EV 955 .043 ■1904 Eei 3 FOOT BALL RULES Copyright, 1904, by American Sports Publishing Co. LlBRAffV nf CONGRESS Two OoDies deceived SEP 8 1904 dooyrteht Emiry J 3 8-2,3 « « ■ Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 125 Changes in Rules The changes in the rules for 1904 in the main affect most seriously the scrimmage development. Last year, between the two twenty-five yard lines in the middle of the field a team was restricted to seven men in the line, but inside the twenty-five yard line, that is, nearer the goal line, the old formations were admissible. In 1903 the quarter-back could run only when in the middle of the field, that is, between the two twenty-five yard lines, and that meant when only seven men were on the rush line or line of scrimmage. This year a team never can have less than six men on the rush line, and if only six are on the rush line, then one of the men who plays behind the line must be outside the man occupying the position on the end of the line of scrimmage. But it is admissible to run the quarter- back at any time and in any part of the field so long as the above provision is complied with, and so long as he runs at least five yards outside of the spot where the ball was put in play. Just what de- velopments this will bring about it is impossible for anyone to say until experiments have been tried in actual play ; but, just as teams found last year that altering the grouping of the men behind the line as possible interferers made it necessary to use heavier men back of the line as half-backs and backs, so it is likely under the rules of 1904 it will be equally desirable to have two of the men at least who make up the body of three backs, heavy and powerful. The change next in importance is probably that regarding scoring, for, under the rules of 1904 a field-kick goal, instead of scoring five points as it has for many years, will count but four. This will be true, whether the goal is made by a drop kick, or a place kick from fair catch or a kick from placement in the scrimmage. The other changes are of lesser moment and are as follows : The umpire shall have some kind of a call distinguishing his signal from that of the referee and the play will continue in spite of the umpire's call until the ball is dead, and then the referee will inflict the penalty called for by the umpire's decision. In case the side which has been offended against desires to refuse the penalty, they may do so and take the distance that they have gained. Another rule regarding the scrimmage makes any deliberate attempt to draw the opponents off side by a false start void, by declaring that if the ball is then snapped after such a performance it shall not be regarded as in play or the scrimmage begun. The rule about which there was some discussion last year, namely, the one regarding kick-off or choice of goal, has been made clearer and 126 Spalding ' s Official Foot Ball Guide. provides that if the winner of the toss selects the goal, the loser of the toss must take the kick-off. The penalty for kicking out of bounds twice in succession has been lessened, the ball going as a down to the opponents on the thirty-five yard line instead of on the twenty-five yard line. In case of interference with a man making a fair catch, the offended side can have their choice of putting the ball in play by a scrimmage, in which case they receive fifteen yards or putting it in play by a free kick, in which case they can have but five yards. The same is true regarding a man who has been thrown to the ground after mak- ing a fair catch. The duties of a linesman are narrowed once more, and in addition to his regular measuring of distance, he is only required to penalize a side if the ends are off-side on a kick or for tripping an end going down the field after the kick, or any player for roughing the full-back. Apart from these alterations there is nothing of moment, except regarding penalties. These have been grouped into two general classes, viz., those receiving a distance penalty, and those where some other penalty than a distance penalty is given. Under those of distance penalties there are two groups : First. Those where the loss is five yards ; and, Second. Those where the loss is fifteen yards. A side loses five yards for — Coaching or infringement of any part of Rule 27 (f ) ; Delay of game ; Interference with putting the ball in play ; Off-side in the scrimmage ; Starting before the ball is put in play in the scrimmage ; Violation of scrimmage rule as specified in Rule 18(b) ; Snapper-back off-side the second time in the same down : Passing or batting the ball forward ; Unsportsmanlike conduct ; Holding by defensive side of the player not carrying the ball ; Snapper-back or man opposite touching the ball before it has touched a third man ; Piling up on a player after the ball has been declared dead. A side loses fifteen yards for— Tripping, holding, or unlawful use of hands or arms by the team in possession of the ball ; Illegal running by the man receiving the ball from the snapper- back ; that is, the quarter-back ; Irterference with fair catch. Outside of distance penalties, disqualification is given for unneces- sary roughness. The game is forfeited if a side refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to by the referee, or if a team on the defense commits repeated fouls when near their own goal line in order to delay the game. Spalding* s Official Foot Ball Guide. 127 7V< HiSCllfil o « £ c a) o „,.ti.3 S-S g ^ o 5^ — ' o o «J cs.s,c ,S .§ g c ° s 2^ °. r ~ >? 2 .5 w >c5 c-: g S a) a, A p5 <*> ' g ft+> fl C -r-— 0J < a; cj? £ cs a;^ § 8 S * § nielli-SSI's 8 03 3 f=^ g £ &£«h £ £ £ y £ y © +j +3 03+it-H.2 128 Spalding ' s Official Foot Ball Guide. Foot Ball Rules Copyright, 1904, by American Sports Publishing Co. EQUIPMENT, OFFICIALS, ETC. RULE 1. Field. (a) The game shall be played upon a rec- tangular field, 330 feet in length and 160 feet in width, enclosed by heavy white lines marked in lime upon the ground. The lines at the two ends shall be termed goal lines. The side lines shall extend beyond their points of intersection with the goal line. The goal shall be placed in the middle of each goal line, and shall consist of two up- right posts exceeding 20 feet in height and placed 18 feet 6 inches apart, with horizontal cross-bar 10 feet from the ground. Players. (&) The game shall be played by two teams of eleven men each. Officials. ( c ) The officials of the game shall be a Referee, an Umpire and a Linesman. NOTE— The duties of each official are stated in Ride 29. Ball. (<0 The foot ball used shall be of leather, enclosing an inflated rubber bladder. The ball shall have the shape of a prolate spheroid. NOTE— It is desirable to have two stop- watches for the timekeepers, a whistle for Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, 129 the referee and a horn or a bell of some kind for the umpire, in order to distinguish his call from that of the referee. It is also de- sirable to have the field marked off with white lines every 5 yards, parallel to the goal line, for measuring the 5 yards to be gained in 3 downs, and to provide two light poles about 6 feet in length and connected at the lower ends by a stout cord or chain exactly 5 yards long. In addition to this the field should be marked off with white lines 5 yards apart, parallel to side lines, in order to assist the officials in judg- ing whether the first man who receives the ball crosses the scrimmage line a sufficient distance from where the ball was put in play. Instead of having those lines continuous it may be sufficient to mark only the cross lines above nam,ed at the points where they are crossed by these lines. In measuring, the forward point of the ball, in its position when declared dead, not its center, shall be taken as the determining point. DEFINITION OF TERMS. RULE 2. Methods of Kicking the Ball. (a) A Drop-kick is made by letting the Drop-kick, ball drop from the hands and kicking it the instant it rises from the ground. 