Pasuckuakohowog is a Native American game similar to soccer.

The term literally translates to "they gather to play ball with the foot" and was described by Roger Williams.^[1]

There are records that show it was played in the 17th century, especially among Powhatan and Algonquin groups. The game was played on beaches or clearings with goals about a half-mile-wide and set one mile apart.^{[citation needed]} Up to 500 people usually played pasuckuakohowog at one time, while many games had up to 1,000 players.^{[citation needed]}

Pasuckuakohowog was a dangerous game and was played almost like a war.^{[citation needed]} Players would often have to quit due to broken bones or other serious injuries.^{[citation needed]} This is because no rules existed to minimize physical contact as the game was played in a very aggressive and violent manner. Pasuckuakohowog players wore ornaments and war paint to disguise themselves from retaliation after the game.^{[citation needed]} The game would often last for hours and sometimes carry over to the next day.^{[citation needed]} After each match there would be a large celebratory feast, including both teams.^{[citation needed]}

The only equipment used in pasuckuakohowog was a tightly bound ball made of animal hides or leather.^[2]

See also[edit]

• Mesoamerican ballgame
• Soccer in the United States

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• http://www.footballnetwork.org/dev/historyoffootball/earlierhistory_1.asp
• http://www.expertfootball.com/history/soccer_history_america.php
• http://national.soccerhall.org/history/origins.htm^{[permanent dead link]}
• http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctt184qqnb.19
• https://prezi.com/yzyyzaptepat/history-of-native-american-sports/