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Huddle 1-Running

In earlier days, football was just a game that the name suggests. The players moved the ball by kicking it with their feet. Gradually, as high schools and colleges took up the game during the 1800's, it became popular to pick up the ball and run with it. Later, throwing the ball through the air from one player to another won its place in the strategy of the game.

However, of these three basic forms of moving the ball — kicking, running, and passing — running with the ball must be regarded as the most important. Running plays are used most frequently and there are a greater variety of them.

So it is that we start this fundamental instruction on the great gridiron sport with a chapter on running. In your reading of this book, you will find it most helpful to keep a football in your hands. When you go outdoors to try out what you have read, call up your buddy and have him join you. Working together, you can master these fundamentals more quickly and have more fun. Help each other as good buddies should!

Just a word about your equipment. Do not try any blocking or tackling without proper and complete uniforms, including well-padded helmets. The sandlot, or the corner playground, or your back yard, are all good spots to practice your football maneuvers and to have your neighborhood games, but always remember — no blocking and no tackling without full uniforms!

Packing the Pigskin

(NOTE: As most boys are right-handed, we will give our instructions for a right-hander. Now, of course, we have nothing against left-handers! There are great ones in all sports. If you are a natural southpaw, just switch the word "right" for "left" and "left" for "right" wherever these words appear in the instructions.)

THE PROPER CARRY of the ball by a right-hander is shown to the right. The fingers are over the right point of the ball, while the opposite point is forced into the pocket formed by the elbow and body.

1. Carry the ball with the fingers of your right hand over one point (or end) of the ball. Your right arm should be bent so that you can tuck the other point of the ball into the pocket formed by your elbow. Force the ball securely into this pocket with a hard pressure from the fingers of your right hand. Snug the ball against your right ribs. You have probably noticed on television that great college and professional players often carry the ball away from their bodies. When you start appearing on television, you can carry the ball that way, too! Until that time, "pack the pigskin" as described above.

2. Actually, in carrying the football, you should be equally good with either hand. If an opponent comes at you from your right side with the intention of tackling you, make a quick shift of the ball from your right side to your left side. This frees your right arm for a "straight-arm" on the would-be tackier. The shift of the ball is made as follows:

(a) Bring your left hand over on top of the ball and move your right hand, with the ball, over along the lower part of your stomach toward your left side.

(b) The left hand grasps the point of the ball which is in the pocket of the right elbow.

(c) Your arms appear to be folded in front of your stomach. Each hand grasps a point of the ball.

(d) The right hand guides the point of the ball it has been covering into the pocket formed by the left elbow. The right hand is pulled away to begin the straight-arm maneuver.

(e) The left hand brings the other point of the ball around, the fingers pressuring the ball firmly back into the pocket of the left elbow and snug against the left ribs.

These five actions must be combined into one quick, smooth, continuous movement in order for it to be successful. However, in your beginning practice, do it slowly, part by part, as detailed above. It is a good idea to practice switching the ball back and forth from right to left and from left to right. Keep practicing until you can make the switch perfectly while running at top speed. Have your buddy pretend to be a tackier moving in on you. You will then have a target for your straight-arm. A word of caution, though. "Pull" your straight-arm and make it a soft tap, in practice, or you may lose one buddy!

3. Right here, a word about the straight-arm is in order. Many times the successful use of a straight-arm will help you get by the one tackier between you and a touchdown or a long gain. Most boys will be more effective using their right hands in the straight-arm movement. However, it is important to be able to use either arm equally well. Your arm should be relaxed, the elbow slightly bent so that the forearm is almost parallel to the ground. When the would-be tackier approaches within range, quickly extend your arm outward as far as you can. The wrist, elbow, and shoulder should be firmly locked so that the arm acts like a "bumper." You hit the would-be tackier with the heel of your palm, preferably on either one of his shoulders. This will force a change in the direction his body is moving. Your sudden "push," combined with his momentum, guides him away from you. It is probably necessary to point out that the straight-arm is not used to "clobber" an opponent. You do not attempt to use it as a weapon to knock him down. It is solely for the purpose of "pushing" him away from your body. When making the straight-arm movement, do not delay or interrupt your running pace.

