The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-09-21
FOOTBALL RULES
ARE CHANGED
Goal From Field Counts
Three Points
STAR KICKER HANDICAPPED
Balanced Team Given the
Advantage.
After Long Deliberation the National
Committee Determines Upon few
Changes Which It Is Believed VIII
Better the Game.

Changes in rules have been few
Those who control the destlnies of the
foot ball game, realizing that the ex-
isting set has proven most satisfac-
rory have declined TO make radical
alterations. and what tinkering was
done was more with the idea of
clarifying the existing rules particu-
larry the phraseology. than with the
Intention OF changing the, style of
play that proved so popular last au-
tumn
Opponents of the forward pass have
been numerous. with the result that
the mch-mooted question occupied
considerable time of the National
Committee but after long delibera-
ton the decision was to leave the rule
practically rs II has been in the past
The only change in the forward pass
section was to better designate the
particular players who are eligible to
receive the hall when il was thrown
This season man must be clearly
one yard back of the neutral zone or
at the end of the scrimmage line be-
fore he will he qualified to partici-
pate in the play:
A goal from the field will count bu.
three points. The reduction i'm the
vahle of this particular play Is likely |
10 meet with the unanimous approx
al of all coaches and players except |
with those who are blessed with a |
player with a well-drilled toe. upon |
whom the team depends for its scores |
With the premium on a goal from |
the field lessened, this form Of scor-
inging will probably be less popular |
and viii encourage the rushing game. |
Had there been no tinkering with |
this rule IL would stln he possible for
decidedly weak teams to trim much
stronger rivals via the drop or place
kick route. but as 1t now stands, a
well balanced team Is not at the mer-
cy of an individual who can win
games when his team is unable to get
within 80 or 40 yards of the goal.
BY this alteration the board did
not intend TO encourage the old con-
centration of attack. which proved so
grueling in the old days, but sim
ply To have matters so evened that
well-rounded team can win on its
merits.
Last fall 1t was mandatory for a
defending side, after touchback, To
punt out from the 25-yard line. but
in the future IL will be optional with
fhe defenders to either star with
scrimmage or kick.
This is Intended to discourage the
practice on windy days to punt the
bail over the goal line, forcing the
opposing side to kick into the goal
and have n fair catch made. from
which an attempt at goal from the
field might be made within n reason
able distance.
For years this rule covering the
putting Of ball into play by a cente!
WAS that, should any OF the attack
ing side except the snapper back
make a false move, there should be a
penalty, but few saw the Joker
which center, by balk or
false movement Of the elbows, could
pull all the opposing forwards off
and escape punishment, while the de-
fensive side be set back yards.
This play was particularly effect
i've when the defense, in trying to
block n punt or drop kick, was over
anxious to get through. All the line
men would be ready, and as soon as
they saw the center bow his elbows
they would come tearing through,
with the almost nvariabe result OF
an off-side penalty.
The other changes in the rules
seem to be of minor importance. In
to making n close study o
the whole set of rules, the National
Board through a special committee,
has completely revised the list of Of
fcials who are recommended.-Dela |
ware Gazette.