In making these changes in the rules the committee's aim is to more nearly equalize the attacking and defensive powers. During the past season it developed that if a team could not gain its ten yards in two downs it preferred to trust to the individual ability of a punter, rather than to risk losing the ball entirely. The change which gives a team four downs to make ten yards is expected to strengthen the offense.

New Zone for Forward Pass.

A forward pass which crosses the goal-line is legalized, provided it does not go more than ten yards beyond it. This feature, it is hoped, will give the offense a better opportunity to score; first, by providing them with a new weapon of attack inside the 20-yard line, and second, by preventing the defense from concentrating its forces upon the line of scrimmage, when under its own goal-posts. The forward pass when used in mid-field may exceed 20 yards in length.

Touchdown to Count 6 Points.

The value of a touchdown has been raised from five to six points. By this increase it is made equal to two goals from the field. A goal kicked after a touchdown still counts one point.

As the length of the field has been shortened from 110 to 100 yards it was decided to have the kick-off from the attacking side's 40-yard line, or 60 yards from the opposing goal. Scrimmaging will thus start more nearly in mid-field.

After a touchback play will start on the 20-yard line instead of on the 25-yard line as heretofore. The committee believes that there will be no opportunity to revive the old mass style of play because of the rule which prevents the man with the ball from receiving any aid in the form of pushing or pulling.

On-side Kick Abolished.

The on-side kick has been eliminated because of its generally unsatisfactory nature, and the possibility of injuries resulting from the efforts to recover the bounding ball.