding his man an instant plays as shown in the preceding diagram. 11. Full back between the tackle and end. To send the full back between L. T. and L. E. there is no change in the position taken by the men. The three backs and the ends dash forward in the lines indicated the instant the ball is snapped. L. E. takes the tackle, the extra man behind the tackle, or the first man in the line outside of

him. L. H. runs directly for the opposing R. E. who has been left free, blocks him, and endeavours to force him out. F. B. receives the ball at X, on a pass from Q. B. and runs in the line indicated at utmost speed with head well up. Q. B. cuts in close behind L. T. and endeavours to get ahead of F. B. in order to give him interference. R. H. and R. E. running behind F. B. at utmost speed, seek to protect and assist him. R. T. plays as before. L. T. exerts every power to force the

opposing tackle back and in toward the centre. Note, the ball should always be carried in the arm away from approaching tacklers, both as a protection and that the free arm may be that nearest to the opponent to be of use and warding off. It is fine play to shift the ball from arm to arm as occasion requires. 12. Fall back around the end. To send the fall back around the end, there is no change in the position of the men. The play is made in almost identically the same

way as shown in the preceding diagram, except that in the present case L. H. endeavours to force the opposing end toward the inside, while F. B. puts on utmost speed and rounds the end outside of him. In all plays around the end, circumstances may arise which offer an advantage in selecting the side of the opposing end other than that called for by the signal, while as a general rule it is best to follow the signal, for the interferers are working with that in mind. Still, a skillful runner

may secure long gains for his side by judiciously seizing an unexpected opening. L. E. takes the first extra man in the line outside of Tachelos before. See diagram 11. Another play in which F. B. runs around the end is shown in diagram 63. 13. End between the center and opposite guard. To send the L. E. between R. G. and C. the positions are the same as in the preceding series. The instant the ball is snapped, the three backs in the ends dash forward for the

point between R. G. and C. and the lines indicated. C. lifts his man back into the left, while R. G. endeavours to force his man back into the right. F. B. and R. H. plunge through the opening abreast and close together. L. H. follows directly behind F. B. and throws in his weight as he strikes the line, while R. H. is followed by R. E. in the same manner. L. E. works in slightly to L. E. too, before the ball is snapped and receives the ball from the hands of Q. B. as he passes him.

L. E. then turns in immediately behind in between L. H. and R. E. carrying the ball in the same manner as shown for F. B. in play number 1. Diagram 9. A flying wedge is thus formed as the men strike the line at the point between C. and R. G. C. cut B. Q. B. falls in immediately behind L. H. and L. E. while L. T., who lifts his man almost instantly, follows directly in the rear of R. E. and pushes forward as the wedge strikes the line. C. cut B. Note. A vital point in the play

is that L. E. be close in behind his interferers and that the wedge, preserving its form as far as possible, strikes the line with dash and force. 14. End between the opposite guard and tackle. To send L. E. between R. G. and R. T. there is no change in the position of the men. The instant the ball is snapped, R. H., F. B., L. H. and L. E. dash forward for the point between R. G. and R. T. R. G. lifts his man back and to the left, while R. T. forces his man back and to

the right. R. H. passes directly through close to R. G. and, butting the opposing guard with his shoulder if he blocks the way, proceeds down the field and interferes with the first man that he meets behind the line. F. B. rushes diagonally through and runs directly into the opposing L. T. or the extra man behind the line, while L. H. dashes straight through the center of the opening and rushes down the field to interfere. L. E. receives the ball at X on a pass from Q. B.

and with head down, dives into the line directly behind L. H. L. T. plays as shown in Diagram 13. After making the pass, the best play for Q. B. is to block the opening between R. G. and C. to prevent the opposing guard or center from coming through and getting L. E. before he strikes the line. R. E. takes the first man outside the tackle and prevents anyone from passing around R. T. and stopping L. E. before he reaches the opening.

