AMERICAN FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12181, 4 July 1925, Page 17

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

INTERFERENCE LEGAL, AND DONE AT FULL SPEED

MYSTERIES OF THE GRIDIRON UNFOLDED

In the topical films at the movie theatres one sees glimpses of the American football game. Few understand it. The following article, from the pen of an American correspondent of "Rugby Football," may serve to clear up some of the misunderstandings which have enveloped this somewhat peculiar sport. The playing, field, called the "Gridiron,” is very similar to a Rugger field, it is 100 yards long, cut every five yards of its length by a white chalk line. The posts are Rugger goal posts. The ball is similar in shape to the Rugby ball, but rather smaller. Shorn of all its technical niceties, the object of the game is, as in Rugger, to ground the ball behind the opponents’ goal line. This is called a touch-down, and scores six points. Again, as in Rugby, a touch-down carries the privilege of a kick at goal, which, if successful, counts a further one point, Tho difference from Rugby in the kick lies in the fact that it may be taken from anywhere in the field, and is therefore taken from the spot whence the attempt at conversion for a try between the posts would be made. It is, therefore, generally successful. Other possible scores are "field goals," which are either drop kicks or placed kicks—placed by one man for another during play—counting three points, and a "safety,” similar to our "carried over,” counting two points. As wul be noted, the essential difference in the game lies in the method of play rather than in the scoring. Each side is permitted four attempts, or "downs,’ to carry the ball ten yards towards their opponents’ goal. If they succeed, they obtain the privilege of a further four downs, and so on. If they fail, the ball goes to the other side, who, in their turn, repeat the process. The essential point of the play is to hold the ball once it is grounded—generally when a man is tackled—the down is over and careful measurement is taken. Should the ball in play pass out of the possession of one side into that of the other, the “downs” are close, and it is the other side’s turn to attempt to advance. Consequently, a kick which naturally gives the ball to the other side is seldom resorted to, except at fourth down, if the distance to be gained—say, nine yards—makes success unlikely, or in an attempt at a field goal. In that event the ball is kicked forward, and the opposing player who- gathers the ball runs back until he is tackled, and at this spot his side commence their effort at a KVyard advance in four downs. Kicking for touch is, therefore, of little value. There are 11 players on each side, and in a normal line-out these would stand like a Soccer eleven. Centre forward is centre,s inside and outside left or right are called left or right guard and tackle. Right-half is right-end. Left-half ip left-end. Centre-half is quarter-back, the most important position on the field and the tactical commander of the forces. The full-backs are right and left halfbacks, and goal is full-back. Play continues for one hour, divided' into four quarters. At the commence-

ment of tho first and third quarters the ball iB kicked off by one side from their 40-yard line, much in the same way as in Rugger; after a score also play is restarted in the same way as in Rugger by the defending side. At the end of the first and third quarters the opposing teams merely change ends, the position as to "downs" remaining unchanged, and the location of the ball is determined by a reflection about the 50yard line. The last, hut by far the most essential technical difference between our English Rugger and that played by our American cousins, is comprised in the term "Interference." This, to my mind, is the most dangerous phase of their game, and, leading as it does to th° majority of the injuries sustained, requires both skill and pluck in its successful execution. The Rugger player in England who interferes with an opponent who is not in possession of the ball is liable to make himself unpopular with both the opposition and the referee. In America, however, this manoeuvre iB recognised as a perfectly legal means of keeping the man with the ball immune from opponents' intentions. This, consequently, leads to a fan formation of play of which the man with the ball ie the apex and the wings the supporting members of his side, who, by dint of throwing themselves at the opposition —tackling interference is not allowed—endeavour to clear a way through the opposition for the possessor of the ball.

This interference is done at full speed, shoulder against thigh, nominally without any holding, and is one of the prettiest but the most dangerous phase of the game. •So far, I have confined myself to an attempt to give the essential technical differences between the two games. I will now try to give a general impression of the game I saw and its spectators. Candidly speaking, the game impressed me more as a science than as a sport. Before each down the quarter-back shoots out a rapid series of numbers which are a signal to his side of the strategic plan to be adopted during the next play, and these signals and their effect constitute the result of weeks of careful study and blackboard teaching by the coacher. The game is a series of about 10 seconds' impression of rapid close play where the ball can seldom be seen, as it is an essential factor of the play that each member of the attacking side should d«ce<ve the Opposition into the belief that he is in possession of the ball; followed in general by some two minutes' interval for advice, discussion, recuoeration, or preparation for the next play. It is not until a long spectacular run with its interference, ended by a beautiful tackle—and in general the tackling is magnificent—breaks the tedium of close play, that an outsider can understand the American's enthusiasm for this sport. Such a run is a finer snectacle even than a three-quarter run at Rugger, but, unfortunately, these long runs are a rare occurrence, as the tackling, in spite of interference, is, deadly and without mercy.