TO SHIFT THE BALL from one arm to the other, to keep it as far away as possible from would-be tacklers and to free the arm on that side for a straight-arm, move the ball across the lower part of your stomach, the left hand pulling the ball into the left elbow pocket and the right hand guiding and controlling the ball. This shift should be made quickly and smoothly, but beginners should practice it slowly, move by move.

4. Whenever you are running in a tight area with opponents close around you, or when it appears that you are about to be tackled, you should go into the "folded-arms" position. The ball is pressed against the lower part of your stomach, each hand firmly grasping a point of the ball and your forearms, between your elbows and wrists, covering the front part of the ball. This reduces your chances of fumbling. Remember, your opponent has the right to knock the ball out of your hands, if he can do so. It is up to you to protect the ball! Do not let your opponent get as much as one sticky finger on it!

The Straicht-Arm should be made with your wrist, elbow, and shoulder firmly "locked" so that the arm acts as a "bumper." You apply the straight-arm to the shoulder of a would-be tackier, not to his face! You should guide him away from your body.

Handing Off the Ball

1. Every back must know how to hand off the ball to a teammate on reverse plays. You usually make the hand-off to your rear. You should control the ball with both hands, mostly with the fingers. When you make a hand-off to a teammate, your hands usually cover the belly of the ball. You reduce chances of a fumble by handing the ball with the one hand and using the other hand as a guide, controlling the movement of the ball.

2. For instance, let's say your teammate is coming on your right side and going behind you. Hand the ball to him with your right hand and use your left hand to guide the ball. The right hand is under the ball, the left on top of the ball. Pivot (turn) on your right foot to meet him. Always face the teammate as you make the hand-off.

3. If the teammate comes up on your left side, to go behind you, give him the ball off the palm of your left hand and have your right hand on top of the ball acting as a guide.

4. When you make the hand-off to a teammate going in front of you, there is a change in your hand position. This time, your teammate is coming from your right side. As he goes in front of you, give him the ball off the palm of your left hand with your right hand on top of the ball as the guide.

5. Now, if the teammate comes from your left side, to go in front of you, hand him the ball with your right hand and use your left hand as the guide.

6. Again, remember to face your teammate as he approaches you for the hand-off. You should practice hand-offs with your buddy, making both half-pivots and full pivots.

7. You should practice enough so that you will always feel confident that you can hand off the ball any time, anywhere, to any eligible teammate, and never commit a fumble. Practice until the ball feels like it is a part of your hands.

8. Hand-offs can occur on kickoffs, punt returns, intercepted passes, and offensive plays of all kinds, so practice the hand-offs in all these situations.

9. If you fake the hand-off and keep the ball instead of giving it to your teammate, who is running by you, have both hands firmly grasping the belly of the ball. Then, if the team mate accidently touches or bumps the ball, it will not be knocked from your hands.

Taking the Ball on a Hand-Off

1. There is a simple rule to follow in taking the ball in a hand-off from a teammate. Your hand on the side nearest the teammate goes down and the other hand goes up. How? Like this:

HAND-OFFS are received (left and right) with the hand nearest the quarterback down and the other hand up. The quarterback is making a good hand-off, but young players should first learn the method described in Huddle 1.

(a) You are going to your left behind the teammate who is handing off the ball. Therefore, as you go by him, the teammate is to your right. You put your right hand down, with the palm turned upward. Your left hand is up and its palm faces the teammate. Fingers of both hands point in the direction you are going.

(b) You are going to your right behind the teammate with the ball. He is now to your left as you go by him. Your left hand goes down, palm up, your right hand goes up, palm facing the teammate. (Check the photographs above!)

