American Football Rules

You may know the history of football, as well as the English origins of American football. But what about American football rules? American football rules originated from Britain, specifically from public school football games. The earliest form of contemporary organized football (as opposed to the mob form of football in earlier England) has influenced the sport down to this day. Not only did these public school games organize the sport and start team competition, they also instituted differences between kicking and running, separating what would become American football from association football.

More On American Football Rules

References to referees, positions, teams and coaches date back to the early 16th century, most notably by a headmaster named Richard Mulcaster. In 1660 a book entitled Francis Willughby's Book of Games gave more detail as to the goals and characteristics of football, with explanations of tactics, scoring strategies, team selection and the first rules for what would become American football. Further rules involving offsides and forward passing were created in the 18th and 19th century. American football rules resembled Britain's and were played in like manner throughout much of the 19th century, though the sport adopted many of its rules and practices from rugby as well as English football.

American Football Rules Put To The Test

The official rules for American football underwent a major change by the 20th century, because of consistent injuries or deaths being reported from colleges. This created a stir in the nation and soon football was banned by many colleges. Nineteen different colleges met about the matter, urged on by President Theodore Roosevelt, to how to change rules of American football to make the sport safer. These meetings eventually led to the creation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Some of the American football rules that were changed included more regulation on tackling, outlawing some dangerous formations and adding laws on forward passes (since a few colleges did not want a proposed widening of the playing field) While at first these new regulations did not have any immediate effect (many American football players died each year) gradually the amount of deaths and injuries decreased. Safer football equipment (such as helmets) no doubt had a significant impact on American football rules and the decline of injuries. By 1912 the gridiron type of American football rules still popular today were born, and the sport was solidified with the formation of the the NFL is 1920.

American football rules continue to be one of the most controversial and popular characteristics of this type of football, made in America.