New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-04
TO KILL MASS PLAY
NEW Plan OFFERED.
Mr. Mofdt Has Radical Vie1cs
for Football.

Alexander Moffat. a famous oaca al
Princeton in the early SOS and one OF the
greatest drop kicksrs In the history OF
football. outlined yesterday the most com
preheusive and at the same time the sim
plest revision OF the rules for the elimina-
ton Of mass play that the present agita-
tsOn has brought forth. Mr. Moffat wants
a rule calling for the complete division of
the gridiron into a checkerboart. with
divisions five yards square and requiring
one man. and only one man. 10 be placed in
a division as the opposing teams line I'D
for scrimmase. There would be one ex-
ception 10 this. A centre and quarter
back could line up in the same division.
and one defending back could be IN the
same division as the defensive centre.
II know that this Is a radical sugges-
ton" said Mr. Morat yesterday. but il Is
ia accordance with the traditions OF the
game. which the forward pass is not. and
il simply means going back Of necessity to
open play. Mass plays would be impos-
sible. There would be possibilities OF the
most varied and the most brilliant attack.
\ premium would be placed on speed rather
than on weight and on skill and quick
thinking.
Under such rule I think it would De
gained to fifteen yards in three downs. II
might be found better even 10 make the re-
quired gain twenty yards. but that is some
thing 10 be determined by experiment alone.
OF course the change In the character
of the game would be revolutionary. but
think that It's best features would be re-
tanned. The forward pass ought TO be
eliminated, in my opinion II has no tradt-
tioual or historical sanction, and am fat
ly against H.
"A game as open as football would be-
come under such rule as proposed
would delight spectators. because the ball
would be always visible. There would be
endless combinations OF the backs in run
ming with the ball and in forming interior
ence. Positions could change. OF course.
with the swapping OF the ball, but a man
leaving his space In any direetion before
the ball was put in play should be onside.
with a five-ysrd penalty against his team,
as now"
Mr.. Mofat thinks that long passes from
quarterback 70 halves or the fulloack
would appear frequently under such condi-
tions. and double passes, such as are seen
in the English Rugby game He said yes
terday that there was no forward pass in
his day and little line plunging. that being
a development OF somewhat later days. but
that By means Of open plays it was easy
enough 10 make the distance. Play was
considerably more open and. in a way.
much more varied, although not as close
~ scientific.
One thing would have to be provided for
in such a rule as Mr.. Moffat suggests, and
that is the formation to be employed. when,
as would frequently happen, the ball Is
down so near the side line that there would
rot be three fve-yard spaces for the for
wards on one wing In that case. however. u
would be a simple matter 10 follow the
present practice when the ball is within a
foot or two OF the boundary. but not actu-
ally out Of bounds, swinging players Of one
wing 10 the other side of the line.
There would be a great variety possible
under such a rule IN offensive formation
For instance. there would be nothing 70 pre-
vent the backs lining up in adjoining five
ward squares. with the one nearest the CEN
tire and quarterback in the space immedl-
ately behind his own end. He could take a
long pass from the quarterback. and then.
with a quick forming OF Interference by the
other two backs. have an excellent chance
for a substantial gain. Trick plays would
gain new Importance and the strategists of
the game should find much 10 keep them
busy.
Robert D. Wrenn. ir.. of Harvard. a mem
Der OF the football rules committee Up 20
the time Of the eyision OF 1896. had good
word TO say for the forward pass yesterday
on the ground that it tended TO open up rhe
game and TO make IL more interesting for
spectators and players alike. He said.
however. that his ideas on the subject of a
possible revision had not taken definite
form as yet and that he would have to ex-
anime the facts In more detail before ex-
pressing them fully
Jim Quill. tle great fullback on the Yale
team OF 1895, is OF the opinion that the rule
putting all players on side 80 soon as a
kicked ball strikes the ground makes for a
more dangerous game. He believes that
the old rule should be restored 10 prevent
the wild scramble for loose ball
This he thinks would not lessen the value
OF the onside kick as an offensive play,
although II would limit It's use 70 some ex-
tent.