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58 A PRIMER OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL
prevent him from putting his team on
side. Follow the ball. Tackle low.
3. Guard.—The two guards and the
centre make up the proverbial stone-wall
into which the opposing backs are sup¬
posed to ram their heads to no effect.
The stiffness and resistance of the whole
line depends largely upon the three centre
men.
A team is no stronger than its centre.
Nothing demoralizes a team more than to
have gains made repeatedly through that
point in the line. Without good guards
no play of any kind can be started, be¬
cause of protection necessary to quarter¬
back ; and no play through centre can be
stopped.
The qualities necessary for a guard are
strength, weight, and, as far as possible
with those, quickness and speed. Strength
and weight are put first because of the
constant struggle, push, pull, and lifting
in the centre. Strongest push plays are