The Saint Paul globe., 1898-01-20
NEW FOOTBALL RULES.
Most Radical Change Is in the Mat
ter of Scoring.

CHICAGO, Jan. 19-After laboring a month
on the revision and amendment of football
rules the committee, appointed by the con-
ference of the Western colleges held at the
Chicago Beach hotel the day after Thanks
giving, has finished its work. That is, the
rules, with their amendments and changes
and the reasons for every step are completed
but the committee asks that it be not dis
charged at once. 1t intends to make certain
recommendations for the instruction and di-
rection of the officials of the game. and per-
haps to rearrange and index the rules as q
whole.
The greatest reform which the new rules
provide for in the prevention of foul playing
is in the rules regarding the lineup. No
one one Is to interfere with or even lay hands
upon a player in the opposing line. By this
rule the lines are practically required to
stand apart Holding in the line, slugging
and other dirty play will be prevented.
Some snapperbacks have been in the habit
of drawing the men on the other line off-side
by feint, and then swapping the bail be-
fore they can get back. The new rules say:
IT, after the snapperback has taken his
position, he should voluntarily move the ball
as If to snap it, whether he holds it alto
gether or only momentariy the ball shall be
regarded as in play and the scrimmage be-
gun.
Two rules are amended with the hope of
preventing serious injuries to the PLAYERS.
Rule 22 is changed to prevent injuries by re-
ducing the opportunity for heavy and COM
pact massing on certain points in the line.
The rule as amended reads:
If, when the ball is put in play players not
including the quarter back be behind the line
of scrimmage, then two of these PLAYERS must
be clearly outside of the position occupied bv
the players at the ends of said line Excep-
uon-Any formation may be made as de-
1ense for kick, but no running play shall be
allowed where the formation does not con-
form to the above rules except that on a kick
In the case for a bad pass or a tumble re-
course may be made to any play permissible
under the rules.
Rule 30 is changed in the hope that it will
encourage the substitution of fresh men for
ured out or injured players, and so prevent
serious injuries.
If player be disqualified a substitute shall
take his place. A player may be substituted
for another at any time. A player thus
replaced cannot return to further participa-
tion in the game.
The rule in regard to scoring has been
changed materially, and now is:
The following shall be the value of each
point in the scoring: Goal obtained by touch
down, s; goal from field kick 4; goal from
place kick, 8; touchdown. falling goal, a:
safety by opponents, @ The report gives the
following reasons for change: "The present
table of scoring is unfair. BY it it is possib!e
1or clearly Inferior scoring team Sometimes
TO tie another superior in everything excent
goal Kicking. 1t is too much to allow two
points for a goal from a touchdown and a
goal from the field certainly rarely shou1d
merit counting more points than a touch-
down. A goal from place kick is easier IN
make than a drop kick or touchdown and
Should not count as much.