territory to be defended, and thus weaken the line. Hence the secret or
principle underlying a scientific defence is one that closes the line up
the moment a play starts from behind the opposing line, thus shortening
the territory and better enabling the eleven to protect it.
[Illustration: FIG. 2.]
The prevailing notion about end-rush play is that the duty of that
player is simply to turn the runner in, and to look out for the outside,
as a result of which the end will often retreat to the side-line and
leave an immense amount of territory to be covered by tackle, guard, and
rush-line back. The end should take direction B D (Fig. 2), instead of
B A on the dotted lines. He should go in on as sharp an angle and as
quickly as possible, the aim being to reach the runner before the
interference is formed, and to turn him in towards the centre or force
him to run back towards his own goal in order to get around to the
outside. The end should be careful to keep a little to the outside. He
will always be able to take this direction, since his opponent seldom or
ever plays in front of him. The territory to be covered when the end
plays in that way will be from C to D instead of from A to D. The end,
of course, is primarily responsible for the outside, and secondarily for
the inside. The same is true of the guard. The centre is primarily
responsible for both sides of the line. The primary and secondary
defence of the different holes or parts of territory may seem somewhat
puzzling at first, but it is absolutely necessary to secure consistency
or firmness in the rush-line, as the strength and power of resistance of
the rush-line depend upon the unity of the parts.
The tackles and guards should go through on as small an arc of the
circle as possible in order not to pull the line open. The centre should
hold his ground until he sees that his position is not attacked, and
then take the nearest hole to the runner. The rush-line half should
stand just outside of the tackle. The half should go through between end
and tackle, as a rule following close upon the end. The ground between
end and tackle is the most dangerous. The half should be in a position
to help both end and tackle. If the runner turns inside of end the
half-back should be there to pick him up if he goes outside.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.]
The quarter-back should hover around behind the centre rush and help him
in looking after the centre holes, at the same time keeping a sharp
lookout upon the guard and tackle holes. He should play more of a safety
game. At the same time, if he sees a good opportunity to go through he
should do so. The quarter, however, should never undertake to play
between guard and centre. How much of a free lance the quarter may be
will depend largely upon the strength of the centre. The full-back
stands the usual distance back, and should advance toward the rush-line
with every play. The position of the players after getting through
should be something like the dotted rings in Fig. 3. To secure this
position, the men in the forward-line must break through sharply and
cleanly, not occasionally, but every time.
When the opposing side is going to kick from some point between the two
35-yard lines, it is a good rule to have the ends drop back and out
about five yards. That enables them, in case of a false kick, to get
back to stop an end run, or, in case it is a _bona fide_ kick, to get
back so as to protect the backs while catching the ball. When the
opposing team kicks inside its own 35-yard line, the ends should break
through with the other forwards to help stop the kick.
The University of Pennsylvania has a unique and singular style of
defence used by no other eleven, so far as the writer knows. Its point
of difference from that of other teams lies in the play of the tackle
and the rush-line half-back. When the ball starts, the half-back takes
the tackle and literally hurls him through the line on the inside of his
man, while the half and the end take the outside. This scheme seems to
work pretty well, the tackle almost invariably gets through, and if the
play has not advanced beyond centre, he is in a good position to stop
it. The hole between the guard and tackle being well protected by the
tackle going through it every time, the guards face in toward the
centre, and so protect the centre holes fairly well. The line from
tackle to tackle is very strong in this defence.
Princeton's defence is marked by the constant playing of half-back
between the tackles and guard. Many teams allow the half to get in
between tackles and guard. This makes the line longer but not thicker.
The half-backs to play this game must be good, big, strong fellows,
otherwise they have no business in the line.
_Defence to special plays._--The defence to special plays depends upon
the character or underlying principle of the play itself. To stop a
closely formed mass play, the player or players against whom it is aimed
should go into it low and hard with the shoulders and fall flat. A
loosely formed mass play should be stopped by ripping through the
players to the runner. Such a play is hard to pile up, and lying down in
front of it does little or no good. When a wedge is directed upon
centre, the three centre men should go into it with head and shoulders,
first shoving the apex in, and thus opening the wedge and forcing the
runner to the outside. After shoving in the apex, the three men
naturally fall flat, and thus prevent further progress over them, and
the other men take care of the flanks of the line.
The old revolving wedge is a difficult play to stop. Like the push-ball,
you can hardly tell which side you are pushing for; so the only way to
stop it is to get inside of it to the runner. To lie down in front of
it, and tackle all legs in sight may result in having the play roll
around you and on you; besides, you cannot tackle a man who has not the
ball.