2. The above positioning of the hands offers to your teammate a larger area in which to place the ball. It also reduces the chances of fumbling. We call this the "basket opening," or the "cradle."

3. As you accept the ball, the lower hand comes up slightly and the upper hand comes down over the top of the ball. Have a firm grip with both hands. Then, move the ball into the proper carrying position on either your left side or right side, whichever is farthest away from would-be tacklers.

4. Take turns with your buddy handing off the ball and receiving it, running in front of and behind the man with the ball, and approaching from the right and the left.

5. You need strong, limber fingers both for making and receiving hand-offs. Such fingers will give you dependable control of the ball at all times. While you are sitting in the easy chair watching television, or studying your homework at the dining-room table, squeeze sponge-rubber balls (about the size of baseballs) in each hand. This will help your fingers. For your hand muscles, which lead to the fingers and are also important, use the type of handgrips that you squeeze together, one in each hand. A dozen or so finger-tip push-ups each morning and evening will prove a real aid in developing "ball-handling fingers"!

Returning Kickoffs and Punts

The returns of kickoffs and punts are certainly among the most important maneuvers in football. The instant the ball leaves the foot of the kicker, the air is electric with excitement. Each time there is the possibility that the runner will go "all the way"!

You will be good on returns if you are speedy, quick in your movements, and able to dart, spin, twist, and turn like a "whirling dervish"! Equally valuable are good eyes. You need to be able to see the entire field at a glance and immediately detect the most promising "open road" to the opponents' goal line.
You are either blessed with these abilities, or they can possibly be developed through game experience. Here are some of the finer points you can teach yourself right now!

1. Field the ball with your hands only! Have your palms up so that your hands will be beneath the ball when you make the catch. Make a basket with your arms. Keep your fingers limber and your hands relaxed. Do not catch the ball on your forearms and the base of your chest. Many boys have the mistaken idea that this is the way to catch a punt or a kickoff.

2. You must learn to make the catch by moving forward "into the ball." At the same time, you do not get directly under the ball, but rather catch it out in front of your body. If the ball hits your forearms and chest, you are getting under the ball too much. Position yourself so that you can "feel" that your body is in good balance. Whenever it is possible to do so, you should have your body squarely in front of the ball and between the ball and your goal line.

3. Since the punt usually spirals and the kickoff comes end-over-end, you must become accustomed to catching kicks having these two different actions. The only real way to learn how is through lots of practice. For kickoff-catching practice, have your buddy kickoff to you, or station yourself behind the goal posts when your team is having extra-point kicking practice. On the extra-point attempt, the ball goes end-over-end over the crossbar. For punts, an easy method is for you and your buddy to face each other about ten yards apart. Then, play catch with the football, throwing it under hand and upward so that it spirals into the air and comes down to the receiver just as in the action of a punt. Keep backing up a yard or so at a time until you are a maximum of thirty yards apart.

Punts And Kickoffs should be fielded with your hands only. Your fingers and hands must be relaxed for a "sure" catch. Never catch the ball on the forearms or on the base of your chest. Do not get directly underneath the ball. Instead, catch it out in front of you.

4. Once you have the kickoff or the punt in your hands, immediately secure it firmly in the proper carrying position, just as if you had received it in a hand-off. It is very important that you waste not one second in firmly gripping the ball. You may be tackled almost in the same instant the ball hits your hands. This is especially true on punts. Concentrate on not fumbling. Too many boys are too intent on finding the "open road" and running the ball back. This results in their failing to get a good grip on the ball and fumbles may occur.

5. If you cannot catch the ball before it hits the ground, you must use your own judgment as to whether or not you are going to attempt to catch it on the first bounce or on one of its several bounces. You should never attempt to field the ball on a bounce unless you have plenty of confidence in your ability to handle it cleanly and surely. You should also have the ball in your hands well in advance of any tackier making contact with you.

