Evening star., 1933-02-13
CLIPPING IS DEALT
KNOCKOUT PUNCH
Committee Feels ANY
Changes in Future Should
BE to Simplify Game.

Il &A41A, ObA AeAAy A0s
- The National Foot Ball
i Rules Committee has COM
pleted its annual study Of
the playing code and adopted
only two changes in the regula-
tions for 1888.
Out of their three-day gather
ing at Green Hill Farms, just OUT
side Philadelphia, the rules max
ers came forth with these altera-
tions:
First - Elimination of the sideline
play through a new zoning system.
Second-A tightening of the restric-
tions against clipping so that this prac-
tice virtually is legislated out of the
game.
These were the two major develop
mentS Of the discussions but committee
members also authorized some editorial
changes in the rules in the interests
of clarity; appointed special SUBJ
committee to receive and consider all
suggestions for rules changes, and went
definitely on record in favor of limiting
future changes in the rules to those
which will simplify the game without
changing its character.
nF the two alterations made in the
~ rules, the more radical was that
designed to eliminate the sideline
play, bane of teams marching goalward
who find themselves obliged to waste
down to bring the ball into better
position.
To prevent this, the Rules Committee
decided to establish side zones, ten
yards in width, on either side Of the
field. Whenever the ball becomes dead
within these zones, it will be moved
to point ten yards in from the side
lines, without time out being called
At the same time, the committee de-
cided that when the ball goes out of
bounds it shall be brought in 10 yards
from the sldellne instead OF is yards
as heretofore.
Statistics presented before the meet
ing of the Foot Ball Rules Committee
OF the American Foot Ball Coaches,
Association which advocated the
change, showed that an average of IA
downs game were started by offensive
teams seeking to gain a better position
from which to continue a march down
field.
THE National Committee, in order
L ing the new rule, declared that it
not only would eliminate the side
line play, but alco would lessen tackling
out OF bounds and be of great aid to
the offense, especially in scoring terri
tory where the team carrying the ball
particularly can i'll afford 10 waste a
down just becarse they are cramped
up against one side of the lcld.
The rule against clipping was al
tered to make it Illegal for player to
run into the back Of an opponent not
carrying the ball, adding to the previous
rule against throwing or dropping the
bcdy across the back CT the lcy or legs
OF the opponent bolc-y the knee. In
the interests of stricter enforcement of
the rule. the penalty was retlrcai from
25 yards to 15, after comm tee menu
bers had pointed cut that the heavier
penalty led some officials to hesitate
about calling 1t.
Many ether suggested chances were
considered by the committee. but none
was adopted. There vas some surprise
that the rules makers failed to tighten
the restrictions against forward passing
since this had been recommended in the
annual report to the National Collegi-
ate A. A. in December.
However. suggestions along this line.
as well as many others, were turned
over TO the new subcommittee on foot
pan rules changes, a standing body
consisting OF Chairman Walter r. Oke
son. secretary william S. Langford n
j.: Stegeman Of Georgia: Dana x. Bible
OF Nebraska; Lou Little of Columbia
ana H. A. Lambert of Ohio State.
THIS subcommittee was authorized to
L study all suggested changes in the
rules. even to the extent of having
them tried out in actual scrimnaee in
advance OF consideration by the fun
committee.
n was considered the opinion of the
RULES Committee" said the oficial re-
port on the three-day discussion chat
such future changes as are made in
tne rules should be for the purpose of
Slmpll1cat1on. and one of the duties of
snls committee viii be to study the pos
sinii1ties OF making the rules SIMPLER
without changing the character of the
game" '-s
A preliminary report by a special
committee indicated a "marked de-
crease" in the number of foot ban
INJURIES IN 1882 compared with the 1881
campaign. There were some so fatal
accidents In 1881, and the drastic
changes made by the Rules COMMITTEES
early IN 1882 were credited with MAX
ing tremendous reduction in the num-
per OF injuries last season. The COM
mttee report, for instance, revealed a
W per cent decrease in the number of
injuries from flying tackles, outlawed
by the rule-makers last Winter along
with the flying block and the "wedre
formation" on kickoffs.
A subcommittee. headed BY Fielding
H. Yost of Michigan, will continue the
study into the cause of injuries on the
loot ball field. At this time, however.
Inc Rules Committee felt that the only
cnange needed to be made from the
standpoint of safety was that affecting
clipping.
The committee began its sessions
Friday night and adjourned Just before
noon yesterday.