Question Number: 23039

Law 5 - The Referee 3/30/2010

RE: Rec Under 13

Sarah K of San Antonio, TX USA asks...

A question wrt the amount of 'teaching' a ref should do when working U12 and younger Rec games...Recently I've had a number of youth games wherein 'uncommon' violations -thing I thought the players (and possibly the coaches did not know were not allowed - occurred. For example, trying to block/inhibit the player throwing the ball in (as is common in basketball); swapping out pinnies to make a new player the goalie while the ball was on the other end of the field, yelling and trying to distract the goalie while attempting to score on a ball played forward, etc. Is it appropriate to 'warn' younger players (no card) and award an IDFK (as opposed to 'cautioning' (yellow) and IDFK)? If a caution is issued for an improper goalie change should the restart be an IDFK at the point of the change? I was AR in that game and waved for the Center when I noticed the change had been made - she issued a caution and restarted from where the ball was (about 30 yards out from goal). I'm pretty sure the girls had no idea they were not allowed to change, and in fact were likely told to do so by their coach (who also probably didn't know). With Select teams, I expect the players and coaches know the rules, but with Rec is leniency and 'teaching' generally acceptable?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sarah
It is up to the referee crew to decide what is the appropriate way to manage these Rec games and how to 'educate' the players in the Laws of the Game. Many refs do not use cards at this level with a degree of leniency and teaching depending on the mood of the game and the coaches.
The correct way to manage an illegal change of the goalkeeper and a player is to wait for play to be stopped normally ie ball out of play, free kick etc and then both players are cautioned. The restart does not change.
If it is a substitute that changes place with the goalkeeper then if the referee is aware of the entry of the substitute goalkeeper onto the FOP, play is stopped, the substitute is cautioned and the restart is an IDFK from where the ball was when play was stopped. The substitution process is then properly completed before play recommences. If the change happens without the knowledge of the referee , play is allowed to continue to the next stoppage, both players are cautioned and play restarts as normal.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The proper mechanic to follow for an unauthorized goalkeeper change is outlined in Law 3:
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If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee's permission before the change is made:
- the referee allows play to continue
- the referee cautions the players concerned when the ball is next out of play
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So there is no need for a restart, since the game shouldn't have been stopped.

Regarding teaching moments, the referee can do this if it is acceptable in the youth rec leagues. I've explained to U8's about, 'Just like we don't use our arms to play the ball, neither do we use them to block other players.' I've brought U12 players (from both teams) to the center circle to talk about ways to take a kickoff. And in a pre-season scrimmage between U12 teams from highly-rated clubs, I've offered my comments after the game, but only after asking the coach if he wanted my views from the field.

The key is that you can do this only if the teams and coaches want it. Otherwise you're interfering.

Then there was a time I didn't teach. I was called upon to ref my daughter's U10 game when no referee showed up. I made a call when the goalkeeper picked up the ball kicked to her by a teammate. 'Why didn't you tell us about that rule!' Maybe because this was the first time it happened in 4 seasons, and there were better things to teach than that.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Referees should be proactive to deal with infringements - - reminding a player to give two yards at a throw-in; shouting back defenders to respect the distance at a free kick; stopping substitutes from entering the field. All serve to manage the game while doing the least necessary. A caution, while proper under the laws, is often unnecessary if the referee identifies and responds to situations promptly.

But, the referee also need to choose to ignore infringements which have no effect on the player's enjoyment of the match. Assistant referees particularly need to let the referee manage the match, and provide assistance only: (a) as instructed in the pregame; or (b) where the assistant knows that in doing nothing, the assistant will fail the game or fail to aid the referee.

At the recreational level, a quiet, polite word to the coach often pays greater dividends than a loud flag for minor things.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yes, part of your job at this skill/age level is instructional but you, or the center referee, can't just make up restarts as you go along. When there is a keeper change not told to the referee, the referee is supposed to wait until the next stoppage and caution both. The restart is commensurate with why the ball went out of play. All the things you describe are probably instructions from a coach that knows nothing about soccer. When the player is acting like a basketball player stopping a throw-in, you should blow the whistle. Don't let the throw take place and explain to the player and coach that one must be 2 yards from the thrower and cannot do anything to inhibit the throw. If you stop play to talk to a player you can't award an IDFK, you have to restart with a dropped ball. If you are going to award an IDFK for misconduct, you have to caution and show the yellow card.

I try to let the game flow and talk while moving and then when the ball is out of play, give a little discussion. Then at halftime, I go to each bench and go over the rules.