The Washington times., 1909-03-28
BUT FEW CHANGES
IN FOOTBALL CODE
Committee Conservative in
Tinkering With Gridiron
Rules for Next Fall.
REFUSES TO ALTER
THE FORWARD PASS
Reduction of Field Goal to Three
Points Will Not Help
Weak Teams.

Conservatism ruled at the sessions.
which ended yesterday. of the intercol-
l.giate football rules committee the
BOARD adjourning without making radi-
cal changes in the code that is to gov
ern the sport next fall.
Considerable tinkering was done but
1t was more with the idea OF clarifying
the existing rules. particularly their
phraseology, than with the intention of
changing the play. and as a result of
the two days deliberations many dis
puted points were settled, the result
Of which should be the elimination Of
much wrangling
The much-mooted question Of whether
the forward pass should be further re-
stricted or encouraged occupied con-
siderable time OF the committee. and
the decision of the board to leave the
rule governing that play practically as
il was last autumn was quite a victory
OF the Western delegation, which was
determined 10 fight the plan Of the rep
resentatives of two of the Eastern uni
versities who were anxious 70 revolu-
tionize The play by allowing the pass to
be made directly over the line of scrim
mage instead Of five yards out from the
place the ball is put in play, as at
present required.
Forward Pass Discussed.
The only alteration of the section COW
ering the players eligible TO receive a
forward pass makes it clear that in the
future in order to receive the throw a
member Of the offensive team must be
on the end OF the line or al least one
yard back. This clause was adopted, il
is believed. TO overcome the tactics of a
Jew shrewd tacticians who last fan re-
Seatslily fooled officials by playing the
end one foot back from the line. Next
season the end must be clearly one yard
back or he viii not be qualified 70 par
ticipate in the play.
The reduction in value Of a goal from
the field from four 10 three points, is
likely 10 meet the approval of all play
ers and coaches except those who are
blessed with a Kicker upon whose truSty
toe they have been relying for their
points Under the old rules il pos
sible for q team with a good drop or
place kicker 10 win games without ap-
preaching nearrS than the 20 or 40-yard
line, two OF these goals being sufficient
TO overcome the six points obtained by
their opponents as result of a touch
down and goal from superior individual
and more consistent team play. With
the field goal counting only three points
the premium on this form OF scoring
viii be somewhat less than heretofore
thereby encouraging the rushing game.
II will be remembered that the victory
OF Harvard over Yale last November,
after seven years of defeat. was the
result OF a goal from the field and the
charge Is being made that Yale pro-
posed the reduction in points because
of the loss of the game which, above all
others, she is anxious to win. There is /
little logic in this contention. however (
for the result of the game would have
been the same under either system OF
scoring. rs the field goal was the lone
score Of the day.
Kicking Game Discouraged.
One effect of the new rule will b,
the iessening OF The chances OF the
weaker teams, who have been signaUy
successful in scoring on their stronger
opponents via the star drop kicker
route, but in the long run It is likely
to insure victories for the better round
ed eleven.
fAnother change that may prove of
considerable Importance at times Is i'm
the section covering the putting OF the
bail In play after touch-back In 1908
IL was mandatory for the defending
side 10 punt out from the 25-yard line.
but the rule has been now altered 10
make It optional with the defending
captain TO either punt out or put the
pan IN play on the 25-yard line for a
scrimmage.
This should operate as an advantage
10 the team that has made the touch
back, for IL allows the working of the
nan out of danger and then puntipg
rom the line of scrimmage without
allowing the other team to so arrange
tNS pA6ftiS bN spreading out tnaI rnpK
may pocket tie ends and allow their
backs an opportunity TO run the ball
back for long gains.
This should also discourage the prac-
ti5c on windy days Of puntiug the bali
Over the goal line, forcing the defend
erS TO kick into the gale. and have the
ball heeied for "A fair catch from
which an attempt at goal could be
made from reasonable distance
Esints Are Barred.
The committee. also adopted A rule
providing that when a center feints 10 |
pass the ball his team shall be penaIized
I'VE yards For years the rule cover
ing this point was that should any ore
on the attacking side except the4 snap
perDaCk attempt to draw an oppOneut I
of side by any false movement there /
should be n penalty. but few saw the |
loop hole thro' gh which q center cOrid |
by 'balk or movement Of the elbows
pull all the defensive forwards off side i
and still 20 unpunished while the other !
team was set back hVe yards The usual /
manner Of working this scheme was 10 4
have q number by which the offensive |
side understood that the ''balk'' was to 4
tbe made. When the other team charged I
the offensive line would open long
enough 10 allow their opponents TO 20 |
through, and then close up giving their /
center a chance TO snap the oval
The play was particularly effective /
when about 10 punt or try "A field goal. |
In these two instances the defense was
more than ever anxious 10 start with |
being watched. moved his body and el- |
bows, AT the same time Withholding the |
nail the result was almost invariably 1
the same-on side penalty
The other changes, 50 far as known !
are or but minor Importance.