The sun., 1916-09-18
FOSTER SANFORD'S
MASS PLAY LEGAL
Football Officials Put Their
stamp Of Approval on Rut-
gers Elcven's Speciality.
pTSCrSS MOOT QUESTIONS
~

Foster SHhfords mass PLAY. used 40
effectively by his Rutgers football team,
for the pas, two years. In Legal. Among
the vast majority OF Hridiron officials
,nd other followers this has long been
ii, IMPRESSION.
However. 4 decision in the Rutgers
lrirccton game last fall. that probably
,cs; sanfOids eleven u touchdown. mp
reared to cast some doubt 49, to the
,al.dity OF the mass play. sanford
ame u the annual football rules inter
Sreta,ion meeting at the Biltmore last
saturday risht determined to get an
oiicisi ruling on his pet play. and lie
ct II.
More than 200 caches officials and
others interested In the game gathered
from all sections Of the country. Walter
camp was IN the chair. William :.
LAngford Of Trinity. ono Of tho ables,
referees of all time. and Nathan A..
ruNs. advisor, OFFICIALS connected with
he rules COMMITTEES. over which l.. X.
Hal. Of Dartmouth prcsldcs. were among
hose present.
larrford was the referee In the
RltGers-Princc;on game last fan. and
: was he who ruled the mass play H.
Aea,. II never ann OH. whether Lang
ford had detected Illegal use ~ the
lands or whether he regarded the play
~ V'eN'As'' W 'at'ip'u dht'lrl lut
iW'er < not the spiri; of I've rules.
Fssaiaab bic play.
eanfse0 declared that there seemed
to BE- sS'e question regarding the PLAY
and ~ wanted to be set right before
lAur eSenG IN another season. The ON
NAls we're unanimous IN their opinion
hat II was absolutely valid and the
rules Mo- representatives SO .uicd.
20.
II vas decided that the play. which
ais for the alignment OF three backs
behind rnrce adjoining players on the
Onward Iipr. was legal provided that
70 parts Of the bodies of the trio form
were within Vne yard - fthe line OF
.crimmaKe.
The play has prov cd a very iormr
liable one when a little ground IL needed
20 keep the bail or when tho team with
ne ball IL inside the cncmy's Ave yard
zone. While used very effectively by
Rutgers II has not been ts.,en up very
extensively by other colleges. either out
" professional Jealousy among coaches
T because OF recognition Of a recognized
'eopyright' by the former Yale star.
II II had not been for Sanford the
meeting would have produced very little
action. shortly before the meeting was
- h'Nu F'ttlt Io slio
so 'he :.!r- committee. Iir ASSERTED,
hat the conm would nal II advis.
able 10 hold at least on, vpen session
before II took ~ Its annual work Of re-.
sing the code. The officials ard
caches. who arc best qualified ;o''e,i
Z the needs Of the game. are ignored
rhe committee takes up he matter OF
7vis!on In secret session.
Na.--a -- ---
Sanford also suggested the passing OF
i -ulc prohibiting the cutting down o'
Player from ~behind-one Of the mos,
dangerous practices allowed under IN,
present. code. Sanford characterized 1
'he most ~dastardly PLAY in football
ard said that II the committee wante,
" de.-utal!ze the game II had to max,
he cult'Ng down Illegal.
IN r. a hamstringing. knee breaking
ace M shing play that allows n mar
On ore side 10 injure n member of ~
opposing eleven. The Gu. down from IL
front IL bad enough, but II Is fair. as /
s!'es the man attacked IA chance TO de
'srd himself Cut down from hehind M
Mayer can defend himself, m the per
csntage is altogether agolAst him con
'inued the Rutgers Goa h..
Sauford's suggestions met with gen
sral alA toval. Tie further declared tina
= rule should be inserted making IL man
'atory for the head lincsman 20 announc
% the onlookers the reasons FOR eacl
penalty and the penalty imposed.
There are so nan new provisions a.
penalties that II Is hNd for the specta
tors 20 tell why a Neralty il impesed.
said Sanford. III YOU fccce the hea,
Inesman 10 announce each penalty An.
he reason therefor. you will not oul,
make II possible 10 weed out the incom
pt'ent officials. hut will make foo;bal
more popular. and give the spectators
better insaght into the game"
There were evidences OF a better gen
'rsl understanding OF the rules. II wa
decided that II bal! fumb'cd inside ~
'eld Of play and rolling out was "A re
baU. However. a bail yoing ou, q
POUNDS from a forward pass or a kicl
or striking a player. any portion q
whose body Is out Of bounds, IL "a dea
oall.
The committee recon- ended sat z
'fe event OF n fou! bcins committed q"
20 fourth down by tHe q. ending hai
3Sr the attacking side has fa,lcd I
oaae the distance. the officials S'"e III
-. 20 the attacking side. and mae
NoS Town. IL was recommended 'hd
20 attacking team also lie permitted
proat by the penalty.