Why Don’t We Have Enough Referees?
I will keep this simple. The first one is obvious, the Covid environment has caused some referees to not want to work in it. Older, more experienced, adult referees have become more scarce. The next item is also basically simple, negative commentary from spectators and coaches, over the past years. This item has been causing a decrease over the years, before Covid-19 arrived. With the arrival of Covid-19, and referees being tired of the criticism they received at fields, and sometimes physical attack, many have decided to stop refereeing.
Yes, that’s right, spectators and coaches drive referees away from the game. It is not realized that the referee is really NEEDED, until some one has a game with NO referees, or a reduced number of referees. They don’t like that, as the game is NOT the same without a referee crew. The game is not the same in terms of the game being played ‘by the rules’, and there is a greater lack of safety for players when a full crew is not available.
There is also a side issue. With the danger of Covid considered as a factor, did the referees see a pay increase considering this, or were things left as previously existed, in a ‘take it or leave it’ fashion. Many referees opted to ‘leave it’ and not referee. There are a number of steps that can be taken to provide incentive, if time is taken to sit and consider things.
The referee ‘crisis’ is happening across the country, as basically the referees started getting fed up with their conditions, and the soccer organizations have not been adept to properly respond to the crisis. The same applies to the ‘adults’ at the field, who consider it ‘o.k’ to berate youth referees.
Read this to understand the current dilemma.
As a coach, you are responsible for your parents actions. You can spare the stress on referees by telling any of your parents to basically ‘shut-up’, if you hear them yelling at youth referees. You then have to remember to apply this same thing to yourself.
There is another area that a coach needs to keep in mind, potential liability. In December of 2021, a new legal stance was taken by a California court, a parent was held accountable for encouraging physical action taken against an opponent. With this door now open, future actions could follow. Consider the comments that are sometimes heard from parents at the field, such as ‘don’t let them push you’, ‘stand up for yourself’, etc. These comments could be construed by a player to ‘take action’. Just as in the recent case, the parent could be held responsible for an opposing player being physically struck/tripped/etc., on purpose, by their child.
The same could apply to continuous dissent coming from parents from a team. Any player on the team could view the continuous stream of dissent as open verification that there team was being treated ‘badly’/’improperly’, and they could strike out in frustration at an opposing player. With all of these, keep in mind the standard comment that ‘a coach is responsible for the actions of their parents‘. If improper vocal commentary is being made, and the coach does nothing about it, the coach could potentially be held liable for any bad consequences that could occur.
There are some coaches that feel that it is ‘part of the game’, to ‘game’ the sports officials, and is ‘normal’. While that is true in some cases with professional sports games, it is NOT true for youth sports.
SafeSport Act OF 2017
This is a new federal law that went into effect Feb. 14, 2018. The following brief video will give you an introduction to this new federal law.
If You are a coach/board member/volunteer/team staff of an organization belonging to an NGB affiliate organization, and interact with youth players, it is important that you are aware of items that directly affect you:
- By federal law, you are now a ‘mandatory reporter‘, just like school teachers, police officers, school nurses, etc. By law you are required to report any forms of abuse seen by you.
- By the federal law, you are required to take mandatory abuse training, before you can be with youth athletes. Contact the organization that you coach for, to find out about getting access to the SafeSport on-line Abuse Training course.
- Your electronic communications with a minor youth athlete is directly affected. You must adhere to the communication requirement, as directed by the SafeSport ‘Minor Athlete Preventative Abuse Policy‘.
- For any meetings, you may not be alone with a minor athlete player. Another adult must be present. All meetings must adhere to the meeting requirements as stated under the SafeSport ‘Minor Athlete Preventative Abuse Policy‘.
- Carpooling requirements exist, under the SafeSport ‘Minor Athlete Preventative Abuse Policy‘.
- When with an minor youth athlete, you must always be in an observable and interruptible distance from another adult. This is a key item, which basically states, for any situation, that any non-parent/guardian of a youth athlete should never be alone with a player, in any given situation, unless a parent has specifically given permission for this to happen (i.e. such as driving a player home from practice).
