Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SOCCER (OR ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL) GOALKEEPING GAME
~~-Referenc,~c~ Frayisional Applica ion(
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
601385,408, filed June 3, 2002, which provisional application is incorporated
herein in
full by this reference.
I~ac ground and n mare o~ Tnvention
The invention relates to games, amusement pastimes and athletic competitions,
and more particularly to a sporting competition andlor event having rules and
down-sized
playing areas to challenge one's interdisciplinary mastery of various soccer
positions,
including predominantly the goalkeeper position. A number of additional
features and
objects will be apparent in connection with the following discussion of
preferred
embodiments and examples.
Youth soccer camps, among others, are known to hold one-on-one goalkeeper
drills. The known drill provides two goals within easy throwing distance of
each other.
The two players are confined to just a few steps in front of their respective
goals. A coin
toss decides who starts. The players alternate turns throwing the ball at
their opponent
(more accurately, their opponent's goal). First player to score seven (or
whatever) goals
wins the drill.
This prior art drill has none of, or is none of, the following. That is, it
has no
formal rules, no playing-field boundaries, nor other demarcations. Is has no
lime limit
on the drill, no shot clock on possession, nor unrestricted shot-taking (at
least, no
freedom to the extent permitted by standard soccer rules for goalkeepers). It
is no test
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of any soccer skill other than keeper save skills under narrowly-tailored
penalty-kick like
conditions (ie. , from about the same range and direction and with
correspondingly ample
time to get ready) .
The prior art drill has no fouls, no penalty kicks, nor refereeing. It has no
paxtisan off-field ball handlers. It consequently has no need for more than
one ball. It
has no race-start and no offensive rebounds (nor defensive either because, the
ball is
dead after a shot/save). It has no offsides, no neutral zone, no rie-
breaking/overtime
rules, and no partisan coaching.
In contrast, a soccer (or association football) goalkeeping game in accordance
with the invention preferably has or is the following. That is, the inventive
game :has
codified rules of play and a demarcated playing field, with not only
boundaries but also
zones within the boundaries. The inventive game is played against a game
clock,
possessions are played against a shot clock, and the only restrictions on
propelling the
ball are those recognized by standard rules of soccer for goalkeepers.
The inventive game more broadly tests soccer sl,~ills other than just testing
goalkeeper save skills, therefore it is more interdisciplinary, more open to
soccer players
of any field position, not just goalkeepers. Indeed, the inventive game
promotes more
ball movement, and fitness appropriate to the more ball movement. In clear
departure
from the prior art drill, the inventive game involves position strategy,
indeed heavily so.
Namely, the inventive game involves position strategy something like in
tennis, where
volley after volley, endlessly, there is the choice whether to rush the net or
else lay back
along the baseline.
The codified rules include fouls, penalty kicks, and refereeing. The rules are
distinctive by, among doing other things, authorizing the game time
participation of
partisan, off field ball handlers. These parties serve a vital, off field
teammate role to
the on-field player, as will be more particularly described below. One
consequence of
ball handlers is that, that they best fulfill their roles by stocking up with
spare balls.
Although only one ball in-play at a time, play is resumed immediately after a
score or
out-of bounds miss in the manner as having the rightful player signal for
immediate re-
supply from any of his or her ball handlers. These ball handlers fulfill a
role something
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like ball retrievers in singles tennis, except the ball handlers are partisan
(ie., teammates
of their one player) and they can re-supply their player immediately after the
in-play ball
is scored or out-of-bounds, indeed in order so that the on-field player can
take advantage
of fleeting opportunities, like opponent mis-position- Unlike tennis, where
players are
always afforded time to get ready before an ensuing serve.
The rules favor starting each game with a race. The rules allow offensive
rebounds, ie., a player in-possession of the ball (unless offsides) is allowed
to recover
the rebound from his or her own rnissedlblocked shot. The ball is live (or in-
play) and
not dead after a shot/save, so long as the ball remains on the field of play.
The rules include offside rules, and the playing field is correspondingly
demarcated with offside zones. In addition to offside zones, the playing field
is
preferably demarcated with a neutral zone. And so on with other distinctions,
like the
rules additionally include tie-breaking and/or overtime provisions, as well as
authorize
partisan, game-time coaching (from the sidelines).
