New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
FOOTBALL WORK OVER.
NO DRASTIC CHANGES.
Use of FOrzcGrd Pass Encouraged
and Playing Time Lengthened.

No changes of drastic nature were mace ia
the rules Of football. which proved so acceptable
last season. at the final session of the ma ational
intercollegiate football rules committee at the
Murray Hin Hotel. in this city. yesterday. The
most important amendment had 10 do with the
forward pass by the substitution Of a l5-yard
penalty on first or second down. in place of the
loss Of the ball. If the play was not successful
as was the case last year. This relieves the sit
uation and encourages the use of the forward
pass when a team is fighting in it's own terri
tory Under the old penalty OF loss OF the bail
The forward pass was too dangerous unless IN
the opponents territory, and the other team
knowing this. had the attacking force at a as
advantage. The purpose Of the change Was 10
relieve this by making possible the use OF the
forward pass in ones own territory The at
lacking side in trying forward pass ana fali-
ing can now retain the ball, with the opportu-
nifty to advance it again by rushing. forward
pass kicking.
The playing time was extended from thirty 70
thirty-hve minutes. a change that Will meet
with general approval. Under the revised code
the game was all TOO short last season Some
members OF the committee were in favor or
making the playing time forty minutes. but 1t
was thought wiser TO be conservative Tor inns
year at least.
Two unpires were made obligatory in addition
referee.
rsre" as the new official will be called, were
clearly defined number OF other minor
changes were made TO clear up disputed points,
but the general plan of the game was not
changed. and all the salient features were re-
tained No notifications were made in the rules
calling for ten yards in three downs. the on-sioe
kick. the forward pass except as 10 the PEN
alty) or on tackling below the knee. These
questions came up for some discussion, but the
committee was unanimous that no changes OF
radical nature were necessary at the present
time and that time should be given 10 further
develop the game under the present rules, con-
dition not possible I'm one short season.
The committee considered the question Of off,
Cials with the greatest care. and decided that
the second umpire was essential. TO the end that
the game might be freed entirely OF unnecessary
roughness and unfair and unsportsmanlke con-
duct Last year a second umpire was not obli-
gatory although this official was used in some
OF the more important games The officials
hereafter viii be a referee, line umpire. field
umpire and a linesman. The field umpire is
practically new official, and will serve as
sort of assistant referee. His duties were out
lined follows:
In addition TO the regular duties OF umpire, the
field umpire viii have jurisdiction over the ball,
interference and other fouls in connection with
the catching securing position of ball that
has been kicked passed down the field. He
shall mark the spot Of fair catch. shall rule on
all points covering the touching of the ball by
any player after kick forward pass, the
touching of the ground by the ball after kick
or forward pass, the position of the ball when
down has been made and violation OF the rule
covering a fair catch. He shall mark the point
where the hall goes out OF bounds on the oppo-
site side of the field from that on which the
iinesman is stationed On every attempt
goal from the field or from touchdown he shall
take position under the goal pests to assist the
referee in making proper decision By hold
shall 7fnan
when TO blow the whistle on all decisions under
his Jurisdiction
The duties of the line umpire Will be the or
dinaTy duties heretofore. The word Zine" desig-
simply that he shall stand in the neigh
borhOod OF the line of scrimmage. The field UNI
rire win stand behind the defensive line and
down the field where kicked ball is likely 10 go.
A provision was also adopted making il obli-
gatory for the referee to report TO the umpires
any holding which may come under his obserYa-
ton Jurisdiction over hurdling was given ex-
clusiyely to the referee.
OF the minor changes made looking TO the
clearing up Of disputed points which arose last
season the most important had 10 do with
Rule Is OBJ. Under the Interpretation Of the
committee lineman is allowed to carry the ball
provided he does not leave his position in the
line until the ball has been put in play.
This upholds the contention made by Pennsyl-
vania last fall in the game with Michigan that
Rule rs OBJ did not preclude lineman carrying
the ball from his position.
In this connection the committee also ruled
that player may at all times pass the ball TO
another OF his own side who is benind him.
This decision was made. becauhe the question
was raised last year that the quarterback hav-
ing once passed the ball TO player, could not re-
ceive IL aZain.
Rule 10 Ca) was changed so that on a kick out
after touchback safety the opponents may
not come within ten yards OF the side having
free kick. This means that the opponents will
have 20 line up on the S3-yard line instead OK
the 25-yard line as heretofore.
An addition was made 20 Rule 3 (d) by add
ing the words: 1.-The player shall be considered
as having the opportunity OF making fair
catch IL he is in such position that IL would
touches the ground This was done to prevent
any other player receiving the ball and ad-
vancing IL after OF HIS own side had sig
nailed FOR n fair catch and thus put the OppOs-
ing ends of their guard.
Note OF Rule was amended TO read: "If
the forward pass before touching the ground or
q kicked ball either before after touching the
ground goes out OF bounds, the ball shall be-
long TO opponents at the point where it crosses
IF a kick or forward pass goes out OF bounds"
etc. This change means that a forward
pass that touches the ground and then rolls out
of bounds is not lost to the attacking side but
fs retained with the loss OF fifteen yards.
There long discussion on the question Of
scoring, and some members Of the committee
favored making field goal count three instead
OF four points. No change was made. however.
as the majority was Of the opinion that IL would
be unwise TO discourage the development of
drop kickers.
A committee was appointed. consisting OF
Professor J.. ~. Dennis. Cornell: Walter Camp,
YALE and =. X. Hail. Dartmouth, TO codify the
rules and report at the next meeting Of the
COMMITTEES which will be held time in
March. AZ this meeting, IL agreed,
changes will be made except such may be
william IT. C'Pa'0 Corbin. the old Yale centre.
represented Yale in place Of Walter Camp, who
IS 81. and Dr. James A Babbitt unable 10
attend Otherwise the full committee was in
attendance as follows: Professor L. NJ. Dennis,
Cornell: John c. Bell University Of Pennsyl-