The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-09-06

calIy as a result OF the new rules?
is the question that is being asked
from Maine to Texas, with few COM
prehensive answers. Nearly every
coach who has ventured an opinion
has failed when the details have been
asked for. Football men seem UNI
able to figure out as yet the precise
results the changes in Rule Is will have
upon the game. Some say the eHects
will be radical; others claim that
merely a more open game VIII result:
1t is believed that the functions OF
al least one member of the eleven Wlli
he entirely changed, and that the phys
ical requirements of players IN TINS
position, the quarterback, wlu De I nucn
greater. 1t is also believed tnat many
new formations will be developed back
of the line in that field OF play be-
tween the 25-yard line AKioms OIL IN
reference may have to be changed
to suit conditions, while defensive tof-
nations may have to be reordereo'
70 eliminate Mass Plays
within the field OF play affected
NV fhe new rule, that Is, within the
territory Enclosed by, the twenty-five
ward line. the following results can
| safely be predicted: elimination OF
Ifrnass plays development OF ehnt ul
tactics, dimlnution in the importallce
Of weight to a team, dimlnlsnea Ell
| fsctiJe of alis attack. corresponding
i,ecraas a in efficiency of defense, a
more general resort to trick plays, an
increased importance of the fun back
The first point is plain, from the
y,,les The '.tackle over" the old guard
hack" and all plays where linemen We're
dropped back to reinforce the regula
back field and add mass TO the play,
cannot be worked because seven men
must be in the line. Plays at tne ING
will be reduced to straight bucks, aus
IN aid times. The grinding plays and
smashing down of weaker opponents
Nv greater weight win not be possible
IN the greater part of the field. II the
iine-neI, carry the ball 1t will have to
he after the old style, where the tackles
and guards buck the opposite SIDE OF
the line, after receiving the ball from
the quarterback. -, ~ :.
formation of the elevens, either FOR
defense or offensive play. Neither VIII
the quarterback be a metafnorphoseo
individual, as many have stated.
The Qua rterbnck.
II has been said that the quarterback
rarn,ired. under the new rules, would
have to be heavier man, and tnat
lie nosition right behind the snapback
uro,id he changed and that he would
he thrown into line with the other three
members of the backheld. Aceordlng
to expert opinion the quarterDack. WIN
require precisely the same qualltles
as heretofore, and ne WIN MI pIeoi &c
Nv the same duties from eXactiy the
Here ig why The rules permitting
tbe quarterback to carry the ball COM
neIs him to first run five yards paral-
lei 70 the line OF scrtmmage or to-
wards his own goal II he is asked
to carry the ball from his position PACK
to center, he will be compelled 70 run
close TO the line where he can easily
he broken through upon by the enemys
forwards. He will also be in advance
If the interference. He might wait
and run behind them, but In doing so
he has to run back and lose TWO or
three seconds--and that is defeat In
football If he is placed in line with
the other three backs ana long pass
made. there is a double drawback. On
me hand there is the ever prevalent
danger of tumble from long passes
and also the necessity for losing q sec
Ind or SO IN passing the ball. Under
The conditions when the pass was
made by the quarterback. it was made
IN the direction of the play with the
men who carried InE Dali anu all his
interference in motion.
Tendency to Extended Play.
Though the line will cease to be the
eo,5roe of continual attack 1t was last
wear. IL win still be worked some. The
Tendency of the whole play viii be to-
wards inc extended part of 1t. and
around the ends. This is made neces !.
sary by the limited variety OF attack on
the Line permitted.
Speed and Interference will take on
An added importance. Harvard will be
at her best in this play, as she has al
ways been strong at the ends. With
the change in the point of attack. a
diminished Importance will necessarily
be attached to weight. Speed will be
at a premium and mathematical pre-
cision of interference necessitated.
scores VIII ne Larger and Closet.
The teams which suffered last year
from the terrible handieaps in weight
they conceded to certain elevens, win
not be at such great disadvantage.
They will not have to wear the lives
Of the men out breaking up moving
mountains of flesh, such as Yale was
able 10 hurl at opponents last season.
The attack of all teams, being limited,
viii necessarily be diminished In ef-
fectlveneks and thus weaker teams viii
again gain. There WIN be fewer shut
out games, and larger and closer scores
should result.
Y. ". &. Az 60 Guyton Tomorrow
yrst.. y A. q b.gsb.iI t.... ...ftt