Question Number: 17194

Mechanics 10/8/2007

RE: Competitive & Tournament Under 15

Stan of Seabring, FL USA asks...

I refereed a U-14 Tournament this weekend and heard some interesting "facts" about the game that I cannot find supported in the LOTG.

Coach A thought that the AR should signal every time a player was in an offside position. regardless whether the player was involved in active play, influencing play or gaining an advantage from the OS position.

Parent stated emphatically that any foul from behind should be a YC (field was very wet, player slipped and fell into opponent as opponent stopped suddenly).

Coach decided that player should be cautioned for GK interference. The ball was 50/50 and no GK possession had been established. GK knee actually made contact with attacker. CR (correctly) said contact was incidental to play - no foul either way.

Everyone - the ball hit his/her hand! Handball! Handball! Handball!

The list of "myths" of the game goes on. Do you know of any parent/coach "seminar" material to use to educate at the club level? It seems to me that if we could do something to dispell the myths early in youth soccer, we might save ourselves some grief down the road.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Coach A is absolutely incorrect. It's a ludicrous statement if you think about it. During dynamic play, players go offside and back onside continuously. The AR ONLY raises his flag to tell the center referee that a player in offside position when the ball was touched by a teammate has become involved in active play and must be punished for it. Parent of course is incorrect. Foul must be reckless to be a cautionable offense. Next Coach probably wouldn't feel that way if HIS player was impeding the progress of the keeper. A few of us used to have a pregame with U Little parents and we also put together a handout explaining the most commonly confused things is soccer. The League doesn't do that anymore and we are back to hearing cries of "Handball" and "offside" and "that's a yellow" at most games.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

AYSO or USYS put out a "parent's guide" type of publication a couple years ago. Try looking at soccer.org or usyouthsoccer.org

Your state organization may have some materials available as well.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yeah - stupid coaches and parents. Tell them to read the LOTG. You do not singal everytime player is in offside position. Also, the foul must be reckless for a caution to be involved. Behind is not always reckless.