Had a recent discussion on how many of the new rules should be transferred into underage football. General consensus was not many.
Two-point score: a non runner on shortened pitches - not going to be many at underage anyway
Kick-outs: The kick-out must travel beyond the 40-meter arc. - not a runner, especially during schools winter football
Throw-ins: The start of each half will feature a 1v1 throw-in, where one player from each team contests the ball. - OK to implement
Player positioning: Teams must have at least three outfield players on the opposition's side of the half-way line during play. - ok to implement - refs will have to up their game as the lineman cant be trusted
Solo and GO - not needed below U14 - ok after
Restrictions on goalkeeper - should not be implemented until after U16, otherwise no one will want to play in goal.
Penalties and discipline Cynical fouls: A black card and a penalty will be awarded for deliberately denying a goal-scoring opportunity. - fine
Team officials: Disruptive conduct by team officials is penalized with a free kick awarded to the opposition on the 13-meter line. - badly wanted - should be extended to parents mouthing off also
Neutral officials: Neutral sideline officials can now report foul play, and referees can issue black cards for jersey-pulling in goal-scoring situations. - no one will want to be a corner back now
Timekeeping Public Clock and Hooter: A public clock and hooter system is being implemented to improve timekeeping and address concerns about time-wasting. - clock will be small - hooter not an issue
New rules worth trying at underage
Restriction on handpassing - U8 (max 1), U10 (max 1), U12 (max 2), U14 (max 2), U16 (max 3), U18 (max 4), U20 (max 5). Dissent - U8. 10 & U12 (any type - opposition, ref etc) - 10min off, U14 & 16 - 20m free (plus 10min in bin for dissent to ref), U18 & U20 - 20m free (for any dissent)
Replying To tirawleybaron: "Had a recent discussion on how many of the new rules should be transferred into underage football. General consensus was not many.
Two-point score: a non runner on shortened pitches - not going to be many at underage anyway
Kick-outs: The kick-out must travel beyond the 40-meter arc. - not a runner, especially during schools winter football
Throw-ins: The start of each half will feature a 1v1 throw-in, where one player from each team contests the ball. - OK to implement
Player positioning: Teams must have at least three outfield players on the opposition's side of the half-way line during play. - ok to implement - refs will have to up their game as the lineman cant be trusted
Solo and GO - not needed below U14 - ok after
Restrictions on goalkeeper - should not be implemented until after U16, otherwise no one will want to play in goal.
Penalties and discipline Cynical fouls: A black card and a penalty will be awarded for deliberately denying a goal-scoring opportunity. - fine
Team officials: Disruptive conduct by team officials is penalized with a free kick awarded to the opposition on the 13-meter line. - badly wanted - should be extended to parents mouthing off also
Neutral officials: Neutral sideline officials can now report foul play, and referees can issue black cards for jersey-pulling in goal-scoring situations. - no one will want to be a corner back now
Timekeeping Public Clock and Hooter: A public clock and hooter system is being implemented to improve timekeeping and address concerns about time-wasting. - clock will be small - hooter not an issue
New rules worth trying at underage
Restriction on handpassing - U8 (max 1), U10 (max 1), U12 (max 2), U14 (max 2), U16 (max 3), U18 (max 4), U20 (max 5). Dissent - U8. 10 & U12 (any type - opposition, ref etc) - 10min off, U14 & 16 - 20m free (plus 10min in bin for dissent to ref), U18 & U20 - 20m free (for any dissent)"
I would definitely be in favour of the dissent rules you mention. If it's nipped in the bud early with youngsters, there won't be so many problems with it down the line.
I coach u8s, and in our training games I come down heavily on it. The penny still hasn't dropped for one or two, but they'll get there!
@tirawley baron - when you say how many 'should be transferred into underage football', do you actually mean 'should be taken out again' ?
Because as things stand, the rules apply to all matches on full size pitches. Here in Wexford, that's from U14 upwards. The Rule Book makes no distinction as to age. Were they doing things differently in Mayo?
As for the ones that you say shouldn't or 'not needed':
Two-pointers: Correct that not a runner on shortened pitches (i.e. up to and including U12 here in Wexford). Also correct that won't be too many of them, but that's not a reason not to play according to the rule. I saw one two-pointer from our U14 footballers this year, three or four from our U16s, and a few more from our Minors.
Kick-outs: Why not? A kick-out is taken from the 20m line. It only has to go as far as the 40m arc. So the ball only has to travel 20 metres. It'd be a very strong headwind to prevent even a 13-year-old from doing that.
Solo and go: again, why not at U14? Speeds up the game and affords the fouled player a possible advantage at that age grade too, same as in other age grades.
Restrictions on goalkeeper: didn't affect anybody playing in goal for our teams this year. They just got used to the new rules, same as everybody else did.