130 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, Place-kick. (6) A Place-kick is made by kicking the ball after it has been placed on the ground. Punt. (c) A Punt is made by letting the ball drop from the hands and kicking it before it touches the ground. Kick-off. (d) A Kick-off is a place-kick from the center of the field of play, and cannot score a goal. (Rule 8. ) Kick-out. (e) A Kick-out is a drop-kick, place-kick or punt made by a player of the side which has made a safety or a touchback. Free-kick. (f) A Free-kick is a term used to desig- nate any kick when the opponents are restrained by rule from advancing beyond a certain point before the ball is put in play. NOTE— Under a Free-kick are included Kick-off (Rule 2, d), Kick-out {Rule 2, e) Punt-out {Rules 5 and 25) ; Kick from a Fair Catch (Rule 7) , and Place-kick for Goal after a touchdown (Rides U (a) and 25) . Any player of the side having the Free- kick may put the ball in play. RULE 3. Out of bounds. (a) The ball is Out of Bounds when it touches the ground on or outside the side line or side line extended, or when any part of the player who holds the ball touches the ground on or outside the side line or side line extended. (b) If the ball is kicked so that it goes Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 131 out of bounds before crossing the oppo- nents' goal line, it shall belong to the oppo- nents at the point where it crossed the side line. If, however, it strikes any player who is on side and then goes out of bounds, it shall belong to the player who first ob- tains possession of it. RULE 4. (a) A Touchdown is made when the ball Touchdown, in possession of a player is declared dead by the referee, any part of it being on, over or behind the opponents' goal line. (b) The point where the touchdown is marked, however, is not where the ball is carried across the line but where the ball is fairly held or called "down." NOTE— If the hall is carried across the extension of the side line it is at once dead, and the touchdown is marked at the point where the side line crosses the goal line. (c) A Touchhack is made when the ball TouchbacL in possession of a player guarding his own goal is declared dead by the referee, any part of it being on, over or behind the goal line, provided the impetus which sent it to or across the line was given by an opponent. The referee shall declare the ball dead when the player in possession of the ball cries "down," or touches it down, or as provided for in Rule 20. 132 Spalding 1 s Official Foot Ball Guide. Safety. (d) A Safety is made when the ball in the possession of a player guarding his own goal is declared dead by the referee, any part of it being on, over or behind the goal line, provided the impetus which caused it to pass from outside the goal to or behind the goal line was given by the side defend- ing the goal. Such impetus could come: (1) from a kick, pass, snap-back or fumble; (2) from a kick which bounded back from an opponent; (3) in case a player carrying the ball is forced back, provided the ball was not declared dead by the referee before the line was reached or crossed. A safety is also made when a player of the side in possession of the ball commits a foul which would give the ball to the oppo- nents behind the offender's goal line; also when the ball, kicked by a man behind his goal line, crosses the side line extended be- hind the goal line. RULE 5. Punt-out. A Punt-out is a punt made by a player of the side which has made a touchdown to another of his own side for a fair catch. (Rule 7.) RULE 6. Scrimmage. (a) A Scrimmage takes place when the holder of the ball places it upon the ground and puts it in play by kicking it forward or Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 133 snapping it back. The §crimmage does not end until the ball is again declared dead. The ball is always put in play from a scrimmage, except in cases where other specific provision is made by the rules. NOTE— Snapping the ball means putting it back by means of hand or foot with one quick or continuous motion from its position on the ground. (b) If, after the snapper-back has taken Feint to his position, he should voluntarily move the snap the ball, ball as if to snap it, whether he withholds it altogether or only momentarily, the ball is in play, and the scrimmage has begun. (c) When snapping the ball back, the Snapper-back player so doing must be on side, the hand off-side. or foot used in snapping the ball excepted. (Rule 10.) (d) If any player of the side in possession of the ball makes any deliberate attempt, by a false start or otherwise, to draw the oppo- nents off-side, the ball, if then snapped, shall not be regarded as in play or the scrimmage begun. RULE 7. (a) A Fair catch consists in catching the Fair catch, ball after it has been kicked by one of the opponents and before it touches the ground, or in similarily catching a punt-out by another of the catcher's own side, provided the player while making the catch, makes 1 34 Spalding s Official Foot Ball Guide, 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 off-side shall not inter- fere in any way with a player who has an opportunity to make a fair catch, nor shall he be thrown to the ground after such catch is made unless he has advanced beyond his mark. Putting ball in (b) If a side obtains a fair catch, the ball play after fair must be put in play by a punt, drop-kick or catch, place-kick, and the opponents cannot come within ten yards of the line on which the fair catch was made; the ball must be kicked from some point directly behind the spot where the catch was made, on a line parallel to the side line. RULE 8. Goal. A Goal is made by kicking the ball in any way, except by a punt, from the field of play over the cross-bar of the opponents' goal, or as provided in rules for conversion of touchdown. If the ball passes directly over one of the uprights it counts a goal. NOTE — If the ball, after being kicked, strikes an opponent and then passes over the cross-bar, it still counts a goal. RULE 9. Charging. Charging is rushing forward to seize or block the ball or to tackle a player. Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 135 RULE 10. (a) In a scrimmage no part of any player Off-side, shall be ahead of the ball when it is put in play. [Exception under Rule 6 (c).] NOTE— Ahead of the ball means between the opponents 9 goal and a line parallel to the goal line and passing through the point of the ball nearest to the goal line of the side not in possession. (6) A player is put off-side if the ball Player put in play has last been touched by one of his off-side, own side behind him. No player, when off- side, shall touch the ball except on a fumble Restrictions or a muff, nor shall he interrupt or obstruct wnen off-side, an opponent with his hands or arms until again on side. [This shall not be so in- terpreted as to prevent a man who is running down the field under a kick from using his hands or arms to push opponents out of the way in order to get at the ball or the man catching it.] No player can, however, be called off-side behind his own goal line. NOTE — If a player is ahead of the ball Kicked ball when it is kicked by another of his side, he strikes player is off-side, and he shall not allow the ball to off-side. touch him until again on-side. Should he break this ride, the ball goes to opponents on the spot, except as specified in (d) of this ride. (c) A player being off-side is put on-side Player off-side when the ball has touched an opponent, or put on-side. 136 Spalding ' s Official Foot Ball Guide. when one of his own side has run in front of him, either with the ball, or having been the last player to touch it when behind him. The man who, standing back of his own line of scrimmage, receives the ball from one of his own side and then kicks it be- yond the line of scrimmage, may not put other men on-side by running ahead of them, nor may he himself get the ball until after it has touched a player of the opposing side. EXPLANATION— The Rules Committee desires to state that the reason for this pro- hibition is in order that there may be no excuse whatever for running into the full- back after he has kicked the ball. The above rule renders it impossible for him either to put men on-side or himself get the ball, and this takes away all excuse for roughness of this nature, and the Com- mittee expects officials to severely punish any such unnecessary roughness. Ball inside 1 (d) If the ball, when not in possession of yard line either side, is touched when inside the touched by a opponents' 10-yard line by a player who is player who is off-side, it shall go as a touchback to the off-side, defenders of that goal. RULE 11. Ball is dead. The ball is Dead: (a) Whenever the referee blows his whistle or declares a down. Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 137 (6) When the referee has declared that a down, touchdown, touchback, safety or goal has been made. (c) When a fair catch has been heeled. (d) When it has been downed after going out of bounds. (e) When the ball goes out of bounds after a kick before touching a player who is on- side. If the umpire signals a foul, the play continues until the ball is dead under some one of the above provisions, when the re- feree must enforce the penalty called for by the umpire's decision. The side offended may, however, refuse to accept the penalty. NOTE — (a) Should the ball strike an offi- cial it is not regarded as dead, but play con- tinues exactly as if the ball had not touched him. (b) A 7 o play can be made when the ball is dead, except to put it in play according to rule. RULE 12. (a) The length of the game shall be 70 Length of game minutes, divided into two halves of 35 minutes each, exclusive of time taken out. There shall be ten minutes intermission between the two halves. NOTE — The game may be of shorter dura- tion by mutual agreement between the cap- tains of the contesting teams. 138 Spalding s Official Foot Ball Guide. Darkness. Whenever the commencement of a game is so late that in the opinion of the referee, there is any likelihood of the game being in- terfered with by darkness, he shall, before play begins, arbitrarily shorten the two halves to such length as shall insure two equal halves being completed, and shall notify both captains of the exact time thus set Either side refusing to abide by the opinion of the referee on this point shall forfeit the game. Final score. (b) The game shall be decided by the final score at the end of the two halves. Time called at (c) Time shall not be called for the end end of a half, of a half until the ball is dead, and in case of a touchdown, the try-at-goal shall be allowed. Time taken out. (d) Time shall be taken out whenever the game is unnecessarily delayed or while the ball is being brought out for a try-at-goal, kick-out, or kick-off, or when play is for any reason suspended by the referee. Time shall be taken out after a fair catch. Time shall begin again when the ball is actually put in play. Time not taken NOTE — Time is not to be taken out when out when ball the ball goes out of bounds except in case of out of bounds, unreasonable delay in returning the ball to play. No delay (e) No delay arising from any cause longer than two whatsoever shall continue more than two minutes, minutes. Any unreasonable delay shall be Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, 139 penalized under Rule 28 (A and D), and persistent delay shall be penalized as pro- vided for in Penalties — D. RULE 13. (a) The captains of the opposing teams Beginning of shall toss up a coin before the beginning of game and of a game, and the winner of the toss shall second half, have his choice of goal or kick-off. If the winner of the toss selects the goal, the loser must take the kick-off. The ball shall be kicked off at the beginning of each half, the kick-off at the beginning of the second half being made by the side that did not first kick off at the beginning of the game. The teams shall change goals after every try-at-goal following a touchdown, and after every goal from the field, and the side just scored upon shall have the option of kicking off or of having their opponents kick off. At the beginning of the second half the teams shall take opposite goals from those assumed at the beginning of the first half. (6) At kick-off, if the ball goes out of Ball kicked out bounds before it is touched by an opponent, of bounds at it shall be brought back and kicked off kick-off. again. If it is kicked out of bounds a second time it shall go as a kick-off to the opponents. If either side thus forfeits the ball twice, it shall go to the opponents, who 140 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. shall put it in play by a scrimmage at the center of the field. Ball kicked (c) At kick-off , or at any other time, if across goal line the ball is kicked across the goal line and at kick-off. is there declared dead when in the posses- sion of one of the side defending the goal, it is a touchback. If the ball is not de- clared dead, the side defending the goal may run with it or kick it exactly as if it had not crossed the goal line. If it is declared dead thus in possession of the attacking side, it is