“Of course, you know that the play is usually to charge your opponent toward the centre.  Play to get around the opposing end on the outside and block the runner.  If he finds you’ve got past and are waiting for him he will likely turn in and try to get through nearer the centre of the line, and the centre of the line is the hardest to gain through.  So ’turn ’em in’ is the regular rule, Thayer.  On attack keep close to your guard and help him on plays inside your position.  Learn to work smoothly with him.  Usually you’ll be able to settle between you whether you’re to help him or go out and help the end.  It depends on the play and on how strong the guard is.  When you make a hole, make it clean; and don’t stop when it’s made.  Keep on playing until the ball is down.  And don’t trust the horn for it, either.  See it down yourself.

“When the runner is through the hole it’s often up to you to say whether he’s to make three yards or thirty.  Look for the man who’s in position to stop the runner and get to him and put him out of it.  Play the game every minute, Thayer.  Be always on the lookout for trouble and try to get a finger in it.  And, another thing, and I’ve been dinning this into the men all the week, don’t slow down before tackling.  Tackle hard, Thayer.  Put on a little extra steam at the last moment and smash into it!  Don’t merely stop your man; anyone can do that; but put him back when you hit him.  Make him fall toward his own goal, and not toward yours.  Sometimes there’s a difference of two yards right there.  And besides, and I say this because I know it to be so, there’s nothing that takes the starch out of a backfield man who is catching a punt or running it in like knowing that he’s going to be tackled hard.  He has it on his mind when he’s catching the ball.  He knows he’s got to get it right and hug it hard or he will lose it.  And it’s a dollar to a dime he will get over-anxious and nervous.  A team that tackles fiercely and for keeps will have its opponents making fair-catches before the second half starts.  Well, that’s enough for tonight.  If I hurl too much wisdom at you you won’t remember any of it.  Besides, Byrd over there is yawning already.”

“Oh, no, sir, I found your discourse most interesting,” assured Amy.  “And I do hope our young friend will profit by the advice.  I sometimes think he shows real promise, Mr. Detweiler.”

“Well, we’ll hope he will later on show fulfilment, Byrd.  I don’t want to frighten you, Thayer, but you’re likely to hear all this stuff over again, and a heap more like it.  These little lectures of mine occur frequently.  I hope you weren’t as bored as your friend here.”

“No, sir, and I’ll try to remember what you told me.”

“In case you shouldn’t I’ll tell you again soon,” laughed the coach.  “Rome wasn’t made in a day nor a good tackle in one lecture.  Now we’ll talk of something that Byrd can come in on.”

CHAPTER XX