The Evolution of Football

It seems football has been around almost as long asCambridge Rules and the rules adopted by the FA.
England. William FitzStephen, who worked as a clerkFirst, the Football Association rules allowed allow
for the archbishop Thomas Beckett, first wrote aboutplayers to run or carry the ball in certain circumstance.
the game in 1170. In 1477, Edward IV banned footballSecond, FA rules permitted hacking only if the
and Oliver Cromwell did the same thing in 1649. Theopposing team player ran with the ball towards the
rules of modern soccer have its genesis in theopponent's goal and was not being held.
traditional football games that were played by teamsFA rules defined some terminology, such as "offside"
from the public schools of England. The rules of theand "thrown in." The rules also dictated what was
game depended on the school and were oftenconsidered acceptable play. It included the procedures
dictated by the dimensions of the institutions' playingfor kicking off; and, it allowed the ball to be passed by
field.hand only when the player caught it on the first
The top public schools in England field football teams.bounce. There was also a mandated maximum length
Eton had a team as far back as 1747. By the earlyand breath for the pitch.
1750's Westminster, Harrow, Shrewsbury, WinchesterIn addition, players were no longer able to have
and Charterhouse had teams. Rugby, a public schoolfootwear with built-in iron plates, and nails. Items such
situated in the Midlands, is credited with developing theas penalties, the number of players and the shape of
first rules that were put into writing in 1845. The rulethe ball were decided by the team captains before the
sought to take much of the physical violence out ofgame. This group latter form the Rugby Football Union
the game including hacking (kicking the opposing player(RFU) in 1871 which banned hacking as a response to
in the shins) and "navvies" which consist of boots thatpublic outcry over the violence
were fitted with iron and projected nails.During a game between London and Sheffield (1866),
Eton College is credited with developing the first set ofmembers of the FA noticed how certain rules were
rules around 1815; however, they did not produceaffecting the ebb and flow of the game. The FA
written rules until 1847. The Eton rules are the firstmade a decision to modify the "offside" rules. This
known prohibition on the use of hands. In 1848,change allowed the ball to be passed forward. They
Cambridge University met with 12 delegates fromalso eliminated the handling of the ball except for by
schools that included Eton, Rugby, Winchester andthe goalkeepers on each team. It was during this time
Shrewsbury. The meeting, which lasted for eight hours,that a red piece of tape was placed between the goal
resulted in what are called the first modern collectionpost to designate the top.
of rules for soccer.In 1872, the first national competition, called the FA Cup,
A revised version of the original rules (1856) is kept inwas played between the Wanderers and Royal
the library of Shrewsbury School. The CambridgeEngineers. Over 2000 people paid to see the event.
Rules placed an emphasis on kicking. Handling wasThe Royal Engineers, who played almost the entire
permitted by players to allow them a "clean catch."game short one man, lost 1-0. Player substitutions were
This allowed them a free kick. These rules were notnot permitted at that time. The popularity of the FA
very popular.Cup led to more clubs adopting FA rules, which was a
By the mid 1800's, many of the men who playedcondition for competing for the FA Cup.
football in the public schools wanted to continue playingFootball became very popular during the 1870's and
the sport after they left school. As a result, they began1880's; however, professional football was illegal. This
forming amateur football clubs. Since many of theserestriction was lifted by the FA in1892, but the FA
clubs were based on different backgrounds andimposed a wage limit. The first football league (Football
traditions, there were wide variations in the rules.League) was formed in April of 1888. It consisted of 12
Disputes on the field of play were very common. In anteams. A rival league called the Football Alliance
attempt to address this issue, a series of meetingsoperated from1889 to 1892. The two leagues merged
took place around London in 1863.in 1892 to form the Football League First Division, and
The intent of the meetings was to establish a set ofFootball League Second Division. The first international
rules and regulations that all clubs would consent. Mostcompetition in football occurred between England and
of the attendees were in favor of a kicking game thatScotland.
banned hacking. Others representatives favored theIn 1895, the United States and Canada played the first
Rugby style of play, which emphasized carrying andinternational soccer contest that was not held on the
throwing the ball. It also allowed hacking.European continent. Canada won by a score of 1-0.
They formed the Football Association (FA), and inThe current governing body for the main international
December 1963, the FA made available the rulestournaments is the International Federation of
referred to as the Laws of Football for the game ofAssociation Football (FIFA). It was formed in May 1904.
Association football. This was later shortened toThe FIFA sponsored the first World Cup in 1930; the
"soccer." There were two major differences in theorganization and currently has over 200 members.