Football for Player and Spectator/Chapter 7
THE END
The position of end calls for notable physical and mental qualities on the part of the player and for a knowledge of the fine points of the game that can result only from long experience. Of all the men on the rush line, his area of play is the widest and his duties the most varied.
There is no rule of weight to which the end must conform, but he must be speedy. An active, resourceful man, with a quick eye, steady nerve and fine judgment, will often surpass a much heavier man in this position, yet for many of the end's duties weight and strength are an advantage, provided that these qualities are coupled with quickness and intelligence.
An end must possess great speed and endurance to enable him to make long dashes up and down the field in pursuit of punts, and occasionally to relieve the back in carrying the ball. He needs strength and weight to enable him to sustain singly, as he frequently must, the charge of several men in a body, and to break up rapidly moving interference. He needs a quick eye, long practice and good judgment to solve the tricks and fake plays of his opponents, for many of these tricks are especially designed for his deception. He must ever be on the alert for plays down the sidelines, that no one may be outside of him to receive a long pass or secure a short kick.
On the offense, when the team lines up, the end takes his place close to his tackle and just opposite the outside hip of the opposing tackle. He must place himself in a good position to aid in boxing up or in blocking out the opposing tackle, and to secure this result there is no better way than to charge hard and low with the shoulder at some point between the hip and knee of the opponent. The end must go into his man hard, else he will be warded off by the hands of the opposing player, who will then slip between him and his tackle.
If the attack is toward his side of the line, the end must aid his tackle in boxing the opposite tackle, in case the point of attack is outside the end position, and in blocking out the opposing tackle when the point of attack is inside the end position. He should pay no attention to the opposing end, leaving that player to be taken care of by the interference coming ahead of the runner. As soon as the runner has safely passed the opponents' line, the end should follow the man with the ball and make himself useful as the occasion permits.
When the attack is made on the opposite side, the end should follow back of his own line, becoming general "safety man". It is his duty to get in promptly to save the ball in case of a fumble, to protect the runner from a rear attack and to pull or shove the runner along or interfere for him, as the opportunity presents itself.
When his team is on the defensive, the work of the end is very different. He takes up a very different position on the line, moving away from his tackle from three to four yards, the distance depending on the formation of the opponents. He should play as closely as possible, just far enough out to make certain he cannot be boxed in. He should not leave much space between himself and the tackle, as this will make a weak point in the defense. Some men play so widely that, figuratively speaking, they need a field glass or a telephone connection to find out what is going on.
The end should get ready for a very quick start, taking practically time position of a sprinter on his mark, the tips of his fingers just touching the ground, one foot slightly behind the other. The instant the ball is snapped, the end must start, like the sprinter at the crack of the pistol. He should go directly forward from four to six yards, depending on the direction of the opponents' attack, and then turn toward the center of the line. When the play is coming in his direction, the end confronts a situation calling for the exercise of all his physical and mental powers in the highest degree. If the play gets by him, outside, there is a clear field beyond the runner. The end must remember that he is responsible for all the territory outside of his position and he must always turn the runner in toward the center of the line. The end has to meet the charge of several moving men and has to meet it in a way either to break up the interference effectively, thus enabling him to attack the runner, or, failing in this, to compel the runner to turn in towards tackle, where he can be more easily stopped by the other players. It is a situation calling for the greatest intensity of action, as well as for high moral qualities of self-control and courage. The end in this situation must allow no one to block him but must successfully ward off with hands and arms all attacks and, if possible, break through and stop the runner.
When the attack of the opponents is directed at the other side of the line, the end must always follow in behind the opposing line and tackle the runner if possible, watching out, however, for delayed passes and criss-cross plays, especially designed to escape his vigilance and so enable the runner to get around his end. The end must go in quickly and be on hand in case of a fumble by an opponent, but must not be over-anxious and so likely to be fooled when a trick is sprung.
