New-York tribune., 1909-12-11
FOOTBALL ON TRIAL
CHANCE TO COMPARE.
Canadian Rugby Game on the
Card Today -

Those who are seeking for suggestions
for the revision OF the rules Of football VIII
have an opportunity this afternoon 70 see
and study the game as fl Is played In Can
ada The Hamilton ana the ottawa teams.
two Of the best IN the Dominion. will meet
at the polo field at Van Cortlandt Park
and engage in regular game. similar in
every way 70 the contests which excite 30
much interest and attention across the bor-
der The game viii be called at O'clock
The game to be played is the Canadian
variation Of English rugby. Ike the
American college game. II is variation,
growth or development Of the parent srort,
but its development has not gone so rsr
as in this country. Fourteen men play the
game. as against fifteen in England and
eleven here and one Of the cardinal princi-
down" with certain distance 10 be made
in three attempts. is part OF the system
The ball is put in play IN a manner en-
tireIy different from that in vogue here and
in England. Three players OF each side
form the scrimmage, and one OF the side IN
possession OF the ball puts It IN play with
his foot. never with the hands This is n
queer survival OF the English serum. IN
which the ball is heeled out. But in Eng
land possession Of the ball is not recognized
until player of one side or the other has
obtained Il after it is worked out OF the
pack.
There Is quarterback. as IN the Arneri-
and a fulIback Two extra men are on the
wings IN the Canadian game a part OF the
line. that is The three halfbacks CORE
spond to the four three-quarterbacks in
England. the quarterback to the two half
backs. Ten men are on the forward line
instead Of the seven in the American game
and the eight OF the English pack.
Interference as understood In this coun-
try is absolutely barred in the Canadian
game. When a player catches a punt his
side receives a free kick If any opponent
touches him before or as he catches the
ball, and If. moreover. any opponent is with
in three yards OF him as he catches IL
Forward passes are barred absolutely. but
there is much quick. accurate and clever
passing as a man is about TO be tackled
A player who kicks the ball can recover
IL IL he Is able 10 do so. That is, he is on
side. So Is any player OF his side who was
behind him when he made the kick. More
over. he can run down the field and put on
side any man whom he may overtake- This
used TO be true IN the American game also
but a special provision was adopted putting
the punter Offside in order TO protect him
from deliberate attempts 70 put him out OF
the play.
The method OF scoring is somewhat sirni-
lar 70 that Of the American game. A touch
down counts five points. a goal from a
touchdown one. A safety touchdown counts
two points. and a touchbaclz. or rouge, as
4: Is called. one. that being a provision en-
tirely different from that in use here or n
England
Ten yards must be gained in three downs
this rule having been imported 20 the
American game. No substitutes are al
lowed except in the first half. and II a man
is ruled of for rough play no substitute
is allowed, even II the penalty comes on the
first play OF the game. man may be
ruled Off for a minute. or five minutes. or
for any other period. In the discretion OF
the referes. as is the case in hockey.
Double and triple passes are frequent and
the game is much less mechanical and more
individual than is the case here. Signals
are called indicating the general course Of
the play but initiative Is required OF all
PLAYERS. The play does not call for man
10 pass the ball IN the course Of a run az
any particular time. but such a pass Is
made II the runner sees that he Is about
% be tackled
Numerous representatives Of colleges will
be In attendance today. A A. StagC is
coming from Chicago 10 ses the game, and
almost every football institution OF promi-
nence in the East will be represented.
The quickest and most direct way 20
reach Van Cortlandt Park is by the Broad
way division Of the subway
The teams will take the field as follows: