Playo
 
Playo Playo

Your Sports Community App

PLAYO
  • Home
  • Badminton
  • Football
  • Cricket
  • Tennis
  • Quiz
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

The Birth of American Football

  • January 30, 2023
  • Pratheek Suryadev

American football is a sport that’s not much like the football we know. They’re similar in certain ways; teams have 11 players each on the field and the sport involves kicking the ball. 

However, what’s known as football in the rest of the world is called soccer in the U.S. and football has predominantly been used in the US to refer to this popular American sport. 

Remember when this meme was a huge hit on Facebook?

While the debate might be still alive, let’s find out how this American sport came into existence.

History of American Football

The first ever game that was played was on the 6th of November, 1869 in New Jersey. The match was between the two colleges, Princeton and Rutgers. The game was a mix of Rugby and Association Football (Soccer). 

Each team had 25 players and picking and carrying the ball was not allowed. Instead, the aim was to kick or bat the round ball, with any part of the body into the opponent’s goal. This college sport started gaining more popularity as more matches were played in the following years. 

Owing to the violent playing style, the game was also dubbed Mob Football and was banned in some cities from being played on the road or public playgrounds. 

A standard set of rules came into existence on October 19, 1873 when representatives from Princeton, Rutgers, Yale and Columbia held a conference. Harvard backed out of this meeting as they favored a more rugby-style game where carrying the ball by hands was allowed. 

In 1875, Harvard played with Yale under the rugby-style rules which two athletes from Princeton found quite interesting. This led to the formation of the Intercollegiate Football Association comprising Harvard, Princeton and Columbia. Soon, Yale also joined the association to change the rules forever.

Evolution of American Football

Under the new rules, the shape of the ball had been changed from round to oval. The number of players had gone down to 20 (later 15) players in each team and the field dimensions were set to 122m x 76m. 

However, with the association of Yale, a player from the school, Walter Camp changed the rules even further. A method known as Scrum, where players pack their heads close down to the ball to take possession of it was changed to a new method called Snap. 

Walter CAmp

Under Snap, the players had to pass the ball backwards while starting the game. This reduced the injuries and the chaos the previous method entailed. The number of the players had also been reduced again, to 11 in each team. 
All these changes, along with a new point system were instituted formally in 1880 and by 1892, Camp was given the title as the Father of American Football.

Fun Fact

The Father of American Football is also responsible for the Daily Dozen Set-up, a set of 12 exercises (that have to be performed within 8 minutes) designed to get soldiers ready for serious physically demanding activities. It was introduced by Camp during World War 1, when he was the advisor for the military.

Conclusion

American Football is a well-received sport across the U.S, and one of the most successful leagues in the world. However, it hasn’t found the same level of success in other parts of the world. 

The International Federation of American Football or IFAF is the governing body for international American football. World cups are held every 4 years with the upcoming one set to happen in 2025 in Germany.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR SPORTS MEMES AND REELS!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Football
Pratheek Suryadev

Previous Article
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

Gymkhana – Sport or Sports Club?

  • January 10, 2023
  • Pratheek Suryadev
View Post
Next Article
  • #HumansOfPlayo

Play It Forward – Sharing the Gift of Playing

  • January 31, 2023
  • Pratheek Suryadev
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

Gymkhana – Sport or Sports Club?

  • Pratheek Suryadev
  • January 10, 2023
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

The Rise and Fall of Hockey in India

  • Pratheek Suryadev
  • November 21, 2022
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

How Sports Help Inculcate Values From a Young Age

  • Pratheek Suryadev
  • November 9, 2022
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

How Fit Do F1 Drivers Have to Be?

  • Pratheek Suryadev
  • October 18, 2022
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan
  • Sports Desk

Lawn Bowling – The Next Big Sport in India?

  • Pratheek Suryadev
  • August 8, 2022
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan

7 Unusual Sports You’ve Never Heard Of

  • Pratheek Suryadev
  • June 24, 2022
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan
  • Tennis

Nadal – History Made With Downunder Glory!

  • Govind Pillai
  • February 1, 2022
View Post
  • #DiaryOfASportsFan
  • Cricket
  • Players in History

Virat Kohli – Captaincy lessons we learnt from the Former Chief

  • Govind Pillai
  • January 17, 2022
Recent Posts
  • Finding Joy and Community Through Playing Sports March 16, 2023
  • Play It Forward – Sharing the Gift of Playing January 31, 2023
  • The Birth of American Football January 30, 2023
  • Gymkhana – Sport or Sports Club? January 10, 2023
  • Suresh Raina Turns 36: 6 Facts About India’s Best Southpaw November 27, 2022
Instagram Feed
There have been times when my failure at something discouraged me from going back to it. But I’ve noticed that this doesn’t apply to me when it comes to sports. 
tag a sharma from your play squad 🙈
@azeemashraf_1 reminds us why respecting and being there for our team members are some of the most important things that sports can teach!
While beaches have always been about sands, sunsets and oceans for everyone, to me they have always been about football.
Follow
Playo Playo
The world’s largest sports community, connecting millions of people to the sports they love

© 2022 TechMash Solutions Private Limited

Input your search keywords and press Enter.