History:
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(Another amazing Invasion Game)
Founder: E.D. Mitchell (University of Michigan, early 1920's)
Developed a vigorous team game that could be played outdoors in the fall & spring
Eliminated & modified rules to allow more success for all participants regardless of athletic ability
o Soccer (eliminated the restrictions regarding the use of hands on the ball)
o Football (allows all participants to handle the ball and play anywhere on the field)
o Basketball (allows for more players to participate using a large outdoor field)
Basic Rules of the Game:
1. Object of The Game: Opposing teams advance the ball down the field toward the opponent's goal and attempt to
score.
2. Team Composition:
o Two teams designating offensive and defensive players for each team. Each team may have a goalie that
will be able to have all goalie privileges (use of hands) within the end-zone area.
o Only a goalie (inside the end-zone area) may pick up a "ground ball" using the hands.
3. Basic Skills:
o Dribble the ball (Soccer-style)
o CONVERSIONS to self or teammate [changing the position of the ball from a ground ball (feet) to an aerial
ball (hands)]
 Positioning the ball in between the feet and jumping up
 Placing one foot on top of the ball, rolling the ball backwards, then popping the ball up using the
top of the foot and lifting
 Lifting the ball to a teammate by placing the toe under the ball and lifting up.
 Pointing the toe down to allow a soccer-passed ball to roll up the foot and leg and become
catchable
o Catch & throw without traveling (Basketball)
o Punt, Pass & Catch (Football)
o Drop Kick (similar to a punt, but the ball must be bounced on the field one time before kicking it)
o Aerial-Dribble (a player may use only one per possession)
 Tossing the ball in the air while taking up to three steps to catch it in order to gain better field
position
o Defensive play: A player may be guarded (as in basketball) with one arm’s length distance between the
defender and the player with the ball. The ball may not be taken from/knocked out of the hands of the
person that has possession of the ball.
4. Starting Play: Kick-off
o Each team lines up on their own half of the field.
o The ball is placed in the center of the field for the team making the kick-off.
o The center-forward on the kick-off team kicks the ball forward either diagonally forward or straight ahead.
o The ball may be lifted by the foot to a teammate provided it travels forward.
o After scoring, the person that scored the point(s) brings the ball to the center of the field and offers the ball
to an opposing teammate (hands the ball to them). The opposing team puts the ball on the ground and can
begin play from the ground from the center of the field (with a kick-off).
5. Scoring:
o Field/Soccer Goal (2 points): The ball is kicked between and under the goalposts.
o Field Goal (3 points): A drop-kicked ball that passes over the crossbar and between the goal posts.
Touchdown (1 points): A player throws the ball (football-style) from outside the end-zone to a teammate
who catches it inside the opponent's end-zone.
6. Out-of-bounds:
o Sideline: A "throw-in" is taken by the opponent at the spot where the ball went out of play. (Other players
must be 5-yards away)
o Goal line: Opponents may punt, drop kick, place kick, or throw the ball from where it went out. (Other
players must be 5-yards away.)
7. Fouls:
o Tripping, pushing, holding, or in any way, touching an opponent.
o Unnecessary roughness.
o Traveling - moving the feet with the ball in your hands (you may pivot; same as in basketball).
o Touching a ground ball with hands or arms (handball as in soccer).
o Throwing for a touchdown from within the goal area.
o Boxing-up - 2 players guarding the same opponent.
o Obstructing - preventing, by personal contact, the progress of a player.
8. Penalties: The opposing team takes over the ball at the spot of the infraction with the ball on the ground.
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Terminology:
1. Aerial ball: A ball that has been raised into the air directly from a conversion by one or both feet (includes a punt,
dropkick, and lift-up, or a thrown ball which has not touched the ground).
2. Aerial Dribble: A player tosses the ball into the air to themselves with a maximum of 3 steps (limit of one per player
possession).
3. Attackers: Offensive team members (those in possession of the ball) who are attempting to score.
4. Blocking the ball: Interrupting the progress of the ball with any part of the body (A ground ball may not be blocked
with the hands/arms).
5. Boxing-up: 2 players guarding the same opponent (illegal play).
6. Clearing: A throw or kick by the goalkeeper after stopping the ball in the end zone area.
7. End Line (Goal Line): A boundary line marking the ends of the field.
8. Defenders: Members of the defensive team attempting to gain possession of the ball from the offensive attackers.
9. Drop Kick: A caught ball that is dropped/bounced to the ground (beyond the designated line) and then kicked as it
bounces off the ground, in attempt to get it through the field goal posts. The ball may only bounce one time before
kicking it.
10. Field Goal: A score that occurs when the ball passes completely over the goal line, between the goal posts, and
under the crossbar.
11. Foul: A violation of the rules for which the opponents are awarded the ball.
12. Ground ball: A ball that has touched the ground (may be rolling, bouncing, or stationary on the ground). The ball
remains a ground ball until it is converted into the air from a foot/feet.
13. Lift-up: Converting a ground ball into an aerial ball by lifting with one or both feet, where the ball must be in the air,
free from personal contact, before it is caught.
14. Punt: When a player drops a caught ball and kicks the descending ball with the foot (shoelace area) before it
touches the ground.
15. Save: A shot at the goal, which is stopped by the goalkeeper.
16. Sideline: A boundary line along each side of the field.
17. Throw-In: When a player restarts play by throwing the ball into the field after it has crossed a sideline; can be
made by any player; two hands overhead with both feet remaining in contact with the ground until the ball is
released.
18. Trapping: Stopping the ball's flight by securing it under the foot, between both foot, or between the front of the legs
and the ground.