FOOTBALL

HARRY

VASSALL.

"

SERIES.

ALL-ENGLAND

THE

cloth

8vo,

Small

price

each,

is,

CRICKET.
LAWN

ROWING

SCULLING.

AND
Diamond

By
'

the

GOLF.

E.

F,

DG

ATE,

W.

By

T.

MA

By

CYCLING.

H.

By

THLETICS.

GRIFFIN,

H.

By

FOOTBALL-RUGBY

L.A.C.,

GRIFFIN,

H.

H.

GAME.

FOOTBALL

C.T.C.

N.C.U.,

L.A.

By

ASSOCIATION

"

Club.

Golf

COBBETT.

TIN

Univ.

Cam.

LlNSKILL,

2s.]

volume,

{Double

Cruise

"The

of

Author

KNIGHT,

"c.

Falcon?"

WIMMING.

WOO

B.

W.

By

Sculls.

SAILING.

WlLBERFORCE,

W.

W.

A.E.L.T.C.

Sec.

of

By

TENNIS.

BLIGH.

Ivo

HON.

the

By

C.

VAsSALL.

HARRY

GAME.

C.

By

W.

ALCOCK.
BOXING.

By

Middle

and

Winner

Cambridge,

of

1876-8.
Author

ARMSTRONG,

WALTER

By

of

Wrestliana."

TENNIS.

By

'FENCING.

of

TING.

LONDON:

MARSHALL.

JULIAN
By

School
SKA

ALLANSON-WlNN,

Weights,

Heavy

WRESTLING.
"

G.

R.

H.

A.

COLMORE

Inns

DUNN,

of

Court

Arms.

By

DOUGLAS

GEORGE

London

ADAMS,

BELL

"

Slating

SONS.

Club.

FOOTBALL

RUGBY

GAME.

BY

VASSALL,

HARRY
HON.
LATE

TREASURER
OF

CAPTAIN

WITH

THE

OF
THE

CLUB.

PROFESSIONALISM

ON

CHAPTER

FOOTBALL

UNIVERSITY

OXFORD

UNION,

FOOTBALL

RUGBY

BY

BUDD,

ARTHUR
PAST

LONDON

OF

PRESIDENT

GEORGE

BELL
COVENT

THE

"

RUGBY

SONS,

GARDEN.

UNION.

YORK

STREET,

LONDON

BY

PRINTED

STAMFORD

AND

CLOWES

WILLIAM

STREET

AND

CHARING

LIMITED,

SONS,

CROSS.

PREFACE.

SINCE

the

well-nigh
of

game

magazine
claim

everything

football

has

articles

and

Nevertheless

of

treatment

still

have

We

readers

have,

therefore,

in

of

connection

Keeping
work

to

is

sister

with

intended

no

game

to

fairly

may
less
of

itself,

game

strictly

what

game,

the

than

it

thought

about
various

lay

cannot

this

for
that

work.

hensive
compre-

lines

might

world.

the

on

with

acquaintance

not

in

practical

on

presupposed

elementary

print
we

suppose

football

the

to

to

subject

throughout

an

definition

use

interest

of

prove

the

said

subject-matter

led

been

in

handbooks,

of

be

to

appeared

football

have

we

is

there

already

originality

much

to

that

to

necessary
of

or

the

the

of

part

and

game,

attempt
in

terms

our

any

ordinary

it.

mind

in

bear,
be
all

we

have

termed

the

unnecessary

Association,

practical

the

and,

eschewed
ancient

that

nature

all

after

reference

history

tracing

of

with

comparisons
the

this

rise

the
the

of

vi

PREFACE.

of

Union

Rugby

the

of

the

In

the

game

later

already

the

laws

end

of

the

it

as

book.

hints

is

we

as

we

well

have

of

players

to

various

the

to

the

styles

ments
require-

played.

now

refereeing,

effected,

themselves

development

our

chapters

on

been

the

confined

have

play,

and

something

have

and

on

as

those

placed

the'

reforms

which

in

to

an

are

say

on

fessionalism,
pro-

which

still

Appendix

have

needed;
at

the

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

PAGE

I.

II.

RISE

OF

THE

RUGBY

THE

UNION

III.

DEVELOPMENT

IV.

CAPTAINCY

UNION

MATCHES

PLAY

THE

OF

ii
...

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

FULL-BACK

16

THREE

QUARTER-BACK

20

HALF-BACK

25

FORWARD

28

THE

REFEREE

34

...

X.

REFORM

THE

OF

THE

LAWS

37
...

XI.

EFFECT

THE

OF

PROFESSIONALISM

ON

THE

RUGBY

GAME

43

APPENDIX"

BYE-LAWS

LAWS
"

UMPIRES,

ETC.

OF

THE

GAME

REGULATIONS
"

FOR

55

RUGBY

UNION

FOOTBALL,

CHAPTER

RISE

THE
of

clubs.
we

Football

Rugby
1871,

(West

E.

had

been

but

players,
formation
which

further

and

plenty

has

Football
could

time

that

for

room

end

the

of

of

^7,

this, its nineteenth

in

afford
the

but,

both,

by

with

an

season,

to

and

due.

thusiasm
en-

Some
in

deavouring
en-

suit

terminated

the

on

under

all

code

accept.

two

has

drifted

have

games

time

and

Currey

would

1863,

was,

there

that

shown

the

consequently

countiy

bifurcation.

the

its first full

thirty-three clubs,
income

Association

I.

energy

which
been

not

F.

previously

years

laws

laws

Guillemard

largely

had

apart,

distinctly gained
At

of

forward

further

of

code

G.

and

was

eight

of

A.

untiring

Union

negotiations

Rugbeians

From

is

the

the

engaged

these

of

of

frame

to

whose

to

early part
Blackheath

code

the

Messrs.

by

the

and

(Richmond),

Ash

formation

the
them

H.

Richmond

drafting

mainly

in

organized

the

of

Nomads),

(Marlborough

of

task

UNION.

was

of

undertaken

Kent),

RUGBY

Union

difficult

believe,

THE

initiative

the

at

The

"

OF

I,

and

the

season

the

are

of
290

"$

prised
com-

showed

balance-sheet

expenditure
there

Union

Rugby

clubs

at

an

end

the

the

on

of

list,

RUGBY

the

income

UNION

increased

has

FOOTBALL.

to

nearly ^1200,

and

the

penditure
ex-

^500.
Three
of the originalclubs hailed from
Scotland, viz.
of
West
Scotland, Edinburgh University,and Glasgow
from round
Academicals; the rest all came
London, and
third of them, whose
names
we
a
give lionoris causa, are
still on
the list,viz. Marlborough
Nomads, Richmond,
Rovers, Epsom, Wellington
Blackheath, Guy's, Clapham
and St. Paul's Schools,Queen's (then called Queen's House),
Wasps, and Civil Service.
In the followingseason
the Harlequins, Oxford, Eaton
admitted
the South, and
from
were
Rovers, and Dulwich
from
Lancashire.
Wigan, Liverpool, and
Manchester,
the first Irish club to join
Trinity College, Dublin, was
the Union, and
Hull was
the only representativeof Yorkshire
until Bradford
at the present
joined in 1874; whereas
their members
count
can
day Yorkshire and Lancashire
by
double figures.
the colonies can
muster
scores, and even
In
the entrance
the early days of the Union
fee and
fixed at five shillings
were
subscription
each, in 1874 they
raised to a guinea each, and the Union
could now
in
were
of its members
largelyincrease the number
any singleseason
if for any reason
it should
to the original
by reverting
figures,
to

think

it wise

When

to

of

upwards

to

do

these

so.

facts it is added

1880, Scotland, Ireland, and

separate Unions

condition,we
of the
the
game

historyof
has

been

have

said

Kingdom.

which

enough

be

still

the

Rugby

Union

entrusted

from

more

But

in

1873, ^75, and

started
Wales, respectively,

to

general popularityof

United

can

of their own,

that

are

all in

afford

the Union

perhaps

the

clearlyillustrated
Committee
the

"

first the

the

flourishing

conclusive
code

dence
evi-

out
through-

growth of the
by tracing the
to

which

management

and

body

RISE

of the

control

and

and

RUGBY

four officers

joint secretary

but

in

treasurer

first time

for the

and

treasurer

in the

; but

in

Hill

of

matter

1877, and

offices of secretary

Rowland

Mr.

since

the addition

shape ; first,
by
the

dents,
vice-presi-

it has

"

members
ex-officio

1881, when

fifteen ordinary

president,two

separation of

the final

secondly,by

of
originally

"

in

changes

two

UNION.

Composed

past presidentsas

of the

and

THE

game.

members

undergone

OF

took

office

representationthe

is far different.

case

London

of

that

year

for the
the

North, and

Union, acting for

the

South.

forward

North

committee

followingyear

88

J.

of the
became
have

been

Miller

West, and

allotted

Zealand

"

to

Midland
the

by

and

given

was

was

in the

to

next

President.

first

from

that

ture.
fix-

place

on

in

the first Northern

allotted

were

place being
unanimous

add

elected

the

Yorkshire, and

the North

the

as

regular Union

extra

an

their powers

the first Northern

Westmoreland,
New

D.

time

same

MacLaren

under

Mr.

elected

made

was

committee,

for Mr.

the committee
1

the

at

places on

made

Kewley

Mr.

and
vice-president,
five other

Liverpool acting

first representativeof

the

as

ranged
ar-

Walker

Roger

committee,

Garnett

W.

H.

Mr.

1877

was

Currey, the secretary of

Accordingly, in 1874,

became

South

v.

of

Kewley

the

on
representatives

In

In

and

MacLaren

denied.

match

and

Kewley
F. I.

time

the

E.

Mr.

were

be

not

South

MacLaren

Mr.

Northern

could

v.

by

find Messrs.

we

North

James

and

Manchester,

which

North

the

1873

year

claims

unofficial

an

naturallycomposed

was

the

by

forward

Messrs.

by
of

but

men,

alreadyputting
In

committee

entire

first the

At

to
as

year

Since

wards
after-

vote

of

their number.
the

first representative

Mr.

MacLaren

that date

places

Cheshire, Northumberland, Durham,

Counties, the Universities,and

various

parts of

the

kingdom

being

UNION

RUGBY

admitted

to

positionthat
to

In

the

had

the game

it.

warrant

in

share

the

FOOTBALL.

management

reached

face

of

in each

the

as

seemed

of them

facts it

these

soon

as

hardly be

can

monopoly has been unduly

argued that the originalLondon
maintained, and to our mind it seems
hardly likelythat any
other

election

of

system

than

in

that

could

vogue

have

body.
thoroughly representative
the many
they have had
years of their existence
difficult questions to deal with, such as disputesand
many
rivalries between
the adjustdistricts,
clubs,and individuals,
ment
produced
During

more

of which

sometimes

has

demanded

the

exercise

of

less
diplomacy ; the selection of teams, a thanksub-committee
task which
of their
to a
they entrust
most
judges, with the proviso that they must
competent
all be members
of different clubs; the suppressionof professional
of
Hercules
from
labour
a veritable
which, in
the best interests of the game,
they have not shrunk, though
wait yet awhile
the results of their policy,
to
must
see
we
which
is only now
the
being put to the test; and, lastly,
which
their policy has
of the laws, a question on
reform
in the best sense
of the word
always been conservative
a
policy that is to say of always keeping pace with, but
ing
never
going in advance of, that publicopinion,in the formtake no
small
of which
they themselves
part. As a
signaltestimonyto their success
they can
point with pride
much

tact

and

"

to

the fact that

carried

vote

no

of

want

of confidence

has

ever

been

general meeting ; on the contrary,

has been
whenever
vote
a
taken, their policy has always
been endorsed
(with the singleexception of a question as
to

which

againstthem

of

two

at

Northerners

and
that no
vice-presidency),
question of the rupture with
all minor pointsthat have
on

should
less
the

be

elected

decisivelyon

International

occurred

from

to

the
Board

vacant

great
than

time to time.

UNION

THE

As

referred

have

we

MATCHES.

incidentallyabove

of committee

past presidentsbeing ex-offidomembers

fact which

roused

has

fears in

of the

the
eventually swamp
advantage here point

rest

makes

meetings

attendance

of .them

those

in

the

from

of the

clause

voting

at the

who

will from

game

another

at

time

same

the

the

the

inclusion
If

will be

Union,

dropping

same

exists

now

of

off

of future Northern

by

chance

any

the

the committee

purpose,

THE

saw

and

which

year
also
won

with

twenty

Clifton
best

have

and

half-backs

owing

aged

under

time

teams

Southern
Southern

the

to

Southerner

on

goes

and

by
the

presidents.
is found

law

may

surelybe

its

not

to

answer

trusted

to

adopt

the

II.

MATCHES.

drawn.

side.

In

of the

foundation

The

those

I.

Currey

were

of

were

the

Union*

Rugby

match, played at Edinburgh,

victory which

less than

no

been

F.

and

Northern

new

the

Scotland"

bership,
mem-

interest

of

the

UNION

saw

repeated,whilst
played

selection

as

the first international

by

active

redressed

CHAPTER

THE

of their

in self-defence.

measures

necessary

law, which

expresslydebarred

are

the

inequalityof

past presidents which

originof

they
on

with

may

new

an

will

they

we

"

drop off,whilst

time

law

in full committee

take

to

to

same

the

condition

cease

time

that

committee,

under

that

out

minds

some

fact of

the

to

seven

they

of the sixteen

earlier matches

days
the
build

men

like

twice

have

matches

played

were

J. A.

Bush

typicalforwards
of

W.

H.

Milton

of
the
and

Morse

S.

H.
was
Freeman,
three-quarter-back
a
as
probably have been no less distinguished

the

would

who

FOOTBALL

UNION

RUGBY

best

three-quarter-backin

centre

earlyschoolboy days
then

were

novelty,when

game.

gazing with

remember

In

our

awe

on

past in their international caps, which

of the

heroes

these

well

we

modern

the

they

down

came

play against

to

the school.
In

1874

challenge

for many

beaten
and

after that the matches

proved

be, for

to

They

time

drawn,

was

game
even, until

were

easily

were

the

1882

very
their first victory in what

scored

Ireland

in

but

years,

Ireland, which

from

followingseason.

for the

accepted

was

received

was

1887, when

unfortunately

has

events, the last of this series

at all

of matches.
We

alreadyexplainedhow

have

got North
it remains

stringof
these

offer

to

in the North

for every

the almost

sightappears
this

plethora

that

spoilstheir

South
We

have

are

Southern
year teams

in

club

that

shall find

of

good

men

chances.

for every

1874;

ball
county foot-

if we

that

there

good

Southern
at

look

matter

into the

that,paradoxicalas
in the North

Nearly

it has

this is

in
a

good
a

benefit

to

seem,

thing

few clubs.
Southern

enabled

the field year

one

first

of the

men

very

undoubtedly

to put in
selectingcommittee
of men
who
thoroughlyknew

it may

is the very

all the

concentrated

arc

of the South

success

; but

maintaining that

general, but

South, and

teams

unbroken

hitherto been

far from

football

in the

one

strange indeed

we
closely,

more

in

match

it is remembered

Northern

good

team,

others

in the North, and

bund
apparently moriflourishing
of players
metropolis,that they have hundreds

in the

of

regularUnion

and

MacLaren

explanationof the wonderfully long

liave been gained by the South in

an

When

contests.

dozens

made

victories which

is very

club

South

v.

Mr.

another's

the

after

play ;

THE

of
principle

the
men

such

County,
claim
In

has

that

title.

the

North,

committee

pressure

that

the

with

the

double

the truth

supply

in it.

with

had

proved

curious

South

were

then

not

and

trial match

by

birth and

all the best

their

match
for the

residence

only principlethat
birth gives a prior claim.
anomaly

that

year and

on

some

interest

trial matches

This
have

men

the other

Trial matches

be.

to

in 1888-89

The
tends

only

in that

because

themselves

be

to

far

so

able
fairly
; and

in the

strength.
has

always

English team,

; in such

strictly

been
no

who

one

take

to

part

the North

cases,

or

in order

to

accounts

played

on

for the apparent

one

side

in

one

the next.

such

as

the North

of their own,

per

good

of the year taking part in the match,

is that
observed
has hitherto
been

men

the

genuine

compared

coincidence, the usually strong

exceptionallyweak, and the Old

proved

South

result

however

happen

theory advanced,

resist

to

the

as

qualifiedto play for England is allowed

are
qualifiedto play for either
Many men

the South

but

the North

of the

by

North

regarded as
is not

may

selecting

unable

them,

upon

to

teams

many

competitors,that they were

team
large majorityof the North

Leysians had
the

themselves

of them

County

of the

As

so

any

been,

all their

year,

teams

ensure

members

many

Somerset

or

represented, the

generally found
bear

where

they put into the field are,

Southern, essentiallyscratch ones,

Yorkshire

same

hand,
be

to

to

as

they repeatedly have

teams

superiorto
to

take

to

of the year whenever

team

other

victorygained by

prove

year

the

brought

individual

the

able, as
on

being

Blackheath, Oxford,

claims

have

the

to

been

undeniable

have

the best

Richmond,

as

MATCHES.

selection in the South

possiblefrom

as

team,

UNION

se

are

an

are

v.

South, which

admirable

abomination

have

institutions ;

; for many

years

RUGBY

Union

the

had

in the

and

such

their

; whilst

for the

which

emanated

from

the

by

Oxford

in

given

accepted
play

good,
in the

proposal

combined

againstLondon.

team

in

up

than

matches

county

in 1881, to

North

the

harm

more

the Union

South

Cambridge

and

did

they

taken

was

North

Oxford

played both
eventually they were

the fact that

place

FOOTBALL.

matches

South, but

recognitionof
and

UNION-

few

years

of the
mainly to the indefatigableperseverance
late Harry Fox of Wellington, they started a similar match,
Western
called London
Counties, after which they now
v.

later,thanks

select

to
joint team
great hopes of seeing

and

will be

series of matches
is true

hold

we

discover
To

return

men

without

made

was

than

in the last
1888

In
the

Union

met

match,

followingseason,
and

the Rest

of

that

they are

sure

has

are

County

match

match

to be

simple,
able

to

North
between

victory

metropolitancounties,and lead to
than
organizedsystem of matches

the

Champion

hoped

Champion

effect

adoption
now

County

the international

that the

galvanic
that

but

successful

proved so
when

the

matches;

South, and, in the

v.

of which

It is to be

have

to

nearer

international

no

both

interval of

an

of

retained,even

will also

Old

drawn.

was

return

after

yet been

never

which

England,

resumed.

matches

It

England team, the

excellent
produced some

has

England played
started

of the

this

international matches, Wales

North

annual, and

contests, though Wales

then

them.

to the

they

don
Lon-

pure and
should
be

first played in 1880, and

was

year, in which

match

in trial matches

selectingcommittees
more

between

Richards

and

that

once

England

v.
a

such

have

for the present.

fairlycomplete

unearthed

We

introduced, and

that Sutcliffe of Yorkshire

Leysianswere
but

preliminarycontest

Counties

Midland

the

Universities.

the

meet

of

upon
a

the

better-

in force.

