Laws of the Game (1863)

by the Football Association

For works with similar titles, see Laws of the Game.

Laws

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, 8 yards apart, without any tape or bar across them.
2. The winner of the toss shall have the choice of goals. The game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground by the side losing the toss, the other side shall not approach within 10 yards of the ball until it is kicked off.
3. After a goal is won the losing side shall kick off and the goals shall be changed.
4. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts or over the space between the goal posts (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.^[2]
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 the ball has been played; 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 (but at the goal only) from a point 15 yards from the goal line opposite the place where the ball is touched. The opposing side shall stand behind 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, provided 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 carry the ball.
10. Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed and no player shall use his hands to hold or push an adversary.
11. A player shall not throw the ball or pass it to another.
12. No player shall take the ball from the ground with his hands while it is in play under any pretence whatever.
13. No player shall wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta percha on the soles or heels of his boots.

Definition of Terms

A Place Kick is a kick at the ball while on the ground, in any position in which the kicker may choose to place it.

A Free Kick is the privilege of kicking at the ball, without obstruction in such manner as the kicker may think fit.

A Fair Catch is when the ball is caught, after it has touched the person of an adversary, or has been kicked or knocked on by an adversary, and before it has touched the ground or one of the side catching it; but if the ball is kicked from behind the goal line, a fair catch cannot be made.

Hacking is kicking an adversary intentionally.

Tripping is throwing an adversary by the use of the legs.

Knocking On is when a player strikes or propels the ball with his hands or arms.

Holding includes the obstruction of a player by the hand or any part of the arm below the elbow.

Touch is that part of the field on either side of the ground which is beyond the line of flags.

Notes

1. Changes from version submitted for adoption
   • Law 1: replace "goal" with "goals"
   • Law 2: replace "A toss for goals shall take place, and the game shall be commenced" with "The winner of the toss shall have the choice of goals. The game shall be commenced"
   • Law 2: replace "the side losing the toss for goals" with "the side losing the toss"
   • Law 3: replace "the losing side shall be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won" with "the losing side shall kick off and the goals shall be changed"
   • Law 5: delete "and the ball shall not be in play until it has touched the ground"
   • Law 6: replace "until he is in play" with "until the ball has been played"
   • Law 6: replace "kicked off" with "kicked"
   • Law 7: replace "a free kick at the goal only" with "a free kick (but at the goal only)"
   • Law 7: replace "15 yards outside the goal line" with "15 yards from the goal line"
   • Law 7: replace "the opposite side standing within their goal line" with "The opposing side shall stand behind their goal line"
   • Law 8: replace "such kick" with "such a kick"
   • Law 9: replace "run with the ball" with "carry the ball"
   • Law 10: replace "his adversary" with "an adversary"
   • Law 11: replace "A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another with his hands" with "A player shall not throw the ball or pass it to another"
   • Law 12: replace "No player shall be allowed to take the ball" with "No player shall take the ball"
   • Law 12: replace "under any pretence whatever while it is in play" with "while it is in play under any pretence whatever"
   • Law 13: replace "No player shall be allowed to wear" with "No player shall wear"
   • Definition of Place Kick: replace "a kick at the ball while it is on the ground, in any position which the kicker may choose to place it" with "a kick at the ball while on the ground, in any position in which the kicker may choose to place it"
   • Definition of Free Kick: replace "kicking the ball" with "kicking at the ball"
   • Definition of Hacking: replace "kicking an adversary" with "kicking an adversary intentionally"
   • Definition of Knocking On: replace "with his hands, arms, or body, without kicking or throwing it" with "with his hands or arms"
   (Wikisource contributor note) For more information see
   • "The Football Association", Supplement to Bell's Life in London (1863-12-05), p. 1.
   • "The Football Association". Bell's Life in London: 3. 1863-12-12. 
   • "The Football Association", The Sporting Life (1863-09-23).
   • Alcock, C. W. (1906); Football: The Association Game; London: George Bell & Sons; pp. 1-12.
2. According to the minute book, the text "and it shall not be in play until it has touched the ground" should be inserted here. See Brown, Tony (2011). The Football Association 1863-1883: A Source Book. Nottingham: Soccerdata. p. 20. ISBN 9781905891528.  It is also supported by the text of the 1866 laws (q.v.), and by J. C. T[hring] (1863). The Winter Game, or Rules of Football, to which are added the Rules of the Cambridge University Committee and the London Association. Uppingham: Hawthorn.  (images of pages from the latter book here). (Wikisource contributor note)