THE SOCCER CODE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 3 May 1947, Page 3

THE SOCCER CODE

INCREASE IN TEAMS CONTESTS IN P.B. AREA PROGRESS OF JUNIORS By “Dribbler” The increasing popularity of the code in the district is indicated in the notable increase in the number of teams in the P.B. Football Association's com petitions. Last year the activities of the association were restricted to only two grades with a total of eight teams. This year three grades are being oper ated with 15 teams already assured and two additional ones in view. With this expansion of activities, the association has a very full programnle this winter and although the position at the moment is very encouraging the close co-operation of officials, players, and supporters will be ntccs players and supporters will be neccs Schoolboys’ Competition With tiie senior and junior competitions, under way and the schoolboys' competition about to commence, enthusiasm among the players is high. This is particularly so in the case ot' the schoolboys for whom a competition series is being planned. Juniors taking part in afternoon games are not eligible to play in the iower grade and in their own competition they may not plav for another team as has been suggested on occasions when their own team has a bye. It is a club’s responsibility to sec that its teams are at full strength. Similarly, seniors may not participate in junior games. Ethics of Sport As the standard of football is raised so is its pace increased and in the neat ot last play the ethics of sport are sometime forgotten. Players are liable to adopt a “win-al-any-cost” attitude which leads to regrettable offences and deterioration in the stand urd of a game. This tendency, which may develop quite unintentionally under the spur of strenuous competition, will be appreciated bv all with experience of vigorous sport. They also will endorse the necessity for a prompt curb in order to safeguard the standard of a splendid game. Most offences ara in the nature ol dangerous play resulting from illegal tackles and over-aggresiveness. A tackie. whether by shoulder charge or leg action, to be 'fair must be made with one foot on the ground. Jumping and the use of elbows or knees is prohibited. The use of the sliding tackle, which is the subject of much controversy, is not prohibited, but a player applying it in a dangerous manner can be penalised. Charging in the back is permissible only when an opponent obstructs, ie., is facing his own goal, and then should not be done unreasonably. The tackling of goal-keepers is gov ernecl by a different set of rules. Goalkeepers cannot be charged unless they are holding the ball, obstructing or outside Ih goal area, but may be charged if thev obstruct within that area. Attempting to kick the ball from a goalkeeper’s hands is dangerous play and strictly forbidden. Regardless of these rules, however, it is an unwritten law that immediately a goal-keeper has possession of the ball no attempt shoull be made to charge or tackle him and the attentions of attacking forwards should be of a bustling nature only.