Football: The Association Game/Chapter 5

by Charles William Alcock

CHAPTER V.

MODERN FOOTBALL, AND HOW TO PLAY IT.

From what has already been written, it will be understood that in the accepted formation of an Association eleven, according to modern notions, the main idea is to equalize as much as possible the attack and the defence. The half-backs, if they appreciate the full measure of their responsibilities, have in a great measure an offensive as well as a defensive mission; and indeed the middle half in particular has it in his power to be of very great assistance in acting as a kind of extra centre forward. He ought, in fact, to feed the wings, when occasion arises, very much as the centre does, and, if thoroughly up to his duties, ought to be quite the most useful man in the team.

It is difficult at present to anticipate any evolution which can produce a better or more perfect combination. The eleven, it will be understood, therefore, is formed of five forwards—two players on each wing, one centre; and six to constitute the defence—three half-backs forming the first line, two full backs behind them, and last of all the goalkeeper, on whom falls the task of checking the final assault. Perhaps, though, it will give a better idea of the arrangement, and indeed of the general adjustment, of the football field if I give a sketch of its formation.

The whole secret of success in football lies, it is almost superfluous to add, in the measure of a team's combination. A club eleven composed of entirely mediocre players will generally make a good show against, if it does not actually beat, a coalition of members of different bodies of vastly superior capacity individually. There is no royal road to

PLAN OF THE FIELD OF PLAY.

Referred to in the Law of the Game,

b. Back; hb, Half-back; ol. Outside left; il, Inside left; or. Outside- right; ir, Inside right.

football, and the first lesson that a young footballer must take to heart and learn thoroughly is unselfishness. It is essential that he should grasp as the fundamental principle of the game a complete abnegation of self in the interests of the side. He is, as I have said, a section of a machine which cannot act properly unless even the minutest part does its work to a nicety and in harmony. A selfish player, one who enters a football field with the idea of contributing purely to self-glorification, will very soon find himself out in the cold, and his place filled by one who is more capable of advancing the general well-being of his side. Combination is the only possible way to the attainment of anything like perfection of working in a football team, and the sooner the tyro recognizes the importance of mastering this first lesson, the sooner will he be on the way to advancement.