6. There is no neat, set rule to guide you on whether to field a bouncing ball on the run, or in a stationary (standing still) position. If you field twenty-five punts on the bounce, one after the other, you will field each one somewhat differently. However, long, hard, and keen study of punts in flight will eventually reveal an amazing fact to you. The type of action the ball takes in its descent, its downward flight toward you, the way it moves, will usually indicate to you in which direction the ball will bounce when it hits the ground. Yes, you can actually learn to tell, with a good degree of accuracy, whether the ball will bounce to the right, to the left, straight ahead, or backwards. Great punters can call their shots! They can tell you exactly which way the ball will bounce before they even kick it! They can do this, of course, by controlling the ball with their kicking foot. It is up to you, then, on the receiving end of the punt, to outsmart the kicker. Know, by the downward flight of the ball, where its bounce will take it and be there to grab it and go!

7. First, make it a habit to catch the ball properly. Then, practice running drills. Cut sharply off one foot and then the other while running at top speed. Pivot away from imaginary tacklers. Switch the ball from arm to arm and use the free one for straight-arming. Particularly, practice change-of-pace running. Learn to change your pace so that when you suddenly slow down, you cause the would-be tackier to slow down, too.

Then, when you suddenly speed up again, you catch him off his pace. This ability to fool your opponents as to your actual running speed is more important than your ability to run over them or fake them with the various faking maneuvers.

Open-Field Running

A ball carrier's biggest thrill and his biggest challenge is to run for a touchdown once he has crossed the scrimmage line and finds himself in the "open field." He has escaped the majority of would-be tacklers, the traffic jam of the scrimmage line, and the tight limits of his team's territory. Now, in enemy land, he has room to maneuver, to make full use of his speed, his faking ability, his intelligence, and his football instinct. Now, in the open field, the ball carrier receives the acid test of his true all-around running ability.

1. As was discussed earlier in the section on –kickoff and punt returns, it is vitally important that you be able to give would-be tacklers a "false target." You must fool them as to your actual speed by quick, smart, well-timed changes of pace. The side line is your best friend! As you approach
it, you can often trick a would-be tackier into thinking he has the proper angle to cut you off or force you out of bounds. What you should do is just slightly slow your pace and cause him to aim at a certain point on the side lines. At the proper split second, you suddenly put on a burst of speed and zip safely past that certain point on the side lines. The would-be tackier is sprawled on the ground behind you, looking into a pair of empty arms!

2. When you are in the open field, be alert for tacklers approaching you from the side on which you are carrying the ball. Make an immediate switch of the ball to the other arm so as to keep it away from the would-be tackier. This also frees the arm nearest the opponent for a straight-arm effort. Never attempt a switch of the ball while you are being tackled. Trying to do so will almost always cause a fumble.

3. A good open-field runner must have a "third eye"! This provides you with "split vision," enabling you to see the entire field from side line to side line in one glance. You must see everything at once so that you can make an immediate decision as to what you are going to do next. How many opponents are in the defensive secondary between you and the goal line? How are they approaching you? Which one presents the most danger? Which route offers you the quickest and easiest way to the goal line?

4. Once you are in the open field, you will undoubtedly be pursued from the rear. You do not look back over your shoulder to check on how fast the "posse" is gaining. You concentrate on the opponents in front of you and depend on your speed to keep you from being caught from behind.

5. Be aware of the fact that many times your own team mates will be in position to block opponents in the defensive secondary. You must develop the ability to make good use of your blockers. Know from which direction your blockers are moving and exactly how they will approach the opponents who are between you and the enemy goal line. Your blockers do not work for you, but rather, you work with them. Read the section on "Using Your Interference." (See page 37.)

