Charles William Alcock

“ If the half-back goes at the opposite forward, and compels him to transfer the ball, the back will necessarily run in so as to get it before any other of the enemy's forwards can obtain the ball after such pass. Similar considerations will naturally influence the two backs, so that there may be the same mutual support by which in the event of the first going forward, the second may fall back to get the ball, if the other is, in football parlance, "going for the man." ”

“ Backs should not only be clever kicks, capable of taking the ball in any position and with either foot, but also be possessed of strength. They should never keep the ball by any chance a moment longer than is absolutely necessary, and it is needless therefore to add that they should never on any account be tempted to dribble. Backs, to be of real service loo, require to exercise a great deal of judgment, as they have it in their power, by going forward on occasions, to keep the opposite forwards if they get too far up off-side. ”

“ In discussing the defence, there are essentially two systems to which alone attention need to be drawn. First, the independent, where every man acts for himself; secondly, the combined, or that system which recognizes that 'prevention is better than cure.' The independent system consists, as it were, of two ranks entirely separate from each other, in which the front rank, or, in other words, the half^ backs, bear the brunt of the attack, and it is only when their defence is broken through that the backs are brought into action. ”

“ As an illustration, suppose the ball to be run down the right wing of the attack, the left back and half of the defence will mark the two wing men, the right full back will come across so as to be at hand to assist his fellow back, but keeping well behind in case the ball should be kicked beyond the left back and half. ”

“ The backs ought, indeed, to a great extent to act in harmony with the halves; and, as a matter of fact, the generally accepted theory is that the five players next in front of the goal-keeper should work in connection, or at least on a definite system of co-operation. The tactics of the back under any circumstances must be in the main dependent on those of the halves, and his policy will be guided generally by the movements of the halves, particularly of him directly in front. In the ordinary course he must watch his own half, i.e. ”

“ This system distributes the work equally among the whole of the defence, and therefore requires less individual excellence, though utilizing the powers of the full backs to a far greater extent than the independent system. ”

“ Backs, moreover, have often to stand a good deal of the heavy work, and it is necessary therefore that they should have pluck as well as a certain amount of weight. As a general rule, when pressed they will find it expedient to send the ball well away to the wings. They must, too, not get so near the posts as to hamper or prevent the goal-keeper getting a good sight of the ball. The whole system of defence, though, is of such interest that it will be of great use if I give the views of perhaps the two greatest defensive players the game has produced, Messrs. ”