Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-09-06
MASS Play MUST GO.
New Football Rules ms Revised by the
Committee.

COMMITTEES.
Probably the most absorbing topic
among football enthusiasts Just now is
the discussion of the'new football rules
for the coming season as revised by the
committee appointed TO look into the
matter ut the instance Of the University
Athletic Club. Princeton was not salts
fed with the changes at first, but when
Yale threatened not TO play football
with the tigers unless they yielded to
the revision the attitude of old ELS sons
was changed and they submitted to the
decision of the committee. As Princeton
and Yale compose the Intercollegiate
Football Association, it can be readily
seen that the rules will stand. The
changes will be read with interest by
lovers of football in this city.
An important change in football tao
tics embodied in the following rule is IS
follows:
Rule S-The introduction of signal By
the man intending TO make fair catch. The
rule to read "A fair catch is catch made
direct from a kick by one of the opponents
Tor punt out by one of the same side),
provided the man intending to make tho
catch indicates that intention by holding
up his hand when running for the ball,
and also makes mark with his heel upon
catching il, and no other of his side
touches the ball. If he be interferred with
by an opponent who is of side, or if he
be thrown after catching a ball, he shall
get 10 yards, unless this carries the ball
across the goal line. In that case he shall
get but half the intervening distance.
After having raised his hand he cannot
run with the ball, but must take his fair
catch if he succeed in making one."
This rule is intended to abolish rough
tackling, but one objection to it is that
it will prevent the full.back from rum
ming with the ball.
Rule 16-The alteration in playing time,
the rule to read 1857 instead of 40 minutes
each half.
This rule will have the effect of
shortening the time of game, the argu-
ment being that 40-minute halves are
too long and the time of game should
be reduced.
Rule 1S-A new provision that an actual
kick shall be made where rules call for it.
The rule therefore to read: THE captains
shall toss up before the commencement of
the match, and the winner of the toss
shall have the choice Of goal or Of kickoff.
The same side shall not kick off in two
successive halves. In all cases where the
rule provides for kick the ball must be
yards into the opponents territory unless
stopped by the oppon9nta."
Rule 2O-To provide against kicking into
touch or kickoff, the rule to read: "The
ball shall be kicked off at the beginning
Of each half, and whenever goal has
been obtained the side which has lost the
goal shall Kick off. If the ball go into
touch before it is touched by au opponent
it shall be brought back and kicked off
over again. If it be kicked into touch Il
second time it shall go as a kickoff to the
opponents"
The above rule makes it disadvan-
tage for Il team to choose the ball on the
toss-up in the future, and means, If it
means anything, that hereafter the team
winning the toss will choose the wind
and give the ball to the opponents.
Another change is us follows:
Rule 26-Delays to be limited to three
minutes and penalties for fouls to be in
creased from five yards to ten yards. The
| rule TO read:
(a) "A foul shall be granted for inten-
tional delay OF the game, off side play, or
| holding all opponent unless lie has the
BALL No delay, arising from any cause
whatever. shall continue more than three
| minutes"
| The following is one of the most i'm
| portant changes made this year, mas
much as it is a blow at momentum or
mass play which has no real future on
the football held and must give way to
milder play
Rule 3O-The insertion of a clause pro-
viding against piling up on man wnen
| he is down, and the addition of section
! legislating against momentum mass play
| ing. The whole rule to read:
| (al If a player having the ball be
| tackled and the ball fairly held, a man so
tackling shall cry held, the one so tackled
must cry down, and some player of his
side put it down for u scrimmage.
(b) AS soon as a runner attempting to
go through is tackled and goes down, the
referee shall blow his whistle and the ball
shall be considered down ut that spot.
Any piling upon man after that shall be
| punished by giving him IL yards, unless
this carry the ball across the goal line,
when he shall have only one-half the in
tervening distance.
(c) No momentum mass play shall be
| allowed. This play is one in which more
than three start before the ball is in play,
nor shall more than three men group for
that purpose more than live yards back
from the point where the ball is put IN
play"