Football

Football is a family of team sports in which players try to get the ball over a goal line, into a goal, or between goalposts. They may use only their body, by carrying, throwing, or kicking the ball. For specific sports and other uses, see Football (disambiguation).

When people use the word football on its own, they usually mean the form that is most popular where they live. Sports commonly called football include association football, which is known as soccer in Australia, Canada, South Africa, the United States, and sometimes in Ireland and New Zealand. Others are Australian rules football, Gaelic football, and gridiron football. Gridiron football includes American football, arena football, and Canadian football. There is also International rules football, rugby league football, and rugby union football. These different forms share common origins to different degrees, and they are known as "football codes."

People have played ball games for a very long time. Many were traditional, ancient, or prehistoric, and they were played in many parts of the world. Today's football codes can be traced back to the setting of rules for these games at English public schools in the 19th century. That process grew out of medieval football.

The expansion and cultural power of the British Empire helped these football rules spread to areas under British influence outside the empire itself. By the end of the 19th century, different regional codes were already developing. Gaelic football, for example, deliberately included rules from local traditional football games to keep their heritage alive. In 1888, the Football League was founded in England. It was the first of many professional football associations.

During the 20th century, several kinds of football grew to become some of the most popular team sports in the world.

Common elements

The many kinds of football share some common features. They can be grouped into two main types. In "carrying" codes, such as American football, Canadian football, Australian football, rugby union, and rugby league, the ball is carried in the hands or passed by hand. In "kicking" codes, such as association football and Gaelic football, the ball is moved mainly with the feet, and using the hands is strictly limited.

Most of these sports share some basic rules. Each team usually has between 11 and 18 players, though versions with fewer players (five or more per team) are also popular. The game is played in a clearly defined area, and teams score goals or points by moving the ball to the other team's end of the field, either into a goal area or over a line. Players use only their bodies to move the ball, without bats or sticks. Common skills in all of these games include passing, tackling, catching, and kicking. In most of them, players are not allowed to be offside, and a goal is scored by putting the ball under or over a crossbar between the goalposts.

Etymology

The name "football" comes from the ball used in the game. The ball was apparently named this way because it was moved with the feet. Another explanation is that the game was called "football" because it was played on foot, not on horseback.

Early history

See also: Episkyros and Cuju

Further information: Medieval football

Main article: Calcio Fiorentino

Main article: Attempts to ban football games

Long ago, many people played ball games, and some of them used the feet. The Chinese game cuju was played with the feet and is sometimes said to resemble modern association football. FIFA has named it the earliest form of football. The Roman game harpastum is believed to have come from a Greek game called episkyros, which may have looked like rugby football. Many Indigenous peoples around the world also played ball games. In Australia, Marn Grook may have been one of the origins of Australian rules football. During the Middle Ages, Shrovetide football matches became very popular across Europe, especially in England. Early English football was often a huge, rough game played between towns, where many players tried to move a ball to certain places.

In the 16th century, the city of Florence played a game that is known today as "calcio storico." Players could punch, shoulder charge, and kick opponents. Many attempts were made to ban football, beginning with a law passed in England in 1314. Women were banned from playing at English and Scottish Football League grounds in 1921, and this ban was only lifted in the 1970s. American football also faced pressure to be banned because of its violence, and in 1905, American president Theodore Roosevelt hosted a meeting that led to major rule changes.

Establishment of modern codes

Main article: English public school football games

Main article: Oldest football clubs

Main article: Oldest football competitions

Main article: Passing (association football)

Main articles: Rugby football and History of rugby union

Main article: Cambridge rules

Main article: Sheffield rules

Main article: Australian rules football

See also: Origins of Australian rules football

Main article: The Football Association

Main articles: Gridiron football, History of American football, and Canadian football § History

Main article: History of Gaelic football

Further information: History of rugby league

Main article: History of FIFA

Football was played in many forms across Britain, but it was the public schools that helped turn it from a wild crowd game into an organised team sport. Teachers and former students from these schools also wrote down the first rules so that matches could be played between schools. At Rugby School, a pupil named William Webb Ellis is said to have picked up the ball and run with it, but most sports historians think this story is probably not true. Rugby football is thought to have started around 1845 at Rugby School in Rugby, Warwickshire. In 1863, representatives of several London clubs met at the Freemasons' Tavern to form the Football Association, which set one set of rules for association football. Other codes grew up in different places. In Melbourne, a group of players shaped the rules of Australian rules football in 1858 and 1859. In the north of England, Sheffield F.C. played its own rules and is the oldest surviving association football club in the world. In 1895, northern rugby clubs broke away to form the Northern Rugby Football Union, which later led to rugby league. Football's governing body, FIFA, was founded in Paris in 1904.

