Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-12
CHARGING IN SOCCER
AN EFFECTIVE PLAY
Is Restricted Because Injuries Mey Result if Not Properly
Done-Shoulder Charging Best-Dribbling Spec.
tacular When Completed by Goal
BY DOUGLAS STEWART

Coach Of the University OF PENNSYLVANIA s.
CHARGING is phase of soccer
which can be adopted by all Of the
players on n side. particularly by the
fullbacks. halves and forwards. 1t is
very effective play when judiciously
used and is useful in hurrying or dis
conccrting an opponent.
Indiscriminate charging is very poor
play and usually gets the player in
trouble with the referee. When II
player fails to take the ball from an
opponent by tackling he has recourse to
the charge to put him off the ball.
Fulbacks use the charge when a
c,evcr forward beats them by sheer
skill. Halfbacks use the play when
their speed and clcverncss are matched
by an opponent, and the same applies
to forwards against the opposing halves
and backs.
Charging is defined as throwing
ones weight against an opponent,
using for the purpose any part of the
body from the shoulder to the hip
Charging with undue force or un-
fairly is largey matter OF discretion
with the referee, and charging player
from behind who is not Intentionally
obstructing an opponent Is not Sood
soccer and is prohibited. ,,
1t is necessary to surround charging
with restrictions. for it is weapon,
! so to sneak. which can be dangerously
used by a skillful opponent, and even
more dangerous when used unSKilltully.
The offense of charging an opponent
| from behind is not committed where
a payer in playing the bal! touches
another player, unless there Is an IN
trntion to charge such player. Ihe
refcree is the sole judge Of such in
! tcntion.
Fair Charging
II player turns to face his own
coal when he is tackled, or is obVl-
ously aware that he is about to b
tackled BY an opponent, he is inten
tionally obstructing, and may d.
Charging with the shoulder is al
wavs a fair charge unless it is violent
or dangerous and it is violent or dan =
pcrous when it is used with undue
force or when an opponent Is on hi>
feet as for instance, when jumping lntt
the air to head ball. 1t Is also vlo-
Innt or dangerous when player leaves
70 charge. Charging with the hip i
ant to be dangerous unless properly
done by n skilful player and is usually
50 considered by the average referee
Also while charging is permissible II
is not permissible when an opponent
j. not on or near enough to the bal
to affect the play.
Practically player may only b.
charged when he is on the ball or wheI
il is a struggle between him and al
onponent to get the ball. When player
is in position TO receive the ball or i
likely to receive the ball he may b'
bustlcd to prevent him receiving thu
ball. Busting means that you are wor'
rying an opponent, by physical con
tact perhaps. but without force t.
prevent him receiving the ball.
In charging an opponent the player
should always stand up and face his Op'
moment and not, as many beginners do
turn the back or side to the opponent
Many players. particularly in the sChO
lastic and intercollegiate ranks, stool
down or bend over in charging, anc
, wonder why the referee calls a foul
The reason is that he is either guilt.
of dangerous play or tripping, ncithc
, of which is allowed.
In charging the safe point of cOntac
, is the tip of the shoulder. Tine Us,
Of the elbows is not allowed by an
referee who knows the game nor is i
INDUCED in by any player who play
the game fairly.
Dribbling the Ball
Dribbliug is defined as "propcllins tn
hall by slight touches, so that Will
! the runners keeps Mt full speed, it ncve
: gets too far away from him to con
Tue definition applies to the winger o
the forward who suddenly finds himscl
in possession Of the bail with yirtuall
- nobody in front OF him, aud who has
t golden opportunity to advance the bal