Characteristics of sporting recreation (limited to mob football and real…

The idea

Pre-industrial sporting recreation before 1780 is studied through two activities only: mob football and real tennis. Mob football was a rough, violent, mass game played by large numbers of working men, often between villages on holy days and festivals. It had few rules, used a pig's bladder or similar ball, and took place in open land or streets, so it was local, occasional and largely uncivilised. Real tennis was different: it was played by royalty and the wealthy upper class on enclosed courts, with written rules, specialist equipment and skilled technique. Comparing the two shows how social class shaped recreation: mob football reflected the harsh, communal life of the lower classes, while real tennis reflected the wealth, leisure and refinement of the upper class.

What earns the marks

• Identifies mob football as a rough, violent, mass-participation game of the lower classes.
• Notes that mob football had few rules, basic equipment and was played on open land or streets.
• States that mob football was occasional, linked to holy days and festivals, and often contested between villages.
• Identifies real tennis as an upper-class activity played by royalty and the wealthy.
• Notes that real tennis took place on enclosed courts with written rules and specialist equipment.
• Explains that social class was the key difference between the two activities in terms of participants, setting and rules.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing the two activities.

  Put it right: Mob football was the rough mass game of the lower classes, while real tennis was the refined upper-class game on enclosed courts.

• Describing mob football as having many written rules and referees.

  Put it right: It had few rules, no proper officials and often caused injury.

• Placing real tennis in the streets or open fields.

  Put it right: It was played on purpose-built enclosed courts by the wealthy.

• Assuming both activities were played regularly by all classes.

  Put it right: Mob football was occasional and tied to festivals, and real tennis was restricted to the upper class.

Exam tips

• Learn the two named activities as a contrasting pair and be ready to compare participants, setting, rules and equipment.
• Use social class as the organising idea when explaining differences between mob football and real tennis.
• In multiple-choice questions, reject options that mix features of the two activities, such as 'real tennis was played in the streets by villagers'.