Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

  Origin of Football
  Very first Rules
  Countries National Sport
  Popularity of Football
  Football Styles
The very first games similar to football were played by Romans and
Greeks, as well as in China, Japan, and Italy.
  Greeks played “episkyros”, and this game had the usage of feet,
but, did resemble rugby football
  Romans played “harpastum”, which was said to have come from
the Greeks game “episkyros”
  The Chinese had a game called “cuju” (literally translated: kick
ball). This game’s aim was to get the ball into a piece of cloth which
was fixed on a stick.
  In addition, later on, variations of “cuju” was seen in Korea, as
well as Japan. Korea’s version was called “chuk-guk”
  But, Japan’s variation was “kemeri”. This game was basically
where people were in a circle, and trying to keep the ball up in the air,
by kicking it
  But, the current official football, started to actually
form, from England. In 1863, the rugby football and
the association football, went their different ways,
meaning they started to take their own shapes to the
football games seen now. Football was played by Eton
in 1747, followed by other schools such as, Harrow,
Shrewsbury, and Westminster.
  Well, many people have contributed to the making of
football rules. Also, there were many different versions
of association football rules, well more like variations.
Just like how even now, not every rule and concept is
exactly the same for everywhere around the world,
because of miscommunications, shortening and softer
rules for children, also, many people may just play it
differently, maybe because of their current situation or
because of the amount of people.
  In 1848, the Cambridge rules
were created; these were the first
set of complete rules. These
rules were created by a meeting
between various schools. Some
schools agreed to play these set
of rules, others didn’t, and some
people like James Charles
Thring made his own rules,
because of his disagreement to
the size of the goal. As a result,
the Cambridge rules were edited
and revised again by 7 members
representing Eton, Harrow,
Shrewsbury, Rugby,
Marlborough, and Westminster,
in 1863.
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 goal shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards apart, without any tape or bar
across them.
2. 
A toss for goals shall take place, and the game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground by the
side losing the toss for goals; 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 be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is
won.
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, and the ball shall not be in play until it has touched the ground.
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 he is in play; but no player
is out of play when the ball is kicked off 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 he 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 at the goal only from a point 15
yards outside the goal line, opposite the place where the ball is touched, the opposing side standing within 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, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at
once; and in order to take such 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 run with the ball.
10. 
Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.
11. 
A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another with his hands.
12. 
No player shall be allowed to take the ball from the ground with his hands under any pretence whatever while it is in
play.
13. 
No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha on the soles or heels of his boots.
  And once the first FA (football association) was founded, they
argued and had representatives from several schools, and finally
made a decision on the game, and created a total of 23 rules.
  Thus, on December 8th 1863, the first official set of rules called
“laws of football” was created. As you read, there were many
arguments about the rules of football. The football association, as
well as the laws of football was made for the unity and reconciling
of the football game. Otherwise, they would discuss the rules on
the site of the game, and set them before starting the match.
  Though, after this, there were many changes and additional rules.
  Over 60 countries play football as their national sport. And
these are some regions where football is played as their
national sport:
  South America
  Western Europe
  South East Asia
  Middle East
  African nations
There are many reasons why people like football. These are some:
  You only need one ball (affordable)
  You only need 2 people to play a fairly fun game
  There isn’t many injuries
  Can be played anywhere easily
  Youth – many people have played it since they were young
  Simple and easy to play
  Exciting
  Team oriented
  Fast paced and continuous
  World Cup (Most watched, expected and betted on)
  Main Reason 1
  First of all, football can be played anywhere with anyone,
and all you really need is the football, ball. You only need
one more person than yourself to play a game of football
that you score and etc. In addition, the net can be anything,
you can mark 2 dots on the ground for all I care, it still is a
game, which can be fun! But, another reason for it being so
popular, is because many poor people usually can’t afford,
but all they need is a ball, no matter if its extremely light, or
quite heavy (unless its metal :P), as long as you can kick it,
you can play the game of football.
Main Reason 2
  Secondly, it keeps you excited because it is fast paced and continuous,
yet, it is still easy to play. Football rules can be a bit more intricate,
but, only if you follow all the rules. You can cut down most of them,
and just follow the 2 facts, try to get the ball into the goal by going
against the opponent and to score you have to get the ball through the
goal line. You don’t even have to kick it hard, if your lucky or dribble
fast, you can just tap the ball and it could go in through the goal line.
In addition, football doesn’t have that hard of rules for it to be hard to
comprehend. Football keeps you excited because you get nervous, you
keep running around trying to protect or score the ball, so, it is a very
moving game which makes it fun for bother the player and if you
don’t like actually playing, the audience.
Main Reason 3
  It has gotten very popular because of TV
and the world cup makes it more known
than any other sports. Football is most
watched, expected, and betted on.
Football goes all around the world
because of the world cup, therefore,
many people don’t, not know about
football. Most people know about it.
Like I mentioned in reason 2, it is
exiting, therefore, many people like to
watch. And because many people watch,
their expectations have risen. As a result,
it is betted on with a great deal of
money.
  If you are talking about how they play as in the rules they
follow, I don’t really think there are different ways of
playing, or styles of football in different areas around the
world, because football has the same rules and regulations,
in all countries. I would agree to football being played
differently, but not necessarily because of the area it is in.
For example, in school many competitions held, don’t
follow all the rules of football, such as offside when we are
in 1st grade. They wouldn’t have as strict of rules for
younger kids, they would adjust the rules for the age.
  But, people’s style in playing football are different in
various cultures and areas. Some areas have distinct
attacks and defenses, which is basically how they play,
these areas include, Italy, Northern, British, Latin
(Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and Brazil), Northern,
Central American, and Continental areas.
  Italian players tend to be
cunning, skillful, and
cautious, they are careful
about how many they send
forward, and very defensive,
causing the opponent to be
in some trouble with taking
a shot. Also, they use many
skills, and directions that are
unpredictable.
  Whereas British Players are usually quick, physical,
and very direct. They don’t touch the ball as much, and
like to pass longer distances from any position valid,
sometimes using crosses. All of these passes etc. are
pretty much direct. Due to the way British players play
they end up battling intensely over fifty-fifty chances.
  Latin Players (Spain, Italian, Portuguese, Argentinean,
and Brazilian) are also very distinct to British and
Italian players, they are great at dribbling, creative with
their movement, and confident with the ball. I think
they probably have the most stand-out style of playing
football. There are several reasons, they have a lot of
individual based plays, and use a lot of possession,
even to score. Basically they are spontaneous players,
but Brazil is extreme with their free-plays.
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  "History of Association Football." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 07
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