All

DEVELOPMENT

counties,with

claims

any

other

OF

meet

each

least

upon

their clubs not

at

to

THE

PLAY.

be considered

to
once

should
first-class,

and

season,

important club

arrange

should

they

call

matches

on

county-match days.
only Union
of England

The

is that

hardly a

lacked,

the field.
it

an

of

in

which

it did

as

in
the

The

match

point of view, except

interest of the

chief

The

yet referred

not

1888.

opportunity,which

Shrewsbury's team
hold

any

have

we

putting the English

affords,coming

firm

to which

the Maoris

v.

from

success

the Committee
have

match

they

'Rugby

otherwise
into

for that year

team

the

Zealand

New

that it gave

would

lies in the

match

justafter

was

tour

of

proof
and

Shaw

and

Australia,of

the

has

gained

the

game

upon

colonies.

III.

CHAPTER

DEVELOPMENT

need

WE

not

of

played. They have gone never

unless perhaps by the modern

discuss
when

to

playersof

the

their
modern

player is

they were
playing the
school.

We

that

place

proper

in

of

inextricablyas
in

not

advance

Sixth
can

Form

day, we
the

much
of

have

much-abused
a

side

were

when
if the

he

dreams

of

forwards, and

only continue to entangle

In justice,
however,
yore.
observe

may

evolution

of

the

more

in advance

those

who

againstthe

ourselves

twenty

half-back

he would
gloriouschances
the wing-players,would
especially
as

the

return, regrettedby none,

to

the

themselves

PLAY.

THE

long to
the days

pause

matches

shoving

OF

remember

that

they

held

game.

The

of them

than

thought nothing

whole

of the rest

taking part

of

of the

in games

RUGBY

io

of

a side,and
fifty

over

remember

phy

curious

for every

two

down

UNION

for the

laughed

at

by

old
any

FOOTBALL.

very

school

one

poor

fun

rule

whereby

the

over

boys' match

"

they

the

which
privilege

respectableschool

boys

of twenty

number
a

We

were

also
could

brought

would

fifteen of the

be

present

day.
The

change from twenty to fifteen a side, which was

started by club
secretaries
because
of the difficulty
of
into the field,was
puttingtwenty men
officially
adopted by
the

Union

in

1877,

at

the

request of Scotland.

more

much
so
style of play naturallyfollowed,which was
altered to suit it by
appreciated that the laws were
soon
insistingon the ball being put down
immediately it was
open

held ; and

this led to the

quarter-backs,first

from

three, with
became
three-quarter-back
and

then

the rush

to

of

opposing

increase
one
one

to

in

two,

the main

forwards.

with

full-back

of three-

number

the

"

two

in

full-backs,

other

words,

line of defence

Meanwhile

the

against
advantages

of

passing the ball were

becoming apparent, and a system
of short passing,amongst
the forwards
only, was brought to
few
and
a considerable
pitchof perfectionby Blackheath
a
other clubs; but it was
until 1882 that the Oxford
not
team
took up a suggestion made
in a magazine
by Mr. A. Budd
article,and developed the modern
system of long, low
passingto the open by both backs and forwards alike with
record
such success
for nearly
that they kept an
unbeaten
three seasons
against the best clubs in the country.
This
later
will explain fully in
a
we
system, which
time
so
chapter, was
universallyadopted, that for some
far
there was
too
if,
a distinct danger of its being carried
indeed, that danger has yet been averted.
without
clubs
fully
Many
adopted the passing game
understanding the principlesof it,and certainlywithout
"

CAPTAINCY.

understanding
and

game,

is at best

that

it goes

that to have

only

hand

ii

in hand

acquired the

half the

battle,and

with

the

firstwithout
is

likelyto

dribbling

the second
end

in total

defeat.
and
in -the way of combination
splendidpossibilities
of passingwith the feet afforded by the dribblinggame
have
been
out.
never
are
fullyworked
yet, so far as we
aware,
This development of the play we
hope to see taken in hand
and
tion
by some
brought to a state of perfeccompetent team
The

in the

near

future.

CHAPTER

IV.

CAPTAINCY.

IT

is not

perhaps fullyappreciatedas yet that the captain

of a football team
holds just as difficult and responsible a
The
of
sort
same
post as the captain of a cricket team.
are
required for both, and both get in the course
qualities
of a match
those openings for the display of generalship
A
which
bad
often decide the match.
captain misses the
in one
less
seizes them
no
opportunities
game
; a good one
than
the other.
In both
good captains are
rare;
games
than
in cricket,because
but more
in football
so
good
cricket has been played so much
longer than good football,
it should
be
that the traditional knowledge of the game,
as
widespread. In Rugby football,at any
played, is more
be counted
the fingers
on
rate, the reallygreat captainscan
of

one

hand.

the

At

place W. MacLagan,
of Blackheath.

head

of the list we

of the London
young

do

not

Scottish,and

captain could

learn

hesitate to
L.
more

Stokes,
of his

UtflOX

RUGBY

12

business

by reading all

than

written

the

upon

endeavour

begin with, he

that

game

leading a

team

has

ever

sine quct

been,

into

against
will

or

be,

to

should

know

he

should

be

as

practiceof the game, we

for
necessary qualifications
first-rate captain. To
a

the

become

means

that

non

in the

theory as
point out

to

who

one

any

it is

in the

well versed

doubtful

subject.

Since,however,
must

turn

still better, by himself

victory,or,
them,

them

by watching

FOOTBALL

all the rules

heart

by

only

not

"

governing umpires and

him
with
lies the duty of making any
referees,because
all unwarrantable
necessary appeals and of sternlyrepressing
the rules of

play, but

the part of his

appeals on

taken

was

If this

men.

might hope

captains we

field of

his mind

up

prevalent

his selection

of

to

not

attempt
which

modifications

capacityof
get

out

like poor

adopt

here

that
team

we

the

more

to

in all its details.

his

which

remark

captain

whenever

him

necessary;

disposal.
that

skilful
start
are

have
course

Of

course

traditions

of any

again by

or

It is his business

they are

worth, and

education, with
;

of

he will

case

introduction

but

it is

no

what
use

to

unsuited.
physically

that it is of the

should

such

in which

the

the

men

the

than

done, by
at

by

sound,

absolutelyall

material

may

his

at

men

be

stylefor

are

seem

men

can

looks

of his

the

of his

great deal

And

captainmust

laws, our

be limited

style may

club, if those traditions

be wise

the

to what

as

carry it out

styleand

that

the

less of

see

styleof play he means

both on the
to adopt, and by personal instruction,
stand
fullyunderplay and off it,he must see that his men

make

his team

his

to

stillfar too

are

thoroughly masteringall

After
next

elementary precaution

present time.

at the

all

by

rules

bickeringand wranglingwhich

the

to

also the

the
is

utmost

unfettered

ance
importselection

possible. At schools,

CAPTAINCY.

and
universities,
to

other

any

select from, this rule

to the

trust

unfair
what

selections.
he

men

In

places where
should

choice

make

large field

absolute,and

he

clubs

many

get and

can

be

there is

public opinion as

of

pressure

13

guarantee against

naturallyhas

the

must

we

best

of

take

to

them

but

is

possible,the person who is responsible

should
have
the
the
selection
for
of
play
certainly
the playersin his own
hand, and this fact should be borne
when
in mind
they are selectingtheir captain
by the men

wherever

for the

It lies with

season.

give

him

side,

issues,and

limitinghis

think

to

not

they

it than

about

elect the best

to

elect

can

make

on

man

straightby

matters

result of such

the nominal

and

man

inferior

an

in the team

captainsspring up

more

to

natural

The

power.

that amateur
know

and

full power,

them

think

who

captain
"

is

course

all

they
of

sense

is lost,and the inevitable fate of the house divided

discipline
againstitself overtakes them.
is practically
Granted, then, that the captain'spower
style
absolute, after deciding on what is to be the dominant
that they are
able to adapt their
of his team, he must
see
styleto any emergencies that arise owing to variations in
the weather, or the strength and
styleof teams
opposed to
him.
If,for instance,he has adopted the long-passinggame
he

will

make

probably

his

men

quarters and

find

dribble
finds that

it useless

in

instead.
his

weather, and

wet

If he is

eight

forwards

playing
are

must

four three-

swamped

by

make
his extra
opposing nine, he must
three-quarter
go
forward.
If,when
playing against a strong wind, he finds

the

his backs
may

unable

sometimes

for the

check

the

attack

of his opponents,

be

in playing an extra man

justified
time, provided that the forwards can spare

or, if his team

may

to

have

to

are

make

accustomed
them

to

play an

he

behind
the

man

offensive game,

adopt defensive tactics,such

he
as

RUGBY

14

the

keeping

ball

constantly into
will

captain

UNION

in

tight

touch

the

for

while

; but

hope that
tight game

we

the

adopt

punting

or

scrummage,

his team

make

ever

FOOTBALL.

regular styleof play. The object of the game

merely to avoid being beaten, but to win the match,
their

get

much

as

Defensive

tactics

should

we

behind

or

be

We

have

man

of

said

this,he

must

of his team,
do

their

to

at
no

that

by

show

from

or

certainty;
to

draw

of

luck.
be

unforeseen

meet

in their proper

which

he

in too
a

forwards

follow up

for

and

grow

averted.

up,

Backs

fail to pass

dropped goal, where

and

mark

to

all
kick-off,

have

soon

close ; half-backs

chance

fail

habits

might

places and

warnings

constant

is lost,or is taken
try is possible,

out,

but

of

captain,bad

the

the critical moment

to

to

forward

make

to

was

ready

ever

whether

"

dropped goal with

that the captain must

Without

come
three-quarters

was

and

they keep

work.

disaster ensues,

and

member

advantage

see

proper

exhortations
and

is not

possible.

as

process

as

unexpected openings that

the varyingphases of the game
; but,beyond
always have an eye on the individual members

in

occur

may

to

resources,

to take

dangers, or

be

to win

enough

many

the

ambition

whose

at most

or

to

sorry

team

of

out

no

in specialcases,
quite justifiable

are

very

of

"

match,

every

enjoyment

it

missed, when
their

for lack of

word

try

the line

at

men

from

the

use

his

captain.
It will thus

eyes

be

should

play

fairlygood,

behind
but

forward

he

his head
to

head,
the

centre

which

best spot from

ought

his

less than

no

that, as

seen

either

or

he must

up,
see.

it is

captain

has

to

better,if possible,that

Any place behind

three-quartersis undoubtedly

scrummage.

to control

must

the

the game.

damage
miss

the

many

If he

scrummage
of the

he
is
the

is

playing
by keeping

pointswhich

he

CAPTAINCY.

15

captainwins the toss, he has to decide between

choice of goals and takingthe kick-off.
In this his guiding
principleshould be to do whatever is most likelyto give his
If the

team
a

distinct

If there
had

he

two

ends,

case

he must

is

tries to kick
the
the

to

the

far

as

of

certain

of either

catcher

before

side

should

catching

he

two

that

kick

The

the backs

of

or

the

why
kicker
he can,

as

they can rarelyget

In
they follow up.

captain of

to cover

smart

the

make

can

tackling the
the

three of his forwards

or

ground

defending
drop

for

catches.

captain'sbusiness to see that he has

is
in his team, and
place-kicking
good place-kickers
learn with practice
that any one
can
; a captain has
only

himself

fair catches

not

objection to
the

another

The

being

converted

man

taking

one

long

selection

the

work
others

on

to

it is

together,since
whose

inspiringhis

that

to

or

captain

enthusiasm.

has
A

regular

ball for him.

not

that

the secretary is the

with

has

place the

secretary does

the

art

fore
there-

tries

from

each

highlyimportant

keenness
men

match

an

is no
goals. There
short place-kicks and

the

his ways,

of the club

some

into

provided

ones,

captain,but

well

if he loses

thank

to

assistant,accustomed

in

back

receiving

It is also the

with

any

reason

high

as

In

and

contrary, they

it themselves

get off.

can

make

regularlyto help
such

the

high kick, on

of

the

the most

is that

hard

the ball,however

pitch of

between

chief

teams

consequently find

forwards

case

The

or

of them

make

to

high

instead

he can,

as

how
A

in many

slack

so

advantage

the kick-off.

knows

for both.

strong wind,

choose

to

take

kick-out.

wanted

are

followingup

better

the

take

to

nothing

that his team

see

following up

is

much

and
kick-off,

of the

and

will be wise

slope,he

the outset.

at

If there is

start in the game.

good

generallylie
they

above

man

to

should
all

rely for help

slack

secretary

UNION

RUGBY

16

do

can

almost
best

the

even

as

much

as

of

teams

go

FOOTBALL.

bad
to

captaintowards
letting
of a
pieces in the course

season.

Finally, the

he

provided that
his

autocratic

more

has

the

enough

tact

is the

captain
to

keep

good

on

better,
terms

sternly all attempts at

play, and reprimand any player
"gallery" or illegitimate
in the game,
though as a
guilty of egregious blunders
his expostulationsuntil
generalrule he had better reserve
is over.
If the offenders
he
the game
incorrigible,
prove
with

must

He

men.

must

give their placesto

repress

others

amenable

more

CHAPTER

to

instruction.

V,

FULL-BACK.

WE

will

take

now

the

positionson

the

field

in

order,

Full-back
is an
beginning with the last line of defence.
defensive
essentially
probably for that reason
post, and
is undoubtedly more
There
are
rare.
good ones
enjoyment
of playingthree-quarters
than out of watching
to be got out
with perhaps very little to do at full-back ; and the
the game
in front of you is,the
of it is that, the better the team
worst
less you will get to do, because
does not call
a
good team
on

the

last line of defence

post is

for all that the

in

the

best team,
and

opponents
and

whenever

depends
men

to

on

often

as

of the

one

since

the ball

so

no

utmost

team

always in

can

weaker

take

to

This
the

fact

front of their

ought

But

importance, even
hope to keep its

the full-back is called

him.

one.

three-quarters
;
act, everything

to
upon
to be sufficient to induce

post if they have

the

two

necessary

FULL-BACK*.

17

viz. good tackling and good kicking powers,

qualifications,
chance
of coming to the front
as
they have more
especially
full-backs

as

than

of
three-quarters,

as

already crowds in the field.

If a captain has not got
team, the best thing he can

full-back

do

is to

for the work to

three-quarters
keep careful watch that he does

three-quarterget

the

would

be

Such
of

man

coming

stand

must

far up

stand

not

the

round

turn

to

of him

be able to

to

and

after

run

that he

made

likelyof

post, and
his

new

to

the

common

receive

it,at
has

to

as

position.
fault

always

must

the ball without

the

to

then

habits

in

full-back

are

in his

most

let his old

not

ground.

far back

so

the

especiallyliable

back

enough

far

having

too

better

there

ready

get the

take

his

whom

time

same

run

get it

to

up

he

pitched,since either of these positionsallows

time for the opponent'sforwards to come
before
up to him
will teach him
A very littlepractice
he has got in his kick.
the right position. After he has learnt where
to stand, he
after it has

must

then

learn

make

to

catching the ball without

it at all,he is held to have

of

sure

"

muffing it j for if he fumbles

played the ball,and he thereby puts on-side any
bound
and who
followed
who have
are
up off-side,
"

him

five

yards

clear if he

in the laws
the part of backs

has

added

; for if

new

they

it true.

catches

danger

touch

the

to

forwards
to

tion
altera-

recent

fumbling

ball and

give

on

then

the
let it

goal line,they are held to have passed the ball

the opponents
their own
across
goal line,in which case
"toa scrummage
at the spot where
have a right
they touched
Of
it,unless they can bring it out without making it dead.
course
they must also beware of kicking or carryingthe ball
their own
across
penalty
goal line at all times,or the same
cross

the

is incurred.

Granted, then,

that

our

full-back has

learnt

where
c

to

stand

and

he has
a

UNION

RUGBY

18

how
make

to

drop

distance

he

gettinghis
the

j but

of the
should

it into touch

send

clean,the

wind,

his opponents

free to

are

this rule

only exception to
opponent's goal
should always do

is

for what

out

drop

in this

is lost,though

chance
look

try

is,if

so, if he has

scored

been

often

to

men

the

resume

; whereas

at

which

clear chance.

; but

manner

if

The

once.

enough

near

goal,in

at

much

so

all off-side and

are

is

at

that he

means

attack

he

for touch

line out

next

of

sure

in mind

that

or

He

can.

make

aim

bear

as

punt

he

as

can

and

always

ground gained for his side for the

it pitchin the field of play,his own

either

"

far he

all costs,

at

kick

thing that

next

ground

by experiencehow

out

states

must

ball

far down

as

kicking in various
that

the

of is

sure

into touch

"

find

must

catch

to

FOOTBALL.

his

to

he

case

Goals

still more

have

often

the

might fairlyexpect the back to

his only opening for offensive
practically
one

play.
It is far better

his kick

have

againsta
does

feel

and

then

where

only, he

he

has

quarters, who

he
if,accordingly,

with

to

be

the

kick ; but

now

bad

to

bring off

it

as

rule for

days

in

when

far

hurry
to

back

to

find

back

his

to

of the

one

full-backs

two

he can,

as

fill his

playing

heavy that he
his kick, then,

so

to

is

to

place

put it
post,
three-

until his

played,it

were

big kick down

on-side by followingup his
to put his men
it is distinctly
that there is only one
full-back,

do

first-class match

England

dropped

good play

field,and

play

rightto expect

ball

wet

with

run

with the ball than

be held

being able

may

has

In

return.

the

of

sure

to

directlyhe is tackled,and

down

used

back

charged down
strong wind,

very

not

for

so,

for

and

we

since the

back

to

have

day

when

take

never

seen

it led to

it done
a

in

disaster

to

Nowadays the golden

full-backs is (withthe exceptionsabove mentioned)
an

international

match.

