Question Number: 16721

League Specific 9/16/2007

RE: u-10 Under 10

Matthew of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada asks...

Can i give u-10 yellow and red cards

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Unless your League forbids it all players are subject to receiving cards. That said, you might want to think twice before showing a red card to a 9 year old

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If you are a certified referee, you know cautions and send-offs are in order for any player, of any age or skill level, who deserves one under the mandates of the Laws of the Game. I'm guessing that because the U-littles are just learning the game, you might be hesitant to give a caution you feel was warranted by their behavior. If that is the case, I applaud your sensitivity. Do not waiver, however, as they must learn what is okay and what is not. Now, you can and should warn them ahead of time not to repeat behavior, and make sure coach and fans hear you, so when you do pull a card, all know what is going on. There will be tears, but they will learn. Be professional and polite and respectful as we all are and should be with players. It is always their game and we are there to increase the enjoyment and safety for the players.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Matthew,
there are u-10's who certainly provide conduct worthy.
So if the league has not foolishly overidden the laws of the game and the way to send the message involves showing a card. Do it well, isolate the player, ask his name and number, explain that you are cautioning him or sending him off and for what action. Perhaps you have earlier warned such behaviour was not tolerated or the actions are so blatant they cannot be ignored. You do not have to do it in a dramtic, loud or aggressive style! You could take him towards the coach and explain so his coach can be witnessed to the event so no misunderstandings . If tears flow or parents are angry remember as referee the need to show a card is not without considering if there was a need to show a card. That however is not dependant on the reactions of the one who deserved the card!
Cards are tools to be used only when that is the appropriate tool to get the job done! It is also a matter of note that in the few incidents where I witnessed a youth player creating such a need that in the homelife of the child he faired no better in the discipline department! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The question should not be may I give u-littles cards but did the u-little play in a manner that needed discipline and not be disciplined. Here the u-little learns doing some things that win him the ball or defeat an opponent are perfectly legal and he will continue doing those things as he plays up an age group. When he finally runs into a referee that says his behaviour is intolerable he just won't understand because he has been doing it that way his whole playing career. In that foul player's eye the referee is over zealous, card happy and simply incompetent.

Those of us who referee in accordance with the Law see this all the time. Because other referees fear hurting little Johnnie's ego forgo a caution or a sending-off so he won't cry we are made to look like uncaring imbeciles. In that The Game suffers. Little Johnnie learns his life's lessons way too late and has great difficulty understanding why everyone's out to get him.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

I was sworn at awfully by an U11 in my younger days and actually saw the offense as more serious as it was U11 than I would have in Mens/professional football. A 10 or 11 year old calling you an obscene name is in my book une carte rouge. Straight off, no warnings and hopefully they will learn.....as long as mummy doesn't hug him and tell him it will all be alright!!!