To the average Harvard fan, the fact that the Crimson football team adopted the A formation this year means little or nothing. Leaving his intellectual curiosity in the classroom, the average fan is content to cheer mildly while in total ignorance about what his team is trying to do on the field below. In the interests of maintaining the University's academic standards, therefore, the following illustrated lecture on football formations is offered.
1) The Single Wing--The single wing has many variations, but, in general, it seeks a heavy concentration of men at the point of attack. The Crimson formation of last year, using an unbalanced line with one end wide, is pictured below.
The chief advantage of this formation is that it can launch power plays to the strong side. It is also good for bucks through the line, and short passes to the ends and the two close backs. Its chief weakness is its one-sidedness: the opposition can overshift the defense and meet strength with strength.
2) The T-Formation--The "T" is generally run from a balanced line and often has the ends split.
The chief running strength of the "T" is between the end through quick openings, but it is weak on the flanks. The "T" is also a good passing formation since the eligible receivers are balanced on each side. Its chief advantage is its deception, for the point of attack is kept well-concealed.
3) The A-Formation--The A-Formation is somewhat of a compromise between the single wing and the "T". The present Harvard formation might best be described as a single-wing line unbalanced to the right with a T-Formation backfield.
Its chief advantage is that it allows the varsity to use a mild form of multiple offense: the backfield can shift from the T to a single wing formation on successive plays, and thus vary the attack.
But perhaps its greatest asset is that it allows Coach Jordan to use Botsford, Joslin, and Stahura at the same time.
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