Evening journal., 1906-09-24
CID Players Will Be Com.
PEELED 70 Learn Game
Over Again


collegiate football for 1906 win be of
the revolutionary type. More radical
innovations have been introduced into
the game since last seasons end than
in the entire history Of the sport The
game itself and the rules which govern
it have just shown their right to exist
by coming through victorious, but not
unscratched, after the iercest attack
that has ever been directed at any
sport Indeed the wonder is that the
game survived so bitter and relentless
We're it's enemies. But It lives, and In
spite Of its emasculated condition, has
a stronger grip than ever on the SPORT
ing World The very uncertainty OF
the game, the limitless avenues opened
up for inventive coaches and its open
features are enough to account for the
intense enthusiam which Is being
shown IN every section Of the country,
from the schoolhoys in short trousers
TO the giants Of the college world. And
not tho least interesting feature Of the
situation is the fact that for the first
time IN many years the East and West
will fight II out for supremacy, this
treat being furnished in double reas-
ure by the University Of PENNSYLVANIA
and Michigan at Philadelphia and Min
nosota and the Carlisle Indians at Min
neapolis. Altogether the season of
1905 ought to surpass in interest. ex-
citement and real progress any of its
recent predecessors.
The rules OF the game have been
Il modified to such an extent that the
stask imposed on the players Is equal
to that Of learning an entirely new form
OF sport The agitation which result
cd IN such sweeping changes is too
fresh In mind to require more than a
brief resume. II had It's origin in the
large number Of injuries which featur-
ed the first half Of tho season Of 1905.
with SO many broken bones and not a
few deaths resulting the roughness of
The game. always a sensitive spot with
educational authorities, was brought
out in strong relief. The crisis came
Immediately after the season ended
with conference OF three score and
more OF colleges called by Chancellor
McCracken OF New York University
to consider the needs OF the game. The
principal thing achieved by this con-
ference was the appointment OF an ad-
ditional Football Rules Committee OF
seven members to confer, and II pos
siblc to consolidate with the old COM
mittee which had ruled the game so
long. After a series Of meetings this
was effected and the amendment Of the
playing code was entrusted TO the COM
>bined committee OF IA men, represent
Inc every section of the intercollegiate
world except the Far West The
committee held frequent meetings all
winter and spring and late in the year
annount ed the changes il had made.
Although the code was modified in
many particulars. the important inno-
vations made may be summed up in
the following seven changes;
l. The distance to be gained in 8
downs IS increased from s to 10 yards. [
.. The forward pass is permitted
with a few restrictions.
g. Hurdllnp in the line and the open
field Is prohibited
a. The number Of officials is increased /
by the addition OF second umpire.
s. The length of tho game Is reduced /
from 40 minutes TO i hour
6. To prevent mass formations no
one of the FIVE center men Is allowed
10 drop back to carry the ball unless
he Is stationed s yards back Of the line
Of scrimmage.
Z. There must be neutral zone, the
length Of the ball. between the two
lines OF scrimmagc.
In making these changes tho COM
mittee had three distinct objects I'm
view. They were. I. the lessening Of
injurics 2. the opening Of the game,
and 3. tho elimination OF unnecessary
roughness.
The changes are SO radical that their
success can be tested only after a sea-
sons play. TO the "stand patters"
they were extremely distasteful their
attitude always being that the old
rules were good enough. There was
some truth IN the charges Of this co.
terie that the old rules had never been
fully exploited But the committee felt
A incumbent TO supply code that not
only permitted" but compelled az
open game The rule requiring a gair
of ten yards in three downs, thus douh-
ling the distance, cannot fail to make
end runs more frequent, as must ais'
the rule eliminating such mass plays
as guards back. tackles back and othe'
tandem formations.
Much Is hoped for from the forward
pass 1t is a play that has been oftei
advocated within recent years. II j
has as benefcent an effect as had th'
quarterback run it viii be proclaimed
one Of the best pieces Of football legis'
lation in recent years.
But TO the close student of the game
there IS apparently good reason fol
cr.ticising the failure Of the commit
tee to reform the defense as well as
the offense Of rhe game. All practical
football men know that the defense
Of the game is as much responsible Tor
injuries as the offense. furthermore, i
IS open to question If the committee af-
ter weakening the offense SO greatly
should not have offset this legislation
by also weakening the defense.
The shortening Of the game to So
minute halves as we'll as the prohibi-
ton Of the spectacular but dangerous
play Of hurdling have met with the
approval OF all classes. Irrespective
OF the opinion Of many persons that
some Of the legislation was unwise. it
Is safe to say that the game win lose
none Of its popularity on this account.
Il was evident that something radical
lad TO be done The committee took
hold with strong hand and did
thi0~s and the high order OF intelli-
go~~~ and strategy with which the av-
o college man Is gifted may be
70 save the s9ne from the ruin