a touchdown. Position of (d) At kick-off and on a punt or drop-kick opponents at from a fair catch, the opposite side must kick-out and stand at least 10 yards in front of the ball kick from fair until it is kicked. On a kick-out, the op- catch, posite side cannot stand nearer the goal than the 25-yard line, except on a kick-out made after a try at field goal from scrim- mage upon a first down inside the 25-yard line, when the 10-yard line is the restrain- ing mark. [See Rule 23, exception.] RULE 14. Position on (a) The side which has a free-kick must free-kick, be behind the ball when it is kicked. NOTE — Otherwise the kick must be made again under conditions laid down in Penal- ties — H. Must kick ball (6) In the case of a kick-off, kick-out, ] yards, kick from a fair catch, the ball must be Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, 141 kicked a distance of at least 10 yards to- wards the opponents ' goal from the line restraining the player making the kick, unless it is stopped by an opponent ; other- wise the ball is not in play. RULE 15. (a) Charging is lawful, in case of a punt- Lawful out or kick-off, as soon as the ball is kicked; charging, and the opponents must not charge until the ball is kicked. (b) In case of any other free-kick, charg- Ball touching ing is lawful : (1) When the player of the the ground by side having the free-kick advances beyond accident. his restraining line or mark with the ball in his possession; (2) If he allows the ball to touch the ground by accident or otherwise. (c) If such lawful charging takes place, After lawful and if the side having the free-kick fails to charging ball kick the ball, then the opponents may line must be kicked, up 5 yards ahead of the line which re- strained them before charging. In that case, the side having the free-kick must kick the ball from some point directly behind its mark, if the free-kick resulted from a fair catch, and in other cases from behind the new restraining line. EXCEPTION— If, in case of a try-at-goal, after a touchdown, the ball is not kicked, after having been allowed, to touch the ground 142 Spalding' 's Official Foot Ball Guide. once, no second attempt shall be permitted, and the ball shall be kicked off at the center of the field. (Rule IS. ) RULE 16. No interference (a) The snapper-back is entitled to full with snapper- and undisturbed possession of the ball The back, opponents must neither interfere with the snapper-back nor touch the ball until it is actually put in play. Snapper-back (6) In snapping the ball back, if the player off-side, so doing is off-side, the ball must be snapped again, and if this occurs once more on the same down, the opponents shall receive 5 yards, the number of the down and the point to be gained remaining unchanged. If the player is off-side for the third time on the same scrimmage the ball shall go to the opponents. Snapper -back (c) The man who snaps back and the man and player opposite him in the scrimmage may not opposite afterward touch the ball until it has touched restrained from some player other than these two. If this touching the ball rule is broken the ball goes to the opponents on the spot of the foul. Restrictions (d) If the man who puts the ball in play when ball is put in a scrimmage kicks it forward, no player in play by kick of his side can touch it until it has gone 10 forward, yards into the opponents' territory, unless it be touched by an opponent. If this rule is broken the ball goes to the opponents on the spot of the foul. Spalding ' s Official Foot Ball Guide. 143 (e) The man who first receives the ball Advance of ball when it is snapped back shall not (save as by player first provided in Rule 18, c) carry the ball forward receiving it from beyond the line of scrimmage unless he has snapper-back regained it after it has been passed to and has touched another player. RULE 17. (a) Before the ball is put in play no player No interference shall lay his hands upon, or by the use of with opponents his hands or arms, interfere with an oppo- before ball is in nent in such a way as to delay putting the play. ball in play. Any such interference shal 1 be regarded as delay of game. (Rule 28, A.) (b) After the ball is put in play, the players No use of hands of the side that has possession of the ball or arms by may obstruct the opponents with the body attacking side, only, except the player running with the ball, who may use his hands and arms. (c) The players of the side not having the Defending side ball may use their hands and arms, but only may use hands to get their opponents out of the way in and arms, order to reach the ball or stop the player carrying it. RULE 18. (a) Before the ball is put in play in a Movement scrimmage, if any player of the side which allowed before has the ball takes more than one step in ball put in play, any direction, he must come to a full stop before the ball is put in play. 144 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. EXCEPTION— One man of the side hav- ing the ball may be in motion towards his own goal without coming to a stop before the ball is put in play. (b) At least six men of the side holding the ball must be on the line of scrimmage. If not more than six men are on the line of scrimmage one man of those not on the scrimmage line must be outside the position occupied by the man on the end of the line. In this rule ' 'outside' ' means both feet out- side the outside foot of the player at the end of the line. (c) The first man receiving the ball from the snapper-back may carry the ball for- ward provided he crosses the line of scrimmage at least 5 yards outside of the snapper-back. RULE 19. Throwing, pass- A player may throw, pass or bat the ball ing or batting in any direction except toward his oppo- the ball, nents' goal. RULE 20. A down. (a) If a player having the ball is tackled, and the movement of the ball stopped, or if the player cries "down," the referee shall blow his whistle, and the side holding the ball shall put it down for a scrimmage. (b) As soon as a runner attempting to go through is tackled and goes down, being held by an opponent, or whenever a runner Spalding } s Official Foot Ball Guide. 