s seem still to do, as a sort of last desperate
chance. With many teams the attack may be summarized practically in this
manner: first and second down, runs; third down, forward pass; fourth
down, kick. And then they wonder that the forward pass doesn't succeed
and stigmatize it as a dangerous, treacherous and unsuccessful play!
Rather a team must have the confidence to use it often on first and
second downs, and even on special, occasions on a fourth down. Not only
that, but it must be used frequently, persistently and continuously.
Nothing more disturbs the morale of defense than a series of forward
passes, some of which succeed even though a considerable proportion of
them are incompleted. There is always the danger that one may succeed
and get away! What proportion of the running plays are successful in the
modern game? No statistics exist. If the forward pass were tried
anything like as persistently as the running game, unquestionably its
percentage of success would greatly increase.

On this basis the pass should be used for short as well as long gains. A
running play that gains two and a half to three yards is regarded as
successful. Why should not the pass be used in the same way? Passes that
give little or no gain in themselves, but put the receiver in position
for open field running, and at least a few yards gain, disorganize the
defense, eventually make the long passes successful, spread the defense
so bucking becomes possible, and contribute generally to making the
forward pass a regular ground gaining play--a part of the regular
attack.

PASSER WELL BACK.

The early successes of the forward pass were secured almost solely upon
the principle of putting the passer a distance of fifteen yards back,
then letting the opposing line come charging through absolutely without
resistance. Practically the whole offensive team was sent down to
receive (apparently) the pass, thus confusing the defense as to who was
eligible and furnishing interference as soon as the pass was completed.
By actual experiment it was found that a distance of thirteen to fifteen
yards was necessary. Although lines are more wary and experienced today
than formerly, this single piece of strategy is still very valuable.
Many teams are failing with their passes simply because their passer is
not more than seven to ten yards back. The greater distance gives a
short but _vital_ length of time for receivers to get free and for the
passer to pic