Today's Tidbit... The Fundamentals of Kicking in 1923

Today, we'll examine Chapter VIII of The Fundamentals of Football, which covers drop kicking and place kicking. It provides several examples of techniques and strategies that made sense under a different set of rules than those that exist today.

Wilson published the volume in 1923 when footballs had more rounded ends than they did after the rule makers resized and reshaped the ball in 1929 and 1934. Drop kicking largely disappeared from football after those changes to the ball.

(Griffith, John L., and George Clark. The Fundamentals of Football, Wilson Athletic Library. Thomas E. Wilson Co. 1923.)

The Fundamentals of Football was part of the Wilson Athletic Library, which included seven other football volumes and another 30 or 40 volumes covering different sports. Major John L. Griffith, the Big Ten Commissioner, and George "Potsy" Clark, the Kansas football coach, wrote the volume. Griffith is also known for creating the Drake Relays while coaching at Drake.

In 1923, teams often attempted field goals and the point after by drop kick rather than placement kick. Griffith and Clark's coaching points for drop-kicking are not particularly technical. The advice comes down to:

• Practice 30 minutes per day, which was easier said than done in the nonspecialist era.

• Adjust your stance based on the number of steps you take.

• Receive a good snap, so you remain in balance.

• Drop the ball from as low a point as possible and kick it as it hits the ground.

• Keep your eye on the spot on the ball you want to kick and strike it with your toe, not your instep.

• Follow through.

The advice for place-kicking was similarly straightforward.

• Mark the placement spot.

• Adjust your stance based on the number of steps you take.

• Plant your left foot next to the ball and ensure you point it straight ahead.

• Keep your eye on the spot where you want to kick the ball and strike it with your toe, not your instep.

• Follow through.