Overall, the soccer (or association football) goalkeeper game in accordance
with
the invention is distinguished by speed and movement in combination with
strategy and
urgency. The inventive game is a test of skill and endurance. It promotes
recovering
one's rebounds and other factors consistent the play of soccer (association
football).
Altogether, the inventive game is one of excitement, not just for the players
or their ball
handlers but also, importantly, for spectators and fans.
Given the foregoing, these and other aspects and objects are provided
according
to the invention in a method of playing a soccer (or association football)
goalkeeping
game comprising various combinations of the following steps.
Two players compete against each other on a playing field having a soccer goal
at two opposite ends. The playing field is also preferably demarcated with
respective
offside zones as well as respective goal areas. The players have as objectives
(l)
offensively to "distribute" a play ball into the defender's goal from anywhere
on the field
as long as not violating the defender's offside zone and (ii) defensively to
save attempts
on goal and/or acduire ball possession in order to switch around and commence
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offensively. "Distribution" is a concept used in a technical sense, wherein a
permitted
distribution of the ball can be restricted to any one or any combination of
the following:
- throwing by hand, and restricted to the distributer's goal area,
- rolling by hand, and restricted to the distributer's goal area,
- punting, and restricted to the distributer's goal area,
- drop kicking, and restricted to the distributer's goal area,
- kicking, and
- heading.
It is preferred to provide a rule of play whereby time of possession is
limited by
a time-Limit such that bal! possession in excess of the time-limit results in
expropriation,
and scores from distributions after the applicable time-limit are not counted.
"Expropriation" can be envisioned as either a referee supervising the transfer
of the play
ball from the violator to the opponent or, alternatively, obligating the
violator to send
the play ball off the field immediately, or risk being assessed a penalty-shot
violation,
and granting the opponent immediate entitlement to acquire a succeeding live
play ball
such as by personally retrieving any left-over ball idle in his or her goal,
or as receiving
an infeed of a spare ball from an off-field teammate. The second alternative
favors
uninterrupted play.
It is also preferred if there is a rule of play wherein any player crossing
into the
offside zone of the opponent is assessed a penalty-shot violation. Again, in
the interest
of uninterrupted play, preferably the game is played over one or more
regulation
periods, each period being played against a clock which generally runs without
stoppage
for taking penalty kicks. That way, all penalty kicks can be postponed until
after time
runs out on the period. The field of play has a center mark, equidistant from
both goals,
and preferably the penalty shots are taken from the center mark. The rules of
play can
be drawn such that during time of possession, each player is restricted to one
distribution
and not two or else possession is lost and that player is assessed a penalty-
shot violation.
Given the preceding one-distribution rule, preferably there is another rule
allowing a distributing player to have endlessly successive possessions if
obtained by
way of offensive rebbunds. That is, as long as that player's distributed ball
rebounds off
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any of the following, namely, the defender, the defender's goalposts or
crossbar, the
referee (if any) or defender's corner flags {if any). Any such player who
takes a
successive possession by way of offensive rebound will also get an allowance
for an
additional distribution and a reset time of possession time-limit.
It is an aspect of the game to provide each player with one or more off field
teammates who are restricted from crossing into the field of play but
permitted to
surround parts of the field. When the play ball goes out-of-play (such as if
scored or
otherwise crosses out of the field of play), there is a provision of the rules
that
establishes which player is entitled to next possession. That player is
authorized player
to acquire a play ball by any of:
- he or she personally retrieving the most recent scored ball (if any),
- he or she personally retrieving any left-over ball idle in his or her goal,
or
- he or she receiving feed of one spare ball from any one of his or her off
field
teammates.
The field of play might also comprise a mid-field neutral area, exclusive of
the
offside zones or goal areas, and in which the players can vie directly against
each other
for possession or stealing possession of the play ball.
The rules of the game might be entrusted to on-field referee, who would also
supervise over any off field staff, if any, like a statistician andlor
timekeeper (again, if
any). That way, the time-limit for limiting time of possession may either be
accurately
monitored by an off field timekeeper or be generally reckoned by a.n on-field
refer~.~e. It
is desirable to start play at the beginning of any period with a race. That
is, on cue, the
players race frarn starting positions behind their own ends of the field
toward the play
ball at rest on the center of the field.
A number of additional features and objects will be apparent in connection
with
the following discussion of preferred embodiments and examples.
