US2084802A - Football game - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1937. T. J. HAMILTON ET AL FOOTBALL GAME Filed April 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l mmm il .M NN

June 22, 1937. T. J. HAMILTON ET AL 2,084,802

FOOTBALL GAME Filed April 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Class 2 Scrub 23 F78. L F49.

Patented June 22, 1937 PATENT OFFICE FOOTBALL GAME Thomas J. Hamilton, Annapolis, Md., and Donald G. Hamilton, Sewickley, and Clarence W. Wood,

Bellevue, Pa.

Application April 2, 1935, Serial No. 14,344 5 Claims (Cl. 273-94) This invention relates to an indoor or table football game particularly adapted to simulate the action and to develop the strategy and tactics required of the player and coach in the actual game.

Various types of football games have been developed heretofore in which the play and the result are primarily matters of chance with little or no exercise of strategy and skill required of the contestants. These games generally involve dealing cards or throwing dice, etc., and are either games of chance depending entirely on the run of the-cards or dice or are devoted to the development of guessing contests, the outcome of which depends ultimately on luck. In other words the game of football has been merely a background used. las a basis for a conventional guessing contest or game of chance. While some element of chance or luck is necessarily involved in any game of this type, it is desirable to provide a game which exacts of the contestants the exercise of skill in diagnosing the strength and weakness of an opposing team and of strategy and tactics required for success in the actual game.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel football game wherein the results of the game depend on the skill and football knowledge of the contestants in diagnosing the strength and weakness of the opposing teams and in the employment of good football strategy and tactics under various conditions.

Another object is to provide a novel football game which is so similar to the actual game in strategy, thought and details that it will develop in players a finer appreciation of the elements of football. l

A further object is to provide a novel football game which actually duplicates the problems presented to coaches and players so that instruction and experience are gained by the use of the game.

Another object is to provide a game in which success is attained through the utilization of the sam'e football sense, thought and reasoning that is demanded of successful players and coaches of the actual game.

A further object is to provide a football ganie which involves the manipulation and utilization of squads of men" divided into classifications according to playing `ability and on the disposition and distribution of strength and weakness in opposing line-ups by different means.

One embodiment of the invention has been iliustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinafter but it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment and that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a game board which may be employed in playing a game embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view in section of the board shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates Various types of men; and

Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, illustrate typical cards selected from a complete set or deck of cards used in playing the game.

An important characteristic of a game embodying the invention is that it permits each contestant to control the disposition of strength and weakness in the line-up of his own team, as is the case in the actual game. To this end, a set of men is provided for each contestant which is divided into different classifications according to playing ability. For example, a set may be composed of stars, reserves or seconds, and scrubs, In many cases, it will be desirable to carry the classication still further, providing men of each of the above three classifications, each of which may be used only as a lineman, end, back, etc. The numbers of men in the various classifications should preferably be so proportioned as to approach in strength and number the average football squad. Thus there should be one or two star backs, several reserve backs, and several scrubs, and the same should be true as to other types of men. While the proportions of stars, etc., may be varied as desired, it isv ordinarily not desirable to enable contestants to `play an entire team of stars, or an entire back field or line of stars.

dAny suitable type of men may be employed. As shown in Fig. 3, the men are of conventional shape and may be formed of any suitable material such as wood, mica, pressed paper, metal, etc., and it will be understood that they may have any other suitable shape or design than that indicated in the drawings. Where division is made into types of players, such as linemen, ends and backs, the men belonging to the several types should be distinctive in color or otherwise and as shown in Fig. 3, the top three men with plain heads represent backs, the intermediate three men with hatched heads represent ends, and the lower three men with heads hatched with lines at right angles represent linemen. In each of these three groups, the center man is a star as indicated by the star on its side, the right hand man is a reserve or second as indicated by the numeral 2 and the left hand man is a scrub as indicated by the letter S. It will be understood that the number of men, the number of men in various groups` and classiiications, and the distinguishing characteristics and indicia employed may be selected as desired.

A game embodying the present invention also requires a set or deck of cards, which in general are characterized by the fact that eachcard bears a table of the results of various types of plays which results correspond to the playing ability of the men involved in the plays. Referring to Figs. 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, selected at random from a typical deck, it will be observed that plays of six types of plays are found indications of the results of the plays under the vertical column headings of star, second and scrub players.

