The following are some notes on issues that came up during this past weekend’s soccer games:
1. “Playing Up.” It was has been brought to my attention that the coaches of some teams in various age groups U-10 and below have taken the liberty of agreeing among themselves to “play up” with a greater number of players than specified by the SYC Soccer Program Guide. This practice should cease immediately. All games in these age groups should be played consistent with the SYC Soccer Program Guide requirements listed in the table below:
|
League
|
Field Size
|
Ball Size
|
Players
|
Play Down
|
Periods/Duration
|
|
U-10
|
80 x 55 yards
|
4
|
7 v 7
|
6 v 6
|
2 x 30 min Boys
2 x 25 min Girls
|
|
U-9
|
70 x 45 yards
|
4
|
7 v 7
|
6 v 6
|
2 x 30 Boys
2 x 25 min Girls
|
|
U-8
|
40 x 30 yards
|
3
|
5 v 5
|
4 v 4
|
4 x 12 min.
|
|
U-7
|
35 x 25 yards
|
3
|
4 v 4
|
3 v 3
|
4 x 10 min.
|
|
U-6
|
25 x 20 yards
|
3
|
3 v 3
|
3 v 3
|
4 x 8 min.
|
The required player numbers are consistent with current VYSA recommendations (strongly recommended) that SYC has agreed to adhere to. The emphasis during developmental soccer games is on player skill development through touches in game situations. While I understand the desire of coaches to provide more playing time for players by increasing the number of players on the field, this defeats the primary purpose of VYSA mandate (providing the opportunity for a greater number of touches by each player, by decreasing the number of players on the field).
2. Coach Referees. As you are aware, our younger age groups (U-8 and below) use volunteer parent referees. It is my understanding that some coaches have been refereeing these small-sided games themselves while coaching. I strongly discourage this practice. The focus of coaches during developmental soccer games should be on managing, instructing, and teaching their players (including those on the sideline), not on refereeing. Non-coach parents should be enlisted to referee the games. It provides those parents with a good opportunity to earn their volunteer credits, while becoming more involved in and learning about the game their children are playing.
3. Jewelry/Ear Studs. FIFA Laws of the Game, Law 4, The Players’ Equipment, Safety (subparagraph) specifically states: "A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry)." The current posted version of the SYC Soccer Program Guide indicates that players may play with stud earrings if they are covered with tape or bandages. This provision is inconsistent with FIFA rule and current practice at SYC House soccer games, and will be amended to delete the provision regarding studs.
Woody Weir
SYC House Soccer Commissioner
No jewelry is permitted to be worn by players during games.