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Bri f ]'Z~s~np~n o_f the Drawings
There are shown in the drawings certain exemplary embodiments of the invention
as presently preferred. It should be understood that the invention is not
limited to the
embodiments disclosed as examples, and is capable of variation within the
scope of the
appended claims. In the drawings,
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a game underway comprising a soccer (or
association football) goalkeeping game in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of such a game underway; and
FIGURE 3 is a plan view comparable to FIGURE 1 except showing an alternate
arrangement of the playing field therefor.
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Detailed Desrr~intion of he PreferrecLFmbodiments
FICrURES I and 2 show a game underway comprising a preferred version of a
soccer (or association football) goalkeeping game in accordance with the
invention.
Briefly, the inventive game predominantly is a one-on-one competition between
two on-field players 70 and 72, although each on-field player 70 and 72 is
supported in
vital ways to the flow of the game by one or more off field teammates 74 and
76
respectively, called "ball handlers." The game is played against a clock for
most scores
against opponent on an abbreviated field 60 having opposing goals 62 defended
respectively by the opposed on-field players 70 and 72. The game broadly
challenges
IO interdisciplinary position skills although strong skills at the goalkeeping
position
arguably predominate over the skills of the field positions. Nevertheless,
this game has
movement, and so a successful player 70 or 72 must also have the ability to
move the
ball 68, the fitness for that, and ultimately the ability to score. Still,
ability to score
might depend more on one's capitalizing on opponent mistakes, as catching the
opponent
IS out of position, and less on one's superb shooting, hence on average the
balance of the
game is believed to teeter on goalkeeping skills.
The game has codified rules which incorporate among other things fouls,
penalty
kicks, and refereeing. Time of possession is preferably limited by a shot
clock. The
only restrictions on propelling the ball 68 are those consistent with standard
rules of
20 soccer for goalkeepers. There is an offside rule, and the playing field 60
is
correspondingly demarcated with offside zones 80. In addition, the playing
field 6l3 is
preferably demarcated with a neutral zone 82. The offside zones 80 are
"permanent"
because, any time a player 70 or 72 crosses into a prohibited offside zone 80,
he or she
has committed an offside violation.
25 It is an aspect of the invention to incorporate ball handlers 74 and 76.
Ball
handlers 74 and 76 work not on but off the field of play 60 in support of
their on-field
teammate, one or the other of the two players 70 or 72 respectively. The ball
handlers
74 and 76 stock up with spare balls 66 because, even though only one ball at a
time is
allowed in-play, a replacement ball 66 is permitted to be immediately thrown
in as soon
3Q the in-play ball 68 is shot and scored or otherwise crossing out~f-bounds.
The manner
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of receiving a replacement ball 66 has the rightful player 70 or 72 signaling
imrrrediately
for spare ball 66 (just one) from any of his or her ball handlers 74 or 76.
Iruieed, as a
game unfolds, spectators might see several scored balls 64 just left idle in
the back of the
goals 62 because of each player's urgency against the game clock.
S Overall, the game is fast-paced, high-energy, action-packed. Because of the
shot
clock, every five seconds or so one player or the other 70 or 72 is attempting
a goal.
Additionally, the players 70 and 72 face a dilemma in choosing strategy. Any
player
who leaves the goal area 84 to approach and shoot from closer range leaves
open the
possibility that the defending opponent will catch the ball and then lob in an
overhead
score on the out-of position shooter. Conversely, any player who camps inside
the goal
area 84 deprives him or herself of manufacturing scoring opportunities. This
sort of
dilemma faces tennis players too, namely, whether to camp on the baseline or
rush the
net.
Given that introduction, it is an object of the invention that the game be
played
in tournaments, where numerous contestants enter to compete in their age,
gender,
and/or proficiency class. Some contestants are there to attract attention from
talent
scouts, such as college recruiters. It is desirable to promote uniformity in
the game for
sake of tournaments or statistics, among other reasons. Hence the rules are
codified, and
preferably are not amended or ignored for at least the duration of one
tournament. As
seasons go by with no or only minor amendments to the rules, there will be
greater
uniformity still, which will allow comparison of statistics from one event to
another, of
players from one season or era to another even if they never directly compete.
