New-York tribune., 1908-01-20
COMMENT :ON SPORTS.
TO PASS ON FOOTBALL.
Ne.rs and Tiescs on Current Topics
Amateur and Professional.

messing af the intercollegiate football rules COM
,,itfee and those who have done so much 10 i"'-
k,,-o,,a the game by a careful and thorough re-
xisien of the code in the last two years VIII
rather in this city on Friday to take UP fur-
,her s,,,dv az the subject Two sessions will be
held one on Friday evening for the purpose "l
o-ganization and another on Saturday morning
which viii vroba bly, last the greater part OF the
CAV Those interested in the sport are keenly
sRake 20 the importance OF the meeting Tor
while no radical changes are anticipated queS-
rions OF some moment must he clscnsseu anu
.ec-a5 IN The present rule governing the
forward pass viii be the rock on which the tiien-
/ hers of The committee may split. as there Is
vide difference Of opinion on the need for limit
ing the piay to some extent The forward pass
Is in no danger OF abolition. all reports TO the
contrary notwithstanding. but Walter camp
yale-s athletic adviser and representative on tne
committee VIII advocate revision OF the Tuie'
10 r~event what he calls its indiscriminate use
II rnay be limited slightly, but hardly TO the eX-
tent that Mr.. Camp and his supporters wonla
wish iudging from what Dr. Harry l. "llliahs
said in his report TO the intercollegiate Athle'c
Association Of the United States. which names
one-balf Of the football rules committee His
chasing words were. It is the belief Of the ma
i sorf-v of Your committee that the forward pass
IS an important feature OF the present game and
that whereas Il may be subjected 10 slight T1lool-
fcation il will not be eliminated or changed es-
sent;allv~ Just how far Mr.. Camp would limit
the play is not definitely known. but II is said
that he favors return 10 the rule Of 1906, when
il rvas restricted by penalty OF loss OF the pan
for an iHcompleted PLAY. no matter on what
down Last season the penalty provided for the
loss Of fifteen yards on the first or second down
instead OF loss Of the ball
The rule of 1906 practically precluded the use
bp
and then only well within opponents terri
tory This in my opinion nullifies its chief value
the weakening Of the defence. and its deceptive
possibilities which make other offensive plays
more effective. The mere gaining of ground by
the play may be the important feature TO a
weak or inferior team, but ii is only one con-
sideration TO an eleven which appreciates and
takes fun advantage Of its tactical value.
agree with Mr.. Camp and others who are in
favor OF 2 change in the rule that neither spec
tator nor player cares for 2 game in which the
element OF chance is paramount, hut IN spite OF
many arguments on the subject l am still Uncon-
wheel that the pass used indscriminately
in any OF the more important games last fall or
that chance PLAYED any more important part in
E its use than the punt onside kick. Person
ally. would prefer the rule as it is. Cor one more
wear al least 10 give further opportunity for its
development: but If the demand is strong enough
for some restriction il would be better 10 devise
something and not go back TO the rule OF
1906, which did not meet the requirements and
which robbed the play OF its greatest value. 1t
is pretty problem and a difficult one. and Will
require careful study on the part Of the rules
committee. which. however, is quite capable Of
dealing with it
! have watched carefully for any suggestions
10 improve the present rule from those who have
expressed themselves in favor Of change but
with TWO or three exceptions a cure has been
demanded without thought for a remedy the
courage 10 prescribe. King Cole" coach OF
the University OF Nebraska, has suggested for
feiture Of the bali the second down after
failure TO complete the pass. This would be a
compromise between the rules Of 1906 and 1907
and prevent 10 some extent its so-Caled inds-
criminate use. 'IIurry-Up" Yost. coach al
Michigan. says:
1t has been suggested that passes beyond a
given distance be prohibited. that passes bt
allowed only on the third down and that the
same restrictions be enforced on forward T.sses
/ as are enforced on a kick. ANY one of these
three might serve. bat ii seems though the
= length Of a pass should be restricted in the
nature Of the game if the pass is allowed al all
nor that passes should be permitted only or
the third down. All that is left is to restrict
the passing side in way, in the case
OF a kick.
But how? That is the question. In all prob
suggestion. the central board OF officials. OF
which DR.. J. A Babbitt, Of Hayerford. is chair
man, has secured reports on printed blanks
from many referees and umpires who are
qualified pass opinion. and this viii not
be the least important part Of the good and
efficient work this board has accomplished. l.
toe would make suggestion. however. in spite
OF the fact that ] in favor Of the present
rule for the time being. Why not make it any
f17z hal arfS OT
perhaps twenty yards. and still provide pen
atty OF fifteen yards first and second downs
for an iEcompleted pass for shorter distance?
This would not lead any more scra billing
around than in the case OF the onside kick and
would discourage to q large extent the long
somewhat airnless pass as being too dangerous
and encourage the shortes which in due
time can be reduced 20 a more exact science
Il would give the referee an added burden but
tfis could be offset by abrOgating the clause
which provides that the ball shall pass five
yards oa either side Of the centre Of the line.
which tends 70 confuse and deceive officials
and leads 10 decisions which are not always
acceptable
Some other changes Will be considered and
the question Of the scoring value Of a kick from
placement and the try al goal from touch
down viii involve q discussion that may lead
TO something, two members Of the commit
tee at least are known be in favor Of re-
vision OF the rules bearing these points. As
for the proper Identification of the players by
numbers. I must say one more word. In the
resent International association football match
IN Great Britain in which Wales beat New Yea =
lano by points 70 s. the players wore num-
hers on their backs IL may be said in passing
that she need is far greater in American college
football. the game is not so open and the