Question Number: 22002

Mechanics 9/18/2009

RE: Competitive High School

Ace of Houston, TX USA asks...

I was wondering to the kind of 'standards' that you guys personally uphold when it comes to cards. Let me explain. There was a ref once that told me that if he is refing anything below 10 yr. olds that he doesnt even brandish his cards in the field. He says that cards are not nessary at that level and most of the players dont really know the LOTG anyway. He said the only way that he would send someone off is if one player started fighting another. I am all for teaching little ones how to play the right way but is the best way of teaching them this with/without cards? I am wondering what your opinion on this matter? Thanks and Cheers!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In most cases, the behavior of U-littles can be controlled without the use of cards. A caution is pretty meaningless to them. Since you're supposed to talk to the players and explain why they're being cautioned anyway, I can usually just talk to the players without showing a card. 'Hey #7, you have to be a lot more careful with those fouls. Stop pushing the other players, OK?'

A send-off for violence is possible and would be warranted; I've had one at U10 in 12 years of reffing. The player took offense at something his opponent did - what, I'm not sure, because the opponent was on the ground - and decided to stomp on him. He was gone. Fighting would be another example of why a player should be sent off (most likely more than one, it takes two to tango).

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I do not advocate the off handed use of cards as a method to control the ravings of disturbed u-littles! To be serious, cards are rarely required to manage a group of kids having fun! Half the time they could play without a referee and do fine! Still it is often the pressure of performance and the needs of the competition. Pushing the youth to care about the win instead of the fun, of adults putting adult ideas into the head of the youth by their absurd actions or reactions on the touchlines. I recall a caution for dissent to a young u-12 girl based directly on her belief the coach was correct that deliberate handling calls were required since he had called out handball or offside at least twenty times to that point. Perhaps removing the coach who liked to scream from the touchline was a better option?

The issue of (they got to learn sometime) and (there are consequences for their actions) is at times at odds with the reality and compassion for house leagues and non elite status matches. Once we get into 11 aside regulation FIFA sanctioned matches cards are there as a tool but for the u-littles. Most often it is a sledge hammer to drive in a tack and we USUALLY find other ways to accomplish our goals.

I have been simultaneously scorned and applauded for sending off at u-12 for DOGSO & DOGSOH, SPIT, OFFINABUS, VC and SFP and cautioning for USB, failure to respect distance, dissent, delaying the restart of play and persistent infringements.
Entering and leaving without permission is usually the coach's fault at substitutions more than the kids and I have not needed (correction I failed on at least three occasions)to show 2 cautions at the u-12 level to the same player, at least not yet!

I can usually talk and explain things sometimes rely on the coach to help reinforce certain things but if showing a card is needed then I show it! Verbal warnings usually precede card action. Kids are resilient and those that truly are aware of their actions will play you.

I remember standing listening to a group of u-10 talking about how they f--cked up the other team and the referee only warned them to be quiet or careful. I know of dads who tell their little darlings to go ahead and cream the opposition to scare or intimidate. I have witnessed coaches who tactically tell their kids to mill about as if they do not know they are delaying a restart or infringing on ten yards or purposely make substitutions difficult to drag out the time.

I recall showing a u-10 a caution for screaming, "I am going to get you!" as he had chased a smaller defender into his penalty area intimidating and causing him to cringe. This same kid was a bully in school who dominates the school field. He learned very quickly he does not dominate the soccer field. I not only showed a card I read him the riot act. I informed his coach and wrote in the match report his manner, tone and conduct!

Referees should not just pull a card out of their ass for fun. We can make a kid cry by admonishing him and not showing a card for cautionable conduct, is that some how better? As an adult our size is a huge intimidation factor on the kids and a YES sir is certainly more prevalent than F.U. but why is showing a card so bad? Those that perceive you are a failure as a referee if you show a card for a cardable event can justify to their hearts content about how little you know of the fragile nature of our youth but the child will not suddenly explode into a million pieces or lose whatever is left of his self esteem simply because a card is shown. As in any learning or teaching environment it is not the information or the topic but the manner in which we educate that commits the material to memory or engages it as a life lesson!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This question plagues all of us that do u-littles. In general, I try not to show cards and rather, explain what the player did wrong. The only times I have sent off a 10 year old were for punching another player, using unbelievably foul language, and once for DOSGSO-H when a teammate of the keeper bent down and grabbed the ball on the goal line. I walked this kid over to his coach, explained what he had done and what I was going to do and quickly showed the red card. I didn't want to embarrass the player but I'm of the opinion that we worry too much about kids feelings and not enough about teaching them the rules and showing them that they are responsible for their actions.