6. Practice is again the key to becoming a good open field runner. You must develop your ability to side-step, straight-arm, cut sharply right and left, pivot, come to a complete stop and then immediately "shift gears" back into top speed. You must learn to disguise from the opponents your true running speed. You must be able to rapidly size up the situation as you make progress toward the goal line, so that you can change your direction away from sudden danger and into a safer route, if such is necessary.

Line Plunges

All running backs should develop the ability to hit the line on the so-called line plunge. Usually, the fullback carries the ball on a smash into the line. However, both halfbacks should also have the "know-how" for this play. A line plunge goes through that area of the scrimmage line between the opponents' defensive tackles.

1. Your starting position is from the "three-point stance." There are other positions, but over the years this one has proven the most effective and natural. Place your right foot to the rear of your left foot. The toe of the right shoe should be in line with the heel of the left foot. Spread your feet far enough apart so that you have a feeling of good balance. Place your right hand on the ground, in front of your right toe and well in advance of the left toe. Your left arm goes on your left leg, forearm resting lightly on the thigh. Keep your hand free. Your head is up, eyes looking ahead. Have some bend in your knees, but not so much that you put a hump in your back. (Remember, if you are a natural left-hander, substitute the word "left" for "right" and "right" for "left" in this instruction on the "three-point stance.")

2. Your forward movement is started by a push-off from your right hand and your left toe. Keep your feet spread apart as you move toward the scrimmage line. Try to keep them in a straight line from their original position in the stance. This will cause you to run in a "prancing" fashion. Too many boys have a tendency to bring their feet too close together after they start their run. If this happens, you lose the power from your leg drive and you have poor balance. By keeping your feet wide apart and staying on the toes and balls of your feet, you "dig" your way forward, building power and speed with every step for your smash into the line. You also reach the line with good body balance, making it that much harder to stop you.

A LINE PLUNGE is started from a "three-point stance." As you move forward, move your right foot in a straight line from its starting position. Keep your feet apart and "prance" into the line of scrimmage.

 
THIS BACK has taken a good first step with his right foot from the "three-point stance." He is moving forward properly to receive the ball from his quarterback. His hand position is good and his head is up, eyes on the "target" — the hole in the line that he is aiming for. Remember to keep your feet spread wide apart as you move forward so that you maintain good balance and build up maximum power.
 
3. In your forward movement, you do not bring your body quickly into an upright position. You move forward in a crouch. Keep your knees bent and the upper part of your body leaning forward. Your shoulders should be almost parallel to the ground. This allows you to develop the maximum power in your legs. In this position, you can also quickly increase your speed in the event a hole suddenly opens in the line. If no hole is open for you and you must force your way through the line, having your shoulders down allows you to use either one as a "battering ram." After you are through the hole, or the line itself, and are starting into the defensive secondary, you gradually raise your shoulders and straighten your body for an open-field run.

4. As you move forward, keep your head up and your eyes open. Many times you will see that the spot in the line you were aiming for has been effectively plugged by the defense. Then, you must quickly pick out another opening, or a spot where you will find the least resistance for your plunge. You must be able to veer off to either side.

5. When you receive the ball from the quarterback or on a direct pass from center, have good control of the ball. One hand goes beneath the ball, the other hand on top of the ball. Then, one hand goes over one point of the ball and the other hand presses the other point into the opposite elbow pocket. For instance, if your right hand is over one point of the ball, then your left hand is pressing the other point into the pocket formed by the right elbow. Press the ball firmly into your chest, with your arms folded over the front of the ball. This protects it as you move into and through the line. In the close, hard action of line play, opponents will be coming from every side, trying their best to get at the ball and knock it from your grasp. You must have good control over the ball. Hold it securely and hide it! Once you are successfully through the line and into the defensive secondary, you can carry the ball in the normal fashion with one hand and arm.

6. At times when you approach the line, it may appear that the hole you expected is not opening for you. You must know the blocking abilities of your linemen. You must know if their abilities are such that the hole will be open just at the precise second you arrive at the spot on the line. You must know if your blockers are better at moving their opponents to the right side or to the left side. Learn the strong points and the weaknesses of your linemen in your practice sessions.

