, 1923-03-04
LEW PROBLEMS
IN FOOTbALLT TO
Be DISCUSSED
Committee Not Likely
to Make Drastic Changes;
Will Clear Up Points.
BY WALTER ~EcKERsAIL.


When the football rules committee
meets in New York this week It will
have a few knotty problems to solve
in add ticn to placing a cleaner and
more uniform Interpretation on some
OF the rules
Although no radical changes are
4 expected, efforts will be made to
4 clarity some points over which there
has been a vast difference of opinion
between coaches. officials. and play
ers. On the lace these points appear
unimportant. but should they come
up in evenly fought struggles MAJ
decide the issue one way or the other.
AS a whole the present rules have
met with popular approval. Players
and spectators now have a good idea
the code and its possibilities. In
fact, the great college game enjoyed
its most successful season last year
from points of attendance n close
ness of the struggles. The average
spectator seemed to know what 1t
was all about and as a result took a
keener interest in the struggles,
which are always decided on their
merits.
Unt lTOuDitooihC hhuiC-
The one rule which has given ofi-
cials most trouble is the one govern
ing clipping or taking off n player
obviously out OF the play. The rules
provide for a 10 yard penalty from
the point where the ball was put in
play. In practically every other case
the penalty is inflicted from the spot
of the foul.
In the Michigan-Minnesota game
last fall a most peculiar play hap
pened which had coaches and of Gals
guessing. 1t happened that Mime
sofa attempted a forward pass. The
ball was intercepted by a Michigan
nlayer and as the Wolverine was
Strengthened away to make a run
one of his teammates clipped A
Gopher from behind. The point I'm
med ately came up that the penalty
should have been inflicted from the
.eoint where the ball was put in play.
N the strict letter OF the rule had
been followed. Minnesota would have
been given fifteen yards, despite the
fact It lost possess on of the ball in a
fair manner The Official In that
game. however. did the proper thing.
he eXdCltu NHG PtlAaies -
possibie from hat point where the
Michigan player intercepted the
Gopher FORWARD pass. This g only
one Of the many cases which could
be cited to show that a more definite
rule should be adopted.
Another Difference OF Opinion.
Another point over which there In
a difference OF opinion is in regard
to the ball being dead. In the Iowa
Ohio State game last fall. which was
played on a wet field. players carry
ing the ball skidded a few yards after
being tackled. The rule states
ball is dead when any portion OF the
player's person except his hands ana
feet touches the ground while he Is
in the grasp of an opponent. or Is 30
held that his forward progress is
stopped In this particular game
piayers were tackled n then slid
Nong for a couple OF yards. This Is
another delicate point which the com
mittee will be asked to decide
To Increase Time Out.
II ia the consensus of opinion oil
leading coaches that the penalty OF
taking out time more than three
times during each half should be IN
creased to at least i've yards The
present penalty is two yards ana
teams are beginning to take advan-
tase of the email loss and thereby
sIowing I'D the games. II a more
stringent penalty is inflicted. captains
will not call for time so frequently
and especially so when they approach
an opponents goal line.
The committee will be asked for a
clearer Interpretation Of the onsioe
and onside clause. Rule IL, Sec. l.
states a player is put offside II the
ran in play has been touched by one
OF his own side behind him. II suon
Is the case then many argue why
should not the reverse be true wnicn
would give players behind the a u
chance to recover when the oval nus
been touched by one OF their own
side in front after 1t has been put
In play.
place a positive Interpretation on
SECTION 4 of Rule 4 regarding tne
kick after a fair catch when time Is
called for the end of i period. Many
belIeve hat the defending team can
rim hack the kick the same as the
kicking team has a right TO either
kick for the goal or execute an on
side kick for a chdow
Another Trining Change.
Section 5 of Rule Q should DC
changed a trine. Instead of readins
toward his own goal line" II should
be '.own end line" and d "oIo
Hout" should be inserted before the
phrase from the line OF scrimmage,
At the start of last season THIS rus
caused some confusion. but at the
close of the year coaches n OFFICIALS
agreed upon its Interpretation.
The committee will be asked 70
eliminate the FIVE yard penalty tor
an offside player touching a ball. suen
as on kicks. No one appears 70
know. even some members OF the
rules committee. how this clause OF
Rule is, Sec. 2. was injected INTO the
rulss. III
Undoubtedly many other points WIN
n brought to h Oh ene
rules committee, which is not e1pe1e
ed to make any drastic chanses N
The code but It will be asked o.
coaches and officials to place
clearer interpretation on some points