The only way to retain possession of the ball after the start-off, is to kick it so that it will roll slowly enough to allow the rushers to follow it closely, and with force enough to carry it only the required distance. This was done by accident in one great match, and was thought a very good play.
The direct attack is a style of offence generally known as "straight" football, "common," "ordinary," or "barn-yard" football. The object of this style is to take a given point by force instead of by stratagem. To illustrate the principle, take a few ordinary plays.
FIG. 2.
Full-back through right guard and centre is shown in Fig. 2: 1 showing the formation before the play starts; 2 showing where the play hits the line; 3 showing the runner through the line, everybody into the play. The centre and right guard will have to block longer than the other players, but should get into the push as quickly as possible. The play starts on right guard and centre, and goes there; there is no feint made in any other direction. The right half may be sent through right guard and tackle in the same way, the quarter-back, left half, and full-back behind him, or the left half may be sent through the other side in a similar manner. These are commonly called dive-plays. In them the backs should stand from three and one-half to four yards back. The success of the plays depends upon the runners reaching the line with all steam possible at the moment it opens, and in the whole eleven getting behind and pushing, as there will always be something to push against.
Circling the end is shown in Fig. 3. This may be done as in either Part 2 or 3 of that diagram.
In either case the backs should unconsciously stand back a foot or two farther than for dive-plays. The interference should be headed far enough out to draw out the opposing rush-line. The end should help block the opposing tackle. If the opposing end is a very good one, two men should be assigned to him, as in 3, Fig. 3; if not, one, as in 2, Fig. 3. The interference should keep the opposing eleven on the inside as far as possible.
FIG. 3.
The indirect attack is commonly called trick-play. Trick is hardly the word to use, however, because it has a suggestion of unfairness about it. The word "strategic" perhaps best characterizes this class of play. The growth of this style has been marvellous in the last few seasons. The tendency at present seems pretty strong in the opposite direction, towards straight football. One of the oldest tricks is the familiar criss-cross between the two half-backs. There is a very good criss-cross between tackle and end. The end should be near the side line, say over on the right. Let the left tackle run twice, and on the second run give it to the end, who has the long field, and if he is speedy he should make a good run. There are also plays in which the ball is concealed, as in the famous play used by Stagg's team, in which the opponents were drawn out towards the flank, and a runner was sent through the centre.