Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21
Phil. KINGS SUGGESTIONS
His Idea Of the Changes Necessary in
Foot Ball.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
PHILADELPHIA, January 20-There
have been many suggestions made in the
last six weeks as to the best methods Of
reforming the game OF foot ball, and those
Interested In the sport are now awaiting
with some impotence definite action on the
part of the two rules committees. The
views of Phil King, as published in the
current issue of the Illustrated and Out
door News are unusually interesting, how
ever, the more SO as there are few men
better qualified to speak on the subject.
Phil King was not only one of the greatest
players ever developed at Princeton, but
since he was graduated he has acted as
coach Tor Wisconsin, one of the strongest
foot ball universities in the west. His
IDEAS and suggest lions follow:
I 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 de-
Tense, which would be the case should the
rule an end run Is a difficult play to put
through. Make the distance greater. and
We would have gradual lengthenng of
the defensive line. which would result in a
against passing any rule that would require
stated positions for the defensive team.
This would add to the already onerous
duties of the officials. Permitting the first
man who received the ball from the center
to advance at any point In the line would
have a tendency to keep the opposing team
from spreading Its line of defense, thereby
making open play, such as end runs, long
passes and double passes, easier of execu-
ton. Ten yards to be gained viii GER
tanly be hard proposition for any team
unless some other rule, such as above, is
passed, which will give q team an oppor-
tunity of regaining the ball enough to
make a score.
Another means of opening he game will
be TO require the side having possession of
the ball to keep seven men on the line of
scrimmage at all times. This would pre-
vent massing of too many men at
given point. Another interesting 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 a touchdown This play
Is uninteresting, is an individual effort and
too often decides the result of the game:
For example, the Pennsylvania-Corneu
game of last Thanksgiving day and MINER
Gus others Teams have been classed SUI
perior and championships won in this man
ner
II would define more closely unnecessary
roughness, and, in addition to disqualifi-
cation, give a penalty distance against the
offending side, although. after all, the rules
can be enforced properly by competent OF
ficals Do not add to the number OF Of
ftcials, for there is already scarcity OF
good officials Enlarge the duties of the
linemen by making them also judge of all
outside plays in scrimmages This will per-
nit the umpire to watch more closely Tor
holding and unnecessary roughness.
Whatever changes the rule committee
makes, let il by all means simplify the rules
and uniform the penalties For at present
it requires constant study to menorize
them, and venture to state that hot more
than % per cent of the players are per-
fectly familiar with the requirements or
the penalties.