The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-25
FOOTBALL RULES SHOULD
Be CHANGED, SAYS yOST
Famous Michigan Coach Proposes
Important Legislation Be Con-
sidered by the Committee.


F. II. Yost, the famous coach OF the
Michigan football team. suggests some
changes in the present football rules which
he believes would better the game in many
respects. Mr.. Yost is a master of grid
iron science and presents his own argu-
ments for the changes which ne proposes.
in the following article:
The most important legislation to he
considered by the rules committee is in
regard to Rule IS. which governs the dis
position of the men. This rule should per-
nit the use of either six or seven men on
the line of scrimmage between the twenty
five-yard lines. If this rule read about as
follows il would make a much better game
for both spectators and players:
Six men, at least. must be on the line
of scrimmage. at all times. but if seven
men are on the line of scrimmage between
the twenty-fve-yard lines, then the first
man receiving the ball from the center or
snapper back may garry it beyond the line
provided he goes outside the second man
on the line from the man who puts the
ball in play
This rule IT is did not produce
the result that many claimed il would:
it did not make more open game: yet
this feature of permitting the first man
to carry the ball forward should remain as
it will add that much to the uncertainty
Of the style of attack. Under the rule re-
quiring seven men in the line il is im;,os-
sible TO have the variety and number OF
plays that can be held when FIVE men are
permitted to be behind the line. so many
more formations can be had from FIVE men
than from four. 1t is this uncertainty as
TO what play will come next that adds
much interest to the contest
The more varied the attack the more
interesting il is TO the spectator and the
more beneficial 10 the players. This 10
an important rule because il affects almost
every play between the two twenty-five
yard lines and most all the game is played
in this territory. Permitting the man to
cross the line outside the second man on
the line would make that play more effect
i've than TO require him to go out five yards,
and would take away the uncertainty Of
this play, as it is often hard to tell whether
he went five yards or not. IL the rule re-
quiring him TO go out five yards is TO re-
main. then the width of the field should
be increased five feet so there would be
an even number Of five-yard lines.
1.-The rule requiring seven men in the line
cid not result in more end runs. but forced
line attack on account of insufficient inter-
ference for end running. Ii is plain that
the fewer men there are in the back field
before the ball is put in play the less
chance there is to circle good end. Men
cannot De DTOuSnt out OF the line ana be
made to interfere for good fast backs az
they should on end runs. This is irnpossi-
BILE from the position of the men. II the
end cannot be circled with this extra man
in the interference, how can il be done
without him? There is no team or coach
that would not rather run end for ten
yards than buck the line for three yards.
and there was certainly less end running
last season than there has been for the past
few years. With II possible to either
style of game between the twenty-fve-yard
lines, / believe more open game would
result and much interest would be added
for both player and spectator.
Sections ID and Z of Rule IS should be
abolished. Section K often gives rise to
disputes ir regard TO the arrangements or
men,
Rule %. c. reads: The holder of the ball
and no other player in any place kick may
be offside, or out OF bounds without We
tiating the kick This rule does not permit
place kick TO be made from a scrimmage
| play from the field. IL should be changed
so that II would permit a place Kick from
a scrimmage play. -
THE value of a field goal snould count
| four points II is not fair That side which
| has made a touchdown should be tied by a
| team making a field goal. let team mat
has made two field goals should win over
| one that has scored but one touchdown.
This might not be true II a field goal was
| to count three points l DO not oeneve mat
| II will lessen the tries at goal from neld TO
reduce the value of the field goal A team
rarely tries for field goal except on third
| down the rules stating that II a team at
| tennis goal from the field on first down.
| inside the twenty-five-yard line the oppo-
| nents must kick out from behind the ten,
| ward line. was made 10 encourage goal
| kickfng. but IL never did. team viii
| ALWAYS try TO make its distance. III possible
| when approaching its opponents goal