SOCCER PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 15

SOCCER PROBLEMS.

INFRINGEMENTS PENALISED.

FREE KICKS AND "SPOT" KICKS.

SCORING DIRECT GOALS.

A free kick is a kick at the ball when on the ground (stationary) ; and can be kicked in any direction the J icker chooses. To be considered played the ball must travel the distance of its own circumference. There are two kinds of free kicks, those from which a goal may be scored direct and those from which a goal may not be scored direct, but which must be played by a second player. As previously stated, the scoring kicks are awarded for infringements of Law 9 only. The corner kick has the value of being a kick from which a goal may be scored direct. The provision for this direct scoring is found in the interpretation of Law 11. The free kicks from which goals cannot be scored direct are as follows: Law 5, improper throw-in; law 6, offside; law 8, goalkeeper carrying; law 10, encroachment at the taking of a free kick; law 16, playing the ball before it touches the ground at a drop down; law 13, dangerous play, and law 17, where a man is sent off the field under law 13 a free kick shall be awarded to the opposite side at the place where the infringement occurs. This reference is intended to cover dangerous play, not ungentlemanly conduct. A goal kick shall be termed a free kick within the meaning of law 10 for encroachment purposes.

The playing of the ball a second time before being played by a second player will also be regarded as an infringement of law 10.

Players must wait for the signal before taking a free kick, and referees are instructed to endeavour to give this signal with the greatest expediency. Persistent precipitate taking of free kieke renders a player liable to come under the ban of ungentlemanlv conduct.

A place-kick is a kick from the centre of the field, the kick off. This kick must be played forward. When the whistle blows, defending players must not encroach into the circle until the opposing centre has played the ball forward of the line, and the ball has travelled the distance of its circumference.

A penalty kick requires very little definition. It is for infringements of law 9. The taking of a penalty kick is the most important individual kick in the whole game. At the taking of a penalty kick all players, with the exception of the kicker and the opposing goalie, must stand outside of the penalty area, and ten yards from the ball. It is not merely sufficient to stand outside of the penalty area. Players are also warned not to stand over the goal-line, but must remain on the field of play. The goalkeeper in defending the kick shall not advance beyond his goal-line, and it is contended in some quarters that he must remain on his goal-line, but if he complies with the rule by not advancing beyond his line, the A.F.A.R.A. will be prepared to sanction the defence as complying with the requirements of law 7. The ball must be kicked forward, and it shall be in play , when the kick is taken. The kicker shall not again play the ball until played by a second player. Time may be extended for the taking of a penalty kick, but for no other kick. If the ball is not played in a forward direction, a free kick will be awarded against the kicker.

If at the taking of a penalty kick, a defending player encroaches, and the kick fails to score, the kick will be again taken, but if in the same circumstances the kick does score, it shall not be nullified by reason of the encroachment or other infringement. On the contrary if an attacker encroaches and the kick scores, it will be ordered to be retaken, and if it fails o score a goal-kick will be awarded. Players are invited to submit questions, which the Referee?' Association will answer. A penalty kick will not be awarded when the ball is out of the field of plav, but may be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, if it is in the field of play. When a player is sent off for violent conduct (law 9), and when this infringement occurs within his own penalty area a penalty kick may be awarded as well; that is to say if a defending player strikes or kicks intentionally an attacking forward, the defender is ordered off the field, and the game restarts, with a penalty kick against the departed player.

JUNIOR JOTTINGS. The match between Newmarket and Ponsonby on Saturday was a very evenly-contested game, but did not impress as an exhibition of the code, being of a ragged nature. Both sides were weak in com'bined work and individual play was prominent. Ponsonby had to field some junior players to get a full team and they performed well. The Newmarket forwards were inclined to be weak in front of goal and their opponents had a slight advantage in this respect, making the most of scoring opportunities. Ponsonby ran out winners by three goals to one, after a spirited contest. Craxton gave a good display in goal for Newmarket, while Potts and Weir also played sound football. For Ponsonby Hunter, Stanley and Jenkins were outstanding players..

The third open grade game between W.Y.M.I. and Y.M.C.A. provided a fast and interesting contest, some clever football being witnessed on both sides. Y.M.C.A. had to field substitutes for players on the injured list, Pitkin, an ex-senior player of several seasons ago, being one of them. He played a good game, but naturally showed lack of condition. The combination of the W.Y.M.I. forward line was exceptionally good and kept the opposing defence busy. Lewis, Woods and Coltman were outstanding in the forward line for W.Y.M.1., while H. Chapman was sound at centre-half. Bridges and Birkenhead did great work for Y.M. in the front rank, being ably backed up by Grindrod. W.Y.M.I. won by three goals to two after an exciting contest.

The Rangers v. Glen Eden Dacre Clip replay was a hard and willing encounter, but the better team, work of the Rangers enabled them to win by three goals to nil. The first spell was evenly contested, neither side having any advantage, but after the change over the Rangers dominated the play for about 20 minutes and added two goals. At this stage Glen Eden appeared to be dimoralised, but they made a recovery and made a close and interesting game of it till the final whistle. The pace and dash of the Rangers' forward line, combined with their long passing game, gaved Ibe way to victory for their akfcy

The Glen Eden forwards in the earlier stages of the game, were weak in front of goal, but improved considerably in the last part of the second spell, making a great attempt to pull the game out of the fire. They could not penetrate the defence, however. Surteee, in goal for Rangers, was very saie, while Paxton (full-back) and Cummings (right wing) were also outstanding players of a good side. Woods (centreforward) and Jones (left wing) were the best for Glen Eden.

Belmont were too strong for Comrades in their third intermediate match, winning by six goals to nil, although the game was more evenly contested than the score indicates. Comrades lost many scoring chances by lack of finish when in front of goal and also were weak in team work. As they fielded several junior substitutes no doubt this upset their combination. On the other hand Belmont gave a finished display of team work and their forwards did not miss many scoring chances. For comrades Sandlford played a solid game at centre-half, while Marin, a fifth grade boy, was good at centre-forward. For Belmont Williams and Nicholson were outstanding. The Onehunga v. New Lynn fourth grade match provided a hard and fast game, but the better-balanced work of the Onehunga side enabled them to win by three goals to one. The New Lynn, team was inclined to get out of position, especially on the defence, while their forwards were too crowded in attack. New Lynn have the makings of a good side, and with some coaching in team work and positional play would be a first-class team. The Onehunga forward line played a splendid game, their combined work being very fine, but the backs were weak in defence. For Onehunga Strong, Sager and Wolfenden played well, while Carr (right wing) and Galloway were outstanding for New Lynn.

BUSINESS HOUSES. YESTERDAY S RESULTS. The fixtures played in the Business Houses' competition yesterday, under the auspices of the A.F.A., resulted as follows : Tramways 4, beat Kents 1. Abels, Ltd., 1, drew with Booth Macdonald 1. Power Board 4, beat Customs 3. Hellabys 1, drew with Auckland Milk Co. 1.