Use of the word football

The word football can mean any of the games described above, so people often argue about it. This is mainly because it is used in different ways in different parts of the English-speaking world. Most often, football refers to the form of football that is most popular in a particular region, which is association football in most countries. So what the word football means usually depends on where you are.

In the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, one code is known simply as football, while the others usually need a qualifier. In New Zealand, football once referred to rugby union, but it may now be used on its own to mean association football. In Australia, it means either Australian rules football or rugby league, depending on which is more popular locally, a pattern that largely follows the Barassi Line. In francophone Quebec, where Canadian football is more popular, association football is called le soccer. Most national FIFA groups where English is an official or main language use Football in their names, while those in Canada and the United States use Soccer. Some groups have recently changed to Football, including Australia's association football governing body, which changed its name in 2005, and New Zealand's governing body, which renamed itself in 2007, saying "the international game is called football." Samoa also changed its name to "Football Federation Samoa" in 2009.

Popularity

Several football codes are among the most popular team sports in the world. Association football is played by over 250 million players in more than 200 nations and has the largest television audience in sport. In the United States, American football is the most popular sport in the United States. It has 1.1 million high school football players and nearly 70,000 college football players. The annual Super Bowl game makes up nine of the top ten most watched broadcasts in U.S. television history. The NFL has the highest average attendance of any professional sports league in the world, and the highest revenue of any single professional league. The best association and American football players are among the highest paid athletes in the world.

Other codes are also very popular in their home countries. Australian rules football has the highest spectator attendance of all sports in Australia. Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland by match attendance, and the All-Ireland Football Final is the most watched event of the Irish sporting year. Rugby union is the most popular sport in New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. It is also the fastest growing sport in the United States, where college rugby is the fastest growing college sport.

Football codes board

Association football variants

Rugby football variants

Gridiron football variants

Australian football variants

Football codes development tree

Present-day codes and families

Main article: List of types of football

Association football, also called soccer, is one of the best-known codes in this family. In these codes, players other than the goalkeeper cannot use their hands, although outfield players can throw the ball back in when it goes out of play. There are many versions, such as Futsal (an indoor game for five-a-side teams), Beach soccer (played on sand), Walking football (where players can only walk), and Powerchair football (played by athletes in electric wheelchairs).

In the rugby codes, players can carry the ball in their hands and throw it to teammates, but they cannot pass it forwards. Rugby union and rugby league are two of the main forms. The gridiron codes share a history with rugby, but they allow some forward passing. American football and Canadian football belong to this group. The Irish and Australian codes, such as Australian rules football and Gaelic football, have their own traditions and scoring systems. A few hybrid games mix ideas from different sports, such as Speedball, which combines American football, soccer, and basketball.

See also: Comparison of rugby league and rugby union, Comparison of American football and rugby league, Comparison of American football and rugby union, Comparison of Canadian football and rugby league, Comparison of Canadian football and rugby union, Comparison of Gaelic football and rugby union, Comparison of association football and rugby union, and Comparison of American and Canadian football