In the particular form of the 'game herein described by way of example, the results obtained in running and passing plays as distinguished from kicking plays depend primarily on the defensive strength of the positions at which the plays are directed, Whereas the results of kicking plays depend on the ability of the kicker. Referring for example to Fig. 6, if a line play be directed at a defensive position occupied by a star player, the result is no gain; if the position is occupied by a second, the gain is two yards; and in the 40 case of a scrub, the gain is four yards. It will be understood, however, that if desired cards can be employed in which the results are weighted according to offensive ability as well as defensive ability.

The yards gained or lost in the various plays are preferably so proportioned throughout the complete deck as to provide results throughout a succession of plays which correspond to the results of a game between two reasonably well 50 matched teams. The number of cards may be varied as desired, but it is convenient to use enough cards to provide the average number of plays in one quarter, the cards being reshuiiled for succeeding quarters. Further, the complete 55 deck preferably contains cards on which the tables include indications of acts or events which may adversely aiect the execution and result of a play, such as Fig. 4 providing fumbles, Fig. 8 providing penalties, Figs. 6 and 9 providing re- 60 spectively incomplete and intercepted passes, Fig. 9 providing blocked punts, and Fig. 'l providing long gains. These special indications are occasional and in about the same proportion as such instances may be expected to occur in an `actual 65 game. As in the actual game, they are unexpected and they have the same eect to break up a planned series of plays and to require the quarterback to revise his strategy and tactics. In addition to the vertical columns referred to, 70 the cards bear special indications with respect to certain plays such as punts, eld goals, and points after touchdown, as Well as special. indications with respect to fumbles, long gains and wild passes, the use of which will be made clear 75 hereinafter.

epesses c Another feature. oi the cards which is of value opposite the headings which indicate these six j necessary in the actual game.

in simulating actual playing conditions is represented by substitution cards which enforce a substitution in one of the opposing line-ups. These substitution cards maybe of two types,

the one shown in Fig. 5 causing the removal of a player for the remainder of the game as in the case of an injury, and others requiring removal only for the remainder of a quarter of the game. In addition, any desired arbitrary rules permitting substitutions or changes of the line-ups can be provided.

Although for some purposes the game can be played merely with the set of men and the set or deck of cards it is preferable to include in most cases a means for recording and indicating the progress of the game and also lining up the men of the opposing teams to simulate the actual game. Figs. 1 and.2 illustrate a suitable apparatus for these purposes, which embodies a frame |00 having a board IUI. At one end of the board is a diagram |02 with suitable indications `for positioning the men comprising the opposing teams. The men are positioned in such a way that the indications of playing ability are concealed from the contestant directing the opposing team. Additional men who are not in the game may be lined up at opposite sides of the playing field as indicated at |03.

The apparatus also embodies a diagrammatic representation of a playing field on which the progress of the game may be charted and recorded. 'I'his maybe done in any suitable way as by the provision of a pad of removable sheets,

each having thereon a. diagram of a. footballeld, or by the provision of any suitable type of surface which can be marked in pencil or otherwise and subsequently erased. In the form shown, a surface of ground glass |04 is provided which is supported in the frame by a backing plate IDS. The glass IM is suitably marked with yard lines, etc., to represent a footballfield.

The method of playing a game embodying the invention will be better understood by the following illustrative description. The rules of the game are essentially the rules of actual football' tions from regulation play are preferably imposed by therules, one of which is a rule preventing repeated successive attacks on a Weak position in the same series of downs, thereby forcing the contestants to diversify the play, and the other of which prohibits transfer of players from one position to another, which is rarely encountered in actual play.

` The manner of play is illustrated below, it being understoodthat since only six cards are shown in the drawings, repeated references to the same card are necessary herein for adequate description. ATeams A and B are lined up on the playing board by the contestants who select and dispose their men to what they consider their best advantage, concealing the indication of playing ability of their men from the opponent. Any suitable means may be provided for effecting such Only two varia.-

concealment, which means in the form shown comprises the arrangement of the indications of playing ability on one side only of each man as shown in Fig. 3, the men being placed so that these indications are turned away from the opposing player. It may further be stated here that in order not to disclose the character vof players to an opponent, the contestant having the defensive .always draws the card and reads the result of a play announced by the opponent, except in the case of kicking plays as to which the opposite is true. While preferably the cards are not shown to the opposing contestant, the play may be varied in this respect as by turning the cards face up as they are drawn,

Team A wins the toss and elects to kick o. The cards having been shuiiied and placed face down on the board, A draws the rst card, say Fig. 4. A has a star kicker, and without showing the card to B, he reads in the kick off column and finds that the kick off was yards. B then draws the second card (Fig. 6) and without showing the card to A, reads opposite return under the classification of his quarterback who is a reserve or second, i'lnding that the kick off is returned six yards. The kick oi is then recorded on the chart from As Al0-yard lineto Bs 25-yard l line and the return is recorded from Bs 25-yard to his 3lyard line.

