Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-28
SIX FOOTBALL
RULES CHANGED
EFFORT MADE TO REDUCE DAN
GERS OF GAME
PLAY MADE OPEN AND MASSING
PROHIBITED
Conceded by Collegiate Committee
That Result of New Regulations
Can Only Be Determined
by Contest
ASSOCIATED Pressl

NEW YORK, March 27.-Six far
reaching changes in the game of foot
ball were decided upon Saturday by the
intercollegiate football rules committee
at the close of a two days session In
this city.
The changes in outline are:
one-Removal of the requirement
that the player who receives the bal
from the snapback run five yards tc
either side before advancing.
Two-A requirement that seven men
be maintained by the offense on the
line of scrimmage.
Three-Prohibition of the flying
tackle.
Four-Division of the game into four
periods of fifteen minutes each.
Five-No pushing or pulling of the
runner to be allowed.
Ska requirement that the ball in
case of an onsde kick must strike the
ground at least twenty yards beyond
the line of scrimmage, failing which
the members of the team kicking the
ball are offside.
The problem before the committee
was to eliminate, SO far as possible,
the dangers which have attended the
game while preserving its fascination
as a spectacle and it's disciplinary and
educational elements.
Crucial Season Coming
1t was felt that the next season
would be crucial. Either injuries must
be fewer or there would be serious
hazard of a widespread movement to
abolish football.
The steps decided upon TO effect re-
forms will result in weakening the
powerful offense so materially that it
was necessary to devise means to Off
set the acquired strength of the de-
Tense. In this purpose two general
plans are under consideration.
In the interval before the. next meet
ing of the committee in Philadelphia
on April 20 experiments will be carried
on by each member of the committee
at his own college and on the result
of these experiments will depend the
plans which shall prevail.
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.
The first change adopted was the
removal of the present restriction that
a runner receiving the ball directly
from the snapback must run five yards
to one side. This. in the opinion of
the committee, will give the quarter
back much larger opportunities to
make good runs; will offer an oppor-
tunity for quicker plays and win Gre
ate a need for the exercise of more
strategy
The second change provides that
seven men be kept by the offense on
the line of scrimmage. This will pre-
vent the drawing back of linemen for
offensive plays and is a direct blow at
mass plays.
Prohibits Diving Tackle
The third change is the prohibition
of the diving tackle. The flying tackle
has been the cause of many injuries,
and the committee was agreed that it
must go.
The fourth change consists in the
division of each half into two periods
of fifteen minutes each, so that the
game hereafter will consist of four
fifteen-minute quarters.
The intermission between the first
and second and the third and fourth
quarters probably will be shorter than
that between the second and third.
This change is made so that there may
be better opportunity to determine the
physical condition of players
Another clause under this fourth
division directs that player compelled
to leave the game may return during
subsequent quarter if he RECEIVERS
sufficiently. With this opportunity of
returning to the field, it is felt that
players will not tax their strength as
under the old system of barring a
player entirely once he is off the field.
In connection with this change Mr..
Hall said it will be necessary to pre-
vent abuse of this rule, such as for
example. the possible withdrawal of
an entire team in favor of fresh men,
the men withdrawn to have the priVi-
lcge of returning. In any event no
player will be allowed to return more
than once.
The fifth change provides that no
pushing or pulling of the runner with
the ball is to be allowed The same
limitations as are now imposed on the
use of the 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. 1t
means that whereas in the past the
team mates of the man with the ball
might lock arms with him, pull or
draw him along or provide interference
by running before him with locked
arms in the future such tactics will be
prohibited.
Massed Attacks Dangerous
In Analysing the source of injuries
to players the committee found in the
diving tackles and the repetition of
massed attacks at one point We're the
chief cause of harm The danger from
massed play lies in the combination
of its speed, solidity and persistence.
The impact of three or four men locked
together into one compact body, when
hurled time after time against the
same opponent, resulted in the eX-
hauston of the man SO attacked and
frequently in his serious injury.
The strict limitation on the use of
hands will mean that attacks hereafter
must be made by the players individ-
ually. While the men forming the in
reference may run shoulder to Shout
der, they will not be permitted to hold
each other. Thus the task of the
defense in breaking up interference be-
comes easier.
The sixth change prescribes that an
on-side kick must advance the ball
twenty yards from the line of scrim
mage. That is, if the ball strikes the
ground short of twenty yards the of
tense becomes off-side This rules is
also aimed at mass play. One reason
for massed plays under the old rules
ay in the fact that tackles were un-
because the secondary offense
was drawn back to meet forward |
passes and on-side kicks. 1t is felt |
hat under a twenty-yard requirement |
The secondary offense can come up suf-
icently to protect the tackles with rea-
5onable safety.
civ oh 70