PULL-BACK.

to

never

and

run,

always

19

make

to

the

of

sure

kick

into

touch.
So

far

they

receiving the

are

the far harder

with

the

with

ball.

If he

him

to

lets

the time

second, and

the

is

tackier

can

in

former

the

not

to

about

to

others.

where
another

It is easy
can

backs

and

you

feel bound

livelyrecollection

Cambridge,

of

about

same

The
as

only

way

come

you

going

when

Stoddart
a

of

on

man

and

believe

we

elude

him,

at

fall

such

unless

you

speed, such

Cambridge,

G.

Blackheath, and by

captain has

to

is

sort

as

not

forward,

rush, but it is quite

side,and to
your
all costs.

at

of fascination
clutches.

play

others

that

We

and

some

over

We

of A.

S.

you,

have

Taylor

felt much

the

of Oxford.

B. Tristram
to

to

down

runner

into their

run

him

hold

right moment

in this respect of the

to

of

Wauchope
If

H.

to

the

able to understand.

with

the

knows
to

learn to tackle

last

exercise

to

seem

is certain

the

case

certainty
;

tackier

by instinct

the

bring

must

the

all

to aim

"

latter

try is

the

been

to

low

man

the

the

he

man

your

tacklingunder

In

knows

never

stand

to

you

he

enough

at

go

matter

feel that
Some

how

that it comes

suppose

you

lets

his side for

with

your

that

for his man,

have

we

at

off and

provided

go

But

mystery which

only

be shoved

case,

ball.

can

if he

difficulty
; but

the shoulder.

at

always

rightmoment
and

mind

our

receivingthe man
pass him, it is still

it is all up

him,

one

hips and

the

ball

of the

out

get

the

elementary rule
and that is,to go
circumstances,
at

in

to

when

all events.

at

There

The

only

of full-backs

play

work, consists

with the ball pass

man

the

ball.

half of his

possible for
the

dealt

have

we

choose

tackier

have
as

C.
very

the
was

Wade
few

is

by passingjust

power

of

turning

possessed by
of

Don

Oxford,

or

others.

for his full-back

between

RUGBY

2o

and

tackier

good

him
become

never

be

it should

as

back

start

every

goes

we

is both

who

long

have

way

tried

feelingof

towards

victory;
that the

show

to

tackier

with

game

tackier

will

and

team

much

is much

learn, and

to

drop-kicking. If

good

bad

"

studied nearly as

is not

it is easy

than

weather

safer in wet

which

backs"

by

mend
certainlyrecom-

playing at full-back; whereas

learn to punt respectably,
can

one,

art

an

should

tackier

good

in the world

is

punting

and

the

good

kick

the worst

good kick, we

take

to

FOOTBALL,

UNION

possesses

good kick,they

which

confidence

it is for this

of itself

of the

importance

that

reason

post

can

hardly be over-estimated.

CHAPTER

VI.

THREE-QUARTER-BACK,
COMING
settle how

many

of

of

the

introduction
number
have

played

decision

or

fourth

the pros

three

defence

given plenty to

to

fourth

cons

of

teams

"

the

few

other

it

make

more

use

Before

to

case

be

able
attack

an

as

clubs
open

coming

ninth
to

duly

must

in all
to

the

ordinary

defend

their

rather than

the

played,consequently he must
place is to be justified.Now,

be

strengthen the
is

if his

do

to

orthodox

question,the captain

ought
three-quarters

that

great many

is of

man

to

three-quarter.

and

line ; it is therefore

as

success

odd

this knotty

on

consider
cases

as

the

such

the

game
and

Cardiff

Since

play.

to

means

passing

open

four with

questionwhether
forward

he

them

three ; but

been

has

the captainhas
three-quarter-backs,

to the

next

in many

even

of the

first rank

"

in
even

THREE-QUARTER-BACK.

the

three-quartersdo

three

have

to

fourth.

quarter would

be

especiallythe

have

worked

up

to

make

accurate

otherwise

be

work

simple

words, the fourth

useless

unless

and

the

three-

the whole

other

ness
mad-

team,

three-quarters

reliable and
system of passing sufficiently

of the ball

sure

the

play

might

he

when

game

than

half-backs

will

he

other

In

worse

and

get nearly enough

not

teams, then, it would

; in such

given them

21

be

reaching him

part of

pretty often,

spectator during the

service in the

doing good

ranks

ot

the forwards.
It will thus be
artificial one,

passing;

the

that he

still has

he

which
but

be

granted

that

good

place is at the best a highly

in
spoiltby any breakdown
captain

the

of

use

consider

to

the

would

make

can

that

seen

if he

man

whether

feels

he

sure

enough

has

got him,

safelyspare

can

the

This

forward.

the character
on
depends so entirely
of the opponent's forwards, that it is impossibleto lay down
'If they are
hard
and
fast rule beforehand.
slack,
any
extra

good training,or

in

not

or

he

scrummagers,
to

men

man

hold

their

the

so

who

the post
that he

can

on

can

change

him

that the scrummages

be decided
on

the

should
the

that

able

only

always

In

be

being

three

carried

to

select

centre"

wings,if nothing better

can

game,

begun, if he
next

best
mere

for
so

finds

question

put in the centre, and

opinion, the

in the

captain

againsthim.

played, the

are

forwards

any

to
three-quarter,
play a good forward

has

his

retired hurt,

advise

should

of

most

eight
has

man

after the game

of them
our

seen

eight

his

leave
the

make

often

we

to

good

not

are

fourth

also

are

is,which

wings.

; but

playinga
who

man

Supposing

have

We

be done

thing can

is bent

perhaps be
their nine, and

againstnine, when

own

only they

may

with
cope
behind.

extra

if

even

player of the
sprinterswill

be secured

; but

the

to

which
three

do

for

centre

RUGBY

22

UNION

on

his

to

bear

the

give the wings

their

have

must

has

only

not

he
the

at

feet of the

dribbling down
difficult as

good

at

it

upon

The

before

and,

still further
the

ball

in the

is

which

he

tackled,pass
and

open,

wing

the

safelylanded

to

half

must

by calling.
for the

wing, who

the

up

to

the

than

tackled, and so on
goal line,as it should

difficult positions.In

more

to pass, he

will be

playerson

the field.

of passes,

he

as

If,on

the

positionin
full-back
It is

should

can

other
the

If he
take

sees

it in

likelyto

hand,

his

by

to

is

gain
a

to

must

the

from

much

kick and

when

positionof the
a good opening for a series
preference to kicking into

lead

side

field he will

for his side

to kick

deciding when

by
guided principally

being more

touch,

will have

he
full-back,

is

receive

the

forwards

so

equally

passing is done with precision. Lastly,he

nearer
quick at takinghis drop, for as he starts much

be, if

are

is

the

over

they

make

him

back

then

the

to

on

of the scrummage

must

on

the

say, he

of his whereabouts
ball

to

ments
require-

be

must

is to

pass, that

open-fieldside

again just before

until the ball is

be

he

hesitation

fearlessly.He

the

win

fulfil these

To

task

"

also

to

is not

receives

he

sometimes

him

the

on

attack,but

when

the half-backs

warn

moment

open,

the

without

giving a

taking and

must

of

who

man

opponent's forwards

looks, if done

always placehimself
and

brunt

himself

throw

must

he is the

shoulders,as

openings, and
by dropping a goal.

himself

match

ball

head

FOOTBALL.

immediate

score.

being pressed,from

more

long

an

the

kick

ground

than

even

his
a

into touch.

where
he ought to stand,
definitely
he has to be constantlychanging his positionat his own
as
discretion.
As
a
general principlehe must stand farther
his side is being'
back when
pressed than when his side is
always be ready to start running to
attacking. He must
the open
side,and at the line out it is not a bad plan for

impossibleto

say

TffRB"QUARTE"BACK*
him

stand

to

either to

start

mentioned

end

extreme

his

on

away

if the

opponents
not

the

at

ball is

of the

line in readiness

account,

own

passed

tackling or

23

back

them.

to

We

requisitesfor

as

pace

tackle

to

or

his
have

centre,

because, although both are enormous

advantages in any.
lies more
in quickly
player, the centre's defensive work
ling
snapping up the ball or fallingon it,than in direct tack; unless, indeed, the opponents
stop to pick up instead
of

dribbling,in

to

even

which

inferior

an

they
tackier; and
case

in

goal-droppingand

more

in

wings

than

making long

in

in the open
direct

they

can

the

In

run.

earned

often

receivingpasses

from

or

tackled

does, but

often

thrown

away

he
tries,

has

line of

the main
powers,
time
power

be

also

as

any

to

to

and

so

glorious chance
of

does

is the first

pace

and

times
some-

hard

as

be

run

as

the

whilst

make
of

not

reaches

that

real

the

best

into

touch

sprinterso

try

certainty

winning
to

on

match

the

ball

themselves.

solely in scoring

from

this calls for

still engaging

lie

as

simple,have

post than

gettingthrough

stop his opponents

who

his

try-gettersin the

by wings holding

defence,and
runner

again

back

justtoo long, in the hopes

Moreover, a wing's work

lies

for

runs

running

of the

himself

Many

work

reputations; but

allow

for his side.

been

then

out

of that last man,

prey

the centre, and

more

will pass

easy

gettinginto position

of

from

great

the attention

has

the chief

last of his opponents,

the

by

hand,

sprinters,
pure

for themselves

player will make much

sprinter. He will not

other

halves,and

this way

offensive

consists

principalwork
for

his

an

himself.

runs

the
on
wing three-quarters,
essential,because they should be
Their

fall

startingthe

In

team.

should

no

gettingthrough
tackling

mean

line will

going at his best pace, and will have in

of pretending to pass.
of passing or

by

reserve

The

that
the

wings

RUGBY

24

therefore

should
between

the

UNION

keep

and

centre

stop the ball

well

as

well

out,

the
the

as

FOOTBALL.

so

to

as

if

and
touch-line,
should

man,

at

ground
they fail to
the

cover

once

at

go

full

find himself in
the help of the full-back who
to
may
pace
similar difficulty.In any crisis it is always the duty of
a
one

of the

and

it is also

to
three-quarters

their

duty

speciallydangerous

to win

business

they have

their powers
"

the match

either

the

day,
Bolton

centre, by

his marvellous
far the

was

; Stoddart

full

we

best

he had

clean

have

the

best

it is their

in return

should

He

But

swerve

ran

when

tackier,who

power
opinion,makes
recent

heath, and

to

fast
at

of

Lockwood

nasty

class

Valentine
of

his

going
securingtries

in

to

imitate if they

of

which
from

one

full

he

ful
wonder-

foiled the

his iron

their compeers.
Hubbard

have

been

best

his great

speed which,

Swinton,

Dewsbury,

trick

ball,a

opinion,the

our

by

above

wings ;

whilst

dodger

to
trustingtoo much
and straight,
and had

turning at

players a

times

stopping

great strength and

way of
to land the

full pace,

received

skill in

novices
was,

in his

was,

passingto

had

marvellous

took

going

It is this

kick, and

Wade

very

only

in

accuracy

recommend

not

their limbs.

strength.

his

of

reason

the full-back

over

of the lot until he

more

and

the best in-and-out

was

speed, and

by jumping
value

the

this quartette Robertshaw

Of

best

rushes, and

which

carefully
any
opponent's three-

the part of the half-backs.

on

Robertshaw.

pace

watch

the

best

at

game,

full-back,

that of L. Stokes, the

generationwhich succeeded
Wade, Stoddart, Bolton,
English three-quarterswere

In

and

of the

or
directly
indirectly.But
fair rightto complain if,as is so often the case,
called into play owing to insufficient
not
are

"

feeding

and

amongst

man

modern

in the

fun

of the

mark

help

three-quartersundoubtedly

The

quarters.

to

go to the

of

thigh.
in

our

In

Black-

undeniably

HALfi-BACK.

players,but

first-rate

have

we

Alderson, of whom

and

not

enough

seen

great things

them

able to compare

2$

of Sutcliffe

predicted, to
their predecessors.

with

CHAPTER

be

are

VII.

HALF-BACK.

style of play

the modem

WHEN

predicted that

should

we

by

half-backs

and

Twynam

such

of the old

some

and

Alan

players adapted

Rotherham

for all who

those

of

to

show

that there
the

At

in

notably
secure

their

are

if

of

of

what

captain

has

rid of it.

The

ball when

it

no

to

better

for the

men

have
game,

had

out

of
of

at

the

good

the

to

good

have

failed

could

they

enough

down

material

names

Richards,

worth.

were

ball,and

the

first mark

comes

and

pass

breaks

game

such

good

because

they

after forward

quick on

the

pattern

The

not

to

start

let

whole

unless

unremittingin startingpasses

and

smart

is

passing

of

would

who

halves

of

style,

new

as

mention

first

very

the

to

clubs, who

some

department
years, simply

the

try forward
who

dearth

Taylor,

the

Scotts,Fox,

two

enjoyed

H.

the front

to

other

couple

play

only to

no

time

same

show
three-quarters

halves

one

been

has

fact,from

their

came

have

We

recent

machinery

must

once

Bonsor, Payne, the

for every

men

at

followed.

as

post.

of

matter

able
unenvi-

in the game

share

was

prospect for them

Hutchinson, Evanson,

as

but, as

the

the

it

fill the

to

men

did

poor

with

compared

when

appear

get

never

post of half-back,so

first introduced

was

the

fore,
; thereupon,

post, until he

he

finds

quicker stillin getting

half

scrummage

is that

he gets the

oftener

than

his

RUGBY

26

opponent.

In

quite close

to

and
the

UNION

order
the

whom

If he is not

either punt into touch

the

should

to be

be not

half-back,who gained a
being held, are over; such
the

In

chary
of

spoilsall

he

of

the

neighbourhood
passing as

attempt.

that

In

he has removed
able to pass

the

with

ball;

no

opponent
smother

the
less

play

is

the

half

side

It must

then

be

before

he

Tiis

be

as

danger

warrant

the

punt into touch

until

the

up

further

his

to

to

must

The

to

ground to be
up the ground
have

We

succeeds

who

the

of

game.

great

is to

of

force before

his side.

on

he

object

days

half

goal a

too

and

main

useless

now

safelybecome.

may

important

that opponent

sheer

enough

far

game

play of

gets it.

yards by

is then
his

he

The

own

open

the back

his

the ball.

else

one

impunity;

he gets, the bolder

considered

his

the

on

round

cases

player

him,

for this manoeuvre,

run

all

few

of

every

case

the

ball

smother

can

of their
possibilities

interceptedpass

an

in

with

tackled

old

side,as

start

or

himself, but

scrummage

position of

three-quartersis

favourablyplaced

side,
get off-

to

the

pass

his opponent

that the said

not

of the

is to

he

gets it,before

provided always
can

taking care

scrummage,

stand

nowadays

must

constantlyinforming himself
he

side.

this he

do

to

to
three-quarters,

moment

FOOTBALL.

in

so

far

gettingthe
when

his

his first endeavour

to

is his

can

pass ;

play

that,to
failing

interceptthe pass himself, or at least to get into a good

it has been
positionfor tacklingthe three-quarterto whom
remark
here we
passed before he can get off. And
may
becomes
that .tackling
be done
cannot
too
soon
a
runner
and
more
more
dangerous as he proceeds. As he passes
"

line of defence

each
the

see

therefore

forwards

still

more

must

the ball

the

come

be
out

situation becomes

must

done

by

do
the

as

much

as

they

halves, because

of the scrummage,

critical;

more

and

can

can,

but

they

can

get

clear

HALF-BACK.

the

for

start

in the

whilst

man

The

scrummage.

half

is therefore

and

second

the

only

forwards

that

to

still

are

tackling

of

amount

second

the

27

criterion

sure

entangled

done

by

his merits,

of

quickness in pickingup

of

and

passing.
duty falls to
throwing the ball

other

One
that of

first learn

must

There

endless

are

whichever

point in
spiteof

the

spot

or

two

case

he

can

end

of the

it may

be

dap it in
line,when

get oft" himself

be at

may

to

any

or

he

any

look

then

great deal

out.

The

half

point in

the

line.

he must
has

out

practise

reached

fection
per-

for the weakest

experience shows that in

the contrary, there always is a weak
end of the line,in which
at his own
"

; it may

get clear away

drop

can

off for that

pass

other

ball to

line-out

and

previouslytold

man,

must

opponent's

"

; and

throwing in, and

to him, until he

He

exhortations

touch

of

ways

art.

half-back,namely,

properly worked

the

natural

comes

in the

throw

to

lot of the

in from

of it if it is

made

be

can

the

to

back

point down

be

it into the hands

position,who
in

the

better

line,in

at

the

fast

of

either

can

position;
which

case

or

it
he

opposite the weak spot. Those

should
look out
for such
best at lining-out
who
are
spots
and be ready to receive the ball,unless the team
adopts the
As
places at the line out.
plan of always taking the same
be done by skilful play at the
much
instance of how
can
an
send

must

line

out,

it to

we

may

the

man

mention

that

in

the

last international

England and Scotland,we" noticed

played between
from
what
he rightly
back
C. Reid
standing a little way
spot in an English line out near
judged to be the weakest
the half-back
their o\;n
dropped the ball exactly
goal-line,
at that spot, Reid
came
right through with a rush and
match

scored

try.

Lastly,justas

halves

must

be careful

never

to

give a

fair

UNION

RUGBY

28

meaning

when

catch

be

always

to

into

punt

the look-out

on

FOOTBALL.

for

touch,

taking them

they

so

when

must

their

near

take them
near
opponent's goal. They should never
own
goal,unless they feel absolutelycertain of being
to

them

dispose of

of suicidal

safely. We

tendencies,make
had

he

goal-posts that

once

saw

close

so

retire between

to

able

player,evidently

fair catch

their

his

to

them

own

get his

to

kick,and this againsta strong wind.

CHAPTER

VIII.

