Preface

Written for coaches, players, and fans, this book deals with two of the "P's" immortalized in the "Punt, Pass and Pray" system of Michigan's famed coach Fielding Yost, but passes lightly over the third. This approach is not intended to slight the sideline prayer before the opening whistle; but professional football players seemingly would rather put their trust in General Grant's precept that the Good Lord is on the side with the heaviest artillery. Only today the dictum would be "with the heaviest air arm," for certainly no army and no professional football can win without it.

After a brief account of the forward pass from its "birth" at the turn of the century to its becoming the core of the professional game today, I take up the fundamentals of how to throw the ball—the grip, fading to pass, delivery of the ball. Since pass defense is so heavily emphasized in pro football, any discussion of the passing attack must begin with the de­fensive systems to be outwitted and outgunned. Consequently I discuss in detail the principal defensive alignments, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to beat them. And, of course, in order to beat the defense it is fundamental to provide adequate protection for the passer while he picks out his receivers.

With this background, then, I take up in detail the heart of the passing game—the pass patterns and how they are executed. The individual pass routes in man-to-man situations, unit patterns, flare control, as well as the techniques of the receivers, are all carefully set forth. Defensive backs, the problem of interceptions, and the highly important matter of integrating the running and passing attacks round out the chapters on the passing game.

A chapter on the changing kicking game is followed by my analysis of the art and skills of punting. Here, as elsewhere throughout the book, I remark upon the contrasting styles, the strong points, and idiosyncrasies of outstanding players I have played with or against in the National Football League.

I have used many diagrams, keeping them as simple and uncomplicated as the intricacies of modern football will permit. I have tried not to make the book read like a textbook, but hope that it will appeal not only to coaches and embryonic quarterbacks, but also to the older quarterbacks in the stands.

Norm Van Brocklin

Philadelphia September 1960

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