The field of play 60 is preferably rectangular, extending between opposite
goal
lines spaced by relatively longer left and right sidelines or, in alternative
terminology,
"touch" lines. Preferably the goal lines measure twenty-two yards (20 m) wide
and
preferably the touch lines measure twenty-four yards (22 m) long. This
preferred size
allows four or five such playing fields 60 to be stretched out onto a FIFA-
standard field.
That way, the game in accordance with the invention can be accommodated at
indoor
facilities on a FIFA-standard field, several abreast of each other.
Alternatively, the field
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of play 60 in accordance with the invention might be sized to fit other indoor
arenas>
such as the kind that host basketball or hockey games.
The field of play 60 is preferably demarcated into separate halves by a
halfway
line 90. The midpoint of the halfway line 90 includes a center point 91, or
center mark,
preferably circumscribed by a center circle 92. Preferably the center circle
92 measures
for example and without limitation about five feet ( ---1'/z m) in diameter.
The center mark 9i preferably corresponds to a "standard" penalty mark,
wherein the standards} for determining such measures and factors .for soccer
(or
association football) have been previously established under the authority of
any of
various governing associations, including without limitation U.S. Amateur
Soccer
Association, Canadian Soccer Association, Major League Soccer, National
Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) and so on, all which establish measures and
provisions
presumptively corresponduig closely to those of the major international
federation,
FIFA, which sets the standards arid measures that nowadays dominate the world
of
soccer (or 'association football' or "football" outside the U.S. and Canada).
Alternatively, if the field of play is shortened as illustrated by FIGURE 3,
for
example to about twenty yards ( ~ 18 m}, then preferably such field of play
60' as that
is demarcated with dual penalty marks 93, each twelve yards (11 m) distant
from the
goal 62 on which the penalty shot is taken. 1n the preferred size for the
field of play (ie. ,
twenty-four yards or 22 m long) as shown by FIGURES 1 and 2, there is only a
single
penalty mark, and it corresponds to the center mark 91.
It is highly preferred if each goal 62 closely corresponds to standard size
goals
to the extent practicable. That is, in accordance wt h one observed U.S.
standard, the
goalposts ought to be eight yards ( --~ 7'/s m) apart and the crossbar eight
feet ( -~- 251iz m)
high above the ground plane (ie., of the field of play 60). However, for
players younger
than twelve years old or so> the size of goals 62 are even more compact.
Accordingly,
the rules of play preferably require the size of goals 60 to be consistent
with the
applicable standards for age andlar gender class. Preferably nets are attached
to the
goals 62 and to the ground some spacing behind the goal line.
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The field of play 60 is preferably partitioned into the following five areas,
namely, a pair of opposite goal areas 84, a mid-field neutral area $2, and a
pair of
flanking penalty or offside areas 80 as more particularly described below.
The goal areas 84 preferably are defined at each end of the field 60 as
follows.
Two boundary lines are drawn at right angles from the goal line, having
origins i1i the
goal line three yards { -- 2 ~ m) from the inside of each goal past. These
boundary lines
extend into the field of play for a distance of about six yards (---St/a m)
and are joined
at their terminations in the field of play 60 by another boundary line drawn
parallel with
the goal line. The area bounded by these boundary lines and the goal line is a
goal area
84. The depth of the goal area 84 (ie. , six yards or -- 5 YZ m) is preferably
consistent
with the standard measures for goal areas to the extent practicable. In
contrast, the
width of the goal area 84 (fourteen yards or ~ 12'/e m) is preferably more
compact than
standard for proportion's sake relative to the more compact size playing field
60.
There are various preferred embodiments for the neutral area 82. One preferred
embodiment has the neutral area 84 defined exactly by the center circle 90, as
illustrated
in FIGURES 1 and 2. Another preferred embodiment (eg. , see FIGURE 3) has the
neutral area 82' demarcated by opposite first and second boundaries 95 on
either side of
the halfway line 90. The penalty or offside areas {indicated as 80 in FIGURES
l and 2,
and 80' in FIGURE 3) are the residuary areas flanking the neutral area 82 (or
82') in
each half of the field of play 60 {or 60'), minus the goal areas 84. As
mentioned,
preferably the penalty mark corresponds to the center mark 91 for a field of
play
measuring twenty-four yards (22 m) long, and as illustrated by FIGURES 1 and
2. That
way, the penalty mark is twelve yards (11 m) distant from the midpoint between
the
goalposts and equidistant to them. FIGURE 3 is representative of the
alternative, or that
is, other size fields of play 60'. Preferably there are two penalty marks 93,
each twelve
yards ( 11 m) distant from the midpoint between and equidistant to the
goalposts of the
goals on which the penalty shots are to be taken. As mentioned, it is
preferred that the
penalty marks) correspond{s) to "standard" measure. That way, skills and
strategies
for defense of penalty kicks will be more appropriately transferable and/or
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interchangeable between the game in accordance with the invention and standard
match
play.
