AMERICAN FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19102, 21 August 1925, Page 10

AMERICAN FOOTBALL.

STRENUOUS NATIONAL GAME.

MATCHES THIS AFTERNOON.

DISPLAY AT VICTORIA PARK.

To-day Auckland will have a chance of seeing an exhibition of ono of America's groat winter games, to which crowds flock in numbers running into six figures. Many will be perplexed, and no doubt somo will be disappointed, for, judged from the point of view of our Rugby game American football is not football at all. Where a passing rush would bo cheered at Eden Park as brilliant, Americans would ridiculo the sight as inconceivable weakness on the part of both teams. In Sydney the spectators wero Inclined to be critical of what sailors themselves declare wa3 a very good game. " Because neither toam took the ball and dashed all round the field with it the crowd thought they had no idea how to handle," Eaid ono. "Wo applaud a good game as one in which neither team can gain an inch. The idea ia that if you do not break tho other feilow, ho will break you bofore you can run away." There was no sign of humour in tho sailor's face, so that tho improssion which must bo accepted a3 a true ono la that the football field in America is not a place for fast three-quar-ters, if such exist, but for "stone-wallers" provided, instead of a cricket bat, with a good grip of tho earth with his feot. and a powerful front to tho enemy. Wholo Team Carried OH.

" The personnel of a team is liable to complete chango boforo the game is over," continued tho sailor, whoso voice was anything but gruesome. 41 Guess wo sometimes have a whole team carried off ono after the other, and reinforcements waiting on the side-line take their places. It was recorded that 26 players were killed outright ono season, but of courso we do not have a death every game!" Even this early it can bo seen that American football is fast oven if the players do not run a long way in making tho pace. Tho field is 100 yards by 54 yards and is measured in 10-yard spaces over its length. Each team comprises 11 men, and a man may ho roplacea but cannot return in tho saino half. The gamo is of four 15-minute spells, which may, however, bo altered to suit tho occasion. To score, a player either crosses the line with the ball or kicks it over the cross-bar of the goal posts. Six points are awarded to the side which crosses tho line and an additional point if tho try for point," or conversion is effected. Three points aro awarded for a successful drop-kick at goal from the field From tho kick-off, tho attacking players rush down-field to secure the man with the ball, who naturally tries to gain ground. Thus far the game is identical with our own, but once a man is collared the referee's whistle signifies the ball is "dead." Tho teams then crouch, as ready to commence a sprint, tho centro man of the attacking team with the ball between his legs. His movement is directed by his quarter-back who indicates who is to receive the ball. On each side of him are three mon whose duty it is to clear a passage for the carriage of the ball. Tho Method oi Attack.

At a predetermined signal the ball is let out and tho attackers charge to make an avenue. The defenders likewise rush up in an effort to reach the man holding the ball. Thoy can : uso their hands in tackling but tho sido on tho offensive can only use tho body to clear a path, Tho ball is much smaller than that used in Rugby and more elongated. Possession counts for everything as the ball only serves as a key to attack. Should one sido loso it by any means whatever the other is entitled to four "downs" or lineouts. Unless .10 yards are gained in these "downs" the other sido may claim tho ball. Passing is somewhat restricted, but long swift exchanges are made when tho teams are clearing from scrummages. The offside rule differs somewhat from our own. If in front of the "centro" in the line-out across tho field a player is ruled offside. The ball, however, may be passed forward, but if kicked out of bounds the defending team is given possession.

After seeing our scantily-clad players it is a strange sight to see the American footballer in war-kit. Bulky headguards are often worn as well as leather caps, while rubber noso and mouth-guards are requisitioned. Heavy pads on the elbows and shoulders of tho jerseys sorvo to protect in a "charge." while heavy boots, thick stockings and padded knickerbockers complete an outfit that would not allow many swift passing rushes. A practical demonstration of tho gamo will bo given at Victoria Park this afternoon when two games will bo played, tho first starting at 2.45.

MATCH BETWEEN SHIPS. ENCOUNTER AT WELLINGTON. [Br TEJ .EGRATn.—FRES3 ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. A football team from U.S.S. Nevada defeated a team from U.S.S. Trenton by two touch-downs and a goal. Stanton and Wildo scored and Imheo kicked tho goal. To say tho American game is strenuous is putting it mildly. There is a flash of tho ball, a quick scurry, and a general melee, in which tho 22 men resemble a tangled mass of humanity. Then what appears to bo a desperate struggle suddenly ceases and tho players extricato themselves. Another fast and furious burst is followed by another clash. Only tho strongest men with tho courage of lions and a framework of stool cau take thoir placo on tho "gridiron." Even thon they must bo armoured a3 were tho knights of old. To-day there appeared to bo as many substitutes as players. When they were not playing they we.ro taking their part as "rooters," or barrackers. After witnessing a game ono ceases to wondor at the American boys' remarks that Rugby, strenuous as it is, was a game for "cissy" boys, or girls. Tho struggle to-day was described as child's play compared with the deadly combat witnessed when the army and navy teams meot. Then thoy have stretcher-bearers right on the lino. From to-day's exhibition it may be said tho game develops obstructions, so that it becomes a science. Players aro not allowed to uso their hands, so they use the whole body and either bargo into an opponent, or fall in front of him. Tho casualties wero small to-day, so tho gamo was "slow."

ENTERTAINING THE MEN. NORTHCOTE ACTIVITIES. A party of men from tho fleet wero taken for a motor run on tho North' Shore yesterday by Northcote car owners, and subsequently they wero entertained by residents. It is probablo the band of tho Now Mexico will render n, musical programrno in the Junior' High School grounds, Northcoto, on Saturday afternoon; It is proposed that residents should entertain the bandsmen at tea. In addition, a danco is boing arranged for Saturday evening in tho Parish Hall, to which petty ofiicers and men of tho fleet will bo invited. Tho proprietors of the Herald and Weekly News gavo another "At Home" to petty officers and men of tho fleet at Rush Munro's ballroom last evening, As on Tuesday evening, there was a large attendance, ,?nd everything went'with a swing from Uie stark The orchestra of tho American battleship Tennessee dispensed most inspiriting music, and undoubtedly contributed largely to tho marked success of the cntcrtiunmonU.