“Mighty little,” grumbled Monty.
“You probably learned more, and don’t know it,” laughed the coach. “I’m going to tell you a few fundamental things about the position, Crail, which is about all anyone can tell. The rest you’ll have to learn for yourself. After all, football isn’t different from any other game. It consists of applying common sense to physical ability. And a fullback is just a halfback under another name. Time was when there was more difference between a half and a full. Then the fullback was never used for plays outside of tackle. His business was to have a lot of weight and strength, and slam himself at the center of the line. Now he has to do a little of everything, buck the center, slide off the tackles, or run the ends. If he can kick besides, so much the better. If he can get forward passes off, still better. But in the final analysis, he’s a third halfback.
“Playing back where he can look over the lines and watch the opposing backfield, however, he’s in a position to diagnose the enemy’s plays quicker than any other man on his side. Of course, guessing what the other fellow is going to do is largely a matter of practice and experience, but it’s something that every fullback ought to learn to do. Watch the little signs, Crail. Watch the faces of the backs and the center. Many a time you’ll get a hunch from a look. Sometimes, too, a nervous or too-eager back will give the play away by an unconscious shifting of his body in the direction of the point of attack. You may get fooled on that point, though, for some backs will deliberately bluff; it’s an old trick. You must be on your toes every second, ready to follow the other fellow’s shift. Your duty is to find out where the play is coming, and be ready to meet it. You’ll get fooled at first, I guess, for some shifts are used simply to pull you and the other backs away from the play. Only experience can teach you when a shift is just a fake.”
“The next thing is to watch the ball, Crail, from the instant it goes into play. Keep it in sight until you know just where it is going, or until you can’t see it. Then make up your mind where you think it is, find the direction of the runner who has it, and get into position to meet him. Aim for the man with the ball, Crail. Never mind the interference. It’s the runner you want.”
“On punts by the other side your place is twelve or fifteen yards back. It’s up to you to put out anyone coming through between tackles, and after that to get into the interference for the runner back. Kicking you won’t have. Not this year, anyhow, although if you make good it will be worth your while to learn that end of the game. At present you will move up into Winslow’s place when he drops back to punt.”
“When you carry the ball, you will, as I told you, have to sample every opening in the line, and run the ends. You must learn to pick your holes quickly, ward off tackles, and get up your speed before you reach the line. There’s a lot in knowing how to use your speed, Crail, but I can’t instruct you. It’s another thing you just have to learn for yourself. Of course, you know you can’t carry the ball in one arm on plunges between tackles. Both hands on the ends then, and the ball well up against the body. Learn to keep your head up in running, Crail. Going it blind is poor policy. Besides, if you keep your head up and your chest out, and carry your knees high you get a machine-like motion, with every part of you working together. Now, I don’t expect you to remember all this stuff tomorrow, but I do expect you to remember some of it. I’m going to give you a chance tomorrow to show how much you do remember. To recapitulate, Crail: on defence, watch the other side for the play, keep your eyes on the ball, go for the runner every time. On offense, get started quick, hit the line hard, and don’t stop until you’re sure you can’t make another inch. Better think over what I’ve said on your way home, and then forget it until tomorrow. Good-night. Some day I want to hear more about that western country of yours. We’ll get together, and have another pow-wow if you like.”
Monty dutifully went over what he had been told, on his way back to Morris, and tried hard to picture himself playing against Hollywood School next Saturday in Manson’s place. But his imagination wasn’t equal to the task. And, besides that, he was, although he wouldn’t have acknowledged it to anyone, distinctly scared!