Football Rules

I found an excellent history of Football Rules, including these dates and rules changes:

1905

• No tackling out-of-bounds.


• No Hurdling or piling on after play called dead.


• No tackling below the knee.


• No stricking the ball carrier in the face.


• No locking of legs, except for the two players on either side of the center.


• Referee called the end of the play.


• Offense had to have 6 players on line of scrimage.


• Only one player in motion before the snap.


• Any player moving from the line of scrimage had to be replaced prior to the snap of the ball.


• The length of the game shortened to 2 thirty minute halves.


• The number of yards need for a first down increased from 5 to 10.


• Neutral zone increase to length of the ball.


• Legalization of the forward pass.


• If the pass was incomplete, it was a turnover.


• A pass completed in the endzone was a touchback for the defending team (turnover)


• If the ball wasn't thrown within 5 yards, either side of the middle of the field, or hit an ineligble receiver, it was a turnover. Hash marks were added.

1908

• Seven players on the line of scrimage. End of mass-formation plays.


• No pushing or pulling the ball carrier.


• No interlocked interference.


• No crawling.


• Flying tackle banned.


• Score for forfeited game set at 1 point.

1910

• A player leaving the game could not return until the start of the next quarter.


• Forward passes limited to 20 yards in length or under.

1912

• Team had 4 downs to make a firstdown. (10 yards)


• Length of field reduced to 100 yards from 110 yards. 10 yard endzone created behind each goal.


• Value of a touchdown increased from 5 to 6 points.


• All distance restrictions for a forward pass were removed.


• A pass completed in the endzone was now a touchdown and no longer a turnover.


• An incompleted pass was a loss of down and no longer a turnover.