The Washington times., 1906-09-16
MUST END MUCKERISM.

Scrimmage lines OF this year will not
resemble those OF the past. owing 10
the adoption of the neutral zone, This
is the idea OF Harvard. Whether it viii
amount TO much in lessening theroughing
in the line. or making It a matter or
more skill TO put the ball IN play viii
depend upon what use IS made OF the
! formation when the teams begin their
work in practice and regular scheduled
games. At Harvard there IS an idea
that there will be less personal collision
under this arrangement. the men being
| separated by the length OF the ball. This
may prove to be the case. but others
Z believe that the effect Of the lines charg-
! ing-even with only the length Of the
/ ball between them-will be greater pun
/ ishment. 1t is certain, however, that the
[ snapper hack will be able to put the ball
| in play better. and this may add to
the enjoyment Of the spectators IN that
running formations viii be more. per-
feCtly carried out
No Interference.
Tile new rules provide that neither the
/ snapper back nor the ball must be
touched by a man OF the opposing side
until the ball has actually been put in
play. It will be seen. therefore. that
the defending side must depend upon its
alertness to intercept the ball after Il
has fairly got away from the attacking
sides center.
Any player intending to make a fair
catch must give E signal by raising his
hand above his head. This doesn't mean
a half-arm motion. but actually raising
the hand IN the air. where everybody
can see It. In the past players have been
known to claim that they had signaIed
for a fair catch when they barely had
one hand upturned.
Much quibbling has arisen in the past
over the question as to when A player is
down There can be little Of that this
year. The new rule says that the ref
cree shall blow his whistle whenever
any portion OF the person Of the run
ner with the ball. except his hands or
feet. touches the ground, while he is in
the grasp Of an opponent. There is to
be no wriggling or twisting and pulling
after a player has been thrown.
Doubt Value Of Forward Pass.
The ball Is also down when 1t goes
across the goal line on a kick which
has struck the ground IN the field of
play. except the kick-of, and also
when It goes over in the same manner
from a forward pass.
Presumably the change which viii
bother most teams at the start Of the
season IS the forward pass. Few OF
them will know how TO use 1t and some
/ may not be certain Of the advantage
to be derived from using II.
In the first place. but one forward
pass is allowed 10 each scrimmage, and
this only provided the pass be made
by a player who was behind the line
Of scrimmage when the ball was put in
play. and provided the ball. after be-
ing passed forward, does not touch the
ground before being touched by a play
er OF either side. This rule has been
modified since II was first discussed by
the rules committee. AS passed IN its
original form It was not so liberal, and
the forward pass would have become on
isolated play. Under its present con
struction there viii unquestonably be
much attempted use Of ;he forward
pass, although at the start It IS assured
the players VIII be crude in succeeding
with II.
To Stop Mass Play.
The ten-yard gain in three downs is
the result OF the effort Of the commit
tee to do away with successive mass
plays. There are some who are pessi-
mistic enough to believe that it will not
have that effect. but the indications are
that It Will A team may try one or
two mass plays. and finding that they
are OF little avail VIII be compelled %