Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-07
By j. w. HeiSnan.

Y YEARS ago. the rule in football
v was that team either had 70
Il gain five yards in three trials
or else lose twenty yards in order to
retain possession of the ball. II d
team had failed to gain in tnelr first
two trials and they had plenty o.
territory behind them to where their
goal line stretched along, they dello-
eratelv measured off how much more
ground they would have to lose TO
make it a full twenty yards in the
three downs. The ball was then
snapped and the man catching 1t SIM
plv ran back to that spot and downeo
the ball; it was then a new first down,
This was a way of making a first
down.
Now the present rules contain pro-
vision for a way to make first down
which is known to but few players
of even the present day. 1t is found
in rule q, which relates 10 the neC-
essarv distance to be gained on
downs. This rule reads to-day exact
Nv as it has read for the past twenty
wears (barring the addition of one
more down and the doubling of the
distance to be gained, but its YER
biage and English, while perfectly
logical. are yet too much for many
and many a casual reader. There is
not a season p sses but che or more
letters come to me asking Tor an eA-
Dlanation of it's exact meaning, and,
while the meaning is perfectly DEFINITE
and precise, yet it is really hard
thing to explain on paper. However
l shall do the best l can.
CrCTION / of the rule says that a
- team must make ten yards in four
trials or else give up the ball to OPP
nonents. These four downs are, IF
course, to be consecutive downs, anu
this they could not be unless the ball
had been CONSTANTLY in the pos
session of that side for the four
'Ti Rnt saws section .. fThe bail shall
not be considered as having been
Constantly in possession
"Cb) When the ball has been kicked
and the opponents given a fair ana
eGual chance Of aiming possession
Of II, (No kick shall be regarded as
having given the opponents 5uc1
chance unless it shall have crossed
the line Of scrimmage or sinai. nave
been touched by an opponent"
Now. Just what does this para9ra On
mean? | have heard college gradu-
ates contend that II means tina, an
and every kick a team makes MUS /
go across the sCrimmage line, on else
II is violation of his rule! ] nave
heard il contended that it means hat
when ball is kicked beyond the
scrfnnage lire then the kicker's side
has the right to touch 1t at orce'
REGARDLESS of the fact that they are
nearly all Il them always off-si1".
And / have heard other interpretl-
tious that were equally fearful ara
wonderful to hear.
COMETIMES in the case or punte1
> ball an opponent breaks through
and blocks. or partially blocks, inc
mint. He has t'touched" the ball, ana
nv so doing attests that his side has
had a fair and equal chance OF gain :.
ing possession Of it. This touching o.
fine punted ball therefore, operates 70
nI1t an the hunters side instantly on
side again. which Is the reason they,
as well AS any member Of the other
team. may Try to ~et il. II one OF tha
hunters side is fortunate enough 20
secure It, the is theirs for "hrst
down" and that regardless OF what
down it was on which the previous
uunt was made. AS this really often