When his own side punts, it is the duty of the end to get down the field with the ball to prevent a return run. In doing this, if the opposing end is blocking on the line of scrimmage, it is better that the end start from his position close to tackle, and go directly down the field, taking care to keep outside of the ball and the man who is catching it. If the opposing end drops back about ten yards, the end should move out a similar distance just before the ball is to be snapped, and should go down from that position, using his hands for warding off the opposing end, who will attempt to block or check him.
In going down on a punt, the end must determine about where the ball will fall by the general movements of the men in the backfield or by snatching a glimpse at the ball over his shoulder as he runs. He should be very careful not to over-run the ball, which he is very likely to do in the case of a short kick. The end should always keep well outside the catcher, so that, if he does not down the man himself, he can at least turn him in toward his own men, who are following down the field close after him.
When the opponents are about to kick, the end should drop back about ten yards and about ten yards outside of a point directly behind his own tackle, prepared to watch out for a fake kick or to go down the field with the opposing end if the kick does take place, interfering with his opponent as he attempts to tackle the catcher. Sometimes it is good policy to block the opposing end just as soon as it can be done, but it is usually more effective to go down the field and interfere with him as he is about to make the tackle, for then he will have no other opportunity to get the runner.
Much more might be said about the duties of the end on offense, but this feature will be fully explained in that portion of the book devoted to team play.
THE TACKLE
The position of tackle is the most important one on the rush line. The tackle is the "work horse" of the eleven. He is called upon to stop most of the plays of the opponents, since nine-tenths of their attack is aimed at his position or just outside of him. On offense, in the various "tackle-back" or "tackle-over" plays that are so extensively used in the present development of the game, he is required to head the interference or to plunge through the line with the ball like a full back. He has become the important man in every play, and success and failure depend on how he performs his duties. To do all that is required of him, a tackle must have the speed of an end and the aggressiveness and all-round ability of a good back. It is needless to say that he must have courage, weight, strength and wonderful endurance to fulfil the requirements of his position.
The tackle's work on offense is indeed varied. When called behind the line he is used to lead the interference through the line, being, in reality, the roadmaker who plows clear the track along which the runner follows. On the plays around the end he leads the interference and is expected to prevent the opposing tackle and the defensive half back from stopping the play behind the line of scrimmage, thus giving the rest of the interference and the runner a chance to get out and beyond the opposing tackle. Then, again, he is called upon to take the full back or half back position to carry the ball through the line on a short cross-buck through or just outside the opposing tackle. The tackle is rarely used to run from his position in the line, as the play is a very poor one on a slippery, muddy field, such as is usually encountered in the month of November, when the important games are played. He may also be required to go over on the other side of his own line to take a position beside his own tackle, there to perform the duties of an end in boxing the opposing tackle, leaving the end whose place he has taken free to care for the defensive half back. The tackle's work when the point of attack is on his own side, inside or outside of him, requires that he shall block or box his opposing tackle long and successfully, until the play can be carried by.
It is very important that the tackle should have mastered the fundanmental principles of blocking, breaking through, starting, carrying the ball and interfering, as given in a previous chapter. These principles he must have practiced until they have become a very part of his own make-up and can be performed practically without thought.
He and the end must learn to work together in boxing an opposing tackle or in opening holes through the opposing line. The tackle must always remember that he is responsible for the hole or opening between himself and his own guard. He must also remember that it is his duty to block the inside man of the opposing line, for often the opposing guard moves out very wide or one of the enemy's backs takes a position in the opposing line inside of tackle. This player then becomes the inside man and should be taken care of by the tackle, who should let his own end care for the opposing tackle.
A very important part of the tackle's work is on the defense, where he should exemplify everything that his name implies. He should tackle all the time and all over the field. He should break through and tackle behind the line, and should never be denied. He must not expect anyone else to make the tackle or stop the play. He must not let the runner get outside of his position, for that part of the field is protected only by the end.
The tackle nmust play low. If he is caught "up in the air" it is impossible for him to stop a hostile play short of a good gain. He must remember to play low, block low, charge low and tackle low. If the point of attack is directly at his position he must hit the interference not much above the knee. A mass play is not hard to stop if it is taken low. On the other hand it is almost impossible to stop if met by a tackler who stands erect.
