The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-07
APPROVE new RULES
Football Men Think the. Proposed.
Changes in Regulations Of
Game Are Good Ones.
Would Result in More Open Play
Element Of Danger Not
Eliminated.

Considerable discussion has been
aroused over the latest proposed changes
in the football rules. These are briefly a
provision that seven men must be in the
line of forwards when the ball is snapped;
abolition Of the rule prohibiting the man
who receives the ball from the center from
carrying it; and a rule that the half
backs and fullback must stand five yards
behind the line.
These. changes are the most radical
ever suggested since the kickoff was sub
stituted for the flying wedge as a means
Of putting the ball into play. 1t will be
recognized at once that with seven for
wards in line, attacks directed inside
tackle will be much less successful than
they have been during recent years, with
the tackle and Guardback formations in
vogue at nearly every college in the coun
try III :. ~
With the average university eleVen'S S
defense at it's present high standard of
efficiency, it is a question how far these
proposed rules would nullify all offense. 1t
is not probable, however:"that the changes
would decrease the possibility of scoring
to an extent which would impair the pop
ularity of the game. In the Wisconsin,
Minnesota game in 1901, Wisconsin did
not bring forward behind the line once,
but by swift attacks off tackle and end
scored three touchdowns The Michigan
team Of 1902 the most highly perfected
11ldCIlllG Tic west Has SV0I SccIl,
rarely took more than one forward behind
the line to help its offense. Other in
stances quite as convincing might be
cited. - H.. ~. .. ..,. s@.
The rule permitting the quarterback to
carry the ball would render possible quick
plunges. into the line, which would be
very hard to stop, especially if the for
wards of the attacking team were adopts
| in opening holes This latter feature of
| the linemens play would of necessity be
developed to higher degree than it has
| been of late years, when it has been pos
| sible to mass half a dozen men at one
point in the line and force the runner
through by sheer weight. Fast backs such
as Larson Of Wisconsin, Henry of Chi
cago and Heston of Michigan, men who
could pick holes and get through them
quickly, would replace such men as
Thorpe, Van Valkenburg or Lafans Of
| Minnesota. Weight would not be an un.
desirable quality, but it could not take
the place of speed, as it has done al
times Of late years. Line buckers of the
Shaker or Van Doozer type would still be
in demand, for attacks upon the line
would depend for success more upon the
4 Individual ability of the man carrying thu
ball than heretofore. - &=
!. in short, the result of the proposed
changes, Judged offhand, would be to in
crease the necessity for speed of play
The game would be made more open, ane
probably more interesting to the average
! spectator.
George K. Belden, the old varsity back
said in discussing the proposed changes
Keeping seven men in the line unit
the bail was snapped would result in NOR
open play. and make the game more in
tercstlng to the spectators. I do not think
however, that the game will be less dan
| &c oloo Of fiv,
hurt by being tackled hard, in the ope
ths.n by the pushing and grinding of
, mass play. 4 -
''I never could see any reason why tn
quarterback should not run with the bal
r This would permit quick dives by tn
: Quarterback through center. and the othe
+ backs could get in and push. 4 thin
!, the change would mean more plays di
, rectly at center than has been the rul
heretofore.'