Full-back through right guard and centre is shown in Fig. 2: 1 showing
the formation before the play starts; 2 showing where the play hits the
line; 3 showing the runner through the line, everybody into the play.
The centre and right guard will have to block longer than the other
players, but should get into the push as quickly as possible. The play
starts on right guard and centre, and goes there; there is no feint made
in any other direction. The right half may be sent through right guard
and tackle in the same way, the quarter-back, left half, and full-back
behind him, or the left half may be sent through the other side in a
similar manner. These are commonly called dive-plays. In them the backs
should stand from three and one-half to four yards back. The success of
the plays depends upon the runners reaching the line with all steam
possible at the moment it opens, and in the whole eleven getting behind
and pushing, as there will always be something to push against.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.]
Circling the end is shown in Fig. 3. This may be done as in either Part
2 or 3 of that diagram.
In either case the backs should unconsciously stand back a foot or two
farther than for dive-plays. The interference should be headed far
enough out to draw out the opposing rush-line. The end should help block
the opposing tackle. If the opposing end is a very good one, two men
should be assigned to him, as in 3, Fig. 3; if not, one, as in 2, Fig.
3. The interference should keep the opposing eleven on the inside as far
as possible.
The indirect attack is commonly called trick-play. Trick is hardly the
word to use, however, because it has a suggestion of unfairness about
it. The word "strategic" perhaps best characterizes this class of play.
The growth of this style has been marvellous in the last few seasons.
The tendency at present seems pretty strong in the opposite direction,
towards straight football. One of the oldest tricks is the familiar
criss-cross between the two half-backs. There is a very good criss-cross
between tackle and end. The end should be near the side line, say over
on the right. Let the left tackle run twice, and on the second run give
it to the end, who has the long field, and if he is speedy he should
make a good run. There are also plays in which the ball is concealed, as
in the famous play used by Stagg's team, in which the opponents were
drawn out towards the flank, and a runner was sent through the centre.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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