New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-03
TO MAKE MORE RULES.
Football Legislators to 90 On Uita
= Their HorLc To-Day.

The American intercollegiate football r-les
committee will meet to-day for the thiro 'ii'ie IA
the matter Of revising the rules ioo"iis ~ "'S
reformation OF the game. II viii go INTO eAe0o
tive session at the Murray Hill Hotter TINS il0ii
ing and In all probability il VIII De ia'e Al ~
evening before il completes its iapors OI "u
,ourns to some future date Much has been ac-
oomplished. and while there is still sorhelA -
be done in the way of smoothing OUT inc pi
posed changes and making perhaps furthef hiou-
thcations. the committee has completed the
hardest part OF its labors.
While the proposed changes in the rules have
only been tentatively adopted up TO this lime, so
that they are still open 10 some minor changes
AZ 4 may seem wise. IL looks as II the committee
would lie able TO reach a point to-day where the
code as a whole could be passed on and formally
adopted II is probable. however. that another
adjournment will be taken before the final seal
Is placed on the findings. and the rules for new
football are definitely fixed I'm order that some
OF the proposed changes can be tried out under
the plan of the field laboratory
This practical demonstration of the rules will
probably be held at Annapolis on the navy grid
iron The plan is 10 have two teams line up and
run through the new formations in order to test
their practicabty, and TO give some idea OF
what the changes have accomplished in opening
I'D the play which has been one Of the chief re-
forms aimed at.
The work before the committee to-day is
further consideration Of the ways and means
20 open up the play, to take up in detail the re-
port OF the subcommittee as to the best ways
and means of appointing central board of Off
cials. deciding definitely as TO the advisability
Of demonstrating the plays and the question OF
srordlng proper protection 10 the player in
catching punts
The last is perhaps the most important work
still before the committee. At the meeting
three weeks ago. 4 rule was tentatively adopted
.that every player on the kicking side shall be
on side when the punted ball touches the
ground" This weakens the defence and puts
premium on handling punts safely. 1t de-
inands however, the absolute protection OF the
player catching the ball by some legislation OF a
drastic nature. There must of necessity pe no
baking or interference with this player under
penalty Of loss OF all distance gained on the
punt az tumble would be fatal under some
conditions.
It has been suggested that every catch be
considered a fair catch whether the player
heels the ball not, with the privilege OF
free kick or q scrimmage, as the field captain
may elect. II has also been suggested that the
man catching the punt be free from being
tackled This Of course would prevent the run
ming back Of punts, and take away one OF the
most interesting features of the game as for
merly played. but the general opening up OF
the play would offset this. as providing oppor-
tunities for the dashing runs through a broken
neld which are attractive. These points will
arouse plenty of discussion to-day
A summary of the work already done by the
committee shows that great deal has been
accomplished Severe penalties have been in
fiicted for any brutality, unnecessary roughness
or foul play, while mass plays have been practi-
cally eliminated and the game opened up by
the following proposed changes:
That the distance to be gained shall be ten
yards in three downs.
That every player on the kicking side shall
be on side when the punted ball touches the
ground.
That one forward pass shall be allowed on a
play provided the ball has not touched the
ground before being touched by a player OF
either side, such pass 10 be made by any man
who was behind the line ~ scrimmage when the
, bail was put IN play. If the ball touches the
ground before being touched by a player of
either side il shall go 10 the opponents the
spot from which the pass WAS made. The pass
shah not be received by a who was on
Z the line Of scrimmage when the bah put in
play, except for the TWO men playing on the
ends Of the line. direct lob over the line
within the space of i've yards on each side Of the
centre shall be unlawful.
mat six men shall always be the line of
scrimmage. The five centre men shall always
be on the line. except that one Of the centre men
may drop back at least i've yards more,
other man 10 take his place on the rush line.
That not more than SIX men shall be on the
line OF scrimmage on the defence, the balance TO
be clearly behind the feet of all of the line men
ana inside the men on the end of the line.
Other changes which will also make for good
provides that In a scrimmage the holder Of the
ball snail put II IN play with the long axis at
rSht angles 10 the line Of scrimmage and that
no player shall be ahead OF the point of the ball
nearest his own goal except the snapper back;
mat hurdling the line is prohibited; that the
ball be considered dead when any portion Of the
person OF The runner. except his hands or feet
touch the ground when IL the grasp OF an op-
ponent and that penalties be provided for un-
necessarily delaying the game by asking that
lime be taken out.