The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-16
DEVELOPMENT OF FOOTBALL

vi any style OF the sport, and from which
the American college game is derived first
came into popularity in England in 1871
Dy the union of about a score of clubs.
one OF the favorite matches at the schools
was sixth form against the rest of the
school. The number of players gradually
decreased until the number became
twenty on each side. With the reduction
OF numbers came more running and better
opportunities to bring out the skill of the
players. and in consequence increased in
'erest. In 1877, at the request of Scotland,
the number was cut down to fifteen This
brought about still more open style of
paying, and short passing soon came in
vogue. In 1852 the Oxford team intro
ouceo the long low pass, and by its use
went 1or three seasons without defeat.
After the reduction of the team to ffteen
men the number of three-quarter backs,
VINO really represent better the American
haii-backs, was increased from one to two
and two full.backs were played. A little
later British captains moved one of the
iuii-backs up into the three-quarter line,
playing with only one full-back. The
English teams also play two men, whom
they call half-backs. but whose duties are,
IKE those Of the American quarterback.
TO seize the ball when it comes out of the
scrimmage and pass it to a three-ouarter-
back for run. Nine men is the usual
number for the English rush line,
although the ninth rusher sometimes
drops back of the line.
Inc American game is the outgrowth of
the Rugby Union of 1875 and not that of
today, and the changes in this country
70
gland. The first game played between
american colleges under Rugby rules took
place at New Haven in the fall of 1S7G.
Before another game was tried conven-
ton, called for the purpose, had taken
steps to amend what the delegates consid-
cred weak points in the Rugby Union
rules.
The distinguishing feature of the Ameri-
can game from the English is in 1.-The out
let of the scrimmage." The English half
backs stand outside of the scrimmage,
and when the ball pops out they are ex-
pected to seize it and pass it ont to a three
quarterback, who runs with it. The
American quarterback stands behind the
scrlmmage and gives a signal, knowing
that Immediately the ball will come di-
rectiy into his hands to be passed for a
run or kick. What is a matter of chance
in the English game becomes a certainty
in the American. and as a consequence
the latter affords far better opportunity
for the execution of brilliant plays and
caretully-planned maneuvers.
In this country the number Of men in
each team In matches was at first placed at
eleven. This number. from some peculiar
notion that more men would give better
opportunity for the display of skill, was
changed to fifteen, although the English
were even then moving in the opposite di-
rection by lessening the number from
twenty to fifteen. 1t required but year
or two of the fifteen-men teams to send
the Americans back to elevens. This
number has now become so firmly estab-
lished that a football team is quite COM
monty known as an eleven.
OF late years. although there has been
but little change in the main feature of
the game. there has been q strong move
ment in the direction of eliminating I'M
fair play from the game and in providing
measures for equalizing the conditions
under which two teams are placed at diff
terent stages of play. and for giving full
credit to team for strong bits of play
that under former rules might not avail it
anything. or even work to its detriment.
The most important change of this kind,
first introduced in the season just ended.
was the rule sending the ball TO the center
of the field after failure to kick goal, in
stead of only to the twenty-hve-yard line,
as was done up to that time. This affords
the team that is attacked great relief by
not having to carry on an unequal contest
in close proximity to its own goal, as it
formerly was obliged to do.
Quite number of changes are now be-
ing advocated probably the largest num-
her of suggestions IN this line coming from
Princeton. One of these changes, which
has been recommended for several years,
would be an addition to rule Is, which re-
lates to fouls. The new clause would be
to the effect that in case a foul IS made
by the side which has not the ball, the
umpire should not blow his whistle until
the bail is dead. and that then the other
side, at their option. may keep the bail
where ii is or take advantage of the
foul. The reasons urged In favor
of this change seem to be excellent ones.
AS an example of what is apt to happen
under the present rule, rusher may
break through the line just before the ball
is put in play, and although Off side may
not be able to stop the opponents play.
and the runner makes a gain around the
end of fifteen or twenty yards. II the UNI
pire sees the OF side play he blows his
whistle aud the ball is brought back al
loss Of ten yards. which is plainly unfair
to the side that is able to make such a gain
in spite OF the foul by its opponents
The object of the first part of the sug-
gested change-"that the umpire should
not blow his whistle until the ball is
dead"-is to give the side with the ball
chance to make greater gain, as any gain
made after the whistle has been blown
cannot be counted.
The question OF whether a touchdown is
made where the ball crosses the line or
where II Is downed is troubling the foot
ball men. Nv Waiter Camps. interpreta-
ton OF the rule. il is where the bail crosses
the line. and this rendering was followed
in all OF the big matches Of 81. During
the past season most of the earlier games
were played n accordance with that view.
but in the Yale Harvard and the Yale
Princeton matches the captains agreed 10
follow the old custom Of having q touch
down 1T the point where the ball is finally
downed.
Several changes 10 help curtail foul or
tricky play are being agj,ated. One of
these is TO put further restrictions on the
center men, so rs 10 prevent interference
I'll