[ayso45-refs] Question about U7 refereeing
Beau James
b_james at pacbell.net
Fri Nov 16 01:32:31 EST 2007
Mark Gitin wrote:
> If possible I would appreciate a reply to this message with our
> region's position on the 'no parking' rule so that we understand how
> to guide the play.
I think Randy Harr captured it well, so I'm going to quote liberally
from his reply. But let's be very clear on one point first: there is no
"no parking" *rule *for the referee to enforce!
> No goalkeepers in U8/U7 and optional ones in U10 are what the
> Short-sided Game Guidelines call for (see inside the "AYSO Guidance
> for Referees and Coaches"). The FAQ inside the Guidance is mute on
> the point of defenders sticking to the goal. Goalkeepers are
> generally required in soccer and so this issue is not addressed so
> directly in other USSF or FIFA documents.
>
> The no keeper rule in U8 and below was introduced into the AYSO small
> sided game after 2001.
Note that in Region 45, "no keeper" was a new adjustment in 2007, and
only for the U7 B/G divisions, not for the U8 division which still uses
keepers.
> But the overall philosophies of short sided have been promoted long
> before keepers were removed. Straight from the AYSO Handbook: "The
> use of fewer players on a smaller playing area ensures that players
> participate more in the game, which in turn helps them develop skills
> and techniques faster. More touches on the ball means more fun and
> opportunities for improving play and learning the game. ... Children
> under 12 relate more readily to smaller groups of players. They also
> have a limited attention span, which precludes prolonged periods of
> activity. Most important, children focus best when learning
> activities are fun. Short-sided soccer is always fun and interesting
> because the players are always in the vicinity of the ball. They
> cannot "hide" in a game or have the unfortunate experience of the ball
> rarely appearing in their part of the field."
>
> As a referee is coaching on the rules at this level, he needs to be
> aware and positive with everyone involved. If he notices a player
> stuck to the goal (always within hands reach lets say) and the ball is
> mostly in the other half, the referee can mention to the player that
> he can play out towards the half line. If the ball is in their half
> most of the time, then it is natural to be near the goal for defensive
> purposes. If the player is hanging out at the goal not because he was
> instructed too but because he does not want to really play at all and
> sees this as a safe, hiding zone; then maybe the referee can
> understand this and support the player in their moment at that time.
> The key here is the player given a choice and is there a need for them
> to be there. A coach who does not give a player a choice should be
> reminded by the referee and written up in the game report so they can
> get some counseling on the spirit of the game for the age group.
> Hence the note you mention in the Region 43 Los Altos Coaches Meeting
> presentation. And also Beau's response that you cannot enforce a
> player who stays glued to the goal as there is no rule against it.
>
> The "No Parking" Rule of some other region would be in violation of
> FIFA Laws of the Game as there is no restriction in player movement.
> See a recent note to instructors on local rules just sent this morning
> (http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ay2arefdocs/message/20). But,
> at the same time, for the age group, coaches should not be forcing a
> player to stay in the goal as this violates the spirit of the game set
> for that age level.
>
> Hope this helps you understand. This is not a clear-cut issue.
> Soccer rules becomes grayer as you move up the skill base into adult
> play as well. Hence why oral tradition plays a big roll in training
> soccer referees.
In summary:
(1) The referee may (gently) coach a U7 player that s/he can play all
over the field, and need not remain next to the goal at all times, even
when s/he is told that her position is "defender".
(2) If the player chooses to stay near his own goal, the referee should
respect that choice.
(3) If the referee learns (by overhearing, or by player statement) that
the player has been /instructed /to stay near/in the goal by his or her
coach:
- the referee /may /choose to (gently, at an appropriate time) remind
the coach that such instructions are not in the spirit of the "no
keeper" guideline for U7; and
- the referee *should *definitely include this information in the game
comments entered in WebYouthSoccer.
(Also remember, this was /*not */the scenario that Daniel presented in
his original posting!)
Beau
> thanks,
>
> Mark.
