Football Archaeology

Football Archaeology

Share this post

Football Archaeology
Football Archaeology
Today's Tidbit… 1876 IFA Rule #3: Punt
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Tidbits (Paid)

Today's Tidbit… 1876 IFA Rule #3: Punt

Football Archaeology's avatar
Football Archaeology
Nov 04, 2022
∙ Paid
1

Share this post

Football Archaeology
Football Archaeology
Today's Tidbit… 1876 IFA Rule #3: Punt
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

This is #3 in a series covering football’s original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. One rule is reviewed each Friday.


IFA rules #1 and #2 covered the dropkick and place kick, both occurring after the ball touches the ground, while the punt happens before the leather meets the dirt.

Rule 3: A punt is made by letting the ball fall from the hands and kicking it before it hits the ground.

Under the 1876 rules, punts occurred in three situations:

  • The punt-out (covered by Rule 29)

  • The punt-on (covered by Rule 30), and

  • The standard punt during live play.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Football Archaeology to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Timothy P. Brown
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More