The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-12-15
MODERN RULES
HELP FOOTBALL
CHANGES HAVE WORKED WON
DERS IN OPENING UP GAME.
SPEED is THE ESSENTIAL TODAY
Gridiron Warrior of the Present is Of
Somewhat Different Type From
That of Years Ago-New Game
Calls for All Around Men.

mat OF Tears HSO-NC" SoiHS
Calls for All Around Men.
That the new football rules nave
been a boon to the popular sport on
the gridiron rather than a drawback,
as some people argue, is the opinion of
many former football stars who have
put in actual service at the game and
who have studied the question of old
and new football from various angles
Speaking of the game in its modern
form, Lyle Pettijohn, one Of the great
est football players that ever donned
uniform at Minnesota. has few things
to say.
Much has been said pro and con re-
garding the changes which have been
wrought in the game of football since
the introduction of the open plays"
says the former Gopher star.
There are number of points which
serve to distinguish the game of today
from that which was played seven or
eight years ago and prior to that time
So far as the playing rules are con.
cerned the following list comprises
most of the changes: First. forward
pass; second. Onside kicks $50 called.
third, no pushing or pulling OF the
runner by his teammates: fourth. ten
yards TO gain in three downs; fifth.
seven men on the line of scrimmage;
sixth, direct pass from center to run
ner.
"These changes have done wonders
toward opening the game up and I'M
proving it from the spectators stand
point. But they have also altered in
fuenced and improved the game from
the players standpoint almost If not
quite as much as from that of the spec
t6tor.
THE game today is similar to and
at the same time different from the
old game. The element Of speed is
more essential today, that Of weight
somewhat less SO. Strength and en-
durance were necessary under the old
| rules and are necessary now, but the
quality of each which is required is
of different kind. The advantage
of brute strength is less noticeable.
| that of concentrated and quickly APP
| piled power more so, while the endur-
| ance required is more a matter Of lung
| capacity than of muscular resistance.
| "These necessary qualifications have
| grown into the game during the time
it has been undergoing the above noted
| alterations, and the football player of
today IS, as n general rule, different
sort of athlete from the gridiron war
rior of years ago
| Injuries, while they may occur dur
ing a game, are perhaps more infre-
| quent and less dangerous than in for
| mer days. The game today calls for
more reckless individual effort by the
man carrying the ball, more speed and
greater lodging ability.
Tracking, blocking and interference
| form a big part in the work of team
under the present system Of play.
"Tackling is less spectacular, and Of
all the points which have been af-
fected by the changes it seems to be
the only one which has suffered.
ION the whole. it may be said that
the players of today are required to
be better all around men than their
predecessors were. Where each posi-
| tlOn formerly tdlleu iol inc poHSS'SiO'
Of some especial quality or qualities
every position today calls for the pos
session of all the said qualities. Tack
ling alone seems to have deteriorated.
All the other points which went TO
make up the successful player in the
old game have an enhanced value in
the makeup of the player Of the pres
ent day. The forward pass and other
new features have made the game
what 1t now is-a fast, hard, red
blooded game which requires nerve,
speed. strength and endurance on the
part of every one who participates, in
stead of developing some qualities and
neglecting others, according to the po'
sition to be played,
THE similarity of the old and new
games is equally well marked. The big
man has the same advantages as for
merly, provided he combines with his
size the other necessary qualities
Weight is a big factor. and strength
and endurance will always be features
But the new game calls for more
general development Of them ell.