Today's Tidbit... 1876 IFA Rule #40: Loser Kicks

Jul 21, 2023

∙ Paid

This is #40 in a series covering football's original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. We review one rule each Friday.

Previously, we covered several aspects of the kickoff as a part of Rule 36. Specifically, the kickoff occurs from midfield, and the opposing team must stand at least ten yards back from the spot of the kick. We did not address who does the kicking. Rule 39 tells us the teams tossed up to determine who kicked to start the game, while Rule 40 tells us the team scored on kicked off.

Rule 40: Whenever a goal has been obtained the side which lost the goal shall then kick off.

Some of you may recall that I jumped the gun when reviewing Rule 37 since I wrote the following that is more pertinent to Rule 40:

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