The tackle should be an expert in the use of the stiff arm, so that he can keep the opposing tackle and end away from him and go through the line. The opposing end is the most dangerous man the tackle has before him, and this man should be carefully watched. The tackle must not in any circumstances permit himself to be boxed, and should nearly always break through the opposing line on the outside of his opponent. He should observe at the very outset of the game the methods which time opposing end and tackle use in blocking him, and, after taking in the situation thoroughly, he should adapt his style of play and mode of breaking through to the situation, so that he can frustrate time plans of his opponents. He and his defensive half back should have an understanding whereby they may sometimes shift positions just before the ball is put into play, thus enabling one or the other of them to get through and behind the opponents' line almost on the instant the play is started.
The tackle shouid watch the opposing backs very carefully, as he can often tell, by some movement or expression before the play is started, where it is to hit the line, and so be greatly helped in the endeavor to stop it. He must keep his eyes on the ball and break through the instant it is put into play, for it is much easier to break up a play before it is started, than after it has attained its full mo mentum. The tackle should never run behind his own line but should always go through the opponents' line, stopping the play from behind, if possible, and always watching out for criss-crosses, delayed passes and other trick plays. The tackle will not be easily fooled if he keeps his eyes on the ball. No forward should ever close his eyes in breaking through an opposing line or stopping a play.
When his own side is attempting a kick, the left tackle should leave his position and go straight down the field under the punt. He should go through on the inside of the defensive tackle, giving him a slight body check as he goes by. The tackle on the side of the kicker's leg must block longer but not too long, and should go down fast to stop the runner, in case he has not already been downed.
When the opposing side is going to kick, the two tackles should spread out on the line in the way that will best enable them to get through and block the kick. The tackle should take care and satisfy himself that the kick is not a fake, which may result in a play coming through the line inside of tackle or, more likely, since the full back may carry the ball on a direct pass beyond the line of scrimmage, around the end. The tackle should always go through hard and fast, using his hands to ward off the men protecting the kicker. He should then spring, with arms extended, high in the air in front of the kicker and try to block the kick, which he can often do. If he cannot block the kick, he can often compel the punter to kick almost straight up.
When a kick is blocked there is great opportunity for a touchdown. If the ball is bounding and can consequently be easily picked up, the tackle can frequently snatch it up and race on over the goal line. Sometimes he can kick the ball forward along the ground until it is kicked in goal, where he can fall on it for a touchdown.
The result of every game will depend largely on the strength of the two tackles. They are the men occupying the positions enabling them to stop all runs intended to go out beyond them, and they must be instrumental as well in stopping line plays. The tackle should use his head and should never be caught twice in the same manner by a trick of an opponent. He should be versatile and adapt himself to the situation.
"Be up and doing" should be the tackle's motto.
THE GUARD
Strength, weight and aggressiveness are as essential to a good guard as speed is to an end. A slow, lumbering guard is of no use; in fact, a slow man has no place in the game. Upon the center and the two guards depends the strength of the line and the strength here must be that of a stone wall, in order that the various offensive plays may be gotten well under way before the opponents can get through to break them up. The work that falls upon the guard calls for great exertion and instant action. The area of his play is limited, but if his position is attacked he must go through on the instant, as plays at that point in the line strike immediately.
When playing on the offensive, the guard must line up quickly, not more than a foot from his center--practically shoulder to shoulder. He should stand facing the opposing guard, ready to block him the instant the ball is put into play. He must never allow himself to be drawn out, for then the opposing center or defensive quarter back can break through. The guard should also play very low, as he cannot open holes in the line or do successful blocking when playing high.
After he has opened the hole, the guard can often help the runner by pulling him along or by pushing him from behind, especially if the attack is on his side of the center. When the attack is on the center's opposite side, the guard should go through between the opposing guard and center, and block out the guard. Then, when he is through and behind the opposing line, he can cut off the opposing half back, part of the enemy's reinforcements, and, crossing over the center line, may possibly pull the runner along or interfere for him.
