User:Grover cleveland/History of the laws of the game/1871

Source
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001055/18710301/054/0003

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uiug.30112109860426?urlappend=%3Bseq=1264 (v interesting cyclopaedia article, including description of Rugby game).

Changes from 1870 Laws

 * PROPOSED BY WANDERERS FC: throw in must travel at least six yards. ACCEPTED
 * PROPOSED BY UPTON PARK FC: Handling allowed by goalkeeper. ACCEPTED

Rejected proposed changes

 * PROPOSED BY OXFORD ASSOCIATION: go back to old offside rule. REJECTED
 * PROPOSED BY "CCC" AND BARNES FC: different proposals related to handling. REJECTED
 * PROPOSED BY CHESTERFIELD FC: "umpires". REJECTED
 * PROPOSED BY WANDERERS FC: "penalty for infringement of the rules". REJECTED

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, to a distance of at least six yards, 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, except in the case of the goal-keeper, who shall be allowed to use his hands for the protection of his goal.

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.

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.

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 on 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 ond the line of flags.

Mem. -- Handling is understood to be playing the ball with the hand or arm.

NOTE: Term "Goal-Keeper" not defined!