Fielding Yost

“ Summed up, the football captain must be a good general. In adversity he must be prepared to encourage his men to still further efforts, while rapidly evolving a plan which will meet conditions that may not have been foreseen. Even the elements, wind, sun and weather, must be brought into an alliance with his efforts. He must be an adept in field tactics. He must justify his selection as field leader by always doing the right thing in the right place. ”

“ The football captain should be a man who has the ability and disposition to make a close study of his own men as well as of his opponents. He should enter each game prepared in advance in the minutest detail possible and equipped with a knowledge immediately available when called for. His team has been prepared to the best of the ability of its instructors, and when it takes the field to do battle, when the time for action arrives, the captain must realize that the situation now rests with him. He it is who must execute the plan of play that has been arranged. ”

“ Kicking is an important part of the offense. The team that does not have a good punter in the game and one or two in reserve is seriously handicapped. Just when and where to kick are decisions that must be governed largely by the strength of the two teams and the condition of the wind and weather. Again, can you out-kick the opposing team, and what is your ability to hold your opponents when they have secured the ball from a punt? If the opponents' back-field men are poor at catching, kick often. ”

“ Second only to the judicious selection and thorough training of a football team is the acquisition of a capable captain, for no matter how well the eleven may be qualified for its work, individually and as a team, its efforts will be barren of success unless the men are ably led on the field. ”

“ The main attack should be diversified and deceptive, but the deceptive feature of the attack should be more in the nature of straight football than trick plays. It may feint at one point and then strike the real blow at some other point. On the offense the opponents must be kept guessing as to the nature and kind of attack. This is very important if the play is to gain ground. The main object of the team on the offense is to score--to carry the ball over the opponents' goal. ”

“ One universal feature of the game is the fact that it cannot be worked out very well before the actual conditions arise on the field. Football cannot be learned by rule. Only a general idea can be offered of what the leader must keep in mind during the game, -a few suggestions that will assist him to make the proper moves at the right time and place.
Suggestions to aid in selections of plays on offense in different sections of the field. In preparation for each game, the style of offense to be decided upon must depend largely on the style, strength and weakness of the opponents' defense. ”

“ If the ground is soft from the nature of the soil or from rain or snow, great care should be taken that all the players' shoes are well cleated. No one can play the game unless he has a good and secure footing. Any player who has an injury should have it well protected by proper bandages or padding, this being especially important on a field that is hard or frozen.
The captain should know his own men, their strength and weakness as a whole and individuals. This can all be acquired during the practice season by noting carefully the playing of the team and men at all times. ”

“ If the ball goes in goal the opponents will fall on it for a touch-back, and they will be permitted to kick out from the 25-yard line instead of being forced to take a kick from scrimmage on or near their own goal line.
Section 3. When the team has once crossed the opponents' 35-yard line, the attack should grow stronger and more determined. Every inch counts now and every member of the eleven should get in with all his power. The selection of plays is very important and only the ones that are strongest and best should be attempted. ”

“ When punting from near the sideline, care must be taken that the ball does not go outside too soon in flight. If punting from near the sideline, do not kick too far toward the other side, as the opposing backs will have a great chance to run the ball back along the side of the field that is little protected. The punt should always be high enough to permit the ends to go down the field with the ball to tackle the runner or get the ball in case of a fumble. ”

“ If the opponents play close in the line and bring in their back-field, do not be afraid to use the plays that go outside of tackle, and even farther out if the end comes in as close as he often does. This does not mean, however, that you must try a wide end run. ”

“ This does not mean that the attack must be limited to a small number of plays, for punts, fake kicks, line plunges, sudden shifts in the offensive formation, followed by end runs, should all be included in the general policy.
Straight football should form the principal attack, and punting should be considered an important part. Do not rely on trick plays. They will very rarely gain ground against good teams and the weaker ones can be easily defeated anyhow. ”

“ The sun and wind are important factors that enter into the playing of the game and their influence on the play must be carefully noted and considered. On their direction depends largely the style of kick to be employed and the number of times kicking should be resorted to. ”

“ Sometimes it is good policy to keep up a consistent attack at some point in the opposing line and then suddenly shift it back to some other place, after the enemy has drawn in its men to stop the play at the original point. ”

“ Illustration showing positions of the men just before ball is passed. In kicking from this territory the full back must use great care in getting his kick off and in playing it so that the opponents cannot make a fair catch. Care in this respect is especially necessary if the kicker punts from near or behind his own goal line. The center must be careful in his pass to the full back and the full back should be slightly farther back from the center than he usually is for the kick. ”