> On Nov 11, 2007, at 7:46 AM, Mark Gitin wrote:
>
>> After seeing this note, I am quite confused with our use of the 'no
>> goalie' provision for U-7 play. I was unable to find my region 45
>> notes but please see page 13 of the region 43 coaches meeting notes
>> from last year and also an excerpt from another region's AYSO rules
>> for short-sided u7/u8 play. My understanding was that parking
>> players at either goal defeated the purpose of these short-sided
>> games for the young kids and that coaches and referees should
>> directly discourage 'unsporting' activity with respect to parking
>> players. Please clarify our position. Thanks. Mark.
>> <Coaches Meeting Fall 2006.pdf>
>>
>> I. THE “NO PARKING” RULE There is "No Parking" allowed in or
>> adjacent to the goal
>> area at either the offensive or defensive end of the field. The
>> purpose of the “No Parking” Rule is to
>> avoid having a player simply standing near either goal while not
>> actively playing the ball; that is, to
>> prevent having de facto goalkeepers at the defensive end of the field
>> and “cherry picking” attackers
>> at the offensive end of the field. Players must learn the ebb and
>> flow of the game. Coaches must
>> cooperate with the spirit of the Rule, and assist the referee in
>> enforcing it. Sometimes the players
>> themselves decide to park near the goal. This should be
>> discouraged. Further, while the “No
>> Parking” Rule is stated in terms of the Goal Arc in front of the
>> goal, coaches should not “park”
>> defenders or an attacker right outside of the arc as this would
>> violate the spirit of the Rule. The Rule
>> is stated as follows:
>> No Defender or Attacker may be positioned or stand in, or immediately
>> adjacent to,
>> either Goal Area. Any player may enter either Goal Area to play the
>> ball, but the
>> player must then exit with the flow of play. Defenders may not act
>> as de facto
>> goalkeepers, or wait in front of the goal for the ball to be played
>> to them.
>> The referee shall have discretion to determine if the "No Parking"
>> rule has been violated. If,
>> in the referee's opinion, a player is improperly "parked" in front of
>> the goal, the player should be
>> instructed by the referee as to the violation of the Rule and must
>> relocate. If, in the referee's
>> opinion, the “parked" player has been involved in the play, an
>> Indirect Free Kick should be awarded
>> to the other team. If an attacking team is awarded an Indirect Free
>> Kick due to a violation of the
>> “No Parking” rule, it should be taken from the top of the Goal Arc.
>> If a defending team is awarded
>> an Indirect Free Kick, it should be taken from the point of infraction.
>> J. OFFSIDE The offside rule is not enforced in the U6 or U8 Divisions.
>>
>> <pastedGraphic.pdf>
>>
>> On Nov 10, 2007, at 7:49 PM, Beau James wrote:
>>
>>> Daniel Edelson wrote:
>>>> I was ref'ing a U7 Boys game this morning and one of the teams had
>>>> a defender hanging out to defend his goal. This was quite effective
>>>> at preventing goals. According to his coach, the defender wasn't
>>>> instructed to hang-out in the goal, but just naturally decided that
>>>> was how he wanted to play.
>>>>
>>>> The opposing coach got extremely upset. He said that in U7 "we" are
>>>> instructed not to allow players to hang out either in their own
>>>> goal on defense, nor in the opponents goal on offense where they
>>>> can "poach".
>>>
>>> "No goalkeeper" in U7 means that there is no player with the special
>>> privilege of using his or her hands to play the ball while inside
>>> his or her own penalty area. Nothing more or less.
>>>
>>> It certainly does not mean "leave the goal undefended".
>>>
>>>> He became angry at me for now doing anything about the player
>>>> defending in his goal.
>>>
>>> And what exactly did he expect you to do? Send off the player for
>>> being a smart stopper?
>>>
>>>> What should I have done? Should I have taken some action to prevent
>>>> the U7B defender from hanging out in his own goal?
>>>
>>> No.
>>>
>>> But please do include in your game comments, a description of how
>>> this coach's anger manifested itself.
>>>
>>> Beau
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> daniel
>>>>
>>>
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