The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-09
new FOOTBALL RULES
WALTER CAMPS EXPLANATION OF
THE REVISED REGULATIONS.
Several Important Changes Which In
diana Colleges and High schools
VIII Note with Interest.
onleial Football Guide.


The changes in the rules for the season
of 1901 will not prove serious in the way of
their effect upon the play. They are more
after the order of rendering more explicit
the existing rules and placing sufficient
power in the hands of the officials to insure
the enforcement of those rules.
For the last three years the popular feel
ing has been that the game when properly
conducted is thoroughly satisfactory and
that if the officials enforce the rules the
result is always a fair one and the game
of the most interesting kind when equally
matched teams meet
The exact alterations which have been
made In the rules this season by the COM
mittee follows:
In Rule of the Guide, Section d, there
is further definition of a safety, namely,
that safety is made when the ball. kicked
py man behind his goal line, crosses the
extension OF the side line behind the goal
line 1t was generally supposed that the
rules ala not provide for such a contln-
seHcy, out as matter or TACT they ala.
When a man standing behind his own goal
attempted TO kick the ball out and made
such poor kick of it that the ball did
not cross his goal line at all, but crossed
what would be the extension of the side
line and thus went into touch by the eX-
listing rules the ball was dead as soon as
1t crossed the side line. But also by an
other rule when ball was kicked out OF
bounds it did not go to the man who first
obtained possession of it, but to the OPP
ponents. Hence a kick of this kind would
result In the opponents having possession
OF the ball in touch. But then they must
bring 1T to the point where the side line
was crossed by the ball and there put ii in
play. The result would be that they would
bring 1t down behind the hcker's goal and
Immediately upon putting it in play there
they would hold ii on the ground and thus
secure a touchdown. In other words, ball
which, kicked by man behind his own
"a not fn.a oil 1,rrE
crossed the side line meant, If the rules
were followed out, a touchdown for the OPP
ponents. This seemed rather a severe
penalty for the misplay, and it was deter
mined by the rules committee that such a
play should be ruled safety instead of a
touchdown for the opponents. Hence the
new rule.
The second alteration is under Rule 10 Of
the Guide, note. This formerly defined
ahead of the balF' as between the oppo-
nents goal and a line parallel to the goal
line and passing through the center of the
BALL AS matter of fact this was incon-
sistent with some of the other rules where
the forward point of the ball IS taken as
the line. The rule was therefore altered SO
that instead OF reading as it did in the for
mer edition, it reads, passing through the
point OF the ball nearest the goal line OF the
side not in possession of the ball.
The next alteration occurs in Rule y of
the Guide, Section E. The difficulty that
been appreciated very much in the big
games in the East, but there have been oc-
casions even there where the delay of the
game was prolonged unreaSOnably. AS a
matter of fact ii was found that although
the rules committee intended that no delay
should result over two minutes, an obstrep-
erouS team would make it more nearly four
minutes in this way: Acting under Rule y
(e) that no delay arising from any cause
whatsoever should continue more than two
minutes, they would delay, supposedly for
injured player, for the full two minutes.
Then the referee would tell them time was
up and they must play. But they would
manage TO occupy nearly two minutes
longer by refusing to play, claiming under
Rule %, Section q, that the referee could
not give the game forfeit to the other side
until fully two minutes after he had or
dered them to play. Just before the expira-
ton OF the fourth minute they would play.
With this contention in mind, the rules
committee added to Rule l., Section Z, the
following: Amy delay thereafter shall be
penalized under Rule q (e) Is (c.)" 1t means
that after the consumption of two minutes
five yards shall be given for further delay
of the game, this in no way interfering
with the referees making them forfeit the
game at the end of two minutes of such de-
lay. In other words, they will lose distance
for delay as well as forfeit the game if they
do not so one at the end of two minutes
more.
Rule IS, Section D, first line. the word
kick is changed to read punt, or drop
kick" for further clearness.
Rule IA. Section B, the words are inserted
after the words fair catch" when kicked
after touching the ball in at the side line"
This was omission in the former rules.
Under Rule II there has been added 10
Section A ANY such interference shall be
regarded delay of the game" Rule IS Co.
This was to insure the abandonment of
pulling and hauling the opponents in the
rush line.
Rule p of the Guide, Section B. the fol-
lowing clause was added: Unless this
should result to the advantage of the Of
Tending side, when the down and the dis
tance to be gained shall remain the same"
1t is clear that this is what was intended
in former ruling, but it had not been made
definite enough
Rule % Section A, before the word "or,"
are inserted the words ''at least ten yards"
That is, man touching the ball in a right
angles to the side line and thus putting IL
in play by a kick, must kick it at least ten
yards.
Rule ., to Section A was added the
clause providing that the referee shall
make a signal with his hand when a team
is trying for goal Immediately upon the
touching of the ball to the ground. This
has been the custom of officials for some
time. but has never been clearly stated in
the rules.
Rule Is Section d, Paragraph 2, the
words 'is attempting to- were changed to
has opportunity for in order that the
official should judge when there was a real
chance of a man making fair catch
Rule rs. Section x, has been altered
to make the rule broader and make it apply
to any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct not
elsewhere provided for.
This completes the list of alterations. and
as Will be seen. there is very little that af-
fects the play directly.