and head work of the
passer in this connection. Such changing of plan should not be allowed
in the early season, but it may be encouraged later as the team becomes
unified and comes to know itself. Such a combination, operating with
basketball intuition, becomes exceedingly difficult to stop.

If in addition to this a kick is occasionally worked on something
besides the fourth down, the game becomes a real test of wits.

Naturally not every forward pass will be "pulled" from an ideal
formation. Many splendid forward pass plays can be built up from
ordinary close running, bucking formations.

ALL ELIGIBLE MEN OPEN--"CHOICE" VS. "MECHANICAL" METHOD.

An occasional forward pass play is developed where only a single
eligible man is open to receive the pass. Such a play depends for
success upon its speed of execution, its unexpectedness and its
similarity to other regularly used running plays. A few such plays
should of course be included in the team's attack, but they are the
exception and when successful are so because of that fact. They the more
strongly emphasize the fact that as a general principle a regular
forward pass play should aim to get as many eligible men as possible
open to receive the pass. These men should be so spread that they cannot
all be covered by the defense. The passer then selects an open man or
the _best_ open man to whom to pass.

This method puts great responsibility upon the passer. It fits in with
the idea of putting him well back and giving him as much time as
possible to make his choice. It requires a passer of special mental
type, and one of considerable basketball ability who can dodge and get
his pass off accurately even when apparently covered. The ease of choice
can be much facilitated by having an order for each play in which the
passer is to look for possibilities. The first choice should always be
the signal called. That play should always be made if it is at all
possible; in early season and during practice it should be executed
whether possible or not. But as the passer develops ability he should be
allowed when the pass signalled is covered to select second, third and
even fourth choices, and the order of looking for the choices should be
so arranged that a quick sweep of the field in front of him will give
the passer his open men.

Not all coaches agree to the principle outlined above. Many have had
difficulty in finding passers who could make the choice required. They
h