The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27

collegiate football rules committee al
the close of two days session in this
city.
The changes in the outline are;
]. Removal of the requirement that
The player who receives the ball from
the snapback run five yards to either
side before advancing.
2. A requirement that seven men be
maintained by the offense on the line
of scrimmage-
8. Prohibition of the flying tackle.
l. Division of the game into four
periods of 10 minutes each.
5. No pushing or pulling of the
runner to be allowed.
G. A requirement that the ball In
the case of an onsde kick must strike
the ground at least 26 yards beyond
the line of scrimmage, falling which
the members of the team kicking the
ball are offside.
The problem before the committee
was to eliminate so far as possible the
dangers which in the past have at
tended the game. while preserving its
fascination as a spectacle and Its dis
young men of strength and courage.
It was felt that the next season will DO
crucial.
Either injuries must be fewer or
there would be serious hazard of a
widespread movement to abolish foot
ball altogether.
Necessary Reforms
The steps decided upon to effect nec-
essary reforms viii result in weak
ening the power of the offense so ma
terially that it was necessary to de-
wise means to offset the acquired
strength of the defense. In this pur-
pose two general plans are under con-
sideration. In the interval before the
next meeting of the committee, which
will be held at the University club in
Philadelphia on April 20. experiments
will be carried on by each member OF
the committee at his own college and
on the result of these experiments Will
depend the plan which is TO pre-
vail.
Briefly stated the changes so far
as will result in the elimination to
a large extent of mass plays and the
substitution of open plays. In the re-
vised game a greater premium will be
placed on speed and strategy. Here
bulk and strength will be of lees avail
By formal vote the committee adopted
six changes and although minor ones
may be made later, 1t is expected that
such variations will be Incorporated
virtually as decided upon today.
Having made these six changes to
throw safeguards around the game, the
committee took up discussion OF
two plans for directing the style of
playing and strengthening the offense
sufficiently to balance the new oppor-
tunities for defense. The first plan
contains two main features-frst linz
itation of the forward pass to terri
tory behind the line of scrimmage; sec
ond, the Limitation of the width of
scrimmage lines.
Ground Gamers
These two provisions of plan
cohere in a general design to make for
ward passes and quarterback runs better
ground gamers by opening up the play
and compromising for the weakness OF
the ofrense in other ways
Two schemes for defining the width of
the scrimmage lines were proposed One
was an arbitrary limit of FIVE yards on
each side Of the ball; the other was linn
itation of the line of defense to the width
OF the line of the offense. Everything
that tends to thin out the line invites
mass plays.
By narrowing the line the committee
| hopes both to strengthen 1t and thus to
make end runs more profitable. Under
this system If the runner In circling the
! end were not boxed almost before he
got under way, he could reach free ter
ritory at either side of the line of scrim.
mage, with a good chance for gaining
| Inc main objection so far raised tC
this first plan of limiting the forward
pass and the width of the line is thai
1t may result In too much scoring. This
will be determined by experiment.
1t is probable that the distance to be
gained will be raised to 10 yards In three
downs with a possibility that less distance
will be required as the goal line /,
reached or that four downs instead o.
| three will be allowed with the same gair
required
| Second Ground Style
The second ground style of play undel
consideration provides for 10 yards dis
| lance to be gained. The forward pass
under this plan would be allowed be
| yond the line of scrimmage with tn,
| present requirement of running to eithe
side five yards from the center and will
the additional condition that In forward
| passes the ball may be received only b,
| the men on the end of lines or by tn,
| backs. In case OF an uncompleted for
ward pass the ball is to be brought bacl
to the point at which the pass is mad'
| anu TIE play is 10 pe counttu us ons
| down.
This loss OF a down is the only penalt!
| attached except that, In case the maj
who passed the ball had first carried /
toward his own goal. the distance HI
ran backwards would be lost to his team
Such decrease in the penalty attached
to the use OF the forward pass woult
operate the committee feels for create
use of the play.
1t Is yet to be devised how to affort
protection to the man who received thu
ball on forward pass. The problem i
one of the most difficult raised for solu
| ton.
| AT the beginning of the second ant
fourth quarters teams are to change goal
tho ball being put in play at the sam
relative position In which II was at tn
beginning of the preceding quarter.
Many other points discussed such a
whether tho kickoff shall be retained
and whether goals shall be kicked afte
touchdowns have been made, were no
settled. Decisions on such details depend
on general style or play aitimatei'
| adopted
New Corporations Formed
Articles of Incorporation for two new
| comnanjes the Tonea Valley Dreamer