New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-02-04
Number of Downs Increased to-
Five or Four Tries to In
crease Power OF
the Attack.
ON-SIDE KICK ELIMINATED
Forward Pass Allowed Over the
Goal Line-Field Shortened
Ten Yards and Touch
down to Count
Six Points.

American college football was placed
on a better and sounder basis by the
rules committee of fourteen in this city
YESTERDAY After two full days devoted
to considering the many suggestions
offered md to struggling with the COM
pick problem. the members by unam-
nous vote made a number of more or
less radical changes, which to all APP
pearances will insure a better balanced
game by more nearly equalizing the at
tack with the defence, while in no way
opening the doors to return OF the
o,dtine mass plays and pounding at
tack which aroused such hue and cry
few years ago
First and foremost, the distance to De
gained by rushing was left at ten yards.
but the number of downs was increased
from four to FIVE, or from three tries 10
four. Inasmuch as the more important
changes have been summarized at he
head of this column, each now may he
taken up in some detail. The main pur-
pose of increasing the number of downs
was to strengthen the offence, and thus
make of the game a "truer sporting
proposition" quoting from Walter Camp
The chief problem of the committee vas
TO establish a better balance between
the attack and the defence and to insure
a greater continuity in offensive plays
II was thought better to increase the
number of downs rather than reduce
the number of yards to be gained by
rushing from ten to either seven or Ave
II was felt that five yards might en-
courage a return TO close formations
whereas seven yards would necessitate
re-marking Of the field.
Safety Of Game Considered,
The question was considered at length
as to lust what effect the extra down
would have with the possibility Of bring
ing back the old pounding attack ct
some weak point which was TO be
avoided. The feeling of the committee
was that this extra down is not likely 10
have that tendency, now that a ban has
been placed on pushing or pulling the
runner One of the members explained
that the committee was unanimous in
its sentiment that nothing should be
done that would in any way increase
the chances Of injury.
The change Of next importance, per-
haps. had to do with the forward pass,
as in considering this much mooted
question no solution was found until the
field had been shortened from 10 to 100
yards, or FIVE yards at each end. The
forward pass was not limited to behind
the line of scrimmage. but the 20-yard
zone was eliminated so that a pass can
be freely made for any distance. More
important. however. was a ruling that
the pass may be made over the goal line
for a distance Of ten yards. This
brought about the necessity of shorten
ing the field. inasmuch as many grid
irons would not allow Of ten yards and
some little extra distance necessary be-
hind the goal posts.
Forward Pass fer Touchdown.
A forward pass which is now com
pleted over the goal line becomes
touchdown, while If 1t is incompleted or
gees beyond the 10-yard line it operates
the pass is intercepted behind the goal
line by an opposing player and not run
out II becomes touchback.
The, purpose of this change was to
weaken the defence by forcing il to
spread out inside the 25-yard line, as in
mfdfeld. 1t has been possible in the
lest two seasons for certain teams to
gain ground fairly consistently by run
ming plays up the field. but once inside
the 2o-yard line the defence frightened
up to such an extent. because there was
little or no need to guard against the
- forward pass and on-side kick, that last
resort measures in the way of drop or
place kicks were necessary to bring
about score. Under the new ruling an
attacking team will have as much play
ing power inside the 25-yard line as in
the centre Of the field. because of the
danger zone of ten yards behind the goal
posts. This automatically will spread
out the defensive backs and keep them
away from the line Of scrimmage. In
short words, it removes an almost in
surmountable handicap which the Of
fensive side has had to face once it got
within striking distance OF an opponent's
goal line.
The 5-yard zone for kicking and pass
ing back of the line OF scrimmage was
retained, but. as said before, the 20-yard
zone was eliminated so that a pass Of
any distance can be made. All pro-
visions, however, with reference to in
reference with the man receiving the
pass will still apply, but of course in
all parts Of the field, with this qualifi-
cation, that in case of kick these re-
strictions are eliminated
This it was suggested might lead to
some misunderstanding and some pen
alties when a pass possibly was made
after fake kick, but II was pointed out
by one member of the committee that
the defensive back will not find II profit.
able TO block off or dump an end until
he is reasonably sure that a kick or a
pass will be made. 1t may be necessary
for officials to inflict some penalties, but
on the whole. it will regulate itself from
the necessity of playing the ball and not
the man.
Onside Kick Eliminated.
The third change OF prime Importance
was the elimination of the onside kick II
has ever been an unsatisfactory and hap
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