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The first game code in 1848: the Cambridge Rules. Other universities are following the example of Cambridge and enact their own regulations. Harrow puts in place a code authorizing the use of hands that will give birth to rugby and its variations, like American football and Canadian football. Football is based exclusively on the rules of Cambridge, who established themselves as the most simple. This notion of simplicity is the founder of football itself, as clearly indicated by the subtitle of JC Thring rules that refine the resolution of Cambridge in 1862: The Simplest Game.



When the Football Association (FA) is based in London October 26, 1863, John D. Cartwright is responsible for making a synthesis of different rules in use (Blackheath RC who followed the rules of Harrow, was a member of the FA). On January 9, 1864, the first game played under its new 14 laws of the game is played. They are blurred, particularly in the areas of number of players and size of the land or goals because no agreement has been reached on these points. The teams then have thirteen to fifteen players to eleven and then move gradually, despite the resistance of many teams in the late 1860s. In 1867, when the Surrey FA offers a game of eleven against eleven in Cambridge University FC, the latter replied by letter: "we play at least fifteen per team and we can not play with less than thirteen players per team. Law 11 states that the use of hands is prohibited. In fact, it is broadly the resumption of the Cambridge Rules rules and JC Thring, hailed by all as the simplest.

On 1 December 1863, Sheffield FC claim affiliation to the FA. Sheffield clubs will then follow a code of particular game but close to Cambridge Rules and is played to eleven against eleven. For over a decade, the two codes coexist and influence each other while some clubs enact internal regulations stipulating that only their internal regulation is applicable. This does not heterogeneous FA refine its rules. The position of goalkeeper is created in 1870. Similarly, between 1867 and 1870, the rules of Sheffield know some changes as the abandonment of the red in 1868 (dots similar to Australian football, with two additional poles located 4 yards goals). The clubs in the area of Nottingham, who also had a regulation similar to the Cambridge Rules, adopt the rules of the FA in 1867.

The FA Cup was founded in 1871 on the principle of "one cup, two codes. The FA is hoping to push the club from Sheffield to adopt its rules. It's almost the opposite occurs. In fact, merging the two codes in 1877. Since then, the rules are then consolidated in the custody of the International Board, established December 6, 1882.