The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-02-17
'CRIDIRON CODE
CLARIFIED BY
RULE MAKERS
Defensive Players Given
Better Chance to Break
Up Passes
Nv HENRY SUPER

NEW YORK, Feb. II. tUf)'-
Footballs rule-makers, AFTER d
three-day session considering rec
concentrations for changes, an
nounced yesterday they had de-
cided to leave the playing code
virtually untouched for another
year. III.
New additions to the rule book
decided ut the 32nd annual meet
ing of the rules committee OF the
Rational Collegiate Athletic asso-
citation were: ~,
/. Elimination of second KICK
OFF if the first goes out Of BOUNDS:
2. Mandatory numbering OF
PLAYERS jerseys in front and back
3. Three Qualifications of pres
ent rules regarding kicking free
ball. forward pass interference
and position of ineligible receiv-
ers on a pass play. The three clarl-
fications were most important fea-
lures of the 1887 findings.
Because of agitation to place a
more liberal Interpretation on
penalties for forward pass inter-
ference - because this penalty
helped decide the army-navy,
Yale-Princeton and other games
last year-the committee added a
SUPPLEMENTAL note to the present
code designed TO "clear up misun-
derstanding as to what constitutes
legal interference on forward
pass play" ,.
Under the Interpretation, it was
believed officials in the future
would not hew so close to the Inc
in deciding interference as they
have in the past.
The committee report, announc-
ed by Secretary w. S. Langiord'
had this to say about pass inter-
ference: -
.In order to clear up the mis-
understanding on the part OF some
players and the public as to what
constitutes legal interference on a
forward pass play, the following
was adopted: -, :.
During forward pass play It
must be remembered that deten-
siye players have as much right TO
the bali as the eligible opponents
and bodily contact, however Sc
we're, between players who are
making a "bona fide' attempt to
catch or bat the ball shall not be
construed as interference"
The question of kicking a free
ball. which provoked heated de-
bate after Larry Kelley OF iaie'
helped beat the Navy with what he
termed an accidental kick" OF q
fumbled punt, was answered with
a Qualification that makes such ac-
ton illegal.
The following insert was made
in the present code: "a free ball
that strikes or is struck by por-
ton of a players body other than
his foot. Ruling: This is not to DC
considered as kicking a free ball;
Thus, even should players
foot accidentally come IN cohtac'
with the ball, his side loses posses
sion of it. Contact by other parts
of the body is legal.
The third Qualification almost
developed into new rule when
would require ineligible pass re,
ceivers to remain on the line OF
scrimmage. :,
"The committee found it impos-
sible to more definitely define the
limitations put upon players IN,
eligible to receive a forward
pass" the committee said, and
seriously considered further re-
striction to hold these men on the
line of scrimmage.
"No definite action was taken
but in the hope of securing bet
ter control, the following note
was adopted:
"Unless coaches assume the re-
sponsibility of keeping ineligible
PLAYERS away fro mthat part OF
the field to which the forward
pass is thrown, it will be necessary
to adopt a rule requiring ineligi'
BILE players to remain on the line
of scrimmage."