This fabulous film by David Battistella looks at Calcio fiorentino , an 18th Century version of football. The sport includes elements of rugby, American football and smacking each other really hard in the face.
Teams of 27 play on the sandy pitch. They can use hands and feet to control the ball and score by throwing it into netting at the end of the field.
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So it has quite a bit in common with rugby or American football, including these tackles.
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Although it's a bit more violent.
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A lot more violent, in fact.
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