The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-01

From the report of Harry l.. Will
lian1s. OF the committee on football
rules. a line on the changes likely
to be made may be obtained. Will
liams wrote:
II Is the opinion of tho writer that
the rules as they stand have accom-
pttshed in great measure the purpose
which was designed in the broad In
structions laid down for the guidance
of your committee. The game of
football in today UNNECESSARILY super
Tor to that Of six years ago, whether
1t be viewed from the standpoint or
safety, the standpoint of public In
terest or the standpoint of tactics. The
present -~na offers far greater field
for brain work, strategy and general
ship than Was ever possible under
the old rules.
II is the writer's experience that
these rules have proved in every way
safer and attended with less injuries.
both major and minor, than the old
rules. The team with which the writ
er Was connected during the last sea-
son played through three of It's most
important contests without a single
man being changed. while during the
entire season only three men were in
jured eufiiciently to cause them to be
tAkeh from &he game. None OF thAa0
injuries were serious.
To evolve rules that shall be uni
formly satisfactory under all condi-
tons to all parties Ia a most dim
cult matter. At the end Of each sea
son the rules become a conspicuous
target for criticism and attack. and
a volume Of suggestions IL volunteer
ed for their Improvement. This 10
In every way desirable, as q broader
viewpoint II thereby secured, but 1t
Is obvious that all such suggestions
cannot be adopted.
Az the rutes nuw Hra the merhAntsyn
Of the game is so balanced that It Is
difficult to make changes without dis
turbing the whole general adjustment
Of the play. The writer believes that
the rules as they stand arc pretty
generally satisfactory to thu colleges
as a whole. when both large and small
are considered from one end Of the
country to the other. and where the
rules are not satisfactory. they can be
made so by slight alterations.
There is-one feature In which It
must be admitted the present code 10
unfortunately weak The equilibrium
between the attack and the defense
may be greatly disturbed by adverse
weather conditions. On ( wet day,
with q muddy field and 4 slippery
ball. or in cold weather when the
field il ICY the strength Of q most bril-
liant offense may be 10 nulltfed that
a decidedly inferior team may be
able to hold Its superior opponent to
no score or even win or some lucky
chance play.
1t ID a problem whether some change
cannot be introduced into the rules UNI
der certain weather conditions that
viii enable the offense to maintain
the s4me reiAttve strength Upward the
defense that II has on q dry day.
There can he no question that under
The present rules the development
and skilful execution OF the forward
pass 10 ono OF tho most important
factors in m efficient attack. BY this
play not only II actual ground gained.
but thu defense u scattered and kept
uncertain. while the secondary de-
fensjvc line u kept well back Of the
1lnN Of scrtmmage, 20 that q running
attack may gain, STEADY gT0Epd.
II the restriction of twenty yards
beyond the lire OF scrimmAgs Wac
removed and NO limit ~ to distance
put on the throw. simply providing
thar fhA man ma kInx TIA catch Ahoufd
get the ball before II struck the
ground, believe the rules would be
improved and strengthened.
But great care 10 naceasary in ex-
pandiug the rule on the forward pans.
lest the same be transformed into
outdoor basketball. To make con-
sistent ground under the lanyard
rule without Z mastery OF the for-
ward pass Is wellnigh Impossible. The
endearer 10 play The old rushing
game under the new rules cannot
TAIL TO result In no-score games. :
dissatisfied public. injuries to players
through an effort to hammer out
an impossible ten yards by super
human battering ram tactics, and the
defeat Of . physically superior team
by . lighter and moro resourceful
opponent or IN allowing the game 10
degenerate into kicking duel. whore
. lucky chance may decide the isaue
one way or another. II Il n true.
~ soma cYitica maintain. but which
do not believe. that the present
rules do not permit . superior team
to deMongtrate ~ superiority ana
score on m inferior opponent. how
easy to increase the scoring power by
lessentng the number of yards TO be
gatnsd In three Aowns!
guppose - ~ eeven yards 70 ~
gained n three aewM outside tie
se-yard line ana aye yae1g 4 - rain
q eeexssn ~ 3e-yesd Iiae ard NJ
END without = soeFes ana &ho aea4sAl
rules % ptay. which thN collo9s heyD
and o0ctals AL ovee the country ase
3ust hssinnipg tc maetsf. vtll seunAin
~ gGSasas NO 49, - 49,
NJ eeeaglepal y1etafy ~ - onha1t
loo2lo&N Uvr - liS11 - 1T