"Well, but I don't see--"
"Wait," interrupted Sydney, "I'll show you."
He drew a folded sheet of paper from his pocket and passed it to the other. Neil scowled over it a moment, and then looked up helplessly.
"What is it?" he asked. "Something weird in geometry?"
"No," laughed Sydney, "it's a play from close-formation. I drew it this morning."
"Oh," said Neil. "Let's see; what--Here, explain it; where do I come in?"
"Why, your position is at the left of quarter, behind the center-guard, and a little farther back. Full stands directly behind quarter. See?"
"Pshaw! if we get into a crowd like that," said Neil, "we'll get all tied up."
"No you won't; not the way Mills and Devoe are teaching it. You see, the idea is to knife the backs through; there isn't any plunging to speak of and not much hurdling. The forwards open up a hole, and almost before the ball's well in play one of the backs is squirming through. Quarter gives you the ball at a hand-pass, always; there's no long passing done; except, of course, for a kick. Being right up to the line when play begins it only takes you a fraction of a second to hit it; and then, if the hole's there you're through before the other side has opened their eyes. Of course, it all depends on speed and the ability of the line-men to make holes. You've got to be on your toes, and you've got to get off them like a streak of lightning."