Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-27
THREE FOOT BALL
RULES CLARIFIED
Hall Explains Penalty Back
of Line, Interference in
Pass and tumble.
Py the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated PreSe.
NEW YORK. September 27.-Three
questions on interpretations of the foot
ball code, raised by coaches and Off
Gals during a series of conferences
throughout New England and the Mid
die Atlantic States, were answered and
explained yesterday by Edward K. Hall,
chairman of the intercollegiate rules
committee.
One was made necessary by clerical
error in the wording Of section 8, rule
%, which would seem to give the Of
Tending side the advantage Of penalty
incurred behind the goal line. The
second clarifies the new tumble rule as
it relates to kicks and the third further
defines interference as applied to the
screened pass, now legislated out Of the
game.
Mix-up Is Remedied.
The mix-up in the wording of section
8 was remedied by changing the first
four lines to read:
IF a foul that does not involve pos
session of the ball is committed behind
its goal line by the side which did not
put the ball in play" etc. The incor-
rect rule read at the start, 90" Is
committed behind the opponents goal
line by the side which put the ball in
play" etc. An all-important did not
was lost somewhere in transit between
the rulemakers and publishers, Mr.. Hall
explained.
The second question submitted to Mr..
Hall by Walter r. Okeson, commissioner
Of officials, related to rule 10, section
fumbled kick which, under the new
rules, Is dead where recovered by the
kicking side. Ruling was asked on a
play wherein the receiver Of the kick
gains full possession and control OF the
ball, but subsequently funbles and the
ball is recovered by the opposition be-
fore touching the ground.
Mr.. Hall ruled that the ball Is re.
covered kick and therefore a dead ball
at the point Of recovery. The distance
covered before the tumble by the car
rier should have no affect on the inter-
probation, Mr.. Hall ruled, iaasmuch as
the kick, run, tumble and recovery are
all part of the same play.
The final decision interpreting IN
reference In Section A, Rule Is, new
paragraph that attempts to legtslate the
screened pass out of foot ball. makes
drastic effort to give the defense every
opportunity against forward passes.
Up to OfficiaIs.
Interference is always question OF
fact which the official must decide. The
purpose of this rule is to give to the
team on defense fair chance to defend
themselves against forward pass at
tack" Mr.. Hall ruled.
1.-THE forward pass is one Of the most
powerful weapons of the offense. Until
the ball is actually passed the members
of the defensive team can have no def
mite knowledge as to its ultimate desti-
nation. The only defense against the
pass after it has crossed the scrimmage
line Is to itercept it and either recover
it or bat 1t to the ground. This oppor-
tunity Of the defense, which is their
only opportunity to protect themselves,
must not be impaired. Players of the
passing team who are eligible to recover
the pass may interfere with opponents
only in an. actual attempt to recover 1t
themselves. Ineligible players under the
conditions described in the rule must
not interfere in any way whatsoever.
1.-THE rule should be interpreted lit
orally, and in case Of doubt as to such
interference, or destruction Of right Of
way, the penalty should be inflicted. It
is immaterial whether or not the inter-
ference Is Intentional