Page:Football, the Rugby game.djvu/41

Rh have nine forwards as against their five, and we can cross the line at any point instead of only between the goal-posts. Moreover, under our off-side laws, it is perfectly legal to pass forward with the foot, provided that the backer-up keeps on-side until the ball has been kicked. On the few isolated occasions when we have seen this plan adopted (notably by Fuller of Cambridge, one of the cleverest players of his day), the opposing backs were so completely nonplused, that we should confidently predict success for any team which adopted it as a system.

A few years ago a proposal was made, in the interests of dribbling, to change the Rugby ball into a round one. It was withdrawn in deference to the opinion of old players, who held that the oval shape was essential for long drop-kicking, which has always been one of the main features of the Rugby game; but if at any time in the future the change is adopted, we very much doubt whether the passing game, despite its attractions, will hold its own against dribbling. As matters stand now it reigns so supreme that, with a few exceptions, players need very little exhortation to pass, a captain has rather to see that it is not overdone. From the spectator's point of view its popularity is no doubt due to the fact that it affords unlimited scope for combination between the backs and forwards; good combined play being always prettier to watch than the selfish feats of individuals.

Turning now to the other great branch of forward play, namely, scrummage work, it must not for a moment be supposed that shoving is all that is wanted. It is a great thing no doubt to get the first shove, and for that reason forwards cannot be too quick in packing; but scrummage work has been of late years reduced to such a science that mere shoving will be of very little avail against a team of