- For teams that travel and spend the night away from home, there are also traveling requirements listed in the SafeSport ‘Minor Athlete Preventative Abuse Policy‘, which you need to follow.
- Please note that youth players & youth referees are covered under the SafeSport Act. Under the mental abuse provision of the act, some coaches may find that they will have to tone down derisive commentary to either their youth athlete players, or a youth referee. Bear in mind that Cal North rules state that no disparaging commentary may be directed toward a youth player, only positive/encouraging commentary may be made. Commentary such as ‘move it, or I will take you off the field’ is disparaging and embarrassing to the youth athlete, and is not positive commentary.
For further information on the SafeSport Law, see the SafeSport page on this site: HERE
A checklist for the mandatory items facing a coach: HERE
COACH LIABILITY
To avoid civil liability issues, a coach should NOT select an assistant coach, and have them start working with their team, before completing mandated training, as required by law.
The SafeSport Act, a federal law, mandates that a team staff member must have completed the abuse training course, before working with youth athletes.
In California, Assembly Bill 2007, a state law, mandates that a team staff member must have completed a concussion training course, before working with youth athletes. ANY adult that you wish to help you with the team, at any point in time, for any length of time, must be so trained. This does not even include the required background screening that is required by Cal North, before a party can be with youth team members.
This may mean for some coaches who do not have assistant coaches already, that they must immediately recruit an assistant coach from their parents, as soon as they receive their team roster. They will need to have the party work on fulfilling the requirements immediately, so that they will be available to work at team practice sessions, and upcoming season games.
The burden will be solely upon the coach, until their assistant coach completes all of the mandated requirements.
US Soccer – Player Development Initiative
In 2015, US Soccer introduced the Player Development Initiative (PDI). This initiative would redesign the method in which soccer was being played, with the emphasis on player development, reducing playing stress, and emphasizing more fun into the game. This initiative was mandated by US Soccer to be fully implemented for Fall play, 2017. All affiliated associations/clubs are required to implement the initiative, with all of its’ components.
Small Sided Games Concept
Small sided games have existed in non-US based soccer play for years. The concept is part of FIFA’s ‘grassroots‘ campaign for soccer play, and is well established in many countries. FIFA states the following, for the emphasis on small sided games:
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- you come into contact with the ball more often
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- you experience a wider range of football situations.
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- you can play in the attacking and defensive positions.
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- you can take more strategic decisions.
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- you have more opportunities to score.
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- you can really improve your football techniques.
- it is more fun playing in a less stressful environment
FIFA states that in small sided games, “The children are also much more involved in the game (more movement and practice) and enjoy it much more than playing on a large pitch. Fewer players on the pitch and smaller teams ensure that each participant gets more individual attention. There are also more goalscoring opportunies (which is what children want) ….”. FIFA has a ‘Grassroots Festival‘, for emphasizing the Small Sided games concept. US Soccer has small sided game resources here .
Small Sided Game Concept Within US
Player Development Initiative
The Small Sided Game Initiative, incorporated into the PDI resulted in mandated changes to the manner in which games are played in youth soccer. The changes started in 2016, to be fully implemented by fall, 2017. Refer to the small sided games rules for further information. There are mandates and ‘strongly suggested’ items in the PDI. To view what is mandated, vs what is ‘strongly suggested’, view the following:
The US Soccer Small Sided Games Initiative introduced soccer buildout lines, for 7 V 7, in the U9-U10 age groups. The half time for U9-U10’s was increased from 5 min. to 10 min. The initiative also modified the play time for U6-U8’s. U6-U8’s play time is four halves, with a maximum of 10 min. per half, with a 5 min. break between half’s.
Soccer Buildout Lines
U9/U10 Age Groups
Buildout Line Rules
To Print The Above: 
NOTE: Cal North does not allow heading in U12 & down. The PDI rules do not allow heading in U11 and down.
