Question Number: 22063

League Specific 9/23/2009

RE: Rec Under 12

Dumb Parent, Stuckee Coach of Middle, Tenn US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22014

As a parent who has been drafted to coach, I appreciate the site -- trying to learn so I don't teach them too much wrong. Anyway, this thought occured to me upon reading the original question. There may have been a local rule that all kickoffs are indirect. We've had that happen. It's confusing for everyone when the rules change with location. We've also played teams who came up in leagues where all kickoffs had to be kicked backward. You felt sorry for the poor kids when the ref kept calling it back and the whole team had no idea why.

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I doubt that there was a local rule making kick offs indirect but anything's possible. At certain age groups around here all free kicks are indirect but not the kick off which really doesn't matter as they kids are so young none of them could kick the ball that far.
I have never heard of a league requiring kickoffs to go backwards! Kickoffs are one of only two kick restarts where the ball has to go forward before it is in play, penalty kicks being the other.
But you raise a valid point. Local leagues have so many strange modifications of the Laws, most of which are forbidden by the way by FIFA, that it's hard to keep up with. I would just suggest that whenever you go to play at another locale you check their website for modifications for your age group.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you are playing in an established league structure, even if it is a recreational league, there should be a standard set of rule modifications for all games. You can't have one set of rules at Field A and another at Field B. I'd contact your league administration to verify what the rules really are.

Another problem can be referees who don't care enough to learn from their assignor what rules apply in the various leagues. Or assignors who think their job is done when a warm body is supplied, and don't take the time to distribute league rules.