Laws of the Game2020 Season

LAWS OF THE GAME

2020 Season

Philosophy

In accordance with the requirements of The IFAB that potential Law changes should be considered within the structure of the play fair! initiative, all changes for 2019/20 fall into at least one of the initiative’s three focus areas. Many of the changes reflect solutions to ‘problems’ raised by all parts of the football family.

Improving player behavior and increasing respect

Increasing playing time

Increasing fairness and attractiveness

Law 3Substituted players leaving the field of play

The player must leave at the nearest point

Exceptions:• The player can leave quickly at the halfway line• Safety/security• The player is injured

The substituted player must go straight to the technical area or dressing room

A player may be issued a yellow card for failing to leave at the nearest point

Law 5Injured penalty taker

If a team’s penalty taker is injured due to an offense which results in the award of a penalty kick, the penalty taker can receive treatment,

stay on the field and take the kick

Law 8 Winning the toss and choosing kick-off

The team who wins the coin toss may choose the kick-off or which goal to attack

Law 8 Dropped ball

All dropped balls are uncontested

All other players must be 4m (4.5yds) away

The ball is dropped for the defending team goalkeeper if, when play was stopped:

• the ball was in the penalty area or

• The last touch of the ball was in the penalty area

In all other cases, the ball is dropped to the team who last touched the ball

Law 9The ball in and out of play

A dropped ball will be given if the ball hits a match official in the field of play and a team:

• gains possession

• starts an attack

• scores a goal

Law 9The ball in and out of play

A dropped ball will be given if the ball hits a match official in the field of play and a team:

• gains possession

• starts an attack

• scores a goal

Law 12 Yellow and Red Cards for Team Officials

(Given by 4th or Ref)

List of offenses can be found on pages 112-113 of the Laws of the Game

If the offender cannot be identified, the senior team official (usually the Head Coach) in the technical area will receive the YC/RC

Ask Tell Dismiss

Warn YC RC

Law 12Delaying a YC/RC

If an attack is stopped by a YC/RC offense and the attacking team takes a quick free kick which creates a goal-scoring opportunity, the YC/RC can be shown at the next stoppage

If the original offense was DOGSO, it will be sanctioned with a YC

Law 12Handball

The Laws of the Game have been amended with the aim of clarifying when contact between a player’s hand/arm will, and will not, be penalized, even if the action may not be intentional

The Law now specifically states that goals will not be allowed to stand if scored through contact with the hand/arm, or if an immediate goal scoring chance is created through such contact, even if accidental

Players must also understand that they ‘take a risk’ of being penalized when their hand/arm is in certain positions

Deliberate

It is an offence if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/arm towards the ball.

Considerations:

• Movement of the hand/arm towards the ball

• “Hand to ball”

Unnaturally Bigger

It is usually an offense if a player touches the ball with their hand/arm when the hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger.

Considerations:

• Creating a barrier for the ball/opponent

• Hand/Arm is outside the normal ‘playing silhouette’

Arm Above Shoulder

It is usually an offence if a player

touches the ball with their hand/arm

when the hand/arm is above/ beyond

their shoulder.

Considerations:

• The arm is above the shoulder

It is usually an offence if a player

touches the ball with their

hand/arm when the hand/arm is

above/ beyond their shoulder…

(unless the player deliberately plays

the ball which then touches their

hand/arm)

Arm Above Shoulder

Support Arm

Except for the previous offences

(deliberate, unnaturally bigger, arm

above shoulder, attacker) it is not

usually an offence if the ball touches

a player’s hand/arm when a player

falls and the hand/arm is between

the body and the ground to support

the body, but not expended laterally

or vertically away from the body. No offence if ball makes contact = hand/arm supporting body

Offence if ball makes contact = arm above shoulder; hand/arm making body unnaturally bigger

Support Arm

Except for the previous offences (deliberate, unnaturally bigger, arm above shoulder, attacker) it is not usually an offence if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm when a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not expended laterally or vertically away from the body.

Attacker Handball

It is an offence if a player gains possession/control of the ball after it has touched their hand/arm and then immediately:

• scores in the opponent’s goal

• creates a goal-scoring opportunity.

It is an offence if a player scores in the opponent’s goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental.

Considerations:

• Touch; control; goal/goal-scoring opportunity

• Touch; goal

Law 12Handball Summary

Handball situations can be divided into two groups:

Attacker handball• Touch; control; goal/goal-scoring opportunity

• Touch; goal

Everywhere else• Deliberate handball

• Making the body unnaturally bigger (barrier)

• Arm above the shoulder

• Deliberately play the ball into self

• Support arm

Immediate

Handball

No Handball

Immediate

Handball

No Handball

Law 12Handball offenses by goalkeepers

If the goalkeeper clearly kicks or tries to kick the ball with the intention of releasing it into play but is unsuccessful, s/he can handle the ball without committing an offense

Law 13The defensive wall

For any defensive wall of 3 or more defenders, the attacking team must be at least 1m from the wall

An attacking player encroaching at the free kick will be penalized with an indirect free kick

Law 13/16Goal kick and defending free kicks in the penalty area

The ball is in play once it is kicked and moves

Opponents must be outside the penalty area and at least 10yds away until the ball is in play

The defending team ‘takes a risk’ if they choose to take a quick GK or quick FK

Law 14Goalkeeper encroachment

The goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on, or in line with, the goal line when a penalty is taken

Goalposts, crossbar and nets must not be moving when a penalty is taken and the goalkeeper must not be touching them

Protecting the Players; Protecting the Image

of the Game

Image of the Game

Best Wishes for 2020