The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-26

Many people go to a football game with
out taking the trouble TO inquire into the
meaning of the simplest points connected
with the game. The first thing that at
tracts the attention Of one of these people
is the field He asks why 1t Is called
''gridiron.' and wha, the white chalk
lines drawn at even distances one from the
other mean. His neighbor kindly informs
him that the football field Is spoken of as
a gridiron because 1t looks like one, and
that the lines are what are termed FIVE
yard lines. put on the field so that the
officials can determine whether side
makes five yards In three attempts TO add
vance the ball.
What If they don't advance the baii?"
inquiries the man who has never taken the
trouble to read the rules
We'll" replies the old-timer in despair.
IF the side which has the ball don't ad-
vance Ii five yards in three attempts.
which are spoken of as four downs, the
other side takes the bali and tries to adj
vance 1t toward Its opponents goal
What goal?" The old-timer shakes lis
head In despair and starts in to explain
that a football field is 80 feet long and
100 feet wide. Usually the length of the
field is spoken of In yards. This makes
the field fle yards long. Commencing at
the middle point of the field chalk lines
are drawn. each FIVE yards from the other.
untu the goal lines are reached The
middle line is spoken of as the 55-yard
line, and from this line the numbering
goes on until the goal lines at either end
OF the field are reached. The line nearest
the goal line is always spoken OF as the
Vineyard line.
If one side gets the ball across the goal
line Of Its opponent. under ordinary cir
cunstauces IL Is called a touchdown and
counts four points. The bali is then
brought out on a straight line at right
angles TO the goal line as far as thought
advisable. Then one PLAYER stretches out
on the ground aud holds the ball In his
hands. moving IL around until the kicker
thinks Ii il in a good position When the
kicker is ready 10 kick he tells the man on
the ground and he touches the ball TO the
ground. The moment the BAH touches the
ground the opposing players who have
been lined up behind their goal charge In
hopes OF disconcerting the kicker II the
bali pass over the cross bar and between
the goal posts. IL counts as a goal A
touchdown counts four points and q goal
kicked from touchdown counts two more
points.
When the two teams line I'D sometimes
there Will be a sudden furry and the game
viii stop. Finally. the bah will be carried
ten yards near the goal toward which IL
was being advanced II some one saws
that the penalty was given for 'osf-side''
play. Il means that one OF the players o.
the side which did not have the bah got
into the territory OF the side which aid
have the ball If a member OF the side
having the ball IL guilty of ''oy-si4e- play.
the bali is given 20 the other side.
When a player Is running with the hall
he is brought down by a man tackiing
him. when the man with the bail calls
down" the players are prohibited from
piling up on him. II they do Pile up he is
given fifteen yards.
Just then the game commences and he
old timer watches the hall as II Is punted
or rushed from one point OF the field 10
another.