By Randy Vogt
When I started refereeing in 1978, all games under-8 on up were 11 vs. 11 on full-sided fields with goals that were 8 yards by 8 feet. Two decades ago, theyounger age groups switched to small-sided games to help the players’ development. After all, fewer players on the field creates more touches on the ball for all players and a smaller field withsmaller goals is more practical for their small but growing bodies.
I have seen an unfortunate pattern of late that teams are relying on goalkeeper punts, which often goes into theopponent’s half of the field on the smaller field, as an attacking tactic. Playing Route 1 defeats the purpose of what small-sided soccer is trying to accomplish and I would recommend thatkeeper punts and drop kicks be banned in small-sided play so that all teams would simply play the ball out of the back.
Not much discussed has been how small-sided games could help the newreferee’s development as well with fewer players on the field to watch and fewer spectators at the games. Let’s be honest that the challenge in officiating small-sided games generally doesnot come from the players, happy to run around the field and kick the ball with their friends, but from the adults, both coaches and spectators who are sometimes living their lives vicariously throughtheir children. Those are the adults who will need to be dealt with should they become “over-enthusiastic.”
And that’s the reason why I prefer to ref U-16 or senior gamesover U-11 games. With the older age groups, the few adults at the game have generally learned to calm down and I have a good feel with the challenges the players present. With the youngest kids, theadults can be divided into three categories:
• “It’s much more important that the kids fall in love with soccer and have fun rather than winning.” Thankfully, theseadults are in the majority.
• “It’s nice that the kids are having fun but I would really like them to win as well.”
• “I’m expecting maximumeffort from every player at all times! It’s the only way that we are going to win the championship!” Maybe not as bad as the evil sensei in the “Karate Kid” movie, but you getthe idea.
The strange thing is a coach in the top two categories will say that I did “Tremendous” or some equally positive adjective, then the coach of the next game from the thirdcategory thinks that I do not have a clue on how to ref. What I’ve discovered is the coaches in that category can especially get out of hand when it’s a close game toward the end.
The referee needs to keep calm even if the adults are not calm. I’ve always kept calm but it’s a bit challenging when a coach, on the touchline for just a year or two, has told me thatI do not know how to referee or do not know the rules. Or tried to intimidate me (good luck with that!).
The sad part is these coaches are the ones who end referee’s careers as well asthe careers of their players. After all, who wants to be yelled at or hear other people being yelled at, especially if you are 8 years old?
(Randy Vogthas officiated over 9,000 games during the past three decades, from professional matches in front of thousands to 6-year-olds being cheered on by very enthusiastic parents. In “PreventiveOfficiating,” he shares his wisdom gleaned from thousands of games and hundreds of clinics to help referees not only survive but thrive on the soccer field. You can visit the book’s websiteat www.preventiveofficiating.com.)
Say it ain’t so, Randy! As backwards as it sounds, U8-U11 needs experienced referees and coaches more than the olders do. There are plenty of decent referees to do those U16 matches, but few think it’s necessary (or desirable) to do BU8 and that’s where your experience is most needed. New coaches, parents and players need your direction since they don’t know better, especially regarding concussion protocols, free kicks, dangerous play. It might not be as gratifying for you personally, but it’s what US Soccer needs the most. And it’s not just boys. I continue to see GU12 silver and gold teams running through opponents, only because no one’s told them they shouldn’t.
Right on punting out of the back. Could just adopt futsal rule that ball from goalie not allowed to cross the halfway line.Wrong on parents being the only problem at a U11 small sided game. This “it’s just small kids” rationalization is detrimental to referring and dangerous. U11 are just as capable of cheating and hacking each other as any other age group. And to a large extent its not that U16 parents have “learned to calm down” but more that the refereeing gets better the older the kids get so there is less to complain about.For one thing younger age referees have typically almost invented their own rules like the “ask for 10” free kick rule and handball is deliberate only if you actually reach your hand up and swat at the ball. I have a kid in both age groups and its not like I become a different person when I go from one of my kid’s games to another. The difference is whether we have referees taking us seriously or not.
In our youth league where I am administrator I have noticed that referees who do just fine at U-12 and above are challenged at U-10 & U-8 because of overexubant coaches & parents. We have made a decision to use these age groups for training young referees because where else can you learn to use a whistle?
As an official for the past 15 years and a former coach up through the Middle School level, Randy’s article and the three responses contain much to think about. I have been dealing with the same problems for as long as I have been an official.1) How do you teach, cultivate, mentor, AND most critically, RETAIN new and younger officials if they do not begin in a “kinder and gentler” environment such as u8/u10 ?? Everything in due time; crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. But these newbies must have the support of a referee group with guidance on and off the field. 2) The biggest reason that an official works these games, ain’t for the $$$$. Greater than that must be a love of the game, being part of a kids’ lives, and to some of the above comments, the ability to TEACH what the Laws are, and more importantly, the correct application of those Laws (HUGE difference between the former and the latter).3) As unfortunate as it may be at times, should an official in the center of ANY level game be confronted by parents/spectators/coaches who do not know how to positively cheer or support all players, or keep their stinkin’ mouths closed, it is extremely easy for the Center Official to stop the game and address the situation by letting the offenders know that in no uncertain terms, “If this behavior does not cease, then I shall have no choice but to abandon the match. We have 14/18/22 players who reallyreallyreally wanna play !!! YOU folks go ahead and make the call.”I have found this method, if done in a very cool and calm manner (not easily accomplished at times) more often than not, will result in the game proceeding with little if any interference from beyond the touch lines.