The guard is almost useless as a ground gainer, if used from his position. He may be called back behind the line, however, and used in the same way as a tackle, either for interference or for carrying the ball.
On defense the guard should play close to center, crouching how, facing the front, as this will be the direction from which the strong attack will come. The guard must not be drawn out too wide, although he is responsible for the hole between himself and tackle. He should be very effective in helping the center to stop all plays aimed at his position. He must never be caught "up in the air", for mass plays must be stopped from the bottom. The guard should always go through straight ahead, carrying the opposing guard back into the play or forcing him toward center, while he himself goes through instantly on the outside. He should go through on every phay and never back off his own line. He should not wait and use his discretion about going through the line, for the attack of the opponents is too varied. Consequently, many of the plays seemingly meant for the opposite side of the line--and actually started in that direction--really strike at the position of the often deceived guard.
When his side is kicking, the guard should play close to center and block long and effectively. He is practically in front of the kicker and, if he permits anyone to get through his position, the opponent will be directly in front of the kicker and will probably block his kick or interfere with the distance or the direction of the punt.
At the kick-off, after the kick, a guard should go down directly under the bail to prevent any return and to be on hand to line up instantly when the ball is downed. When the opponents are kicking, the guard is in one of the best positions to block kicks or to aid in getting the center or the other guard through for that purpose. The three center men should work together to get one of their number through. They can easily arrange a signal which will indicate what each one is to do and which one is to go through. With mutual assistance thus secured, one of the trio should go through almost instantly, as the defensive men have the free use of the hands and arms and so should be able to jerk open the opposing line. To illustrate, if the signal called for the center to go through, the left guard should pull his man to the left and the right guard can jerk the opposing center over to the right. At the same instant the center can assist by pushing the right guard to the left, with the left hand, using his right to open up the hole still further by pushing the opposing center further out of the way. This should open a road for the center to the punter. The man who goes through, if he does not block the kick, should hurry the punter so that he cannot get good distance or direction.
A guard should play upon the line of scrimmage, study his man, learn his methods and never be caught twice in the sanme way. Many of the methods of penetrating the opposing line wiil come to the guard who studies the situation. Too many players are machine-like in their methods. They are not versatile. They do not use their brains. The chief lesson for the football player to learn is the necessity for headwork.
THE CENTER
The center, like all the other members of a football team, should be active and fast on his feet and should above all things be strong and steady. No one but a man who is absolutely cool in all his work should attempt to play the important position of center. No play can start without first having the assistance of the center, and if he fails in any way the play will generally result in no gain or the loss of the ball. The center must follow the ball all the time; wherever the ball is, there the center must be also. No team can play a clean-cut, fast game if the center is slow.
The center's position for passing must depend largely upon his build and make-up. He should stand with one foot back and to the side of the other, judging the distance by his feeling of security on his feet. But his rear foot must not be too far back nor his feet too far apart. He must assume a good, strong position, ready to resist a charge from the front or a pull in the same direction.
The ball should be carefully passed with both hands. The movement should be more in the nature of a snap of the fingers and wrist, than a pass of the arms. The center must always remember not to change the direction or speed of his passes. A good motto to follow is:
- "Not too hard, not too slow;
- Not too high, not too low. "
No quarter can handle irregular passing without mistakes. Many of the fumbles made by the quarter are due to the unsteadiness of the center. Under the present rules the work of the center in passing has been much extended by the addition of the direct pass to the half, quarter or full back for a run around tackle or end. Hence the center must be very proficient in his passing to make all these plays go off smoothly. The ball should go back accurately or there will be fumbles and delays.
On all offensive plays, the center knows on which side of the line the attack is to be made and should go through between the opposing center and the play. After he has gotten through he can block off part of the opponents' secondary line of defense and assist the runner by pulling, pushing or giving him additional interference.
