Today's Tidbit... Novel Rule Suggestions of 1904

Critics assailed football and its rules committee for ten years due to the increased roughness of the game, and the 1904 and 1905 rules committees received any number of suggestions for how to make the game safer. Some suggested altering the playing rules to encourage or force a more open game. Another argued for changing the penalties meted out for illegal behavior.

Let's review three of those suggestions.

Ten Yards in Three Downs

One suggestion for 1904 came from a committee member, Walter Camp. He advocated for forcing teams to gain ten yards in three downs to earn a first down, believing that doubling the yards to gain would force teams to innovate and play a more open style. Those opposing his suggestion argued that gaining ten yards in three downs was too difficult under the current rules so that this change would lead to endless punting.

1904 Rules Committee (Camp, Walter. Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide)

The rules committee did not adopt this suggestion in 1904, though they would do so two years later.

Football's Penalty Box