FORWARD.

of

work

THE

forward

branches, play in
is

few

given to

as

every

to

go

player,however

he

as

not

every
learn

can

to

be

to

"

follow
to

up

likes it
the

spoilthe play of

; but

at both

not, he

or

has
at

can

genuine scrtimmagers;
show

has

to

make

and

to

tackle,even

shine

It

in the open,

be

may

he

into two

in the scrummage.

equally good

he

whether

scrummager

him

intended

not

to

play

good

into scrummages

least learn
and

few

very

"

and

the open

suitablydivided

be

can

in the open,
if

in the finer arts

of

has

nature

passing and

dribbling.
only by working

It is

hope

to

of

number

good
how

pass, he
for

modicum
the

to

open

can

to

afford

pair of

increase

to

scrummagers

advantage.

who

If his

captaincan

settling what

the

wards
of for-

number

that

he
how

know

halves

know

who

halves

are

no

has

he

If

team.

play, provided always

of clever

ball out

in his

have

behind, including

men

to

class

each

lines that

of
great difficulty

the

overcome

these

on

retains
to

bring

good

at

FORWARD.

he
passing,

has

loose, and

he

away
most

in

should

irresistible form
his halves

If neither

it loose, then

he

anythingbetter
that cannot

be

constitutes

real

aim

at

the

ball

at

their

of attack

his forwards

nor

his

and

than

that

dull

make

to

then

with

body

to his forwards

trust

to

29

that

team

feet

has

the

game

break

can

perhaps

"

yet been

the

devised.

be

taught to make
three-quarterscannot
hope for
season's play, for it is an axiom

insisted upon

can

often, that

too

fast open

play

limited
being strictly

the tightgame
football,

the crises of defence.

to

Supposing, first,that
forwards

brought

ever

the

free themselves

spread

out

another,

over

so

as

the

from

to

the
be

issue

breaking up,

ground

at

take

is

adopted,
is hardly
their

passing whilst
directlythey can

but

distance

some

up

aid.

the

it is their business

scrummage,

ready to

without

will start

half-back

is still

scrummage

game

series of passes

successful

the

that

is true

It

to

passing

that

remember

must

the

the

from

passingas

soon

to
one

as

three-quartergets into difficulties with his opponents.

The
backing
grand secret of good passinglies in accurate

the

passingforward, which is such a nuisance

the present day, is almost
at
invariablythe fault of the
backer-up. The holder of the ball is bound to pass it into
the game
his hands, and if he is only a foot too far forward
has to be interrupted; he must, therefore,take the greatest
before
and
he
the runner,
not to get quite level with
care
that he is in
take equal care
to see
calls for a pass he must
in possesbetter positionto make
a
headway than the man
sion.
the neglect of these
Bad
due
to
passing is entirely
that they ought
axioms.
Men
get an idea into their heads
that they have a right to call for a
to pass at all costs, and
of things there must
pass in any position. In the nature
up

"

the

always be

constant

more

or

less open

course

on

one

side

or

the

other
the

and

runner,

for him

same

him

again before

another

not

to

he should

is so much

Dack

that

that

course

do

player must

gets possessionof the ball.

he

as

equally important that

long pass

line with

whilst

keep ;
soon

as

FOOTBALL.

it is in

already warned

have

We
is

of

backer-up should

the

UNION

RUGBY

30

not*

far forward

too

get

keep

ground lost,which

far

it

behind, as

has to be made

gained. In ideal passing you

as
may zigzagas much
you please,provided that the general
direction is towards
the opponent's goal.
If the' backing-up is systematically
worked, the passing
is quite irresistible in fine weather, but it suffers
game
from the serious disadvantagethat it is liable to break down
in wet weather
stances
such circumor
on
a greasy
ground. Under
up

anything

it is very
it is to

and

passing game
dribbler,such
in

dribblers

the

start

the

it is not

the

be

if he

to

has

opposing

pass

back.

the

see

side in order

one

this way
the
line,but it should
to make

be
of

circumvent

to

be

can

rushed

in this matter,

open

line,passingrightacross
admit
our

at

oval

once

all

game

that

ball than

the

it is far

an

right

picked up a few yards

scoringa try.
; but

dribblingas it is at present understood

should
take
not
no
reason
why a team

the Association

with

ball

sure

from

We

by

up

is

This
can

it to

as

backed

close order,ready to take

fairly
if perchance the leader oversteps it,or

In

goal
before the line,so

dribbler

best

in

forwards

of the ball

to

effective there

be

ball,if

By all means
possible,but he must

command

up

dribblingto

plays the
dribble
a
good
worth
a
place in
two
or
one
good
"

is
have

to

passed,

which

let the

of the

rest

to

Evershed

enough
for

team;

team

able

be

ball when

combination.

be

must

also

Jeffrey or

as

the

catch

that every

case

should

; but

team

any

difficult to
this

meet

is

ground
more

with their round

and
when

lesson

advance

in

necessary.

difficult to
one

we

; but

dribble
then

we

FORWARD.

nine

have

the line

forwards

at

under

Moreover,

on-side

keeps

isolated

the

only

ball has

when

which

team

few

years

the

dribbling,to change
withdrawn

was

who

held

kicking,which

oval

has

always

is

despite
As

its

shape

much

very

stand

it

opinion

time

its

reigns

main

so

long dropfeatures of

spectator'spoint

fact that it affords

the

to

between

the

backs

againstdribbling.

own

that, with

supreme

namely,

that

thing

doubt

forwards
work
mere

cannot

the

unlimited

than

watch

other

shoving
to

be

too

must

is all that

get the

the

not

in

to pass,

From

doubt

combined

due

play

dividua
selfish feats of in-

of forward
for

is wanted.

first shove, and

quick

no

for combination

scope

great branch

work, it

scrummage

supposed
no

to

now

popularityis

forwards; good

and

being always prettierto

Turning

its

of view

change

passing game,

the

exceptions,players need very little exhortation

captainhas rather to see that it is not overdone.

the

players,

in the future the

whether

hold

of old
for

It

one.

few
a

plused,
non-

for any

round

of the

one

doubt

now

into

essential

was

been

will
attractions,

matters

the

to

if at any

; but

Rugby game
adopted, we

players

made, in the interests of

ball

Rugby

the

the

plan adopted

completely

so

few

system.

in deference

that

the

of the cleverest

were

to

backer-up
On

this

seen

one

proposal was

ago

as

cross

goal-posts.

confidentlypredictsuccess

it

adopted

the

kicked.

been

have

we

should

we

between

can

laws, it is perfectlylegal

(notablyby Fuller of Cambridge,

of his day), the opposing backs
that

we

foot, provided that the

until the

occasions

of

off-side

our

with

forward

pass

againsttheir five,and

as

point instead

any

31

packing ;

play,
be

moment

It is
for that
but

great
reason

scrummage

that
of late years reduced
to such a science
of
shoving will be of very little avail againsta team

has

been

RUGBY

32

UNION

skilled scrummagers.

FOOTBALL.

recognizedleaders
such as J. G. Walker
in the scrummage,
of Oxford, Gurdon
of Richmond, and
others, who
keep careful watch
many
the whereabouts
of the ball ; the usual
days
over
plan nowabeing to keep it just behind the first row of legs,so as
retain

to

command

off it to

worked

effort the

side

one

is

they should
and to ensure
resistance,
direction
much

standing up.
then
to
as

to

they

your
you.
honest

use

ready

or

"

swung,"

The

your

are

to

push,

and

to

see

final

and

the

to one

screw

line of least

that all

players

for themselves

because

they

can

positionthan when
great points in scrummage-swinging are
of the ball and to keep it,and
for all
direction.
It is no use tryingto screw

feet to

It is for this purpose

to

the

in that

command

have

be

able

that
to

of the ball.

You

it for

secure

energiesto stoppingyour

workers

take

to

in order

greater force

get command

then

"

screwed

down

push in the same

long as your opponents

must

with

other,when

been

have

opponents

this it is essential

their heads

have

push with

the

or

be

side only,

in which

the

with the ball at their feet.

away
sufficient for a team
to be able to

It is not

should

"

have

teams

it until

of

scrummage

breaks

team

Most

vote
yourselves,and deopponents from screwing

team

hold

must

the

contain

scrummage

enough
; for

if

the play of your backs

your opponents rush the scrummages
is discounted,and
extremely likelyto be beaten.
you are
If the forwards

find that

take the ball out themselves,

they cannot
it
watch for a good opportunityof letting
they must
their own
unless they are
out to their half-backs ; and
near
that their opponent's backs are
goal,or unless they know
much
stronger than their own, they should try to get it out
in one
be.
mages
as
Long scrumway or the other as soon
may
the
when
and
at all times
near
are
uninteresting,
bad play, For many
opponent's goal are distinctly
years

FORWARD.

there

was

been

able

understand

to

with

back

with the hand.

the

perhaps

may

sketched

heelingout,"but

why

be

considered

sufficient work

out

who

opponent
his

marking
his spare
can

hope

We

are

we

do

to

be

not

member

the

want

do

we

hold

of every

condition.

No

situated than

be

in

every

kick-off

and

every

line-out,with

forward

good

advocates

no

that

to

It will thus

moments.

but

race,

at

man

to

to

pass

rightto

pass

wrong

be

have

we

never

already

of a forward's
most
occupy
the duties of tacklingany and

happens

ball, of followingup

be

have

we

to

time ; but there still remain

every

it should

it is admitted

foot when

back

It

"

feelingagainst

33

be

who

possession of
kick-out,and
which

is not

for

of

fill up

to

inferred that

the

no

one

in

good training.
beer or his pipe,

stoppinga man's
trainingof an athlete preparingfor a
it to be the imperativeduty of every

team, however

doubt

some

men

humble,
are

keep in good
more
favourably

to

much

gettingregularexercise ; but every

find time to use
and
can
man
clubs,to
lightdumb-bells
and
indulge in an occasional bout of boxing and wrestling,
to go for a sharp walk varied by occasional
sprintsin the
evening

others

for

after his work.

probably all know

only too
neglectingthese simplemeasures.

We

well the inevitable result of

slow at packing,
the game
proceeds the forwards become
of the scrummage
to the back
slower stillat coming round
;

As

the

and

followingup

stalwarts

find

the

themselves

inferiors in every
in the game.

point of

tacklingbecome
beaten

by men
physique and, it

slack,and
who
may

are

be, of

your
their
skill

RUGBY

24

UNION

FOOTBALL.

CHAPTER

THE

is of

referee

THE

Rugby

game

REFEREE.

comparatively modern

but

IX.

his

have

powers

that it is

growth

been

in

increased

the
so

exaggerationto say
him
than on
that on
more
depends
any singleindividual
decisions by the
A few bad
our
enjoyment of a match.
for players and
referee
are
enough to spoil the game
points of view the post is a
spectators alike. From
many
it certainly
demands
thankless
small degree of
no
one
; and
the part of old players to make
them
love for the game
on
steadilyyear

out

turn

too

none

by

year

after week

week

to

prone

take

to

now

no

officiate for teams

charitable

view

of

who
their

are

best

impartialin their decisions.

which
club secretaries have often experienced
The
difficulty
is perhaps not
in securinggood referees for their matches
This
has latelybeen
much
at.
to be wondered
difficulty
in Lancashire
and Yorkshire
met
by the creation of referee
societies on co-operative
principles
; that is to say, that any
endeavours

club

that

to

be

sends

prompt

in the

and

names

of

some

competent

referees

secure
an
willingto act under the society'sorders, can
matches
impartialreferee for its own
by applying to the
hope to see this principle
secretary of the society. We
especiallyin London, before
adopted elsewhere, and
another season
has passed.
who
is willing
the responsibilities
to undertake
Any man

of

laws

referee

down

of them

rule-book

to

must

first be

their minutest

certain that he

details,and

the

knows

all the

interpretation

bearings. He will be wise to carry a

in his pocket,both for the puruose of refreshing

in all their

THE

his

own

captainwho

any
We

hold

each

season,

every

match.

every

game,

but

decision

is

The

referee

it is

only by

given promptly
order

to

laws

study

them

his

decisions

realize

; and

the ball

strolls after the

arise in the distance.

referee

unless

that considerable

level with

keep

before

in almost

that

study

before

it loses half its effect.

decision

quite incompetent to give a

may

the

up

should

constant

with

next

read

unexpected points arise

prompt

must

should

referee

and

referee who

game.

that

be

to

requiredin

player

Novel
and

hope

can

begins,and of convincing
the field.
interpretations
on

questionshis

that every

35

the match

before

memory

REFEREE.

in

always

the

ulster is

an

point which

fine

any

should

He

throughout

game

on

is
activity

in

appear

light

marching order, wearing a cap rather than a hat, and he

must
wetting by bringinga change
provideagainsta possible
with

clothes

of

the

; if he

him

of his

fear
slightest

does

his
chill

taking a

duty well, there

during

is not

the progress

of

the game.
As

general rule, the

between
if he

the

finds

lose his

as
goal-posts,

direction

of the

he
touch-lines,

that

scrummage

vantage-ground

for

far

is

as

is

game

must

round

move

is

where

the

sudden

formed,

Rowland

line-out,Mr.

touch-line

end,

so

for unfairness
inclined

to

departure

doubt
from

as

to

keep

which
whether

the

may

Hill,our

is
questionsof refereeing,

not

as

close watch

on

to be

as

the

ground

standing
the many

play affords

advantages

rule of

so

highestauthorityon
of

touch-line

general

so

the

call for his presence.

in favour

the

to

judging dropped goals,which

of the game

move

line

practicable
;
him
forcing

gauged accuratelyfrom the sides,and

reach, at the shortest notice,any part of

ready to

in

keep

be

cannot

all

the

of

side of the next

other

At

that

either of the

towards

to

sets

two

should

referee

; but

secured

keeping

to

the

at

the

ings
openwe

are

by

this

middle

RUGBY

36

for the

compensate
that

from

the line-out.

to

any

sometimes
Neutral
success,

start

has

He

faith in

do not

referee

must

is got away
driven

been

get

quickly
to assume

fact that it is often

impossible
of umpires, who
are
impartiality

the

take

the

ball

doubt

no

sixteenth

than
nothing more
been
umpires have
because
they do not

referee,and

which
the

the lamentable

positionby
put

bad

FOOTBALL.

positionwhenever

from

the

UNION

tried

men

with

feel the

for their sides.

but

indifferent

of
responsibility

sufficient interest in the game

to be

real solution of
decisions.
The
giving accurate
to us
to lie in abolishingthe umpires
the difficulty
seems
of the whole
and
in giving the referee the direct control
This system is actuallyin operationin Wales, where
game.
and
it has proved a decided
we
hope to see it
success,
Committee, in
adopted without delay by the Rugby Union
the powers
continuation of their policyof steadily
increasing
them
petent
comof referees in proportion as practicehas made
admit
that it is physically
them.
We
to exercise
impossiblefor a referee to see every singlepoint that occurs
keen

about

in

game,

often

but

hampered

that he is far more

every referee knows
in giving his decisions
by the action of
his

umpires

than

by

referees

who

would

to
inability

shrink

from

the

see

the

points.

extra

To

those

responsibility

point out that it is a far less invidious

thing to decide every point on their own
account, than to
decisions already given by the umpire, as they
override
constantlyhave to do under the present system ; and we
should
imagine that few would hesitate long in choosing
entailed,we

between

would

the two

evils.

until the

day

when

umpires have been

into linesmen, the referee has not only to watch
the
turned
play but also to watch the umpires' flags; for,excepting in
few cases
a
speciallyprovided for in the laws,he cannot
However,

comes

REFORM

THE

grant

claim

without

his while

It is worth

least

at

to

see

OF

THE

one

of their

that

LAWS.

37

flagsbeing raised.
flagsare of a suitable

the

colour,white
see

dark

notice.
carry

being far the best,because it is very hard

flag againstthe line of spectators at a moment's
should

He

all

the

over

hardest.

also

Nothing

see

ground,
is

that the whistle is

and

he

should

than
irritating

more

which

one

always
a

to

will
his

blow

feeble whistle.

experiencehas perhaps made us inclined to dwell

than on
the pleasuresof
more
stronglyon the drawbacks
not forgetthat they can
refereeing
always
; but referees must
mittee,
Comrelyon the unfalteringsupport of the Rugby Union
which
is fullyalive to the difficulties of the work,
its anxiety to make
and
which
has shown
things easy for
them
by passing speciallaws for their guidance and protection,
attribute largely the undeniable
laws to which
we
growth of the feelingthat a football referee has a right to
is as
as
a cricket umpire. The
one
expect as good treatment
mistakes
the other.
liable to make
as
They only undertake
to act
and, having done so,
up to the best of their ability,
both
have
an
equal claim to respect for their decisions,
in everything else,
whether
In football,
as
rightor wrong.
learn to stand by their luck without grumbling.
must
men
Practical

X.

CHAPTER

OF

THE

LAWS.

complexity of

the

Rugby
Owing

THE

THE
an

length and
admitted

blot

of their
first be

REFORM

upon

the

origin,it

was

game.

necessary

largelyexplanatory,and

no

that
small

laws

Union
to

the

they

stances
circum-

should

degree

is

of

at

skill

RUGBY

38

of chaos.
of the

on

The

the

with

view

object

observing

to

letter ; but

With

day.
in

for many
a

Nomads

Marlborough

of the

than

fullyrecognizedby

first

was
legislation

no

years

time

as

went

committee

"

spot

with

to

was

brought

was

pressure

Butterworth

K.

and

the

for foul

be found

bear

to

captainsof

others,he
remedied;

glaring defects
substantial penalty

more

the

Budd

of A.

A.

of the ablest

one

"

more
on

scrummage

Yorkshire

help

the

gettingthe

length

At

less than

no
spirit

the main

Union

out

playersarose, who devoted their studies entirely

discoveryof loopholes for evasion.
necessityfor meeting the evils which ensued by fresh

the

his

the laws

to learn

playerswas

evolvingorder

class of

to

In the

in the

them

in

originaldraftsmen
early days of the

the

by

shown

was

FOOTBALL,

UNION

ceeded
suc-

but

play

in the code.

especially
by

"

result that

the

referee

the
was

recognized,and he was given power to inflict the

officially
penalty of a free kick (from which, however, no goal could
be kicked) for off-side interference.
As referees became
they

competent,

more

increase

of power.

demands

These

in all parts of the country, and

them
foul
in

to

inflict

marked

trial has been

than

from

into
which
more

improvement
sufficient

in
justified

Meantime
laws

at the time.

in 1888

the

to

all the

These
in the

show

backed

were

heavy penaltiesfor

play known

in their demands

louder

became

and

game;

that

the

was

serious

changes

ties
authori-

by

power

for

given

forms

of

have

resulted

one

season's

referees

were

more

their demands.

the
improving and simplifying
has been
going on steadilyby piecemeal legislation
the date of the introduction
of the word
immediately
the law for putting the ball down
when
tackled, to
have alreadyreferred.
To
take only a few of the
we
of scoringhas been
important instances,the method
process

revolutionized.
entirely

of

"

"

At

firstit was

necessary

to

score

THE

goal

in order
drawn

many

by
but

ties,school

was

was

important to bring to
delay. Accordingly various
devised

for such

into law

them

the

upon

that

old

school

be

to

by

so

match

scored,

was

tries.

of

inadequate for

cup

which

games

conclusion
for

; but

to

number

other

any

win

goal

any

schemes

purposes

sanctityof

over

led

system

no

definite

resisted

were

the

players of

legal to

and

was

were

made

found

house-matches

39

this

provided

soon

LAWS.

