The Origin of Soccer

Although it may be impossible to accurately stateCambridge Rules.Unfortunately, at this point, there
when and where the game of soccer originated,were still two different sets of rules being used.
history has shown us glimpses of a game similar toSome colleges favored the Rugby Rules which
our present day version being played for over 3000allowed carrying the ball with your hands, tripping and
years.Around the 2nd or 3rd Century BC, it waskicking to the shins. which were contrary to the
documented that the Chinese military during the HanCambridge Rules.In 1863, The Football Association
Dynasty played a game involving kicking a ball into awas created by eleven English soccer clubs and
small net.A game similar to soccer was played by theschools to establish a single set of rules to be
ancient Greeks and Romans but their game couldenforced when they played against each other.The
include up to 27 players on a side compared to thesupporters of the Rugby School rules objected to
modern day game of 11 players to a side.Soccerthe changes and the two groups split apart. The
became one of the most popular sports of theFootball Association later changed the rules in 1869
masses due to its popularity as a war game. A gamewhere they forbade the use of hands, except by
of "football" which the British called it, was played inthe goalie, which led us to the game of soccer as we
the east of England during the 8th Century whereknow it today.The English still called it a game of
the head of a defeated Danish Prince was used as"football" because the ball was played primarily with
the ball.During medieval times, villages and townsthe feet but in the late 18th Century, the word,
were pitted against each other in game battles that"soccer", was first used by a student of Oxford
could take all day. There were no structured rules toUniversity by the name of Charles Wreford Brown.
abide by and kicking, biting, gouging and punchingThe students at Oxford were known for using slang
turned the game into a virtual battle of survival.where they added "er" to the end of words that
These matches became so violent that the Englishthey intentionally shortened. The game of Rugby was
authorities made many attempts to have soccercalled "rugger". Brown shortened the word
banned.King Edward III from England passed laws in"association" and added "er" and the term "soccer"
1331 to abolish the game and Queen Elizabeth I had awas born.Since the 19th Century the game has
law passed that provided a one week jail sentenceevolved to where it is today. It is the World's Game
for anyone caught playing soccer.Despite thesethat is played by more people than any other sport
efforts, the game of soccer became so popular inand is universally recognized as the most popular
England over the next few centuries that it evolvedgame in sports history.The World Cup which is held
as the most popular sport of its time.At this point,every four years to crown a World Champion draws
the only shortcoming of the sport was its lack ofmillions of spectators to the 32 games played and is
rules or standards. In 1815, Eton College, a famouswatched by billions of fans from around the globe
English school, established a set of rules to bethanks to modern day satellite television
implemented by other schools, colleges andtechnology.The popularity of soccer continues to
universities.A standardized version of these rulesgrow as organized youth soccer programs are
were later adopted in 1848 by most of England'sgetting a young fan base involved at an early age
colleges and universities that were known as thewhich will fuel its growth for years to come.