The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-27

1t is known that several vital
changes are to be recommended to
the rules COMMITTEES. A concerted
effort Is to be made to place restric-
tons on the forward pass. 1t Is
known that several well known East
ern coaches are in favor of limiting
the number Of forward passes that
may be attempted In the closing min
utes Of a game. These individuals
have been marred because the losing
team attempted q large number OF
forward passes in the last few min.
utes Of play in an effort to draw up
on even terms with their superior
playing opponents.
A limit Of five forward passes In
the last five minutes of play Is pro-
posed. Such q restriction, 1t IL be-
neved, would materially benefit the
game.
Incomplete Pass Penalty.
Another change to be advocated by
q large number Of mentors II one that
calls for penalty for an incomplete
forward pass. The individuals who
stand back Of this proposed change
has their argument on the great loss
OF time that takes place In a game
because Of incompleted passes. 1t "a
estimated that In . contest in which
forward passes are tried at frequent
intervals more than forty minutes of
time Is lost. The rules provide for
the taking out Of time whenever
forward pass II incompleted. With
no penalty attached to such q mis-
play. football coaches state that
premium Ia placed upon poor play
rather than on good football. They
contend that II a penalty Of ten yards
were inflicted each time q team failed
to complete a forward pass more time
would be given to perfecting the play.
Draws No Penalty.
Another change that is going to
be asked Is one which has to do with
an "offside play on a ball kicked by
a player standing in rear Of his
team" Under the present rules. II
a kicked ball Is touched by a man
who was in front of the pigskin st
the time 1t was kicked, the play rs
a violation Of the on-side
rule and the ball is given to the
opponents at the place where 1t was
touched or the violation IL waved
and the ball is put into play at the
spot where 1t was at the time the
referee declared It a dead ball. From
the above 1t appears that this viola
ton Of the rules does not draw a
penalty. In fact, 1t Ia the only Off
ride play that may be made under
the present rules without drawing
a penalty. Quite a few coaches are
going to ask that regulation penalty
Of five yards be imposed on all such
violations Of the on-side rule.
Rule on Interference.
Under the present rules a player
Of the offensive team who interferes
with or binders q player catching a
forward pass is not given q distanace
penalty. A majority Of the best
advised coaches insist that q heavy
penalty be inflicted upon any man
who so interferes with the playing
Of q defensive rival. The present
code prescribes only that II such q
play takes place the attacking side
be charged with an extra down and
the ball put into play at the same
spot at which 1t was on the proceed
Ing down. The men who ask the
change are going to do all in their
power to have a distance penalty in
flicted for such violations Of clean
football.
No Change In Shift.
No changes are likely to be made
in the shift rule. Much has been
said for and against this rule. Some
coaches have come out openly with
the declaration that the shift is moth
ing more nor less than within the
law" method of violating the prin-
ciples of the game. However, a ma
jority of the football fans do not
agree with this statement. The shift
Ia used too frequently by present-day
football teams to be leRislated against.
The fact that It has been more highly
perfected In the West than in the
East is no reason for having II ruled
out of the game or having too great
placed against 1t. The I'M
authority will recognize the
shift as a perfectly legitimate play.
For that reason 1t IL sure to stay In
the game.