Football Its Early Beginnings

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.



The following chronology of rule changes in collegiate football concerns the use of hands, arms, and body from 1869 to 1992.



1869 1870: At the beginning of intercollegiate football, the rules of football were made individually by each college.



1873: (October 19) Standardization of rules was first attempted at a meeting held in New York City, at which time delegates form Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and Rutgers attended. Harvard declines invitation. For the sake of historical interest, and as a basis for comparing these with the rules as, they exist today, 12 rules are established.



1876: Next change in rules plus additions was made in Springfield, Massachu¬setts. At this session, the Rugby Unions rules were considered. A new code consisting, of 61 rules were considered. A new code consisting of 61 rules was drawn up.



1888: Helping runner and using body. Blocking with extended arms prohibited.



1888: Use of hands and arms. Holding on offense constitutes loss of ball to opponent.



1889: Helping runner and using body. Offensive team may, with body only, obstruct opponents.



1895: Seven players must be on the line of scrimmage until ball is snapped.



1896: Helping runner and using body. After ball is put into play, player of offensive team, except player who runs with the ball, may with body only, obstruct opponent.



1896: Rule changed stating at least five players shall be on the line of scrimmage when ball is snapped.



1898: Hands and arms. A player of team in possession of the ball holds, loss of ball to opponent.



1902: Hands and arms. Loss of ball to the opponent, if player holds on offense.



1903: Rule changed. Now the number of players on the line of scrimmage could be either seven or five under certain conditions.



1904: Rule. At least six men of the side holding the football must be on the line of scrimmage.



1906: Hands and arms. Holding or unlawful obstruction with hands or arms by offensive team includes:



a) grasping opponent with hands or arms



b) placing hands or arms upon opponent to push him away from play

c) with arm circling in any degree any part of the opponent.



1908: Hands and arms. All holding and use of hands and arms in obstructing opponents is, except with arms closed to body, prohibited. Such holding and use of hands and arms includes:



a) grasping opponent with hands and arms

b) placing hands upon opponent to push him away from play

c) with arm encircling in any degree any part of the opponent

d) in blocking, using arms in any way to lift opponent.



1910: Helping runner and using body. Offensive players may not use hands, arms, or body to push, pull, or hold feet of player carrying ball.



1910: Rule. Number of players on the line of scrimmage must be seven.



1911: Helping runner and using body. Offensive player may use his body to push opponent.



1930: Hands and arms. Illegal use of hands and arms by team with possession of the ball is prohibited. Such holding and use of hands and arms includes:



a) grasping an opponent with hands and arms

b) placing hands upon an opponent to push him away from play

c) with arm encircling in any degree any part of the opponent

d) in blocking, using arms in any way to lift opponent.



1931: Helping runner and using body. No player of the team in possession of the ball may help the runner except by interfering for him, and there shall be no interlocked interference.



1946: Hands and arms. Use of locked hands, regardless of position of hands, is illegal if used in blocking by player of team with possession of ball. Note: Legal use of hands and arms by team in possession of ball:



a) in shoulder and upper arm blocking, player, after making legal initial blocking contact may allow his hand or hands to leave his body if defensive man retreats.

b) in passive block for protection of kicker or passer, player may shield his head with his arms, but in no case in such action may he use his hands or arms to strike or push opponent.

c) in side body or crab blocks, arms or hands to not have to be close to body



1949: Helping runner and using body. While blocking, player's feet may leave ground the instant he makes contact with opponent.



1949: Hands and arms. Penalty for illegal use of hands and arms, for offensive player, loss of 15 yards from spot of foul. If, to supplement shoulder or chest block, teammate of runner uses hand or forearm in blocking:



a) hand must be in contact with body during entire block

b) with crab or body block hands do not have to be in contact with body

c) hands may not be locked during any block.



1950: Hands and arms. Hand must be in contact with body, and hand and arm must be kept below shoulders of opponent during entire block by teammate of runner. Note: If hand or arm of player of offensive team in legal blocking position contacts opponent above shoulder before opponent squats, ducks, or submarines, such contact is not violation if hands and arms are otherwise used legally.



