Waterbury Democrat., 1902-08-27
new FOOTBALL RULES
Change of Goals After Each
Touch Down Most Important.

This Change Will Have the Effect of
Equalizing the Chances of the Teams
Considerable Power is Left in the
Hands of the Referee in Regard to
Calling Game When He Thinks
Darkness is Likely to Interfere With
Game.
The new football rules for 1902 are
just out, and for the first time it is
possible to get an official record OF
just what changes were made by the
rules committee ct its summer session.
There is much besides the rules in
the Spalding guide, which, among 9th
er things contains pictures of over q
900 players, showing the great growth
of the game. As is known. the most
important alteration in the rules is that
providing change Of goals after each
touchdown. This change, it is sup
posed, will have a salutary effect by
equalizing the chances of teams, so
far as wind and sun are concerned;
but since the wind and sun are ele-
ments still beyond the control of foot
ball players, it remains to be seen
whether the change will do much else
than result in confusion to spectators
and players. There are some compe-
tent to speak who think the latter
state of affairs will more than offset
any advantage accruing from the for
mer, and the rule may not be as bene-
fetal as it appears at first glance The
change also provides for a shift of
goals after a goal FROM the field A
number of minor changes are made for
the sake of clearness. and rule -,
which refers to the length of the game,
says that the referee shall, when he
thinks darkness is likely to cut short
the games, arbitrarily shorten the two
halves, and that refusal to abide by
the referees opinion shall mean for
fixture of the game.
Rule 16, section B, says the guide,
rs a decided change. although how
much it will affect the play only a
seasons work can determine. z This
paragraph reads:
In swapping the ball back, il THE
player doing so is off side, the bali
must be snapped again, and if this oc-
ours more than once on the same down
the opponents shall receive FIVE yards.
to be gained remaining unchanged
The penalty thus becomes loss of five
yards instead of loss of the ball. and
is less severe. Rule IS deals with
the groupings of players, and it con-
tains as an exception to section a the
following:
One man of the side having the
ball may be in motion toward his own
nnr - fr1II
fore the ball is put in play"
Section 9 of the same rule calculates
a point concerning which there has al
ways been much misunderstanding:
If five players, not including the
quarterback, are behind the line Of
scrimmage. they must occupy one Of
the three following positions:, First
All five of such players 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 of said line. then only one
other of these five players must be at
least five yards back of this line: but
I 90 allsfiye of these players may be
nearer than five yards to the line of
scrimmage, provided two of them be
outside the positions occupied by. the
players at the ends of said line. In
this rule outside means outside the
outside foot of the players at the end
of the line asss
In rule 27. section f., are additional
points to still further prevent coach
ing from the side lines. .sOnly five
men shall be allowed to walk up and
down on each side of the field" says
the rule. As to water carriers, etc,
the rule provides that snone of these
shah comeSon the field of play without
permission from the umpire. Viola
ton of this rule is a foul and punish
able by five yards loss. = The punish
ment is mild and hardly fits the crime.
Changes have been made in rule %.
which has to do with penalties. For
holding the penalty becomes five yards
setback, instead Of ten. Also for UNI
lawful use of the hands or arms, yio-
lation as to off side play, tripping and
tackling below the knees, the penalty is
fixed at five yard assessment, unless
the offending side had the ball, in
which case the punishment is instant
surrender of the ball. If the ball be
in the air when the foul is committed,
it goes to the non offending side The
rule concludes with the following
note:
Whenever a 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 run being made from this play,
not more than twenty-five yards from
the spot where the foul was commits
ted shall be allowed.