; but

still paramount

concession

This

tries

of

goal was

one

match

that it

games

majority

win

to

THE

OF

REFORM

it

without

scoring by points

all

proposals to make
committee, partlybecause

the

objected

to

encroachment

any

the

goal,whether
placed or dropped,
of selectinga scheme
difficulty
able
accept-

partlybecause of the
stillmore
because
all such proposals
to a majority,and
tainted by assigning a value to minor
were
points. Minor
the

points are

encouraged.

be

This

that

of

of

to

and

goal ;

at

and

the last

way
placed half-

penalty goal was

ordinary goal

an

to

that

of

try.

provides sufficient chances for scoringpoints to

drawn
improbable,so that there is no longer
game

our

any

converted

into

goal one
the value

of

goal

ahead

it deserves

All readers

of

"

into

the

aim

constant

case-law

Tom

Brown

which

goal.

of the

decisions and

"

two

try, whether

leave

would

ties ; but
count

to

for

would

This

in the modern

be

point

one

others, and

of all

in cup

even

would

scheme

not.

or

of technicalities

its conversion

points

goal,and

sort

point

minor

ideal

opinion the

points for

number

counting

for

excuse

in

value

not

eventuallyaccepted,by

was

equal

such, are

as

scale

make
any

made

were

general meeting the

between

play,and,

compromise

three tries

which

of bad

results

placed

give to

try

game.

will have

used

These

committee

to

some

lie between

technicalities
to

idea
a

of the

try and

it has been

minimize, both

The
by speciallegislation.

cumbrous

by

RUGBY

40

alternative of

punting out

the laws

thereby reduced

At

the

were

time

same

connection
and

made

firstbad

one.

line the

first

second

bringinga
the

in number

from

stroke,and

sixtyto fifty.
forbidden

were

score

law

the

second

to

which
goal-posts,
In

ball out

between

the

the

to

to

was

touchscore

undoubtedly

was

times

recent

more

good try off a

nearer

scored, the easier it

was

game.

it was

because
for

the

the

upon

the old

Under

near

at one

had grown
which
tactics,
up in
charge,were therebynipped in the bud,

impossibleto

try

swept away

unfair

with the

it was

was

attackingside

the

various

charge,and

FOOTBALL

UNION

posts has

the

blot

against

law

been

withdrawn,

nothing could make thingstoo easy

place-kickingof the present day ; and,

felt that

wretched

it is no longer necessary to make

lastly,
of seeing that the
line,whilst the onus

mark

ball

the

goalis brought out

defending side,
on

place has been cast upon the

done
to avoid
has now
been
so that everything possible
a
if
goal being overruled on technical grounds; moreover,
the
the defending side charge before the ball has touched
ground,the referee can forbid them to charge at all.
The law about mauls has been considerably
improved by
at the proper

the

removal

the ball in the end ; but

be abolished

should

relic of barbarism
who

againstthe
cases

down

be

the
maul

for all.

gives a

fair

advancing the
The

game.

We

"

simplest way

by making

have

to

the

maul

regard a
opening to

brute-force
of

decide

would

be which

have

that mauls

firmlyconvinced

are

as

the enemy
"

argument

abolishingthem
tacklingapply to

ordinarylaws for
behind
the goal-line.The
ball would
then
directlyit was
fairlyheld, and all that the

would
the

which

tires of

never

would

once

we

is to

side

to which

as
uncertainty

of all

side

was

be

put

referee

entitled to

possessionof it a far easier task than decidingwhether

ball reallydoes touch the ground in the course
of a
"

or

not.

THE

Some
the

years

law

considered

facts of

the

consciences

in

this

adopt

that

addition.

no

could

be

most

authorities

in

wonders
which

the

the

was

principlethat

the

side

shall

penalty which

any

forego,and

to

and

scrummage

free kick

that

trust

have

we

great improvements have

nothing
at

the

been

alia

of

are

pick

the

out

this
A.

references

all the

condense

to

the

happens

all

numbers

worked

the game,
mage
scrum-

from

its

option of

not

forcing
en-

their advantage

to

choice

the

between

when

they have
it desirable

positionmakes

the greater
said

penalty.
enough to show
made

This

draftsmen
success.

definitions
and

but, in

incorporate

to

be

to

Butterworth

with

position
op-

benefit

all occasions

chapter.

K.

task

throughout the code,

beginning;

side the

already been

quite enough good

undertake

taken

which

in the

code

complexity and length to

beginning of

to

proved

it has

derive

never

or

now

it has

game,

entirelyrecastingthe

attempted by

there
to

short

the blot of

remove

on

the less rather than

to choose

order,when

been

by giving them

if wind
the latter,

right to
We

men's

the offence.

other
it

of

kick, from

free

of
interruptions
to

of

out

deciding

knock-on

the

on

has

care

mistakes,by givingthe

own

such

that he had

only penalty for

Lastly,the greatest

judges

penalty of

constant

the referee found

made

in

do

to

because
penalties,

new

cut

reluctant
players were
time, and still stronger

scored,for

stopping the

41

line-out,because

enough

being

the

the

at

had

Some
at

LAWS.

"

on

play,without

of the best of

one

they

THE

deliberately was

raised to the recent

goal
opinion of

the

"

knocking

improvement

was

which

OF

word

the

ago

relatingto

referees

the

REFORM

by

has

W.

the

now

already

Cail, and
committee

would

They
are

referred

we

revision

on

laws, but

will suffice to

which

and

that

inter

scattered

togetherconciselyat the
penalties into a single law, with

put them
of the

laws

for the

infringement

kU"BY

42

of

which

at

the

end

their

fair catches

they

play,

and

The

generally

game

which

catches,

into

in

are

essential

way

of

the

to

the

game

and

one,

the

that

kicks;

game,

the

rather

free

of

claiming

abolition

the

behalf
bit

for

is

now

number,

duction
intro-

bad

in

ot

satisfy even

to

succession

mere

the

this

spare

danger

their

no

for

variety

The

reducing

of

means

sufficient

appetite.

develop

to

whole

their

on

opportunities

many

afford

well

can

since

urged

in

laws

retention

pleasing variety

so

provide

kicks

may
a

have

teams

is

It

them

the

the

weight

their

punishment

they produce

voracious

most

as

surviving

for

arguments
of

repeating

eliminate

probably

kicks.

act

of
the

arrange

much

free

penalty

that

penalty

as

lost

kicks, they

free

of

catches.

that

now

law
and

have

of
that

such

sequence,
fair

of

inflicted, instead

be

each

of

proper

system

but

could

they

FOOTBALL.

UNION

and,
fair

of
is

worthy

consideration.
feel

We
could

hope

attain

to

which

to

stability of
no

players
ultimate

laws

hesitation

in

and

referees

gain which

of

on

clear

carrying
their

to

into

the

revision

alike,
woulr1

accrue

half.

We

the

ball

game

that

be
to

far

the

laws
never

can

cause
be-

Code,
and
but

for
we

ling,
tack-

might

worthy

more

the

cause

the

Persians,

and

would
would

lines

shape

Medes

predicting

these

Association

the

of

code

our

the

such

for

foreign

put

which

by

brevity

provide

both

are

fairlyexpect

have

to

working

bulk

the

to

have

by

in

reduced

be

we

the

that

sure

and

temporary
in

the

game.

we

fusion,
con-

minds

outweighed

ot

by

ot

the

EFFECT

THE

THE

EFFECT

WHEN

OF

few

PROFESSIONALISM.

OF

CHAPTER

XI.

PROFESSIONALISM

ON

years

ago

footstepsof
they stood on

the

in the

43

RUGBY

THE

GAME.

Rugby Union refused to follow

sister,
ism,
professionaland, legitimatize
the

the brink

precipice. It needed but

false step to plunge them
into the chasm
one
below, to be
driven hither and thither by the eddies of professionalism,
for a time, to sink
and, after a vain strugglemaintained
wrecked
and wearied
the suck of the whirlpool.
beneath
of the magnitude of the task
But, though well aware
before them, they did not
shrink from
undertaking it,for
the impending danger ; and
when
solved
they well saw
they rebefore it was
to throttle the hydra of professionalism
from
a
big enough to throttle them, they saved the game
have begun in degradation,and ended
system which would
of

in ruin.

And,

that

now

plough,

we

they

eminent

though

so

in

article

his

have

to

that

there

view.

throw

up

is not

They

football

on

that

prophesied

they will

that

task

completed the
an
authorityas

till they have

rest

put their hands

once

assured

rest

can

have

it is

only

the sponge
a

Mr.

in the
a

of

For,

Shearman,

Montagu

Series, has

time,

I
struggle,

singlecommittee-man

know, it is true, that

them.

before

to

pause

Badminton

question
in this

never

the

to

when

confident

am

who

they

shares

great deal

that

of latent

exists in the country, but they also know

professionalism
that it is making no
headway againstthem, and they feel
certain that they are holding it in check and have it in their

gripIn my

opinion,if they only go

on

as

they have

begun

; if

RUGBY

44

the

UNION

FOOTBALL.

clubs

and loyal co-operation

of
vigilant

same

committees,

in

continued
allowed

which

has

the

offenders,which

should

task

before

be
sentimentality
sentences
passed on

false

no

inflicted
fearlessly

be

ultimate

their side.

be

Professionalism

creasin
inand

rendered

be

lighterif public opinion declared

on

with

and

is assured

success

would, however,

them

county

in the past, be

them

rigour of

the

then their
severity,
is doomed.
professionalism
The

if

future ; and

interfere with

to

accorded

been

and

would

measurab
im-

itself unanimously

then, I believe,

impossibility.I wish, therefore,that every one who

has the well-being
of the game
at heart,would
set himself
and would
to work
out the problem of professionalism,
sider
conan

the effect of

deductions

ever

palpable,that

so

sport ?

of

It

seems

from

conception of which
should
one
profession,

earn

livelihood.

the true

I venture

of

essence

Rivalry in

by

in any

excellence
devoted

the standard
at

The

historyare,

none

to

fail to be

can

length we
those

who

cultivation.

is

pastime

find

that

anomaly

an

men

in sport,

distinguished

as

in order

engaged

to

suggest that the anomaly is thus explained.

to

very

time

statistics and

from

game.

the
to one
on
question that naturallyoccurs
did
of an
is, How
inquiry into professionalism
in
institution as professionals
to be such an
come

branch

and

Rugby

first

there

The

the

on

of their cogency.

threshold

any

plainand

so

convinced
The

be derived

to

mind,

my

its admission

the

to

of

its turn
art

devote
This

at

begets a

is

it.

As

their whole
means

rivalryit
for

excellence,

the amount

on

the

art

genders.
en-

of

develops,so

being continually
raised,until

perfectionwhich
last

desire

mainly depends

pursuitof

excellence

reach

sport is the

athletic

time

can

only

and

the devotion

be attained

energiesto
of

its

life; and

EFFECT

THE

there

being

which

is

income

an

d'etre of

but

eliminate

never

this factor

from

while

been

which

has

his agency

by

what

show

often

If you

it would
calculation,

denied

his

introduction
he

that

be hard

has

has

often

and

importing a corrupt element,

impaired the sport of his adoption.

viz. that
and

time

follows

lead to, furnishes

remarks

these

is
profession,
who

amateur

approached.

been

out
with-

of

degraded and

his whole

his

them

sport,

which

attained,and

benefit

be

means

indisputableaxiom,
gives up

have
the

it cannot

the

is

other

corollary,which

The

45

sacrifice their life to

can

would

to

worked,

who

PROFESSIONALISM.

pastime without increment, the pastime without

becomes
with one.
The
sole raison
a profession
professionalin athletic sport is,I conceive,the

his agency

indeed

few

which

excellence

OF

cceterisparibus the

this
who

man

and makes
energiesto athletics,
the superiorof the
to become

bound

them

as

for his

recreation

leisure

moments.

To

the

see

have

only to

earthlychance
The

reason

various fields of athletics.

our

except in cricket,amateurs

that

Why,

find ?

you

to

turn

with

professionals.

that

the

best

in cricket
professionals
do.
cricket as professionals
with

devote

same

do

stand

no

their

own

much

call

most

and

professionals

especial
category of athletics,

to

the whole
amateurs

it is the

of time, and

amount

What

they play just as

wish

which

to

game

is that

hold

can

you

one

game

compete on terms of equality.

emphasize this,because I find that cricket
especially

which
I

the

one

amateurs

of

attention to the fact that out

this is the

demonstrated,
practically

of this

truth

they are

the game

which

able to

of the

of

the advocates

invariablycite,in
system

in

two

order

to

classes

consider why this is so,

nor

show
works.

do

in
professionalism
how

well

They

they seem

do

the

is

football

conjoined

to
pause
to realize that if the

not

UNION

RUGBY

46

cricketers

best amateur

FOOTBALL.

only able to play on Saturdays,

while professionals
played six days in the week, the latter
would

of the two
We

Rugby
that

advance

now

the

What

the

follows ?

The

have

his

axiom

our

bound

to

for

business

avocations

playing oftener,and

will not

allow

him

anythinglike regulartraining. The

will

play,say, three days a

which
to perfecthimself

to

the

outstripand

His

leisure for

in

conjunction

instance,

legitimatized
professionalism.
will play'as
he does at present,

amateur

Saturday afternoon.

each

apply

will suppose,

We

amateur.

Union

Rugby

step, and

the

impracticable.

professionalis

The

game.

behind

leave

former, and

competitors become

as

can

the

outclass

soon

very

were

week.
at

the game,

and

sufficient

professional

has all and

He

will prevent

every

day

get thoroughly

by regular practicetogether,
professionals,
will become
The
as
smoothly co-ordinated as a machine.
will look on
the game
amateur
as
affordinghim exercise
the professionalas providing him
and recreation,
with the
fit.

of

deteriorates,or

the

eyes,

livelihood,which

of

means

form

of

team

art

and

he

is

will vanish

supplanted by

contingencieswhich

"

cannot

fail to

the

act

as

will be
a

his

moment

better exponent

always

before

perpetual stimulus

his
to

excel.
Under
will be ?

such
The

conditions

can

any

will be

doubt

one

what

the result

heavilyhandicapped to
classed.
keep on terms, and in a brief period will drop behind outOld clubs, with splendid records, will gradually
recede
into obscurity. The
interest which
rounded
formerly surtheir doings will graduallyfade away, and the fickle
brilliant
public will transfer their patronage to their more
like success, and nothing devastates
rivals. Nothing succeeds
like disaster.

amateur

Disheartened

amateur
unequal struggle,

too

by defeat,and
clubs will

one

by

outclassed
one

drop

in

an

away,

EFFECT

THE

until at

OF

PROFESSIONALISM.

football will be

length Rugby

possiblya shred of amateurs,

past, as an appendage.
be more
Nothing, to my mind, can
with

which

course

they

have

events

47

popular profession,

the

sole

instructive

in the Association

run

professionalism.Theories

sanctioned

facts incontestable

; and

however

relics of

strong

an

than

game

the

the
since

disputable,
opinion in favour
are

recognitionof professionalismmay be entertained by

help, after they have read the statistics
they cannot
some,
of professionalismhas advanced
below, confessing that the wave
with astonishingrapidity,
and
that it has
swept
before it in its headlong progress.
amateurism
in 1872 founded
Football Association
The
a
cup
tition.
compeThis is admittedly the great contest
of the year, and
I give
all the best clubs of the day are engaged in it. Below
of the

the

names

of the clubs left in to contest

institution of the cup

1872. Wanderers

the final tie since the

"

and

Royal Engineers.
and Oxford
University.
1873. Wanderers
1874. Oxford Universityand Royal Engineers.
1875. Royal Engineers and

1876.

Wanderers

and

Old

Old

Etonians.

Etonians.

University.
and Royal Engineers.
1878. Wanderers
1879. Old Etonians and Clapham Rovers.
1880.
Clapham Rovers and' Oxford University.

1877. Wanderers

88

1.

1882.

Oxford

and

Old

Carthusians

Old

Etonians

Old

and

and

Etonians.

Blackburn
Old

Rovers.

Etonians.

1883. Blackburn

Olympic

1884. Blackburn

Rovers

and

Queen's

Park.

1885.

Blackburn

Rovers

and

Queen's

Park.

1886.

Blackburn

Rovers

and

West

1887.

Aston

Villa and

and

West

Bromwich

Bromwich

Albion.

Albion.

RUGBY

4S

Bromwich

West

1888.

UNION

FOOTBALL.

Albion

and

Preston

North

and

Preston

since the year

1883, no

Wanderers

1889. Wolverhampton

End.
North

End.
that
significant

Is it not

club has

amateur

gettinginto

competitionthe preliminaryties

this

In

in

succeeded

that it is

so
districts,

only

in

the

that

the year

Taking
which

qualifiedfor

in which

Carthusians

Old

the
shuffled,

sixth

the

where

the

vivors
sur-

pittedagainst each other,

I find

1887-88,

the first one

was

classified into

are

be drawn.

comparison can

line of

the final tie ?

later ones,

in the different districts are

English

in the

fifth

round,

the victors in districts

the

are

round

that

club

only amateur
againsttwelve

as

were

who

thirteen

or

clubs.
professional
The

in the

victors

sixth

round

the

were

amateur

same

left to be
professional
; the final tie was
elevens.
fought out between two professional
I find,moreover,
not one
that,except the Old Carthusians,
and

team

of the

seven

clubs,whose

amateur

in

recent

more

above, has

names

appear

in

gettinginto

years

ceeded
suc-

semi-final

the

ties.
I find that the most

is Preston

time

composed
which

can

of amateur

End

North

eleven

Corinthians,an

talent,skimmed

from

clubs have
way

into

not

the

in

England

eleven

an

and
that
professionals,
be pittedagainst it with

I find that since the admission

their

"

of

is the

success

powerful club

at

almost

the

only

any

reasonable

composed
number

the present

entirely

amateur

team

hope

of the

of

cream

of clubs.

less
numberprofessionalism,
only sprung into being,but have forced
front rank, displacingtheir amateur
of

predecessors.
I find
a

that, coincident

with

correspondingdecadence

their progress,
of the

there has been

gentlemen, and

that

so

EFFECT

been

the rise of the

rapid has
that

by

and

one

49

the fall of the

I find that the

into

themselves

Association

clubs
professional

foremost

which, if

banded

rupture with

ever

took

alreadyselected

are

to

compete

of the cup in the coming season

only two
in a contest
have
to which
professionals

and

grows

place, could very well stand on

football.
govern professional
find,coming to the present time,that out

clubs who

mooted

have

institution which

league, an

and
astonishingly,

legs and

other,

of the executive.

members

And

OF

the classes is being

question of separating

the

thrives

PROFESSIONALISM.