Momentum plays may be easily stopped by allowing the flying men to pass
you and not strike you. If a man stands with his body well forward and
his arms outstretched in front of him, he can bear off to one side or
swing to one side the man who tries to hit and get him out of the way.
The ancient criss-cross trick, which very often succeeds, may be stopped
by simply having the forwards go through every time, and not run behind
their own line. Finally, there is but one way to stop all trick plays,
and that is to keep your eyes on the ball. It does not matter which way
the men run--watch the ball and follow that.
_Defence to different parts of the field, and defensive
generalship._--In general, the defence to all parts of the field should
be equally strong, but there are parts where the offensive eleven
redoubles its efforts, and to successfully oppose it the defensive team
must do the same. When a team is within its own 20-yard line on the
defensive, the full-back, instead of standing back near the goal, should
come up to within four or five yards of the line, as he can be of
infinitely more service then in re-enforcing the line. The object should
be more than ever to prevent the opposing runners from passing the line.
If the other side kicks, the ball will be more than likely to go over
the line, so that the full-back need not worry about that.
The centre and guard may make a hole to allow the quarter-back to go
through and play havoc with the play. Everybody should play for the
ball. Sharp, desperate, active breaking through, added to the
nervousness of the other side, will often get the defensive eleven out
of a hole. When inside the opponent's 35-yard line, the ends, instead of
dropping back and out when the opposing side is going to kick, should
play up in the line, and go through to try to block the kick. The ends,
to be sure, are at the longest distance from the kicker, but they may
distract the blockers sufficiently to help some other man to stop the
kick. In plays within the side-lines the short field should be carefully
guarded, and a concerted effort made to force the play outside and into
touch, thus making the offensive team lose its first trial to advance.
A team should never play slowly simply because the other side is ahead.
It is an unfair practice, and unquestionably poor generalship. The other
side, seeing that it has an easy thing, will simply play all the more
boldly; whereas a constant, stubborn resistance, a "die-in-the-last-ditch"
defence, will keep the other side guessing all the time. But often a
team may find itself being pushed steadily back towards its own goal,
and with no apparent good reason. The cause may be simply a little
nervousness on the part of the men, and if the captain will simply call
time a moment, the result often is that the men get right together and
steady down to their work. A team that is forced to be on the defensive
most of the time will do well to kick constantly and frequently whenever
it gets the ball.
_Defensive generalship._--Defensive generalship consists in keeping the
other side on the defence. The best way to defend one's territory is to
advance into the other fellow's.
The same rule applies when a team is pushed back into either corner of
its territory. In both cases the end on the long side of the field
should keep a sharp lookout for a dash around the end. When a team gets
possession of the ball in close proximity to its own goal-line, it is
really on the defensive, as has been said before. The ball, more than
likely, must be kicked from behind its own goal-line. Then it is that
the full-back should exercise great judgment, and if the opposing
forwards are through the line and on him before he can get his kick, he
should allow a safety, and not give the other side a touch-down. Better
give up two points than four or six.
* * * * *
The championship season of the Connecticut League will probably open on
October 24, although the schedule has not yet been made up. But before
that time a number of games will be played by the school teams in the
League, and we shall be able to get a line on the style of the several
teams.
The Hartford High-School will not have so heavy a football team this
year as last. The average weight of the eleven will be about 150 pounds,
whereas the 1895 team averaged 156 pounds. Thus far Allen seems to be
the strongest candidate for centre; Weeks, Griffin, and Costello are the
best men trying for guards. Griffin is new at the game, but he will
improve; he weighs 200 pounds, and stands 6 ft. 2 in. Weeks is
considerably lighter, but he can play good football; he is a lazy
worker, however, and needs hard coaching. Costello ranks third in
excellence, but should make the team if Weeks does not go in more
seriously.
Strong, who played end last year, has been moved into tackle. On the
other side of the line Bush and Marsh have about equal chances for the
same position. Three men are trying for the ends--Calder, Breed, and
A. E. Smith--the best work being done by the two former. Captain
Sturtevant will keep his old place at quarter, where he did such good
work last fall. One half-back and full-back were both on last year's
team, E. W. Smith having been dropped back from centre, and Twitchell
from end. Rowley seems to be the most promising candidate for the third
position.
Among the New York schools training is now fairly started. Berkeley
seems to be more advanced than any of the other teams, and another good
eleven may be looked for this year. Berkeley loses its most powerful
player, Irwin-Martin, who goes to college, and also its centre and two
guards--Rand, Hayden and Lefferts--also one of the half-backs, Gallaway.
