Post by Coach Campbell on Mar 26, 2005 15:37:55 GMT
Chronology of Rule Changes in Collegiate Football
1869 to 1993
As overview of the first ten primary rules established in College football is as follows:
1. 1876: Holding, carrying, and backward passing of the ball permitted; this led to rushing as opposed to soccer.
2. 1879: Interference legalized.
3. 1880: (three & four) Eleven players on a side and a scrimmage line established; the latter change eliminated the rugby scrum and aligned the teams on either side of the ball.
5. 1882: Downs and yards to gain. A team had to gain five yards in three downs, or forfeit possession.
6. 1883: Four current methods of scoring were written into the book—touchdown, point after, field goal, and safety.
7. 1888: Tackling permitted below the waist but not below the knees; previously, all tackling had to be above the waist.
8. 1896: Motion limited to one player, eliminating brutal momentum plays.
9. 1906: Forward pass legalized. This was the most important of all rule changes since 1876. It gave football the balance between offense and defense and reduced the importance of kicking and rushing. " One of the primary reasons that the forward pass was legalized was intended to reduce deaths and brutal injuries in football.
10. 1906 and 1912: Ten yards for a first down, plus a fourth down to make it. The change to 10 yards came in 1906, the fourth down in 1912, to encourage the offensive game.
1869 to 1993
As overview of the first ten primary rules established in College football is as follows:
1. 1876: Holding, carrying, and backward passing of the ball permitted; this led to rushing as opposed to soccer.
2. 1879: Interference legalized.
3. 1880: (three & four) Eleven players on a side and a scrimmage line established; the latter change eliminated the rugby scrum and aligned the teams on either side of the ball.
5. 1882: Downs and yards to gain. A team had to gain five yards in three downs, or forfeit possession.
6. 1883: Four current methods of scoring were written into the book—touchdown, point after, field goal, and safety.
7. 1888: Tackling permitted below the waist but not below the knees; previously, all tackling had to be above the waist.
8. 1896: Motion limited to one player, eliminating brutal momentum plays.
9. 1906: Forward pass legalized. This was the most important of all rule changes since 1876. It gave football the balance between offense and defense and reduced the importance of kicking and rushing. " One of the primary reasons that the forward pass was legalized was intended to reduce deaths and brutal injuries in football.
10. 1906 and 1912: Ten yards for a first down, plus a fourth down to make it. The change to 10 yards came in 1906, the fourth down in 1912, to encourage the offensive game.