Thetownend.com

OK, so an idle thought struck me while I was falling asleep in front of Italy-Paraguay last night.

Is there anything in the rules of football that would stop a couple of players lifting a team-mate high into the air at a corner (a la rugby lineout) to get above the defence for a header?

Have I just revolutionised the game?  :eek:

Techically doing that takes 3 players out of the game the header is missed the opposing team launch a quick counter while they are still letting go of the guy in the air......maybe

But legally speaking?

The goals are only 8 feet high so getting a lift may put you too high to nut it down and in - don't know if it's legal though

You wouldn't be able to generate any power.

If a defender is marking properly, it'd be impossible to do.

If it was legal, Tony Pulis would have tried it.

Ungentlemanly conduct, i believe

How, without fouling a player?

If it's legal, I'd love to see it. Perhaps drawing against Leeds in the last minute, Lucas comes up. And flies.

[url width=84 height=116]http://a.imagehost.org/0797/Mr_Incredible.jpg[/url]

One man each, if the attacking players move the defenders move with them. There's no way they'd get enough time and space to lift a player and time it properly.

If they were stood next to each other making it obvious, the defense could just employ the same tactic, but in front of them.

Even if the defence were asleep the delivery would have to be absolutely perfect.

To sum up, I don't think Swindon should try it.

yep, i'd give a free kick

Only person to answer the question.

Not quite - there's no mention of ungentlemanly conduct in the Laws of the Game that I can see

 http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsofthegame_2010_11_e.pdf

The only thing I can think of is dangerous play where lifting a team mate up to get the ball could cause danger to the opposing defenders

Or maybe obstruction by shielding him from being tackled.

Hmm, I suspect that after a hundred years of not seeing this, we're not about to. Shame.  :cry:

Ungentlemanly conduct covers it I believe - maybe not specifically in the rule book but pretty sure it's in the guidance as being against the spirit of the game.

gaining unfair advantage - you never see players clime on each others backs either which would be much easier to accomplish than lifting.

/ unsporting behaviour

its definitely mentioned in the rules

And that is exactly the answer Jeff Winter gave on TalkSports "The Referee's a Winter".

Unless the ref/lino doesn't see of course.

Presumably the same rule that applies to the goalkeeper using the crossbar to help him get elevation?

Kinky Tom's got it.

I remember reading one of my old referee guides before a match and it was about players using each other to gain an advantage. If players did this it was classed as unsporting behaviour and resulted in a booking and an indirect free kick if i remember rightly. I know i booked someone for it in that game though, 'cos i'm a cunt.