Location: Local sports field
Date & Time: 17 September: 09.36
"You're sure about this Ma?" Sarah asked slightly confused as JJ laughed slightly
"Need me to explain it again?" Sarah nodded slightly.
"Okay so first we have the goalkeeper they are the only players allowed to touch the ball with their hands and arms, however they are restricted to doing so only within their penalty area; for this reason, they must wear jerseys that distinguish them from other outfield players and the referee. If a goalkeeper is sent off or injured, and there is no substitute goalkeeper available, an outfield player must take the goalkeeper's place and put on the appropriate identifying uniform"
Sarah looked at her for a moment "Can a goalkeeper score?"
"Yes they can, they are not confined to stay in the penalty box and are allowed anywhere they want to, though it is not fully advisable to do it just in case the other team get the ball"
Sarah laughed slightly "Okay, can you run through the list of rules again though. Please?" Sarah asked as she took in the rest of the information.
JJ laughed "You seriously need me to give you those rules again"
"Yes I do" Sarah said with a soft smile
1. No Hands, please
I bet you knew that one. Most people who know nothing about soccer still know that you aren't supposed to use your hands unless you're the goalie. First, the rule for a hand ball includes using any part of the body from the tips of the fingers to the shoulder.
Second, the proper way to look at this soccer rule is that a player cannot "handle" the ball. A ball that is kicked and hits a player's hand or arm is not a hand ball. This means that the referee must use his or her own judgment to some extent in determining whether or not a hand ball is accidental contact or a purposeful attempt to gain an advantage.
Believe it or not, there is also a situation in which the goalie cannot use his/her hands. This is sometimes called the back-pass rule. Goalkeepers cannot pick up a pass that came directly from one of their teammates. In this case, the goalkeeper must use his feet. Infraction of this soccer rule will result in an indirect kick from the point of the infraction.
2. Throw-ins
A throw-in is taken when the ball crosses a side-line and leaves the field. The two basic soccer rules for a proper throw-in are to have both feet on the ground and to throw the ball with both hands over the head
3. Corner Kicks & Goal Kicks
A corner kick or goal kick is taken when the ball leaves the field across the end line – you know… the end of the field. If the offensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a goal kick. If the defensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a corner kick. The goal kick is taken from anywhere inside the "goalie box" as it is affectionately called. It can be taken by any player, not just the goalkeeper. The corner kick is taken from – yes, you guessed it – the corner nearest to where the ball left the field.
4. Fouls
The common rule of thumb on fouls is "If it looks like a foul, it probably is."
A player cannot kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, push, hold, or spit at an opponent. Soccer can be a physical, contact sport when two opposing players both want the ball. Remember though, the referee is ALWAYS right.
5. Direct and Indirect Free Kicks
The simple difference between the two is this: On a direct kick you can score by kicking the ball directly into the goal. On an indirect kick you cannot score. An indirect kick must be touched by another player before it can go into the goal – that is the kicker and a second person.
There are many soccer rules around what causes a direct or indirect kick. In general, a direct kick comes from a contact foul or hand ball. Everything else is indirect.
6. Penalty Kick
A penalty kick results from a contact foul or hand ball by the defending team within the penalty area – the large box on either end of the field. So it's a type of direct kick also.
The ball is placed on the penalty spot, 12 yards in front of the centre of the goal. All players must remain outside the penalty area and the penalty arc until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the goal or the keeper and stays on the field, the ball is "live" and anyone can play it.
7. Two-touch Rule
A player cannot touch the ball twice in a row when putting the ball in play. You will see this called many times in youth soccer. It applies everywhere. You will see it frequently on kick-offs or direct and indirect kicks. If a kid barely hits the ball and decides to take another swipe at it, that is a two-touch.
This also applies to throw-ins. A kid cannot throw the ball in and then kick it. Nope. No way. No can do.
8. Yellow and Red Cards
This is the way punishment is given in soccer. If a player is given two yellow cards in the same game, that is equal to a red card. A red card can be given at any time without the player first receiving a yellow card. When a player gets a red card, they must leave the game and their team must play short. An ejected player cannot be replaced.
9. Offside
I decided to leave the best for last. This is without a doubt the least understood rule by coaches and fans alike.
