The Connecticut labor news., 1921-03-18
$==a :: Siftings of the Sport World :: ::= :::
New Football Rule
 Changes Agreed Upon
Committee Considers M n y Wrinkles-Decide Game Is o. K. as It Stands.

New York, March 18.-Change of the rule governing a safety and a suggeS- ton bearing on the status of officials who take part in professional games were made at the annual meeting of the football rules committee, which closed here this week.
 Hereafter, after safety the ball will be put in play on the 3O-yard line, in stead of the 20-yard line. The altera- ton was made because of the difficulty of spectators in differentiating between a safety and touchback.
 The committee suggested to the cen tral board of officials, which has charge of selecting officials for the game, that after the season of 1921 no college off, cial who shall officiate in a professional game shall be eligible for any further college football contests.
 These were the outstanding changes and recommendations made, although there were a number of minor altera- tions in the code for the purpose of clarifying the rules or checking certain plays.
 It was ruled that in the future the referee shall toss the coin for the call of the opening play of game, and the winning captain, having named his choice of such play, cannot revoke such decision.
 In an effort to curtail Clipping" or cutting down a player from behind, the committee elaborated the rule of un- necessary roughness to include running into, diving or throwing the body against a player obviously out of the play either before or after the ball IS dead The penalty, which stands as a loss of Is yards, was extended to ln oI,,Ia 1oce fha Eicl<nH fOllnWInO a touchdown in case such score should result in the play in which the penalty was incurred No objection was raised to such play where the player thrown Is taking part Ill the play.
 The rules committee announced that it approved of majority of the varl- ous changes suggested at a meeting ot football coaches held i'll this city earlier in the week, but that some were be- yond the province of the body. It favored a series of regional conferences immediately after the close of the foot ball season, at which the coaches and at least one member of the rules com- mittee consider developments arising from the seasons play. It was stated, however, that the committee has no authority to include discussion of oftl- cials or schedules at such conferences.
 "A Camp, William Roper, Albert Sharpe, Nate Tufts and w. N. Morice was ap- pointed to consider rulings on compli- cated and unusual plays, and if such rulings were approved to incorporate such decisions in records for future guidance of officials.
 The rules committee went on record as being opposed to the developments of professional football holding that the game was one which by tradition and sentiment was peculiarly associated with college sport and recreation. The recommendation to the central board of officials suggesting rfle debarring of officials from college games who offici- ate at professional contests was the only action approved.
 The situation was somewhat similar to that in connection with the number of players. The committee has been on record for several years as being in favor of such numbering, but has de cided that such a ruling cannot be made mandatory, owing to the unli1n- ited complications which would arise from such a rule.