The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-03-29
(By the Associated Press.)

tBy the Associated treSS.1
New York. March 26.-Six far
reaching changes in the game of foot
ball were decided upon today by the
intercollegiate football rules COM
mittee. at the close of two days ses-
sion in this city, the changes in out
line are:
/. Removal of the requirement h
the player who receives the ball FROM
the snap-back run five yards to either
side before advancing.
=. A req~uirenient that seven men
be maintained by the ofTense in the
line Of scrilnmage.
>. Prohibition Of the flying tackle.
4. Division of the game into four
periods of fifteen ninues each.
5. No pushing or pulling Of the
runner to be allaWed. On side kick
must strike the line at least 20 yards
beyond the line Of scrimmage, failing
which the members o. the team kick
ing the ball are off side.
The steps decided upon to effect
necessary reforms will result in weak
ening the power Of the ofTense so ma
terially that it was necessary to de-
wise means to offset the acquired
strength OF the defense.
In this purpose two general plans
are under consideration. In the In
terNai before the netX meeting of the
committee, which will be held at he
University Club in Philadelphia on
April %. experiments will be carried
on by eacr menb Of the committee
at his own college and on the result
Of these experiments will depend the
plan which shall prevail.
Improvement Wrought by Changes.
Briefly stated, the changes so far
adopted will result in the elimination
to a large extent Of mass plays, and
the substitution of open plays. In the
revised game a greater premium Will
be placed on speed and strategy, and
mere bulk and strength will be of less
avail.
The committee adopted six changes.
by formal vote, and while minor va
riaiions may be made later, it is ex-
pected that these changes will be in
~corporated as decided upon today.
The first change adopted in the
opinion of the committee will give
the quarterback much larger oppor-
tunities to make good runs; will offer
An opportunity for quicker plays and
will create a need for the exercise
of more strategy.
A Blow at Mass Plays"
The second change will prevent the
drawing back of linesrnen for often
sive plays, and is a direct blow at
mass plays.
The third change or the prohibition
of the flying tackle has been the
cause of many injurie and the COM
mittee were agreed that it must go.
AS a result Of the fourth change the
game hereafter will consist of four
fifteen minutes quarters.
This change is made so hat there
may be better opportunity to determ-
inc the condition Of players.
Another clause under this fourth
division directs that a player com
PEELED to leave the game may &eturn
during a subsequent quarter, if he re
covers sufficiently. With his opI5T-
tunity returning it is felt that play
der the old system OF barring a play
err entirely when he is off the field.
The fifth provides tina any pushing
ball is to be allowed. Thc same limi-
tations as are now imposed on the
use Of hands on an opponent will
apply to the use of hands on a team
mate. This is the committees chief
plan of breaking up mass plays.
Old Tactics Prohibited.
1t means that whereas as IN the
past the teammates of the mar with
the ball might lock arms with him,
pull or drag him aloW, or provide
interference by running before hin,
with locked arms, in the future such
tactics will be prohibited.
In analyzing the source of injuries
to players, the committee found that
the diving tackle and the repetition
Of massed attacks alone point were
the chief cause of harm.
The sixth change prescC;oes tina