Cambridge Rules - 'The Simplest Game' (or 'The Uppingham Rules')

'The Simplest Game' (or 'The Uppingham Rules')

In 1862, J.C. Thring, who was then a master at Uppingham, brought out a new set of rules for what he called "The Simplest Game"; these rules are also known as the "Uppingham Rules". Thring's rules are not normally referred to as the Cambridge rules.

1. A GOAL is scored whenever the ball is forced through the goal and under the bar, except it be thrown by hand.
2. HANDS may be used only to stop a ball and place it on the ground before the feet.
3. KICKS must be aimed only at the ball.
4. A player may not kick the ball whilst in the air.
5. NO TRIPPING UP or HEEL KICKING is allowed.
6. Whenever the ball is kicked beyond the side flags, it must be returned by the player who kicked it, from the spot it passed the flag line, in a straight line towards the middle of the ground.
7. When a ball is kicked BEHIND the line of goal, it shall be kicked off from that line by one of the side whose goal it is.
8. No opposite player may stand within six paces of the kicker when he is kicking off.
9. A player is 'out of play' immediately he is in front of the ball and he must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball be kicked by his own side past a player, he may not touch or kick it nor advance until one of the other side has first kicked it or one of his own side, having followed it up, has been able, when in front of him, to kick it.
10. NO CHARGING is allowed when a player is out of play - i.e. immediately the ball is behind him.