Rules for Football at Uppingham School (1857)

by Committee of Games, Uppingham School

1. The game is commenced by one side having a fair kick off at quarter distance.
2. Off-side. — A player is off his side immediately he is in front of the ball, and must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball is kicked by his own side past a player when off-side, he may not touch or kick it or advance, until one of the other side has kicked it again when in front of him.
3. If any player kicks off-side, the opposite side may claim a fair kick from the place where it was kicked off-side.
4. No player being off his side may catch the ball and run, or touch the ball behind the goal-line or in touch.
5. If the ball is touched behind the line of goal by one of the side to which the goal belongs, there is a fresh kick-off at the quarter-flag.
6. When the ball is kicked into touch, the player who kicked it in must go after it and bring it towards play, level with the spot on which it entered touch, and kick it straight into the middle of the game.
7. The goal-posts must be six paces apart.
8. A goal can be won in the open field by the ball being kicked under the cross bar and between the upright poles.
9. If the ball is touched by an enemy behind the line of goal, a bully may be claimed five paces in front of goal.
10. Three bullies are equal to one goal; and if the ball is forced through goals from a bully, it counts as one goal.
11. If whilst the ball is in a bully any one of the players fall down, the bully must be stopped at once, and begin again from the place where the ball is. No kicking is allowed in the bullies.
12. The discretion of sending into goal, or giving any other orders, rests with the Heads of sides, or the deputies appointed by them.
13. If any player kicks the ball behind his own goal and his own side touch it, the opposite side may claim a bully at the place here the ball was kicked, but if the opposite side touch it, it counts as an ordinary bully.
14. Any player who catches the ball in the air, or at first bound, may either kick it as best he can, or run with it towards the enemy's goal: provided that he is liable to be stopped by any means except tripping up: and if stopped or held, he must at once kick or put down the ball.
15. A player may not, in any case, run with the ball in or through touch.
16. No player to be held unless he is himself holding the ball.
17. No use of hands or elbows to stop or otherwise impede players allowed. No tripping up ever allowed.
18. No charging allowed, except when your adversary is running directly at the ball, or to catch one of your own side whilst running with the ball, according to Rule XIV. In this latter case you may not charge, unless you were behind the player when he caught the ball.
19. No charging allowed when a player is off-side; that is, immediately the ball is behind him.
20. No ball is ever to be struck or thrown with the hand, or lifted from the ground. Stopping the ball alone allowed.
21. No ball ever to be kicked during play whilst in the air.
22. No player ever to kick except directly at the ball.
23. No player may wear projecting nails or iron plates on the heels or soles of his boots or shoes. No padding allowed.
24. No kicking with the heel or above the knee is fair.
25. No player to stand within six paces of the kicker when he is kicking out of touch, or kicking off.