Evening star., 1902-08-28
NEW FOOT BALL RULES.
Changes That Are Equitable-to Play
ers and Spectators

The new foot ball rules for 1902 are out
and for the first time it Is possible to get
an official record of just what changes were
made by the rules committee at Its sum-
mer session. AS is known, the most i'm
portant alteration In the rules Is that pro-
viding a change Of goals after each touch
down. This change, it is supposed will
have a salutary effect by equaling the
chances of teams, so far as wind and sun
are concerned and give the spectators an
opportunity to see more of the play. The
change also provides for shift of goals
after a gov from the field. A number of
minor cha,tges are made for the sake of
clearness, and rule ~, which refers to the
length Of the game, says the referee shall,
when he thinks darkness is likely to cut
short the game, arbitrarily shorten the two
halves, and that refusal to abide by the
referees opinion shall mean forfeiture of
the game.
Rule 16, section b. says the guide, lis
a decided change. although how much 1t
will affect the play only a seasons work
can determine" This paragraph reads:
In swapping the ball back, If the player
doing so is off side, the ball must be snap
ped again, and if this occurs more than
once on the same down, the opponents shall
receive five yards, the number of the down
and the point to be gained remaining un-
changed.
The penalty thus becomes loss of the five
less sewers. Rule Is deals with the group
ings Of players, and it contains as an ex-
ception to section A the following:
One man of the side having the ball may
be in motion toward his own goal without
coming to stop before the ball is put in
play.
Section C of the same rule elucidates
point concerning which there has always
been much misunderstanding.
If five players, not including the quarter
back, are behind the line of scrimmage
they must occupy one Of the three follow
ing positions: First-All five of such play
ers may be inside the positions occupied at
the ends of the line of scrimmage, in which
case two of these players must be at least
five yards back of this line; or (2) if one
OF the said five players be outside Of the
position occupied by the player at the end
or said line, then only one other of these
five players must be at least five yards
back of this line; but 81 all five of these
players may be nearer than five yards to
,he line OF scrimmage, provided two of
them be outside of the positions occupied by
the player at the ends OF said line. In this
rule outside" means outside the outside
root OF the players at the end of the line.
In rule II, section F. are additional points
to still further prevent coaching from the
side lines. Only flve men shall be allowed
10 walk up and down on each side of
the held.' says the rule. GAS to water car
riers, etc., the rule provides that none
Of these shall come on the field of play
without permission of the umpire" Viola
tfon OF this rule is foul punishable by five
yards loss. The punishment is mild and
hardly fits the crime.
changes have been made in rule g. which
had to do with penalties. For holding the
penalty becomes five yards set back instead
OF ten. Also for unlawful use of the hands
or arms, violation as to off side play, trip
ping and tackling below the knees. the
penalty Is fixed at five yards assessment,
unless the offending side had the ball, in
whlch case the punishment is instant sur
render Of the ball. If the ball Is In the air
when the foul Is committed it goes to the
non-onending eide. The rule concludes
with the following note:
whenever foul Is committed which, in
the opinion of the umpire did not affect
the play, the offended side may decline the
penalty In case Of a run being made
from this play. not more than twenty-five
yards from the spot where the foul was
committed shall be allowed.