B may now try any one of the plays listed on the cards, and any line play, end play or pass may be directed against any of As playing positions. B announces that he will try As left tackle. A picks up the next card (Fig. 7) and reads opposite line under the classification o-f his left tackle, a reserve or second. Bs gain on the play is seven yards which is recorded on the chart to Bs 38-yard line, whereupon B announces that he will run As right end. A has a star at right end and finds on the next card (Fig. 9) that the play resulted in a loss of seven yards, the play being charted to Bs 3l-yard line. B now elects to punt and himself draws the next card. Assuming it to be like Fig. 6, and Bs kicker to be a star, the punt is forty-ve yards and is charted from Bs l3l-yard line to As 24-yard line.

During this series ofplays B should have been forming an estimate of the ability of his opponents men and should have been diagnosing the strength and weakness of the opposing line-up. It will be observed that B has no information as to the individual ability of his opponents men except such as he may be able to gain in an actual game from observing the results of his own play. In all cases except kicks (including kick-offs, punts and eld goals), the defense draws the card and announces the gain or loss according lto the defensive strength of the position over which the play is directed, .in order to prevent the offensive player from learning the individual ability of the defensive players. Since in the case of kicks the results depend primarily on the ability of the offensive rather than the defensive player, the cards in these instances are drawn by the offensive player in order to prevent the defensive playerv from learning the individual ability of the opposing backs. This system forces both contestants in the game to study the strength and weaknesses of the opposing team on the basis of observed results and to direct the offensive accordingly.

When A receives Bs punt on his 24eyard line, he draws the next card (Fig. 7) and reads opposite return and under the classification of his quarterback, a star, and finds that a long re- `to Bs i6-yard line.

turn was made. In this case (as also in case of a fumble), the play continues through two cards, A now drawing the next card (Fig. 9) and looking in the upper left corner to find that the return was twenty-two yards, returning the ball to As i6-yard line. A then elects to run Bs right tackle, but B on turning the next card finds a substitution card like Fig. 5. Remembering the loss he had previously suffered at As right end, B tells A to remove his right end for the rest of the game, this man being replaced by A from his squad. A now calls a new play and selects a forward pass over Bs star center. B draws the next card (Fig. 7) and opposite pass" and under star finds that A gained eight yards. The pass is then charted from As i6-yard line A now tries Bs left guard in which position a scrub is playing. B looks at the next card (Fig. 8) opposite line and under scrub and reads -5". The footnote at the bottom of the card explains this entry which means a 5-yard penalty against A, bringing the ball back to As 49-yard line, second down and seven yards to go. A decides to run Bs left end (a second) and'B iinds from the next card (Fig. 9) that A loses two yards, bringing the ball to As 47-yard line, third down and nine yards to go. A now tries Bs star right end and B finds from the next card (Fig. 7) that A gained six yards.

It is now fourth down with three yards to go with the ball on Bs 47-yard line, and A elects to punt. Provided that A has a star kicker, he has two choices, either to punt or "punt out of bounds, the latter requiring a star kicker and also that the ball be within the fr0-yard line. A

y chooses to punt out of bounds", picks up the next card (Fig. 6) and finds that the klck goes out of bounds on Bs 11yard line. B immediately decides to punt but on the next card (Fig. 9) B nds that the punt was blocked with a loss of seven yards, the ball being retained by B because it was first down. It is now second down with the ball on Bs 4-y'ard line, and with seventeen yards to gain. B again punts and this time (Fig. 6) his star kicker punts forty-five yards to Bs 49-yard line. On the next card (Fig. '7) A iinds that his star quarterback made a long return and from the following card (Fig. 9) that he returned the ball twenty-two yards to Bs 27-yard line. A fails to gain in three attempts and announces that he will try for a iield goal, being able to meet the requirements of star kicker and the ball being inside the 30-yard line. A turns the next card (Fig. 7) and in the lower right hand corner under eld goal reads Good-30 which indicates that the attempt is good for the number of yards stated. A thus scores three points.

