[ayso45-refs] Region 45 policy for goal guarding in U7

[Beau James]

This has been a great discussion thread.  Please read below for comments 
and more specifics.

Thanks,

Beau

kurt runke wrote:
> I believe the AYSO45 policy is that it is not the ref's role to insist
> that the coach follow such rules (no keeper, play kids evenly, etc.)
> We can politely and subtly try to remind coaches, but our only real
> duty is to report problems on the notes section of the game score.
>   

Spot on!

The referee's role is to enforce the laws of the game in a manner 
appropriate for the age/division.

With respect to other policies and procedures, a gentle reminder is the 
most the referee should do.  After that, please report issues in your 
game comments, and allow the region staff follow up.

*We want to avoid any additional and unnecessary opportunities for 
referees and coaches to come into conflict or become confrontational.*

> Other folks read our comments and will follow up with the coaches.
> Perhaps reminding coaches pregame about the no keeper policy (and ask
> for their help in encouraging kids to go forward) would work.
>   

The region 45 policy on actual goalkeepers in U7 is clear and documented 
on the region 45 website and (I believe) also in the coaches' binder:

>         * U7 Goals are portable hockey-size nets.  No goal keeper.
>         * U8 Goals are larger but not full sized. Goal keepers are used.
>
*There are no goalkeepers in U7. Period!

Even if a team chooses to station a defender in front of the goal, that 
player is not a "goalkeeper".  That player /may not use her or his 
hands/ to play the ball within the goal/penalty area, and has none of 
the other special attributes of a goalkeeper.  That player is an 
ordinary defender, pure and simple.
*
========================================================================

The question that started this thread was not about a "goalkeeper" per 
se.  The question was whether "parking" a */defender/ *in front of the 
goal at all times violated the /spirit /of the U7 policy of "no 
goalkeepers."

As of today, region 45 has no explicit policy regarding a defender 
camping in front of the goal.  Some other regions do have such a 
policy.  As far as I have been able to find, AYSO National does not 
state any policy on this issue in the national guidelines for 
small-sided U7 and U8 play.

The question of whether region 45 should have an explicit policy on this 
issue has been raised to the region staff.  Stay tuned.

*In the meantime:

(1) There are no goalkeepers in U7.
(2) Stationing a defender in front of the goal does not violate any 
existing policy.

Feel free to make a note when it happens in your game comments.  That 
will help the region staff understand how frequent and extensive the 
"parked defender" issue really is. But that's all, for now.

Thank you for refereeing, and thank you for being so passionate about 
doing the right thing.
*
Beau

> On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 5:52 PM, Neil Tuch <ntuch at higcapital.com> wrote:
>   
>> This issue has persisted over several years - maybe we should just be very, very clear to the coaches and all refs that at this level there should be no goalies or anyone acting in a similar capacity - both for their development and to improve the overall game experience.
>>
>> __________________________
>> Neil A. Tuch
>> Managing Director
>> H.I.G. Capital
>> One Market - Spear Tower
>> 18th Floor
>> San Francisco, CA  94105
>> (415) 439-5500 phone
>> (415) 439-5525 fax
>> ntuch at higcapital.com
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ayso45-refs-bounces at ayso45.org [mailto:ayso45-refs-bounces at ayso45.org] On Behalf Of Adin Miller
>> Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 5:42 PM
>> To: 'Taylor, Paul'; 'AYSO45 Refs'
>> Subject: Re: [ayso45-refs] Region 45 policy for goal guarding in U7
>>
>> I've encountered the same in several U7 games. I've had only one opposing
>> team's coach complain about it but have been uncertain if this is the kind
>> of issue that should be elevated through the game comments section on the
>> game cards.
>>
>> -Adin
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ayso45-refs-bounces at ayso45.org [mailto:ayso45-refs-bounces at ayso45.org]
>> On Behalf Of Taylor, Paul
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 10:22 AM
>> To: AYSO45 Refs
>> Subject: [ayso45-refs] Region 45 policy for goal guarding in U7
>>
>>
>> Hi, I  was referee at a game on Saturday where one of the teams posted a
>> player in front of the goal the whole game like a golie that can't use his
>> hands.  In fact there were times when I noticed that the player was lying on
>> the ground inside the goal acting a little bored.
>>
>> I suggested to the coach that he should pull the player up a bit since he
>> was rarely involved in the game, but didn't really know what the policy in
>> our region. I was basically ignored and it continued throughout the game.  I
>> was told by a few people that this violated the spirit of the rules but I
>> didn't know of anything concrete so I didn't do anything about it.
>>
>> Any suggestions on that, or should we even care.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Paul
>>     

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