October 16, 1892
Although the winter game of football has made wonderful strides in popular favour during the last 15 years, and at the present time vies with cricket for the premiership of British pastimes, there must necessarily be many thousands of our readers who are not familiar with even the rudiments of the game – one of the manliest of outdoor sports.
For the benefit of these, and at the request of numerous subscribers, we give this week a sketch of the field of play for an Association match, with a brief outline of how the game is carried on under the laws of the Football Association, which was formed in 1863 for the better government of football, the Rugbeians seceding and forming a union of their own when handling of the ball was prohibited.
What under the present method of play is somewhat inaccurately termed the “dribbling” game is played by teams of 11 a side, with a round ball of about 27½ inches in circumference.
The field of play should be about 150 yards by 80, the minimum being 100 by 50, and the maximum just twice these measurements.
Goals are erected at either end, two upright posts 8 yards apart, and connected by a crossbar 8 feet from the ground, and through these goals the ball has to be sent, the match being decided by the majority of goals for one side over those of the other.
Each side nowadays consists of a goalkeeper (G), two backs (H), three half-backs (I), and five forwards (K); the rival captains toss and the winner has choice of kick-off or of goals.
The ball is kicked off from the centre in the direction of the opposite goal, both sides keeping in their half of the field until it is kicked off; and the rival teams are not allowed to approach within ten yards of the ball. Our plan shows A’s centre-forward in the act of starting the game.
Play generally lasts for two periods of 45 minutes, an interval of four or five minutes being taken at the end of the first period, during which the teams change ends. This time B’s team would kick-off, while after a goal is allowed, the side losing the point resumes operations.
The ball may be headed, dribbled, by the feet, or propelled by the body; but not carried, knocked on, or handled, under penalty of a free-kick being granted to the opposing side; nor is tripping, hacking, jumping at a player, nor charging from behind (except when a player is willfully impeding an adversary) permissible.
A goalkeeper may handle, throw, or knock, but not carry the ball in his own half of the ground to defence of his goal. Only one player can act as goalkeeper, though he may be changed by giving notice of such intention.
Should a player willfully break these rules within 12 yards of his own goal a penalty kick is awarded the opposing side, to be taken by any of their players from any point on the 12 yards line marked on the plan. All the other players, except the opposing goalkeeper (who may not advance more than six yards from his goal-line) have to stand at least half a dozen yards behind the ball which the kicker tries to send through the goal, or may turn over to another player.
If the ball goes out of play over either touchline, it is thrown in, in any direction, by one of the opposing side to that to which the man playing the ball belongs, the thrower holding it above his head with both hands. Should it go behind A’s goal-line off B, or vice-versa, it is kicked out by one of the side over whose goal-line it went, within six yards of the nearest goal-post, but if one of A’s or B’s side sends it over his own goal-line, a corner-kick is granted to his adversaries within a yard of the flag, no opponent in each case approaching within six yards of the ball until kicked.
A player who at the time of the ball being played or thrown in by one of his team is “off-side,” i.e., out of play, if nearer his adversaries’ goal, unless there are at least three of his opponents between him and his rivals’ goal, may not touch the ball or impede his opponents until the ball has been played by someone else, but no player is out of play in the case of a corner kick, or when the ball is kicked off from goal, or when it has been last played by an opponent.
These remarks give a rough outline of the game, which, it has been truly said, cannot be learned from a book.
In conclusion, it may be mentioned that a referee controls the play, with two linesmen to decide when the ball goes out of play, and full power is invested in the former to report and deal with roughness and misconduct; and that the season is by the laws of the Association limited from September 1 to April 30 (inclusive).
The Q’s mark the corner flags.
(Lloyd’s Weekly News: October 16, 1892)
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 