Games for youths aside, the balls 6$, 66 and/or 64 shall be faithful to FTFA
Tnternational Matchball Standards. There shall be only one ball in the field
of play at a
time. However, the then-currently in-play ball 68 shall be replaced
immediately once
gone out of play (ie.., scored or crossing out-of bounds), and this can be
achieved with
any spare ball 64 or 66. That way, a scored ball 64 might simply be left idle
in a goal
after a score. There is no requirement that a scored ball 64 be the one that
is retrieved
and put immediately back in play. Consequently, even if there can only be one
single
ball in play at a time, there may be multiple balls 64 left idle in either
goal.
The game is played between two on-field players 70 and 72, each who might be
supported by a limited number of the off-field support staff, or "ball
handlers" 74 and
76, as more particularly described below. Preferably the game is refereed by
an on--f eld
referee (not shown), who might be supported by off-field staff such as a
timekeeper for
the shot clock or a statistician for counting fouls or penalty-shot violation
and the like
(none shown). The referee is generally entrusted to enforce the rules of the
game and
supervise over his or her off field staff.
Each game is played against a clock. Preferably a game is played in regulation
time as spread over two equal halves. Preferably, the duration of each half of
regulation
play is about two minutes apiece, separated by a true one minute half-time.
During the
halves, the clock generally runs continuously. However, the clock may be
stopped
and/or allowance for lost time may be granted for various reasons, such as and
without
limitation assessment of injury to players or waste of time by players (and/or
any of
each's associated team of ball handlers), as for example, failing to get play
resumed
immediately after a score or else the in-play ball crossing out-of bounds.
While the
game clock is running, the referee signals the commission of any penalty-kick
violations
to the statistician, who simply keeps tally against both players.
At the end of each half, a separate phase of the game is transacted during
which
each player is allowed take his or her allotment of penalty shots against his
or her
opponent, these being the penalty-shot awards that were accrued during the
previous half
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(or period). The sequence of who shoots first, and whether by alternate turns
or not, is
preferably determined according to what creates most suspense for the outcome
of the
game. If after the second half, the player trailing in score is too far behind
to catch the
leader despite his or her allotment of penalty shots, preferably the penalty
shots are
cycled through nonetheless for statistics' sake. In tournaments, in which the
early
rounds are by round-robin play, various statistics such as and without
limitation the
"goals against" average help complete the standings.
If the game is tied after the conclusion of the second half s penalty-shot
phase,
then the tie is preferably broken by tie-breaking provisions, such as one or
more
overtime periods. Indeed, it is preferred to play simply a second set of two
overtime
halves, two minutes apiece with a one minute halftime. If the game is still
tied after all
the overtime's second half penalty-shot phase, then the game is preferably
decided by
a penalty-kick tie-breaker, such as consistent with FIFA rules. By coin toss,
one player
is selected to go first. The players alternate in taking penalty kicks.
Subject to
needlessness, both players take five kicks. If a winner is declared before the
end of five
kicks, because one player has so outscored the other that the other would not
even tie if
given the rest of the kicks, the game is over. It is needless to kick any more
penalty
. kicks, the deficit being too great. In contrast, if no winner yet after the
five penalty
kicks in the tie-breaker, then penalty kicks continue to be taken in the same
manner until
one player has scored a goal more than the other from the same number of
kicks.
At the start of play (namely, at the start of any half or period), each player
70 and
72 is assigned a goal 62 to defend. In the succeeding half ar period, the
players 70 and
72 switch and defend the opposite goals 62. The start or restart of play
preferably
begins with a race. That is, the ball 68 is placed on the center mark 9I (ie.,
located on
the midpoint of the halfway line 90). Each player 70 and 72 must be standing
behind
their respective goal line. The referee (or the like) signals the start or
restart of play.
