Evening journal., 1909-08-11
Baseball
Golf
Boxing
RULES FOR FOOTBALL
BUT SLIGHTLY CHANGED

That harbinger of fall, the official
football guide, has made its appear
ance.
Changes In the rules have been few.
Those who control the destinies Of the
game, realizing that the existing set
has proved most satisfactory, have de-
clined TO make radical alterations and
when the book is read it will be found
that the tinkering was done more with
an idea of clarifying the existing rules
particularly their phraseology than
with the intention of changing tho
style of play that proved so popular
last autumn.
THE FORWARD PASS.
opponents of the forward pass have
been numerous with the result thas
this much mooted question occupied
considerable time Of the national com
mittee, but after long dellberation the
decision was TO leave the rule practic-
ally as it has been in the past. The
only change i'm the forward pass sec
tion was TO better designate the par
ticular players who are eligible to re-
ceive the hall when ii is thrown.
Next season man must he clearly
one yard back Of the neutral zone or
at the end Of the scrimmage line be-
fore he viii be qualified to participate
in the play This conservative treat
inent the clause is considered quite
victory of Western delegation to the
conference which opposed the sugges-
tion Of some Of the Eastern men %
change the play by tossing the bali
directly over the line instead Of five
yards out from where the bah is snap
ped.
COUNT THREE POINTS.
During the coming campaign a goal
from the field will count but three
points.
The reduction in the value OF this
I particular play is likely to meet with
( the unanimous approval of all coaches
I and players except those who are
/ blessed with a player with a we'll
| drilled toe upon whom the team de-
pends for it's scores. With the premium
on a goal from the field lessened this
form of scoring will probably be less
popular and will encourage the rushing.
! game. Had there been no tinkering
with this rule. It would still be pos
sible for decidedly weak teams to trim
much stronger rivals via the drop or
place kick route. AS it now stands,
however, a well-balanced team is not
at the mercy of an individual when
his team is unable TO get within thirty
or forty yards Of the goal
WIN on MERIT.
BY this alteration the board did not
intend 10 encourage the old concentra-
tion, of attack. which proved so gruel-
ing in the old days, but simply to have
matters so evened that a well-rounded
team can win on its merit.
Last fall it was mandatory for de-
Tending side. after a touchback. TO
punt out from the twenty -fve-yard
line. but in tie future it will be op-
tional with the defenders TO either
start with a scrimmage or kick. This
is intended TO discourage the practice
on windy days TO punt the ball over
the goal line. forcing the opposing side
. to kick into the goal and have a fair
catch made, from which an attempt
! at goal from the field might be made
within a reasonable distance.
2 For years the rule covering the put
ting Of ball into play by a center was
that should any of the attacking side
I except the snapperback make a false
move there should be penalty. bu
few saw the "joker' through which
a center by a balk or false movement
Of the elbows, could pull all the op-
posing forward off side and escape
punishment while the defensive side b'
). set back five yards
n BLOCKING KICKS.
q The play was particularly effectiv'
4 when the defense. in trying to blocl
a mint or drop kick was over anxicui
to get through. All the linemsr
would be ready. and as soon as the,
n saw the center bow his elbows, would
v come tearing through with the almos
invariable result Of an off-slde or In
reference penalty.
The other changes in the rules seen
= to be Of but minor Importance.
h In addition TO making a close stud,
d Of the whole set OF rules the nationa
board, through a special committee
q has completely revised the list Of OF
q ficials who are recommended.