Page:Football, The Association Game.djvu/93

 A goal is won when the ball has passed between the goal posts—ergo, the whole must go over the line to produce a score. In the same way the ball must go completely over the touch-line to be out of play, and it must not necessarily reach the ground before it is out of play.

The off-side rule is a source of much trouble to players who will not take ordinary pains to master its special features. A player cannot be off-side unless he is in front of the ball, and then only if less than three of the other side are between him and the opposite goal It is the fact of being in front of the ball, and kicked by one of his own men too, which tends to make one off-side; and he cannot be off-side if the ball was last played (i.e. touched, kicked, or thrown) by one of his own side who at the time of kicking is nearer his opponents' goal than himself. The stumbling is often in the words just marked with italics. The time of the kick constitutes the time of the infringement of the rule. A player who has less than three of the opposite side in front when the ball is sent from behind him by one of his own side is off-side at the time of kicking, and cannot put himself on-side until the ball has been played by one of his opponents. Nor can he obstruct one of the enemy to prevent him taking his kick, or in any way whatever interfere with any other player.

A goal keeper is allowed to use his hands in defence of his goal; i.e. in his own half of the ground, and he may not be charged except when he is holding the ball, or obstructing an opponent, or when he has passed outside the goal area.

Players wearing nails, bars, or studs on their boots, other than as provided in the rules, it is enacted "shall be prohibited from taking further part in the match;" and in the common interests of the players, and with a view to minimize the risks of the game, this power should be firmly exercised.