1952: Hands and arms. Penalty for illegal use of hands or arms, for offensive player, loss of 15 yards from spot of foul.



1976: Helping runner and using body. Teammates of the runner or passer may interfere for him by blocking but shall not use interlocked interference by grasping or encircling one another in any manner. Scrimmage line redefined second time and pass blocking further facilitated.



1976: Hands and arms. When a teammate of a runner or a passer uses a hand(s) or arm(s) in blocking or to supplement a shoulder block:



a) The hand(s) shall be in advance of the elbow.

b) The hand(s) shall be inside the frame of the blocker's body.

c) The hand(s) and arm(s) shall be parallel to the ground.

d) The arm(s) shall not be extended more than one half of a full extension.

e) The hand(s) shall be cupped or closed with the palm(s) not facing the opponent.

f) The hand(s) and arm(s) shall not be used to deliver a blow.

g) The hand(s) and arm(s) shall not be used to grasp, pull, encircle or lift an opponent.

h) The hand(s) or arm(s) shall not be used to hook, lock or clamp an opponent.

i) During no block shall the hands be locked.



1980: Helping runner and using, body. Teammates of the runner or passer may interfere for him by blocking but shall not use interlocked interference for him by grasping or encircling one another in any manner.



1980: (A) Hands and arms. When a teammate of a runner or a passer uses a hand(s) or arm(s) in blocking or to supplement a shoulder block:



a) The hand(s) shall be in advance of the elbow(s) and the elbow(s) shall be entirely outside the shoulder(s) of the blocker.

b) The hand(s) and arm(s) shall be parallel to the ground.

c) The hand(s) and arm(s) shall be parallel to the ground.

d) The arm(s) shall not be extended more than one half of a full extension.

e) The hand(s) shall be cupped or closed with the palm(s) not facing the opponent.



1980: (B) Hands and arms. When a teammate of a runner or a passer is blocking behind the neutral zone while retreating, he may legally block under the following conditions:



a) The hand(s) shall be in advance of the elbow(s) and the elbow(s) shall be entirely outside the shoulder(s) of tile blocker.

b) The hand(s) shall be:

1. Inside the frame of the blocker's body.

2. Inside the frame of the opponent's body.

3. Below the shoulder(s) of the blocker and the opponent.

c) The hand(s) shall be cupped or closed and the palm(s) may face the frame of the opponent.



1980: (C) Hands and arms. Holding or illegal obstruction by a teammate of the runner or passer applies to:



a) The hand(s) or aim(s) shall not be used to deliver a blow.

b) The hand(s) and arm(s) shall not be used to grasp, pull, or encircle or lift opponent.

c) The hand(s) or arm(s) shall not be used to hook, lock, clamp or otherwise obstruct an opponent.

d) During no block shall the hands be locked.



1980: Chop block prohibited.



1980: Retreat block added with full arm extension to assist pass blocking and illegal use of the hands reduced to five yards.



1981: Hands must be open on a retreat block and holding reduced to ten yards.



1983: Illegal use of the hands added to exception for enforcement from previous spot to assist pass blocking.



1984: Delay chop block defined as one second.



1985: Retreat block deleted and open hands and extended arms permitted anywhere on the field.



1991: Hands and arms: A teammate of a runner or a passer legally may block with his shoulders, his hands, the outer surface of his arms or any part of his body under the following provisions. There hands shall be:



a) In advance of the elbow.

b) Inside the frame of the opponent' s body. (Exception: When the opponent turns his back to the blocker).

c) At or below the shoulder(s) of the blocker and the opponent. (Exception: When the opponent squats, ducks, or submarines).

d) The hand(s) shall be open with the palm(s) not facing the opponent. Summary



SUMMARY

The playing rules of the game have always determined the theories, systems, and philosophies of offensive play to a far greater degree than those of defensive play. The fact that the offense possesses the ball and knows what it is going to do with it, where and when, necessitates the rule concept placing restrictions on the offense not imposed on the defense. The doctrine of the dead ball, allowing only 25 seconds to put in play, keeping ten men motionless at the snap, and requiring seven men on the line are the laws regulating football and limiting innovations, in this area. However, it is these restrictions that make football the great strategic game that it is.