User:Grover cleveland/History of the laws of the game/1866

Source
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/18660207/001/0001

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000355/18660224/076/0007

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/18670123/097/0004

Changes from 1863 Laws
NOTE -- it doesn't say which clubs proposed the alterations. Maybe it was all a desperate inside job?)

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 '''with a tape across them, eight feet from the ground. (URGED BY THE CHAIRMAN -- PEMBER -- DURING THE MEETING. "IF THEY PASSED THIS NO DOUBT MANY OTHER CLUBS WOULD JOIN THEM")

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) under the tape, not being thrown, knocked on, or carried. (URGED BY THE CHAIRMAN -- PEMBER -- DURING THE MEETING)

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 it shall not be in play until it has touched the ground, '''and the player throwing it in shall not play it until it has been played by another player'''. (REMARKED UPON BY PEMBER)

6. When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponents' 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 until the ball has been played, ''', unless there are at least three of his opponents between him and their own goal'''; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked off from behind the goal line. (MORLEY WANTED TO DO AWAY WITH OFFSIDE ALTOGETHER -- A LA SHEFFIELD. HOWEVER, BECAUSE NO NOTICE HAD BEEN GIVEN OF THAT PROPOSED ALTERATION, IT COULD NOT BE PASSED)

7. Replace entirely with '''In case the ball goes behind the goal-line, a player on the side to whom the goal belongs shall kick it off from the goal line, at the point opposite the place where it is touched by a player with any part of his body. But if a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, after it has gone behind the goal line of his adversary, one "touch down" shall be scored by his side, and in the event of no goals being got on either side, or an equal number of goals being got on either side, the side obtaining the greater number of "touches down" shall be the winner of the match.''' (NOT CLEAR WHO PROPOSED THIS, BUT IT WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY)

8. (Fair catch) rule deleted. (SHEFFIELD "PARTICULARLY GLAD" OF THIS CHANGE)

The definition of "fair catch" was removed from the definitions.

LAW 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 upright posts, eight yards apart, with a tape across them, eight feet from the ground.

LAW 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 ten yards of the ball until it is kicked off.

LAW 3
After a goal is won, the losing side shall kick off, and the goals shall be changed.

LAW 4
A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts under the tape, not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.

LAW 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 it shall not be in play until it shall have touched the ground, and the player throwing it in shall not play it until it has been played by another player.

LAW 6
When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponents' 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; unless there are at least three of his opponents between him and their own goal; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from behind the goal line.

LAW 7
In case the ball goes behind the goal-line, a player on the side to whom the goal belongs shall kick it off from the goal line, at the point opposite the place where the ball is touched by a player with any part of his body; but if a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, after it has gone behind the goal line of his adversary, one "touch down" shall be scored by his side, and in the event of no goals being got on either side, the side obtaining the greater number of "touches down" shall be the winner of the match.

LAW 8
No player shall carry the ball.

LAW 9
Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.

LAW 10
A player shall not throw the ball or pass it to another.

LAW 11
No player shall take the ball from the ground with his hands while it is in play under any pretence whatever.

LAW 12
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 which the kicker may choose to place it.

A "free kick" is the privilege of kicking the ball without obstruction, in such manner as the kicker may think fit.

"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.