In this article the development of the corner kick is described.   Note: Until the FA Rules, there is no distinction between (early forms of the) goal kick and corner kick. The same laws always apply for the restart of the game as soon as the ball is behind the goal – outside the goalposts. The differentiation between goal kick and corner kick nowadays was introduced 1867/1872.   Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1857 (Eton Field Game) After the ball has crossed the goal line, the game is restarted with a bully opposite the point where the ball had gone out. 1858 (Sheffield FC) Goal kick from a point 25 yd behind the goal. 1858 (Harrow Football) When the ball has crossed the goal line, it must be kicked directly on the field. There, it must be first touched be the attacking team before the defending team is allowed to touch it. 1862 (Blackheath FC) When the ball is behind the goal line, the game restarts with a place kick from the …

In this article the development of the goal kick is described. • Note: Until the FA Rules, there is no distinction between (early forms of the) goal kick and corner kick. The same laws always apply for the restart of the game as soon as the ball is behind the goal – outside the goalposts. The differentiation between goal kick and corner kick nowadays was introduced 1867/1872. Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1857 (Eton Field Game) After the ball is behind the goal, the game will be restarted with a bully opposite the point where the ball had gone out. 1858 (Sheffield FC) Goal kick from a point 25 yd behind the goal. 1858 (Harrow Football) When the ball is behind the goal it must be kicked directly on the field. There, it must be first touched be the attacking team before the defending team is allowed to touch it. 1862 (Blackheath FC) When the ball is behind the goal the game restart with a place kick from the goal line …

In this article the development of the corner kick is described.   Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1857 (Eton Field Game) Choice between throw-in or a bully at the opposite of the field. 1858 (Sheffield FC) If the ball went into touch, the person who touched the ball first was allowed to throw the ball into field from the point where the ball went out. The Sheffield FC Rules also fixed that the distance between all other players must be at least 6 yd until the ball was back in play. 1858 (Harrow Football) Kick-in (nothing else is mentioned). 1862 (The Simplest Game) Kick-in from the point where the ball went out. 1862 (Blackheath FC) Throw-in from the point of touching the ball. 1863 (FA) If the ball went into touch, the person who touched the ball first was allowed to throw the ball into field from the point where the ball went out. The FA Rules fixed, too, that the throw-in had to be thrown at right angles. 1866 (FA) The player performing …

In this article the development of the penalty kick is described.   Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1891 (IFAB) Deliberately tripping or holding an opposing player, or deliberately handling the ball shall be penalized on appeal within the penalty area (12 yards in front of each goal) with a penalty kick. penalty area: within 12 yards of his own goal-line penalty mark: a line 12 yds in front of every goal. The penalty kick can be taken from any point 12 yards from the goal-line. It is specified that – with the exception of the player taking the penalty kick and the opposing goal-keeper – all player stand at least 6 yd behind the ball. The goalkeeper may approach the ball up to 6 yd until the penalty kick is taken. The ball is in play as soon as it’s kicked (all IFA). 1892 (IFAB) Repeated touching of the ball by the player taking the kick is prohibited (SFA). 1893 (IFAB) Pushing an opponent within the penalty area is added …

In this article the development of the free kick is described.   In the beginning, the free kick was a reward and it was always indirect. The distinction between direct and indirect free kicks, which is completely normal today, only came about in the 1920s. Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1858 (Harrow Football) A free kick is a reward for fair catch, if you additionally call „three yards“. If in Harrow the ball was caught near the opponent’s goal, you could jump 3 yd for reaching the goal or went back and take a free kick as a place kick. 1858 (Sheffield FC) A free kick ist a reward for having first touched the ball after it into the touch or behind the goal. This reward was, depending on the place a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick. When taking a free kick, all players have to stay 6 yd away from the ball or stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked. All free kicks are indirect free …

In this article the development of the foul play and other misconduct are described. This includes the unfair, violent and dangerous conduct – thereof separated fouls on goalkeepers, the back-pass rule and DOGSO (Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity) – and the handball – thereof separated the handball of goalkeepers.   Unfair, violent and dangerous conduct Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1856 (Cambridge University) Holding, charging, tripping, intentional kicking. 1857 (Eton Field Game) Holding, charging, tripping, intentional kicking. 1858 (Harrow Football) Holding, charging, tripping, intentional kicking. 1858 (Sheffield FC) The first draft of the Sheffield FC Rules allows a player who performs a place kick (but not a goal kick) to be charged during the kick. This passage was deleted in the published Sheffield FC Rules. Holding and kicking a player was forbidden. 1862 (Blackheath FC) Holding, charging, tripping, intentional kicking, except attacking an opponent while running. 1862 (The Simplest Game) Holding, charging, tripping, intentional kicking. 1862 (Eton Field Game) All fouls with arms and hands. (With legs and feet allowed.) 1863 …

