Thought I'd share this article from 1936: This is what appeared in the Sweetwater Reporter newspaper, it was also printed in the Big Springs newspaper on Oct. 26th. A Good Read!
The Sweetwater Reporter
Sunday Morning, Oct 25, 1936 page2
Six-Man Football is Boon to the Small High School
By: Shelby Jobes Coach, Sylvester High
Six-Man Football is Here to Stay.
The football problem of the small high school is solved. Experiments with the game in this area this season show that the game is sound. If properly coached and organized should spread rapidly next year among the small high schools of West Texas.
While six-man football retains blocking and tackling, the game is considerably “opened up” by the rules, which permits all players to receive passes except the snapper back. The rules further requires at least one backward pass on all running plays.
Has All The Thrills
The six-man variety has all the thrills of regular football; end runs, line bucks, center smashes, reverse and spinner plays, forward and lateral passes.
The crowds show their approval at the completion of a forward pass, or the execution of a good tackle, or a perfect block as they do in regular football. In fact, all the fundamentals of football are utilized in the abbreviated game.
One distinctive feature of the game is that the quarterback must pass the ball at least two yards back of the line of scrimmage before it can be advanced, thus making the play more open.
Need Good Equipment
Six-man football should not be played in inferior equipment. The players must be fully and properly protected; provided with the best equipment the schools can afford. The game is less expensive because it does not require suits and equipment for so many boys.
Here at Sylvester High school, we have equipped 15 boys, giving us two good teams with three reserves.
Along with our regular practice we spend an hour each day on “touch” football. This gives the boys good practice in passing, receiving passes, handling the ball, breaking up passes and open field running.
Many schools have given up regular football as an organized sport with scheduled games. It is usually not because the boys do not like the regulation game-with its blocking and tackling, but that the schools cannot offer the game as it should be played.