PSIM Academy Equips Young Players with Latest Laws of the Game, Emphasizes Safety

Ahead of the 2026/2027 Elite Pro Academy (EPA), the PSIM Yogyakarta academy took a preventive step by giving its U-16, U-18, and U-20 players an in-depth understanding of the latest edition of the Laws of the Game (LOTG). The session, held at the PSSI Monument in Baciro, Yogyakarta, on Thursday (1/10/2026) afternoon, serves as an important foundation for Laskar Mataram's young squad so they are not only technically proficient but also disciplined about the regulations.

The briefing featured professional referee and PSSI delegate Fariq Hitaba, who had previously delivered similar material to the PSIM senior team on 20 August 2026. According to Fariq, the reference used is identical to the senior team's because everyone follows the latest regulations from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) issued and socialized by FIFA. "This LOTG material is the same as what was given to the senior team because our reference is the same," he said.

In the 90-minute session, Fariq highlighted the difference between a fair challenge, reckless play, and a tactical foul. This understanding is crucial for young players so they can make the right decisions when tackling or colliding, while also prioritizing safety. In addition, he reviewed the handball rule, offside, goalkeeper provisions, substitutions, injury handling, throw-ins, and goal kicks.

The importance of this briefing is tied to a number of incidents in Yogyakarta youth football. One was an incident in the U-13 Soeratin Cup on 20 August, in which a Mataram Utama FC player delivered a hard kung fu-style kick that struck the head of a Baturetno FC player. The event was an alarm that understanding of the boundaries of fouls at an early age remains low.

With broader LOTG insight, PSIM EPA players are expected not only to understand how to play technically but also to know the boundaries of fouls. This aligns with long-term development efforts that emphasize sportsmanship and player safety. Fariq hopes the material presented, even if only in brief, can provide a clear picture of the concepts. "Success for the EPA team, hopefully in the 2026/2027 season you will find things easy and achieve your best," he said.

PSIM's move could serve as an example for other academies in Indonesia. With regulations continually updated, routine briefings ahead of competitions become a necessity, not merely a formality. Going forward, will other clubs follow a similar path to reduce injuries and hard fouls at the youth level?