Special thanks to Jim Barg for the materials and Guy Savoie for the text conversion

Athletic Journal — 1939

Montana

In Diagram 41, 5 blocks the defensive right tackle and goes down for the defensive right backer-up. The center and 8 block the defensive right guard; 9 and 10 block the strong-side defensive guard; 11 goes down for the strong-side line-backer. The ball is snapped to 3 who fakes to give it to 2 and then goes on down over his own right guard. Two spins and fakes a backward pass to 4.

In Diagram 42, 5 blocks the weak-side line-backer; 6 bumps the defensive right tackle and goes down for the defensive left halfback; the center and 8 block the defensive right guard; 9 goes down for the defensive left backer-up; 10 blocks the defensive left guard; 11 blocks the defensive left tackle; 1 blocks the defensive left end who is easily drawn into a blocking position by a fake buck into the line, the play resembling the one just described in Diagram 41. The ball is snapped to 3 who gives it to 2. Two spins and laterals to 4 who goes wide around the defensive left end.

In Diagram 43, 5 blocks the weak-side line-backer and goes for the safety; 6 blocks the defensive right tackle; the center and 8 block the defensive right guard; 9 pulls out and blocks the defensive left tackle. Ten blocks the defensive left guard. The ball is snapped to 3 who fakes to 4, fades back two steps and shoots a short pass to the right end 11. Eleven laterals to 1 who has gone around the defensive left end. The defensive left line-backer is pulled in fearing a buck; the defensive left half has been pulled in to stop a short pass.

Nebraska

In the play shown in Diagram 44, the left halfback fakes the ball to 3, using a half spin, then drives through the hole between 8 and 9, led by the 2 back. The blocking assignments are as follows: 5 slows up the defensive right tackle then goes out for the right half; 6 takes the short-side line-backer; the center and 8 block the defensive right guard; 9 and 10 the defensive left guard; 11 blocks the defensive left tackle out and 1 brushes him as he goes down for the secondary. The two men on each side of the hole use a high low block on the defensive guards; the other linemen use check blocks.

The play shown in Diagram 44 may be used as a build-up for the one shown in Diagram 45. The ball is passed to 4 who spins, fakes to 3, starts into the line, jumps into the air and throws a short pass to 11 who has gone down and crossed over. Eleven may lateral to 3 who has gone out around the defensive right end.

Nevada

Diagram 46 shows a double reverse play from a double wing-back balanced line with ends out. The ball is passed to 2 who starts toward the left and passes to 3 who carries the ball to the right, passes to 1 who goes wide around the defensive left end. Seven and 2 block the defensive right end; 5 blocks the defensive right tackle; 6 helps the center on the guard then goes down for the right line backer; 10 blocks the defensive left guard; 11 brushes the tackle and blocks the left backer-up. Nine leads the play.

The play shown in Diagram 47 develops as a right end run. The ends 5 and 11 go down field. Three goes through the line behind the left end and delays as long as possible then breaks out to the left for a cross-pass. Six and 8 block the defensive right guard; 10 takes the left guard; 1 blocks the defensive left end; 9 blocks the defensive left tackle. The ball is passed to 4 who goes to the right and shoots a pass to 3. The pass is dangerous if intercepted, but if not, it usually scores.

New York

In Diagram 48, the blocking assignments are as follows: 5 takes the defensive right tackle; 6 pulls and blocks the defensive right end; the center and 8 team on the right guard; 9 and 10 together block the defensive left guard; 11 blocks the defensive left tackle in; 1 goes to the right and blocks the incoming defensive left end; 3 goes through to the left backer-op. Four receives the ball and drives to the line between 9 and 10, stopping short when he gets to the line, turns and throws a lateral to 2, who runs around his own right end.

North Dakota

Diagram 49-The ball is passed to 4 who starts out as if to sweep, then throws a running pass to 1, 5 or 11. The guards and the other two backs furnish ample blocking. If the passer is also a good ballcarrier, his sweeps and passes may be made to appear so much alike that the defense is confused.

The success of the play shown in the off-tackle cutback in Diagram 50 depends on excellent one-on-one blocking. The ball is passed to 1 who starts straight out to the left so as to draw in the defensive end and thus set up the block for 3. The flanker 4 and 5 work on the defensive right tackle. The weak-side guard 9 is pulled out and assigned to the deep half. Two blocks the backer-up on the strong side while the strong-side guard 7 knifes through and takes the other backer-up. The weak-side end 11 goes down for the left defensive half. The ball is passed to 1 who starts out straight to his left, then cuts in off tackle.

