The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2015

FLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Players fight for possession of the ball during the final of the The Calcio Storico Fiorentino between the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team and the San Giovanni Verdi Team at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2015 in Florence, Italy. The Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500’s, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with hands or feet. Tactics such as punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques are allowed but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. The game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. The Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)