The Washington times., 1912-08-14
FOOTBALL RULES
UNDERGO CHANGES
Several Radical Alterations Noted in Gridron Code,
Which Are Expected to Be Productive of More Scor-
ing During Coming Season.
By BRYAN MORSE.

The official rules for the football sea-
| son Of 1872 are due to make appearance
within the next three weeks. In an ef-
fort to allow teams to score and to pre-
scores which prevailed last season. the
rules have been again changed and sew
eral radical alterations are to be noted,
The most Important changes expect
ed are those In relation to the abolish
ment and elimination of the neutral
0-yard zone. allowing the forward pass
across the goal line, the elimination of
q field Judge. the fact that u bounding
fallen upon for touchdown, and the
fact that four downs will obtain instead
OF three for the necessary ten yards to
be gained. With these changes and
incorporated in the 1912 code.
In 1906 in an effort to abolish the mass
play the games were opened up, the So
called onside kick and forward pass be-
ing Instituted. Several minor details
were added from year to year, although
II was noted that the weaker teams
had greater possibilities Of scoring with
manipulation Of the forward pass.
Last seasons games were in the main,
disappointment due to the fact that
attention was paid to defense and II
was found that within the 25-yard line
the secondary defense could be brought
up to re-enforce the line thereby pre-
venting ground gaining through the line
| or around the end and limiting the scor-
| ing 10 place or drop kicking.
Allows More Scoring.
Important games among the big col
leges went at closs tie scores. and
coaches and close students OF the game
set about again changing the code with
the idea OF making more scoring posi-
BILE. Some twelve marked departure,
from last years rules are expected tt
| aDDeAFanCe
| tion of this years code.
| The playing field. now lilo yards II
length IL expected to be changed I,
100 yards. This change in itself is II
make possible on small grounds an ex
tension of territory in which the for
ward pass may be used. In establish
ing a new field length. two lO-yar'
goal lines, Scoring on the forward pas
made across the goal line is permitted
This is the first radical ehnge I
make appearance over last years rules
1t Is expected that the number o
downs will be increased from three Il
four, ten yards to be made In foul
| downs, instead OF the customary three
which obtained before: The so-cauet
| on-s side kick Is to be entirely eliminated
In the matter of points. a touch-dowr
will count for six, instead of five, anC
goals from the field by drop kick OF
placement win count as before; witt
| the OIe pOiht SOoi HiShSN
after a touchdown. The O-yard zone
I'm which the present rules now provid'
restrictions to the interference with thu
forward pass, is eliminated. 80 that tn
restrictions apply to any part OF th'
field.
After a touchback the ball will b
brought out to be rushed or kicked from
the 20-yard mark instead of the 25"yart
consideration with the fact. that th'
field has been shortened. Also on th'
kickoff, under the same consideration
the team kicking will place the ball oil
its own 40-yard line.
The field Judge is to be eliminated
The head linesman will keep time ant
be Judge of all off-side plays in tn
strimmage. 1t was customary to ALLOW
three men to follow the team up an,
down the side lines, but this has beel
cut to but one. Provision has beei