7. Sometimes you have to "go it alone." That is, some times you must make your own opening through the line. You do this by twisting your body from the waist up, dropping the shoulder pointing toward the line and using it as a wedge between two opposing linemen. Drive hard with your legs! As your forward shoulder goes into the line, straighten the upper part of your body and bring your other shoulder around and into the line. This action of your shoulders, plus the power from your legs, should push you through the line.

8. Be alert! If you suddenly see a weak spot develop in the defensive line that offers you an opportunity to make a larger gain than you would have made by going through the area called for in the play, head for the weak spot. However, be positive that you will make more yardage!

9. Do not give any indication to the defense as to which area of the line you intend to hit. Take your opponents by surprise. Explode through their line! Be able to go into the line from any angle.

10. Usually, the situation is such in downs and yardage needed that a line-plunge play is called for the purpose of gaining just a few yards, or even only one yard. Your main concern is to build up the speed and power necessary to blast through the line for whatever yardage is required.

ON A LINE PLUNGE it is sometimes necessary to make your own opening in the defensive line! You do this by dropping one shoulder and using it as a wedge between the two opponents. As you ram your shoulder into the line, you quickly straighten the upper part of your body and bring the other shoulder around, forcing open a hole wide enough for you to get through.

Off-Tackle Slants

It is often said that a back must be able to run off-tackle plays in sharp and successful fashion if he is to become an All-American.

The off-tackle slant is a vital play in the game of football. It is used to pick up those few yards needed for a first down. It is used to move the ball into a better position on the field for the purpose of setting up a special play. The off-tackle area is one of the best in which to make short gains. Also, there is always the possibility of breaking through into the defensive secondary and making a long open-field run.

The off-tackle slant goes to the outside of either defensive tackle. That is, between the defensive tackle and the defensive end on either side of the line. If a play goes between the tackle and guard positions, we call it "inside-tackle." So, whenever we speak of "off-tackle," you know that it means only between the tackle and the end.

By the word "slant" we mean that you run into the line at an angle from your starting position, not directly into the line as you would in making a line plunge.

1. There are several different types of starts you can make to begin an off-tackle slant. The simplest start is to take a short step with the foot nearest the side of the line you are going for. Let's say that you are the left halfback and in proper position for the snap of the ball. You are going to make an off-tackle slant through the right side of the line.

Take a short step with your right foot. Make the step parallel to the line of scrimmage. As you make your next step with your left foot, swing your body around so that you make a "crossover" step, your left foot crossing over your right foot. You then run in a slanting direction away from the line of scrimmage. When you run parallel to the line, you do not make the crossover step. That step is designed to take you back away from the line. It all depends on the pattern of the play, whether you are to take the ball from the quarterback directly behind the line or at a point deeper in the backfield.

2. In most off-tackle slants, either the left halfback goes into the right side of the scrimmage line or the right halfback goes into the left side. The fullback must be able to go to either side from his starting position directly behind the center and the quarterback. He will run at an angle toward which ever side of the line he is to attack.

3. You take the ball on a hand-off from the quarter back with the proper hand action as previously described in this chapter. You can also receive it on a direct pass from center. Move it into the proper carrying position on the side away from your opponents.

4. When you reach the area between the tackle and the end on the side of the line you are to go through, it is necessary for you to "cut" or "break" sharply from the path you are following. When you are running at a slant through your backfield, or parallel to the line of scrimmage, you give the appearance that you intend to go for the side lines, or far out around the end. You are actually running toward, and facing, the side lines. This draws the defense out and opens the off-tackle hole. To take advantage of it, you must sharply and suddenly change your direction. You do this by making a pivot on the ball of the foot, called the "outside" foot, farthest away from the line of scrimmage. If you are running to the right to go through the right side of the line, you "cut" from your right foot. Halfbacks will sometimes go into the off-tackle hole after making a 90-degree cut. At other times they will make a 45-degree cut. Fullbacks generally will go in at a 45-degree angle. The more direct your run is toward the off-tackle area, of course, the less sharply you have to "cut." However, the play is usually more effective on a sharper cut because it is more of a surprise to the defense.

