The Washington times., 1912-08-31
Partial Return to Old Line
Attack Expected This
Year.
BY THOMAS KIRBY.

That harbinger of autumn, the foot
ball guide, is today released and
study of the code strengthens the con-
viction that the rules have undergone
the most radical tinkering to which
they have been subjected since the
revolutionary alterations of few years
ago. following the nationwide clamor
for a saner and safer sport.
In a sense, 1t may be said that the
changes are somewhat reactionary,
still enough encouragement Is offered
through the retention of the forward
pass to justify the belief there Will be
continuance of the increased popu-
larity which has been so marked since
It has been possible for the casual
spectator to more closely follow the
different movements on the field.
Reflection on the numerous unsatis-
factory scoreless ties of last fall salts
fed the gridiron solons that the defense
must be weakened by the strengthening
of the attack 80 as not to leave the
scoring ability of an eleven almost
wholly dependent upon the skilled toe
of an individual star of such transcend
ent magnitude as to offset the possibly
better developed opposing team. 1t so
often happened that the chances of a
stronger team were sent glimmering by
the goal from the field by an inferior
foe that the committee was practically
unanimous for action OF some sort 10
equaliZe matters.
After numerous suggestions had been
debated and following deliberations
lasting over a span or several months IL
was voted to allow the offensive team
another down.
Allow Four Downs.
Instead of being limited to three
downs, in which to gain ten yards, the
new rules allow four downs to make
the thirty feet, thereby reducing the
average distance to advance each time
the ball is snapped, from l-3 yards
to ~ feet. This is, by all odds, the
most important change-the one which
will be most noticeable when the most
popular OF all branches of college ath-
letics is staged within the next couple
of weeks.
While a thorough trial of the rules
must be afforded before a final verdict
NAV accurately be rendered, the indl-
cations now are that there will be at
least a partial return to the line attack
as the most potent factor in the Often
sive systems of representative elcVens.
with almost a yard less, 10 gain each
down, the field generals of the future
arc mos likely to look to the line for
gains, this being especially true oil the
fourth down when WITHIN reasonable
striking distance of the end of the ten
yard rope.
Seldom, during the past three o" four
years, has a quarterback been daring
enough upfield to call for a running at
tack when there has been 2h yards to
20 The result was the almost newt
able kick Now these TX feet are but
the average requirement and plunge
may be expected as frequently a 8 the
long punt.
Line Will Contract.
The justification for and the expecta-
ton of line dives should result in the
contraction of the alignment OF for
wards, the line last year having be-
come especially elastic. Men who, in
the closing months of 1911, speedily left
their places in the line to assist in
turning back end runs, must be more
careful this year. They must play
closer and lower, lest their positions
| be left exposed TO straight darts from
| the baclliIeld.
Split-plays, straight-bucks, and quick
! openings are to be the bugbears of the
| forwards, who have been accustomed to
| leap from their defensive positions
| with the snap of the ball to give indi-
| vidualized exhibitions of open field tack
| ling i'm foiling the attempts of the oppo-
| sition to turn the ends.
| Primary responsibility for linemen
| will be, as in the old days, to guard
! their respective places with work on the
| tanks as a secondary consideration.
| Speed, brains, moral stamina and "a rea