Question Number: 19723

League Specific 8/11/2008

Mike Futrell of Huntsville, Al United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 19713

This is more of a comment than a question.
The one case where this instructor might be correct is when playing using the US Youth soccer modified rules for small sided games. Law 12 Is modified as follows:

Law 12 " Fouls and Misconduct: Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect
free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the center spot on the halfway line if a
goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her penalty area into the
opponents penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That's true. Then you have to decide, what do you mean by 'punt'? Is a drop-kick OK or not? If not, just how long does the ball have to be on the ground before the keeper can launch it over to the other end of the field. And this would all be an academic exercise if they just hadn't made the field so blame short!

Can you tell that I don't like a lot of the small-sided rules? Small-sided games are fine; in fact I was instrumental in getting them adopted by our local rec association.

In any event, the original question mentioned High School and Under 19.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Mike. Hope things are well in the Rocket City. Another stupid and useless modification. one that's not allowed by FIFA also. When will we ever learn?