See also: Variations of Australian rules football

See also: Comparison of Australian rules football and Gaelic football

Code			Association			Gridiron				Rugby		International and related
			Soccer	Beach	Futsal	American	Flag	Indoor	Canadian	Union	League	Australian	International	Gaelic
Image
Country of origin			England	Brazil	Uruguay	United States			Canada	England		Australia	Compromise rules between Australian and Gaelic codes	Ireland
Governing Body			FIFA			IFAF			Football Canada	World Rugby	IRL	AFL Commission	AFL and GAA	GAA
Pitch	Shape		Rectangular			Rectangular		Rounded rectangular	Rectangular	Rectangular		Oval	Rectangular
	Total length		100–130 yards (91–119 m) 110–120 yards (100–110 m) (international)	35–37 metres	25–42 metres 38–42 metres (international)	120 yards (110 m)	70 yards (64 m) (standard, 5 a side)	66 yards (60 m)	150 yards (140 m)	106–144 metres	112–122 metres	135–185 metres (professional)	145 metres	130–145 metres
	Total width		50–100 yards (46–91 m) 70–80 yards (64–73 m) (international)	26–28 metres	16–25 metres 20–25 metres (international)	160 feet (49 m)	25 yards (23 m) (standard, 5 a side)	28 yards (26 m)	65 yards (59 m)	68–70 metres	68 metres	110–155 metres (professional)	90 metres	80–90 metres
	Surface		grass, artificial	sand	wood, artificial	grass, artificial	solid, sand	artificial	grass, artificial	grass, sand, clay, snow, artificial	grass	grass
	Goalposts	Shape	Netted rectangular			Carving fork	None	Uppercase H, with bouncing nets/ Uppercase U (hanged)	Carving fork	Uppercase H		4 posts	Uppercase H (netted bottom) + 2 post	Uppercase H (netted bottom)
		Width	8 yards (7.3 m)	5.5 metres	3 metres	222 inches (5.6 m)		10 feet (3.0 m)	222 inches (5.6 m)	5.6 metres	5.5 metres	2 goal posts (6.4 metres apart) + 2 behind posts (6.4 metres apart from each side of goal post)		6.5 metres
		Height	8 feet (2.4 m)	2.2 metres	2 metres	10 feet (3.0 m) above ground		10 feet (3.0 m) above ground		3 metres above ground		Goal posts: 6–15 metres Behind posts: 3–10 metres	Goal posts: 6 metres, crossbar at 2.5 metres Behind posts: 3 metres	7 meters, crossbar at 2.5 meters, netted bottom 0.9 meters in depth
Equipment	Football	Shape	Sphere			Lemon				Prolate spheroid		Prolate spheroid	Sphere
		Circumference	27–28 inches (69–71 cm)	68–70 centimetres	62–64 centimetres	27.75–28.5 inches (70.5–72.4 cm) (longitudinal) × 20.75–21.25 inches (52.7–54.0 cm) (transversal)	27–28 inches (69–71 cm) (longitudinal) 20–21 inches (51–53 cm) (transversal)		27.75–28.5 inches (70.5–72.4 cm) (longitudinal) 20.75–21.375 inches (52.71–54.29 cm) (transversal)	74 – 77 centimetres (elliptic) × 58 – 62 centimetres (circular)		72 – 73 centimetres (elliptic) × 54.5 -55.5 centimetres (circular)	68–70 centimetres
		Diameter	–	–	–	10.875–11.4375 inches (27.623–29.051 cm) (longitudinal)	11–11.5 inches (28–29 cm) (longitudinal) 6.25–6.75 inches (15.9–17.1 cm) (transversal)		10.875–11.4375 inches (27.623–29.051 cm) (longitudinal) 6.25–6.75 inches (15.9–17.1 cm) (transversal)	28–30 centimetres (longitudinal)	–	–	–
		Weight	14–16 ounces (400–450 g)	400–440 grams		14–15 ounces (400–430 g)				410 – 460 grams			480–500 grams
		Pressure	8.5–15.6 pounds per square inch (59–108 kPa)	0.4–0.6 standard atmospheres (41–61 kPa)	0.6–0.9 standard atmospheres (61–91 kPa)	12.5–13.5 pounds per square inch (86–93 kPa)				9.5–10 pounds per square inch (66–69 kPa)		69 kilopascals	9–10 pounds per square inch (62–69 kPa)
		Bounce			50–65 centimetres when dropped from 2 metres								0.5222–0.576 e when dropped from 1.8 metres
	Uniform	Non protective	Shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, footwear	Shirt with sleeves, shorts, no footwear allowed	Shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, footwear	Jersey, pants, socks	Jersey, shorts or pants, flag belts	Jersey, pants, socks, footwear		Shirt, shorts, socks, footwear		Sleeveless shirt, shorts, socks, footwear	Shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, footwear
