New-York tribune., 1911-02-03
FOOTBALL TO THE BAR
Rules Up Once More for Some
Sitting and 0verhauIing.
SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES
Committee of Fourteen to Tackle
Problems at Meeting in
This City To- day.

This City To- day.
Football problems. growing out OF more
or less satisfactory trial of the revised
code. will be discussed and perhaps solved
at the regular winter meeting Of the rules
committee of fourteen at the Hotel cum
berland in this city to-day. Two orsmore
sessions may be necessary 10 consider ana
pass on the changes which are sure to be
submitted and two days have been set
apart for the legislative conference, in the
hope that the business may he cleared up
without calling another meeting.
Some members of the committee arrived
in this city Yesterday while the others VIII
get in this morning. The two or three seen
were reticent when approached on the ques-
tion of probable changes. and begged 10 pe
excused from discussing their views IN any
detail One or two seemed 10 think. IKE
Walter Camp Of Yale. that few. If any
changes of radical kind would he made'
on the ground that fuller trial OF the code
was necessary than could be had III one
season. Another. who would not speak Tor
publication at present, expressed the opih-
ion that the game could and should be I'M
proved "by providing more variety ana
greater possibilities for the offence.
A close student of the game, who is not
member of the committee, but who rarely
misses q meeting. was more outspoken He
said:
1T strikes me that Walter camp IL
properly quoted. is all wrong in his theory
that few. if any, changes should be nldue
this year There is a strong demand among
coaches and players for a revision OF the
rules that will more nearly equalize the at
tack with the defence. At present tne
stronger team is at a distinct Disadvantages
particularly when fighting inside its opp'-
nents 2j-yard line. The chance TO score oy
straight rushing is reduced 20 a minimum
almost to nothing. so that a drop kicN'
forward pass-an abomination, by the way
or some trick play Of doubtful valIe must
be resorted TO as a last resort rea sure
II am not in favor Of any return to the
hammer-ard-tongs game Of the past ana
ANYTHING that could he done 10 further re-
duce the hazards would be welcome out
the basic principle NJ American college foot
hall IS CARRYING the ball. and not constantly
kicking il. and something should he done to
give rushing IT'S fair reward
cal changes suggested by Mike Murphy the
well known trainer at pennsylvania As
published in The Tribune yesterday TINS
same man said:
'I think Murphy would iniure the game
and not help it ny increasing the hazards
II three Of his suggestions were carried
out. The ones I refer 10 follow:
add a little TO the assistance accorded
the halfhack and permit him to have
nlaver drive him into the line. using his
hands 10 tug. twist o. jerk him along
Drop the rule permitting the free catch
II is used only by players afraid TO taKe
chance or criprles who wish 10 save them
selves from a toss 10 the earth.
Abolish the rule that protects a catcher
n q purt Permit him to he driven from
under the hall If the ends or halfhacks or
anv PLAYER Of the opposition is fast enough
IA reach him prior 70 catching the ball
IF the last named rule was in force the
game would soon become grab5ag affair
fpmbline. stumbling struggle for a loose
ball
! As the result of talking with many
coaches. players and critics in the last Few
months on the subject Of football the
! cnorting Editor of The Tribune finds that
thora is a more or less general demand for
/ changes along the following lines:
Ret,ar edualization of attack and defence
hv reducing the number of yards TO be
Gained bv rushing in four down from ten
/ to seven Yards
! Limitation Of forward pass 10 behind the
line Of scrimmage without limit as 10
number which may he used.
Abolition of try at goal from touchdown.
oxcept made from a scrimmage formation.
Revision of touchdown rule so that ball
shall he brought out to the 15-yard line in
stead Of the 25-yard line for free kick,
when touchback results from kick inside
/ the 40-yard line.
Return to two-period rule, cutting out the
short rest between the first and second and
! third and fourth periods by division OF
| the game into quarters.
d. BY reauest-Number the players for the
benefit of those who are interested in the
men, as we'll as the play.
Al the annual meeting of the National
| COLLEGIATE Athletic Association in this city
last December seven men were named. as
usual. to represent that body and to ANAL
| gamate with the old committee Of seven, as
has been done in the last few years. ;. {.
Williams. OF the State University Of Iowa,
! was substituted for Or. w. \. Lambeth, or
the University OF Virginia, and Lieutenant
Y w. Cooper. of West Point, for Lieuten-
ant Hackett. The others are DR.. Harry Il.
Williams. Of Minnesota; Or. W. l.. Dudley,
OF Vanderbilt; Professor c. W. Savage OF
Oberlln College; Or. James a. Babbtt, OF
Haverford College, ana L. *. Hall Of
| Dartmouth.
Now that Lieutenant Berrien has resigned
as head coach Of the Naval Academy
eleven. he may not be present as a member
Of the rules committee.
II IS said that Professor l.. NJ. Dennis, Of
Cornell. also has resigned, but Water
Camp will represent Yale; Alonzo A. Stagg'
Chicago. Parke II. Davis. Princeton; DR..
Carl Williams. Pennsylvania, and either
n F.. Garcelon or Crawford Blagden. Har-
ward.