When people talk about "the modern game", I think most would agree we're talking about passing to players running into a better position further up the pitch T

When people talk about "the modern game", I think most would agree we're talking about passing to players running into a better position further up the pitch The first rules established in England allowed no such thing. Forward passes were still not permitted (like Rugby). It was in Scotland where the offside rule that loosely resembles what it is today was actually invented, allowing players to spread themselves a bit more around the pitch. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combination_Game#Queens_Park_FC,_1867_-_1882:_Pioneers_of_the_Modern_Passing_Game https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combination_Game#Queens_Park_F... After a few thumping defeats, the English sides had to evolve to remain competetive.