Football

Football is the name for many sports. The most popular type of football is Association football, which is also named "soccer". Football can also mean American football (gridiron), 蹴鞫(Ancient Chinese football), rugby union, rugby league, Australian Rules Football, Gaelic football or Canadian football.

The name football comes from the two words "foot" and "ball". It is named football because the players of the game walk and run (on foot) while playing, as opposed to polo and other games played on horseback. The ball is often kicked with the foot, but depending on the game, it can also be hit using the knee or head (in association football) and handling the ball is a part of many other football variants.

The game started in Medieval times in the Italian city of Florence.^[source?] It was played by peasants. Aristocrats, who were richer people, played sport while riding horses.

In football, the ball is almost always shaped like a sphere or an ellipsoide.

Types of football include;

• Gaelic football
• Association football (soccer)
• American football (gridiron)
  • College football
• Rugby football
  • Rugby league football
  • Rugby union football
  • Touch Rugby - Called "touch football" in Australia.
• Australian Rules Football
• Canadian football