The main objective of a team on defense is to regain possession of the ball as quickly as possible. To successfully control a game, a team needs to have possession of the ball the major portion of the playing time.

One of the most effective ways of stopping the other team's offense "cold" is to make quick recoveries of their fumbles. To do this, you must always be on the alert for a loose ball. It should be a common instinct for every member of your team to immediately pounce on any ball they see on the ground, or within reach in the air.

1. Whenever you see a loose ball, immediately make every effort to get as much of your body and arms around the ball as possible. It is best to make a dive for it. Your arms should be out in front of you, ready to go over the ball and around the front of it. Your body should fall to the ground on one side or the other of the ball. Draw the ball into your body and curl your thighs and knees around it. There should be no surface or area of the ball visible to your opponents.

2. If every player on your defensive team is individually striving to tackle the ball carrier, then you will have several teammates in position to recover the fumble. However, remember that your opponents will be after the loose ball, too! Make it a habit in practice to be the first one on top of every loose ball. This will not only sharpen your reflexes, it will also train you in the proper fumble-recovery method.

Punts. Whenever a team is forced to punt because of the down and yardage required, the defense concentrates on blocking the kick.

A blocked kick, recovered by the defense, has turned the tide in many a football game. When your team blocks a kick, you score a tremendous yardage gain and you usually get the ball in an advantageous position. You also force your opponents to become overly concerned with their punting game. This tends to cause them some confusion in all the other phases of their offense.

Even if you do not succeed in blocking the kick, by making a determined rush of the punter you may enjoy other benefits. Your pressure on him may cause him to hurry his kick. This can result in a poorly directed punt that goes only a short distance.

There are two ways to pressure the punter and have the best chance to block his kick. One is by rushing in seven or eight defensive players with the snap of the ball. This is a "beef stampede"!

The other effective way is to divide or split the offensive line in such a manner that one defensive player has a clear route to rush the punter. This method is frequently and successfully used and is described in detail below.

1. We will say that you are the lucky fellow who is assigned to go in after the punter! You will position yourself behind two linemen teammates. Usually, the weakest area of the offensive line is selected for your play. Your teammates charge the offensive blockers directly in front of them and force the opponents out of their respective areas of the line of scrimmage. You must anticipate the snap of the ball and be moving immediately through the hole and on the route to the punter.

2. To be this rusher, you must be extremely quick and fast. You must be fearless! You go directly into the kicker with your hands raised above your head. The best idea is to aim to block the ball with your chest. However, if the ball leaves the punter's foot too soon for you to do this, then you should be able to make a block with your upraised forearms or hands.

3. If you are unable to make a direct approach on the punter, use good judgment as to his forward movement, where his steps will end and his kicking action take place. Aim for the spot just in front of the point where the punter's foot will meet the ball. Try to get as much of your chest and arms as possible in front of the ball.

4. Do not hesitate in your rush. Frequently, a low pass from center will delay the punter in getting a proper grip on the ball. By always going in at full speed, you can take advantage of this lapse by the center.

5. When making an all-out effort to block the punt, remember that there is always the possibility of a fake kick. The punter draws in the defense, then takes off around either end. This is an extremely successful maneuver when the defense over concentrates on rushing into the offensive backfield. Always keep your ends alert for such a play whenever your opponents indicate they will try a punt.

BLOCK THAT KICK! When you rush an opposing team's kicker, be fearless! Rush hard and fast. Co directly into the kicker with your hands and arms raised above your head. It is best to try to block the ball with your chest, but in any event make sure you get a hand on it!

Extra Points and Field Goals. Thinking of all the games won and lost by successful and unsuccessful extra-point and field-goal attempts will give any coach a large headache. These plays are very crucial in the game of football!

It is quite difficult to block an extra-point or field-goal attempt due to the speed at which the attempt is made. The defense does not have as much rushing time after the snap of the ball as with the punt attempt. However, it is possible to place enough pressure on the kicker so that he makes an improper kick and misses the crossbar.

1. In rushing the kicker to block his kick or pressure him into hurried mistakes, your methods are similar to those used against the punter. Of course, on the extra-point or field-goal attempt, you know exactly where the ball will be placed down by the holder. Again, as in the punt, your team can attempt to "swarm under" the kicker, or send in one fearless speed demon, such as you! It is rarely possible to get to the kicker before he has the ball on its way. Your job, then, is to get some part of your body in front of the ball as it rises from his foot. You will not often make an actual block of the ball. However, if you give it all you have on every try, the one kick that you do block may be the one that wins the game for your team!

2. Your charge on this play must be made with more effort and determination than your normal defensive charge on passing and running plays. That is why you should spend special practice time on rushing kickers and attempting to block their kicks.

3. You should follow the above instructions for both extra-point and field-goal attempts. While it is always possible that a fake may be involved on an extra-point or field-goal attempt, this is not your concern, as the assigned rusher. It is up to your teammates to guard against the possibility of a run or a pass play.

It has often been said that the most difficult yard to gain on the football field is that final yard that results in a touchdown.

This is due to several factors. Once the ball is advanced to a point within a yard or so of the goal line, the total area available to the offense in which to operate a play is considerably limited. The defense can concentrate more men on the line of scrimmage against running plays. As many as seven, eight, and nine defensive players will be placed on the line. There is also less backfield area to protect against passes.

However, any offensive team which gets this close to the goal line smells blood! It takes a super, all-out effort from the defensive team to prevent a touchdown.

1. Each and every defensive player must be determined that he will not permit any offensive gain over him or through his immediate area. It is not only a matter of physical strength, but also of mental strength. You must have the mental confidence that you can and will stop your opponents short of the goal line. You must stand "shoulder to shoulder" with your teammates. The offense must have no opening available to their ball carrier.

2. With your back to the goal line, you must be alert for all types of trickery by your opponents. They will be doing everything possible to enable them to cross your goal line. However, you must not hesitate in getting to the ball carrier as rapidly as possible. You must meet offensive power with super-defensive power and offensive speed with super-defensive speed. It is a matter of all-out offense against all-out defense. The more alert and aggressive team will emerge triumphant!

3. A successful goal-line stand by the defensive team means a maximum team effort. All eleven players must act as one. They must have complete confidence in themselves, in each other, and in their defensive pattern.

4. There is nothing in the game of football that can better inspire a team, or bring it up "off the floor," than a successful goal-line stand. It can also deeply discourage the offensive team.

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