145 having the ball in his possession cries "down," or if he goes out of bounds, the referee shall blow his whistle and the ball shall be considered down at that spot. (c) There shall be no piling up on the N p a; ng up on player after the referee has declared the player, ball dead. RULE 21. (a) If, in three consecutive downs (unless Necessary gain the ball crosses the goal line), a team has not in three downs, advanced the ball 5 yards, it shall go to the opponents on the spot of the fourth down. NOTE — "Consecutive" means without "Consecutive" going out of possession of the side holding downs. it, except that — (1) having advanced the ball beyond the point necessary for the first down or the ball having actually passed into pos- Kicked ball session of the other side and then been must go beyond fumbled and lost by them before having been line of declared dead by the referee; or, (2) by hav- scrimmage. ing kicked the ball they have given their opponents fair and equal chance of gaining possession of it No kick, however, provided it is not stopped by an opponent, is regarded as giving the opponents fair and equal chance of possession unless the ball goes beyond the line of scrimmage. (b) When a distance penalty is given, the First down after ensuing down shall be counted, as provided distance penalty, for under Penalties — F. 146 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. RULE 22. Putting ball in If the ball goes out of bounds, whether play from out of it bounds back or not, a player of the side bounds, which secures it must bring it to the spot where the line was crossed, and there walk out with it at right angles to the side line, any distance not less than 5 nor more than 15 yards, and at that point put it down for a scrimmage, first declaring how far he intends walking. RULE 23. Kick-out after A side which has made a touchback safety or or a safety must kick out, from not touchback. more than 25 yards outside the kicker's goal. If the ball goes out of bounds be- fore striking a player, it must be kicked Positions of out again, and if this occurs twice in suc- opponents at cession, it shall be given to the opponents kick-out. as out of bounds on the 35-yard line on the side where it went out. At kick-out the opponents must be on the 25-yard line If second or nearer their own goal, and the kicker's touchback side must be behind the ball when it is before four kicked. Should a second touchback occur downs, before four downs have been played, the side defending the goal may have the choice of a down at the 25-yard line, or a kick-out. EXCEPTION— Whenever a side has tried a drop-kick or a place-kick from scrimmage Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 147 at the goal upon a first down inside the 25 After drop-kick yard line and the result has been a touch- at goal on first back, the 10-yard instead of the 25-yard line, down inside 25 shall determine the position of the opponents, yards, kick-off and the kicker's side must be behind the ball from 1 0-yard when it is kicked. line. RULE 24. (a) A side which has made a touchdown Try-at-goal after must try at goal by a place-kick direct, or touchdown, by a place-kick preceded by a punt-out if they so desire. (6) After the try-at-goal, whether the After touch- goal be made or missed, the ball shall be down, defenders kicked off at the center of the field, as pro- kick off. vided in Rule 13. RULE 25. (a) If the try be by a place-kick, a player Try-at-goal by on the side which has made the touchdown place-kick, shall hold the ball for another of his side to kick at some point outside the goal on a line parallel to the side line passing through the point where the touchdown was declared. The opponents must remain behind their goal line until the ball has been placed upon the ground. The referee shall signal with his hand when the ball is placed on the ground. (b) If the try-at-goal is to be preceded by Punt-out a punt-out, the punter shall kick the ball preceding from the point at which the line parallel to try-at-goaL 148 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. the side line, and passing through the spot of the touchdown, intersects the goal line. The players of his side must stand in the field of play not less than 5 yards from the goal line. Positions of The opponents may line up anywhere on players at the goal line except within the space of punt-out. 15 feet on each side of the punter's mark, but they shall not interfere with the punter. If a fair catch is made from a punt-out, the mark shall serve to determine the positions as the mark of any fair catch, and the try-at-goal shall then be made by a place-kick from this spot, or any point directly behind it. If a fair catch is not made on the first attempt the ball shall go as a kick-off at the center of the field to the defenders of the goal. Defending side NOTE — Since the defending team is on may charge, side, they may, of course, charge as soon as the ball is kicked and try to get the hall or interfere with the catch. Holder of ball (c) The holder of the ball and no other may be off-side, player in a place-kick from a fair catch or touchdown may be off-side or out of bounds without vitiating the kick. RULE 26. Scoring. The following shall be the values of plays in scoring: Goal obtained by touchdown, 6 points; goal from field-kick, either a drop- Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 149 kick or place-kick, 4 points; touchdown failing goal, 5 points; safety by opponents, 2 points. NOTE — The 6 points is inclusive of the 5 points for touchdown; that is> kicking the goal adds but 1 point RULE 27. (a) No one having projecting nails or iron No metallic plates on his shoes or any projecting metal- substances may lie or hard substance on his person shall be be worn, allowed to play in a match. If head pro- • tectors are worn, no sole leather, papier mache, or other hard or unyielding material shall be used in their construction, and all other devices for protectors must be so arranged and padded as, in the judgment of the umpire, to be without danger to other players. Leather cleats upon the shoes shall be allowed as heretofore. (6) A player may be substituted for an- Substitutes, other at any time at the discretion of the captain of his team. (c) There shall be no unnecessary rough- No striking or ness, throttling, hacking or striking with unnecessary the closed fist. roughness. (d) A player who has been replaced by a substitute cannot return to further partici- pation in the game. (e) There shall be no unnecessary delay No unnecessary of the game by either team. delay. 150 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. No coaching. (/) There shall be no coaching, either by substitutes or by any other persons not par- ticipating in the game. No one except the twenty-two players shall, under any cir- cumstances, come upon the field of play, save only in case of an accident to a player, and then but one official representa- tive, and he previously designated to the umpire, shall have this right. Only five men shall be allowed to walk up and down on each side of the field. The rest, includ- ing substitutes, water carriers, and all who are admitted within the enclosure, must be seated throughout the game. None of these shall come upon the field of play without permission of the umpire. Breach of any part of this rule shall constitute a foul, and be punished by a loss of 5 yards to the side whose man infringes, the number of the down and the distance to be gained for first down remaining unchanged. No tripping. (g) There shall be no tripping. PENALTIES. RULE 28. A Foul is any violation of a rule. The penalties for fouls shall be as follows: A. Loss of 5 ym*ds* 1. Coaching or infringement of any part of Rule 27, /. Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 2. Delay of game (Rule 12, e; Rule 17, a). 3. Interference with putting ball in play (Rule 16, a). 4. Off-side in scrimmage (Rule 10, a). 5. Starting before ball (Rule 18). 