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144 A PRIMER OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL
uses finger signals, putting the hand be¬
hind his leg where it cannot be seen. One
finger may indicate the left half ; two fin¬
gers, the right half ; and three fingers, the
full back or middle man. Pulling up
trousers or stockings, or scratching head,
may indicate what man is to take the ball.
The players should get into their places
as quickly as possible, ready for the start¬
ing of the ball, and the centre should snap
the ball back as soon as the quarter is
ready.
Some teams use a signal for the start¬
ing of the ball, but it is of doubtful value.
It is simply a signal to tell the other side
when to break through, if once caught on
to. False starts are made more frequent¬
ly, and thus offset any additional speed
that such a signal might give.
The signal should be called but once,
and once only. The second calling is not
necessary at all. Besides, it slows up the
game. Men feel that they have plenty of