New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-28
WATER POLO DIES HARD
Many Swimmers in Favor OF
Retaining the Game.
CHANCE FOR IMPROVEMENT
prIes Can Be Changed to Do
Away with All objec-
tionable Features.

,r,or,car water polo is dying hard. In
~ ~ the fact that the Amateur Ath-
,L.,n Union and several clubs have placed
,ss han on IT, players in every section
I've Pronounced in favor of its retention
IA the colleges have refused to join
che movement against It,
There seems no doubt that the trouble
r. aue entirely TO want Of competent Of
n.aIs and records confirm this view, but
&c long as conditions exist which prevent
-. attaining Of referees able TO handle
the situation and enforce the rules 1t Is
evidently imperative TO so change these
.,Lss that those intrusted with the run
,i,y Of games will find their work sim
,u6sd and be equal 10 the task of con-
trolling the players
Various suggestions have been offered
which hold some promise of improving
matters. but the one most likely TO check
the evil. without In the least altering the
nature q the game, calls for the enlarge
r,ert of the goal section and the absolute
torbidding Of tackling outside Of this
small area. This, 1t is believed, would
solve the problem.
ANY one familiar with American water
polo knows well that in scrimmage
under the goal there is seldom, II ever
any attempt made to hurt or disable an
onponent The attacking forwards are too
eager IN score TO think Of anything but
reaching the board, and the defending
hacks are too anxious to protect their
goal 10 devote their attention 10 settling
personal grievances. As a result the fight
is almost invariably hard, strenuous, but
clean.
II Is usually in midpool that the objec-
tionable tactics are witnessed. Often two
backs Will mass on the incoming for
ward, and while one engages him the
other will slip behind him, engage a
strangle hold and throttle him nearly I'M
conscious. The victim is frequently de-
fenceless, for It is almost impossible 70
break a hold from the back, and the
minute he loses the ball it is passed else
where, the referee shifts his attention
and the man who is Furnishing him can do
50 with impunity. Then accidents gener-
ally occur.
IN looking back over an experience Of
fifteen years in active competition the
writer cannot remember & single instance
in which a player was hurt within the
goal section so that by combining the
scrimmage TO its limits there is every
probability that rough work would dis
appear.
For the rest Of the playing area IT
would be sufficient 10 order that as soon
as the man carrying the ball was touched
by an opponent he must pass under pen
atty Of foul This would open the game
thus making it more attractive, and still
allow il 70 retain its hand-to-hand en-
counters. 1t would also afford a pretty
exhibition Of skilful passing and lodging.
ending always in a hard battle for goal.
The charging of the goal section to a
size Of y feet by feet, instead Of feet
by feet, is desirable for the sake Of the
defence combination, which would other
wise be forced TO leave the goal TO touch
the player with the ball or allow him to
come so close that jump would cause
him to tally before he could be tackled.
Some are in favor Of establishing as
territory for indiscriminate tackling the
entire section inside the fOur-fOot line, but
this is not advisable. Doubtless 1t would
work nicely in a narrow pool, but when II
came 10 a bath forty or more feet wide
Il would entail the old trouble Of tackiing
man twenty feet from goal who was not
even near the scrimmage.
An objection has been raised by a few
players against the proposed amendments,
on the ground that it would give the
scoring forwards a big advantage and
place a handicap on the defence men.
This has yet 10 be proved. When a play
er carrying the ball is obliged TO pass at
a touch, il will not only make possession
Of the ball insecure, but prevent the at
lacking trio from deciding on any given
formation until within the goal section,
when II is pretty hard 10 mass. And even
II the change should initiate in favor Of
the forwards. what Of II? The opportuni-
ties would be equal for both sides. and a
match with plenty Of scoring is less try
ing 10 the players, who have a few min
utes' rest after each tally, and is decided
" more entertaining IN tbe gDecfators