End between the opposite end and tackle. To send the L. E. between R. E. and R. T. preserve the same positions as in Diagram 14. R. E. plays as shown in Diagram 8. R. H. plays as L. H. in Diagram 11. F. B. plays as shown in Diagram 7. Q. B. plays as shown in Diagram 8. L. H. proceeds in the line indicated at utmost speed, takes the first man on the opposing side as he rounds the tackle and continues on down the field to interfere. In case either the opposing L. G. or L. T. breaks

through the line, Q. B. must tackle him in order to prevent L. E. from being stopped before he reaches the end. L. T. leaving the line as shown in Diagram 13 follows directly behind L. E. to make the play safe and prevent him from being overtaken from behind. R. T. plays as shown in Diagram 8. L. E. receives the ball at X from Q. B. and, passing inside the opposing L. E., turns down the field in the line indicated at utmost speed, passing to the outside of his interferers. Note, the end must be

careful to run just far enough behind the line to clear the opposing rushers as they break through. 16. End around the opposite end. To send the L. E. around the R. E., the play is made in identically the same manner as shown in Diagram 15, except that R. H. forces the opposing end rusher inside instead of out, while F. B. and L. E., after sprinting straight for the sideline at utmost speed, turn down the field outside of the opposing end. L. G. and L. T. might possibly play as shown in

Diagram 8, though there would be danger of having L. E. tackled from behind, as he would in this case have no protecting interferer behind him and might be obliged to withhold his speed slightly in order to allow L. G. to get ahead of him. Note, this play, as nearly all end plays, depends for its success on the swiftness of the interferers and the man with the ball, and upon the quickness with which all start. Care must be taken that the interferers do not

get too far in advance of the runner. 17. Tackle between the center and opposite guard. To send the L. T. between C. and R. G. preserve the same position. C. and R. G. play as shown in Diagram 5. R. H. and F. B. dash into the opening ahead of L. T. and take the first men they meet behind the opposing line. L. T. breaks away from his man the instant the ball is snapped, and receiving the ball from Q. B. turns in sharp around him as a pivot and plunges in behind F.

B. and R. H. with head down and the ball plasped at the stomach with both hands. L. H. follows L. T. and plays as does L. T. in Diagram 10. R. E. rushes in behind L. T. and plays as shown in Diagram 5. In case L. T. finds difficulty in getting away clear from the line, L. E. jumps in and takes the opposing R. T. as the ball is snapped if necessary. If L. T. is able to break away from his opponent without assistance, L. E. may follow directly behind L. T. to prevent

his being caught from the rear and to push him through as he strikes the line. Q. B. follows L. T. playing as shown in Diagram 5. Note. L. H. may precede L. T. if it is thought best. 18. Tackle between the opposite guard and tackle. To send L. T. between R. G. and R. T. there is no change in position. R. E. R. H. and F. B. plays as shown in Diagram 14. R. H. is near the opening and should pass through first. F. B. will cut in directly behind him, but both must take great

care that they break through the line and are not stopped so that they choke up the opening and are thus rendered of greater hindrance than help to the runner. L. T. leaves the line as shown in the preceding diagram and dashes into the opening between R. H. and F. B. with head down and the ball tightly held under the right arm or clasped at the stomach with both hands. Footnote. When R. T. runs he will carry the ball in the left arm. In this way the

ball will be kept on the side farther from the opponents where it will be less liable to be torn away while it leaves the arm towards the opposing tacklers free for use and warding off. End footnote. R. G. and R. T. play as shown in Diagram 6. Q. B. and L. E. following L. T. immediately and push as shown in Diagram 17. L. H. also follows directly behind L. T. to throw in his entire weight and push him through as he strikes the line in case he meets with any resistance.

