The rules of football were practically unchanged for a number of years, but the game developed so many dangerous features that nearly all the colleges recently agreed to certain important changes especially directed to abolishing mass play and line bucking.  For that reason the rules for the present game may be changed considerably within a few years.  A boy taking up football should therefore acquaint himself with the latest rules governing the sport.

Football requires careful training, but the best training will come from actual play itself.  In the beginning of the season a period of ten minutes’ hard play is all that a boy should be called upon to do, unless he is in excellent physical shape.  After that the time of practice should be lengthened until a candidate can go through a game of two full halves without being exhausted.  One reason for many football injuries is that the players become so completely winded that the ordinary power of resistance is lost.

Besides actual play the best training is in taking long runs to improve the wind, one of the most essential things in football.  In the colleges training for nearly all athletic events is done in this way and a candidate who cannot go out with his squad and run four or five miles at a stiff dog trot will have but little chance of making his team.

XVII

LAWN TENNIS

How to make and mark a tennis court—­Clay and sod courts—­The proper grip of the racket—­Golf—­The strokes and equipment

The steady growth in popularity of lawn tennis as well as the splendid exercise that results from playing this game has given it a sure place in the field of athletic sports.  It is a game that requires a great deal of skill, and as no one realizes this fact more than those who are experts, a beginner should not be deterred from playing tennis simply because he may fear the criticism of the more experienced.  The only way to learn the various strokes and to be able to play a good game is to practise at every opportunity.  It is better to play against some one who is more skilful than ourselves and who will keep us on our mettle to make a good showing.

The eye and the muscles must work automatically and with precision.  No amount of written instructions can give us this skill.  The personal outfit for playing tennis is of course very simple.  Every player should own his racket and become accustomed to it.  They cost almost any price up to eight dollars, which will buy the very best rackets made.  The weight and size of the racket will depend on our strength.  The average weight for a man is about fourteen ounces and for a boy an ounce or two lighter.  A skilful player becomes so accustomed to the feeling and weight of his own racket that often he will play an indifferent game if he is forced to use any other.

The game of lawn tennis was first played on a lawn or grass court, and many players still prefer this kind of a court, but the difficulty of obtaining a good sod, and after having obtained it the greater difficulty of keeping it in good condition, have increased the popularity of a skinned or clay court, which is always in fair condition except immediately after a heavy rain.  The expense of maintaining a tennis court is more than most boys or most families would care to undertake.