6. Scrimmage rule violated (Rule 18). 7. Snapper-back off-side second time in same down. (For third offence on same down the ball goes to opponents.) (Rule 16, b.) 8. Passing or batting ball forward (Rule 19). 9. Unsportsmanlike conduct (see provi- sion "L" below). 10. Holding by defensive side of player not carrying the ball (Rule 17, c). 11. Snapper-back or man opposite touch- ing ball before it has touched third man (Rule 16, c). 12. Piling up after ball has been declared dead (Rule 20, c). B. Lqss of $5 yards* 1. Tripping (Rule 27, g). 2. Holding or illegal use of hands or arms by team in possession of ball (Rule 17, 6). 3. Illegal running by man receiving ball directly from snapper-back (Rule 16, e; Rule 18). 4. Interference with fair catch (see pro- vision "G" below). Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. C. Disqualification* 1. Unnecessary roughness, throttling, hacking or striking with closed fist (Rule 27, cj. _ 1 . 2. Violation of Rule 27, a, unless the fault is corrected within two minutes. D. Forfeiture of game* 1. Refusing to play within two minutes after having been ordered by the referee to do so. (Rule 12, e. ) 2. Defensive team committing fouls so near their goal line that these fouls are punishable only by halving the distance to the goal line in order, in the opinion of the referee, to delay the game. (The referee shall warn offending side once before de- claring game forfeited.) (See Rule 28 — K.) RULINGS IN CONNECTION WITH PENALTIES. E. When a foul has been committed and a signal to that effect has been given by the umpire or linesman, each acting within the limit of his authority as given under Duties of Officials, the referee shall call the ball back to the spot where the foul was committed and from that point exact the penalty as prescribed above. When a foul has been declared the ball may not be again put in play until the penalty has been exacted or declined. (See next provision.) Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. The offended side may decline to accept the penalty, in which case play is resumed exactly as if no foul occurred. F. Whenever a distance penalty has been given the ball shall be put in play by a scrimmage unless otherwise specifically provided for by the rules. This scrimmage shall be counted as first down if the offence was committed by the side not in posses- sion of the ball. In case the side in pos- session of the ball was the offender, the down and point to be gained for first down shall remain the same as they were at the beginning of the scrimmage during which the foul occurred. EXCEPTION— If the foul was committed after a gain of such length that after the exaction of the distance penalty the ball is still in advance of the point necessary for first down when the hall was last put in play, the ensuing down shall he counted the first down, with five yards to gain for the next first down. In case neither side was in possession of the ball when the foul was committed — for example, if the ball was in the air or free upon the ground after a kick, fumble or poor pass — it shall go to the offended side as first down at the spot where the foul occurred. Under this head would come the following: 154 Spalding ' s Official Foot Ball Guide, 1. In case of scrimmage kick on third down, the kicking side touching the ball after the kick before it passed the line of scrimmage (Rule 21). 2. Touching ball after a kick when player is off-side. (Except inside opponents' 10- yard line, when a touchback shall be de- clared.) (Rule 10, b and d.) 3. If ball not in possession is batted for- ward (Rule 19). In case of tripping, the distance penalty shall be given in addition. G. If a player who has an opportunity of making a fair catch (Rule 7) is unlawfully ob- structed by an opponent who is off-side and thus prevented from catching the ball, or if a player who has heeled a fair catch is thrown to the ground (unless he has ad- vanced beyond his mark) his side shall have the choice of two penalties, viz. : — 1. They may receive 15 yards, in which case they must put the ball in play by a scrimmage; or, 2. They may receive 5 yards, in which case they must put the ball in play by a punt, drop-kick or place-kick. H. In any case of free-kick (Rule 2, f, and 15, b) if the kicker advances beyond his mark before kicking the ball, no mat- ter whether he then kicks it or not, the opponents shall be allowed to line up 5 yards nearer the kicker's mark, and the Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 155 kick shall then be made from some point back of the first mark and at the same distance from the side line. This shall also apply when the side having a free-kick allows the ball to touch the ground (Rule 15, 6; Rule 25, 6) 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). I. In the case of a free-kick, if the oppo- nents charge before the ball is put in play (Rule 13, d) they shall be put back 5 yards for every such offense and the ball shall be put in play again by a kick from a point which may be 5 yards nearer the oppo- nents' goal if the kicking side so desire. NOTE — In case a team is penalized under this rule at or near their goal line, e. g. , in case of illegal charging during a try-for-goal after touchdown or throwing the catcher of a punt-out, the regular penalty shall be ex- acted even though it results in placing them behind their oivn goal line. A second offense here shall be penalized exactly as if it had occurred outside the goal line. J. Whenever the rules provide for a distance penalty, if the distance prescribed would carry the ball nearer to the goal line than the 5-yard line, the ball shall be 156 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. down on the 5-yard line. If, however, the foul was committed inside the 10-yard line, half the distance to the goal line shall be given. K. If a team on the defense commits fouls so near their own goal that these fouls are punishable only by the halving of the distance to the line, the object being, in the opinion of the referee, to delay the game, the offending side shall be regarded as re- fusing to allow the game to proceed. The referee shall in such case warn the offend- ing side once and if the offense is repeated, he shall declare the game forfeited to the opponents. L. In case the game is interfered with by some act palpably unsportsmanlike and not elsewhere provided for in these rules, the umpire shall have the power to award 5 yards to the offended side, the number of the down and the point to be gained for the first down being determined as provided for in "F." DUTIES OF OFFICIALS. L— The Referee. RULE 29. Rules in which The Referee is responsible for the en- Referee has f orcement of Rules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (a, b and d); jurisdiction. 7 (except as relates to interference, throw- ing catcher, and positions of players) ; 8, Spalding s Official Foot Ball Guide. 