		Protective gear	Shin guards	None	Shin guards	Helmet, hip pads, knee pads, mouthguard, shoulder pads, thigh guards	Mouthguard (recommended)	Helmet, hip pads, knee pads, mouthguard, shoulder pads, thigh guards		Optional (headgear, padded clothes, mouthguard, shin guards, goggles)				Mouthguard
Players	Number		11	5		11	5	8	12	15	13	18	15
	Goalkeeper		Yes			No				No		No	Yes
Time	Duration		2 × 45 minutes	3 × 12 minutes	2 × 20 minutes	4 × 15 minutes	2 × 20 minutes	4 × 15 minutes		2 × 40 minutes		4 × 20 minutes	4 × 18 minutes	2 × 35 minutes
	Clock stoppage		No	Yes		Yes				Yes		Yes		No
Kicking	Type of kicks		Off the ground, bicycle, placed, dribbling			Placed, punt	None	Placed	Placed, punt	Off the ground, grubber, dropped, bomb, punt, placed		Off the ground, grubber, bomb, punt		Off the ground, grubber, bomb, dropped, punt, bicycle
	Kickoff		Yes			Yes		Yes		Yes		No
Use of hands			Only goalkeeper, but all in throw-in		Only goalkeeper	Yes				Yes		Yes
Forward pass			Yes			Yes				No		Yes
Offside rule			Yes	No		Yes				Yes		No
Type of tackles			Sliding, standing			Spear, dump, body tackle, ankle tap, diving, bumping, shoulder charge, intercept ball, chicken wig	None	Spear, dump, body tackle, ankle tap, diving, bumping, shoulder charge, intercept ball, chicken wig		Dump, body tackle, ankle tap, diving, charge down		Dump, diving, bumping, intercept ball, spoil, shepherd, smother
Score			Goal 1			Touchdown 6, Field goal 3, try 1 or 2, Safety 2	Touchdown 6, try 1 or 2, safety 2, defence touchdown on a try 2	Touchdown 6, Field goal 3 or 4 (drop kick), try 1 or 2, Safety 2, defence touchdown on a try 2, Rouge 1, Deuce 2	Touchdown 6, Field goal 3, Convert 1 or 2, Safety 2, Single 1	Try 5, Conversion 2, Penalty 3, Drop goal 3	Try 4, Conversion 2, Penalty 2, Drop goal 1 (2 points when kicked from 40m+)	Goal 6, behind 1	Goal 6, over 3, behind 1	Goal 3, over 1 (2 points when kicked from outside 40 m arc)
Methods for breaking ties			Knock-out contests: extratime, penaltyshot-out			Extra periods				Extratime (knock-out contests)				Extratime
Methods for starting play	partials		Kick-off			Kickoff (each half)	Scrimmage			Kick off	Kick off	By umpire: ball-up	By umpire: central throw up
	After scoring					After touchdown: scrimmage for try After try, field goal or safety: kickoff				Restart kick		Goal: ball-up Behind: kick in	Goal: central throw up Behind and over: kicked into play by the Goalkeeper, from inside the 13 m rectangle	Kick out
	when ball goes out of bounds		Touchlines: throw-in Goal lines: goal kick (by defending team), corner kick (by attacking team)	Touchlines: throw-in or kick-in	Touchlines: kick-in	Scrimmage				Touch: lineout or quick throw	Touchlines: scrum	Free kick or throw in (by umpire)	Sidelines: free kick Endlines: free kick (within 13 m rectangle by defending team) or on the nearest 45 m line (by attacking team)	Sidelines: free kick from the hand from outside Endlines: Kick out (by defending team), free kick on the nearest 45 m line (by attacking team)
				Goal lines: goal clearance (by defending team), corner kick (by attacking team)
	After foul		Free kick, penalty kick							Scrum, penalty kick		Free kick	Free kick, penalty kick	Free kick, throw in, penalty kick
Tournaments	World nation championship		Yes			Yes		No		Yes		Yes	No (only Australia vs Ireland)	No
	Olympic		Yes	No	2018, 2026 (SYOG)	1932 (demonstration)	2028	No		1900, 1908, 1920, 1924 (sevens since 2016)	No	1956 (demonstration)	No
	World Games		No			Invitational (2005 and 2017)	Yes	No		Sevens (2001–2013)	No	No
	Professional leagues		Yes			Yes	No	Yes		Yes		Yes	No	No (strictly amateur)