Question Number: 14954

Mechanics 3/7/2007

RE: Competitive

Jim of Hamilton, NJ USA asks...

I'm wondering if you could offer some perspective on how one might alter the way one officiates a match based on the age of the players. For example, what kinds of things should be done differently for a U-8 match, versus a U-14 match? Are there differences by gender? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The biggest difference between ages of youth play involve the ability and expectations of the players. It isn't just an age or gender thing.

Regarding ability, some younger teams are much better than some older teams. Some older teams are newly formed and don't have much experience. But generally speaking teams get better over time.

Regarding expectations, this is where the art of refereeing comes in. In older ages you would allow a lot more physicality than you would in younger ages. What is trifling in U14 might be not only a foul but serious foul play at U8. The art is finding just what can and should be allowed in any given game at any given age group. It is not enough to just know the Laws and whatever modifications apply in each age group. You also have to know how to read the game. That can't be taught, except by on-the-job training. Some referees have 10 years experience; some have 1 year repeated 10 times. It all depends on whether the referee learns from his experience or not.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

At the lowest age groups the referee is also a teacher of the Laws of the Game. He is expected to instruct players, coaches and parents -- the instruction is only a word or two but they learn through repetition. The referee learns too, he learns what the players on the field, each day, accept as fair to them. If they accept something as fair and the referee agrees then there is a tenuous balance that needs watching.

Sooner or later this balance will tumble one way or the other when a player has his "Hey, that's not fair anymore" light come on. Few referees ever learn to intervene BEFORE that happens, good referees do! Poor referees try to emulate good ones and only catch the retaliation -- they never see when the straw hits the camel's back. What's fair to the players on the television each Saturday sure ain't something you want in an U-16 boy's match. What you allow in a U-12 ain't gonna go in a U-8. Bottom line is you must know the Laws COLD. Then you must observe each of the 22 players on the park and find out what each is capable of doing [skill-wise and foul play-wise] then adapt. This is done in the first ten or so minutes of every match, it's called setting the tone of the match. Basically it is a call everything so the players know what you consider fair then trust them to play within your idea of how things are gonna be, a match condition.

Gender wise -- boys will retaliate instantly girls may wait two years to even the card... Yup, that's why, on a girls match, the bad stuff happens without any warning. Boys, you can see it coming and if you do nothing it will happen right now.

If you can sort all of this stuff out when getting yelled at by parents and coaches you'll do fine...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The younger the players, the more tightly you call the game. Part of your job as a referee at the younger levels is to be an instructor. U8 players/coaches/parents are clueless as to the LOTG and you can be a positive influence by explaining things as you go. I think this applies to all small sided Rec soccer. You need to watch and learn what the players will tolerate as the age groups go up. I agree with Ref Fleischer's assessment. To me, the most dangerous age group is testosterone laden U17 Select boys who all think they are of World Cup caliber and that everyone but them is an idiot. This age group needs a stern hand for sure