User:Grover cleveland/History of the laws of the game/1870

Source
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001055/18700202/099/0003

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001578/18700305/082/0022

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000942/18701112/090/0004

Changes from 1869 Laws

 * PROPOSED BY WANDERERS FC: change ends at halftime if no goal has yet been scored. APPROVED.
 * PROPOSED BY UPTON PARK FC: handling completely prohibited. APPROVED

Rejected proposed changes

 * PROPOSED BY WANDERERS FC: handling of the ball completely prohibited; punishable by a throw-in in the same manner as when the ball goes in touch
 * PROPOSED BY CIVIL SERVICE FC: handling of the ball completely prohibited, punished as above, except for the goal-keeper ("the player who, for the time being, occupies a position between the goal-posts for the defence of his goal".

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 goals shall be changed. In the event, however, of no goal having fallen to either party at the lapse of half the allotted time, ends shall then 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
When the ball is kicked behind the goal-line, it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal. The side who thus kick the ball are entitled to a fair kick off in whatever way they please without any obstruction, the opposite side not being able to approach within six yards of the ball.

LAW 8
No player shall carry or knock on the ball; and handling the ball, under any pretence whatever, shall be prohibited.

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

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.