In Diagram 51, 5 brushes the defensive right tackle and goes to the secondary; 6 and the center team on the defensive right guard; 7 pulls out of the line and leads the interference around his right end, taking the defensive halfback; 9 pulls out of the line and teams with 2 on the defensive left end; 10 takes the left guard alone; 11 takes the left tackle alone; 1 cuts through and takes the left backer-up; 3 pulls ahead to lead the interference with 7; the ball is snapped to 4 who runs to his right then cuts in, following his interference outside tackle.

In Diagram 52, 5 counts five and pulls out to left flat for a pass reception; 6 teams with the center on the defensive right guard; 8 pulls out of the line and blocks the defensive left tackle; 9 and 10 team on the defensive left guard; 11 angles for a deep diagonal; the ball is snapped to 4 who starts around his right end; 4 hands the ball to 2 on a reverse and then continues on down the field; 2 runs to his left and is in position to pass to 5,11 or 4, This play works most effectively if 2 is a left-handed passer.

Snap & Go!
Adam
adam_wesoloski at yahoo.com

Special thanks to Jim Barg for the materials and Guy Savoie for the text conversion

Athletic Journal — 1939

Michigan

A reverse is shown in Diagram 31. Ten and 11 block the defensive right halfback and backer-up; 8 blocks the defensive right end; 5 blocks the weak-side tackle; 6 takes the weak-side guard; the center brushes past the weak-side guard and takes the defensive left backer-up; 9 blocks the strong-side guard; 4 helps 5 block the weak-side tackle in. One receives the ball from 3 and drives off tackle.

In the spin or fake reverse in Diagram 32, 5 and 10 block the right backer-up; 6 and the center take the defensive right guard; 2 mousetraps the defensive right tackle; 8 takes the left backer-up; 9 blocks the defensive left guard; 4 blocks the defensive right end. One sweeps wide to the left. The ball is passed to 3 who half spins and goes through outside guard and passes to 1.

Minnesota

In Diagram 33, 5 takes the defensive right backer-up; 6 and 7 team on the defensive right guard and drive him in; the center takes the defensive left guard; 10 the defensive left tackle; 11 blocks the defensive left backer-up. The defensive right tackle is permitted to come through and is trapped by 1 and 2. Three receives the pass from center, fakes giving it to 4, then spins and cuts inside the defensive right tackle, with 9 leading the play. After 3 cuts through the line, he laterals to 4 who has gone out around the defensive right end.

The ball is passed to 3 who makes a full spin faking to give it to 2 who continues as shown in Diagram 34. Three passes to 11 who laterals to 5. Five continues on and laterals to 3. The line holds tight; one blocks to the right and 4 to the left. This play was used most effectively in 1938 by an undefeated Minnesota team and during the present season up to date is a consistent ground-gainer.

Mississippi

The play shown in Diagram 35 is run from a short punt formation with balanced line. Five and 6 block the defensive right tackle; 4 takes the right end; 7 and center block the defensive right guard; 9 blocks the defensive left guard; 11 brushes the left tackle and takes the left linebacker. The ball is passed to 3 who steps to the right, staying low, turns and gives the ball to 2 who goes over outside the right guard. Ten and the blocking back 1 lead the play.

In Diagram 36, 5 fakes to shift out on the shift count but does not and blocks the defensive left line-backer out; 6 takes the defensive right tackle; 7 and center block the defensive right guard; 9 and 10 block the defensive left guard; 11 takes the left tackle. The ball is passed to 3 who fakes to give it to 2, then half spins into the hole over his own right guard with the blocking back 1 leading the play. Two goes on through as if carrying the ball and blocks the right line-backer.

Missouri

In the play shown in Diagram 37, 5 and 2 block the defensive right tackle out; 6 and center take the guard; 11 blocks the defensive left backer-up; 8 blocks the weak-side line-backer; 10 blocks the defensive right halfback; 4 blocks the defensive right end. The ball is passed to 3 who plunges into the line outside guard and inside tackle.

In Diagram 38, the ball is passed to 3 who drives into the line as on the previous power play. The ball is bootlegged to 2. The left end 5 swings around two yards back of 2 and receives a backward pass. Four swings wide for a lateral. The play goes either inside or outside end.

In Diagram 39, three and 5 block the defensive right tackle; 8 pulls out and blocks the defensive right line backer; 6 and center block the defensive right guard; 9 takes the defensive left tackle; 10 blocks the defensive left line-backer; 11 brushes the defensive left tackle and blocks the left halfback. Two blocks the defensive right end. The ball is passed to 4 who goes outside tackle with 1 leading the play. If the defense does not shift to meet the unbalanced line to the left, the play shown in Diagram 40 is very effective. Eight pulls out to block the defensive left end; 11 and 1 block the left tackle in; 10 takes the defensive left line-backer; 9 and center block the defensive left guard. The ball is passed to 4 who passes to 3 as he sweeps outside tackle.

Snap & Go!
Adam
adam_wesoloski at yahoo.com