The Washington times., 1903-07-12
FOOTBALL COACHES
PLAN many new PLAYS
Revision of Rules Admits
Of Possibilities.
The QUARTERBACK PLAYS
Instructors Anxious to Secure Then
Early This Year by New Ruling.
The Passing Of the GTidiron.
The QUARTERBACK PLAYS

Notwithstanding the fact that it is
midsummer and the football season is
still over two months away. the publi-
cations OF the changes in the playing
rules that will govern the intercolle-
giate football games this fall are await
ed with great interest The publishers
of the rules are already in receipt Of
many demands for the rules of 1908.
The applications come not only from
the East, but from the South and West
as well, and many bear the names of
well-knOwn trainers and coaches An
unusual amount of interest has been
aroused owing to the fact that while
the Important changes in the rules are
already known. yet the exact wording of
me same and the minor changes are
sun mystery. Under the circum-
stances, the coaches. who are confronted
with a new set of conditions and new
opportunities and restrictions. are IN
able 10 plan many details of next sea-
sons campaigns, owing to the uncer-
tainty regarding the requirements un-
der the new rules.
To Run With Ball.
The change in the rules which permits
the quarterback to run with the ball
directly after having received II from
the center or snapper back, providing
he runs at least five yards to one side
before attempting to carry the bali
ahead. has opened up a field for the in
genuity of the coaches.
As a result of the innovation many
new tricks are expected to be sprung
upon the football field during the com
ing season. In fact several of the promi-
nent Eastern and Western coaches are
already at work developing startling
quarterback plays which are expected to
far surpass the quarterback kick which
created such a Juror when il was first
attempted
Trick Plays Galore.
IN addition to the opening of new
field for trick plays the rule permit
ting the quarter to run with the bail will
require a new style of field marking. In
addition to the usual hve-yard lines
which run parallel with the goal lines
new set OF ive-yard markings run
ming the length of the field will be
necessary. The new lines were decided
upon TO enable the referee to see plain
ly whether the quarterback runs the
prescribed five yards before turning into
the line.
One result OF the new markings will
be the passing OF the word "gridiron' as
applied to the old playing field. 1t can
no longer be called gridiron. and the
III
ed Another change necessitated by the
new rule will be the widening Of the
playing field.
Other Changes.
Other important changes in the rules
call for the playing OF at least seven
men in the line when without the %
yard line. Inside this line last seasons
rules will govern the play The rule re-
quiring the players TO dispense with the
heavy head gear used in past seasons is
a rule which has received but little at
tention TO date.
Many injuries received in play in pre-
vious seasons were due to the batter
ing ram headgear worn by opposing
players, and the doing away with this
Objectionable feature is beginning TO find
many supporters.
Fewer Injuries.
The inability Of the punter to put his
team mates on side is another move to
minimize the number Of injuries re
ceived by the backAeld players. who
were frequently badly shaken up by the
rough handling they received from the
forwards OF the opposing side who were
put onside by their punter. 4 number
OF other rules have been changed, but as
a rule the changes are unimportant or
technical, and will have little bearing in
changing the style Of play from that OF
last year.