San Francisco Call, Volume 114, Number 142, 28 October 1913 — INNER WORKINGS OF RUGBY GAME FULLY DETAILED BY MASON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

INNER WORKINGS OF RUGBY GAME FULLY DETAILED BY MASON

Australian Expert Says That We Pay Too Much Attention to Coaches

GEORGE H. MASON

Manager of the New Zealand AllBlacks. Rugby football is still in its infancy in this state, but that infant is such a "husky"—to use your Ameri- , 7 can phraseology—that I can see that it is only a matter of time before the infant will be full grown. Besides being here to play football, my team also considers we are here as teachers, missionaries or whatever else you desire to term us.

With this end in view, with a desire to help along this infant, I am here to do anything possible to accomplish the end that will bring about the desired result.

When the San Francisco Call asked me if I would give my views on Rugby as played here, and also give the reading public, as well as the coaches, players and others, my ideas on how the back field and the forward positions should be played, I agreed, as I consider this an opportunity to do considerable missionary work for the benefit of the game in general and for the welfare of the boys and men so deeply interested In learning the game. TOO MUCH coachim; In writing this series of articles I do so with some hesitancy, as to bring out the good I feel that truths should prevail. The truth sometimes hurts, but I do not for one minute wish it to be taken that my remarks are pointed at any one individual. What I have to say is general In scope and covers ah teams that I have seen in action up to the present. I speak on matters as I see them as an outsider and will give you the benefit of my experience on Rugby, which is the experience of a life time. We New Zealanders do not claim to know everything about the game— no one can ever know it all. We are always willing to learn, and if the local players or coaches can teach us anything or show us anything new about the game we shall be equally as willing to learn as I am to endeavor to tell the San Francisco people a few things about the game that I know and as I see It.

To my way of thinking the coaching and training of the teams here is overdone. That, however, ls accounted for, of course, by local conditions. While we fail to see the use of so much coaching, it is evident that your followers of the game—collegians In particular—fall to see why we do not have coaches, a lot of unnecessary trainers, rubbers, etc.

The reason is that we make football our pleasure, while you make it a serious business. We have our trainers to condition racehorses, but can hardly put Rugby football in that class. Individualism with us is lost sight of by the knowledge that every man is a member of a team, but here aeain we differ in our methods to the local methods in that, while our men realize they are members of a team, we do not try to evolve that machinelike play should be driven into the local collegians' heads. Your methods along these lines are wrong. Your men are taught that the great thing in Rugby is for each man to consider he is a cog of a wheel. To a certin point that ls right, but when you say to a man, "When you are collared, pass the ball." that method is wrone. Why not let the man use his own head in such a case. It may be that a high punt would be better than a pass if he can get one away when cornered. Or a cross kick might be the means

of scoring instead of passing. It may also be that a kick to the line might answer the conditions best.

These any many other things are what have to be thought out by a player, but if you constantly tell the players "you must always play the way you are told" you will never accomplish the best resylts.

What is the result.of all this misdirected coaching? Simply* tills: If anythinK happens during the game which is different to the set methods tauRht and expected, then your men do not know what to do or how to act. We have noticed it In every damp. Our men will try out your defense or your attack in the first few minutes of a same and after that we know your work like a book. It is very simple for our boys then to use methods which vary to what you have been accustomed. The lack of individual thinking makes itself felt under these conditions.

It is very simple for our boys then to use methods which vary to what you have been accustomed. The lack of Individual thinking makes itself felt under these conditions.

This shows Taylor, the famous All-Black star, in position to kick for touch. This style has been taught and favored by George Mason, the great manager.