ers and the hand is open,
the ball lying in the palm of the hand. It is held in position as the
throw is made by the centrifugal force of the swing. In making this pass
a bigger swing may be used, more comparable to a "wind-up" delivery, and
consequently greater distance and greater height may be secured. The
ball can be literally "heaved" out and passes of fifty to sixty yards
are easily possible. The greatest difficulty in the execution of this as
in the closed grip pass is to keep the nose of the ball up. This can be
accomplished, however, without bringing the hand in so closely as in the
other, thus allowing opportunity for more individual peculiarities.
Players therefore usually learn this pass easier than the other, and
because of its greater usefulness with a wet and slippery ball is the
pass now most commonly used. Its chief disadvantage is the greater
height which it usually requires. This tends to increase the danger of
interception.

RECEIVING THE FORWARD PASS.

Although a great deal of practice is usually given to receiving forward
passes, often very little actual coaching is given on the correct form.

Every receiver should be notified by some method just _before_ a pass is
made to him. At this signal the receiver should turn toward the point to
which the pass is supposed to be made. This should be known on all
forward pass plays. The receiver and ball should then meet at this
point, the receiver on the dead run and somewhat sideward to the ball.
It will occasionally happen, but should rarely be necessary, for the
receiver to take a pass from directly behind or even very much over one
shoulder. He should, however, be able to do it when necessary.

The actual catching of the pass is not essentially different from
catching a punt or any ordinary pass. One hand should be used to guide
the ball into the body, one hand should be kept well under the ball, the
elbows should be kept close and the ball always be brought in _against
the body_ and held securely against any possible attack.

CHAPTER V.

FUNDAMENTALS OF A SUCCESSFUL FORWARD PASSING GAME.

The forward pass has now been a part of offensive football for fifteen
years. In spite of that fact few teams have developed anything like a
consistently successful ground gaining forward pass attack. Apparently
many regard the forward pass simply as a valuable threat, something for
occasional use, something to take a chance with, something the
possib