Question Number: 19035

Other 5/9/2008

RE: High School

Kevin of Philly, PA USA asks...

Has there ever been or is there now any movement towards bringing High School Soccer under the USSF?

I think we would all agree it would be in the best interest of the game. From a referee standpoint it would make life easier. I am USSF certified and NFHS certified. I have to attend training for both groups and pay dues to both orginizations. My state uses different uniforms so there is an added expense. There is a shortage of referees on the NHFS side. Not many people can take time off from work during the day to work games. If the 2 groups came together the door would be opened to many more qualified referees.

If HS soccer was called under the LOTG it would cut down on confusion for coaches and players.

It may be a pipe dream, but why can't we make this happen? It is the world's game, why can't NFHS use the world's rules?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Kevin I see you put your location down as Philadelphia. I don't know if that means you're in the city proper or in the suburbs. Either way, it doesn't matter, this analogy still makes sense.

Wouldn't it be more efficient if Philadelphia took over all municipal functions from the suburbs? Most likely lower costs, better utilization of skilled personnel such as road and sewer workers (the ones who actually run equipment, not the ones who lean on shovels), only one set of city codes and laws, etc. But there would be tremendous political hurdles to cross before that could happen. The Mayor of Upper Podunksville likes his job, and presumably the citizens of his fine town like the way things are going, thank you very much. No big-city mayor is going to tell them how to run their town!

It's the same thing with NFHS. The HS administrators and coaches want to retain their ability to change the rules as they see fit. No taking orders from a national body ensconsed in Chicago, who follow the directives of some weird international cabal headquartered in Switzerland. Nope, let us do things the way we want, and keep your nose out of our business.

The fact that most referees would applaud the change is of no consequence to them.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

We are dealing with three well entrenched political organizations, US Soccer, NCAA and NFHS. Each organization has its own way of doing things and think they are the end-all as far as sports are concerned. Two of the organizations are legislating their ideas about how a Game played the same way in every other country in the world will be played here. One organization is tasked with administrating The Game in this country but they don't.

You ask if there is a movement to unscrew this lash-up? How can there be? Each organization does what it wants without regard to the wishes of the international governing body of Association Football. It is an abomination, I know. But just because America is the laughing stock of the rest of the world with regard to Football doesn't mean anything is wrong, does it? Just because our referees must operate under three different sets on Laws/rules doesn't mean anything is wrong, does it? Just because American players must play to different sets of Laws/rules doesn't mean anything is wrong, does it?

I care, but I don't have enough clout to make waves in three little ponds on influence, I'm just one voice. If there were others, perhaps we might be heard. Of course in the hearing and changing of things little fiefdoms would be at risk, salaries would be lost, printers would go broke, committees would cease to exist. This loss of bureaucy would be hugely detrimental to all this country stands for because doing something the easy way is ridiculous when committees can be formed, when new ways of doing something that works for everyone else may be found. Why on earth would anyone ever think of replacing something that doesn't work with something that does? Why, indeed...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You are very smart, but the people who decide these things could be very stupid... who knows I only see the NFHS rule maker's photographs in the back of the rule book... OHHHH that is why, if there was no NFHS rules committee then these people don't get their photo printed in the rule book. DUH!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As much fun as it is to poke fun at USA highschool adaptations, here in Canada some youth schools have added things as well. The sin bin yellow card for example where a ten minute sit out and immediate substitution is allowed. The educators trying to tinker with the laws to promote a lessing of tension I guess.
Cheers