ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1938, 11 May 1880, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

[From the “Field.”] There are few games which hare taken such a strong hold on our youth in the present decade as that of Association football. Although the number of clubs does not apparently muster so many as the Rugby Union, yet we imagine that it is played to a very great extent among schools and Tillages where no actual club may exist. The fact that the ball must always be kicked, and not carried or even thrown back, causes it to have many admirers who argue that the game is much more in keeping with its title than that of Eugby, where the ball may be carried until the player is held. The absence of this latter principle —that is holding or tackling a man—is regarded as an improvement, and much leas likely to cause mishap. Without wishing for one moment to praise one good pastime at the expense of another, it must bo confessed that the Association has many recommendations which the Eugby does not possess, and that those wo havialluded to are not among the least of these. On the other hand, there are many elements in the Eugby gamo which will, we think, on consideration, recommend themselves to those of tho dribbling persuasion. Take, for example, tho use of “ hands.” In the spring of last year we called attention to the absurdity which the law as it now stands causes the game to occasionally present. Although we are happy to say that during the season which is fast drawing to a close there has been much more forbear nee shown in tho matter of claiming hands than heretofore, yet we think it would be much better if some distinct alteration were made. The definition given of handling is that of “ playing the ball with the hand or arm.” If players are afraid that there can bo no distinction made by the umpire between the active and passive use of the hand or arm, let them at least go half way towards improving the play, and in place of “arm” substitute “ fore-arm.” To see a side claim the penalty of a free kick wheu the ball has merely touched a player above the elbow is simply ridiculous but it is repeatedly done. A second point in which Association players may do well to follow in the wake of the Eugby men is a law the latter adopted last year that, “ except in a scrummage, it is not lawful for a player to charge against or obstruct any opponent, unless such opponent is holding the ball, or such player is himself running at the ball.” With, of course, the modifications suitable to the dribbling game, this rule in its principle might bo adopted with great advantage. To see players rushing to stop an opponent who is a considerable distance off the ball is, we think, apt to cause tho game to degenerate, and to keep light men who do not care to come to mother earth oftener than they can help from participating in it. Besides which, if players aimed to keep on the ball more than they do now, and if it ware forbidden to rush at a man unless he was dribbling it, tho play wo believe would be vastly improved. The tl ird—and this is the last*—point which wo submit for our Association friends is, that some rule should be inserted enforcing on umpires the wholesome principle that they should never volunteer an opinion or decision. We know that with most umpires there exists a lex non, soriptu, but for our own part we should much prefer to see it have a place among tho rules of tho game. Very recently we saw a match —and that, too, one of considerable importance—in which an umpire offered so spontaneous an opinion on such questions as “ off-side,” “ hands,” &c., as to cause among both spectators and the players many unpleasant suspicions of partisanship. In urging on Association players the consideration of what wo believe would be improvements, we do not at all wish to imply that there is any absence of enterprise among them. Indeed, we ere fully aware that the contrary is the case. As a proof of this, we have only to bear in mind a proposal brought in by the Birmingham and District Association, and carried, that each season, under the auspices of the Football Association, a ■conference shall be held, and a representative invited from the different associations, the names of which will be found in our “ Football ” department. It is an old saw that •“two heads are better than one,” and, extending the sense of this, we hope that the much older proverb, that in a multitude of ■counsellors there is safety, will tend to promote the interests of the game. One matter of detail which has received the sanction of the Association is well worth attention. It refers to a prohibition of any player leaping on another’o back. This practice, we may mention, exists to a great extent among '-Northern clubs, and the danger of it is more particularly seen when these players visit the ■South. That much risk arises from this style of play is evident; and as one of the greatest arguments in favour of the association game is that danger is reduced to a minimum, we think that the alteration is wise. Altogether, therefore, we are glad to see the Football Association anxious, by judicious legislation, to silence those who would wish to detract from its merit by prejudicially referring to what they imagine its danger. That the latter exista only in the minds of a few who would keep youth shut up in the “ gloss case,” which is always referred to as a taupt for the effeminate, we are convinced. It is our hope, therefore, that, under the wise counsel of the Football Association and those associations which so ably assist them, the game may continue to be healthful without losing any degree of its manliness.