Rules of football for the Eton-Harrow Match (1862)

Rules drawn up for a Match at Football, to be played between Etonian and Harrovian Resident Members of the University.

(i) That there be eleven a-side; also that a Captain and Umpire be chosen on each side; the Captain to manage his side, and all appeals to the Umpire to be made through the Captain only. The Captains and Umpires shall appoint a neutral person as referee, whose decision upon appeal from the Umpires in every case shall be final.

(ii) The choice of Bases or Goals, and kick off shall be determined by tossing; the Captains shall also toss for choice of ball; provided that if two matches are played, the side losing the toss in the first match, shall play with their own ball in the second match.

(iii) The Bases shall be twelve feet between the poles, the poles themselves not exceeding Twenty feet in height and being joined at the top by a string.

The length of the ground shall be one hundred and fifty yards and the breadth one hundred yards.

(iv) The Game shall last for an hour and a quarter; at the expiration of half the time the Umpires shall call "change", and the sides shall change their Bases.

(v) The Ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground, half-way between the two Bases, at the beginning and change of the Game, and after a Base obtained by either side; the "kick-off" being always in the same direction.

(vi) All charging is fair; but holding, pushing with the hands, tripping up, shinning and back-shinning are forbidden. No nails are allowed in boots unless even with the sole.

(vii) If the ball shall go beyond the prescribed limits of the Game, whether behind the line of bases, or at the side, it shall be out of play, and must be kicked straight in again to the Game. No player shall intentionally kick the ball behind the line of his own base.

(viii) The Ball when in play may be stopped by any part of the body, but may not be held or hit by the hands, arms, or shoulders.

(ix) A base is obtained when the Ball being in play shall pass between the base-poles.

(x) When there are three or less than three of the opposite side between any player and his opponents' base, and the Ball is kicked to him from the direction of his own base, he shall be considered sneaking or behind, and is out of play, until another has touched the ball.