The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-03-28

The most radical changes ever made
in the American game Of football were
adopted by the rules committee, repre-
senting most of the universities and
colleges in session in Jew York.
The members of the committee, over
ruling their personal views realized that
public opinion demanded a change in
the rules which would make the game
less dangerous and at the same time
more spectacular by eliminating mass
plays. AS a result Of their deliberations
when the whistle blows for the kickoff
in the big game next fall, the spectators
will see very diffent article of foot
ball than custom has led them to ex-
pect.
The committee is not through with
it's work, for another meeting has been
called for April 20 at the unvirsity
club i'm Philadelphia, where the all
important subject of the forward pass
will be taken up and many other radi-
cal changes made in the existing rules
In the meantime the candidates for the
big teams who have been called for
spring practice will try out some of the
rules-both those adopted and some of
Those EuDAtill ECU So tfldL tue .COttAHlibLSt
will know exactly how they win work
out.
Four Periods of Play.
Some changes were made in the rules.
the most vital of which is the division
of the game into four periods of play
of fifteen minutes each, instead of two
halves of thirty FIVE minutes each, as
at present The committee members
say this will give the players more
chance for recuperation and will tend
to prevent the wearing out" of light
men by heavier and stronger oppon-
ents. v%M
Hereafter there shall Sbe no pushing
or pulling of the man with the ball
and the same limitations as to the use
of hands or arms by his team mates
shall apply as now applied to the OPP
ponents. This means a revolution i'm
interference for the men protecting a
runner can no longer put their arms
around him to pull him through the
line and they cannot get behind him
and push him along with their hands.
The committee says this is an attempt
to retain the present style of inter-
! ference without it's Objectionable fea-
lures and the result of its practical ap-
plication In the spring practice is Gag
erly awaited.
The restriction forcing the man re-
ceiving the ball from the snapper back
usually the quarterback, to run five
yards to the side before crossing the
line of scrimmage has been removed
and the committee anticipates that this
rule will do more than any other to add
TO the spectators enjoyment of the
game
More Speed Needed.
They are all agreed that it will add
to the speed Of the game and necessi-
tate the use of more strategy than at
| present. 1t will give the lighter and
faster team more chance and will tend
to keep the defensive line in position
guarding against quarterback runs. II
will also bring @the secondary defense
closer to the scrimmage line to protect
the tackles against whom this play
would usually be directed.
j In the new rules there must be seven
4 men in the line Of scrimmage instead
of FIVE as at present. The rule. the
/ football solons say, initiates against
the hurting of a mass of players al
any one point and will promote speed
rather than power and strength. II
will tend to do away with mass plays
which have been the object OF most
condemnation from the public and the
opponents OF the game.
The flying tackle which has ac-