Whichever player 70 or 72 races up and controls the ball 68 first wins
possession.
Hence this is the preferred way of starting or restarting play at the start of
any half or
period
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It is a rule of play that possession must culminate in a "distribution."
Indeed,
under the preferred set rules which incorporate a shot clock rule, the
"distribution" must
occur before the expiration of the shot clock. "Aistribution" is a technical
term utilized
herein for convenience, and is defined as the allowable methods or ways for
scoring
goals. A player 70 or 72 may distribute the ball 68 in any of the following
ways:
--.. throwing (by hand, and restricted to the goal area 84),
- rolling by hand (restricted to the goal area 84),
- punting (restricted to the goal area 84),
- drop kicking (restricted to the goal area 84),
- kicking, and
- heading.
Note that, dribbling (by foot) is not a form of distribution. Preferably a
rule is
adopted which recites that, a player 70 or 72 may only distribute the ball 68
once during
his or her possession. In other words, preferably there is a one-distribution
restriction.
That is, although players 70 and 72 may rightfully roll the ball 68 from their
goal area
84, they are not allowed to roll the ball 68 only as far as into their offside
(or the neutral)
area and then kick it. That would amount to two distributions in one
possession.
However, players 70 and 72 may dribble (by foot) the ball 68 out of their goal
area 84
and then kick it, since dribbling (by foot) is not a form of distribution.
It is noteworthy that heading is a permissible form of distribution because
the
occasions to do so will be uncommon. Nevertheless, players 70 and 72 might vie
in the
neutral zone 82 for a head ball, despite that such opportunities might be
rather freakish.
An offside rule is a preferred aspect of the invention_ According to the
preferred
offside rule, neither player may enter into the penalty area 80 of the
opponent's.
Accordingly, the areas which are open to each player 70 or 72 include that
player's
penalty and goal areas 80 and 84 (ie., to the exclusion of the other player at
all times),
as well as the neutral area 82, wherein the neutral area 82 is open to both
players at all
times. Violation of the offside rule results in a penalty-kick award for the
opponent.
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Also, a player may not touch the ball 68 with his or her hands outside his or
her
goal area 84, or else a handball violation is committed and this too results
in a penalty-
kick award for the opponent.
A goal is scored When the whole ball 68 passes over the goal line between the
posts and under the crossbar, provided of course that no disqualifying rule
violation was
committed by the scorer (or ball handlers 74 and 76 thereof). A score does not
stop
play. The scored-an player can either personally fetch any ball 68 out of the
goal 62 (in
fact any ball 64 if there are numerous earlier scored bails idle there), or
else call for
service of a spare ball 66 from one of that player's off the-field assistants,
namely, the
ball-handlers 74 or 76. The ball-handlers 74 or 76 might prepare themselves
for this
task by stationing themselves around the field of play 60 as shown in the
drawings,
loaded up with a stockpile of spare balls 66. Once a player 70 or 72 takes
possession of
the in-play ball 68, a possession or shot-clock is in effect, as described
more particularly
below.
Consider for a moment the flow of the game from a start (or restart). As
mentioned, the ball 68 is originally placed on the center mark 91, with
players 70 and
72 in starting positions behind their respective goal lines, waiting for a cue
that allows
them to race each other for the ball b8 to take first possession.
Alternatively, one player
may adopt a strategy not to race, but to take a defensive position in front of
the goal, and
concede the first possession to the other player. Given this scenario, the
player-in-
possession indeed controls the ball 68 without contest from the defending
player.
However, there might be no clear advantage in gaining first possession this
way. The
player-in-possession has to shoot (more technically, ''distribute"} the ball
before the
shot-clock expires (eg., five seconds). The defending player might swiftly
convert this
scenario into advantage by being in good position to defend, even catch the
ball 68, and
then thereafter capitalize on any mistake of the shooting player, who might be
out of
position to defend against a thrown ball arcing overhead to an open goal. A
score does
not entail play being suspended to redo the startlrestart procedure. fhe
scored-on player
simply continues at once with possession of the ball, or any allowable ball,
as more
particularly described below.
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The in-play ball 68 becomes out of play when it wholly crosses a goal line or
touch line, whether on the ground or in the air (or play is otherwise stopped
by the
referee). The ball 68 is in play at all other times. This includes any
instance of the ball
68 remaining in the field of play 60 after rebounding off a player, goalpost,
crossbar,
referee (if any) and/or corner flag (if any).
