Early Ball Games

Early kicking games
All throughout history, many ball games have emerged as well as perished independently to one another, often leaving us with nothing but speculations. Considering that many of these games were impulsive and had few or no regulations, it is likely that they also were quite violent. The roughness of these early games surely must have demanded involvement of the legs, for kicking.
We have to emphasize the difference between such scuffles and today's skillful game. Even although modern football evolved from rugby, a major distinction stands between the two - the feet are not only used for kicking but also for controlling and moving the ball (dribbling). Using body parts other than the feet, like the head or chest, is another factor suggesting the development advanced technical skills.
While most ancient ball games had no proven relation to rugby or simply diminished ignominiously long ago, they certainly must have produced skillful players or artisans, much like the superstars of today. Therefore, we must acknowledge these as predecessors of the world's most popular sport.

Far East: Tsu Chu and Kemari
Mediterranean: Episkyros and Harpastum
America: Pok-A-Tok, Pasuckuakohowog and Asqaqtuk

Middle Ages
The Middle Ages Europe were the stage for violent town games known universally as Mob Football. It is very surprising to notice the progress of ball games in this historical period and consider their violent upturn. In contrast to the ball games of Ancient times, authorities often prohibited and opposed their practice.

Italy: Calcio
Britain: Mob Football

The techniques of soccer have been around for centuries. In 2002, Japan hosted the World Cup for the very first time. Few were aware that the locals have been playing a juggling game called Kemari for the past 2300 years.