Let's have a look at how some of the terms were derived.

Early point scoring was limited to the kicking of conversions. These could only be taken after the ball had successfully been grounded over the opponents line, which were called touchdowns, but no points were awarded for this. All it entitled the attacking side to do was to attempt the conversion. The spectators, in their enthusiasm, would take up the shout ‘‘Try, Try'', meaning an attempt should be made at kicking the goal. From this term ‘‘Try for goal'' came the term we know today for "touchdown" points scored in the modern rugby games.

Can you see then how the above descriptions display attributes of gridiron, rugby union, rugby league and Australian Rules football. It also shows that rugby shared many of its rules with early soccer - perhaps rugby and soccer had a shared football parent as well in the very early 1800s in England. Many of the football positions in all the related games are the same or variations.

The conversion process in itself was more complicated then what we know today and must have been comical to watch. The player who had made the touchdown had to kick the ball from that point to his kicker, who was charged by the opposing side. If the kicker could catch the ball before the opponents reached him, then the kick was allowed and he was entitled to place the ball for the kick at goal. When he took the kick his own team also charged for if he was unsuccessful, they would try to gain another touchdown. Whether the try was converted or not the subsequent kick-off took place from between the goal posts.

Read the full article on Football positions and terminology.