[ayso45-refs] question about un-tied shoes

[David Luskin]

The problem is, due to the wonders of Velcro, many children do not know how
to tie their own shoes.  I believe they figure it out before they graduate
from High School, but whereas in the old days every child knew by 5 years
old, even at the U9 level a significant number of children do not know how.

So it is not a matter of simply telling/yelling to the child to tie his
shoes when he has a chance.  Rather an adult is needed.  A referee can't ref
while he is tying a shoe.  Further, if a ref decides to risk ignoring play
for a minute to tie a players shoe while play is away from the child, while
you are in the middle of tying play can return to the player.  This then has
the effect of putting the players team down a person as the player is rooted
in place while their shoe is being tied.  Plus the risk and problems
associated with ref being unavailable for a minute or so.

Another option is to send the child to the sideline for a coach or parent to
tie their shoe while play continues.  This has the unfortunate effect of
putting the team down by one player.  And if the child happens to be a
critical defender, it might end up being the reason another team scores a
goal.

Of course, one can reason that if the opposing team scores a goal because a
child is involved in having their shoes tied that is their penalty for not
taking care of it properly in the first place.  But, as the child is likely
not who tied their shoe in the first place, this does not seem to conform to
"safe, fun, and fair".  In particular, not fair, as well as not fun.

So, with lots of ignorance, I would suggest that for some age groups
(perhaps U9 and below) that some stop of play be allowed for tying of laces.
If the problem seems out of control, such as maybe more than one or two
stoppages in a half, then the ref could tell the coaches that the next time
it occurs a player will be sent to the sideline for a coach or parent to
handle the problem and play will not be stopped.

Regards,
David Luskin

-----Original Message-----
From: ayso45-refs-bounces at ayso45.org [mailto:ayso45-refs-bounces at ayso45.org]
On Behalf Of Robert L. Henderson
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 8:29 PM
To: thad at yahoo.com; ayso45-refs
Subject: Re: [ayso45-refs] question about un-tied shoes

Generally, there is no need to stop play unless you feel the player is 
in immediate risk.    The player should be told to tie the shoe and can 
do this while play is away from that player, such as at the other end of 
the field.   If play has stopped (for a throw-in, free kick, etc),  you 
may hold up the restart to allow the player to deal with the shoe.

Thad White wrote:
> Hi Bob, 
>
> I have another question about stopping the game for untied shoes.  I
assume
> that this is ok since it is an unsafe condition.  But I don't remember any
> specific training on this.  Could you just confirm that this is reason for
> stopping play and then resuming with a no-fault drop ball?  
>
> Thanks, 
> Thad 
>
>
>
>   

-- 
Bob Henderson
  Starships piloted
    Dragons slain
      Soccer Refereed


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