Sheffield Rules
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The Sheffield Rules was a code of football devised and played in the English city of Sheffield between 1858 and 1877. The rules were initially created and revised by Sheffield Football Club, with resp
"Laws for the guidance of playing members" detailed, as published in 1859
The first edition of the rules, exhibited in 2009
Title page of the 1871 rules
Team photograph of Sheffield F.C. in 1857
Fair catch
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A fair catch is a feature of American football and several other codes of football, in which a player attempting to catch a ball kicked by the opposing team – either on a kickoff or punt – is entitled
Sheffield Rules
…of corners, and free kicks for fouls. Games played under the rules are also credited with the development of heading, following the abolition of the fair catch, and the origins of the goalkeeper and forward positions. In 1867, the world's first competitive football tournament was played under Sheffield Rules…
A fair catch of a punt in American football