Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-18
MANY CHANGES
IN FOOTBALL
Rules Committee Reports or
Regulations Governing for
Coming Season.
NOW ALMOST A NEW GAME
Every Possible Precaution Has Been
Taken to Guard Against In
juring of Players.

New Yrk, Aug. 1S.-After labor last.
ing nearly all summer the football
rules committee has made public the
rules which are to govern the course
of the game during the season of 1910.
Changes adopted are revolutionary in
character and calculated to minimize
greatly the danger of fatal accidea:S
existing under the old rules.
For one thing the time of play is d.
vided into four periods of fifteen min
utes duration instead of the tradition
al two halves of 35 minutes each. The
usual intermission of fifteen minutes
is maintained between the second ali
third periods, but an intermission OF
three minutes only is allowed be-
tween the first and second and third
and fourth periods. During this short
Iintermission no player will be allowed
to leave the field nor will anyone be
permitted to come on the field save
only the individual who looks after the
physical condition of the players.
Down Remains Same.
At the beginning of the second and
fourth periods the teams change goals,
but the down, the relative spot on the
down. the possession of the ball and
the distance to be gained remain as
they were at the conclusion Of the pre-
ceding period of play.
Another radical change is that gov.
erning the flying tackle. This has
been entirely eliminated by a new rul-
ing which provides that player must
have one foot at least on the ground
when tackling an opponent. The new
legislation governing the forward pass.
which a number OF the experts were
inclined to abolish altogether, will ma
terially alter the play and aspect of
the game.
This years rules provide that play
er is only qualified to receive a for.
ward pass who is at least one yard
back of his own line of scrimmage or
occupies the position on the end OF
said line No man may make for.
ward pass or kick the ball unless he -
five yards back of the line of scrim.
mage.
Provide Neutral Territory.
The territory forward of the line of
scrimmage, and consequently in the
enemy's camp, is adjudged neutral for
a distance of 20 yards pending the
completion OF a forward pass or kick.
A forward pass is not legal If the ball
crosses a line 20 yards in advance OF
the spot where it was put in play be-
fore touching the ground or a player.
In the case of kick, the players on
the defense within the 20-yard zone
must not interfere with the ends. or
other players, in any way until their
opponents have advanced 20 yards be.
yond the line of scrimmage.
Interlocked interference-that Is
players of the side having the ball TAX
ing hold of each other, or using their
hands or arms to grasp their team
mates in any way-is forbidden, and 1t
is also forbidden for any man on the
side having possession of the ball 10
push or pull in any way the man run
ming with the ball.
Players May Return.
Another innovation is to be noted In
regard to the substitution of players
during a game. A rule has been
passed which provides that a player
who has been removed for any cause
except disqualification or suspension
may be returned to the game once al
the beginning of any subsequent
period.
The longitudinal lines formerly
marking the field are done away with
as the quarterback may now cross the
line of scrimmage at any point.
The new rules have already bee
adopted by all the large colleges. near
Iy all of them being represented on the
rules committee.