TODAY we continue with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. This is the most important of the 17 Laws of the Game and, therefore, must be understood in its entirety.

The vast majority of arguments both on and off the field of play are caused through entire ignorance of this Law.

In the light of the foregoing, I would like to iterate the importance of this Law because it is the only one that is connected with the mutual protection of players.

Therefore, I wish to urge the interest groups and followers of this column to take special interest to understand as many of clauses of this Law as possible.

It is by so doing that ugly scenes experienced at various stadia will be minimised for the good of the game. As a recap, you will recall that in last week’s episode, I stated that Law 12 was conveniently composed of four elements.

These elements are all centred on offences and how they are punished in consideration of severity of individual offences. It is against this background that the offences are listed as Direct Free-Kick, Indirect Free-Kick, Cautionable and Sending-Off.

The Direct Free-Kick Offences are classified as Penal or Major Offences while Indirect Free-Kick offences are known as Technical or Other Offences.

Direct Free Kick offences are called Penal because as it was stated in last week’s episode, a penalty-kick is awarded if any of the Direct Free-Kick offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty-area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

Notwithstanding, both Direct and Indirect Free-Kick Offences do not attract any further sanction other than the free-kick itself.

Having exhausted the intricacies of the Direct Free-Kick Offences last week, today’s episode is based on Technical Offences which are punished by indirect free-kicks. Indirect Free-Kick: An indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goal-keeper, inside his own penalty-area, commits any of the following four offences:

• Controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession.

• Touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from his possession and before it has touched another player.

• Touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him (Back-pass) by a team-mate.

• Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by his team-mate. An Indirect Free-Kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:

• Plays in a dangerous manner.

• Impedes the progress of an opponent.

• Prevents the goal-keeper from releasing the ball from his hands.

• Commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or send-off a player.

The indirect free-kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred, unless the offence occurred inside the goal-area, in which case the kick is taken on the goal-area line parallel to the goal-line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

Offences committed by the goal-keeper: A goal-keeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds. A goal-keeper is considered to be in control of the ball:

• While the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body.

• While holding the ball in his outstretched open hand.

• While in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air. When a goal-keeper has gained possession of the ball with his hands, he cannot be challenged by an opponent.

A goal-keeper is not permitted to touch the ball with his hand inside his own penalty-area in the following circumstances:

• If he handles the ball again after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player. –

The goal-keeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hands or arms except if the ball rebounds accidentally from him, e.g. after he has made a save. – Possession of the ball includes the goal-keeper deliberately parrying the ball.

• If he touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.

• If he touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate. Restart of play:

• Indirect free-kick taken from the position where the offence occurred. An indirect free-kick awarded inside the goal-area must be taken on the goal-area line parallel to the goal-line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. Offences committed against the goal-keeper:

• It is an offence for a player to prevent a goal-keeper from releasing the ball from his hands.

• A player must be penalised for playing in a dangerous manner if he kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goal-keeper is in the process of releasing it.

• It is an offence to restrict the movement of the goal-keeper by unfairly impeding him, e.g. at the taking of the corner-kick.

Playing in a dangerous manner: A scissors or bicycle kick is permissible provided that, in the opinion of the referee, it is not dangerous to an opponent.

Chileshe_mukuka@yahoo.co.uk0966/0978 759 558.