The sun., 1906-12-27
DON'r CHANGE FOOTBALL RULES.
Views OF Eck ersaH and DE Tray OF chicago
ON the Present style OF Game.

Until the intercollegiate Athletic Associa-
tion OF the United States appoints its new
football rules committee to amalgamate
with representatives of those universities
which are not convinced Of the need Of joining q
the new organization, further legislation in
the gridiron game is at a standstill; but there
Ia nothing to indicate that the next rules
committee will not proceed along the same
sane and disinterested lines as this year 3
committee. The good Of the game Ia quite
likely to be the actuating motive Of the next
body of legislators, Just as With the body
which reconstructed the rules so satisfactor-
lily. In any event. IL such proves to be the
case little or no changes may be looked for.
That is the hope OF Walter Eckersall bf the
University OF Chicago. the greatest OF ali
auarterbacks, and Of Capt. De Tray of the
same team. II the present rules are un-
changed, say these two players, IL Will pave
the way for the best game In the Kingdom
Many reports of displea.ure over the new
rules we're heard last season, especially ~
in the Chicago Tribune II am mighty
glad the committee refused TO listen to the
the hen necessary @ a' distance. NEE This would have
demoralized the game completely and set
back every advance made.
We now have an open game. in which
there are possibilities undreamed OF. The
coach who has the head now will be the
fion Sen Of g retsachins % what no o1e S ALREADY has
learned from the old game The coach must
figure and think. and ] believe accordingly
some Of our so-called best coaches soon may
Mr.. stagg, got a long way with the new
game last fall. but, as he himself admits. he
biities. From what saw would not hesitate
70 say his wss the best style of play from
can expect great things from MIR Stagg. and
believe he will make good with our expccta-
tions.
hs We IN make, and " is is in regard to the
forward pass. ! believe the forward pass
should he ercourr ged more. Most PLAYERS
p nd coachss feel that there is too much risk
in trying IT, This risk should be ma de smaller
in some way. and J think. PERHAPS, on" WY
of Aftaen wards for loss of the ba ii when il
strikes the ground.
This. however. is not a serious objection.
when to use the forward pass he navor should
fear taking yrest risk. The time not to
try it, OF course. is when the hs4l is in TOO
close proximity to vour own goal"
Il agree with Eckerse II in general. hut
believe. something should be done TO clarity
e % in TrTsrd & to '%d inpT
a nd probably enlarged so that there can he
no doubt as to just whs il limits. Otherwise
am grea tly pleased With the decision Of the
Chicago suffers nothing from the mo
che nees.' We got along quite well lsst fal
and we will go surprisingly further next
year. Mr.. StaEg has many plays which never
ha We been used. He considered the season
lust closed largely in the Eight Of season of
experiment, and so has much to work on for
neyt year
II look for every team Of imn0rtapce.
ma ior OF minor. 10 play tho opme for all it
is worth, and think prpcticall, every team
will use the open game to good advn ntage.
There is no rePs son why any one should play
old style football any lonTrr II was found
TO ts losing game last fall
Their" will be Rreet deal OF imitstirE
next fall by the various coaches. Those who
stood on the outside last season and were
content - lot the others try the eNperimant-
inC will have many plays to use newt f8ll.
If they cannot invent thev can initiate, and
this is what they will do"