Changes in Football Rules

The Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee recently held a meeting with the idea of clearing up several points in the code of rules drawn up last year. No radical changes have been made in the methods of play, but the rules as they now read can not be misunderstood. Rule 7 has been changed to read as follows:

"A fair catch consists in catching the ball after it has been kicked by one of the opponents and before it touches the ground, or in similarly catching a punt out by another of the catcher's own side. Provided the player, while making the catch, makes a mark with his heel and takes not more than one step thereafter. It is not a fair catch if the ball after the kick was touched by another of his side before the catch. Opponents who are offside shall not interfere in any way with a player attempting to make a fair catch, nor shall he be thrown to the ground after such catch has been made unless he has advanced beyond his mark, as explained."

In rule 11, referring to the ball when "dead," the explanatory note has been changed to read:

"Should the ball strike an official it is not regarded as dead, but play continues exactly as if the ball had not touched him."

Rule 28, covering penalties for fouls and offside play, has been considerably altered. Section E has been made to read as follows:

"In any case of a free kick (Rule 2 f.), if the kicker advances beyond his mark before kicking the ball (Rules 7 a, and 15 b), no matter whether he then kicks or not, the opponents shall be allowed to line up five yards nearer the kicker's mark, and the kick shall then be made from some point back of the first mark, and at the same distance from the side lines. This shall also apply when the side having a free kick allows the ball to touch the ground (Rule 15 b), and then fails to kick it, kick off and try at goal after touchdown excepted. The same ruling shall be given in case any player of the side making a free kick is ahead of the ball when it is kicked (Rule 14 a)."

Section F of the same rule, which restricts starting before the ball is put in play, has been made unmistakably clear as follows:

"In the case of unlawful starting before the ball is put in play for a scrimmage (Rule 18 a), provided there is no infraction of Rule 10, the ball shall be brought back and put in play again. If this occurs again in the same down the ball shall be given to the opponents. If again during the game that side infringes the rule bearing on this act, the ball shall be immediately given to the opponents. The same ruling shall be made in cases of infraction of Rule 18, b and c."