| While it is undisputed that the origins of modern | | | | more is known asides the fact that it was played |
| soccer, or football, originated in Britain, there is a | | | | with a ball. The lack of information on the sport and |
| great deal of evidence that points to this beloved | | | | how it was played has eliminated it from runnings as |
| game as having an older history.Where did the game | | | | the first evidence of a game similar to soccer.Greek |
| of soccer really begin, and how old is it? To | | | | Roman Soccer HistoryPerhaps the closest relative to |
| understand how many different varieties of "soccer" | | | | modern soccer are the games that were formed by |
| there are, you need to understand a bit about the | | | | the Greeks during the prime of their culture. They |
| older versions of the game and how they have | | | | had numerous varieties of football style games, some |
| evolved.Below, you will find a list of the predominant | | | | of which required hands, some of which forbade |
| cultures that had a variety of soccer, and learn how | | | | hands. In the end, after the Roman conquering of |
| each one differs from what we play today. And no, | | | | Greece, the game Harpastum is what modern soccer |
| they never used anything like Lotto shinguards back | | | | would be based from. This game, probably a modified |
| then either!Chinese Soccer HistoryJapanese Soccer | | | | version of the Greek's "Harpaston", which translates |
| HistoryEgyptian Soccer HistoryGreek/Roman Soccer | | | | roughly to handball. While grossly misnamed, this |
| HistoryBritish Soccer HistoryChinese Soccer HistoryTo | | | | game is what is considered to be one of the |
| many, this is the oldest version of soccer to exist. | | | | precursors to modern soccer.British Soccer HistoryIn |
| However, there is quite a lot of controversy of | | | | Britain during the 8th century, soccer was created, |
| whether or not this is the oldest, or Japan's version is | | | | not as a recreational sport, but as a war game. One |
| the elder. The Chinese version of the game, originally | | | | of the stories of the original roots of the sport |
| named "Tsu Chu", involved players on a field that had | | | | comes from when a Danish Prince was beheaded, |
| to hit a leather ball stuffed with fur into a small hole. | | | | and his head was used as a ball and was kicked |
| Like Soccer, no hands were permitted during the play | | | | around. Ever since this 'legendary' tale, villages and |
| of the game, and it was considered an honor to be a | | | | other communities would play a game where they |
| member of a team.The Emperor of the Han | | | | would have to kick a ball to a specific goal. It was a |
| Dynasty, when the game was developed, was an | | | | violent game, where injury and death were not |
| avid player and fan, and spread the popularity of this | | | | uncommon, but it was popular nevertheless. In fact, |
| game all over China during his reign. This roughly | | | | it was so violent, that in 1331, King Edward the III |
| dates back to 300 B.C., although there is controversy | | | | passed laws to try to stop the playing of the game. |
| on the subject of dating, which could result in the | | | | It did not work, however, and the sport continued |
| origins of the game being as far back as 5000 B.C. | | | | on.There are even stories of soccer games that |
| Regardless, this version of Soccer is extremely old. | | | | involved hundreds upon hundreds of players. In these |
| Despite that, there is still a version of Tsu Chu played | | | | games, there were many deaths, some resulting in |
| today. While the two games are similar, Tsu Chu has | | | | the hundreds. It wasn't until 1815 when Eton College |
| had no effect on the modern version of the game, | | | | set up a series of rules for the game that it became |
| as it was originally developed and created for play in | | | | less violent and more of a true sport. At this time, |
| Great Britain.Japanese Soccer HistoryKemari, the | | | | other colleges and universities took up the banner |
| Japanese version of "Soccer", is perhaps one of the | | | | and began to play under similar rules. Later, the rules |
| most different forms of the sport, in comparison to | | | | were evaluated and judged, and the Cambridge rules |
| modern soccer. Kemari was a game of "Keep it up", | | | | were created as a result in 1848. In the Cambridge |
| much like modern hacky sacks, although used with a | | | | rules, shin-kicking, carrying the ball and tripping were |
| larger ball that was stuffed with saw dust. This | | | | all forbidden. Rugby rules allowed these aspects, and |
| version involves a "pitch", or the field, designated by | | | | the two varieties of soccer, or football, split to form |
| the selection of four trees, the cherry, maple, pine | | | | their own followings.On October 26, 1863, London |
| and willow. Many great houses in Japan would grow | | | | schools and sports club sent representatives to the |
| trees to have a permanent pitch, or field, | | | | Freemason's Tavern, where the Football Association |
| established.Kemari was normally played with two to | | | | was formed. Rugby supporters left this association to |
| twelve players. Established in roughly 1004 B.C., it vies | | | | form the Rugby Association. This is where the birth |
| for position of the oldest game with China's Tsu Chu. | | | | of modern soccer began. In 1969, the Football |
| In fact, China's Tsu Chu players and Japan's Kemari | | | | Association finalized the modern game of soccer by |
| players were the first to have an "International" | | | | forbidding the use of hands in the game.The term |
| game of their versions of Soccer, which is dated to | | | | "Soccer" was coined when someone was asked if he |
| have occurred in roughly 50 B.C., although a definite | | | | was a Rugger, which is a Rugby player. The -er |
| date of 611 A.D. is known. Regardless, this game | | | | signified that the person participated in a a particular |
| stands with China as a sister sport to Soccer, while it | | | | sport. The individual, Charles Wreford Brown, replied |
| never affected the modern version of the | | | | with "Soccer!", taking the phrase from Association, |
| game.Egyptian Soccer HistoryWhile not much is | | | | SOC, and adding the -er. The term stuck. While British |
| known about Egyptian Soccer, or other ball games, it | | | | individuals still call the game Football, Americans and |
| is thought there was a version of a type of ball | | | | other countries call it Soccer, especially if they have |
| game played by young women during the age of | | | | heavy support in American Football present. Ever |
| Baqet III. On his tomb, images of this sport were | | | | since the foundation of the Association, "Football" has |
| depicted, although no one is certain how the game | | | | risen in popularity, becoming one of the best love |
| was played or whether or not it truly affected the | | | | games in the history of Earth. Now, hundreds of |
| outcome of modern soccer. Recordings of this game | | | | thousands play the sport, although it lacks the initial |
| date as far back as 2500 B.C., although not much | | | | violence present at its creation. |