FOOTBALL. This game has long been a favorite throughout the British isles; and • as a winter game, is far more popular than any other, especially in our universities and public schools. A large park or common is best suited for the game, one of the most attractive features of which is, that it may be simultaneously enjoyed by great-numbers of players. There are at present two distinct styles of F., the one known as " the Rugby game," the other as "the association game," from its introduction and patronage by the P. association, instituted in 1863. In both games, the object is to drive the ball between certain bounds, placed at opposite ends of the ground—the game being played in the intervening space—and called goals. The goal is formed of two upright posts, which, in the Rugby game, are joined by a cross bar at a height of 10 ft., and in the association game by a tape at the height of 8 feet. The aim in the Rugby game is le drive the ball between the posts and over the cross-bar of the enemy's goal; in the asso ciation game, to drive it through the posts below the tape. Two side-lines, called goal lines, are drawn from each of the goals, and the boundary of the playing-ground on each side is marked by a line called the The opposing players take their positions opposite each other at different ends of the field. The game is decided by the number of goals won in a certain space of time, which is divided into equal parts, after each of which the players change ends.
The hall used is made of india-rubber bladder covered with strong leather.
In the Rugby game, the game is•commenced by a (made by kicking the ball when placed on the ground) from the middle of the field. A goal may be won by a
over the adversary's goal, or by a place-kick resulting from a or a A drop-kick is made by dropping the ball from the hands. and kicking it as it rises. The touch-down is accomplished in the following manner: any player who catches the ball, either before it has touched the ground or on the bound, may run with it, if he can, till he gets behind the adversary's line of goal, where he will touch it down as near as lie'can to the goal, if possible between the posts. This feat is called running in, and secures the'right of a place-kick at goal from any spot outside the goal-line in a straight line from where the touch-down was made. When the ball is touched down behind the goal-line, but not near the goal, a different mode of procedure, called the is adopted. A fair-catch is a catch from a kick or from the hand, when the catcher makes a mark with his heel, and gets a free kick. When the ball crosses the touch-line at the side of the field, it is lifted And thrown out in a straight line to be secured by either side. The player who has the ball may be hacked or kicked on the shins by those of the opposite side, so as to trip him over.
Under the association rules the main idea is to adhere as closely as possible to the literal meaning of the word football. Consequently, holding or carrying the ball is pro hibited, and no one is allowed to use his hands at all, except the goal-keepers, who are allowed to protect the goal with their hands. Neither tripping nor hacking is allowed, and altogether the game is much less rough. The Rugby game is often played now without hacking. - •