Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-02

interferer.
These are the most important suggestions
for the revision OF the foot ball rules that
will come up for consideration by the in
terconegiate foot ball rules committee In
New York on Friday and Saturday. None
OF these proposed changes are made by
the radical element Of the foot ball body
and the game for next fall will be little
altered from the open play that was seen
last fall
IL is the general opinion OF foot ball ex
perts in the country that the rules of last
fall accomplished the purpose for which
they were designed--prevention of numer-
Gus injuries and reconciliation Of the anti
foot ball wing Of the colleges. Because
the rules as altered for last fall lessened
the number OF deaths the mollycoddles
have no grounds for making a boiler this
winter and the session OF the rules body
in New York this week will be harmonious.
Reports from the east indicate that the
committee is in shape for satisfactory
work and that none but sane measures
will be adopted for regulation OF the game
next autumn.
Offense Under Handicap.
Play in all sections OF the country last
season demonstrated that under the present
rules an offensive team, 25 per cent
stronger than it's opponent Is up against
a hard problem when II reaches the
twenty-five yard line and attempts to
score. OF course. with an accurate kicker
Il can be registered by the air line, a
method denied 20 a great majority Of the
elevens. The defensive organization proved
capable Of stopping the attack Of the op-
posing team in many instances in this
zone. The forward pass and onside kick.
plays designed TO solve the scoring prob
lem, proved ineffective and dangerous.
and did not give the result desired.
The ends Of the defensive eleven were
pulled back OF the line and given plenty
Of time 10 diagnose the pass before the
thrower. who had to move five yards back,
could execute his pass. With the support
OF the tackles and halfbacks the ends
could keep the territory closely guarded
against both pass and onside kick.
To remedy this situation in great de-
gree II has been suggested that the five
yard restriction be removed from the pass
and Kick, permitting the offensive player
TO pass or kick the ball while close be-
hind his line. II this measure could be
drafted into the regulations the defensive
ends would not be able to penetrate the
plans OF the offensive team 70 such an
extent that they would be permitted to
come in close to intercept or stop the
kick.
But many teams are loathe to use the
pass or try the kick within territory 80
close to the goal line, for II is dangerou,
whether the team employing II be thai
distance from It's own line or that of It's
opponent. After an eleven has carried tn,
oval TO the twenty Vineyard mark, the pas,
IL too uncertain a play to use, for tn,
team IL likely TO lose the ball. Or, II tn,
offensive team be within twenty-five yards
Of les own goal and tries the pass. tn
ball is likely to be intercepted and carrie,
over for a touchdown.
OnIy small Return.
so TO remove the dangerous features o
the pass and onside kick Il Is suggesteC
that the player interoeptng a pass or on
side kick be PERMITTED TO take the bal
only to the spot from which the kick o
pass was made.
But even with this alteration Of the rules
the pass would not be very effective
though It might often be used. A playe
canrfot make a pass across the goal lin
and get touchdown The ball must b
caught inside and carried over. To Civ
the offense more chance with the pas
within the twenty-five yard some, II
proposed to extend the territory of tn
pass ten yards behind the goal posts, max
ing any pass that falls into that territor
valid. OF course, there will be Any amour
% objection to such a rule Il also ha
been proposed that the playing field b
shortened twenty yards. 40 the offens
would not have to carry the ball 80 IA
This would give the running game les
distance TO gain and would make a klcke
more valuable.
Il -.
fenaive side be allowed TO be In me
ton, parallel TO the rush line before IN
bali Is put In play. This proposal Ia mad
90 As 10 give the offense a trick to con
bat the triangle Of the defense, the enc
guard and halfback. The loose runner woul
force the end to go out and would civ
the attacking force a chance to concer
tFsts is power against one slightly veal
sned wing.
A representative OF a big eastern COLES
viii propose that the distance to be game
within the twenty-yard line be made seve
instead Of ten yards. Another suggestio
VII be 10 have the number OF dowr
chaSged TO four In this zone.
sane Element 20 Object.
No runners were permitted TO hold .
TO their interference last fall, but II wi
be moved that the runner be allowed
tack on TO one player This rule wi
be objected to by the sane element
step backward and probably will n
so through.
Considerable discussion will take pIal
over the Interpretation Of the rules by 0
fcials and il is not unlikely that son
measures viii be taken TO force the o
ficials TO give more strict attention 20 Il
letter OF the law. The rules need wee
ing out. and their phraseology should
changed. but the officials will sull ha
task no matter what the committee
able 10 do with the English langua
aud the code. II the officials viii enfor
an the rules land this means that cor
petent men must be engaged 10 official
there will be less ground for complai
than there vas last fall though the co
remain as complicated as ever.
BowlinE Team al Luncheon.
I'ha Reio bowling team held dinner
NIroth's Tuesday evening, Captain suit