Historical Rules of Soccer
(from the 1800's)

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It can be very interesting to follow the development and formation of the rule set in soccer. And, as is seen below, there can be conflicting sources of information as to what the rules actually were. This is a collection of references and sources, along with extracts in some cases, to provide some historical perspective into the origins of the laws of the game.

London Football Association (FA) rules of 1863

What is clear and repeated the same is that a new codified set of rules was established in the London Football Association of 1863 that is consdered the basis for the first written (codified) rule set for soccer. In reality, there were many drafts during the previous 10 to 20 years in the various clubs.

Unlike what is traditionally reported, it seems that Rugby International school was part of the FA and signing of the 1863 rule set. It was a few other schools that felt full carrying of the ball and, more importantly, hacking were part of the sport that was developing. It was not until later (around 1871) that Rugby International split from the FA as the FA decided that all forms of handling the ball were not to be allowed.

Ruleset as reported in Paul Gardner's "The Simplest Game" of 1974 (MacMillen Publishing, pp8-9):

  1. The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards, the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards, the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goals shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards apart, without any tape or bar across them.
  2. A toss for goals shall take place, and the game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground by the side losing the toss for goals; the other side shall not approach within ten yards of the ball until it is kicked off
  3. After a goal is won, the losing side shall kick-off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won.
  4. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goalposts or over the space between the goalposts (at whatever height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.
  5. When the ball is in touch, the first player who touches it shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground in a direction at right angles with the boundary line, and the ball shall not be in play until it has touched the ground.
  6. When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until he is in play; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from behind the goal line.
  7. In case the ball goes behind the goal line, if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched.  If a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick at the goal where the ball is touched, the opposing side standing within their goal line until he has had his kick.
  8. If a player makes a fair catch, he shall be entitled to a free kick, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at once; and in order to take such a kick he may go back as far as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance beyond his mark until he has kicked.
  9. No player shall run with the ball.  **
  10. Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.
  11. A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another with his hands.
  12. No player shall be allowed to take the ball from the ground with his hands under any pretext whatever while it is in play
  13. A player shall be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another if he made a fair catch, or catches the ball on the first bounce.
  14. No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates or gutta percha on the soles or heels of his boots

** run here means moving while carrying the ball.

Laws 9 thru 12 were the ones unique to this rewrite of the Cambridge rules and that were different from the eventual Rugby Union rules.  While the handling was something that both sides were willing to reach agreement, the allowing or disallowing of hacking was not.  The minority of the group wanted hacking and other forms of physical attack on the player to be allowed, similar as one might see in ice hockey.

Ruleset as reported on Wikipedia under the title Cambridge rules
(possibly from Green, Geoffrey (1953); The History of the Football Association ; Naldrett Press, London)

  1. The length of the ground shall not be more than 150 yds. and the breadth not more than 100 yds. The ground shall be marked out by posts and two posts shall be placed on each side-line at distances of 25 yds. from each goal line.
  2. The GOALS shall consist of two upright poles at a distance of 15 ft. from each other.
  3. The choice of goals and kick-off shall be determined by tossing and the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground.
  4. In a match when half the time agreed upon has elapsed, the side shall change goals when the ball is next out of play. After such change or a goal obtained, the kick off shall be from the middle of the ground in the same direction as before. The time during which the game shall last and the numbers n each side are to be settled by the heads of the sides.
  5. When a player has kicked the ball any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal line is OUT OF PLAY and may not touch the ball himself nor in any way whatsoever prevent any other player from doing so.
  6. When the ball goes out of the ground by crossing the side lines, it is out of play and shall be kicked straight into the ground again from the point where it first stopped.
  7. When a player has kicked the ball beyond the opponents' goal line, whoever first touches the ball when it is on the ground with his hand, may have a FREE kick bringing the ball straight out from the goal line.
  8. No player may touch the ball behind his opponents' goal line who is behind it when the ball is kicked there.
  9. If the ball is touched down behind the goal line and beyond the line of the side-posts, the FREE kick shall be from the 25 yds. post
  10. When a player has a free-kick, no-one of his own side may be between him and his opponents' goal line and no one of the opposing side may stand within 10 yds. of him.
  11. A free kick may be taken in any manner the player may choose.
  12. A goal is obtained when the ball goes out of the ground by passing between the poles or in such a manner that it would have passed between them had they been of sufficient height.
  13. The ball, when in play may be stopped by any part of the body, but it may NOT be held or hit by the hands, arms or shoulders.
  14. ALL charging is fair; but holding, pushing with the hands, tripping up and shinning are forbidden.

There are other rule sets listed on Wikipedia as well, including the 'Simplest Game' Uppingham Rules, the early Cambridge rules circa 1856, the Sheffield rules.

Other historical rule sites:

The English Football Archive

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Randy Harr, 7 February 2005