19. Tackle between the opposite tackle and end. To send the L. T. around the R. T. the R. H. and F. B. all play as shown in Diagram 15. R. E. jumps directly into the line and either helps R. T. block his man or takes the first extra man in the line. L. G. and R. G. hold their men and force them back. R. T. blocks his man and forces him as far as possible to the left. Q. B. plays as shown in Diagram 8 or takes the opposing L. T. in case he succeeds in breaking

through the line. L. T. leaves the line as shown in Diagram 17 and carrying the ball in his right arm plays as does L. E. in Diagram 15. L. E. jumps into the line and blocks the opposing tackle, if necessary, or follows L. T. and plays as shown in Diagram 7. L. H. follows close in the rear of L. T. to prevent him from being tackled from behind and to assist him by interference as he rounds the end. Note. In all plays around the right flank of the line, the rushers on that side must

redouble their energy in order to make the play successful. When the play is on the left, the rushers upon that side will in turn block with their utmost power. 20. Tackle around the opposite end. To send L. T. around the right end, there is no change in the positions taken. R. E. jumps into the line and helps R. T. block his man. R. H. starts the moment the ball is snapped and runs directly for the opposing end who has been left exposed, bowls him

over, or forces him in toward the line. F. B. also starts with the snapping of the ball and following almost directly behind R. H. passes slightly outside of him, helping block the opposing end if necessary, and then passes on ahead of L. T. to interfere for him in his run down the field. R. T. plays as shown in Diagram 8. Q. B. plays as shown in Diagram 19. L. T. leaves the line as shown in Diagram 17 and taking the direction indicated,

encircles the right end at utmost speed and plays as does L. E. in Diagram 16. L. H. and L. E. play as shown in Diagram 19. L. G. C. and R. G. block their man. Note. It may be necessary in this play for L. E. to jump in and take L. T.'s man as he leaves the line. Otherwise, he may follow into system as he rounds the end. 21. Guard between opposite guard and center. To send the L. G. between R. G. and C. the instant

the ball is snapped, L. G. jumps straight back from the line, breaking away from the opposing guard. He whirls directly around Q. B. as a pivot and, receiving the ball from his hands as he passes, plunges into the opening between C. and R. G. with the ball held as shown in Diagram 1. C. and R. G. play as shown in Diagram 5. R. E. R. H. F. B. L. H. and L. E. all start instantly and throw their entire weight in behind L. G. as he strikes the line and force him through.

Q. B. also follows immediately behind L. G. and plays as in Diagram 5. L. T. and R. T. block their man. Note. Instead of following behind L. G. it is often better that R. H. should draw slightly nearer the line before the ball is snapped, dash into the opening ahead of L. G. and play as does F. B. in Diagram 5. 22. Guard between the opposite guard and tackle. To send the L. G. around between R. G. and R. T. L. G. breaks away from his opponent the instant the ball is snapped, as shown in Diagram

21, receives the ball from Q. B. as before, and dashes into the opening with head down. R. G. and R. T. play as shown in Diagram 6. R. H. starts forward the instant the ball is snapped and, dashing into the opening between R. G. and R. T., strikes the opposing L. G. with his shoulder with the greatest possible force as he passes through, and then proceeds on and takes the first man behind the line. F. R. crosses behind R. H. and rushing into the same opening plunges into the

opposing tackle or the man immediately behind him. R. E. plays as shown in Diagram 14. Q. B. L. H. and L. E. follow behind L. G. and play as shown in Diagram 18. L. T. plays as in the preceding Diagram. Note. R. H. and F. B. must see to it that they break through the line and are not there blocked so that they fill up the opening through which L. G., who is following immediately behind, is to pass. 23. Guard between the opposite tackle and end. To send L. G. around the opposite

tackle, L. G. leaves the line as shown in Diagram 21 and receiving the ball from Q. B. plays as does L. E. in Diagram 15. R. H., F. B. and L. H. start for the right end at at most speed the instant the ball is put in play. R. H. runs directly for the opposing L. E., forces him out or bowls him over. F. B. and L. H. cut in, in the lines indicated, and passing outside of R. T. interference by taking the first opponents whom they meet on arriving at the end. R. E. and R. T. play as

shown in Diagram 15. Q. B., having passed the ball, runs at utmost speed by the side of L. G., if possible, between him and the line in order to give him protection and assist him by interference. L. E. follows directly in the rear of L. G. to make the play safe and prevent him from being overtaken from behind. L. T. and R. G. block their opponents. End of section 10.