- scolting, and these are

not the game be more

 

 

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== irst Alder 3
The Cramer Chemical Ce e
Gardner, Kansas ; USE CRAMER'S FIRST AIDS
October, 1937
Volume VI Published by the Cramer Chemical Co., Gardner, Kans. Number 4

 

 

Scouting—F ootball

By H. W. “Bill” Hargiss, University of Kansas

 

Coach Hargiss has won fame coaching football and track. Mis slory,

“Glenn Cunningham Trains,”

written for the “First Aider” in 1933, was

a “natural” and after the first issue it was reprinted four times for a total
of 71,000 additional copies that were sent out on special request. It was
also reprinted in the “Amateur Athlete.”

He is considered one of the “big ten” of the entire country as a
football scout and spent the past summer scouting for the St. Louis Caid-

inals.

 

 

Coach Hargiss in action. Note particularly the
binoculars, the three pencils and writing paper already for action. ‘These
pictures were taken in the press box and show the equipment necessary
for scouting.

 

 

 

 

sportnoculars, the

 

The term “scouting” as applied to
football means the same as in mili-
tary procedure—to obtain informa-
tion “on the movements of the ene-
my.” In warfare this spying is secret-
ive and unknown to the opposition.
However, contrary to public opinion,
scouting in football is known to the
rival team and is a legitimate part of
the contest. Most’ colleges and uni-
versities prescribe to well-defined
rules and regulations concerning
respected
with integrity. Usually the person or
persons assigned to this work are
announced to the authorities of the
opposing school, who, in turn, provide
scouts with seats of best vantage in
the press box.

The question is often asked, “What
is the reason for scouting? Would
interesting
without knowledge of the opponent’s
strength and style of play?” Experi-
ence has proved that scouting has
helped to make that game more in-
teresting to the spectator. It enables

 

the coach to direct his team in a
definitely planned contest, but most
important of all, it encourages hon-
esty and sportsmanship instead of the
dishonesty and suspicion which are
liable to arise where scouting is not
sanctioned.

Qualifications of the Scout

In order to scout thoroughly a foot-
ball team, one must have a technical
knowledge of the game and an ana-
lytical mind. He does not see the
game as a spectator. Whereas the av-
erage fan watches and follows the
ball, the scout soon learns to pay but
slight attention to the ball or to the
player in possession of it. He should
be looking for things more important
than the gains or losses made by the
team in possession of the ball. He
must be a combination of coach,
player, quarterback, spectator, and
press-reporter. The most difficult
problem in scouting is that of judg-
ing the intangible quality of a
team’s strength. Did it appear strong
because of the weakness of the op-

 

posing team, or vice versa? Many
teams have shown strength on of-
fense, whereas a slight change in set
and maneuver of the defense would
have nullified their effort. I have al-
ways held a theory that when a team
wins by thirty points, the one-sided-
ness cf the contest is due to the
weakness of the defense rather than
to the offensive strength of the win-

ners,

Important Points in Scouting

Coaches differ in their ideas con-
cerning the extent of the work of
their scouts. I believe that this so-
called scouting is overdone in many
cases. Some schools assign a special
scout to each team which they are to
meet. He follows it through the sea-
son, even after the game has been
played, if it is on the following year’s
schedule. This plan is not only ex-
pensive, but 1 believe that it is im-
possible for a team to function well
when it has too much information
about the opposing team. The play-
ers are inclined to become too nege-
tive in their efforts instead of posi-
tive in their own offense and defense.

The average coach is concerned on-
ly about certain important points,
and does not care for the habits or
idiosyncrasies of the opponent’s per-
sonnel. Briefly, he wishes to know
the following: Is the team stronger
on offense or defense? Is the kicking
game strong? What about the passing
offense and defense? What is the
general style of offensive play? What
formations are used? What are the
best gaining plays? Are there peculi-
ar formations or trick plays? Is the
offense based on power, speed, decep-
tion, or all three? Do the players use
the pass conservatively or as an in-
tegral part of the offensive attack?
Who does the passing and who are
the favorite receivers? What type cf
passes are used? Are they set passes
to spot, or running passes thrown to
optional ‘receivers? What is the
strength and weakness of the kicking
offense—the kickoff, punt, place, or
drop kick? What system of defense
is used? How are the various offens-
ive situations met?

Mechanical Aids in Scouting

The scout should be in his seat
ready for work at least an hour be-
fore the game time. He should have
newspaper comments on the game
and a program with the lineup of the
team, including each player’s name,
position, number, and weight. I use
two notebooks, three lead pencils,
tube of library paste, and a perman-
ent scouting form. The University. of
Kansas uses a regular commereial
scouting manual, I also use two field