The first thing to know is that you cannot be offside on a corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in. don't ask me why. Just accept it and go on. The explanation is too long. Also, it is not an offense for a player to be in an offside position. The player must be involved in active play as determined by the referee to be called offside.
A player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. Clear yet? I didn't think so. Try this. An offensive or attacking player can't be ahead of the ball and involved in the play unless there is a defender between him and the goalkeeper. Or, you can't hang out at the other team's goal waiting for the ball. You can't be offside if you are standing on your half of the field. Also, the offside rule applies when the ball is kicked, not when the player receives the ball."
JJ looked at Sarah for a moment. "You sure about this, I mean we can always just go back home" JJ said as the pulled up
"No I'd like to give it a shot Ma" Sarah smiled as they both headed towards the field.
Location: Home
Time: 10.59
Emily sat down across the table from Adam, she glared at him slightly Emily couldn't help it she was protective of her daughter and in all honesty she didn't know what to say or where to start.
"I won't hurt her" He offered softly as he looked at Emily
"How do you know you won't hurt her, you cannot make that promise, Can you"
Adam sighed slightly "Your right I can't make that promise because you won't believe me, you can't allow yourself to believe me which to an extent I can understand, and she is your daughter, but you"
Emily shook her head slightly causing him to stop "It isn't a case of that, do you know how many people have hurt her"
"Can I tell you what I do know about Sarah, that way you can see that I love her and want to be with her and that I listen to her" Adam said with an air of confidents in his voice
"You can but I'd like to get to know who you are, so tell me about yourself please, I can't get to know or like someone if I don't know them" Emily said with a smirk.
"Okay I grew up right here travelled a lot with my family, I study hard because I would like to follow in my father's footsteps and become a lawyer, I am not some trust fund kid who has had everything handed to me. I have worked hard for what I have, I have learnt to respect people and not too trust freely as most are out for one of two things, to hurt you, or they want your money" he paused for a moment.
"I know what I want in life. I may in your eyes be young or too young to know what I want, but in my eyes I know who and what I am and I know what I want in my life and were I want my life to lead to, and I also know that I want to share that with Sarah because she is my world. I love her so much my heart hurts when I see her sad, it leaps for joy when she is happy or laughing, I love her and I am in love with her. Emily I can't help how I feel about her but if you allow me a chance to prove to you I am the right person for her, I will make you see I am the right guy for her"
"Adam she has been hurt so much, and I do not want her to be hurt again, she is my child she is also my baby no matter how old she is and can you understand that?"
"I understand that all too well, but will you allow me the chance to prove to you that I won't hurt her"
Emily smiled softly "I will but I will warn you now, you hurt her and you will have me and Jennifer to answer too" Adam nodded
"I won't let her down" Adam promised
JJ opened the door allowing Sarah to hobble into the hallway "Em! Can you come give me a hand please" JJ shouted as she shut the door behind them.
"Hey swe… What the hell happened?" Emily asked as she looked at her daughter.
JJ laughed slightly "She... Well I guess you could say she fouled someone"
Emily frowned slightly "I thought it was a noncontact game?"
"Have you ever watched soccer?" JJ said with a slight laugh.
"Yes, not women's soccer though"
JJ rolled her eyes "Let's just say, women play dirty"
"And rough Ma" JJ nodded as they made their way into the kitchen
"Please tell me the other one is worse off" Emily smirked
"Two black eyes, busted nose, bruised ribs" Sarah said as JJ interrupted
"I had to pull her off, she is worse than you Em" JJ said as she rolled her eyes.
"Sarah what on earth" Adam gasped as he finally joined them in the kitchen
"You should see the other one" Emily and JJ shook their heads as they left Sarah and Adam alone for a few moments
"Baby if I knew the game was that rough" JJ placed her finger on Emily's lips
"Shh, she enjoyed it and wants to go again"
Emily gasped slightly, "You're kidding me right?"
JJ shook her head "No not at all, and sweetie she isn't that bad a little banged up that's all, she's like you tough although you look sexy as hell when you kick the shit out of someone" JJ smirked as she pulled Emily into a soft loving kiss
