Rules of Blackheath Football Club (1862)

RULES

1. That the ball be started from the centre of the ground by a place-kick.

2. A fair catch is a catch direct from the foot, or a knock-on from the hand of one of the opposite side; when the catcher may either run with the ball or make his mark by inserting his heel in the ground on the spot where he catches it; in which case he is entitled to a free kick.

3. It is not lawful to take the ball off the ground, except in touch, for any purpose whatever.

4. A ball in touch is dead, and the first player who touches it down must kick it out straight from the place where it entered touch.

5. A catch out of touch is not a fair catch; but may be run off.

6. Running is allowed to any player on his side if the ball be caught or taken off the first bound.

7. Any player holding the ball unless he has made his mark after a fair catch may be hacked; and running is not allowed after the mark is made.

8. No player may be hacked and held at the same time; and hacking above or on the knee or from behind is unfair.

9. No player can be held or hacked unless he has the ball in his hands.

10. Though it is lawful to hold a player in a scrummage, this does not include attempts to throttle or strangle, which are totally opposed to the principles of the game.

11. A player whilst running or being held may hand the ball to one of his own side, who may continue to run with it; but after the ball is grounded it must be hacked through, not thrown or lifted.

12. When a player running with the ball grounds it, it cannot be touched by anyone until he lifts his hand from it.

13. If the ball goes behind the goal it must be kicked out by the party to whom the goal belongs from in a line with the goals; but a catch off a kick from behind goal is not a fair catch, but may be run off.

14. No player is to get before the ball on the side furthest from his own goal; but if he does he must not touch the ball as it passes him until touched by one of the opposite side, he being off-side.

15. A goal must be a kick through or over and between the poles, and if touched by the hands of one of the opposite side before or whilst going through is no goal.

16. No one wearing projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha on the soles or heels of his boots be allowed to play.

Uniform. — Dark blue serge trousers, black and scarlet striped jerseys and socks.