NOTE: The original PDI playing rules, for U10 play, using the buildout line, have not been modified to match the 2019-2020 IFAB playing rules for a goal kick. This change now allows players to cross the buildout line as soon as the ball is kicked. They do not have to wait until the ball clears the penalty area.
Coach Buildout Line Manual
U10 Play
Discussion Topic – When Is Ball In Play
There is some confusion as to when the ball is in play and when opponents can cross the buildout line to attack the ball. First, the buildout line only comes into consideration for three items:
- During a goal kick.
- During a goalkeeper save
- For determining offside
Other than determining offside, the following chart lists when the ball is playable and where opponents must be.
To get a print copy of the above: 
In addition to the above rules all other FIFA rules will be called
Further information on ‘build out line‘, and the ‘US Soccer – Player Development Initiative‘ , of which build out lines are a component:
US Soccer PDI Versions ( Oct., 2017 )
Player Development Initiatives
Player Development Initiatives FAQ’s
NOTE: The original PDI playing rules, for U10 play, using the buildout line, have not been modified to match the 2019-2020 IFAB playing rules for a goal kick. This change now allows players to cross the buildout line as soon as the ball is kicked. They do not have to wait until the ball clears the penalty area.
US Youth Soccer Small Sided Game Manual
My Summarized US Soccer PDI Versions
Coaching The Build Out Line
The following film covers some suggested tactics for 7 V 7 play. One thing the author forgot to do was to put the build out lines on their displayed field though.
Information On Buildout Line Tactics
Parents Rules Cheat Sheet
Buildout Line Field Diagram
Buildout Line
Goalkeeper Play/Field Environment
It will be extremely important for team defense/offense that the goalkeeper is fully aware of how the buildout line can be used during play. How they handle putting the ball back into play, for a goalkeeper save, affects the tactical playing ability of a team. Using the build out line as an ‘advantage’, or not using this advantage, under appropriate circumstances, will help the goalkeeper effectiveness. The goalkeeper also has to be trained to understand that they cannot kick the ball until all opponents have gotten behind the buildout line. They must patiently wait until this occurs.
Buildout Line
Defensive Strategy
A defense that is stationary on the half line can no longer be told to let a player run past them, as that player would be considered offside. With the build out line, the player is still onside, if running past a last defender stationed on the half line. The ‘offside trap’ tactic will have to be reconsidered/revamped.
Buildout Line
Offensive Strategy
The most dramatic change will be in how offside is handled. Both defenses and offenses will have to adjust to an attacker being able to get much closer to the goal area, without being called offside. This is an offensive advantage for a team if used appropriately. On the reverse side, a defense will have to plan/play with this fact in mind.
The goalie also has an offensive skill that they will have to learn to use also, in regard to the buildout line. A goalkeeper may release the ball quickly, not waiting for opponents to get behind the buildout line, or they may way until the opponents are behind the line. In a game, with their team ahead, a goalkeeper may effectively use the aspect of holding onto the ball, until opponents get behind the line, as an ‘advantage’ for their team.
Buildout Line
Offside
The manner in which offisde is now called, due to the usage of the buildout line has dramatically changed. No player can be called offside, when they are between the half-way line and the buildout line.
The defenders/attackers & Assistent referee will have to adapt to this knew manner for handling offside. defenders/attackers will have to learn different methods for handling their field roles in this new environment. The usage of the ‘offside trap’ will have to be revisited for attackers and defenders. A speedy attacker, positioned at the buildout line will be more dangerous than previously, as they have been allowed to get closer to the goal.
Concussions
Many states have passed concussion laws which require a coach to have concussion training, and to yearly update their concussion knowledge. In California, on January 1, 2017, a state law was enacted thru AB 2007. This law requires virtually all non-school related sports groups to ensure that coaches take concussion training, before they take over a team. This same law requires parents and athletes to sign a concussion acknowledgement form, yearly, which gives them concussion information.
The general theme is to insure that all parties have the proper information on concussions, so that they can be effectively handled. With the Concussion Initiative, both coaches and parents need to be aware that if a player is removed from a game, due to a suspected concussion, they are done for the day–period.
