oe

The records show that the number of called fouls have been increasing
Since 1939 when the studies were started, but that the increase in the last
year under the 5 personal limitation has been less than between 1943 and 1944
when 4 personal fouls operated in both years.

Another interesting comparieerfoncerns the number of times a player was
eliminatedby excessive fouling, in 800 gamesin 1944 players were benched 2.3
times per game for 4 fouls; in 1945 the number was 1.5 per game for 5 fouls.

The steady increase in fouls per game for 6 years opens many questions

which, frankly, have not been explained to my satisfaction.
- Are players/cruder?
- Do players knowing they can stay in longer foul with freedom?
- Are officials more strict?
- To what extent ddore rapid play affect fouling ?
- Has free substitutions led to more fouls ?
- Has 3 second violations and play around the basket

brought more fouls.

Wa WDM FF

The vote concerning the 3 second rule was 943 satisfactory; 232 not
Satisfactory. The minority here is growing and indicates that some action
must be taken soon, We covered every recommendation, and found them so widely
diversified that we couldn't agree on anything except to order more research.

I still couldn't get enough support to move all jumps to the nearest
circle but there was less objection than previously. Ed Hickox, as chairman
of the research division, was asked to make some tests. ~Without official
sattion from the Big Six I suggested that we be allowed to use the circle
jutap regulations next year, and with Ed's help compare such statistics as
we can gather with those of another conference using the present rules. i'll
bring that up at our spring meeting. if you favor it you might be thinking
of the types of records we can obtain to prove our point.

My own assignment was to work out differences in the visual code of
Signals for officials. My report was accepted and we have tried to describe
the signals and will have new drawings made for next year's Guide. i imagine
we have some bugs in them, but a little use ought to show just what can be
added to have all referees using the same motions to transmit their decisions.

I was present when H.V.Porter gave a review of our procedings|to the
newspaper men and know he was accurate, but the news items gave some false
impressions and actually were inaccurate in some instances. Whitney Martin's
comments on giving additbonal help to the tall man on offense were based on
these inaccurate articles as you will see when Porter prints the rules changes.

After all this letter was written simply to let you know what I did with

your suggestion, and to outline the reasons why it was not accpeted. The other
stuff is merely a review of things in which I thought you might be interested.

Yours truly,

   

 

   
 

veorge R./ Edwards.