The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-04
NEW FOOTBALL RULES
REVOLUTIONIZE PLAY

'Let us see what would result. LIN
the first place, between teams equally
matched, the defense against end runs
being as strong or stronger than ever,
no increase in the gaining power would
be seen in plays outside of tackle. On
the offense, having been deprived of the
privilege of pulling back the guards
and tackles, heavy mass plays into the
line have been made impossible. The
lighter halfbacks would soon be used
up in line-smashing plays. Furthermore,
they would be required to gain ten
yards in three downs. Now, if, under
the old rules, where it was required to
make but five yards on three downs,
the offense had the use of its heavy
men in the formations, it was exceed
ingly difficult to gain five yards con-
sistently, how much more difficult, even
we'll nigh impossible, will it be, under
the new rules, to gain ten yards9 -
"This means that the game Of neces-
sity will BECOME largely kicking con-
test between the punters of each team
and that kicking, catching, flukes and
fumbles will determine the winner and
the score. The game will lose much in
point of interest.
=, Favors Strong Teams.
"When stronger and weaker teams
| contest, the weaker team will be at
far greater disadvantage than under
the old rules. The stronger and heavier
team, by driving itself a little harder
and smashing a little more 6ercely
thereby slightly increasing the danger
to the weaker team, may still gain the
required. ten yards and run up as large
or larger scores than ever. The lighter
team, on the other hand, will practi
cally never be able to carry the ball
Under the old rules they could scarcely
make first down when five yards were
required It is easily seen that they
can practically never advance the bal
ten yards.
"The allowing Of the forward pas
behind the line will have very little o,
no effect on the play In general. Alth'
an occasional brilliant combination
thru the possibilities which ~forwar,
pass offer, will undoubtedly be seen
The restriction limiting the forwar'
pass to a point behind the rush lin
will, in a very large measure, cut GU
it's usefulness and practicability. I
the committee members are not to d
the game great injury, it would seer
that they must of necessity eithe
allow four attempts to be made to gal
ten yards or else allow three bona fid
attempts and then require kick on tn
;; fourth down.
cit would seem that the four attemr
proposition would be better, and in th
way the uncertainty as to whether tn
side would attempt to rush the ball {
, kick would still be preserved. TIL
would be desirable from the standpoi1
! Of strategy and interest.
! Objections Removed.
s cit is easily seen that the rul,
D which the committee have alrea6
l adopted will remove almost entirely a
3 Of the old serious objections to Il
game. Unnecessary roughness, bruta
r ity and unsportsmanlike conduct WI
y be practically wiped out by the seve
e penalties imposed, and by the additie
II of the second umpire to watch tt
o play.
It "Mass play, which has been object'
o to by many people, will be reduced to
n minimum. The rules devised to p1
IL tect the punter and the catcher ma
~ ing fair catch will do much to dimi
a. ish liability to injury. On the who
- it appears that the committee has be
. taking drastic measures in the rig
= direction, and there Is not much re
u. son to doubt that all Of the colleg
70 70 will be allowed to play football ne
~ fall under the revised and modifi
IL code of rules