The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-09-18

fying the existing rules. particularly
their phrascology, than with the IN
tontion of changing the style OF play
that proved so popular last autumn.
Opponents OF the forward pass nave
bccn numerous, with tho result that
this much mootcd question occupied
considerable time of the national COM /
nittce. but after long dcliberation tho
decision was To leave tho rule prac-
ucalIy as 1t has been in tho past. Ihe
only change In the forward pass sec
tIon was to designate better the par
ticular players who are eligible TO re-
ccivo the ball when 1t Il thrown.
This season n man must be clearly
ono ward back of the neutral 2onc or
az tho end OF tho scrimmagc line before
he VIII be duafincd TO participate In
the play. This conservative treatment
OF the clause IS considered quite a Vic
tory OF the western delegates To the
conference. which opposed tho sugSes-
ton OF some OF the eastern mon to
change the play by tossing the ball
directly over the line instead of five
Yards out from where the ball is
snapped
During the coming campaign Il goal
from tho field viii count but three
points. The reduction in value OF this
play Is likely 10 meet with tho unhni-
nous approval of all coaches and play
ers except those who are blessed with
n we'll drilled toe. upon whom the team
depends for its scores,
with n premium on goal from the
field lcSscned this form of scoring VIII
probably he less popular and VIII en-
courage tho rushing game. Had thcro
been no tinkerinG With this rule 1t
would still be possible for decidedly
weak teams to trim much stronger
rivnls via the drop OF place Kick route.
but as II now stands a we'll balanced
team is not at the mercy OF an individ- :
ua1 who can win games when his team
is unable TO get within thirty or forty
yards OF tho goal.
BY this alteration the board did not
intend TO encourage tho old concen-
tratlon of attack. which proved so
grucllng in the old days. but simply
to have matters so evened that wei
rounded team can win on 1T merits
Last fall il was mandatory for n de-
Tending side after n touchhack TO punt
out from the twenty five yard line. but
in the future 1t VIII be optional with
tho defenders TO either start with g
scrImmagc or kick This IS intended
10 discourage the practice on windy
days to punt the ball over tho goa
line. forcing the opposing side to ldcl
into the gale and have Il fair catcl
made. from which an attempt at goa
from the field might be made within {
reasonable distance.
For years the rulo covering the put
ting of the ball into play by cente
was that should any of the attacking
side except tho snapperback mako {
false move there should be n penalty
but few saw the 'Joker" through whicl
the center by a balk or false move
ment OF the elbows could pull all tn
opposing forwards odsidc and cscnp
punishment while tho defensive sid
would be set back five yards.
This play was particularly effectiv
when the defense in trying to block
punt or drop kick was oycranXious t.
get through All the llnemen woul,
be ready. and as soon as they saw tn
center bow his elbows they woul
como tearing through with tho almos
| lnvariablc result of an oftside or In
terfcrcncc penalty.
The other changes in the rules are o
minor Importance. In addition to max
, Ing a close study OF the whole set o
, rules, the national board. through
special committee. has completely re
, vlscd tho list of officials who are rec
commended.