The foregoing description illustrates one manner of playing a game embodying the invention. The regular rules of football preferably apply to this game except for the desirable arbitrary exception stated above that a play may only be directed at a particular defensive player once in a series of downs. The scoring of the game is the same as in the actual game and is determined entirely according to the progress of the ballI on the playing field except in the case of field goals, which are explained above, and points after touchdown, which are determined from the special indications on the cards. Otherwise the rules and scoring of the actual game are followed.

The contestants may substitute men at any position they dire in accordance with the rules of the actual game. `The usual penalty applies in the case of more than three time outs in each half. The substitution cards such. as Fig. 5 preferably do not count as a time out against either side and other substitutions may be permitted at Vthese times without charge against either team. Teams may be entirely rearranged between halves without any notice to the. op-

ponent. l

It will be observed from the foregoing descripltion that a game embodying the invention provides a novel and improved method of playing an indoor football game in which each player or contestant is given the problem of selecting and directing histeam chosen from a squad of men of varying ability. Further, he must analyze and maneuver against the team as chosen and directed by his opponent and in this respect cannot play the game intelligently without the football sense and knowledge required of a good quarterback. The data on the cards is worked out to provide results closely comparable to the results that an actual football game might give and provision is made is made for the unexpected breaks of the game which call upon both the oiensive and the defensive quarterbacks for sudden changes of tactics in taking advantage of or defending against sudden scoring opportunities. Thus the game is effective to test vand to develop the football knowledge of a player and also to develop an appreciation of the ne points of the game, the elements of chance and guess lwork being subordinated. Further, the method of charting the game adds much interest in giving a record of the plays already consummated.

While'one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described above with considerable particularity, it will be expressly understood that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment, but vis capable of variations which will occur to those skilled in football without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, considerablel variation of the data on the cards is permissible depending upon the standard of play desired. For example, the cards can be calculated to reproduce a game between two teams which are both strong of' fensively or between two teams which are both strong defensively. The number and classication of thev men may be regulated as desired, provided that the characteristic of varying ability is retained. ,Furthen the number of cards and the arrangement of data on the cards may desirably be changed to suit diierent conditions and to meet popular demands. These and other changes which-will be obvious from the foregoing description are within the scope of the invention and reference should, therefore, be had to the appended claims to denne the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A football game comprising a plurality of men bearing indicia whereby they are divided into groups of linemen, ends and backs, the men of each group being divided into dlierent classil. accesos iications of playing ability as stars, seconds and scrubs, whereby each contestant controls the disposition of playing ability in his line-up, means for concealing said indicia from an opposing player, a plurality of cards each bearing a table indicating results of diierent plays according to the playing ability of the men involved therein, and means for indicating the progress of the game.

2. A football game comprising a plurality of men bearing indicia whereby they are divided into different classications to provide a plurality of playersl of diiferent playing ability for each playing position of a team and each representing an individual player.' whereby each contestant in the game controls the disposition of strength and weakness in his line-up, means.

for concealing said indicia from an opposing player, a plurality of cards each bearing indications of results of plays, said resultsl corresponding to the playing ability of the men involved in scrubs, whereby each contestant controls the disposition of playing ability in his line-up, means for concealing said indicia from. an opposing player, a plurality of cards each bearings; table indicating results of different plays according to the playing ability of the mien involved therein, and means comprising a writable surface simulating a football field whereby the progress of the game may be charted.

4. A Jfootball gamecomprising a plurality of men bearing indicia whereby they are classified to provi-dea plurality of players of different playing ability for each playing position of a team. whereby each contestant in the game controls the disposition of strength and weakness in his line-up, means for concealing said indicia from an opposing player, a plurality of cards each bearing indications of results of plays, said resuits corresponding to the playing ability of the men involved in the plays, and means for indicating the progress of the game.

5. A football game comprising a plurality of men bearing indicia whereby they are divided into-groups of men for different playing positions of a team and the men of each group are further classified to provide a plurality of players of different playing ability for each of said playing positions, whereby each contestant in' the game controls the .disposition of strength and weakness in his line-up, means for concealing said indicia from an opposing player, a plurality of cards each bearing indications of results of plays, Asaid results corresponding to the playing ability of the men involved in the plays, and means for indicating the progress of the game.

THOMAS J. HAMILTON. DONALD G. HAMILTON. CLARENCE W. WOOD.

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