Today's Tidbit… 1876 IFA Rule #35: No Fair Catch

This is #35 in a series covering football's original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. We review one rule each Friday.

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Rule 32 told us that one of the methods to bring the ball back into play from in touch was the fair or lineout, while Rule 34 told us that if the throw was not made at a right angle to the touch line, the captain of either team could appeal for a redo. Recall as well that Rule 28 told us that players could far catch the ball under almost any condition in which a player from the opposite side put the ball in the air, so Rule 35 makes an exception to the general rule by telling us:

“A catch made when the ball is thrown out of touch is not a fair catch.”

So, the rule negates the possibility of a team fair catching the ball on a lineout and using the opportunity for a free kick. Presumably, these situations occurred in rugby’s development and were seen as cheap or easy opportunities to score a goal, so they outlawed it.