Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-27
FOOT BALL RULES CHANGED
Six Important Alterations Made by
the Collegiate Committee.
DANGER PROBLEM IMPORTANT
Reforms Designed So M 90 Prevent
InJuries to Players and Yet to
Preserve Interest and Fss-
einRtSOn In Sport.
DANGER PROBLEM IMPORTANT

NEW YORK, March 26-Six far-reaching
changes, in the game Of foot ball were de-
cided upon today by the intercollegiate
foot ball rules committee at the close Of a
two days session in this city.
The changes In outline are:
/ Removal OF the requirement that the
player who receives the BAH from the snap
back run five yards to either side before
Z. A requirement that seven men be main
tained by the offense on the line of scrim-
Z. Prohibition of the flying tackle.
4 Division OF the game into four periods
of fifteen minutes each.
s. No pushing or pulling Of the runner 20
6. A requirement that the ball. in the
case Of an on-sde kick must strike the
ground at least twenty yards beyond the
bers Of the team kicking the bail are off
side.
The Danger Problem.
The problem before the committee was TO
eliminate so far as possible the dangers
which have attended the game. while pre-
serving its fascination as a spectacle and
It's disciplinary and educative elements.
II was felt that the next season would be
crucial. Either injuries must be fewer or
there would be serious hazard OF a wide
spread movement to abolish foot ball
The steps decided upon to effect reforms
will result in weakIning the power of the
offense 50 materially that II was necessary
to devise means to offset the acquired
strength OF the defense. To this end two
general plans are under consideration.
In the interval before the next meeting
fthe committee. which viii be held at
the University club in. Philadelphia, April
q. experiments viii be carried on by each
member OF the committee at his own col
lege and on the result Of these experiments
Will depend the plan which shall prevail.
Briefly stated. the condition so Tar
adopted will result in the elimination to a
large extent OF mass plays. and the sub
stitution OF open plays.
Quarterbnek RIMS.
The first change adopted was the removal
Of the present restriction that a runner
receiving the ball directly from the snap
back must run five yards to one side. This,
in the opinion o fthe committee will give
the quarterback much larger opportunities
to make good runs; will offer an oppor-
tunity for Quicker Jays ana viii create an
exercise Of more strategy.
The second change provides that seven
men DO kept by the offense on the line Of
scrimmase. This win prevent the drawing
back Of linemen for offensive plays ana ia
q direct blow at mass plays.
The third. change Is the prohibition OF the
diving tackle On this point there was An
easy agreement The flying tackle has
been the cause OF many injuries ana the
COMMITTEES was agreed that It must no.
The fourth change consists in the division
OF each half in two periods OF fifteen miu-
ntes each. 80 that tho game hereafter viii
consist OF four 15-minute quarters. The in
termiasion between the first and second
and the third and fourth quarters probably
win be shorter than that between the sec
ond and third. This change Is made 80
that there may be better opportunities "a
determine the physical condition OF players
AZ the end Of each quarter there win he
an examination by physicians II any doubt
as 20 the ability o IA player 70 continue the
game without exhaustion and eOnsequentlv
increased likelihood OF injury.
Injured Players May Return.
Another clause under this fourth division
directs that q player compelled 10 leave
the game may return during subsequent
quarter, n he RECEIVERS sufficiently. with
this opportunity OF return to the. field Il
(conunusd on Second Pase.J