FOOTBALL RULES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4408, 6 May 1875, Page 3

FOOTBALL RULES.

The following are the rules which were adopted at the meeting of the three Wellington football clubs held at the Pier Hotel on Friday evening:— 1 The distanco between tho goals shall not be moro than 200 yards; and tho width of playing space (to bo measured equally on each side of a lino drawn through the centres of tho goals) not moro than ISCyards. The goal posts shall bo sovon yards apart, of unlimited hoight. '■-.,. . , . < 2. The captaina on each side shall toss for choice of goal; the sido losing the toss or a. goal has the kick-off from the centre point between tho goals. When half the time arranged for play has expired, the sidos shall change ends, and tho ball be thrown in tho air by tho umpiro, in the centre of tho ground. S. A goal will be won whon tho ball, without being fisted or punted, passes over tho bar. , 4 If a ball is touched down behind goal by one oi tho'opposite side, it can bo carried out fifteen yards at right angles for a try at goal, or it can bo puntod to one of tho same side standing in front of tho goal who catches it and cries mark, tho other side rushing forward directly tho ball is punted, to prevont them catching it. Vl.en tho ball is carried^ a place kick is taken, the player who touches it.down holding it closo to tho ground for one of his side to kick. 6 Any playing catching the baU directly from tho foot or leg, on or below tho Itnco of another player, may call ''mark"; ho then has a free kick from any snot in a lino with his mark and the centre of Ins opponent's goal posts; no player bemg allowed to come inside the spot marked, or within flvo yards in any other direction. ■ , . , 0 The ball may bo taken in hand at any time, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick, and no player shall run with the ball unless he strikes it against tho ground In every flvo or six yards. In the ovont of a player, with the ball in hand, trying to pass an adversary, and being held by him however slightly, ho shall nt once drop tho ball, which shall

not be again taken iu liana by any player till after it has been kicked.

7. Tripping, hacking, and rabbiting are prohibited. Pushing with the hands or body is allowed when any player is in rapid motion. Holding is only allowed wliile a player has the ball in hand, except in the cases provided tor in rules 5 and 0. 8. 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, but shall not be playable until after it touch the ground within bounds. J). The ball, while in play, may under no circumstances be thrown. 10. In case of infringement of any of the above rules, the captain of the opposite side may claim that any one of his paity may have a free kick from the place where the breach of rule was made. 11. Before the commencement of a match each side shall appoint an umpire, and they shall be the sole judges of goals and of cases of the ball going kehind goal. A field umpire shall also be aiipointed, who shall decide in all other matters, and may appeal to the goal umpire. DBPIKITIONS. 1. A drop kick, or drop, is made by letting the ball drop from your hands on to the ground and kicking it the very instant it rises. 2. A place kick, or place, is kicking the ball after it has been placed on the ground. 3. A punt consists iu letting the ball fall from your hands and kicking it before it touches the ground. 4. A scrimmage commences when the ball is on the ground and all who have closed round on their respective sides begin kicking at it. 5. Rabbiting is one. player stooping down so as to cause another to fall, by placing his body below the other's hips.