From: altizer@figaro (Robert Altizer)
Subject: Re: Backpass-FIFA deserves the Nobel Prize
Reply-To: altizer@chdasic.sps.mot.com
Organization: Motorola SPS
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 22:50:29 GMT

In article 14@oregon.uoregon.edu, bretwood@oregon.uoregon.edu (Bret Wood) writes:
>In article <Bz9HBC.451@SSD.intel.com> jimd@ssd.intel.com (Jim DePorter) writes:
>
>>MLINDROOS@FINABO.ABO.FI (Marcus Lindroos INF) writes:
>
>>I went to my daughters Olympic Development Tryouts this past weekend
>>(Oregon), and noticed that the ball was being regularly knocked back
>>to the keeper. I know that this has been allowed in High School and
>>College matches, but when the Club season started this past fall
>>there was a qualifying tournament (and possibly some others) where
>>the backpass wasn't allowed. One of the other parents at the tryout
>>said that once the season started passbacks to the keeper were 
>>allowed and that they would also be allowed for the winter season.
>>My questions:
>> Are other state organizations not following the new passback rules?
>>And are there regulations on when FIFA rules must be enacted? 
>
>I'm a USSF ref in Eugene, Oregon, and I know that one of the major reasons
>that the backpass rule wasn't used this season is that they didn't notify
>the referees.  I don't know if FIFA, USSF, or our state administrator is
>at fault, but the players knew, the coaches knew, but none of the referees
>in the Eugene association were notified unless they were also coaches.  And
>I have to add that as a referee I don't change the laws based on word of
>mouth rumors about some FIFA action which I didn't get official notification
>of.  I had one game where I had a very big problem with a coach screaming
>to his players that the referee didn't know the rules.  (I'm kind of irate
>about this issue.  Sorry.)
>
>Anyway, Along with the coaches and the players, most of the referees I know
>think the rule has potential, but in it's current form it is difficult and
>ambiguous to implement.
>
>-Bret Wood

The change in Law XII was announced in mid-July by FIFA Circular No. 486, and
was in force for all sanctioned games played on or after July 25, 1992.  The
USSF 1992 Memorandum includes the text of this and other changes.  It is not
in effect for high school or college games in the USA because those "rule
books" are published separately (and before) the IAFB meets in June.  You
should expect it to be included in them for next season.

Bret, you should be upset with your SRA and SDRI for not getting the information
out; we had several mid-summer clinics for that purpose in Arizona.  I was at
first skeptical, but am now an enthusiastic supporter of the change.  It makes
the game flow better and faster, and drastically reduces the number of times
per game when the goalkeeper fools around with the ball.  It does not affect
the ability of the defending team to play defense, if they have any level of
ability and intelligence.

Regards,
Bob

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