The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-04
I'LL NIW lUNA mum pUI IUM
MFG. 60,

Tt was found necessary to change the
wording of many rules which were am
biguous, but their original conditions re-
main the same. The most important
changes in the new code are those relat-
ing to the fair catch" and the "scrim-
mage" The fair CATCH rule is plainly
put, and if strictly enforced should pre-
vent the old roughing which caused so
ymuch trouble. In order to make fair
catch" the man who takes the ball must
now put his heel in the ground where he
catches it. If he is interfered with in
any way by an opponent who is loft SIDE"
or thrown after receiving the ball
and heeling down, he will receive an adj
vance of fifteen yards for the offense.
But if, after catching the ball and heel
ing, he begins to make ground, he will be
open to a tackle from the other side. After
making a fair CATCH" in accordance
with the rule, the opponents must retire
ten yards from the catcher's heel mark,
in order that he may have no trouble in
putting the ball in play again, either by
a punt, drop or place kick, from any point
behind his heel mark. This rule is prac-
ttcally the same as the one in force three
years ago, except that the penalty is
heavier.
In the 'scrimmage'' the new rule will
be welcomed by those who have constant
ly protested against alleged brutality The
OlO LlOulSululIl pays nave D6eH pTdcIlcdl-
ly done away with, and mass plays are
restricted in two ways. The rule that
no player shall take more than single
step, except one man who may be in mo-
ton before the ball is put in play, will
unquestionably stop almost all kinds of
momentum plays The further stipulation
that five men must be in the rush line at
all times when their side has possession
of the ball, will also restrict the former
mass plays, such as the flying wedge.
composed of nearly every player on the
team.
To make this clearer to the novice, sup
posing in a game btween Yale and Prince
ton the Tigers have the ball In addition
to full back, two halves and a quarter
back behind the line, they have the privi-
lege of bringing back any two men IN
their rush line. But there is also a condi-
ton which governs the formation back of
the line, and which will prove a most i'm
portant factor. 1t provides that when
the ball is put in play and five PLAYERS
not including the quarter back. are behind
the line inside of the positions occupied
by the players at the ends of the said line
two of the five men must be at least five
yards back. All of the men, however, can
be nearer than five yards to the rush line
II two of them are outside the end posi-
tons. BY this it is meant that only three
men in bunch can push through a hole
made by the man who is in motion before
the ball is snapped back But the old trick
OF masslng hve men on a tackle will be
prohibited. The fact that there can he
no Roadway until the ball is snapned bac~
will undoubtedly do away with the crush
ing plays which caused SO many injuries
in times gone by. 1t was advocated in
some quarters before this rule was final
ly adopted, that the entire rush line Of
seven men should be forced to remain
stationary until the ball was put in play
but this scheme was considered to be rad.
ical and was laid over until the present
rule could be thoroughly tested.
Another change that will be watched
closely is the rule that protects the snan-
per back from interference and ANNOYANCE
Although formerly an opponent could not
touch the ball while the snapper held A.
he invariably annoyed the center by lost.
ling and pushing him about, so that when
ne did manage to send the ball back to
the quarter back its course was anvthing
but accurate, and in many cases tumble
followed. Under the new rule, IL the snan-
per is interfered with In the slightest r.
VIII cost the offenders side five yards In
each instance. -
Quarterback puntlng has also been lep-
islated upon. Hitherto a side kick bv tbe
quarter TO an end was permissible but now
the ball must be kicked beyond the scriTo.
mage line That is to say. while It Is not
necessary TO kick 1t straight ahead, II can
be punted sideways, and at the same time
a trlfle into the enemy's territory. If the
ball Is intended for an end playing far ont
ne VIII be the only man to start before the
pan is snapped back, but at the same time
he must be behind the oval when II is
kicked. -
The duties Of the officials referee. an
umpire, and linesman, have been mora
clearly defined, The referee "sha1 Sas
that the ball is placed in play properly
and he shall be the judge of it's position
and progress. He is also to be Judge OF
lot Toward passes and of running with the
Is hnal in all points not covered by the
umpire" The umpires duties will be even
more arduous. He IS to be the Judge or
me conduct Of the players. and his decis-