1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

20 THE SCROLL.yet on the whole, I think that Canadians have a very good reason fortheir satisfaction.A game, to be a great game, should be interesting to the playersand it must be interesting and exciting to the spectators. The firstqualification adds greatly to the sport, the latter is essential. Baseballhas them both; it is the universal game. Chess, on the otherhand, is very interesting, even absorbing to the players, but fewstadiums have been built around chess tables. The "human interest"is not there, and it is this "human interest," this most important qualification,that Canadian football has it over the game as played in theStates. The most effective way of proving this contention will beto give a description of the game.The field is the same size, and marked very similar to the gridironsin the States, with goals at each end. Fourteen men composethe team, there are three scrimmage men or scrum corresponding toour centre and guards. On each side of the scrum, are three wings,inside, middle, and outside. The first two pairs somewhat similarto our tackles, and the outside wings, like our ends, are fast men andhard tacklers. In the back field are the quarter, three backs, and afullback, who is usually the punter.The uniform worn consists of one piece canvas jacket and shortpants like track pants except that they are well padded at the hips.A jersey with striped sleeves worn beneath the jacket, long stripedstockings, reaching to the hips; football shoes, and perhaps a headgear complete an outfit that is the maximum of lightness, protectionand appearance.The game is started practically the same as in the American gameby kicking off from the centre of the field. On defence the Canadianteam lines up much as do the Americans, except that the centre ofthe line is more compact, and the wings more extended. The lineitself due to the increased number of men is longer than.our scrimmage.A flying half, who is equivalent to the rover in hockey, andone other back, are either backing up the line or out on the wingthey consider to be threatened. The three other hacks are spreadover the field thirty or forty yards to the rear, waiting for kicks.The chief difference in the mode of defensive play is that, the opposingattack having started, the scrimmage men do not charge tobreak it up, they merely crouch down and wait for it to come tothem. They are coached that by charging they may be blocked off,while if they wait, they will surely have an opportunity of tackling.The man with the ball must come first. Interference is absolutelyforbidden. This might seem an impossible handicap for the attackingplayers to overcome, but the fact is, that the man with the ball,on trick plays, is made irresistible by the force of the men behindhim, and very often breaks through for long gains.In the attack lies the strength and beauty of the game. The ball