The rules state that if a coach/parent attempts to argue the decision with the referee, the referee is to terminate the game immediately.
Soccer Goal Safety
Soccer goals represent a potential safety hazard to players & spectators. Goals must be checked for anchoring, whether used by players, or around spectators. The hazard comes from the potential for an un-anchored goal to tip over. This can be possible when high winds are blowing, or from a party attempting to grab the overhead cross-bar and hang from it. The coach must instruct their goalkeeper that they are to never attempt hanging from the crossbar, as their weight may tip the goal over.
Tipping goals have caused injuries and deaths to parties struck by them. It is the responsibility of the party setting the goals up to ensure that the goals are properly anchored to the ground.
For practice sessions, when goals are present, it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that the goals are anchored properly. When going out to practice, a smart coach may want to carry goal anchors in their car trunk.
It is the responsibility of referees to check goals for anchoring, prior to each game starting, and insuring that there are anchors on each goal. A game may not be played when goals are not anchored.
There are a number of methods for securing goals, which range from anchors on each leg, to anchors on the rear bar of the goal. The following resources provide information for the anchoring and securing of goals.
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goals
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Safety Alert
A suggestion for goal anchoring
A further step for safety is the coach informing their goalie(s) that they are to never attempt to hold onto the goal crossbar. It has been demonstrated by interviews with goalies that most were never told to not attempt holding onto the overhead crossbar during a game/practice. The coach should explain why the goalie should not do this, outlining the potential safety concerns.
Incidents Involving Soccer Goal
St Louis Post Dispatch
WLS-TV Corboy & Demetrio
Training young players
Are you a new coach working with young players, or a coach interested in improving your training skills with young players? Well, US Youth Soccer has something for you, at a bargain cost. They have a new training video out here. This DVD is described by them as follows:
“Focusing on technique, Skills School teaches the fundamental elements of dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, tackling and heading for field players as well as basic goal keeping skills. Each skill is shown in full and show motion and broken down into stages to enable coaches to better instruct their young players.”
They have also created a training manual to go along with the DVD, here . The DVD costs $3.99 plus shipping, a bargain for a new coach, combined with the free training manual.
If you are a new coach, and or new to soccer, you may need to learn the positions of soccer. The following link will provide valuable information on the characteristics of soccer field positions:
Team/player development
The team will progress in skills/playing ability by the manner in which the coach runs the practice sessions and dispenses knowledge. For a coach, this typically means that you must plan your sessions, with set items to work on.
Are there things that you have observed in weekend games that your team, or a player needs to work on? If it is a player, this is a good time to use your assistant coach to work directly with the player(s), to work on any item needing refreshing/building upon. This is a fine balance, as you will need to work on the deficiency and impart the knowledge to them that the rest of the team received for the practice session.
Unless you are an experienced coach, or some one that played a good deal of soccer, you may find that your ability to train your players my tax your soccer knowledge.
As a team/player progresses through soccer they will require new skills each year, to match their age group playing capability/knowledge. A coach has to increase their knowledge, to be in a position to train players in higher skill sets. This is especially important in the U12 and up age groups.
There are coaching license course, given by Cal North, which can help you to do this. Some leagues require certain license levels, as a criteria for being able to coach older age group players. Irrespective of this, a coach interested in their team continuing to develop, should ensure that they have the proper skill set needed for their age group. This means taking the classes. A coach can also find soccer books/videos at their local library.
Players enjoy practice sessions that are well-developed (i.e. planned and reviewed) which strengthens their ability to play, while being varied for each practice session. They do not get bored in this manner and look forward to the next practice session, to see what might be new, and to reinforce training received in the previous practice session. They are having fun, and not doing the ‘same old thing’, which can help motivate/keep players.
You can have more than one assistant coach. They can become invaluable when running a practice session. Instead of having the entire team doing only one thing, you could split the team in half, with each group learning/working on the item, rotate them through both items for the day, and then scrimmage against each other, putting into practice what was taught for the day.
