The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-05
FOOTBALL RULES
MEET APPROVAL
NEW CODE TRIED IN 1912 AND
NOT FOUND WANTING. ALL
AGREE
NEED LITTLE CHANGE
AL EXPERTS DECLARE THAT
COACHES WILL BE ABLE TO
DEVELOP BETTER PLAY
WITH PRACTICE.
NEED LITTLE CHANGE

NEW YORK, Dec. An evolving
the present game of football the rule
makers had before them two problemi
OF vital importance--the lessening oil
injuries and the making of game
In which the better team would wiz
with consistency. That these endi
have been gained. the results OF the
season Just closed would seem to con-
firm.
Serious injuries among well trained
college football players are very few.
Considering the number OF men In
vofved, 1t Is probable that these In
1uries are not much more frequent
than occur in other branches Of sport
in which there il physical contact.
The ruling Out III pushing and
pulling has eliminated to large ex-
tent the piiing up of players, and II
has been In this promiscuous pfiine
up that most of the serious injuries
have come in the past. The fear that
the open game would bring about
more injuries than mass play has not
been realized.
During the present season the
wideawake. competent and fearless Of
fcials In charge of the big game have
done not little 90 discourage ptiinE
up of players. The man carrying the
bali in other years has pushed
squirmed and fought his way along
FOR the last available inch. The re-
suit was that opposing players
bounced upon him until more weight
prevented further progress,
This year officials have declared the
ball dead when forward progress Ii
checked. The runner that sauirnfed
along for an additional two feet after
being downed found that the officials
took the ball back just that much dis
lance before play was resumed.
Finding that they gained nothing
by this additional work, the runners
soon tek II for granted that when
they were dpwnesi that ended the
matter.
Opposing tackiers likewise found
that a runner once fairly downed
would not be credited with any ad-
ditional ground and realized there
was no necessity OF piiing upon him.
This was not the case in all con-
tests. but II has come TO be the pre-
vailing standard. and another season
and equally competent officials should
eliminate the last OF unnecessary pill
ing up.
rnd the elimination Of ties and score
ed out to general sattsfa ction. II may
have Neen chance. but the records this
season show that football has almost
gone to the other extreme In the mat
ter of scoring.
Taking fifteen of the leadings teams
Of the East the records show that
there were only two ties during the
season and one Of these was a score
less tie---the latter being the game
between Carlisle and Washington and
Jefferson early in the season.
These fifteen teams played l4o games
and that there was scoring apienty Ia
shown by the total Of points--s.6os.
These fifteen teams scored 2,5s2 points
and were scored against for total
of 1925 points. In only seventy eight
cases was the opposing team shut out
wtthotA scoring a point, including the
ecorelsss tie above mentioned.
This shows that there was plenty OF
scoring by both teams, something
which the spectators have demanded.
In fact. the game under the new rules
has been enjoyable for both players
an spectators. A number OF minor
points have cropped out during the
fan. which show that the rules will
have II be amended again to clear UP
cloudy definitions, but no change OF
Importance Is likely 10 be recommend
ed
Another year there will undoubtedly
be seen better football than was ex-
hihited by the leading Eastern teams
this fall The coaches have exhibited
A conservatism generally that has not
made for briiliancy.
They have not been ready to take
chances in offense and have not awaited
themselves OF all the possibilities In
this department OF the game under the
new rules. Many made the mistake OF
relying almost entirely on the line
forcing game and this ultra conserva-
tism has been carried right up to the
final games Of the season.
It has been thoroughly demonstrated
that. even with the additional down.
two teams evenly matched otherwise
cannot carry the bali up and down
the field by straight attack on the line.
Lack Of versatility on the attack may
be due in no small degree to the quar-
terbacks running the teams this year.
The general run Of quarterbacks has
been only fair. the two exceptions be-
inc bacon, OF Wesleyan. and Paxetti,
Of Lehigh. and these exceptions prov
ing the rule. Gardner. Of Harvard,
was an excellent quarterback. doing
IN The Yale game all he was coached
TO do. but he was by no means bril-