Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-11-06
AUSTRALIAN CGNETHE BEST
Experts Say Foot Ball Of AntipOdss
is Sanest.
INVOLVES MANY STYLES OF PLAY
Mater PeiKottO Points Out How
Australian Game Incorporates
Every Feature Of All other
Games.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. Nov. S-'"The
greatest foot ball game IN the world"
Such is the positive statement made by
Major Sidney g Peixotto, National Guard
Of California, IN regard TO Australian foot
ball. That Major Peixotto is we'll qualified
to speak on the subject Of athletics is tes-
titled TO by his close observance for more
than a score OF years OF all forms Of ma
tsur sport
Practically a similar summing UP IS
that OF the majors IL the consensus among
the Californisns who have seen the game
demonstrated As It is now being taught
on the coast It's general absorption Of
most OF the other types Of contests with
the leather spheroid has proved the rule
wherever the issue was foot ball.
In enthuslnE over the possibilities OF its
general acceptance to the United States.
Major Peixotto glows particularly over the
spectacular features OF the game and
promptly causes every one with whom he
comes in contact to entertain similar feel
inEs.
III We Americans desire a SAFE and sane
game Of foot ball we can do no better
than to emulate the Australian style OF
game" Major PeixOtto says. TT IS al
most as open 80 lacrosse a. ohhngeable ns
basket ball, presents almost as many
dribblins chances as In the association
game and admits of no such close forma-
lions as eNist under our college rules, and
which, because Of their tendency toward
injuries have raised such q hue and cry
against the game"
THE game Of 100 minutes" is one Of It's
appropriate names. Il IL 30 called be,
cause OF It's consisting Of four twenty-five
minute periods. Seemingly one leaf is
taken out OF the book OF Australian rules
by our own foot ball solons. inasmuOh as
under the new college rules four periods
are played.
Draws Large Crowds.
! TT IL no uncommon thing" continued
Major Peixotto, ito see from $1,000 to 10000
persons at a game OF Australian foot ball.
The admission fee lie purely nominal, being
sixpence and a shilling, which prices are
fixed by the municipalities in which the
games are held. As a matter Of fact, all
foot ball fields are dominated by the va
i rious local governments.
The fields on which the games ara
played are $50 yards long. and, approx
mately, the same distance wide. Eighteen
players on a side comprise the teams,
which are matched up very much after the
fashion of basket ball, one player on one
side trying to offset the work OF an OPP
ponent. The game is almost absolutely de-
void Of such personal contact as warrants
injury. Most OF the players have great
kicking ability, punts OF fifty and sixty
yards being no uncommon occurrence.
ut is very interesting to watch three
end four-men combinations working their
ball down a field by the most expert pass
ing, both by hand and foot, the players
watching an opening to tally. There Is nc
such thing as oftisde play and absolutely
! no delays, as the side umpire, always on
the spot, almost Immediately throws in the
ball which chances to have been batted by
the hand or kicked outside.
''The referee must certainly be 'fit,' as in
his duties Of following the ball during the
course Of a game he probably travels miles
in making his decisions
Changing of Goals.
'Sides change goals at the expiration
OF each period, no rest being taken be
tween the first and second and third and
fourth quarters, while ten minutes inter
mission is given midway during the game
THE receipt Of the ball on plays similar
to our forward pass Is called marking,
and II Is permissible for as many players
as can group closely TO receive the ball e
make the play, when 1t is caught batteC
or rassed. Punting, drop kicking and place
kicking are all resorted to in an effort tC
forward the ball or pass 1t, as the cast
may be. Punung, however. when trying
> for a goal, Is the universal rule.
. There are four goal posts seven yards
apart. making the extreme scoring widti
twenty-one yards. A goal is counted, scor
ing six points, when the ball is Judged L
have passed between the two center post
or in a line perpendicular to them A
point is scored under similar conditions
when the bali goes between the outside anC
: inside poles on either side.
! ''Dribbling the ball is one OF the hardes
features of the game, the spheroid shap'
Of the ball making this phase Of play yer!
difficult, stan II is accomplished success
fully by the best of the players"