Today's Tidbit... 1876 IFA Rule #48: Touched Down Between Posts

This is #48 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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Last week, we covered the spotting of a try at goal following a touchdown. Rule 47 told us they walked the ball out perpendicularly from where it crossed the goal line, and the kicking team could walk the ball out the distance they chose. Rule 48 modified Rule 47 when touching the ball down between the goal posts.

Rule 48: If the ball has been touched down between the goal-posts it may be brought out in a straight line from either of such posts; but if brought out from between them the opposite side may charge at once. (See Rule 54)

The rule tells us the kicking team had the option for a free and unopposed kick if they took the ball out in a straight line from a post or could kick it from a point between the posts. Choosing the latter option meant the opposing team could rush toward the kicker when he moved forward to dropkick the ball or when the holder placed the ball on the ground if they placekicked.