The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-31
EFFECT OF new RULES
FOOTBALL TEAMS MUST DEVELOP
TWO STYLES or PLAY.
End Runs VIII he Effective with
Seven Men I'm the Line-Nore
Kicking VIII He Done.

There. has been considerable discussion
regarding the new football rules which will
be adopted by western colleges as well an
the Eastern universities this fall. Wal.
ter Camp. OF Yale, a member of the
rules committee. i'm discussing the new
rules says that il is certain that two dis
tinct styles of play quite possible under
the new rules. Many OF those who add
vocated the change to seven men in the
line claim that a first class team DEVELOPED
the old-fashioned methods would have
been equal to meeting and defeating a team
brought uD on the more modern formation.
Under the new rules the new style is forced
upon the coaches. captains. and players for
i'm the middle OF the field from one twenty-
five-yard-line to the other, formation plays
where besides the quarter back, there are
more than three men behind the line. are
barred out. The new rules as published
in Spalding's official guide state:
when the ball is put in play in q scrim.
mage at any point of the central section OF
the field, that is, the portion bounded
by the two twenty-five-yard lines and two
side lines. at least seven players of the
side having the ball must be on the line OF
scrimmage. The player who first receives
the ball when the scrimmage is within tho
above mentioned territory, may carry it
forward beyond the line OF scrimmage. pro-
vided i'm doing he crosses such line at
least five yards from the point where the
snapper back put the ball in play. When
the ball is put in play by a scrimmage at
any point on or between one of these TWEEN
ty-five-yard lines and the nearest goal line
at least five players of the side having
Continuing Mr.. Camp says that there
must be seven men in the line OF scrimmage
when the hall is put In play. There are
two ways for the captains and coaches TO
act under this changed conditions OF Affairs.
One way Is to go back to the old methods
altogether and TO develop a team without
any formation plays. but playing through
the entire field what has commonly been
termed straight old-fashioned football. The
other plan is TO develop the team so that
it can play modern formation plays when
in line play outside those spaces.
END MEN POPULAR.
There is no need to dilate upon formation
last two years studied these most faith
fully and have originated many excellent
methods of advancing the ball I'm this way.
The question. therefore, SOW is narrowed
down to what kinds of plays will be effect
i've with seven men in line. To 90 back
over the history or the game IL will be
found that the most effective play OF all
in use when teams were under this sys-
tenn, was the end rum II is true that this
would not gain ground as steadily and
rapidly as plunges into the line, but when
the play once came o0 on sa aio nS !, was
contests Il proved TO be the case that two
or three long gains OF this kind brought
the ball within striking distance and set
tied the result.
Outside of this end run the most effective
of the oldtime plays were rurs by linesmen.
OF these there were three kinds the run by
guard going AROUND behind his quarter
| back and breaking Immediately into the
line with a sharp turn, the run by tackle
passing the quarter back In the same way.
but having a wider sweep in which TO get
started, and, finally, the run by an end
who left his position sharply and circled
still more widely. All these plays are
team an opportunity OF experimenting i'm
the early part of the season.
There will also be a variety OF trick plays.
1t is hardly fair to call crisscrosses and
double passes trick plays in the ordinary
sense of the word, for thev are good old
stand-bys, and will likely be brought out.
The most simple of these was the crisis
| cross between the backs, when one back
was proceeding toward one side of the line.
but as he passed the other back handed
| him the ball, the final recipient OF the ball
going back in the direction the original
runner started from The same style OF
play can be carried out by a crisscross from
an end to a half back or from a tackle TO
a half back. There was at time a
double pass which was called the double
outside pass-that is, the runner with the
| ball started for the end of the line. but
when he commenced to come up toward
| the line at the moment he was about 20
be reached passed the ball to a man rum
ming well outside and behind him. This
pass as the end came in gave the runner
| on the outside a clear field.
The new feature offered by the possibility
| of the quarter back running with the ball
| brings in an added complication, and Is a
good deal Of a problem for coaches and
| captains to settle whether they would
| rather have a quarter back OF exceptional
power and strength as runner. or stick to
| the present type OF quick. active and cum
Il H.
are good players and handle themselves
| and the ball quickly.
| MORE KICKING WILL BE DONE.
There is one point which is being cons
| sidered. and that is TO what extent kicking
| will be used in the new game. Certainly II
will be used by any team that finds it's at
| tack weak with seven men in the line. IL
is probable that the quarter back kick will
also be attempted good deal early I'm the
| season. although the rule providing that a
back after kicking the ball cannot put his
] own man on side Is going 10 complicate the
quarter back kick much.
| The teams may find IL difficult TO gain
| ground In the middle section Of the field
| under the new rules and in that case must
gained. and that Is the possession OF tho
| ball will be rendered less valuable. at any
| rate in that section. and that fact may add
| to the interest by tempting captains to
| take more chances.
| The other features which will appeal 10
| the coaches and captains the changes
| in penalties, which provide first that hold
/ ing in the line is punishable by the loss or
| distance instead of the loss of the ball. and
| that tackling below the knees Is no longer
| penalized These two will be Of particular
| moment. IL is also well 20 remember that
players count upon fairer distribu-
| ton OF punishments because the linesmen
will act as additional umpire I'm the
| matters OF offside play. tripping and run
| ming into the full back after he has kicked
| the ball.
These are but few of the many prob
| lens that the players must attack this
| season, and the probabilities are that many
a good plan will go astray and many
team be disar pointed with the result or
| their seasons work. For all that. the year
] will furnish plenty OF food for reflection
and a deal OF added excitement and in
1 tern