157 11, 12, 13 (except d) ; 14, b; 16, a and e; 18, c; 19, 20 (a and 6) ; 21, 22, 23 (except as re- lates to positions of players) ; 24, 25 (except as relates to positions of players and inter- ference); 26, 27 (e and/). In making his decisions the Referee must Precedence to recognize and allow precedence to any fouls, penalty inflicted by the umpire for a foul. The Referee's decisions are final upon all Points not points not specified under the duties of the covered by Umpire. Umpire. The Referee shall see that the ball is Putting ball in properly put in play, and he is judge of its play and position and progress. progress. He is judge of forward passes, of inter- Forward ference with the snap-back, and of the passing and advance of the ball by the player who first snapping back, receives it from the snapper-back when the ball is put in play from a scrimmage (Rule 16, a and e), and offenses under Rule 18, c. At the beginning of a game and in every Notice to case after time has been taken out, he shall captains when ascertain from each captain that his team commencing is ready, before ordering play to begin. pW- He is sole authority for the score of the Score and game and is judge of forfeiture of the game forfeiture, under the rules. ' The Referee may appeal to both the Urn- Appeal to other pire and Linesman for testimony upon all officials, points within his jurisdiction. 158 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. Must volunteer The Referee must volunteer testimony to testimony in case the Umpire concerning infringement of of unlawful Rule 27 (c and/), coaching. II.— The Umpire. Duties of The Umpire is responsible for the enforce- Umpire. ment of all rules whose infringement is punishable by a distance penalty or by the surrender of the ball by one team to the opponents, except 13, b; 16, a and e; 18, c; 19 and 23, viz. : Rules 6, c; 9, 10, 13, d; 14, a; 15, 16 (except a and e); 17, 18 (except c), 20, c; 27. Fouls. The Umpire is judge of the conduct of the players, and his decision is final regard- ing such fouls as are not specifically placed within the jurisdiction of the Referee. Charging and The Umpire is judge of charging, and of position, the positions of players whenever the ball is put in play. Appeal for He may appeal to both the Referee and testimony. Linesman for testimony in cases of fouls seen by them, and it shall be their duty to volunteer testimony concerning violations of Rule 27 (c and/). NOTE — Captains and players, however, may not appeal to the Referee or Linesman for their testimony upon the points just mentioned. The Umpire shall not signal with his horn or bell, except to declare a foul committed. Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, 159 Whenever the Umpire notices or is in- Prevention and formed by the Referee or Linesman that a punishment of substitute or any other person not partici- coaching, pating in the game is coaching, he shall immediately exclude the offender for the remainder of the game from the neighbor- hood of the field of play; i. e., send the offender behind the ropes or fence sur- rounding the field of play. Furthermore, he shall exact the penalty as provided in Rule 28. NOTE — The Referee should use a whistle Use of whistles, to indicate cessation of play on downs, fair catches and fouls, and the umpire {and linesman) should use a horn or a hell of some kind, distinguishable from the referee's whistle, to indicate that a foul has been committed. III. —The Linesman. The Linesman shall, under the super- Duties of vision of the Referee, mark the distances Linesman, gained or lost in the progress of the play. He shall remain on the side lines and be Assistants' provided with two assistants, who shall re- implements, main outside the field of play and who shall use, in measuring distance, the rope or chain mentioned in Note under Rule 1 (d). The Linesman shall, under the direction Stop-watch, of the referee, also keep the time, and he should use a stop-watch in so doing. He should start his watch not when the Referee Spalding' 's Official Foot Ball Guide. blows his whistle, but when the ball is put in play. Linesman must The Linesman must penalize a side for penalize a side the ends being off-side on a kick, for trip- for ends ping of ends after a kick, and for roughing being off-side the full-back. It should be his special duty on a kick, to be in position to see that the ends are tripping of ends on-side when the ball is put in play in a after a kick or scrimmage. In case the Linesman gives a roughing decision against one side and the Umpire full-back, against the other on the same play, the penalties being other than disqualification, the ball shall be brought back to the point where it was put in play and played over again, the number of the down and the point to be gained for first down remaining the same. In case of disqualification by either official, at any time, the disqualifica- tion shall stand. In case the Linesman and Umpire each signals a foul against the same side during the same scrimmage (unneces- sary roughness excepted) only one penalty shall be given, viz. : that for the foul com- mitted first. In case it is impossible to say which foul occurred first the penalty shall be exacted only for the foul noted by the Umpire. The Linesman shall notify the captains of the time remaining for play, not more than 10 nor less than 5 minutes before the end of each half. Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. Index to Rules 161 RULE PAGE Advance of ball by player first receiving it from snapper-back. . . 16 143 Advancing beyond mark on free kick, penalty for 28 154 Ahead of ball, definition of 10 135 Ball, description of 1 128 Ball, advance of, by player first receiving it 16 143 Ball, batting of, toward opponent's goal 19 144 Ball, if official is struck by 11 137 Ball in play, no interference with opponents before 17 143 Ball kicked forward in scrimmage 16 142 Ball, measuring position of 1 129 Ball, when dead 11 136 Ball, no play when, is dead 11 137 Ball not kicked after touching ground 15 141 Ball, passing of, toward opponent's goal 19 144 Ball put in play, movement allowed before 18 143 Ball, throwing of , toward opponent's goal 19 144 Ball touching the ground by accident 15 141 Ball touching ground before free kick, penalty for 28 155 Batting ball, penalty for 28 151 Batting the ball toward opponent's goal 19 144 Beginning of game and of second half 13 139 Beginning of game, kicking ball off at 13 139 Catcher thrown, penalty for 28 154 Change of goals 13 139 Charging, definition of 9 134 Charging before ball put in play, penalty for 28 155 Charging, lawful 15 141 Charging, lawful, by defending side 25 148 Charging, lawful, ball kicked after 15 141 Clothing of players 27 149 Coaching during game 27 150 Coaching during game, penalty for 28 150 Darkness 12 138 Dead, definition of when ball is 11 136 Dead, no play when ball is 11 137 Declination of penalty 28 153 Defending side, use of hands and arms by 17 143 Defending side, when charging is lawful for 25 148 Delay, unnecessary 27 149 162 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, RULE PAGE Delay, not longer than two minutes 12 138 Delay, unnecessary, penalty for 28 151 Distance penalties near goal line 28 153 Disqualification 28 152 Downs, consecutive 21 145 Down, definition of 20 144 Down, first, after distance penalty 21 145 Downs, necessary gain in 3 21 145 Drop-kick, definition of 2 129 Drop-kick on first down, kick-off after 23 147 Duties of Referee 29 156 Duties of Umpire 29 158 Duties of Linesman 29 159 End of half, time called at 12 138 Fair catch, interference with, penalty for 28 151 Fair catch, definition of 7 133 Fair catch, putting ball in play after 7 134 Fair catch, opponents off-side shall not interfere with 7 134 Feint to snap the ball 6 133 Field, marking of 1 128 Field, dimensions of 1 128 Final score 12 138 Foot ball, description of 1 128 Forfeiture of game 28 152 Formations allowed 18 144 Forward pass, penalty for 28 151 Foul when ball in possession of neither side, penalty for 28 153 Fouls near goal line .. 