Coaches Annex Sandlot Idea
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Stephen Epler, Iowa Coach, Enlarges Rules
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Develop 6 -Man Grid Squads
Hey, you sandlotters, have you heard about the progress this
unique idea for high school football, the six man team, Is making?
Time was when you fellows were the only guys in the country who
played a miniature type of the real article but now your territory
has been usurped and coaches think it's a swell Idea—they say it's
a mighty nice feeder for the maturer varsity squads, Improves ball
handling, enables youngsters to develop Into big time players by
furnishing them with the bodily contact so necessary to the sport
and at the same time removes parental objections to a youngster's
participation because It lessens the chances for serious injury.
Good for Little Schools
Then, too, It's an ideal take-off on the gridiron sport because it
hits the spot for schools which haven't enough boys for the 11
man outfits and couldn't afford sponsor money If they did.
Stephen Epler, an Iowa high school coach, 'hard pressed to ply
his trade three years ago for just those reasons, saved his job with
the idea and now It's growing!
The six man play is naturally conducive to wide open tactics and
gives innumerable opportunities for hard, brilliant open field running
plus some superlative blocking and tackling.
It's practically a model of the razzle-dazzle atlaqk used by such
teams as Ohio State and Colgate In the past three years. One difference,
however, is that the six man stuff necessitates frequent
substitutions because its heightened pace soon runs the starters
into a frazzle. About 15 men make up A good squad.
The game's easier to follow, too, because, with only 12 men on the
field instead of the traditional 22, individual performances stand out.
There aren't any guard and tackles on the six man team. There are
three men on the line and three in the backfield and there's the
possibility for any number of of offensive and defensive formations.
The defense usually sticks to a 2-3-1 setup.
The field is 40 yards wide and 80 yards long, 20 yards shorter
than the 11 man field and 40 feet narrower. The offense must make
15 yards in four downs, The back receiving the ball from the center
may not run with it but he may pass it to anyone. If he uses
a reverse play, the second man handling It may run.
Penalties, Too
Infraction of the rules call for a five yard penalty or the loss of
the down. Any player Is eligible to receive a pass, although under
some sets of rules In use the center Is ineligible.
A field goal counts four points and a conversion after touchdown
two If kicked. Made in any other way, It counts only one. This rule
Is to encourage kicking and to remove the possibility of Injury within
the 20 yards line. Touchdowns count the usual six points. Goal
posts are wider and the crossbars are lower to further encourage
kicking.
Teams kick off from the 30 yard line and either an offensive
or defensive man may advance a fumble. Only canvas topped, rubber
soled shoes are allowed the players.
Periods last 10 minutes and the game Is scored in the same manner
as is basketball. The timekeeper and scorer sit on the sidelines and
substitutes report to them before entering the game.
Six man football tends toward high scoring and many teams would
rather run the extra point than attempt to kick it, which indicates
that ground plays are much easier to negotiate than the ones calling
for straight and accurate booting.
, All In All, it might be said that the innovation has its points.
Stephen Epler, glorifying in a sense the age old custom of the sandlotters
who lake to an empty lot and settle their gridiron feuds with
whatever talent is available, may well feel proud
