The Washington herald., 1910-08-21
Radical Reforms
Sweep Away
Mass Play.

With the publications OF the new rules
last week intercollegiate football may be
said 20 have made its initial bow for
the season Of 1910 At first sight there is
a striking resemblance in the uniformed
figure which represents tho sport to the
gridiron hero we laid away late last De-
cember. Alas for the veterans Of other
yearsI Close inspection proves that foot
ball is but a shell Of its former self.
Tried by the flames OF reform it has
raisen Phoenix-llke again, but oh. so
unlike the game that sent the red blood
coursing in the snappy days of autumn,
1909.
In almost every paragraph Of the
new code can be seen the wounds left
by the pruning knife OF reform. Changes
are everywhere. Even the checkerboard
diagrammed field is no more Revision
and reform have made a new game for
the college football warrior this fall
a game that has vast possibilities. 1t
Is, however. such a sweeping overthrow
Of the old-style play that 1t is doubtful
if either coaches or players viii venture
far into the unknown this season. Just
as was the case when the forward pass
was introduced. it VIII require more than
two months in which 70 become familiar
with the depth and breadth Of the new
game.
So uncertain are the coaches regarding
the game which they are 20 teach this
fall that ante-season wrestling match
es with the rules have been extremely
popular Summer schools, correspondence
courses and other schemes to beat old
King Football to the barrier have all been
used. Now that the gridiron code is pub
lie property. the reason for the activity
is apparent. Regardless Of the expert
ence, either theoretical or practical. that
coaches and players have gained in past
years they stand to-day on a footing with
the freshman. SO drastic and radical
are the changes in the rules that past
football experience goes for naught and.
in fact, may be a handicap.
Chance for Light Men.
OF what benefit IS It to be famous
tsclSler Of the diving variety when. ac-
tackler with one foot safely hooked 10 old
mother earth? What profteth II 70 be a
twentieth century Goliath six feet and
over and with 24O pounds OF avoirdupols
when the rules bar all pushing, pulling.
and piling on. Looks as If the little
fellow will get a chance now and the
owners Of iron foundries will cease la
menting at the loss Of husky laborers.
How can a veteran accustomed 10 play
ing a football game divided into two
halves reconcile himself TO a contest
CHARTERED into four periods? These
are but a few OF the features that make
for the uplifting Of the famous autumn
game,
The rules committee. which consists OF
L. NJ Dennis. Cornell. chairman; E. K
Hall, Dartmouth, secretary; James a
Rabbit, Haverford: John c. Bell, Univer-
sity OF Pennsylvania; Crawford Blagden
Harvard; Walter Camp, Yale; Paul J
DashieH, Annapolis; ". L. Dudley. Van
derbilt: Parke II. Davis. Princeton: Lieut.
II. II. Hackett. West Point; Or. w. A
Lambeth, University of Virginia. c. W
Savage. Oberlin; a a. Stage, Universit!
OF Chicago, and II. L. Williams, Univer
slty Of Minnesota. has had a harder tasl
this season than ever before, as can b,
seen from the amount Of work accom-
plished-
Since the rule makers did the clarity
ing and codifying 1t is only just tina
they be allowed 10 present the rules II
original form. Rule ". relative to tn
length Of the game reads:
minutes. divided into four periods o
fifteen minutes each. exclusive Of tim
taken out. though It may be Of shorte
duration by mutual agreement between
the managers or captains Of the contest
ing teams.
in case no such agreement is reaches
before ten minutes after the time SEIZED
uled for the beginning Of the game. IN
referee shall order the game 10 procee
and the full time shall be played
There shall be three minutes inter
mission between the first and secon
periods and between the third and fourt
periods. during which time no playe
shall leave the field Of play nor shall an
representative Of either team be above
on field of play. except as provided for +
Rule XIV. sections . and 3. IRefers {
attendant permitted on the field TO hel
injured player.l
There shall be fifteen minutes inter
mission between the second and thir
periods. The referee shall cause bot
teams to be notified three minutes befor
said intermission has expired. Fiftee
minutes after the close Of the secon
period, the referee shall blow his whist
m the middle OF the field. and in cas-
either team fails to appear within tw
minutes thereafter the ball shall he pl
in play as first down by the offende
side on the offending sides thirty var
line.
when Goals Are Changed.
AT the beginning Of the second an
fourth periods the teams shall chang
goals, the possession Of the ball, n
down. the relative spot Of the down. ar
the distance to be gained TO remain n
same as az the termination of the pr,
ceding period.
AT the beginning Of the third peric
the teams shall take opposite goals fro
those assumed at the beginning OF Il
second period. and the side which kickC
of in the first period shall have the optic
7 7 I T +