THE

the

its

of

own

twenty

for the later stages

amateurs

are

this

"

only recentlybeen

admitted.
It is not

that

often

advocate

an

illustration of his theories

pictureof
decadence

the
of

rise of

as

present

can

so

vivid

these facts present. The

an

whole

its
professionalism,

amateurism

is

placed

progress, and the

before you
by these

data.
And

these,you

must

The
professionalism.
yet, but if his growth in

bear in
child

of

past, I do

rough
My

time before
contention

mainly, if

not
were

importantto
other

but

the

fulfilsthe
"

say that

earlydays

that he is born

promisesof

amateurism

"

has

the

very

it.

become
being, then, that Rugby would
if profesa
exclusively,
professional
sionalism
game,
recognized, it is in the highest degree
and

pause

branches

are

scarcelyknows

the future

hesitate to

not

mind,

consider

what

athletics where

of

has

been

the

fate of

professionalshave

dominated
pre-

independentexistence.
Without
in
exceptionthe corrupt element has invariably
time gained the upper hand, and has crippledand depraved
the sport, or killed it outright.
English professional
rowing,once the best in the world,
or

had

an

RUGBY

50

UNION

is at the present time

was

administered

men

had

to

to

row

Professional

FOOTBALL.

dead

as

when

bookmakers

order

and

running

walking,

thrivingand popular sport, has sunk

if a few Sheffield speculators were
handicaps, which
it would

be

afford

the
precisely

same.

is

it suits his

only

when

Even

football

match.

bettors attend

and

would
and

be

remain

would

are

would

You

find

able

that

tarnished

would

sport, and
I

years

not

degraded

led in the end

put forth

these

ago, and

they

"

the

We
one

venture

to

sport,

so

as

every

were

able
pure

them

form

of

other

their

Mr.

by

to find

their

their intervention,

branch

of

less

by

Mr.

has

professional

disreputeand

decadence.

elaborately,some
in his

Shearman

following terms

Budd, because

know,

assuredly

retain

to

in which

the

"

in cricket,

amateurs

and

tion
conjunc-

improved
least causing

has

gentlemen, without in the

themselves
outclassed,and so desert
the

tainly
Cer-

attained

have

would

have always joined in common,

professionals
has both
kept professionalism
pure and
the

branches,

depravity which

the

criticised

we

professional

surroundings?

you

them

escape

differ from
far

Is there

year.

that you

Series in the

article in the Badminton

tant
impor-

an

in other

; but

views, though
were

it

unprecedented excellence,that

keep

to

on

football

such

is

of bookmakers

of the

doubt

amateurs

and

and
gaffer,"

betted

the

betting,

win.

must

large army

great gates

your

them,

and

no

"

his

that

decay

of

their

for

cause

his compeer

than

find

draw

unless

football

that

hitherto

to

equalitywith

The

impervious to

his admission

you

machine

great matches

being

purer

not.

by

the

supposing

for

reason

any

Already

ebb

an

discontinue

to

pocket that he
of pounds are

by

gone

low

so

has
Every sprinter

thousands"

now

to

to-morrow.

corpse

in years

admirable

an

backers, and

became

to win.

not

and

its death-blow

and

mutton,

as

the game,

EFFECT

THE

would

It

they met with a reverse

this,we think the Rugby
quite different reasons.

for

wrong

forced

by

could

we

with

rule to

any

well

where

game,

with

but

those
is

there

b.ut

players.

Union

authorities

Were

gentlemen
they disliked,

need

Nor

in

tie,is

cup

the

club

it chooses.

national

no

no

desert

to

from

whom

opponents
him

agree

clubs

any

meet

51

gentlemen

were

as

soon

But, apart from

are

PROFESSIONALISM.

strange indeed

be

as

game

OF

the

there

play

ever

Rugby
moral

any

obligationfor a club of gentlemen to meet

any crack club
of players to try conclusions.
Surely,on the other hand, if the Yorkshire clubs preferto
play with or against professionalteams, they should be left
will the edicts of the Union
do so.
Nor
at libertyto
from
if once
playing Rugby football,
prevent professionals
in that direction in the country.
there is a genuine movement
'

'

"

The

football;and
The

effect of

beneath

prefera

we

so,

to

ever

Rugby

at

Union

so.

; but

So

if ever

far
more

than
'gates' of matches
with, professionalismeither
the

we

are

the
open

or

Until that time shall come

assuredlybe.
are
regulations againstprofessionalism

will,in

our

opinion,remain

It will be noticed that Mr.

of

with

be made

bruta

out

what

secret

the

Rugby

sport if the

sympathy
know

who

few

very
out

can

clubs

to

there

the
of
do
will

Rugby Union
fulmina, and

so."
Shearman

the

still confess

for the

money

drive

to

says that he
liberal sums
for

are

in

pay.

and

money

well

be

be

must

there

present

it will doubtless

remain

only
we

equally

begins to

receives

who

will be

once

money

opportunityof making

football,and
case

plays for

'gentleman'

However,

expenses.
any

who

man

it

surface ; and

the

tried to suppress

Union

Rugby

suppress

movement

have

in vain

if
professionalism,
would
such legislation

to

does

Tudor

the efforts of the

vain

that

and

of Lancaster

houses

falls into the

common

RUGBY

52

alreadyshown,
is

Cricket

and

hour

which

game

half.

much

as

The

occupiesthree days, football

of the

success

conjunction of

the fact that

to

are
professionals

as

able

to

such

Shearman

Mr.

they
written

have
and

Association
us

make

that

during

amateurs

can

Mr.
to

share

of

of

his

is,of

play them,
he

would

article to-day,
in

events

It is

would

no

have

take

the
news

left to

it,but

the

which

the

skeleton

the

entitled

to

his

own

opinion

struggle. I do not
ever,
howthe regulations,

of the present

Union

not

are

mere

bruta

testified

clubs

who

what

to

derive
do

show

the

more

with.

Rugby Union,
would

by

and

money
The

out

Bradford

of

is richer

they
than

last

the
is
no

know
the

clubs
Northern
of many
hundreds.
According to Mr.

the bank-books

balance

of gates than
club

is

fulmina

vigorousproceedingswhich in the
been
taken
two
against the suspects, and
years have
followed.
He
have
suspensions and penaltieswhich
further entirely
when
he supposes
that there are
in error
amply

competitors,but

they

forebodings. That

Rugby

moved.
re-

once

spared.

course,

probable upshot
gloomy

of

own

Nothing,

professionalismhad

the

of

from

field

at

not

years.

their

choose
a

be

If

of the

one

whether

progress

the last two

of

that

writinghis

decayed amateurism,

Shearman
the

doubt

were

the

sort

their selection

residuum
havoc

if he

game

questionis,What

the

as

this remark

carefullystudied

had

to

much

exist.

not

need

amateurs

I very

to.

care

the two

are
professionals

that

contends

next

because
institution,

harmless
unless

of

state

one

gentlemen by playing
retain their equality.

things could
the equalitycould
be preserved,I admit
would
great objectionsto professionalism
football

In

I have

parallelexists.

no

is,I repeat,due

classes

cricket,whereas, as

drawing a parallelfrom

of

error

FOOTBALL.

UNION

THE

EFFECT

Shearman's
these

must

go

back

be

the

know

we

once

more,

that
if

became

case,

would

executive

new

PROFESSIONALISM.

theory,professionals
ought

balances, but

To

OF

Union

they have

when

and

have

from

grown

not.

admitted

necessarilyensue,

her troubles

through

to have

as
professionalism,

experienced rulers,who

and

53

contend

predominant,

the present tried

successfullysteered

for many

years

and

the

succeeded

entrusted
their
to
preservingthe traditions which were
keeping,would be supplanted by a wholly new order of men,
who would
feel themselves
fettered by the historyof the
not
policyit would be impossible to foretell.
past, and whose
There
is,however, a totallydifferent standpoint from
in football.
which
I condemn
professionalism

in

is not

It

game

like

cricket, which

affords

sufficient

of a man's entire time to

the devotion
occupation to justify
is as much
it. Three days a week
as
anybody can play,and
This brings
then only for an hour and
a stretch.
a half at
ing
Allowthe total of the week's play to four and a half hours.
for trainingand practicein addition to this,the greater

part of

man's

would

time

still remain

professionof football,then, means

for

it is also

But

lasts.

years, and

many

game

after his

at

unutilized.

life of idleness

which

while

it

play

cannot

man

is finished

career

The

it leads to

absolutelynothing; so that the superannuated professor,

his short day of activity
is over, finds himself stranded
when
and has to begin life over
without resources
again to get his
bread.
I

have

dangers

foregoing pages to point out

professionalism.From
every standpointI

striven
of

in the

that its admission

One

and

one

expense

of

tend
con-

is indefensible.

advantage only

would

viz. improved play,but

recognition,
the

the

amateurism

and

you
the

you
would

obtain

by

obtain

sacrifice of

its

it at

purity.

RUGBY

54

is

Excellence

existence

of

its

ability

to

its

constitution.

offering
the

four

some

no

doubt

true

sport

hiring

the

who

season

by

believe

their

that

No

game.

with

player

will

traditions

an

body

of

not

innovation

unsullied

the

available

most

than

they

hope

as

which

reputation

that
fit

the

see

of

circus

the

talent

for

the

in

both

great
for

impair
Rugby

and

the

the

they
game

past,
and

the

to

game.

and

of

on

the

qualities
I

clude
con-

football

magnificent
and

place

vitality

and

every

with

experiment,
offers,

that

future
these

displayed

have

which

question

consider,

to

ever

opportunity

of

to

of

element

of

case

depends

that

subject

will

fail

the

monentous

had

ever

has

recollect

hesitate,

best

the

vanity

salaries.

rulers

earnest

is not

in

determination

and

the

is

have

conspicuously

more

will

this

Union

firmness

the

highest

the

than

from

team

but

team,

into

able, by

the

professionals

more

any

engages

paying

Rugby

the

victorious

being

flatters

It

on

element

invincible

an

dependent

in

fine

the

even

corrupt

so

champion

of
in

comes

proprietor

farm

to

of

globe

important

more

been

has

collect

to

no

as

one,

sometimes

sport

there

the

of

quarters

in

is

what

all,

minor

very

and

introduction

the

biggest bribe,

the

that

of

teaches

prosperity

branch

resist

but

history

for

the

every

after

And,

purity,

that

than

lesson

desideratum,

with

compared

FOOTBALL.

UNION

that

their

heel

tarnish

they
on

the

APPENDIX.

THE

RUGBY

FOOTBALL

UNION.

BYE-LAWS.

That

1.

the

UNION,"
all

General

the

Union

least

at

the

No

selection

of

elected

Union

be

such

Club

belonging
4.
Club
of

the

all

is.,

Clubs

5.
month

Laws,
of

That
of
and

officers

6.

That

ex-offido

of

preceding

such

annual

purpose.
conform
to

to

to

been

the

on

Sub-

of

being
by

the

on

Rules

the

seconded

and

attended

vote

act

before

who

have

they

to

but

proposed

election

chosen

been

the

admission.

on

due

in

been

not

be

for

March,
other

the

admitted,
Clubs

two

for

the

aU

officers

the

the

ensuing
be

or

at

be

year,

elected

and

by

Fee

Entrance

an

whose

Club

of

scription
Sub-

Meeting

General

the

held

of

month

each

List.

consideration

the

of

Subscriptions

Any

Union

Meetings

with

advance,

Annual

before

off

in

is.t

The
October.

paid

struck

General

two

"i

be

Union,

in

payable

Subscription,

fall

shall

the

that

Committee

entitled

be

to

Presidents

past

the

which

to

shall
has

he

duly

to

shall

March,

All

quorum.

Members

membership,

for

Annual

payable
has

in

add

to

power

Union.

belonging

"i

form

and

Secretary,

with

fifteen,

consist

annually,

Hon.

willing

be
the

to

That

for

eligible
must

Presidents,

Meetings

Club

elected

be

of

unless

any

shall

President

past

teams

Committee
That

who

Committee

two

summoned.

3.

year

where

London,

held.

be

to

be

BALL
FOOT-

RUGBY
in

be

head-quarters

Vice-

seven

shall

during

have

shall

"THE

be

Society

Committee

number

the

its

two

and

Treasurer,
of

the

Officers,

President,

their

and

Meetings

That

2.

of

of

that

name

annually,
of

the

October,

other

ballot.

business.

in

one

Bye-laws
for

the

the
and

election

56

UNION

RUGBY

7. That

only

to

each

Club

entitled

be

send

to

exclusive

Meeting,

General

FOOTBALL.

representative

one

of

the

of the

Officers

Union.
8. That

Hon.

the

Special General
requisitionto that e/fect,

shall

Sec.

convene

Meeting at any time on receiving a

of
signed by the Captains or Secretaries
Clubs
belonging to the Union.
That
of the Game
no
Bye-law or Law
9.
rescinded,

added

or

thirds of those
That

10.

to, without
at

present

each

Club

General

Laws

expulsion
That

11.

the

from

Laws

with

amendment
three

weeks

advertised
That

sheet

sent

to

hands,
2.

each

be

Club

OF

of the

seconder

placed
keeping it at

Bye-laws
in

of

case

liable

be

to

either, in

Union, together
of every

such

in

the

Meeting

RUGBY

Union.

printed balanceUnion, togetherwith

a

in October.

OF

AS

FOOTBALL,
UNION.

FOOTBALL

by lettingthe ball fall

from

the

it rises.
-very instant
is made
by kicking the

nick

made

in the

ground

ball after it has

of
for the purpose

rest.

PUNT
is made
3. A
by lettingthe ball fall from
and
it
kicking beforeit touches the ground.
Each

two-

it the

KICK

PLACE

to

GAME

is made

kicking

audited, and

General

THE

the

belonging to

belonging

THE

KICK

DROP

been

Bye-laws

Clubs

accounts

BY

and

of the

alteration

or

and

the

to

sent

LAWS

the

or

callingthe

PLAYED
1.

copy

and

proposer
alteration,be given in

the

the notices

THE

amendment

the

altered,

least

at

writing to the Hon. Sec.

the General
at least before
Meeting at which such
alteration
is to be brought forward, and be duly
or
such
meetings, and
fourteen days at least before

thereof

12.

with

bound

be

any

Game
of

or

amendment
notice

of

notice

names

of

thereby ;
by any Club, such Club
Union, at a General Meeting.

the

of the

the

shall be

consent

five

than

Meeting.

furnished

be

and
of the Game,
wilful infringementthereof
and

the

less

not

the

hands

ceeding
upright posts, exfeet
the ground, and
feet in height from
ii
placed 18
from
the
6 inches apart, with a cross-bar
feet
10
ground.
the ball from
A
GOAL
be
obtained
can
kicking
by
only
5.
the field of play direct (i.e.
without
touching the ground, or the
dress or person of any player of cither side)over
the cross-bar

4.

GOAL

shall

be

composed

of two

APPENDIX.

of

opponent's goal, whether

the
the

or

posts

or

of kick

kind

6. A

his

not

except
is

TRY

if the

; but

not

goal-posts,it is

the

57

goal.

it touches

ball

cross-bar

directlyover

goes

goal

such

either

be obtained

may

by

of

any

punt.

when

gained

player touches

the

ball down

in

opponent's goal.

shall be decided
7. A match
shall equal three
points, with
from

kick

awarded

points, and

two

equal,

or

drawn.

try

When

the
of

way

point.

one

kicked

be

goal

no

by

by

majority of points; a goal

exception of a goal kicked
which

penalty,
If the

shall

number

of

equal
points be

shall be
try obtained, the match
goal is kicked from a try the goal only is

or

scored.
ball is dead

8. The
the

when

it

absolutelymotionless

rests

on

ground.

is when
a player,putting his hand
9. A TOUCH-DOWN
the ball on the ground in goal, stops it so that it remains

upon

dead,

fairlyso.

or

or

playersof

more

11.

being
him,

and

ball

play, puts it down

round
closed
have

field of

all who

endeavour

push their opponents

to

drive

to

direction

be

to

ceases

scrummage

the

it in

of the

oppositeside.
takes
place when

the

SCRUMMAGE

in the

the holder

is when

TACKLE

10.

of

scrummage

the

ball is held
holder

by

of the

one

ball,

the

ground in front of
their respective sides
on
back, and by kicking the
on

the

opposite goal-line.

when

the

ball is in touch

goal.

or

player may
bounding, except in
13.
order
to

bring it out

in

for any

goal)

scrummage.
to take
up

lawful

It is not

after it has

purpose
unlawfullytaken

it is

up the ball whenever

take

12.

the
been

ball when

(exceptin

dead

touched-down

rolling or

in touch

or

the ball shall have

; whenever
it shall at once

whatever

be brought back to
up
down.
there put
where
it was
taken
so
up, and
the ball with
lawful to touch
it
is
In
not
a
14.
scrummage,
whatever.
the hand
under
If,in the opinion
any circumstance
of the Referee, any player shall,in a scrummage,
intentionally
claim from
either handle
fall down, he shall,on
the ball or
a
been

the

so

opposite side, award

in accordance

with

15. It is lawful

it,and
the

if he

ball until

touches

does
he

it down,

Law

for
so

free-kick,such

free-kick

to

be taken

44.

player who has the

any
If a
it is called
RUN.
a

gets behind
it is called

his
a

ball

to

run

player runs
opponent's goal-lineand

RUN-IN.

with
with

there

It is lawful

1 6.

anywhere

run-in

to

FOOTBALL.

UNION

RUGBY

58

the

across

goal-line.

goal-lineis in goal, and the touch-line is in touch.