In this article the development of offside is described.   Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1847 and following years (Eton Field Game) Offside: „Sneaking“ is when the attacking player is between the ball and the opposing goal and there are three or fewer opponents in front of him/her. Enabled a combination game here early on. 1858 (Sheffield FC) Offside: Someone who stand behind the touch line and goal line, is offside. 1858 (Harrow Football) Offside: was everyone who is closer to the opponent goal line than the ball. 1862 (The Simplest Game) Offside: was everyone who is closer to the opponent goal line than the ball. 1862 (Blackheath FC) Offside: was everyone who is closer to the opponent goal line than the ball. 1863 (Shrewsbury School) Offside: was everyone who is closer to the opponent goal line than the ball. 1863 (Cambridge University) Offside: was everyone who is closer to the opponent goal line than the ball. 1863 (FA) Offside: was everyone who is closer to the opponent’s goal line than …

In this article the development of the determining the outcome of a match is described. • A goal is obtained when the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and – after their introduction – below the crossbar or rope. All football codes have that in common, whereby some codes from the first decades of the 19th century also allow the throwing of a goal. In fact, this description is not to be found in all rules and regulations, as it was all too unambiguous. Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club, if known) 1863 (FA) A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts from the field. 1866 (FA) A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and below the goal rope (as a height limit). 1867 (Sheffield FA) A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and below the goal band (as a height limit). 1872 (FA) Touching the goalposts is not a …

In this article the development of the the laws on when the ball is still in play and when it is no longer in play are described.   Until 1938, this laws comprised descriptions of the continuation of the game after the ball went into touch or behind the goal. The addition of throw-in, goal kick and corner kick made this obsolete. Since 1938, this law comprises a description when the ball is in and out the play – and that can be quickly described: If he leaves the field or the referee interrupts the game. This was described in more detail in the FA Rules from 1886 onwards in several rules. A brief summary: Ball in play Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1887 (IFAB) Addition: A ball on the line is in play. 1896 (IFAB) Addition: The ball remains in play even if it hits the corner flag, referee or assistant referee (FA).   Ball out of play Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1888 …

In this article the development of the start and restart is described. This includes the dropped ball („Schiedsrichterball“). Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1847 and following years (Eton Field Game) Kick-off at the beginning: bully. At half time the ends are changed. 1858 (Harrow Football) Toss, except in school games, then the team of the headmaster has the side choice. Toss decides which team has the kick-off from the centre of the field. At half time the ends are changed. Kick-off from the middle of the field, halfway between the two goals. 1862 (The Simplest Game) Kick-off at the beginning: from the middle of the field, halfway between the two goals. All other players are at least 4 yd away from the ball until it has been kicked. 1862 (Sheffield FC / FA) & 1863 (FA) Toss. Toss decides which team has the kick-off from the centre of the field (Sheffield FA until 1878, FA until 1873). At every goal or a goalless half the ends are changed. Also the restart starts with …

In this article the development of the duration of the match is described. Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) Except for the codices of Sheffield FC and later Sheffield FA, no code specifies the game and half time durations for almost the entire 19th century, nor the FA. 1858 (Sheffield FC and FA) The duration is 60 minutes. (After the Sheffield FA had adopted the FA Rules (1878), there were 19 years of no law that regulated the duration.) 1897 (IFAB) The duration of the game shall be 90 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed. The interval at half-time shall not exceed five minutes, except by consent of the referee. 1938 (IFAB) More accurate addition that the playing time is divided into two 45 minutes. Further addition that lost time is determined by the referee and is replayed at the end of each half and that the playing time for the execution of a penalty shot is extended. An abandoned game must always be replayed completely. 1959 (IFAB) Change: A abandoned match …

In this article the development of the other match officials is described. This includes the assistant referees (former: linesmen), the fourth official, the additional assistant referees, the reserve assistant referee and the assistant video assistant referee. Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1891 (IFAB) Assistant referees: Introduction of assistant referees. Duty: to decide when the ball is out of play, and which side has the throw-in, to decide which side is entitled to the corner kick or the goalkick. In addition, the referee has the duty, to report every undue interference by an assistant referee to the National Association. (FA). 1897 (IFAB) Assistant referees: Additional duty: to assist in carrying out the game according to the Laws. 1902 (IFAB) Assistant referees: Change: In case of undue interference by an assistant referee, the referee has the power to order him off and substitute him (FA). 1938 (IFAB) Assistant referees: Supplement that the assistant referees receive their flags from those who own the field of play (FAW). 1961 (IFAB) Assistant referees: Added task: They …

