Playing football without being sacrificed to the gods, or the rules of competition at different times

In the active interest in sports, in the heat of football passions, we, the people of the XXI century, are similar to our ancestors, even the most ancient.

 

Sports balls have always been a success, but the rules were different.

 

 

The Indians of South and Central America were the first to try their hand at sports with the ancestor of the modern ball, they took advantage of the suitable conditions to make the desired sporting attribute from elastic natural rubber.

 

Indian tribes used balls in every possible way: they could throw it to each other or throw it over different obstacles, so the competition resembled another team game - volleyball. The ball was also allowed to be played with the feet, as in football.

 

The balls weighed a lot and were quite hard. Competitions with these sports equipment became not only entertainment, but also a means of sports training, because it was possible to train muscles, work on their agility and coordination.

 

With the help of peculiar training, the Indians prepared themselves for always rapid hunting and possible military operations with neighboring tribes.

 

Competitions with balls also had a special sacred meaning, so they were very spectacular, but at the same time cruel from today’s point of view.

The players threw rubber balls into the rings, so the competition resembled modern basketball.

 

The competition was most often held in honor of various holidays, and was accompanied by sacrifices. Before the start, several sports fans were sacrificed, and after the “final whistle”, such a fate awaited one of the entire team.

 

For years, scholars have debated which team was sent to the Indian gods, winners or losers. It is likely that the ancient Indians sacrificed winners, because “to please the gods” in that life was a particularly honorable act.

 

 

Over the centuries that have passed since then, this cruel ritual has disappeared. Champions now can only be threatened with strangulation in the arms of their delighted fans.

 

Rubber trees did not grow everywhere, so people on other continents did not make balls from rubber analogues, but they knew about competitions with these shells. Skin balls were filled with feathers, grass and wool, they did not jump very well, but in flight from one person to another manifested themselves perfectly, they were also sent with their feet into nets with holes.

 

Anciently. China They competed according to these rules: the playing field had to be blocked by a stretched net of silk with a hole, and both teams tried to send a leather ball into it. The game resembled both volleyball and Zhu-ke football. The winning team was awarded with fruits, flowers and wine, and the most skilled athletes claimed preferences in work or promotion of their military rank.

 

 

The Japanese have played kemari since 644, a form of football that is still popular today. Mari ball is made of deer skin and filled with barley grain. The goal of the competition is to try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible using the feet, shoulders, legs, head; it can be held on a flat court.

 

The competition was so much loved in JapanAccording to legend, even emperors took part in it.

 

 

The inhabitants of ancient Sparta loved to participate in a game similar to the football we know today. In Episkiros (the second name of Faininda) it was possible to participate in both sexes. Like a ball were tightly tied threads of wool and linen, wrapped on top with ropes. The rules were as follows: the team (from 5 to 12 people) tried to keep the ball in their playing half, and then also confidently save it from opponents.

 

Athletes of ancient Rome called this game "Garpastum", invented and added to it various combinations that allowed you to own a sports projectile and take it away from rivals.

 

Athletes of ancient Rome gradually passed on information about the competitions British IslesAnd there was a forerunner of that football that everyone is familiar with.

 

In England in the XIX century, they could play football according to different rules, for example, the ball was kicked and kicked, and the number of team members was not limited. Private schools and universities had their own teams, but due to disagreements in the rules, these meetings repeatedly ended in conflicts.

 

In the middle of the nineteenth century, it was possible to adopt the Cambridge Rules, which are similar to modern requirements for the game. There were a number of adjustments waiting for them and as a result we have football that is known to everyone and loved by many.

 

 

When the unified rules of the game were adopted, some teams did not want to switch to them, so team competitions appeared that resembled football, but with their own characteristics. For example, rugby and its varieties, Australian football, which is considered power football, athletes playing American football, need to be wearing helmets, the oval ball is also used by Canadians, etc.

 

However, for more than a century, the most popular type of football continues to be the classic game without hands.