For all of you armchair referees out there who claim superior knowledge of soccer rules because, a) you have a European accent, an b) you watch professional soccer on tv:
After a goal is scored, the possession of the ball belongs to the team that was scored upon. It is their responsibility to return the ball to the center circle in a timely fashion for the kick off.
If they do not, the referee is within their rights to give a warning or a yellow card for delay of game.
If a player on the team that scored races into the goal to pick up the ball, they can be called for a delay of game infraction. If they physically try to take the ball away from a member of the team who has rightful possession, they can be given a yellow card for delay of game or a red card for violent conduct if the action merits it.
Now back to those of you who know the rules solely from watching a lot of soccer -- just because something rarely gets called, doesn't mean it's not a rule, European accent or not.
So coaches -- keep telling your kids to grab the ball out of the net and try to get it back to the center circle when you're trailing. It's smart soccer and you're unlikely to be called for it.
But please tell them that physically attacking a player who has picked up the ball is a foul and pretty poor sportsmanship.
After a goal is scored, the possession of the ball belongs to the team that was scored upon. It is their responsibility to return the ball to the center circle in a timely fashion for the kick off.
If they do not, the referee is within their rights to give a warning or a yellow card for delay of game.
If a player on the team that scored races into the goal to pick up the ball, they can be called for a delay of game infraction. If they physically try to take the ball away from a member of the team who has rightful possession, they can be given a yellow card for delay of game or a red card for violent conduct if the action merits it.
Now back to those of you who know the rules solely from watching a lot of soccer -- just because something rarely gets called, doesn't mean it's not a rule, European accent or not.
So coaches -- keep telling your kids to grab the ball out of the net and try to get it back to the center circle when you're trailing. It's smart soccer and you're unlikely to be called for it.
But please tell them that physically attacking a player who has picked up the ball is a foul and pretty poor sportsmanship.
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