While the ball 68 is in play, generally one player or the other {70 or 72)
will be
charged with possession of the ball 68. The timekeeper or perhaps the referee
tracks of
time of possession since the player-in-possession is beholden to the shot
clock. The
player-in-possession has to distribute (eg., shoot) the ball 68 before
expiration of the shot
clock. If the ball 68 goes out of bounds on that player's half of the field,
that player can
call for service for a replacement ball from any of his or her ball handlers
74 and 76,
provided that such player 70 or 72 has not fouled, such as violating the one-
distribution
rule or shot-clock rule. However, the shot-clock is not reset on that account.
If a
distributed bail rebounds off the opponent's goalposts, crossbar, corner
flags, or the
referee but returns to the distributing {eg., shooting,) player, the shot
clock is reset. The
shooting player can take re-possession. That is, offensive rebounds are
permitted. A
distributing player who takes re-possession after such a rebound is also
granted a new
distribution allowance (eg., one under the one-distribution rule).
Of course, if the opponent contacts the ball then the shot clock is turned off
against the distributing player. If the ball rebounds off the opponent, the
distributing
player can take re-possession, and gets a new distribution allowance. The shot
clock of
course is resumed.
If the ball goes out of bounds on the opponent's half of the field, then the
opponent can call for service of a ball from any of the opponent's ball
handlers 74 or 76.
By whichever way the opponent comes into possession of the ball, the shot
clock begins
to run on the opponent's possession.
When the shot-clock rule is violated, preferably play is not stopped but the
violation does have consequences. The preferred time-limit to date for the
shot-clack
rule is five seconds. Any score obtained in violation of the shot-clock rule
is disqualified
(not counted) and the non-violating player simply continues play as the manner
after a
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score. Alternatively, if the non-violating player saved the shot after a tardy
distribution,
play continues without interruption. In both cases, a shot-clock violation
occurred
nonetheless. The statistician preferably keeps count of shot-clock violations
for each
player. There might be an allowance of shot-clock violations, for example five
apiece,
for which there is no consequence other than disqualification of scores.
However, every
shot-clock violation in excess of the allowance preferably results in a
penalty-shot award
in favor of the opponent. Again, penalty shots accrue for each player during
the game
clock, and are taken during a penalty-shot phase at the end of the period. In
addition, the
referee has discretion to penalize an intentionally or inexcusably tardy
distribution as a
penalty-shot violation, regardless of the shot-clock violation allowance.
An alternative framework might vary the penalty structure for shot-clock
violations as follows. That is, shot-clock violations generally have no
further
consequence than disqualifying scores unless the referee, in his or her
discretion,
believes that one player is intentionally or inexcusably violating the shot
clock.
Therefore, the referee might have sole discretion of when and/or when not a
shot-clock
violation is also a penalty-shot foul. The referee would indicate penalty-shot
violations
to the statistician in some agreed upon manner, such as a blowing the whistle
and
pointing a flag at the offender.
A fine point in the rules concerns the case of an intentionally or inexcusably
tardy
distribution. One rule has the referee indicating that such transgression
comprises a
penalty-shot violation, and little else. Another alternative has the referee,
if his or her
patience is worn out, cautioning the transgressor, wherein two cautions result
in a send
off {and forfeit). An additional alternative has the referee penalizing the
violator With
a penalty-shot violation, and then directly intervening to turn (or cause the
ball to be
turned) over to the opponent. An additional alternative is more involved, but
it favors
uninterrupted play. Consider a situation when the shot clock expires and the
violating
player is not going to be timely in the least in distributing the ball in a
way that the
opponent, without traveling offsides, can take possession. Envision a stall
tactic, or else
a player tripped up and stumbling wildly. An alternate rule is as follows. As
soon as
the referee signals intentional or inexcusable delay after the shot clock
(note that the
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violator accrues one penalty-shot violation here), the non-violating player
can fetch a ball
64 from goal 62 or signal for service of a ball 66 from any of his or her ball
handlers (74
or 76 as -applicable). The original in-play ball is dead, and the player-in-
violation must
immediately get the dead ball off the field (smack it out of play), or else
the violator will
be penalized with a dead-ball violation (and hence accrue a second penalty-
shot
violation). Any save on an incoming "shot on goal" while a dead ball is on the
field is
goaltending (the shot is counted as a score), and the referee in his or her
discretion may
additionally assess a third penalty-shot violation. A "shot on goal" includes
any shot
that strikes or will strike any part of either goalpost or crossbar.
