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Chapter I
THE OFFENCE
1. Start-Off.—Perhaps the least in im¬
portance, but first in logical order, is the
Start-Off, or Opening Play.
Until the revolution (sometimes called
a revision of the playing rules) a year or
so ago, this was the most beautiful play of
the game. The two elevens lined up in
front of each other, crouched ready for
the fray. The variations in the start-off
gave the spectators something new to look
for, and put the player on the tiptoe of ex¬
pectancy. Now all is monotony; each
side knows what is going to happen. The
ball must be kicked at least ten yards into
opponent's territory.
The eleven should line up on the fiftv-