FINDINGS, REPORT, AND poner
RELADIVE,T0.-
THE ELIMINATION OF HE CENTER JUMP

Connencing with the season of 1935, the Southern Division of the
Pacific Coast Conference has been engaged in’ authorized’ research as regards
the elinination of the tip-off in actual inter-collegiate PLAY

The tern authorized! is used’ in order bo: negative at the outset any
thought. that this move was Local or in any way sectional or "insurgent" in
its nature. . Before the plan was. ever put into effect, Dr. J. Fred Bohler
of the, National Rules Connittee was contracted, and,' as a nenber of that
body, warily expressed his approval of the project. — Thus, on April 10,
1934, he wrote: "I think it. is a fine. thing for your group in the South
to give this elimination of: the center jump play ‘a’: ‘rial next year and
I shall report this. to the Committee. I an sure that our Connittee will
be pleased. to get. the result of this, experinent."* And again, on April 255.
1934, he wrote, concerning. the Connittee: "They were very ‘happy indeed
to know that. the Southern Division. of the Pacific Coast, Conference was
undertaking sone exnerinents along. this. line and I an ‘sure they will be
anxious. to: get the results of your findings.” |

With this open encouragetient fron the rule-naking body, the experi-
nent, as such, was.tried in 1935 with such success that it was carried on
through. the 1936 and 1937 seasons. _With this experience as a basis, it
seens fitting the findings above! referred to by Drs Bohler be now nade.
They are as follows:. oo , ae.

is Elinination of Rough Elan Incidental to the Center Tip.

The elerient of ‘rough play. in - connection with the tip was the noving - .
cause which led to the nodif ication iin the first place. It was found that
crashing,’ shoving, , blocking, and ‘other. illegal contact in connection with
the tip was the rule, rather than’ ‘the exceptions Moreover, that the fouls
actually connitted were greatly in excess of those detected avid called,
irrespective of the ability, of the ebt eagles With. the elinination of the

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Ba » Elinihation of. Held ‘polls Following the Din.

When the tip-off was in use, it was found that in a great nany cases
the player securing the ball was immediately tied up by an opponent, thus
resulting in a held balls: The elininat ion has thus resulted in a narked |
decrease in the’ nunber, of held. balls, thus leading to less interruptions - :
in the pig.

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43«e Development of 2 More. Snooth, Sontinuous Hie of Flsy-

With the center tap ie use, | after a bogies sees is of necessity a lull
in the play during which ‘thie ball is rétrieved by the official's, the teans
line’ up: in their. ‘center tip ‘fortiations, and ‘the. ball is finally tossed up
at centers “This “break ‘inthe ‘continuity and suoothness of the play is en~
tirely done’ away with where the ball is playeil in’ without the tip. One
team scores; the other innediately assumes the offensive and the play goes
on without a break in its continuity.” : “Thé Dall: its not handled by the
official (this Was tried and discarded in 1935) and, hence, a rapid
counter-attack: fron the back court PAY. be euployed if desired. ©

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