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POSITION PLAY
79
his own side is going to kick, the centre
should block a little longer, the time to
be determined by the speed of the man in
front of him and the quickness of his own
kicking back. Having blocked sufficient¬
ly, he should let his man through, and get
down the field to help the other forwards
prevent a return.
The defensive work of the centre is
almost illimitable. He can be of as much
or of as little use to his side as he has a
mind to. He has more opportunity for
brilliant tackles than any other man on
his side, for the sole reason that he is not
expected to do anything, and is the unac¬
counted-for man. His own man is handi¬
capped by having to snap the ball, and he
has no other assignment except that man.
The centre man should remember that
he is a rusher and must break through,
and do his share of the defence the same
as any other forward.
The centre man should never root up