The beginner in football should first of all be provided with a suitable uniform; there is no game in which this is more important.  The game is rough and many and harsh are the jolts we receive; consequently we must use whatever padding and guards we can to provide against injury.

The custom is to wear a tight jersey with elbow pads, a tight-fitting canvas jacket and well-padded canvas khaki or moleskin trousers.  The appearance of our uniform is of little consequence, as football players are not noted for the beauty of their costumes.  Heavy woollen stockings and football shoes complete the outfit.  The shoes are the most important part of the uniform.  They should lace with eyelets and be well provided with leather cleats to prevent slipping.

[Illustration:  Football shoes]

A beginner at football can gain a lot of valuable points by carefully watching the practice of his team from the side lines.  He is then in a position when called upon to fill a given position which he may be trying for, without obliging the coach or captain to give him instruction in many rudiments which he can just as well learn from observation.  He must also be thoroughly familiar with the rules and their interpretation.  A violation of the rules in football carries with it a severe penalty for the team, provided of course that the referee sees it, consequently, a beginner must be especially careful not to permit his anxiety to make a good showing to result in being offside when the ball is put in play, interfering with a man about to make a fair catch or in doing many other things which the excitement of the game may occasion.

The moment of putting the ball into play is called a “scrimmage” and the scrimmage continues until the ball is downed.  A ball is “down” when the runner is brought to a standstill or when he touches the ground with any part of his body except his hands or feet.  At this point the referee will blow his whistle and a lineup for a new scrimmage will take place.

[Illustration:  The football uniform]

When the ball is kicked, a member of the opposing team who raises his hand and stands in one spot is entitled to make a catch without interference, which if successful gives his team a free kick.  In a free kick his opponents may not come within ten yards of where the ball was caught and some member of his team may kick either a drop kick, punt or place kick as he sees fit.  After a touchdown, which counts five, a place kick for goal is attempted.  If the ball goes between the goal-posts and above the crossbar it counts one point additional for the team making the touchdown, or six in all.  A score of one alone cannot be made in football, as the attempt for goal cannot be made until after a touchdown.  This of course does not apply to a field goal, which may be attempted at any time while the ball is in possession of the team and which counts three.

The smallest score is from a “safety,” which results when a member of a team is forced to touch the ball down behind his own goal or is downed there by the opposing team.  This play counts two for his opponents and is an evidence of weakness of the team.  It has the advantage, however, of permitting the ball to be brought out twenty-five yards to be put into play.