Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-27
FOOTBALL RULES CHANGED
FieId-kick Goal VIII Count But Four
Points Hereafter.

Points Hereafter.
Accompanying a copy of Spalding's
new official football guide comes the
following condensed item on the
changes in the rules by Walter Camp.
which will be of interest to the devo-
tees of the game:
The football rules for the season of
1904 offer certain changes which are
of great interest to players and spec
tators.
For many years it has been argued
that the value of d field kick, whether
drop kick or place kick. was too high
when compared TO the value given in
the scoring to the touchdown. Proba
bly, no point has been more discussed
than this one, and this year the
change has been brought about and
the field kick goal counts but four
points. while the touchdown counts
five, as formerly.
The rules for scrimmage have also
been once more amended. BY this al
iteration the track team on the attack
that is, in possession OF the ball, must
have at least six men on the rush line,
and if only six men are on the rush
line. then one of the men who stands
behind the line must be outside the
man occupying the position on the
end of the line of scrimmage.
The quarterback viii be permitted to
run at any time and in any part of the
field. provided he runs at least five
yards outside of the spot where the
ball was put in play. Any deliberate
attempt to draw opponents off-side by
a false start is rendered void by the
declaration that if the ball is then
snapped it shall not be regarded as in
play.
The penalties have been divided into
groups as follows: First, those were
the loss in five yards; and second,
those were the loss in fifteen yards.
4 side loss of five yards for: Coach
ing or infringement of any part of Rule
I27 f); delay of game; interference
with putting the ball in play; off-side
scrimmage; violation of scrimmage
rule as specified in Rule IS (b); snap
per-back off-side the second time in
the same down; passing or batting
the ball forward; unsportsmanlike con-
duct; holding by defense side of the
lplayer not carrying the ball; snapper
back or man opposite touching the ball
before it has touched a third man: pill
| ing up on a player after the ball has
been declared dead.
A side loss fifteen yards for; trip
ping, holding or unlawful use of hands
or arms by the team in possession of
H. .,
receiving the ball from the SNAPPER
back, that is, the quarterback; inter
ference with fair catch.
Outside of distance penalties, dis
qualification is given for unnecessary
iroughness. The game is forfeited if
side refuses to play within two min
utes, after being ordered to by the
referee, or if a team on the defense
commits repeated fouls when near
their own goal line in order to delay
the game.
The other changes are not of great
moment, nor will they materially af-
feet the play.
The umpire is to have a horn or
some kind of call which may distin-
guish his signal from that of the ref
cree and the play will continue in
spite of the umpires call until the ball
is dead and then the referee will in
flict the penalty called for by the UNI
pires decision.
In case of interference with a fair
catch the offended side can have their
choice of putting the ball in play by
scrimage, in which case they receive
fifteen yards. or putting it in play by
"a free kick, in which way they have
but five yards. The same is true re
garding a man who has been thrown
to the ground after making a fair
catch