On defense, the work of the center is very important and varied. He should do almost as much tackling as the defensive quarter back, especially if the line is attacked between the two tackies. His position on the defense is a much freer one than that of either guard. He can shift his position from in front to either side of the opposing center, being careful, however, to work always with the offensive quarter. There is no one who is in a better position to size up the opponents' play before it is started than the center. He should watch the ball all the time and, simultaneously, the opposing backs. He should play close to his man and charge him hard with both hands, arms stiff, the instant the ball is put into play. As has been said, no lineman should ever be caught "up in the air", but should always play low and charge low. He should work with his guard in breaking through the line.
After he has charged his man the center should go wherever the play leads him. If he is on the defensive and the play is not at his position, he should go back of his own line and stop the runner. He can often do this even when the play is far out towards the end.
The center must be very careful in his pass to the full back for a kick. He should practice different ways of passing, finaily choosing that plan which gives the quickest and truest results. After the pass he should protect the kicker, then go down under the punt, directly under the ball. When the opponents punt, the center, working with the two guards, should break through and block the kick. The center and the guards may allow the quarter to break through, but this is hardly advisable, since the opposing full back may run with the ball on a direct pass. It is better for the quarter to drop back from three to five yards behind his center, to watch out for fake kicks around the end or through the line. If the opposing center is a dangerous man, when going down under punts the defensive center should charge him back to prevent him from going down the field and making costly tackles.
THE HALF BACKS
The position of half back is one that is hard to fill. The half backs, together with the full back, are expected to be the standard ground gainers of the eleven. The half back is called upon to make fierce plunges into the line and rapid dashes around the end. Hence great care should be used in the selection of men to fill the half back positions. They should be chosen for speed, grit and endurance. Each should have a quick eye and the ability to act on the instant as the situation demands. The hole in the opposing line will not always be where it is expected and the interference will not always be as desired. The half back should use his eyes constantly, to take advantage of any opening or hurdle anyone who may fall under the interference, thereby becoming a "dead one."
It should be decided at the very first which half back position the candidate is to fill, for, while the general duties of the two half backs are practically the same, the plays are in opposite directions. The position for the half back to assume on the defensive depends on the style of game that the team is playing. There is little left of the old formation of three backs in a row. Several of the latest formations and the positions of the half backs in these are shown in the chapter on "Offense". All of the back field men should exercise great care in taking the same positions of foot, body, hand and eye in all the formations. They should not, by word or by act, give away the point of attack or the direction in which the play is going. This is very important, yet many good backs are guilty of such offenses.
In bucking the line, the half back shouhd go in low and hard. This does not mean that he shouid carry his head so low that he cannot see where he is going; the body must be carried low without having the head bent down. If the back does not use his eyes he is just as likely to run into one of his own men or into the arms of an opponent as into the opening. In line smashing, the back should carry the ball against the pit of the stomach. He should hold it securely with both arms, for he need not use either hand to ward off interference, as this would be useless in straight line smashing. He should by all means keep his feet, so that his team mates can help him along, and he must not be thrown toward his own goal; he and his helpers must prevent this. On all plays around the end or just outside of tackle the half back should carry the ball under his outside arm; he will then have the other arm free to keep off the opposing tacklers. Very few half backs make use of this important feature of their work. No back should ever run toward his own goal; his duty is to gain ground, not to lose that already made.
Carrying the ball is not more than one-third of the work required of a half back on the offensive. The half back must work just as hard and conscientiously when the other men on the team have the ball. He is then required to go into the interference and clear the track of opposing tacklers, or to aid in pushing or pulling the runner along for an extra yard on plunges through the line.
The defensive work of the half back depends largely upon the style of attack used by the opponents, but all backfield men should, if possible, be able to kick, be sure tacklers and be proficient in the handling of punts. The directions in these features of his game are given elsewhere under their respective heads.
THE QUARTER BACK
What the general is to the army, the quarter back is to the football team. He directs the battle and success, in a large measure, depends on his plan of campaign. He must be a man of the highest mental and physical qualities. He must be a man who can inspire confidence in the mind of every player on his eleven. Mentally, he must be of quick thought and judgment and must have plenty of nerve. Physically, the quarter back must have strenghth and clean activity and, above all, an unlimited amount of endurance.
