[The following paper on the Science of Football, by Mr. W. H. Lewis of the Harvard Football Team of 1893, is the fourth and last of the series begun in this Department in the issue of September 8.]
When speaking of defensive play in football, the general understanding is that the side not having the ball is on the defensive, but in reality a team is on the defensive so long as it is in its own territory, whether it has the ball or not. In the present paper, however, the term "defence" will be used in the ordinary sense—that is, of the side not having the ball. The importance of a systematic and scientific defence is emphasized by the fact that it is just half of the game.
Defence to the start-off.—The defensive to the opening play is a comparatively simple thing. The side on the defence should arrange itself so as to cover pretty effectively its whole territory. The placing of the men will depend largely upon the characteristics or qualities of the individuals. They should be so arranged that an interference could be quickly formed for a run, or a return made from any part of the field, no matter where the ball might be kicked. The present code of playing-rules requires that the ball be kicked at least ten yards into the opponent's territory; but as an attempt is seldom made to kick only that distance and no further, the three centre men are placed on the 40-yard line to look out for a short kick along the ground, and be ready to drop on it. If the ball pass them, they should block the nearest man, who will always be the fastest and most dangerous. The quarter-back is placed on the 30-yard line to look out for a short kick, and to look out for the middle of the field. The ends are placed between the 25-yard and 30-yard lines, well out near touch. They are there to prevent any kick in their vicinity from going into touch. The tackles are placed on the 20-yard line to lead the interference in case of a return run. The right and left halves are on the 10-yard line, and ought to cover all the ground between them and the tackles. Lastly, on the 5-yard line is the full-back. The backs should exercise good judgment, and allow every ball that will go into touch to go there. If the ball comes anywhere near the goal-line, the full-back should allow it to go over, so that it can be brought out to the 25-yard line. As a rule, the man who gets the ball should run with it. If one of the three backs gets it, the two tackles and the other two backs should form the primary interference, and the other players should get around the runner as quickly as possible. In the majority of cases it in best to return the start-off by a punt. Possession of the ball is of little advantage when it is in your own territory.
FIG. 1.
Defence to a scrimmage or down.—A given territory to defend and a certain number of men to do it with is the problem of the defence. Whenever the two opposing elevens are lined up on the field, there is theoretically a line of 160 feet through any part of which the eleven on the offensive may advance. The shorter the territory is made through which an advance is possible, the better that territory may be protected by the eleven men. The natural tendency of the rush-line the moment a play starts from the opposing line is to pull open, because of the effort of the men to break through on the outside of their opponents, as in Fig. 1. The solid rings represent the line before breaking through, and the dotted rings the line after breaking through.
The effect of this is to make holes for the other side, enlarge the territory to be defended, and thus weaken the line. Hence the secret or principle underlying a scientific defence is one that closes the line up the moment a play starts from behind the opposing line, thus shortening the territory and better enabling the eleven to protect it.
FIG. 2.