The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-21
COACH PHIL KING
GIVES FEW POINTS.
Former Princeton Football Crack
Airs Suggestions for Chang
ing the Game.
MAKE THE DISTANCE GREATER
Favors Increasing Ground to Be
Gained to Ten Yards i'll
Three Downs.
MAKE THE DISTANCE GREATER
(sneclal q The Times-Dispatch.o

(suecial 10 The Times-DlSpatcH-)
PHILADELPHIA, January In-There
nave been many suggestions MADE IN the
last six weeks as TO the best methods
OF reforming the game of foot-pall, ana
those interested in the sport are. now
Whiting with some impotence de-
finite action on the part of the
two rules committees The views
of Phil King. as published in the current
issue of THE Illustrated and outdoor
News are unusually interesting, how
ever the more so as there are few men
better qualified to speak on the subject.
rhi King was not only one of the great
est players ever developed at Princeton.
but since he was graduated he has acted
as coach for Wisconsin, one of the strong
est football universities in the West. His
ideas and suggestions follow:
/ am heartily in favor OF changing the
distance to be gained to ten yards in
three downs, providing some other rule
Is passed to prevent the widening OF the
line of defense, which would be the case
should the above rule be adopted. Under
the present rule an end run is difficult
play to put through. Make the distance
greater, and we would have gradual
lengthening OF the defensive line, which
would result In see-saw kicking game.
that would require stated position for
the defensive team This would add to
the already onerous duties of the Off
cials. Permitting the first man who re-
cefyed the ball from the center to advance
at any point in the line would have
tendency to keep the opposing team from
spreading its line of defense, thereby
making open play. such an end runs long
passes and double passes, easier oil exc
cution. Ten yards to he gained Will GER
tainly be a hard proposition for any
team unless some other rule, such as
above, is passed, which will give team
an opportunity of rega!ning the ban
enough to make Z score.
Another means OF opening the game
will be to require the side having pos
session of the ball to keep seven men
on the line of scrimmage at all times.
This would prevent massing of too many
men at given point. Another interest
ing change would be to allow forward
passes behind the line OF scrimmage only.
This would aid end running materially.
Abolish the try at goal after touch
down. This play is uninterestlng, is an
individual effort. and too often decided
the result of the game. For example,
the Pennsylvania Cornell game OF last
Thanksgiving Day. and numerous others.
ans have been classed superior and
che mp'onships won in iris manner.
would define more closely. unneces-
sary roughness. and. in addition to dis
qualification. give 3 penalty distance
against the offending side. although. after
az, the rules can be enforced properly
By competent officials. Do not add to the
number OF officials, for there is already
scarcity OF good officials. Enlarge the
duties of the lirenen b. making him also
Judge Of all outside plays in scrimmages
his viii permit the umpire to watch
more closely for holding and unnecessary
roughness.
Whatever changes the Rule Committee
makes. let it By al means simplify the
rules and uniform the penalties. For at
present Il requires constant study 10
1nemorize them. and I venture TO state
that not more than twenty-five per cent.
Of The players are perfectly familiar with
me requirements or the penalties.