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LAWS OF THE GAME - CONCLUSION

This month we will finish our examination of the 17 fundamental laws of the game that form the foundation of all refereeing. We will look at rules 15 through 17.

LAW 15– The Throw-In

A throw-in is a method of restarting play when the ball has gone out of play over the touchlines. The throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.

The correct procedure is as follow: the player who is throwing in must face the field of play and have part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline. Both hands must be used as he delivers the ball from behind and over his head. Most importantly, the thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. The ball must be thrown from the "point" at which it passed over the line and the ball is in play when it enters the field of play.

As with all of the Laws there are always going to be infringements of this procedure that will demand sanctions imposed by the referee.

In the case of the thrower touching the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player, the referee must award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player, a direct free kick must be awarded to the opposing team; a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurs inside the thrower's penalty area.

When the goalkeeper takes the throw-in, different rules and sanctions apply. If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player, the referee must award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team. If the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, an indirect free kick is awarded.

If any opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower, the referee must caution them for unsporting behavior and show them the yellow card.

Further to all of the above, there are three more important aspects to remember:

LAW 16 - The Goal Kick

A goal kick is a method of restarting play after the ball has crossed the goal line outside the goals when a member of the attacking team has last touched it.

A player of the defending team then kicks the ball from any point within the goal area whilst the opponents remain outside of the penalty area until the ball is in play. The kicker must not play the ball a second time until another player has touched it.

If the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area, the kick is retaken. If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player, the referee must award a direct free kick to the opposing team. A penalty kick should be awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker's penalty area. This would only happen on rare occasions as the ball would need to have left the penalty area to be in play and be blown back in again.

As with other Laws, there are slightly different sanctions for the goalkeeper. If, when the goalkeeper takes the goal kick, he touches the ball a second time after it has passed into play, the referee should award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team. If the infringement has occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick should be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

For any other infringement of this Law, the kick should be retaken.

The referee must ensure that the ball and the players are correctly positioned before giving the signal for the goal kick. The best position for the referee is level with where the ball will land and looking into play.

LAW 17 - The Corner Kick

A corner kick is a method of restarting play after the ball has crossed the goal line outside the goals, when a member of the defending team has last touched it.

After awarding a corner kick, the referee should ensure that the ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flag post; the flag post must not be removed. Opponents should remain at least 10 yards from the ball until it is in play. A player of the attacking team must kick the ball and this kicker must not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player, the referee should award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player, the referee should award a direct free kick to the opposing team.

For any other infringement of this Law, the kick is to be retaken.

The referee needs to be in a good position to see that the ball and the players are correctly positioned and he needs to have a good clear view of the players who are contesting the ball as it comes down to ground level. He must watch the players, not the ball, and try to find a position where the players do not block his view.

The referee should stay around the penalty area until he is convinced there is no longer a possibility of a goal-line decision or an offside position.

 

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