28 156 Free-kick, definition of 2 130 Free-kick, advancing beyond the mark on, penalty for 28 154 Free-kick, different kinds of 2 130 Free-kick, position of players at 14 140 Gain, necessary, in 3 downs 21 145 Game, beginning of 13 139 Game, beginning of, kicking ball off at 13 139 Game, length of 12 137 Game, shortening of, by agreement between captains 12 137 Game, shortening of , by referee 12 138 Gain or loss in 3 downs 21 145 Goal, definition of 8 134 Goal line, ball kicked across, at kick-off 13 140 Goal line, distance penalties near 28 155 Goal line, repeated fouls near 28 156 Goal posts 1 128 Goals, change of 13 139 Hacking 27 149 Hacking, penalty for 28 152 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 163 RULE PAGB Half, end of, time called at 12 138 Hands and arms, use of, by attacking side 17 143 Hands and arms, use of, by defending side 17 143 Hands and arms, use of, penalty for 28 151 Headgears 27 149 Holder of ball may be off-side 25 148 Holding, penalty for 28 151 Interference with fair catch, penalty for 28 151 Interference with opponents before ball in play, no 17 143 Interference with snapper-back, no 16 142 Interference with snapper-back, penalty for 28 151 Intermission, length of 12 137 Kick must be 10 yards 14 140 Kicked ball must go beyond line of scrimmage 21 145 Kick-out, definition of 2 130 Kick-out after safety or touchback. . , 23 146 Kick-out, positions of opponents at 23 146 Kick-off after try-ai>goal 24 147 Kick from fair catch, positions of opponents at 13 140 Kick-off, definition of 2 130 Kick-cff, ball kicked out of bounds at , 13 139 Kick-off, bail kicked across goal line at 13 140 Kick-off after drop-kick on first down 23 147 Kick-off after score 13 139 Kick-off, at beginning of game 13 139 Kick-off, at beginning of second half 13 139 Kicking ball forward in scrimmage 16 142 Lawful charging 15 141 Lawful charging, 1 all kicked after 15 141 Lawful charging by defending side 25 148 Length of game 12 137 Length of intermission 12 137 Length of game, shortening of, by agreement between captains. 12 137 Length of game, shortening of, by referee 12 138 Linesman, duties of 29 159 Loss of 5 yards 28 150 Loss of 15 yards 28 151 Metallic substances not to be worn 27 149 Mid-field, formation allowed in 18 144 Movement allowed before ball put in play 18 143 Officials 1 128 Official, if ball strikes an 11 137 Off-side play in scrimmage, definition of 10 135 Off-side, player put 10 135 Off-side, restrictions when 10 135 Off-side, kicked ball strikes player 10 135 Off-side, player put on side after being 10 135 164 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide, RULE PAGE Off-side, ball inside 10-yard line touched by a player who is 10 136 Off-side, holder of ball may be 25 148 Off-side, how player is put 10 135 Off-side, if player touch ball when 10 136 Off-side, penalty for 28 151 Off-side play in snapping the ball back 6 133 Off-side, snapper-back 16 142 On-side, kicker may not put others 10 135 On-side, player put, after being 1 put off-side 10 135 Out of bounds, definition of 3 130 Out of bounds, ball kicked, at kick-off , . 13 139 Out of bounds, putting ball in play from 22 146 Passing" the ball toward opponents' goal 19 144 Penalties 28 150 Penalties near goal line 28 155 Penalty, first down after distance „ 21 145 Penalty right to decline 28 153 Piling up on player 20 145 Piling up, penalty for 28 151 Players, number of 1 128 Player opposite snapper-back may not touch ball 16 142 Place-kick, try-at-goal by 25 147 Place-kick, definition of 2 130 Positions of opponents at kick-out 23 146 Position of players at punt-out , . 25 148 Position of ball, measuring of 1 129 Position of players on free-kick 25 148 Position of opponents at kick-out and kick from fair catch 13 140 Punt, definition of 2 130 Punt-out, definition of 5 132 Punt-out preceding try-at-goal 25 147 Punt-out, position of players at 25 148 Putting ball in play after fair catch 7 134 Putting ball in play from out of bounds 22 146 Quarter-back running with ball, penalty for foul by 28 151 Quarter-back running with the ball, rule governing 18 144 Refusing to play, penalty for 28 152 Referee, duties of £9 156 Repeated fouls near goal line 28 155 Restrictions when ball is put in play by kick forward 16 142 Right to decline penalty 28 153 Roughness 27 149 Roughness, unnecessary, penalty for 28 152 Safety, definition of 4 132 Safety or touchback, kick-out after 23 146 Scoring 26 148 Score, final 12 138 Scrimmage 6 132 Spalding 's Official Foot Ball Guide. 165 RULE PAGE Scrimmage, end of 6 133 Scrimmage, kicked ball must go beyond line of 21 145 Scrimmage, penalties for violations of rules governing 28 151 Second touchback before four downs 23 146 Second half, beginning of, kicking ball off at 13 139 Side lines, men allowed on 27 150 Snapper-back may not touch the ball 16 142 Snapper-back off-side 16 142 Snapper-back off-side 6 133 Snapper-back, no interference with 16 142 Snapper-back, interference with, penalty of 28 151 Snapper-back, may not touch the ball 16 142 Snapping the ball, definition of 6 133 Snap the ball, feint to 6 133 Starting before ball put in play, penalty for 28 151 Striking with closed fist 27 149 Striking with closed fist, penalty for 28 152 Substitutes 27 149 Substitute, player replaced by 27 149 Taking out time 12 138 Throttling 27 149 Throttling, penalty for 28 152 Throwing the ball toward opponent's goal 19 144 Time called at end of a half 12 138 Time, when it shall begin 12 138 Time, when taken out 12 138 Time not taken out when ball out of bounds 12 138 Touchback, definition of 4 131 Touchback, second, before 4 downs 23 146 Touchback or safety, kick-out after 23 146 Touchdown, definition of 4 131 Touchdown, marking of 4 131 Touchdown, try-at-goal af ter 24 147 Tripping 27 150 Tripping, penalty for 28 151 Try-at-goal by place-kick 25 147 Try-at-goal after touchdown 24 147 Try-at-goal, kick-off after 24 147 Try-at-goal, punt-out preceding 25 147 Umpire, duties of , 29 158 Unnecessary delay 27 149 Unnecessary delay, penalty for 28 151 Unnecessary roughness 27 . 149 Unnecessary roughness, penalty for 28 152 Unsportsmanlike action, penalty for 28 151 Use of hands and arms by attacking side 17 143 Use of hands and arms by defending side 17 143 Use of hands and arms, penalty for 28 151 SEP 8 1904