Practice Sessions
Plan out your practice sessions. Each session concentrates on developing specific skills, with multiple skills covered during a session. You end your session with a team scrimmage, where these skills are practiced and refined. For doing this, you prepare ‘lessons plans’ for each session.
Links For Soccer Practice Plans
US Youth Soccer
SoccerExpert
Footy4kids
US Youth Soccer Coaches Connectio
US Youth Soccer Responsible Coaches Guide for Successful Practices
Take Game Notes
For each game that your team plays, a variety of information is actively displayed during the game. You should note areas where your team is having difficulty. This should be incorporated into your lesson plan for the next practice session.
You should also note if improvement areas is related to the team as a whole, or individual players. If there are individual players who appear to need a ‘refresher’ on previously taught skills, this is a spot where your assistant coach can step in and work one-on-one with the player(s). In this manner you do not have to recover a previous lesson for the entire team. These players could cover the current lesson plan items for the day, during the end of session scrimmage time (they would have missed a small part of the current lesson plan items, while they were being refreshed. They would rejoin the team after their private session, but would have missed previous lesson plan items for the day)
The goal being to ensure that all of your players are evenly developed in all areas, to eliminate any potential ‘weak spots’. For a coach, this may be an assignment that they give to their assistant coach for each game, or they could alternate as to who takes notes for games.
If you would like to do team line-ups, prior to arriving at the field, the following item from SoccerExperts will help you to keep track of your team line-ups.
Shoulder Charge
Shoulder charging is another effective tool, to take the opponent off the ball. Referees will call penalties for shoulder charges that are not shoulder to shoulder. A proper shoulder charge cannot go into the back, or chest. There is a fine distinction between a proper shoulder charge and a football like tackle, taken by an opponent running full blast and hitting an opponent, shoulder to shoulder. Typically the referee will call the player for ‘charging’ at that point.
Some coaches do not teach shoulder charges. The end result is that a defender might run up to a player, and then run along side of a player down the field. They are then hoping that the ball will be kicked far enough in front of the offensive player, so that they can take a swipe at it. It doing this, they allow the offensive player the opportunity to continue down the field, with the ball. If the offensive player can out run them, the defender is left behind.
The shoulder charge allows a player to disrupt the rhythm of a player, both in running and in ball handling. It can allow other defenders time to swarm in, or to set up defensive positions at the goal. The shoulder charge increases the players odds of getting a swipe at the ball, through making life harder for the offensive player.
Some offensive players cannot control the ball, while fighting off a shoulder charge and they lose the ball. Players who have not practiced shoulder charges are at a total disadvantage when they play teams that practice shoulder charges. They are not used to players ‘being physical’ with them. This is a normal soccer play, as long as the shoulder charge is done properly (i.e. no use of hands).
Players must practice to get used to this tactical method, both for defending against it as an attacker, and in using it as a defensive player. It goes without saying that shoulder charging is typically not taught to very young players. These players are still learning the balancing of their bodies while playing and have enough issues in just kicking the ball, without falling down! This is an item that is sometimes hard for parents to understand, as they might think that their player is being pushed.
As a side note, a parent who has never seen a shoulder charge may believe that their child is being physically attacked. The coach must educate the parent at this point.
Shoulder Charge
Shoulder Charge2
Shoulder Charge, From Referee Point of View
Game Adjustments
Be prepared to make adjustments in the game by watching how the other team is playing. You may have to move players around, depending on skill abilities and the speed/lack of speed of a player.
Game Tactics
Practice set pieces for throw-ins/corner kicks/offside traps, etc. Every player should know their position for any tactical play that is done. Part of this is also learning to shield the ball from players, using their body and the sidelines.
Links For Soccer Game Tactics Information
Dummies.com – Choosing A Soccer Formation
Soccer Pilot
Ezine
WikiHow
Soccer Formations
Soccer Drills
Defense, Defense, Defense
Your defensive players should learn to work as a unit in their defensive formation. They should learn to do this automatically and silently (yelling at each other to ‘move up’ only alerts the opposing team to move their players up also, to avoid being offside.