The necessity for these qualifications in a good quarter back will be easily seen by a review of his duties given under the head of "Generalship."
When playing on the offensive, the quarter back should stand just far enough behind the center to be able to touch the latter with his finger tips. The quarter back should always face the center. His feet should be planted squarely under him and just far enough apart to ensure steadiness. He should, with the center, be the first of the team to get into position before a play.
The quarter back should always give the signals, because he is in the best position to know the condition of his own men, can most readily discover the strength and weakness of the opponents and can save time and error by himself calling the signals of the plays, which he alone can start. The quarter back should be the practical captain on the field and should be unhampered in his work by anyone. The captain may consult him when the is out but the working should be such that consultation is unnecessary, at any other time.
The quarter back should be thoroughly familiar with his list of plays and should also know under what conditions each play can be used to the best advantage. He should know when to order a kick and when a rush. He must distribute the work of his team among his men in such a way that every man is ready for more. The best and strongest player may be overworked by an injudicious quarter and, as a result, this player may fail when his best services are most needed to win success for the team.
To make himself sure in receiving the ball from the center, the quarter should practice as much as possible with the center. In case of a fumble, the quarter should always fall on the ball immediately. In passing the ball to the runner he must be very accurate and swift. In runs outside of tackle, the ball should be passed to the runner as soon as the quarter can get it out of his hands. The ball should be passed ahead of the runner, making him come up to it, but it must always be tossed accurately and safely, so that the runner need lose no time trying to get it. In plays through the line between tackles the ball should be placed against the stomach of the runner as he comes by the quarter, and the latter should then help the runner to break through.
In starting a play the quarter should be very careful not to give away to his opponents the intended point of attack.
Under the present rules the quarter back is a most valuable offensive player, since he can himself carry the ball on a direct pass from the center, provided he crosses the scrimmage line five yards from the point where the ball was in play. But even when he does not carry the ball, his place as an aid to the runner is most important. In plays going between the tackles, the quarter is in position to help the runner by pulling him along after he is tackled, by holding him up or pushing him through. In plays through outside the tackle, the quarter should be in the interference ahead of the runner. After a play is started the quarter need not watch for fumbles, as the following end is a general safety man.
The qualifications necessary for a good offensive quarter are usually found in a man weighing between 150 and 170 pounds. Hence, on the defensive, the quarter back and the full back usually change positions, for the light-weight quarter cannot readily stop the mass plays, but should be very good in open fieid tackling and handling punts. Whoever plays quarter on the defensive should be very alert in watching opponents for the direction of their plays. He should always keep his men watchful and active in breaking up the attack of the opposing team. He should watch for fake plays, call out to his men where the attack is to come, and keep them on tip-toe, ready to smash up the coming charge.
The quarter back must be the leader of the team when it is in action. He must do his own work coolly accurately and swiftly, and at time same time do all that he can to keep his men up to the fighting pitch. He must be a director, a fighter and a good talker.
THE FULL BACK
The duties of the full back on the offensive are largely the same as those of the half back. The full back, however, on account of his position midway between the half backs and directiy back of the center, is better situated for line plunging than for runs around the ends, and it is here that he is usually called upon to advance the bail.
The full back is the battering ranm of the eleven. He it is who is commonhy the man projected into the mass of players in the center, and a player must have rugged endurance and ability to withstand the hard usage incumbent on a man who plays this position well and conscientiously. The full back is also often used in the interference, of which he is a member on practically every play when he is not carrying the bail. He must be strong, heavy and full of courage, ready to go up against the opposing line with an abandon that would be in evidence were there no line there at all. The important part which he has to perform in every play makes it imperative that he be a man of iron endurance and in perfect physical trim.
The full back must also be a good kicker or else able to take the place of the man who does the kicking, when the time comes for such a play. The kicking must be done from the full back's position, and, if the regular occupant of the position does not do it, the full back should be able to take some other position to assist in strengthening the defense, weakened by the withdrawing of the kicker from his regular position.