17. The
the
8.
In
the
of any player holding or running with
event
1
bull being tackled, and the ball fairly
at once
held, he must
cry
and
in
it
down.
the
down,
opinion of the
immediately put
If,
immediately put the ball down, or if he
not
ground
immediately got up, he shall,on a
the opposite side, award
such free-kick
a free-kick,

Referee, he

being
claim

from

19. A

in accordance

MAUL

44.
the ball

side

opposing
are
players only who

the

begins, and

maul

their

retain

Law

is when

of the

one

Those
when

with

GOAL

IN

goal-lineand
down.
hand

not

has

taken

be

to

has

the

on

touch, may
touched-down, where

for

in the

continue

endeavours

touching

then

inside

is held

so

maul.

the

the
it

touch

to

ball with

long only

as

the

they

ball shall

The

be

concluded, and shall belong to

possession of it before the
side
have
the opposite
gained entire possession
the

maul

playersof the side who

the

is

first had

began, unless
the hold of all parties
of it,or unless it has escaped from
in
shall
which
latter
it
event
belong to the defending side.
engaged,
TOUCH
GOAL.
IN
20.
(See Plan.) Immediately the ball,
of a player or not, goes into touch in goal,
in the hands
whether
of the game,
and must
be brought out
deadoxA
out
it is at once
and
Laws
as
38.
provided by
37
if he enters
x~
21.
Every player is ON-SIDE, but is put OFF-SIDE
/ a scrummage
from
his opponent's side, on being in a scrummage
/ gets in front of the ball, or when
the ball has been
kicked,
/ touched, or is being run with by any of his own
him
side behind
(
between
himself
his
and
own
(i.e.
goal-line).No player can be
maul

off-side in his

4
I
/

/
I

22.

been
or

run

person

or

behind

touch

the

obstruct

may

claim

or

(2) a

before
When
are

with

scrummage
the offence
any

or

having

he is

at

44

the

where

such

spot where

case

any

off-side,the opposite
free-kick

off-side
the

interrupt

In

he

shall

and

of the game,
in any way
or

(i) a free-kick,such

Law

ball

to

play
was

be

taken

occurred

last

played

occurred.

player

off-side may

out

the ball when

either

in accordance

the ball

whatever,
is again on-side.

case

player until

any

either with

off-side is

ball in any

player wilfullytouches
side

of him

him.

Every player when

23.

not

in front

run

it when

kicked

\^

the ball has

player being off-sideis put on-side when
five yards with, or kicked
by, or has touched the dress
of
the
of,any player
oppositeside,or when one of his

side has

own

goal.

own

run,

has
or

who
of the opponents
ball, none
attempt to tackle,or otherwise interrupt
the

APPENDIX.

player,until

such
if any

who

yards

has
his

taken

or

Law

44

(2)

; or

played

before

24. THROWING
the ball to throw
to

any

the

be

at

the

his kick.

But

claim
may
in accordance
the

spot where

either
with

ball

was

occurred.

It is lawful
his

side,who

rules

side

taken

to

towards

own

taken

or

in any way
interferes with
such opponent
has run
five

opposite

scrummage
the offence
BACK.

with

accordance

the

free-kick

of his

player

tackles,

or

kick,

it back

yards

ball before

the

(i) a free-kick,such
last

five

run

off-side

when

player

opponent

an

has

he

59

for any

player who

goal, or

own

is at the

to

time

pass

behind

has

it back

him,

in

of on-side.

hitting the ball with the hand, and

THROWING
i.e. throwing the ball,in the direction
FORWARD,
lawful.
of the opponent's goal-lineare
If the ball be either
not
knocked
thrown
on
or
forward, the opposite side may (unless a
made
fair catch has been
as
provided by the next rule) require
it brought back to the spot where
it was
knocked
to have
so
or
25. KNOCKING

thrown

26.

there

on, and

30.
A

FAIR

is

throw

where
the

he

made

has

from

on

CATCH

forward, or
provided the catcher
a

put down.

it be knocked

Unless

Law

i.e.

ON,

throw

catch

made

knock

makes

the

by

on
a

mark

catch, and

of

out

one

with

touch, when

direct
of

from

the

his

kick

or

opposite side,

heel

other of his

no

vide

at

the

spot

side touch

own

ball.

player who has on a claim been awarded

thereupon himself either take a drop-kick or
kick
in any case
ball for a place-kick; such
A

fair

catch, must
punt, or place the
a

to

be

made

in

the

opponent's goal-line. If the player retires

of taking such
behind
own
goal-line for the purpose
kick,
such goal-linein the direction of
be kicked
the ball must
across
the opponent's goal-line.
After "fair catch has been
made, the opposite side may come
the ball
mark, and the catcher's side retiring,
up to the catcher's
from
such
distance
shall be kicked
from
a
mark, or
spot any
behind
it,in a straightline,parallelwith the touch-lines.
(See Plan.) If the ball goes into touch, a
27. TOUCH.
other than that whose
the
side
on
player last touched-in
player
in the field of play must
bring it to the spot where it crossed the
touch-line ; or if a player when
or
running with the ball cross
of
either
foot
the
he
return
must
across
touch-line,
put any part
direction

of

the

ball

to

his

with
thence

the

return

providedby

the

it into

spot where
the

the

field of
Law.
the following

line

play

was

in

so

one

crossed, and
of

the

modes

60

UNION

RUGBY

FOOTBALL.

of his own
himself,or by one
side,either
then run
field of play and
with it,kick
side ; or (2) throw
it out
at right
it,or throw it back to his own
angles to the touch-line ; or (3) walk out with it at right angles
less thanyft'"?
distance not
than
to the touch-line,any
or
more
fifteenyards, and there put it down, first declaring how far he
28. He

walk

to

If two

more

or

shall

it in the

of

hold

hold

out.

ball

touch, the
had

ball in the

the

intends
29.

then

must

(1)bound

If the ball be

at
may
If on

the

claim

once

the

cannot

count

ball

either

(i)

with

shall be

the knock

goal

or

occurred.

on

out

of touch

is

not

of the field of

centre

opposite side

stand

must

kicked.

yards in front of the ball until it has been

claim
pitch in touch, the opposite side may

If the ball

on,

free-

spot where

count

to

the ball is thrown

the

the

at

44

not

place-kick from
as
a goal. The

knocked

free-kick,such

Law

free-kick

spot where

when

is

KICK-OFF

least ten

may
in accordance

made

the

touch

claim

at

scrummage
31. A catch
fair catch.

play,and

from

out

it out

occurred, such

on

(2) a

32.

bring

to

taken

be

to

knock

at

his

the opposite side

straight,
themselves, as in Law 28, sec. 3.

thrown

not

throw-out

opposite side

kick

first

of it.

30.

the

into

playersholding the ball are pushed

belong in touch to the player who
field of play, and
released
has not

to

have

be behind
the ball
again. The kicker's side must
when
kicked-off,and in case of infringement the Referee shall,
claim
to be formed
on
a
by the oppositeside,order a scrummage
in the centre
of the ground.
of
ball shall be kicked-off
(i) at the commencement
33. The
after
the game
obtained
has
been
after
a
a
goal
; (2)
; (3)
change of goals at half-time.
side shall play from either goal for an equal time.
3-j..Each
The
captainsof the respectivesides shall toss up before
35.

it kicked-off

the

the

36.
has

of

commencement

have

option

changed

at

37.

whose
mode
a

had

touch
of

been

to

in

touch

goal
bringing the

goal. (See

Law

the

ball

the

ball

ball

again

40.)

kick-off

at

the

kick-off.
of the

players of the side

(Law
play,and

gone

into

not

in their

down

has

shall

toss

obtained,the side which

When
goals have been
did

of the game
shall then
is a drop kick by one

KICK-OUT
has

goals, or

shall have

of the

winner

the kick-off.

goal shall then kick-off.

half-time,the side which

commencement

which

goal

; the

match
of

of choice

Whenever

lost the

the

goal or into
20), and is the

own

cannot

count

as

APPENDIX.

61

be a drop-kick,and
from not
must
than
more
38. KICK-OUT
twenty-fiveyards outside the kicker's goal-line; if the ball when
kicked
claim
out
to
pitch in touch, the opposite side may
kick
be
it kicked-off
If
have
the
if
not
a
or
again.
drop-kick,
than twenty-fiveyards outside the kicker's
the kick be from more
if
the
kicker's
side be not
behind
the ball when
goal-line,or
kicked-out, the Referee
shall,on a claim by the opposite side,
either order another
kick-out,or order the ball to be scrummaged
the kicker's goal-line,
and equiat a spot twenty-fiveyards from
distant
not

from

both

obstruct

such

touch-lines

the

kicker

within

opposite side
twenty-five yards of his
; and

the

may
own

goal-line.
side

in their opponent's
the ball down
having touched
:
goal, shall try at goal by a place-kickin the following manner
of
the
shall
the
in
it
One
to
a
goal-line
bring
players
up
from
the
line
the
where
it
to
touch-lines)
(parallel
straight
spot
was
touched-down, and thence walk out with it in a line parallel
39.

the

touch-lines

to

place it for

distance

such

another

as

thinks

he

proper,

and

there

of his side to kick.

defending side may

40. The
the ground, but if any of them

charge
do

as

soon

as

before

charge

the ball touches

the ball touches

Referee

provided the kicker has not taken

ground,
may,
then only on a claim by the kicker's side,disallow
his kick, and
remain
behind
the ba-U
the kicker's
the charge, and
side must
If a goal be kicked, the game
until the try has been
decided.
shall proceed as
36, but if a goal be not
provided in Law
of his side to touch
allow
if
the
bringer-out
kicked, or
any
the

the

the

ball before

and
Law

it has

the game

been
shall

kicked, the ball shall be dead

proceed by

with,
forth-

kick-out,as provided

in

38.
41.

CHARGING,

i.e. rushing forward

to

kick

the ball

or

tackle

of a placeplayer,is lawful for the opposite side,in all cases

at
after
catch
kick
or
a
a fair
goal, immediately the
try
upon
of a dropis placed on
ball touches
the ground ; and in cases
or
the player having
kick or punt after a fair catch, as
as
soon
offers
the ball commences
to
to
run
or
kick, or the ball has
touched
the ground ; but he may
always draw back, and unless
his foot,
it with
he
has dropped the ball or
actuallytouched
if any
mark
But
retire
his
Law
to
(see
43).
again
they must
the player having the ball
of the opposite side do charge before
touched
offers to kick, or the ball has
to
commences
run, or
the
kicker
has
taken
the ground, the Referee
not
provided
may,
allow
claim by the opposite side,dishis kick, and
then only on
a
it is not
lawful for
the charge. Except in a scrummage,
a

62

RUGBY

UNION1

FOOTBALL.

obstruct

player to charge against or

is holding the
opponent

ball,or

such

running

the

In

42.

obstructing
the

of

event

player

player illegallytackling,charging,or

the

opponent,

any

Referee

shall,on

free-kick
a
opposite side, award
such
free-kick
to be
place,

the

at

offence took
Law

is himself

ball.

the

at

unless

opponent,

any
such

claim

from

where

spot

the

in accordance

taken

with

44.

if,in the opinion of the Referee,on a claim from the

been
undoubtedly have
gained but
opposite side, a try would
of
unfair
for
the defending side, he shall
play or interference
such
On
the
other
hand, if,in his opinion, a try
adjudge
try.
would
undoubtedly not have been gained but for unfair play or
interference of the attacking side, he shall,on
claim
a
by the
But

oppositeside adjudge
taken

shall be

ball

the

where

at

touch-down.

point on

any

when

was

place,parallelwith
of
43. In case
and
charge from

The
line

the

such

the touch

unfair

kick

in

of

case

passing through
play or interference

the

try
spot
took

line.

fair catch,the opposite side may come

up to
line drawn
a
anywhere on or behind
through
made
and parallelto the goal-line. In all cases
the
the mark
be behind
the ball when
it is kicked, but may
kicker's side must

charge

not

until it has

Referee

kicked.

been

In

of

case

ment
infringe-

any

claim

by the opposite side,order a

formed
be
at the
to
\\\zfair catch was
spot where
scrummage
than one
If after a. fair catch more
made.
ing
player of the attackthe ball before it is again kicked, the opposite
side touch
side may
charge forthwith.
by way of penalty shall be taken by
i
44. A free-kick awarded
of the
either a drop, punt, or place-kick,and
by any member
the

side

to

taken

be

shall

Law

26, it

entitled

being
take

to

been

manner

understood
his kick
a

In

awarded.

in the

made

has

player who
f

it has

which

kick

shall,on

that
shall

respects

the

prescribed for fair catches

in

the

be

whence

place
regarded

caution

rough

him

caution, but
warn

off the

for

or

the

always

play,he

foul

offender, and

the

player shall

shall,in

first offence
on

as

second
in every

or

his

with

or

him

warn

offence
case

it shall
to

think fit.

mark

of

have

been

off

without

be his

during suspension,for

any

duty

to

forthwith

report the
shall,in their

the

against him

is

discretion,cither

Rugby Union Committee, who

discretion,suspend the offender,and any Club which
to

occurrence

kicker

the

fair catch.

45. If,in the opinion of the Referee,

guilty of

all other

such

plays with

period

as

they

APPENDIX.

46. If

player shall kick, pass, or carry the ball back across

it there be made
his goal-lineand
dead, the opposite side may
that the ball shall be brought back
and
claim
a scrummage
it was
formed
the spot whence
at
kicked, passed, or carried
back.

Under

other

any

in his

ball down

own

circumstances

player may

touch

the

goal.

FIELD.

THE

OF

PLAN

THE

FIELD
OF

TOUCH

TOUCH
.

PLAY.

A A. A A.

Goal

Lines.

...

Lines.

Touch

TT.TT.
...

PP. PP.

...

QQ.QQ.

in

The

Touch

The

field of

Lines

breadth, and

Goal

and

play should
should

be

not
as

Goal

Posts.

Touch

in Goal.

...

should

Lines
exceed
near

1 10

be

cut

out

of the turf.

yards in length,nor 75 yards

as practicable.

those dimensions

RUGBY

64
47. No
be allowed

HACKING,

nails,iron

plates,

shoes

under

OR

48. In the

HACKING

trippingup,

or

No

to

of his

on

the

shall

wearing projecting

one

percha
part
any
play in a match.
law
being broken, or

of any

of

OVER,

gutta

allowed
case

FOOTBALL.

circumstances.

any
or

shall be

UNION

side

boots

or

irregularity

any

play occurring
part
vided
profor, the opposite side may claim that the ball be taken
back
the breach
of the law or
to the place where
of
irregularity
formed
there.
play occurred, and a scrummage
on

of

either

otherwise

not

two
Umpires shall be appointed and a
49. In all Matches
latter
Referee
the
official
Avith the consent
be chosen
of
must
;
either the respectiveSecretaries or Captains of the contending

Clubs

construction

appeal

the

to

Subject
Referee

placed
Rugby

report immediately

to

Union
any
for such

period as

catch, the kick

at

In

Referee

either
Clubs
2.

or

In

Referee

be

shall be

play,and

FOR

THE

AND

two

; the latter

official

the

Rugby
offender,

called

in the

until the
of

case

try

or

GUIDANCE

OF

REFEREES.

Umpires

shall

be

be chosen

must

respectiveSecretaries

or

appointed

with

Captains

amended

the

of the

and

consent

of

contending

bodies.

Match

any
must

that

taken

; and

the

of

out

all Matches

If either
taken

of the

Committee

Rugby Union Meeting, October, 1886, and

at subsequentMeetings.

at

the

decisions

right of

duty

Union

Rugby

No-Side

nor

UMPIRES

1.

the

be

the

goal only shall be allowed.

REGULATIONS

Adopted

the

discretion,suspend
plays with or against him during suspension,
they shall think fit.

Half-time
50. Neither
held or goes
ball is fairly
fair

challenge

shall,in their

which

Club

the

to

side

shall have

it shall

of his

disputes any

Committee

and

he

Law,
any
Committee.

upon
Union

either

of

Captains

right of appeal

this

to

player who

any

If the

bodies.

or

provided
Umpire raises
he

that

Whenever
if he allows

each

be

allows

Umpire
with
his

it ; if he

he disallows

must

carry

stick,and

the

whistle.
stick

on

does

not

and

not

appeal, it will be
raise his stick,
it shall
an

it.

stick is raised

both, the Referee shall,

the appeal, immediately blow
his whistle,without
one

APPENDIX.

waiting
who

confer

to

has

the

point in dispute with the Umpire

raised his stick,and the game
shall be immediately

not

to

as

stopped.
If,on the contrary, the Referee does not immediately blow
his whistle,it shall be taken
that he disallows the appeal, and
the game
shall proceed as
though no appeal had been made,
without

further

any

Whenever
his
to

both

left

sticks

raised,the Referee, except in cases

of the
signify the allowance
forthwith by blowing his whistle.

are

discretion,shall

own

appeal, and

stop the game

Appeals

3.

consultation.

be

must

made

immediately after

which

cause
them, otherwise they
Decisions
Umpires and Referee.

if

point

one

4.

The

appeals

Umpires

appeals

made

are

made

are

must

cannot

be

interfere

not

given

may
the proper

at

the

points occur

entertained

be

on

the

it
(a) At " kick-off,"when
players on the side which
"

(b) At

side

the

(c) In

ball when

case

In

the
on

of

any

case

of
"

of

case

kicker's

these

lines,and
(d)

In the

at

duty

the

case

that,the

see

not

are

in

to

see

that the

shall, on

be

to

law

by

the

claim
formed

in the

of the

and

ground,
spot twenty-fiveyards from
fair catch

at

goal, and of
charge before

all

of

the

both
the

the

in

the

touch-

spot where

made.

was

of

he

equi-distantfrom

goal-line,and

case

kick-off"

be

scrummage
the centre

in
"

kick-out

the fair catch

duty

his
the ball when

points,

kick-off"

in

"

players (in his opinion)breaking

opposite side, order

"

to

fair

the
of

event

the

"

to

kicked-out.
when
it shall be his duty
a
catch,
kicker's side are
behind the ball when

of

see

be his

has

it shall

behind

are

that
it is kicked.

to

shall

appeal

an

it is kicked-off.

kick-out,"when

kicker's

unless

game

them.

to

of the

the

than

moment.

in

Referee
interfere except on
must
not
5. The
the Umpires otherwise than in the following cases

front

by

more

try

at

free-kicks,if any

the
the ball touches
defending side
ground, he may, provided the kicker has not taken his
kick,on a claim by the opposite side,disallow the charge.
(e) If in the opinion of the Referee any player shall in a
fall down,
the ball, or
intentionallyhandle
scrummage
if he, being on
the ground, has not
or
immediately got
he
claim
a
again,
shall, on
by the opposite side,
up
of the

award

(/)

In

free-kick.

the event

of any

tackling,charging,
player illegally
F

UNION

RUGBY

FOOTBALL.

a
shall,on
obstructingany opponent, the Referee
free-kick
the
award
at
claim by the oppositeside,
a
spot
where
the offence took place.
(g) If,in the opinion of the Referee, on a claim by the
oppositeside,a try would undoubtedly have been gained
of the defending
but for the unfair play or interference
the
On
other hand, if,
side,he shall adjudge such try.
in his opinion,a try would
undoubtedly not have been
gained but for the unfair play or interference of the
attacking side,he shall,on a claim from the opposite
side,adjudge a touch-down.
he
(/*)If,in the opinion of the Referee, any player,when
tackled and the ball held, has not
has been
immediately
claim
the opposite
he
ball
on
the
a
shall,
by
down,
put
or

side, award

free-kick

the

at

where

spot

offence

the

occurred.
his

by blowing

be taken

blown, it must
all

when

cases

catch

26). If the whistle

(see Law

heel-mark
In

signifythe granting of a
whistle,without further claim

shall

Referee

(z) The

claim

free-kick,it

or

has

once

be

must

is

is

that the claim

not

not

been

made

fair catch
the

than

promptly

granted.
for

fair

taken, if granted by the

Referee.

