Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-30
LITTLE DIFFERENCE WILL
BE NOTED IN FOOTBALL

One team will probably keep the
ball longer than has been the case in
recent years, and an effective otfense
will be difficult matter to stop. Con.
sequently, instead of the ball changiLg
: hands in the middle of the field to q
great extent, as has been the case
since 1909, there is every probability
that clubs will be seen carrying the
oval straight down the field for touch
downs, or, at least, they will go ina
ally losing possession on a tumble.
Such play as that has not been seen
between evenly matched teams in a
long while.
In short, it appears that the ruling
decidedly favor the offense instead OF
the defense, as was the case last sea-
games, this year there are more apt
to be played a lot OF contests in which
each of the contending teams will
make four or Ave toachdowns.
The problem for coaches last year
was to build come kind of an otrense
strong enough to score touchdowns
but this year it would seem that the
main problem will be to develo,, q de-
tense capable of withstanding the on
s4aughts which ara adre to be madc
The changes in the rules are not
in themselves very many, nor very
great It is rather the points allowed
by some of the alterations which are
going to count In giving are advant-
age to the eleven on the offensiye.
First a Minor Change.
The first, although minor change.
is made so that the sole advantage q
II is placed on the offensive side the
shortening of the field. The field has
been shortened 10 yards, which
means that the offensive team has
that much less distance to carry the.
hall to make a touchdown. With less
distance to go to make touchdown,
there is every likelihood that touch
downs will be made with more rapid
ity and more easily. With less ground
to cover it will take an eleven less
time to get the Eall down the field.
and 1t gives the defensive men less
chance to stem the tide OF play when
1t is going against them.
There was another reason for the
making OF that rule. 1t was to make
nos sible the extension of the field for
room to make the forward pass over,
the goal line. Some fields are not
more than long enough for gridiron,
and with the extra 20 yards necessary
under the present rulings the field |
would have measured 1870 yards.
Another rule which has been placed
Il the code il that allowing a forward |
pass to be made across the goal line
within a zone of 10 yards. This VIII |
not only give another method OF scor-
Ing a touchdown, but will cause the
defense to stay scattered when the de-
lending team is down under its own /
real line. Thus it will be much easier
Tor an eleven to score than under the
,,ose rules, where the defense could
close up and present an almost solid /
wall against an attack.
This change will abolish one OF the I
prettiest features of foot ball in q way
Ito see a team driven back step by
step the whole length of the field I'M
IL 1t had to close up its defense under
is own goal, and make a stand there
~ which it could drive back the OPP
sosing eleven and hold its goal line IN
yiolate. That will not be the case I'M
fer the new conditions, as when 4
eam goes under its own goal 1t VII
De little stronger against line bucks
han 1t was in the center OF the Held.
The change in the number of downs
- 1900 - = --------- =