Association Football Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17525, 30 April 1925, Page 4

Association Football Notes

By

" NESTOR "

NOTES BY “NESTOR.” An interested spectator of tlie Ran-gers-Kaiapoi match at English Park was Mr A. Navard, of the Williamson’s Vaudeville Company. Mr Navard is a footballer of repute, for he has occupied the position of centre forward for Corinthians, the most famous amateur Soccer club in England. Asked for his impressions of the game after the match, Mr Navard expressed the opinion that the players should endeavUl r l ",* o the English amateur type of football. The short, sharp passing game, with the ball under perfect coiv ! trol, is much faster and far more spec- ! tacular than the aimless ballooning of | the ball which was a pronounced feaj ture of the game referred to. Mr Navard considered that each side pos- ! sessed a player of outstanding merit. L. : Harwell, centre forward for Rangers, | gave promise of developing into a great footballer, and ■’.'•'era lie to study better ball control he should make a name for himself. G. Hirst, right full-back f^ l ' Kaiapoi, also greatly impressed the visitor. His heady play and quick action under extreme pressure marked : him as a defender of exceptional ability. English Parle, concluded Mr Navard, is the finest Association foot- ; ball ground he has visited in Austra- | lasia. ! AMENDED LAWS OF THE GAME. i According to the by-laws embodied i in the Canterbury Football Associai tion’s handbook, the game shall be ! played under the existing rules of the | English Pootball Association. In I abiding by that clause, it is assumed j that the New Zealand Referees’ AssoI eiation is kept posted with any alterations or amendments adopted by the parent body. Up to the time Of writing no communication regarding several important alterations and amendments oi the laws of the game has been received by the Refex-ees’ Association, and until such notification is ofHciallv received the latter organisation has no option but to continue to applv the rules as previously operating. It is understood, however, that the Referees’ Association has cabled Home asking for an explanation, and in view of that fact it may be advisable to draw the attention of players and spectators to the laws which have been amended. The first five laws, with which all followers of the game are familiar, remain unaltered. The off-side rule also remains unchanged, "but a clause has been added which more clearlv defines the duty of a referee when a player is in an oil-side position, but does not impede the game or attempt to play the ball. The previous ruling stated that a player was off-side “ only when in that position he caused the play to be affected.” This is now more clearly t defined by the following addition: “It is not a breach of the law for a player to be in an} r off-side position, but only when in that position he interferes with an opponent or with tlie play. If a player who is in an off-side position advances towards an opponent or the ball, and in so doing causes the play to be affected, he should be penalised.” It is quite clear, therefore, that a player who finds himself in an off-side position must remain stationary until he is placed on-side, if he wishes to avoid committing a breach of the law. THE CORNER KICK. Law 7, which defines a corner kick, remains unaltered, but it is .very materially affected by the amendment to Law 11, which deals with “ free kick from which a goal may be scored.” Under the old law a goal could not be scored direct from a corner kick, i.c.,

the ball must be played by a player of either side before a goal can be scored. To kick a goal direct from the corner flag, which naturally is in alignment with the goal-posts, is a feat worthy of official recognition, for it requires excellent judgment and windage allowance. INFRINGEMENT OF LAW IG. Dealing with law IG. a clause has been added definitely inflicting a penalty for an infringement of tlie “ throw down” rule. Tlie addition reads: “ A free-kick shall be given for an infringement of this law.” As is generally known a “ throw down ” is given by the referee where a stoppage ■>f play has occurred through an accident to a player, a mistaken ruling, or any cause other than an infringement. A free-kick, therefore, will be given against an offending side where a player plays the ball before it touches the ground whoa the referee takes a throw down. MIN OR, A (JCIDEX I\S. If is not generally known by players that a stoppage of play must not occur except in case of an accident of a serious nature to a player. If in the opinion of the referee a player is only slightly injured then the game must proceed until the ball is cut of pi ay. Only when a player is seriously injured must the game be stopped, and tlmt only until such player is removed from the field of play. This ruling actually came into operation last season. and is recognised by the New Zealand Referees’ Association. Its observance prevents that annoying waste of time which previously occur ed whilst a trainer gave his attention to an injured player, and further prevents the shrewd attacker from successfully feigning an injury when the bail is in the vicinity of the opponents’ peal. A PLAYER’S PRIVILEGE. It is doubtful if the following law. passed by the International Board, vviil be received with much favour by referees:—“A player may inquire from a referee as to his decision, but is not entitled by word or action to show dissent from any such decision. A referee is required to treat the breach of this instruction as ungentiemanly behaviour.” This is a peculiar clause and in a measure reflects on the intelligence of the players in first grade football. Had it been made operative in fifth or sixth grade football where players possessed merely an elementary knowledge of the rules of tlie game, it would not have been questioned. As it stands it is obvious that the clause lends itself to abuse, for there appears to L* nothing to prevent every player on the field lining up and questioning in turn the referee on his ruling. It is. of course, intended to promote an amicable understanding between th -? plavers and referee. If the latter has the support 1 of his linesmen, to whom he mnv apl*>al ff in doubt as to a decision,'' w ], y permit his ruling to be questioned by a player? for Saturday are announced-Friendly player! at North Parker. 00 '] ; Technical Out Boy? C v. Spreydon, to be plaved at Lnsor’s Hoad Ko. 2. ST ALBANS CLITE. Senior B v. Villa, at North Park No. * —Puller:. Bryan, Hilgrove, Liduon, Henderson, Kelleher, Donaldson, Gascoigne, Colville, Taylor, Spiers. Juniors v. Itar.gers, at North Park No. 2—Rdwards, C. Watson, Smith Thackwell, Sutherland, Bridge-man, Hcfoan. K. Watson. Parsons. Kingsford, Reeves; emergency, Patrick. Third Grade v. Technical Old Boys, fit St Albans Park (friendly match) Phelps. Rump, Lindley, Reid, Cullen, Bagot, Donovan, Palmer, Silvester, Thomas, Brown.