The Laws of the Game govern the game of football. They have seventeen articles and are generally intended to apply to all levels of the sport. Certain groups may be exempted from some of the laws, but the majority are applied consistently. Many of the laws are framed in broad terms, which allows for greater flexibility. Numerous IFAB directives and decisions also help regulate the sport. These rules are not exhaustive and the regulations of a particular country may differ from another’s.
In 1912, the game was standardized, and the fourth down was added to each possession. The Ivy League had dominated the game for years, but the Rose Bowl game matched the eastern and western colleges, capturing the attention of college sports across the nation. This game became an annual event, and the popularity of football soon spread throughout the United States. By the 1970s, the NFL had the second largest following of any sport, after baseball.
The sport’s popularity spread across the world. The first modern matches were played in England, where as many as 30,000 spectators would attend a big match. The British people who travelled to the new world spread the sport, and its popularity quickly reached India and South America. With a larger population, football quickly reached the professional level. The game is now played in more than 60 countries and has millions of fans. Its popularity is increasing around the world.