Tracing the Roots of Soccer: Ancient Origins and Early History
The sport we know today as "soccer," in many parts of the world is referred to as "football." Its history is not only fascinating but also speaks volumes about humanity's love for organized sports. Going back to the origins of soccer, we take a journey back in time, tracing the roots of one of the most popular team sports worldwide and exploring its progression to the captivating spectacle we enjoy today.
Soccer, in its early form, can be traced back to ancient times. The earliest sign of a game similar to soccer was in the Chinese military manual dating back to the second and third centuries BC. The game was called "Tsu Chu" and involved players kicking a leather ball filled with feathers and hair through an opening in a small net fixed onto large bamboo canes. They used their feet, chest, back, and shoulders, but not their hands, making the game similar to modern soccer.
Recently discovered evidence shows that a game remarkably close to contemporary football or soccer was played as early as 2500 BC in Egypt, as part of religious ceremonies. Depictions of this primitive form of soccer have been found on ancient Egyptian tombs.
Greece and Rome also had versions of the game. In Greece, they played Episkyros where players would try to throw a ball over a scrimmage line, similar to the forward pass in modern American football. In Rome, the game Harpastum was popular and was more similar to rugby than soccer.
The middle ages in England marked a critical period for soccer. The primitive form of soccer started taking shape with a game known as "Mob Football." It involved an unlimited number of players and was played between neighboring towns and villages. The primary goal was to move an inflated pig's bladder to a specific location, such as the opponent's village church. However, due to the chaos and damage it created, several attempts were made to ban the game.
In the early 19th century, various types of soccer-style games were being played at schools across England, but there were no standardized rules. It wasn't until October 26, 1863, that representatives from various soccer clubs across England met at the Freemason's Tavern in London to establish common rules for the game. This meeting resulted in the formation of The Football Association (FA), which established a universal set of rules for the game, closely resembling the sport we know today.
Throughout the next century, soccer grew in popularity, spreading across Europe and reaching new continents.
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From Medieval Folk Games to Modern Football: The Evolution of Soccer
Moving back to the Middle Ages in Europe, communities would often participate in games that involved a ball and goals. These games were unstructured, often violent and could last for days. The ball was usually made of inflated animal bladder, with each team aiming to get the ball into a specific goal. These games were usually played on streets, squares or in open fields, and every player could handle the ball with any part of the body. Due to their chaotic nature and even violent tendencies, these games were often discouraged and sometimes even banned by the authorities.
Around the 12th century, these folk games evolved into different forms throughout Europe. In Italy, a game called “Calcio” was developed. It was played on a rectangular field with an inflated ball. The game was played between two teams, each trying to throw the ball over the opposing team’s goal line. This stand out as it shares close semblance with the modern game of soccer.
However, it was in England where the evolution of soccer took a more definitive turn. In the late 19th century, various forms of football were played in public schools. These forms of football had more organized rules and were less violent compared to the earlier versions of the game. The football played in these schools would later contribute to the creation of the modern rules of the game.
The formation of Football Association in 1863 marked a significant point in the history of soccer. There was an increasing interest in playing football in a more structured and less violent manner. The Football Association formulated the first official rules of the game, which are very similar to the laws that govern the game today. This event marked the origin of 'Association Football', commonly known today as soccer.
The years following the creation of The Football Association saw the rapid spread and evolution of football. The game was spread by British seamen, traders, and soldiers to different parts of the world, where various forms of the game were established. By the 20th century, soccer had become a global phenomenon, with the establishment of international governing bodies and regular world cups.
Over time, several changes have been made to the game, including the introduction of penalty kicks, the use of cards to indicate fouls, and offside rules. Technological enhancements were also adopted, with goal-line technology and VAR (Video Assistant Referee) contributing to fairer outcomes in the game.
The football we know today has its roots entrenched in these medieval folk games.
