Evening journal., 1908-08-31
FOOTBALL SEASON
IS NEAR AT HAND
Team Managers Notify Can
didateS to Report For
Practice
NEW RULES CONSIDERED

The football season IS near. Already
coaches and players are considering
the problems Of the year. The annual
appearance OF the revised code of
rules Is the signal for preparation for
the fall campaign. Many Of the team
managers have sent out notices 10 the
candidates TO report prior 10 the open
Ing of college in order to condition
themselves for the strenuous practice
soon 10 follow.
The radical changes made IN the
rules In the fall of 1906 were thor
oughly tested last year and, as a code.
were cminently satisfactory Changes
made last year were not revolutionary
in any sense. Naturally the first year
was stage of experimenting and IL
was not until the latter part Of the
season that the possibilities OF the
code were fully realized.
The big games showed an equaliza-
tion of offense and defense and thus
developed football strategy, which is
the essense of football, making the
game between two evenly matched
teams a delight to witness.
Considerable discussion was in
dulged in at the end OF last season az
to the limitations Of the forward pass.
This arose from the fact that in many
instances the forward pass was being
specialized. and 40 or 80 passes were
not uncommon. The old enthusiasts
declared this was too much like base-
ball. but they failed to realize that the
possibilities of defense were equally as
strong, and this was evidently the
opinion Of the pules committee.
The alterations for 1908 are minor
and the most important modification "a
IN reference to the forward pass. The
old rule made il legal for any player
OF either side to attempt 20 secure the
ball after IT had been legally touched.
The change is such that of the size
making the pass only the player who
first legally touched the BAH may se-
cure il until touched by an opponent.
This change assists the defense and
Increases the danger of a tumble, and
just here an added feature Of the So
called new rules is emphasized. That
-is the improved handling OF the ball
by the entire team. The incentive to
a sure handling is so great that the
men are drilled more thoroughly than
they ever were In the old style of foot
ball Some players, as i'm baseball
seem TO be able TO handle football
naturally; others can only acquire th'
skin by plenty OF practice.
Often a fumbled ball is Of large con.
sequence. and the result OF a game
may depend upon IT, The only scor,
Of last years Michigan Penn game
i was due to the faulty handling Of
short punt. and incidentally a kicker
who can Kick low end over-end shOr
kick Is valuable man. Nothing Il
mcanor to handle, and many times 4
can be recovered by the SiclCers side.
Again i'm this years rules the pen
atty for batting the bah forward Il
changed from "a fivc-yard loss to losl
of the ball. This is a serious penalty
and the player who forgets this fun.
damental rule will no doubt rememDei
it after the coaches have finished will
him. In regard 10 refusal of penalties
Rule 26. Section II, concerning sid,
line coaching. penalties incurred un.
der the forward pass are more clearly
defined.
The other changes are in regard I,
less important items. A FORFEITED
game is made 10 but forfeited
hdiltH Alt ittlNt AItt NAAiAiiiH are al
that are necessary in any match saw
possibly a championship game. IN
competent officials can spoil the Des
game The intermission betweei
halves has been increased five min
utes This evidently was inserted q
meet the condition which is reporte'
TO have arisen during the Yale-Prince
ton game. Fifteen minutes helps tn
player who on wet day is forced Z
make a change of costume.
The notifications for 1908 are essen
TALLY slight and clear up some dis
puted points. Last season criticism
was made as long passes were wit
messed and many older heads said tn
game was losing its rugged features
But either their criticisms failed I
appreciate that 20 successfully com
plete a play i'm which a long pass fig
ures II required more than the usua
strategy or that the defense. II prop
erly played could meet the occasion
The possibilities for new formation
, are unlimited with the improved meth
: ods OF passing the bah.
Amateur Baseball.