(f) If,in

the

been

has

dead
opinion of the Referee, the ball when
order
shall
a
unfairlybrought into play, he
to

scrummage
In

all the

above

be re-formed.
claim
a
cases

from

but not through the Umpires.

necessary,
the Referee
the following cases
6. In
claim

any

Umpires

being made,

and

out
with-

interfere

may

without

is

opposite side

the

reference

the

to

"

(") If, in the opinion of the

guiltyof rough

been

either caution
off without

him

second
and

to

Union

any

or

him

Referee, a player shall have

cretion,
foul play, he shall,in his disfor the

caution, but

first
in

offence it shall be his duty to warn

forthwith
report the occurrence

offence,or

every

case

warn
on

off the offender,

the Rugby
to

Committee.

(") It shall be
the

the

duty of

Union

report immediately
who
disputes
player
any
the
with
Captains acting

the Referee

Committee

to

Rugby
decisions,except
any
rightsgiven them in Law 49.
and the Referee
in a scrummage,
a playeris down
(c) When
the
for
considers
it dangerous
to proceed,it shall
game
to

of his

APPENDIX.

be his

duty
is

danger
7. The

delays that
8. The

Referee,
spot where
a

shall be

entertain

the

to

scrummage

occurs,

but it is

with

Law

49, the

an

Umpire

Referee

forthwith

dead

not

or

the

at

simply because
Referee.

or

appointed

not

are

Union

Rugby

Umpire

an

formed

be

on

power
for any

time

extra

it touches

shall

decision

he shall have

allow

refuse

may

disputeson points of Umpiring.

issued by the Committee
following was

The
1886

final,and

sole discretion

touching

his

time-keeper,and

playerholding the ball touches

case
Umpires and a
9. In

accordance

stop until he thinks

to

take place.
is dead
whenever

the

the game

be
"

Time
and

may
ball

and

shall

"

his absolute

at

order

over.

Referee

questionof

any

to

67

in
to

any

on

Nov.

I2th,

:"

"

The Committee
find that the practiceof Umpires interfering
in the game, without appeals being made
to them, is so prevalent,
that they deem
it necessary
to call the attention of Players and

Umpires to Rule 4, Regulations for the guidance of Umpires

not
Referees, which is as follows : The Umpires must
made
to them?
unless appeals are
In
interfere in the game
order to assist the Referee in seeing when
appeals are granted
the
recommend
that flags
Committee
the
by
Umpires,
strongly
should be used by them
in the place of sticks."
Attention
is especiallycalled to the following new
points,
and

'

viz.
1.

"

Wing-players

off-side

be dealt with under

must

play (Law 23),and

under

those

for

heads

the

charging (Law 42),if their

illegal
the new
under
penaltiesfor
; or

play comes
rough play (Law 45),if necessary.
The
2.
new
penaltiesfor rough play (Law
decisions

the Referee's
discretion
of

the

sole

the

penaltiesfor

new

(Law 49)

Referee

are

without

45), and
be

to

any

for disputing

inflicted at
claim
being

necessary.
new
penalties for (a) handling the ball
3. The
down
in scrummage
tackling and
(Law 14) ; (b)illegal

or

falling

charging

by unfair play (Law 42) ; (d) delay

getting up himself (Law 18) ; ("?)
bringing the ball into play unfairlyafter it has been dead : are
(Law 42)

in

(c}tries

putting the

all to

be

inflicted

reference

to the
opposite side.

4. The

from

new

throw

vitiated

ball down

at

and

the sole discretion

Umpires, provided

that

of the
a

claim

Referee
is made

without

by the

penalties for off-side (Law 23) for knock

out of touch
(Law 30) and for kicking dead

on

balls

68

RUGBY

will

46)

(Law

UNION

FOOTBALL.

the

through

come

in

Umpires

the

ordinary

way.

5. All free-kicks awarded

converted into goals, except
a

throw

ball

must

the

be

now

straight line from

between

of

way

penalty may

free-kick

for

be

now

knock

from

on

of touch.

out

6. The

by
the

brought
it

the spot where

posts

for

out

try

goal

at

touched-down,

was

in

whether

not.

or

by blowing
7. In the future,the Referee will grant fair catches
his whistle without
reference to the Umpires, and without
any
besides
being necessary
26). If,therefore,the whistle is not
is not granted.
that the claim
taken

the

further claim

fair catch

or

free-kick has been

heel-mark
forthwith

blown
When

once

it must

made

(vide
it must

be
for

claim

be

Law

taken, if granted

the Referee.

by

CASE

of Interest decided by the Rugby

Points
In

the

pending

LAW.

of

case
a

appeal

an

to an

Commit

Union

Umpire play

shall

tec.

not

cease

decision.

until an
nevertheless
is off-side
run
player who
may
has it.
he
the
but
must
ball,
actuallyhas
stop directly
opponent
A fair catch
direct from
an
can
opponent's
only be made
kick,knock-on, or throw forward, and not from a rebound.
in goal,
ball down
A player can
score
a try by touching the
even
though the ball be dead before he reaches it.
To secure
be touched-down
a try the ball must
by the hand.
A

It is lawful

Leather
are

or

to

make

other

fair catch

projectionson

from
boots

kick-out

kick-off.

or

in the nature

of

spikes

illegal.
The

corner

flagsare

in touch

in

goal,and

the

intermediate

in touch

in

goal
touch, as the case may be, if it strikes them.
of touch
the ball
Since it is the object in a throw
out
to land
crooked
to
at right angles to the touch-line,a ball thrown
out
allow for the wind, but eventuallypitchingstraight,is a straight
sequently
throw.
On the other hand, a ball thrown
out
straight,but subdiverted by the wind, is not a straightthrow.
A player,provided that he is not carrying the ball
(a) may be in touch and yet play the ball with his feet,so

touch-flagsare
or

in touch

; the

ball is therefore

in

"

long as the

ball itself is

not

in touch.

APPENDIX.

be

(")may

the ball

The

in touch

down,

in

goal
long as

so

ball is in touch

blown

back

if it

69

and

yet

score

in

in touch

touch-line

the

crosses

try by touching

the ball is not

goal.

is then

and

into

the
play. A goal is scored if the ball crosses
blown back into play.
be obtained
A
by touching-down a ball which is
try can
motionless
behind the goal-line.
and

bar

So

is then

long

player has one hand

in goal.
in a maul
The
placer of the ball for a kick
the

in

"

as

kicker's

try has
In
the

the

on

ball to be
whether
has

been

The

remain

must

be included
the ball until

not

behind

before

the

kicker

has

ball has

the

illegalcharge before
ground for a kick at goal, the
an

Referee

may,
kick, allow

his

taken

placed anew, and prohibitthe defenders from

the kicker has taken his kick subsequent to his

; but

not

or

goal shall

at

if the

blown,

kicker has taken

the Referee cannot

shall

game

remain

the ball he may

on

decided.
of

case

whistled

has

side," who

been

the

placed

be

his kick
allow

him
the

stopped whenever

the

charging,
whistling

the whistle

before
a

been
if he

kick.

second

blows

Referee

his

the Regulationsin doing so.

though he infringes
of appeals being made
than one
In the case
more
point,
on
first
is
allowed,
disthe
can'
be
entertained
when
second
the
only
appeal
"
"
of a
of touch, when
knock
out
on
except in the case
if a fair catch is made
a "free-kick"
though
maybe taken, even
"
"
knock
had
been
claim
for a
on
a
granted.
decision as to time is final,
Referee's
The
even
though he has
kept it inaccurately.
The
ball is dead
if it strikes an Umpire or Referee,but not
when
a
Umpire or
player running with it collides with an

whistle,even

Referee.

man

For

(a)
(b) For

months

(c) For

2.

may
the
the

play
"

county in which
in

county

previousto
the

RUGBY

THE

QUALIFICATIONS.

COUNTY

ON

UNION
1.

BY

AUTHORIZED

REGULATIONS

county

he

which

the time

in which

born, or

was

he
of
he

has

resided

for the

six

playing,or
is

residing at

school

or

collegeat the time of playing,or

1887-1888.
(d) For the county for which he played in season
to play for a county, having
shall still be qualified
A man
F

UNION

RUGBY

70

FOOTBALL.

previouslyqualifiedfor and played for that county

and
not
having subsequently played for
seasons,

for

three
other

any

county.
3. No
same

play for

shall

man

than

more

during

county

one

the

season.

the
question arise as to qualifications,
4. Should
any
shall be left to the decision of the Rugby Union
Committee.

AS

RULES

Adopted

1.

Professionalism

2.

or

he
NOTE.

given

"

is

illegal.

:
"

shall

player who
of

money

is to

sub-section

Club,

or

in connection

his

to

time

from

shall

not

debar

incurred

sum
on

or

Club, or any
whatever, actual

the

Club

of which

in

in

the

done

or

on

for

compensation

.Club's

the

at

of the

of

or

other

about

the

loss of

his
amount

hotel

with

transfers

the

or

expense,

at

the

and

Club, or any Member

actually disbursed
travelling expenses

Club's

his services

consideration

Insurance

Club.

from

of the

excess

paid
or

of it. This
clause
insuringits playing Members

recognized Accidental

receives

account

(e)Any player who

on

Secretary, Treasurer,

Member

from

Member

in connection

another

consideration

money

any

any

Club

trained

playerwho

(d) Any
of it,any
by him

any
as

receives

his Club

of any

expense

include

labour
of any sort
for work
or
with the Club's affairs.

against
Company.
(c) Any player

of

on

the

from

one

Club

to

contract, engagement,

any

of

affairs.

Club, or of any
promise
part
of that Club, to find him
Member
employment.
transfers
his
Whenever
a
membership from one
player
if they think
Committee
Union
to another, the Rugby
may,
such a player for a full explanation of his
do so, call on
or

fit to

rendered

whether

playing Member,

accidents

3.

from

consideration

services

(b)Any player who

club

receive

Member.

This

any
officer of the
or

is

it,any
for
prospective,

to

ground,

is

Professional
Member

amended

Meeting, October,1886,and
subsequentMeetings.

at

(a) Any

PROFESSIONALISM.

Union

Rugby

at

TO

same

APPENDIX.

for

reasons

his

migration, and

71

suspend

such

player pending

satisfactoryexplanation.
Union
Committee
shall have
the
Rugby Football
4. The
of
for
think
fit
as
as
suspending
long
:
they
power
(a) Any player whom
to be
they shall consider
a
sional
profes"

and

(b} Any Club which

have

to

shall in their

played

professional after

October, 1886.
Football
Rugby
5. The
of

power

suspending
Club

(a) Any
has

been

Club

; and

which

Umpire,
sum
on

Football

(a)

the

the

event

request
of

with

Match
under

formed

the

out

Rule

3,

an

which

Club

with

or

any
of any

of the nucleus

servants

received

actuallydisbursed
by
travellingexpenses.
of a breach
suspected instance
by any
be instituted by the Rugby
Rules
may

of hotel

amount

or

"

In their absolute

(") At

them

of the

any
of these
any
Union
Committee

of

have

has

excess

account

inquiryin

6. An

shall

employed any of its paid

has
employed any Umpire who

or

in

Committee

play a

by

suspended

any
him

In

shall

been

as

proved
I5th day of

the

"

suspended

Club

been

which
has

(b} Any

Club

Union

which

Club

opinion have

discretion.
of any

Club

inquirybeing

which

lodge

may

instituted

at

the

plaint
com-

complaint

shall forthwith
of any Club, such Club
deposit with the Hon.
such
Football
the
of "10.
On
Union
the
Sec. of
sum
Rugby
of the facts relied
deposit being made and a written statement
be
the Hon.
to
Sec., an
inquiry shall forthwith
sent
upon

instituted

place, at

in such
Football

the

Union

such

time, and

in such

manner

as

shall direct.

Committee

Rugby
shall have
Committee
absolute
Union
Rugby Football
with
the
deal
otherwise
deposit
to confiscate,
return, or
power
of
the
circumstances
to
shall
think
fit,having regard
as
they
The

the

case.

7. On
have
the

an

inquirythe Rugby

Football

Union

Committee

shall

require the production of any books^docudesirable.

or
they may deem
necessary
ments, or evidence which
to
of any
Club
8. In the event
declining or neglecting submit
to, or appear at, or co-operate in any inquiry, or to furnish such
mittee
ComFootball
Union
be required, the Rugby
evidence
as
may
power

shall have

their discretion.

to

power

forthwith

to

suspend

such

Club

during

RUGBY

72

UNION

ADOPTED

ADDENDA
INSURANCE

PLAYERS)

TO

PASSED

AT

PROFESSIONALISM
IN

1.

Club

Club

(AS

TO

AS

TO

RULES
THE

GENERAL

1886.

OCTOBER,

insure

may

COMMITTEE

THE

BY
OF

MEETING

FOOTBALL.

in its,

against accidents

its Members

Matches"

(a) In
(b} In

recognized Accidental

fund

specially

Insurance
the

apart by

set

Company,
Club

itself for that

object.
be

paid
for each
week-day
to
los.
(ten shillings)
any player shall be
from
which
be
he
shall
playing or
prevented
during
actually
be made
from
All payments
must
through" the
earning wages.
of the Club.
Secretary or Treasurer
shall
be
made
No
to any
Player
payment
(a) For any day for which he receives wages, or
days succeeding the
(") For any day during the first seven
days he
day of the accident, if during such seven
2.

In

either

case

the

maximum

which

amount

may

plays Football.
3. No

payment

shall

be

made

except

on

the

certificate of

tated
practitionerthat the player is incapaciduly qualifiedmedical
by his injuriesfrom pursuing his ordinary employment.
shall on or before the i$th day of January, and
4. Every Club
the 1 5th day of May respectivelyin each year, send to the Hon.
Union
Sec. of the Rugby Football
statement
showing
a detailed
the
made
what
have
been
to
to
day
3ist
players up
payments
of December
and the 3Oth day of April preceding the said dates
shall also, on
before the first-mentioned
or
respectively
; and
days, forward a properly audited account, showing all receipts
and payments
made
during the period covered by such account,
for proving
and
if required all Books
and Vouchers
necessary
the

thereof.
accuracy
the same
time

duty of the Secretary or

Treasurer
of every
Club
to
certifythat (a) All the payments
medical
the certificate of a duly qualified
made
set out
were
on
such
of
earned
man.
by any recipients
(b} No wages were
ments
paymade
such
for any of the days for which
were
payments
the man
them,
where
injured has received payments
(c) In cases
has
he
his
after
for any of the first seven
accident,
days
not
days.
played Football during such seven
At

it shall

be

the

"

APPENDIX.

ADDENDA

AS

TO

and

Football

Rugby
with

an

inquiry shall

be

manner

as

instituted

the

BY

Rugby

in such

Union

have

place, at

Committee

THE

IN

professionalism,which

re

POWERS

COMMITTEE
Committee

Union

Law

in such

OF

ADOPTED

UNION

FOOTBALL

accordance
that

DEVOLUTION

COMMITTEES

COUNTY

RUGBY
The

THE

TO

1888.

decided
reads
such
shall

the

(in
thus

time,
direct)
charge

to investigate any
County Committees
of professionalism or any
Laws
under
offences incurred
45 and
in the
of
club
either
club
member
or
49 against
any
any
any
them
to adjudicate
respectiveCounty Unions, and to empower
and
to
such
on
suspend the
cases
coming before them
any
in
Rule
club
or
offending
player as
4 re professionalism.
the right of
shall have
club
That
or
player
suspended
any
that
the
and
Committee
Committee,
appeal to the Rugby Union
such suspension altogether
shall have full power
either to annul
the
otherwise
to enlarge, shorten, or
or
period of such
vary
the secretary
with
be
lodged
suspension, and that an appeal must
of the Rugby
within seven
Football
Union
days of the meeting
the sentence
at which
was
passed.
be
such
That
accompanied with a deposit of
appeal must
shall have
Committee
Union
"$o, and that the Rugby Football
deal with such
absolute
to confiscate,
return, or otherwise
power
think
fit.
deposit as they shall
of
take shorthand
notes
the County Committees
must
That
of these points and
all proceedings in reference
must
to
any
such
incidental
to
themselves
proceedings.
pay all expenses
Union
to themselves
The
Committee
Football
reserve
Rugby
to

the

empower

rightat

that may

time

any

to

adjudicateon

any

professionalquestions

arise.

THE

LONDON

: PRINTED
STAMFORD

BY

END.

CLOWES

WILLIAM
STREET

AND

CHARING

AND

SONS,
CROSS.

LIMITED,

LUNN

"

CO.,

Patentees, Manufacturers, and

of every

Exporters of Games

description,

41, BERNERS

STREET,

ALL

ORDERS

CARRIAGE

Lunn's

"Incomparable"

Lunn's

"A

Lunn's

"Eclipse"

Colonel

LONDON,

PAID.

Posts

Special"

W"

(Patented).

Racket.

Balls.

Godfrey's

Pins.

Marking

OIRIOIKIIET1.
Lunn's

specially

selected

Lunn's

"No.

Match

CROQUET,

LAWN

3"

BOWLS,
ARCHERY,

LUNN'S

ILLUSTRATED

GRATIS

Cricket
Balls.

RINGOAL,
GOLF,

LAWN

POST

BAGATELLE,

ETC.

CATALOGUE
AND

Bats.

(64
FREE.

PAGES)