On defense the full back is the final obstacle in the path of the enemy. He must guard his own goal, ready to tackle any hostile runner who has succeeded in evading the men in front of him. To do this he should assume a position 15 yards or so back of the line of scrimmage, following the plays from side to side and holding himself in readiness to get into the path of any runner who may break through.
The defensive full back must also be a man able to handle punts sent by the opponents. He must be a sure catcher and able to run back with the ball through an open field.
THE TACKLING DUMMY
A reference to the accompanying diagram will give a good general idea of the essentials in the construction of a serviceable tackling dummy. Three solid posts 15 feet in length, the cross piece mortised into the other two, which are sunk at least three feet in the ground, will provide the general framework, while a swivel pulley in the middle and a straight pulley mortised into one of the side pieces provide the tackle for the rope from which the dummy hangs. The dummy itself can be constructed of duck or heavy canvas, stuffed with excelsior or sawdust. No weight is needed to counter-balance the weight of the dummy, as the rope can be made long enough to permit its being held by a man at the other end.
The dummy should be held about six inches off the ground, and the rope should be long enough to allow its being paid out as the player makes the tackle.
The practice dive at the dummy should be varied in length. The long dive which is often necessary in a real game should be taken straight from the spring, not up in the air and then down at the dummy as many players will try to make it at first. The short dives should be made with such force that the dummy will be carried back in the player's arms for a considerable distance at the finish.
The dummy can also be used in practice on offensive play, the candidlates for the eleven being given work in warding and interfering. In this the rope should be held fast while the players go into the dummy low and hard with the shoulder or hip striking it. Flying dives, which form a spectacular and at times effective sort of interference, can also be practiced in this way. In all this offensive work players should be taught to avoid the use of their hands on the dummy.
The ground on which the players alight after making the tackie should be covered with straw, sawdust or some other sort of padding early in the season, although later on, when the men have become hardened to their work, the ground may be left in its natural state.
The tackling dummy should form a part of the training equipment of every team. It is inexpensive, takes up no room necessary for any other purpose and its benefits are great. Another advantage of the machine is the fact that it can be used for practice by a very small squad, which can be coached in both defensive and offensive tactics.
THE CHARGING MACHINE
A practical charging machine is a very important addition to the training camp of any football team, and the expense connected with its construction is by no means great. The accompanying photograph shows the simplicity of the device, which can be built by any average mechanic. The weight of the machine need not be great, as a player or two from the squad can be used as additional ballast when the need for weight is felt. This will, however, be necessary only when the entire line is charging the machine, for squads of even two or three can use the machine to advantage.
The charging machine develops speed in starting with the snap of the ball, a virtue which greatly strengthens the offense of any team. Its main value, however, rests in its use for the cultivation of form on defense. In this case the charging machine represents the opponents on offense, and one of the men standing on the machine the opposing center. The line forms as if in actual play and, the moment the ball is snapped by the man on the machine, the players charge together, arms straight out and stiff, eyes to the front. This cultivates the players in the use of their arms in breaking through an offensive line, and prevents that common fault of going in with head down. The arms must be kept out stiff or the player's head will strike the machine. He must also keep his head up, in order to strike the machine in the right place with his hands. The work also strengthens the legs, arms and backs of the players, providing many of the benefits of actual scrimmage without any of its dangers.
One of the pronounced benefits of a charging machine is the fact that it also gives the coach or trainer an excellent opportunity of securing data regarding the relative speed of his candidates in charging. A player who is behind the rest can be picked out with ease and placed side by side with a faster man for the purpose of cultivating his speed. In this way a line can be taught to charge together and with speed, to keep low, to use the hands in getting through an offensive line and to cultivate form in general.
One consideration that should not be lost sight of in the construction of a charging machine is the height of the pad against which the players charge. This should be placed low, and especial care should be taken in this respect, as a large share of the benefits that might be derived from the use of the machine will be nullified if the players rise as they strike the device.