The defensive line should learn to watch the ball coming down the field, and the position of offensive players around them. This can help them to implement a offside trap, by moving forward as a unit, right before a ball is kicked toward them. This leaves any offensive player in an immediate offside position. This requires precise timing on the part of the defensive line, and must be done quickly and in silence. A defensive line must practice this, if it is to be done properly. The term for doing this is called the ‘offside trap‘.
It should be fully understood that if you leave your defensive line back, near your goal, that you are giving up all of the space in front of your goal for potential offside. You have effectively given the opposing team a ‘free’ path all the way down to your goal area. The same applies if only one member of the defense stays back near the goal area. The opposing team cannot be offside, early in their attack, they have the field area between the last defender to get closer to your goal.
If your team relies on the ‘offside trap‘, do not trap yourself at the same time. A counter to the trap, where you have moved all of your players up to the half-way line, is a speedy offensive player. Your defensive on the half-way line needs at least one speedy defender, to counter any ball shot over their heads. The opposing team could practice ‘break-outs’ by having players running with speed toward the half-way line, with a player kicking the ball deliberately hard and high, right before their players reach the half-way line.
The defenders on the line have minimum time to react, before the running players are past them, heading to get the descending ball. It would take speed to catch up with them and challenge them for the ball. A good coach will notice what side of your defensive line will have speed, and which side does not have speed, and adjust accordingly.
Links For Soccer Defense Information
Soccer Expert Soccer Expert2
Soccer Training Guide
EHow
Active
Offside Trap: How To
How To Shield The Ball
Shielding The Ball (video)
Shielding The Ball (video2)
Offensive Tactics
Work with your offensive to come up with different offensive tactics, using as many different players as possible. Do not be ‘predictable’ in your offense. An example of this is a coach who has their ‘star’ forward on one side of the field, and all of the attacking occurs with this player, on their side of the field. This makes it extremely easy for the opposing team to defense against.
Links For Soccer Offense Information
Soccer Training Guide
Soccer Expert
Elite Soccer Training
Beating The Offside Trap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7gW08tgu_IM
Wall Pass
Incorporate a wall pass into passing plays. The use of a wall pass is a good weapon against a team that does not have good ‘conditioning’. Making their players ‘chase the ball’ could wear them down, especially if it is warm.
Coaching_Soccer_How_to_do_a_Wall_Pass_Online_Soccer_Academy
Soccer Throw-In Strategy
Links For Soccer Throw-In Strategy
Better Soccer Coaching
Active
eHow
FUN!
Consider having ‘fun’ times, such as a picnic/movie/pool party, etc. for your team. This will help your team to gel as a team and to enjoy their season. It also will serve as a means of opening communications between parents and between yourself.
Goalie Development (U10 & Up)
If you do not have experience in training a goalie, attempt to gain the knowledge yourself, from a class offered for coaches, or ask your league about getting instructors to come and offer goalie instruction for league goalies. Your goalie is a key component of your team defense and they need development in parallel to skill development for field players.
Tips For Soccer Goalies:
Tip #2
Video #1
How To Be A Soccer Goalie
Soccer Skills Education
The following site has a collection of drills available, covering a wide variety of subjects, such as:
Dribbling
Passing
Receiving
Heading
Crossing
Possession
Defending
Attacking
Shooting
Goalkeeping
The site also has information for:
Soccer Drills By Age
Soccer Tip By Topic
Soccer Skills
Soccer Nutrition
Soccer Resources
Click above to go to site
US Youth Soccer Resources For Coaches
USYS has a collection of soccer videos for coaches, free to view, covering a wide range of
topics.
Coaching Documentation
Best Practices
U6-U19 Practice Activities
Coaching Players With Physical Challenges
Olympic Development Program
Recreational Player Pathways
Training Session Template
U.S. Youth Soccer On-Line Education
Your First Team Meeting
A document for coaches, which you can edit and hand out at your first coaches meeting. It outlines a lot of items that should be covered and gives you the opportunity to input your own data. This document is in Microsoft Power Point and may be found here.
