Bob_vic
Club Legend
Just found an 1862 set of rules. Not the original, but pretty close.
The 1862 Ballarat Rules
I. The distance between the Goals and the Goal Posts shall be decided upon by the Captains of the sides Playing.
II. The Captains on each side shall toss for choice of Goal; the side losing the toss has the kick-off from the centre point between the Goals.
Very different.
III. A Goal must be kicked fairly between the posts without touching either of them, or any portion of the person of one of the opposite side. In case the Ball being forced between the Goal Posts in a scrimmage, a Goal shall be awarded.
Different for rushed, but I suppose they didn't have scored behinds.
IV. The Game shall be Played within a space of not more than 200 yards wide, the same to be measured equally on each side of a line drawn through the centre of the two Goals; and two posts, to be called the "kick-off" posts, shall be erected at a distance of 20 yards on each side of the Goal posts at both ends, and in a straight line with them.
Bloody hell, how big's the ground.
V. In case the Ball is kicked behind Goal, any one of the side behind whose Goal it is kicked may bring it 20 yards in front of any portion of the space between the "kick-off" posts, and shall kick it as nearly as possible in a line with the opposite Goal.
Nearly the same.
VI. Any Player catching the Ball directly from the foot may call "mark". He then has a free kick; no Player from the opposite side being allowed to come inside the spot marked.
The same except interestingly, they regard a mark as a free kick, that isn't the case now. I suppose the only difference to that now is that you can pay advantage on a free kick but not a mark.
VII. Tripping, holding, and hacking are strictly prohibited. Pushing with the hands or body is allowed when any Player is in rapid motion, or in possession of the Ball, except in the case provided for in Rule VI.
Nearly the same expect for no pushing a player when a player is in rapid motion. How ambiguous is that?
VIII. The Ball may at any time be taken in hand, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick.
Nearly the same, but, again, how ambiguous is the wording? What is "necessary for a kick"?
IX. When a Ball goes out of bounds, (the same being indicated by a row of posts) it shall be brought back to the point where it crossed the boundary-line and thrown in at right angles with that line.
Sounds like Soccer.
X. The Ball, while in Play, may under no circumstances be thrown.
Same.
XI. In case of deliberate infringement of any of the above Rules by either side, the Captain of the opposite side may claim that any one of his party may have a free kick from the place where the breach of Rule was made; the two Captains in all cases, save when Umpires are appointed, to be the sole Judges of infringements.
Imagine if it was like that now, how chaotic it would be. It was definitely a different time. Some of the AFL umpires might benifet by carrying the rules on them, like they did back then to solve disputes. They don't seem to know them that well....
Bob
[This message has been edited by Bob_vic (edited 09 March 2001).]
The 1862 Ballarat Rules
I. The distance between the Goals and the Goal Posts shall be decided upon by the Captains of the sides Playing.
II. The Captains on each side shall toss for choice of Goal; the side losing the toss has the kick-off from the centre point between the Goals.
Very different.
III. A Goal must be kicked fairly between the posts without touching either of them, or any portion of the person of one of the opposite side. In case the Ball being forced between the Goal Posts in a scrimmage, a Goal shall be awarded.
Different for rushed, but I suppose they didn't have scored behinds.
IV. The Game shall be Played within a space of not more than 200 yards wide, the same to be measured equally on each side of a line drawn through the centre of the two Goals; and two posts, to be called the "kick-off" posts, shall be erected at a distance of 20 yards on each side of the Goal posts at both ends, and in a straight line with them.
Bloody hell, how big's the ground.
V. In case the Ball is kicked behind Goal, any one of the side behind whose Goal it is kicked may bring it 20 yards in front of any portion of the space between the "kick-off" posts, and shall kick it as nearly as possible in a line with the opposite Goal.
Nearly the same.
VI. Any Player catching the Ball directly from the foot may call "mark". He then has a free kick; no Player from the opposite side being allowed to come inside the spot marked.
The same except interestingly, they regard a mark as a free kick, that isn't the case now. I suppose the only difference to that now is that you can pay advantage on a free kick but not a mark.
VII. Tripping, holding, and hacking are strictly prohibited. Pushing with the hands or body is allowed when any Player is in rapid motion, or in possession of the Ball, except in the case provided for in Rule VI.
Nearly the same expect for no pushing a player when a player is in rapid motion. How ambiguous is that?
VIII. The Ball may at any time be taken in hand, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick.
Nearly the same, but, again, how ambiguous is the wording? What is "necessary for a kick"?
IX. When a Ball goes out of bounds, (the same being indicated by a row of posts) it shall be brought back to the point where it crossed the boundary-line and thrown in at right angles with that line.
Sounds like Soccer.
X. The Ball, while in Play, may under no circumstances be thrown.
Same.
XI. In case of deliberate infringement of any of the above Rules by either side, the Captain of the opposite side may claim that any one of his party may have a free kick from the place where the breach of Rule was made; the two Captains in all cases, save when Umpires are appointed, to be the sole Judges of infringements.
Imagine if it was like that now, how chaotic it would be. It was definitely a different time. Some of the AFL umpires might benifet by carrying the rules on them, like they did back then to solve disputes. They don't seem to know them that well....
Bob
[This message has been edited by Bob_vic (edited 09 March 2001).]