But the right and left guards of the second eleven--Poor and
Irvine--will more than replace the other two. They played nearly as well
last year as the regular men, and they have now increased considerably
in weight and strength. Poor is 6 ft. 4 in.; Irvine, 6 ft. 1 in. Poor
was the only man last year who could hold Martin when he played up in
the line.
It is probable that Wiley, the catcher of last year's nine, will go in
and play half-back. He showed up well early in the season last year, but
sprained his arm, and was unable to play in any of the important
matches. Bien will be brought up from full-back to half, and Pell will
go in at full. Centre will be looked after by Gilson, who is considered
by his fellows to be far and away the best centre that Berkeley ever
had. He weighs 180 pounds, and stands 6 ft. 1 in. There are a number of
the second-eleven men and three or four new students who have turned out
very promising candidates, and it is probable that before the
championship games come on Berkeley will have developed some good
team-work.
[Illustration: Miller, r.t. Hamill, r.g. Knickabocker, l.g. Lewis,
Man'g'r. Higley, sub. r.t. Trude, l.h.b. and f.b.
Hopkins, sub. c. Callger, sub. l.h.b. Linden, l.e. Ford (Capt.), r.h.b.
Campbell, q.b. McGill, l.t.
Mackay, c. Gould, f.b. Boice, l.h.b. Steel, r.e. Gilbert, sub. l.t.
HYDE PARK HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.
Champions of the Cook County High-School Football League, 1895.]
The Hyde Park High-School team, which won the championship of the Cook
County High-School League last year, was the lightest eleven in the
Association, averaging but 135 pounds. Nevertheless, it managed to make
the following record in the League Championship series:
Oct. 9. Englewood H.-S. 0 H.P.H-S. 12
Oct. 12. Evanston H.-S. 0 H.P.H-S. 28
Oct. 19. Lake View H.-S. 0 H.P.H-S. 16
Oct. 26. English H.-S. 0 H.P.H-S. 40
Nov. 2. Chicago M.-T.S. 4 H.P.H-S. 14
Nov. 9. Oak Park H.-S. Forfeited to H.P.
Nov. 16. North Division L.-S. 0 H.P.H-S. 18
Nov. 20. West Division L.-S. 0 H.P.H-S. 16
- ---
Scored by opponents 4 H.P.H.-S. 144
The Hyde Park H.-S. eleven has already gotten down to work, and on
September 17 played the Chicago University eleven, losing, 24-0. In this
game Ummemyer played very well at right half, making a number of gains
against the heavier college men. If he is well coached he should develop
into a strong player by the time the championship series closes.
"TRACK ATHLETICS IN DETAIL."--ILLUSTRATED.--8VO, CLOTH, ORNAMENTAL,
$1.25.
THE GRADUATE.
There is a story told of two well-known authors, both alive to-day, that
has a good deal of humor in it. It seems that one of them had published
a book in which a few lines were used that had been published in the
other's book some years before. Through a round-about way the
unconscious plagiarist heard that he had used lines that had been
published, and he hastened to the original author protesting his
innocence, and hoping that he had not offended. He claimed that he must
have read those lines when they originally came out years before, and
they had so impressed him that he wrote them in his book believing them
to be his own thought. The original writer of the lines laughed the
matter off, and humorously said:
"Pray don't bother, my dear Mr. ----. To tell you the truth about those
lines, it's so long ago since I wrote them that I've quite forgotten
whom I stole them from."
* * * * *
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION
is cheaper than any quantity of cure. Don't give children narcotics or
sedatives. They are unnecessary when the infant is properly nourished,
as it will be if brought up on the Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed
Milk.--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
[Illustration: ROYAL BAKING POWDER]
A cream-of-tartar baking powder. Highest of all in leavening
strength.--_Latest United States Government Food Report._
ROYAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW YORK.
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
[Illustration: BICYCLING]
This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the
Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our
maps and tours contain many valuable data, kindly supplied from the
official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen.
Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the
Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership
blanks and information so far as possible.
[Illustration: Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers.]
Having given in the last two weeks the bicycle route from Chicago to
Ottawa, it may be well, before going into other parts of the country, to
say something of the rides in the vicinity of Ottawa itself. As was said
last week, there are a great many places of historic interest in the
vicinity of Ottawa. The most interesting trip is from Ottawa to La
Salle, and there are several ways of getting there, the best, so far as
the immediate journey is concerned, being the one described as the
bicycle route on the southern side of the railroad and the canal and on
the northern bank of the Illinois River. Leave the Court-house at Ottawa
and run westward. The roads are in good condition, whether you go north
of the railroad or south of it, or, indeed, south of the river. A
pleasant route is out by the County Farm and Asylum, past Buffalo Rock,
and thence to the Sulphur Springs. Then, crossing the bridge at Utica
brings you to Starved Rock, one of the most famous spots in the State.