How To Head The Ball
This is an extremely important topic, due to the potential effects on a player. There are rampant discussions happening in the medical community regarding headings and potential concussions. Part of the discussion centers around there being an absolute need to ensure that heading is taught properly. Coinciding with this is a general feeling that players that are under 14, should not be heading the ball, due to the ongoing development of their brain.
US Soccer issued heading guidelines, in Nov. of 2015, here . If you are unfamiliar with heading and have a team in an age group where heading occurs, you should contact your league to find out if they offer any training in this area, or can they put you in contact with the appropriate parties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8it3Nlr1P5Y
One note here, it has been proven that female players are more susceptible to neck injuries/concussions, due to weaker muscles in neck and back than male players. It has been recommended that physical conditioning for female players be added to team sessions, to help develop the muscles in the neck/back.
Slide Tackling
There are sometimes questions asked about slide tackling and rules regarding it. The only issue with slide tackling is that it must be done properly. Referees will call penalties for slide tackling that is not done properly and violate FIFA rules. This is done to naturally enforce the rules, and for player safety. In general, younger players do not typically slide tackle as they are doing well to just stay on their feet and keeping their balance. For older teams, slide tackling, done properly, is a potent soccer tool.
‘But I got the ball ref’. This is typically the statement when a player strikes the ball, but then takes a player down. It does not matter if the player gets the ball, if they slide tackle with one leg up of the ground and the leg takes a player down. Both legs have to be down when slide tackling and the cleats can never be up. Slide tackling is a tool, but must be practiced to ensure the safety of the player & opponent.
Bad tackle! Card time!
Good tackle
Hand Ball
This often causes confusion on the part of spectators and new coaches. A referee has to judge if the ball played the player, or did the player play the ball. Typically if a ball is struck toward a player in such a manner that the player does not have time to react, a hand ball will not be called. The picture to the left shows the worst case scenario where a ball hits a defenders hand. There are a number of questions, from looking at the picture, if you are looking from the halfway line.
Was the ball touched outside the goal line, or inside the goal line? Did the defender have time to get their hand down/out-of-the-way, when the ball was played? Was this a deliberate act to stop a goal? If so, it means automatic ejection.
The referee must make a snap judgment on the above items and in this case may need advice from the assistant referee, who had the angle on the goal line. This form of decision shows a ‘pressure’ situation for a referee. Many people would not like to be placed into this type of decision, in front of two groups of parents and teams. Either way, someone will be unhappy.
Offside, The ‘non-ball’ factors
A Player that is offside, but does not receive the ball, can still be called offside if they:
Use any verbal means in an attempt to disrupt the play.
Use physical means to interrupt play (i.e. wave arms, stick leg out, etc.)
Impede the progress of any opponent by standing in their way.
Offside In General
Offside is a matter of angle. Unless a player is visibly offside, with open space between them and opposing players, it is impossible to judge unless you are lined up with the players. It is also a methodology of split second timing, per when the ball was played. Spectators do not watch a game to determine offside. They watch game play, not offside play, and this includes a coach.
When the game play is watched, and the scene quickly shifts to a offside determination, field position of everyone has changed by that point. As an example, a ball is played up field and kicked down field. Everyone is watching the area where the ball is played. The forwards may be down the field, away from where the ball is being played.
No one is watching where the forwards are down field, except for the assistant referee, when the ball is kicked. This is especially true when forwards use ‘timing runs’, where they start running right before the ball is kicked by their player.
As offside is determined by where they were when the ball is kicked, if they are a fast runner, they could be past the last defender before the ball gets there. They could only have the goalie as the last defender at that point. They were onside when the ball was kicked, but quickly advanced up the field, before a defender could react/defend. They are good to go. This requires precise timing, to insure that they do not past the last defensive player, to go after the ball. In this instance, speed and timing are both formidable offensive weapons.
