The Detroit times., 1912-02-17
AEHERY CHANGE .IA=IHE
\ FOOTBALL RULES WILL Be
BENEFICIAL" SAYS yOSI
Element of Luck Is Reduced
From rs Per Cent to %,
Thinks Michigan Wizard
WILL HELP LIGHTER TEAMS
Will Give Teams of Less Weight
More Chance to Win
Strictly on Merits
WILL HELP LIGHTER TEAMS
Rx EiELplNe y. YosT,


After a careful consideration OF the
new code, | do not see that rule was
added or changed by the rules COM
& uitfee that will not be for the better
mcnt OF the game.
In the first place, the rules nave
been materially simplified Insofar as
they affect the actual play upon the
dcld For. while but few vital changes
have been made, there has been ue.
'rIdcd lessening of the complexlty OF
the old system. And this cutting
4 AWAY of the brushwood is sure 10
make the game more appealing 10
4 both player and spectator
The committee, in my opinion, mas
4 IL last reached the sought-atter com.
bInnfion--that of saving the played
(. and the play. Certainly there has
been no change made which would
tend toward further injury in actual
contest. And with equal certainty, as
fhA next fall campaign will show, the
rcneral play has been vastly improV-
3 ed. and made far more interesting.
Under the system of 1911. the break
( ~ the game. which embraces fiukes
and the luck OF chance plays, was
+ * per cent OF the scoring result. IN
4 der the present code, these elements
4 Of chance will not go beyond 20 per
4 cent, and in the proportion that luck
has been eliminated, science, speed
4 Versatility, and power have been CIV
4 en- their chance to shape results
These changes, as / view them, will
no. work against the lighter and small
\ Ter teams of ability. The granting OF
\ four downs, the right to make Tor
ward pass for any distance and for
ND yards in goal, have given the light,
fasf team a far better chance TO WIN
anon It's merits than this teanFeVeF
had under the previous rules
Under the old regulations, 1t was
almost impossible for light team 10
rf.in consistently by rushing the ball,
and so they were forced almost en-
ti-eIy TO open field work. Heavier and
stronger teams, finding close de
fchse unnecessary, We're able 10 shilt
back and thus easily block this open
field play. A light team has every
chance TO gain ground that II ever
he'd with several other chances audeu,
ard SO it's opportunity Tor SCORING
m5tt OF necessity be greatly increas-
cd.
AS the rules now are. the heavier
feems will be forced to concentrate
Their defense more than before and Win
most restrictions lifted from the for
ward pass, an alert, shlity eieven
should be able To do double amount
OF execution.
The great fault OF the old rules was
fhe inability OF either team to score,
where the strength was fairly bal
anccd. except By fuke or accident
(. Tliis fault was especially prominent
nj barring any consistent advance
within the 15-yard line, because OF
the old restriction on the forward
mass and the necessity of making 10
Yards in three downs against con-
centrated defense. This fault now
4 has largely been eliminated.
The adjustment Of the "on-side
ffck. was a wise move. This was
fluke play pufe and simple owing TO
the shane of a football, as no kicker
however expert, could ever hope TO
control the direction of the bound.
The s'on-side kick" would be alright
with a perfectly round ball. There
has been entirely too much kicking
In the game with one or two men
supon either team booting the ball up
and down the field hoping for some
misplay by the opposinb backs,
which might result to the advantage
CT the kicking side. This style OF
name was very monotonous to player
as well as spectator.
The changing Of the scoring system
wes another move calculated 10 give
the better team victory.
There is no reason TO fear any re-
turn TO the old pushing smashing
game as long as the rules require sew
~ men on the line OF scrimmagf
wien the ball is put In play, and
where the runner cannot be In any
way assisted by his teammates.
would like to see a play devised with
these two requirements OF the rules
4, force that would in any way imt
tate the old mass play.
cannot understand why any one
should be in favor of a game OF any
kind where team having only so
Der cent of the strength OF its op-
ponents should have an equal chance
IN win, Beyond any question the
ehances for light team to score have
been increased so per cent by the
changes recently made by the rules
camInittee. Why not change the rules
~ baseball so that the st, Louis
msricans would have an equal
ehaDce OF winning the pennant over
The New York Giants?
The condition that did exist inside
a. The opponents 15-yard line to score
would be similar to baseball rule
4 that after a man got TO third base
with no one out, the requirements
you'd be such that IL would be almost
Impossible for him ever TO touch the
here plate.
"a stated | cannot understand how