In the first place, it is here that one of the first settlements in the
valley of the Illinois River was made. It is where La Salle first
settled and made his capital of what was to be New France, and it has
been the scene of many an Indian fight. From Starved Rock, a four-mile
trip with some hilly road brings you to Deer Park, which is well worth
seeing. From this point it is easy to find the road into La Salle itself
through Oglesby. The trip may be made to extend over about twenty-four
or twenty-five miles, and then, after having dinner at La Salle, the
fifteen-mile run back to Ottawa by the direct route will make a day's
ride of some forty miles that is as full of picturesque and historic
interest as any ride of similar length in Illinois.
We have now given several trips in the vicinity of Chicago, which will
of course be of special interest to the readers of the ROUND TABLE who
live in or near that city. Having gone so far, although there are many
other attractive trips in that district, the number of inquiries for
routes along the Atlantic coast, through New Jersey, New York State, and
Pennsylvania, is so great that we shall turn back towards the East, and
for the next few weeks give some routes and tours in that part of the
country. At the same time, if there are any particular routes of general
importance which readers in Chicago wish to know about, and believe to
be sufficiently interesting to general bicyclists, we shall be very much
pleased to have information regarding them, and to consider publishing
maps of them in this Department.
NOTE.--Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of
route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford,
Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New
Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814.
Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816.
Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No.
818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No.
820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822.
Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West
Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City--First Stage in
No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland--First
Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to
Boston--Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth
Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833.
Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to
Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to
New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839.
Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to
Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843.
Philadelphia to Washington--First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in
No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth
Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in
No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856;
Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons
to Rochester in No. 859; Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia
to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown
to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford
to Springfield in No. 867; Hartford to Canaan in No. 868; Canaan to
Pittsfield in No. 869; Hudson to Pittsfield in No. 870. City of
Chicago in No. 874. Waukesha to Oconomowoc in No. 875; Chicago to
Wheeling in No. 876; Wheeling to Lippencott's in No. 877;
Lippencott's to Waukesha in No. 878; Waukesha to Milwaukee in No.
879; Chicago to Joliet in No. 881; Joliet to Ottawa in No. 882.
[Illustration: THE CAMERA CLUB]
Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly
answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to
hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.
VIGNETTING.
A vignetted photograph is one whose background shades off gradually into
white, and is made by printing through an opening placed a short
distance from the plate. The difference between masking and vignetting
is that the mask or cut-out, is placed directly on the negative, and
when the picture is printed there is a sharp line between the part
printed and the part shielded from the light. In the vignetted picture
the opening is placed a short distance from the negative so that the
light is diffused, and instead of making a sharp line, the picture fades
off gradually into pure white.
There are many devices sold for making vignettes, but the object of the
Camera Club is not to tell its members how to spend money, but how to
save it, by making many of the articles used in the making of
photographs.
An empty plate-box cover is easily and quickly made into a vignetter.
Mark on the face of the cover an outline of a size to correspond with
the portion of the negative which you wish printed. If this is in the
centre of the negative, mark the outline in the centre of the cover, and
if a little to one side, mark the outline to correspond. Inside this
outline make several cuts, and then tear the pasteboard carefully on the
line marked. Peel off the paper so that it will be thinner at the edges
of the opening. Over this opening paste a piece of thin tissue-paper,
which should be of uniform opaqueness. The simplest way of attaching the
cover to the printing-frame is to place it on the frame and hold it in
place with two or three stout rubber straps. By marking a place on the
printing-frame where the box is first placed, the print can be examined
at any time, and if the cover should chance to be moved a little it can
be returned to its original position, thus keeping the vignette in the
same place.
When printing a vignetted picture, it is better to print in the shade
than in the direct sunlight, as, if printed in the sunlight, the frame
must be adjusted so that the light will enter the opening in a straight
line. If the frame is placed in such a position that the rays enter in a
slanting direction, the vignetted portion of the picture will not be in
the place designed. Instead of pasting tissue-paper over the opening, a
piece of ground glass can be placed over the cover during the process of
printing.
To produce a very soft effect between the picture and the white part of
the paper, take a piece of cotton wadding the size of the cover used for
vignetting, tear a hole in the wadding a little smaller than that in the
cover, and print as directed.