ON THE OFF-TACKLE SLANT the ball carrier must appear to be heading for the side lines. This player is ready to "cut" from his "outside" foot into the off-tackle hole being opened by his teammate.

5. As you move, keep your head up and your eyes open for the defensive response to the play's pattern. Those who insist on running with their heads down often run into "stone walls." If your blockers have done their job, make your move through the line with your body in a semi-crouch, somewhere between the body positions for open-field running and line plunging. If the hole has not been opened, or is only partly opened, quickly bend your knees, lower your shoulders, and make the action of a line plunge. "Knife" into your opponents with the one shoulder forward. Then, bring your other shoulder around and force an opening big enough for your body to go through. Be sure to remember, before taking this plunge action, to move the ball into the "folded-arms" position, giving it cover and protection.

THE LEFT HALFBACK goes through the right side of the line in making his off-tackle slant. This ball carrier has "cut" from his "outside" foot and has brought the ball into the "folded-arms" position.

6. Be alert to take advantage of any breaks! If you have moved through a good hole and find yourself in the defensive secondary, step on the gas for an open-field run and a big yardage gain.

The Importance of Proper Faking

A good fake is one that not only fools the crowd, the sports announcers, and the television cameramen, but also has the defense chasing and tackling the wrong backfield men.

Clever faking is necessary for the success of most running plays. Your long runs are often due to some excellent faking on the part of your backfield teammates. Every back should have the ability to make it appear to the defense that he has the ball when he actually does not.

There are one or more fakes involved in 90 per cent of all running plays! Usually, the defense must guess just which back has the ball.

1. The basic duty of the original ball handler, usually the quarterback, is to be certain that he does not allow the faking back to accidentally hit or bump the ball and cause a fumble. In most cases, if you are the ball handler, you should have a firm grasp with both hands on the belly of the ball. On certain types of plays, where you are making what is called an "open-hand" fake, you turn your back to the line of scrimmage, conceal the ball by holding it pressed against your groin (the area where the legs join the trunk) with one hand, and fake with the other hand to the back passing by you. You then hand off the ball to another back or keep it yourself for whatever play has been called. Usually, if you are right-handed, you have the ball in your right hand, pressing it against your right groin (where the right leg joins the lower part of the trunk) and the left hand makes the fake. However, when moving to your left, it is better to conceal the ball with the left hand and fake with the right. When you make the fake hand-off, give every appearance of having actually placed the ball in the hands and arms of the back passing by you. 2. Frequently, if you, as the ball handler, have actually handed off to the first back to pass you, you will then continue moving just as if you had the ball and make a fake to a second back. Now, making a good hand-off fake without possession of the ball is even more difficult. When you can do this successfully, you will qualify for the magician's "badge of merit"! Frequently, too, you continue on into the backfield, after you have handed off the ball, giving your opponents every indication that you still retain possession of the ball and intend a pass or a run. The trick is to keep your opponents concentrating on you while the back who has the ball heads for their goal line. If you can also stop, reach into your helmet and pull forth a rabbit, you will undoubtedly confuse your opponents even more!

THIS QUARTERBACK is making an "open-hand" fake. His back is to the line of scrimmage, the ball is concealed in his right groin, and he is faking a hand-off to his right halfback.

3. If you are the faking back, it is essential that you make your approach to the ball handler and your movement by him exactly the same as you do when you actually accept the ball. Have the hand nearest him down with the palm turned up and the other hand raised and facing him. As you pass him, bring the lower hand up and the upper hand down and bring your arms quickly into the "folded-arms" position. Be careful not to bump the ball handler and cause a fumble. Continue on as if you have the ball and are about to make a play as the ball carrier. The defense will spot you as a "phony" if you fail to make your every action look exactly as if you have the ball.

