Fig. 2.—Undesirable Pass.
A quick shift of left end to the line and right half one yard back (or even played as it is) gives an equally good formation for run or pass to the right, the corresponding players going to the corresponding positions and everybody swinging and turning toward the right.
Against this type of play contrast the above (Fig. 2) which, though it has often proven surprisingly successful, seems to the writer to violate most of the principles above outlined. The ends coming in are at no advantage over the defense. The halves going outward have no interference and there is almost no defense for possible interception.
Fig. 3.—Springfield-Carlisle Indian Pass.
Fig. 4.—Spread Formation Pass.
One of the earliest successful forward pass formations was a widespread one devised and used by Dr. J. H. McCurdy of the Springfield team in the Springfield-Carlisle Indian game of 1912 (Fig. 3). In this the line was spread out practically across the whole field. It was used for kicking as well, and the whole line was sent down to stop the wonderful Thorpe. The play was good enough to produce twenty-four points against the wonderful Indian team of that year, although the game was won by the Indians 30-24.
The play is given here partly because of its historical value, but also because the principle is still good.
Spread formations somewhat modified from the above are still proving very successful, the following serving to again illustrate the principles of the preceding chapter (Fig. 4).