In this article the development of the referee and of the umpires before 1891 are described. • Umpires already existed in the first half of the 19th century at the football match of private schools. For Eton it is said that there was a mediating, judicially instance (1845) [1]Cf. Manganese, J. A.: Prologue. In: J. A. Manganese (Hg): Sport in Europe. Politics, Class, Gender. Preston 1999. p. iv-viii, here p. vii., which sat outside the playing field and act on invocation of the captains (a kind of player-trainer-manager) after they could not agree. The association game at the end of the 19th century was neither fairer nor more unfair than it is today, so a referee was necessary. For already in this century there were numerous attempts to deceive the umpires and referee, be it by concealed fouls, constant „hand!“ and „offside!“ calls and other actions that have not changed at all. „You know very well that that last shot was not a goal,“ said an unknown referee to a player at the end of …

In this article the development of the player’s equipment is described.     Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1st half in 19th century The early rules and regulations of English public schools and universities do not give any information about players‘ equipment except for the colour of their clothing. However, coloured drawings of football matches from the half century of the 19th century show that jerseys, overknee length shorts and boots were already used as clothing. If the jersey and shorts were not uniform or similar in colour, the teams wore different caps or one team wore a (non-uniform) cap, the other has none. So spectators could recognize the players, the colour of their caps was printed in newspaper reports in addition to the names of the players. [1]Cf. Brown, Paul: Please do not strain the ropes – a football programme from 1875. In: Goalpost. URL: http://www.goalpostbooks.co.uk/please-do-not-strain-the-ropes/. 1858 (Sheffield FC) Colours: Sheffield FC mainly played in the first years matches within the club. Different coloured caps were prescribed to distinguish the …

In this article the development of the number of players and of the substitution are described.   Number of Players 1967 (IFAB)Up to two players per team are allowed to be substituted independent of an injury in matches which are not played under the rules of a competition or if the international or national association(s) have allowed substitution. The referee must be informed of the names of the substitutes before the start of the game.2000 (IFAB)In friendly matches, no greater number of substitutions is allowed than in competition games (SFA). Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) Diverse reports about football matches before 1870 There wasn’t a written regulation how many players of a team had to participate in a game at the same time and how many were allowed to do so. There were the variants with eight players and with eleven players or only the requirement that there must be an equal number of players on both sides. At least in the FA, however, the variant with eleven players seems …

In this article the development of the ball is described.   Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1883 (IFAB) The circumference had to be 27-28 ins before the beginning of the game. 1880s (IFAB) The home club provides the ball. The ball must be returned to the club after the match. 1889 (IFAB) The weight must be 13-15 oz at the beginning of the game. 1905 (IFAB) The ball must not have anything on it that can injure a player (FA). 1937 (IFAB) Weight increase to 14-16 ounces. 1938 (IFAB) Supplement that the weight refers to the start of the game. Supplement that the shape of the ball is spherical. If the ball becomes defective, it’s replaced. The game continues with a dropped ball at the point where the ball becomes deflective. 1954 (IFAB) Addition that the ball may only be exchanged after the referee’s approval (FAW). 1965 (IFAB) Supplement that other, not further named materials are allowed if they are approved (IFAB). 1967 (IFAB) The pressure of the ball must …

In this article the development of the field of play is described. Field dimensions Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 1858 (Harrow Football) length: 150 yd, width: 100 yd („in House matches“) 1863 (Cambridge University) l: 150 yd, w: 100 yd. 1863 (Shrewsbury School) l: 150 yd, w: 120 yd. 1863 (FA) l: 200 yd, w: 100 yd. 1867 (Sheffield FA) l: 200 yd, w: 100 yd. 1875 (FA) l: 100-200 yd, w: 50-100 yd (Royal Engineers). 1897 (IFAB) l: 100-130 yd, w: 50-100 yd. International matches: l: 110-120 yd, w: 70-80 yd. 1997 (IFAB) The field must be rectangular and the touch line is the longer side. Additional information in the metric system. Determination of the height and shape of the flag posts. 2008 (IFAB) Addition where flag posts must be placed. International matches: l: 100-120 yd, w: 50-100 yd. International A matches: l: 115 yd, w: 75 yd.   Field surface Year (Source) new or changed laws (proposing club/association, if known) 2004 (IFAB) It is no longer necessary to …