4. Practice by the backfield men as a unit is the "secret" in achieving smooth-flowing, well co-ordinated arm, body, and leg movements.

Using Your Interference

A runner will go just as far as his interference takes him! You, as the runner, must know how to use your interference and get the most out of it. By your interference, of course, we are referring to your blockers.

1. Keep your eyes wide open! Don't concentrate your vision on just one spot. Cover the entire area in which you may want to run. Watch the defensive opponents' movements. Watch the movements of your blockers. Failure to keep your eyes on your own interference usually results in your running into your own teammates. Nothing is more distressing in a football game than for a runner to be off on what appears to be a good gain, only to have him collide with his blockers and go to the ground without a hand being laid on him.

2. Know the exact design of the play in which you are carrying the ball. What is the route of your run? Where will your interference come from? How many blockers will you have? Where will they be located along the route of your run? What are their individual abilities? What can you expect them to be able to do ... and not be able to do? You must know exactly how much you can ask of your blockers and also what is impossible for them.

3. You must work to develop good control of your speed. You must learn the speed of your blockers. You and your blockers must move together in a smooth, easy rhythm, something like a team of well-trained horses. Do not crowd your blockers! You should move along about a yard behind your lead blocker, far enough so that you cannot quite touch him with your outstretched hand. You must have extra speed in reserve. When your lead interferer, in throwing the key block, is about to make contact with the opponent, you step on the gas to make your bid for a big yardage gain.

4. Most of the time it is your responsibility, as the ball carrier, to draw would-be tacklers into positions so that your blockers can take them out of the play. You do this by momentarily changing your speed, or momentarily changing your direction. Keep the defense confused as to the exact route of your intended run. Then, they will have little time or ground in which to outmaneuver your blockers once you move directly onto that route.

DO NOT CROWD your blockers! Move along about a yard behind your lead blocker, or far enough behind him so that you cannot quite touch him with your outstretched hand.

5. You must learn to run with good balance, keeping your body under absolute control. You cannot lean to one side or the other, or concentrate your driving force in one direction. At any time you may be forced to break away from your interferers and go in any direction. You can do this
successfully only if you maintain good balance.

6. Here is a simple, but excellent rule to follow. "Make your break in the direction your lead interferer’s head goes as he makes the key block." If his head goes to the right, you go to the right, because he is blocking the opponent to the left. The opponent's body will fall to the left. If his head goes to the left, you go to the left, because he is blocking the opponent to the right. The opponent's body will be going in the opposite direction of the interferer's head. You want to keep out of the reach of the opponent's arms as he goes down, so you use your interferer's head as an arrow pointing the direction for you to go.

7. When you have running plays directly into the line, with you as the ball carrier, your inside linemen, although they have definite blocking assignments, are still serving as your interferers. Here, too, your keen eyesight and good balance are important. The defense does not always behave in the way you would wish. Often their maneuvers require your linemen to deliver different types of blocks than had been planned. The hole you were expecting in one area may turn up in another area. You must be able to change your speed or direction, or both, to take advantage of the new situation.

8. Many times, on the off-tackle type of play, the leading interferer is a lineman who pulls out of the line and leads you through the tackle hole. The chances for success with this play are increased if you can delay your "cut" or "break" toward the off-tackle area until the last possible second. The defense hesitates to move to plug the tackle area because you may be going all the way around the end. This gives your leading interferer time to throw the type of block he prefers and is most effective in opening the hole for you.

9. In practice, run straight ahead at about three-quarter speed. Then, suddenly, break either to the right or the left at an angle and take off at full speed. Repeat this several times in runs of forty to fifty yards. In your mind's eye "see" opposing tacklers coming at you from various directions.

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