[registrars] RE: How to play soccer

[Bruce Tonkin]

> 
> soccer is kind of like hockey right? ;-)
> 


I think it is somehow derived from Australian Rules Football (AFL), see
rules below :-)

Basically in Australian Rules Football you can use both your hands and
legs, and you can push people over etc.

As a social game however, you can play AFL with a beer in each hand.  I
can only assume this lead to the rules of soccer where you can use your
feet and your head, but you don't want to be pushed/tackled in case you
spill your beer.

Regards,
Bruce Tonkin




Here are the basic rules from:
http://afl.com.au/afl-heritage-curriculum/doc/writtenrules.doc 

The first written Rules of Football, May 1858 

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 to kick-off from the centre point between the
goals.

III.	A goal must be kicked fairly between the posts, without touching
either of them, or a portion of the person of any player on either side.

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 centres of the two goals; and the two posts to be called the
'kick-off' posts shall be erected at a distance of 30 yards on each side
of the goal posts at both ends, and in a straight line with them.

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 from 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.

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.

VII.	Tripping and pushing are both allowed (but no hacking) when any
player is in rapid motion or in possession of the ball, except in the
case provided for in Rule VI.

VIII.	The ball may be taken in hand only when caught from the foot, or
on the hop. In no case shall it be lifted from the ground.

IX.	When the 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.

X.	The ball, while in play, may under no circumstances be thrown.
(Copied from the hand written document in the possession of the
Melbourne Cricket Club)