Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
4PPLICATIO HARDEST
PART OF SOCCER LAW
discretion of Referee Figures Greatly in Penalty-Kick
Rule-The Matter of 'Intention' is Confusing
10 the Official
by DOUGLAS STEWART

splash or cross. II yards in front OF
| the center of the goal.
! All Of the players except the player
| taking the penalty kick and the goal
/ keeper must be outside Of the penalty
/ area, but within the field of play.
Some players seem 10 think that out
! side of the penalty area means outside
of the field over the touch line.
This is wrong. Every player must be
within the field Of play. Incidentally
those players who leave the field cannot
get back without the permission of the
! referee. Having all the players properly
arranged. the players on the attacking
side being careful to see that they have
three opponents nearer their own goal
line than themselves in case of emer-
gcncics. the referee takes position
where hc can best see what Is going Oh,
blows his whistle
The attacking player advances and
kicks the ball toward the net and past
the goal keeper. 1t is a good goal il II
goes over the goal line. II has happened
In taking a penalty kick with Il wct
hall that the ball has skidded off the
kicker's foot forwardly to the side. As
the hall is in play the moment il in
kicked. it is permissible for one Of tho
players own side, provided he is "on-
side. to rush in, connect with the ball
and shoot.
Under such circumstances the goal
Eecper $ rot required TO stay on his
goal line. but can move .as he sees fit
70 better defend his goal.
If the ball should rebound from the
goal posts or crossbar the player who
took the kick which resulted in the re-
bound cannot play the ball n second time
until it has been played by another
player. In case he does, free kick
Will be given against him.
No Fancy Stuff
No fancy stunts in placing or ap-
proaching the ball are permitted in
taking n penalty kick. The referee hns
power to order the ball nut back in
place until the kick is properly taken.
The penalty kick is only awarded for
nine oifenscS committed within the pen
atty area. They are: tripping an OPP
ponelt, kicking an opponent. striking,
jumping at an opponent, handling the
ball. holding an opponent. pushing an
opponent, charging an opponent vio-
lently or dangerously or charging an
opponent from behind And these in
Guide very nearly everything which can
be committed by the defenders in the
penalty area.
Cases Of handling. tripping, push
ing. kicking. holding or charging an OPP
ponent from behind may SO happen as
to be considered unintentional. and
when this is SO no penalty must be
awarded. Here again is it stated that
1t is the intention which counts.
The average player naturally does
not see the unintrhtional part of it
When one of his mates is tripDed.
pushed. kicked. held or charged from
behind in the Dpnalty area On slip
perry field it certainly is possible for n
player to be unintentionally pushed. held
or illegally charged in the penalty area.
but on n dry field there is not. as a
rule much excuse for any Of the 0ffenses
outside Of handling being committed.
The referee, however, must judge ms
to the intent, and If he is we'll un with
the play he can usually tell. Undoubt-
cdly the excitement is great among the
defense when the attacking forwards
have succeeded in getting the ball so
close 10 the goal and ANYTHING is apt to
happen; but among good players there
is always great anxiety that nothing
should happen.
Further remnrkS on tae penaIt, kick Will
form the subject OF the next article.