Preferably this alternate
rule is reserved for proficient players, rather than youths andlor the less
proficient,
because they are expected to have greater on-field awareness.
A player 70 or 72 violates the offside role if he or she crosses into the
penalty
area of the opponent. Play is not stopped but any goal is disqualified.
Violation of the
offside rule results in a penalty-kick award for the opponent. A player 70 or
72 violates
the handball rule if he or she touches the halt 68 with his or her hands
outside his or her
goal area 84. Generally, the handball rule is consistent with the FIFA rules
on the same.
Violation of the handball rule likewise results in a penalty-kick award for
the opponent.
Again, all penalty-kick awards accruing during a given half {or period) are
settled at the
end of such half or period during post-half penalty-kick phase of the game. I-
~alftime
optionally starts at the end of the first half's penalty-kick phase.
One more embellishment on intentional or inexcusable delay is that,
alternatively,
a rule of play is incorporated that makes it a cautionable offense. That is,
the referee
cautions the offending player, and a penalty-kick award is granted to the
opponent. Two
(or whatever} cautions in a game and the player is sent off the field (and
thereby forfeits
the garne). Among other examples of such delay (in the discretion of the
referee) include
a scored-upon player being too slow to continue play. That way, a player who
delays
the continuance of play risks being cautioned or, worse still, sent off after
the second
such caution.
During the penalty-kick phase following any half, penalty kicks are taken from
the penalty mark-
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It is permissible that players be coached by a coach who can convey tactical
instructions to his or her player during play. Generally the coach is confned
to a
technical area which is preferably demarcated along one or the other touch
lines.
It is an aspect of the invention that each player 70 and 72 may have up to a
S designated number of ball handlers 74 and 76 respectively. BaII handlers 74
and 76 have
various roles to fulfill, including supplying spare balls 66 for distribution,
perhaps
retrieve out-of bound balls 66, except not any ball 64 inside a goal 62. To
emphasize
that last point, ball handlexs 74 and 76 are not permitted to enter their
player's goal 62.
Ball handlers 74 and 76 are permitted freedom to travel along the sidelines on
their player's half of the field as well as the backfield behind their
player's goal 62. Ball
handlers 74 and 76 are not permitted to step onto the field of play 60 during
regulation
play. Ball handlers 74 and 76 may not retrieve balls 64 located in their
respective
player's goal 62. Ball handlers 74 and 76 may not stop, deflect or otherwise
impede any
incoming "shot on goal" or else, fox one thing, this is ruled goaltending
(ie., counted as
1S a score}. A "shot on goal" includes any shot that strikes or will strike
any part of either
goalgost or crossbar.
A ball handler 74 or 76 is cautioned (perhaps including the formality of being
shown a yellow card) if he or she violates any of the following rules:
-- steps on the field of play 60 during regulation play,
- retrieves a ball 64 that is located in his or her player's goal 62, andlor
- delays the resumption of glay.
A ball handler 74 or 76 is sent off (perhaps including the formality of being
shown a red card) if he or she violates any of the following:
- attempts to stop, deflect or otherwise impede any incoming shot on goal, or
2S -- receives a second caution in the same game.
If a ball handler 74 or 76 is sent off, he or she may not be replaced by a
substitute.
To date it is preferred to allow players 70 or 72 to enlist up to four (4}
ball
handlers 74 or ?6 for a game. There is no requirement that a player 70 or 72
enlist any.
If one player 70 or 72 enlists twa, this in no way limits the opponent 72 or
70 to the
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same number. Each player 70 or 72 can enlist all or fewer than the permitted
number
of bal! handlers 74 and 76 regardless what the other player 72 or 74 chooses
to do.
The invention having been disclosed in connection with the foregoing
variations
and examples, additional variations will now be apparent to persons skilled in
the art.
The invention is not intended to be limited to the variations specifically
mentioned, and
accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the
foregoing
discussion of preferred examples, to assess the scope of the invention in
which exclusive
rights are claimed.
