The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-09
THE NEW FOOTBALL
RULES ANNOUNCED
Recent Changes Effected in
the Rugby Code Appear.
MANY INNOVATIONS MADE
Quarterback Allowed 10 Run With Ball,
ana Punter Prohibited From Put -
ting Team ION Side"


Football Guide yesterday was the signal
for every student of the great college
game to study the changes made in the
playing rules last winter Because of
the general interest attached to the
changes, which are intended to eIimin-
ate mass plays. this years guide has
been more than eagerly awaited.
Among the innovations this year is the
rule permitting the quarterback to run
with the ball. while another prevents
the punteT from putting his team on
side after a kick This is expected to
prevent the forwards of the opposing
eleven from piling on the kicker after
the punt. as there will be no necessity
for holding the punter after the kick
had been made. Other rules prevent the
wearing of heavy headgear and other
protective apparel. which has been car
ried to extremes within the last few
seasons. Hereafter all headguards.
shoulder pads. shinguards and other
projections which have become popular
VIII have TO be made of soft material
and capable of inficting no injuries
upon the players Of the opposing team.
Important Changes.
Among the important rules controlling
the play this autumn the following will
be of great interest to both coaches and
PLAYERS:
when the ball is put in play at any
point of the field between the two
twenty-five yard lines and the two side
lines. at least seven players of the side
! having the ball must be on the line of
! scrimmage. The player who first re
| ceives the ball when the scrimmage is
within the above mentioned territory
may carry it forward beyondNthe line of
scrimmage, provided in so doing ne
crosses such lire at least five yards
from the point where the snapperback
puts the ball in play
Must Be on the Line.
When the BAH Is put in play inside
the twenty-five yard lines, at least five
players of the side holding the ball must
be on the line of scrimmage II five
players. not including the quarterback.
are behind the line. they must occupy
one of the three following positions: All
five players may be inside the positions
occupied by the players at the ends OF
the line Of scrimmage. in case two of
| these players be at least FIVE yards back
of this line, or IL one of the said five
players be outside of the position occu
pied by the player AZ the end of said
line, then only one other of these five
! players must be at least five yards back
Of this line; but all five 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
To Avoid Block.
| Explanation of the rule preventing
the punter from being able TO put his
team mates on side reads as follows:
The player who, standing back of his
own line OF scrimmage. receives the
| ball from one of his own side and then
kicks it beyond the line of scrimmage
may not put other men on side by run
| ming ahead of them, nor may he him
| self get the ball until after il has
| touched a player of the opposing side"
| The rules committee states that the
reason for this prohibition is that there
may be no excuse for running into the
| fullback after ne has kicked the bail
The rule renders 1t impossible for him
either TO put men on side or himself
! get possession of the ball. and this
1 takes away all excuse for rOughness OF
/ this nature
The rule prohibiting the wearing Of
heavy armOr or headgear reads as fol-
! lows: mo one having projecting nails
/ or iron plates on his shoes or any pro-
jecting metallic or hard substance on
his person shall be allowed TO play in
a match II head protectors are worn
no sole leather. paDier- mache or Other
/ hard or Unyielding material shall be
used in their construction, and all other
devices for protectors must be so ar
ranged and padded as. in the judgment
of the umpire, to be without danger TO
other players"