When the ball is kicked, all heads swivel to where the ball is going. In that instance, all players have changed position, which the spectator will not have noticed, as they have been game watching. The assistant referee has to know where the players were, when the ball was kicked. Their positioning is that they must remain with the second to last defender, to properly judge if a played is lined up offside.
A shoulder, or a hand being past the opponent would not make the player offside, but a head, chest, knee, or foot past the 2nd to last defender would place the player offside. What is essentially counted is any part of the body that is legal to play the ball with.
A player is not to be flagged as being offside, just because the ball heads in their direction. They have to actually play the ball, to be flagged, or participate in play by the act of obstructing/distracting a defensive player. This most likely will take time to filter down to referees, at all levels.
Build Out Line & Offside – Under US Soccer mandate, ‘Player Development Initiatives ( PDI )go into effect, as of fall, 2017. For U9 & U10 play, the ‘Build Out Line‘ exists on the playing field. No offside may be called between the half-way line & the build out line. This will require a shift in thinking for coaches, players, and referees, as it introduces a new playing dimension on the field.
Obstruction / Impeding The Play Of An Opponent
A simple one. Soccer is not football, and you cannot run a ‘pick’ play, as in basketball. You play the ball, you cannot play the opponent. A player must be within playing space of a ball (typically stated to be three feet), to have interaction with a player. A player cannot attempt to block a player, by any means, while not within playing distance of the ball. You cannot ‘play’ a player, when the ball is not within reach.
High Kick
What is a high kick and when is it called? This is considered ‘dangerous play’. The kick will generally be called when a kick is made in the face of opponents, putting the safety of a player in jeopardy. A player making a high kick, with no one nearby, would not be called.
What do you think about this situation?
Female Players and Their Natural Arm Movements
This particular item can vary, from referee to referee, as to judgment calls. Part of the reason is that ‘intent’ has to be judged when the player is being engaged, or is engaging another player. Typically both players will be running with their arms out, as a normal practice. The question becomes is one, or both players using their arm to impede the other player. In the following picture, player # 4’s arm is being grabbed by the trailing player, this is a penalty. Notice though that for both players, all arms are extended from their sides while running. Controversially, in the 2014 World Cup, you saw a lot of male players running with their arms out. Their main intent was to hold back opponent players, who typically were liberal with their arms also.
Your call in the next picture. Do you think that player #20 is
being held up by the arm, or is this ‘incidental contact’, while the player is trying to strip the ball? This action is happening during a non-running situation, but may happen and end quickly.
Another example of dynamic play, with arms involved. During a match with female 
players, a referee is constantly judging intent, with regard to arm involvement. Some are easily discernible, and some are not. In this case, did the player in the red jersey try to lunge through an out-stretched arm, or was the arm being used to hold the player back. Decide quickly, a coach is watching!
Touch Line
In the above picture, this field has the touch line (in orange), and a line 1 yard away from the touch line, for people to sit behind. The 1 yard distance is mandated by FIFA. What you will note is that some people find it necessary to sit at, or on the line, with some having legs/feet past the line. This 1 yard line is used at some fields to keep people away from the touch line, attempting to ensure that the assistant referee has room to run up and down the line, without tripping over feet/possessions/people.
A common danger is people not keeping their young children away from the touch line. This presents a danger to the child, players, and the assistant referee. Play can happen fast, and players are not looking down, to see if they might be running over a child, when near the touch line. They are concentrating on play. A kicked ball, or attempt to kick a ball, could strike a child standing at the touch line. Likewise, a player running after a ball, attempting to keep the ball on the field, could run over the touch line, attempting to tap the ball back into the field. A child would be would over, and it would cause this player to fall. Both could be injured.
An assistant referee running down the touch line is watching play on the field. A child that is near the touch line could be the victim of a collision with the assistant referee. This could result in an injury to one, or both of them. Coaches should insure that all of their spectators are 1 yard away from the touch line at all times, which includes chairs, blankets, and other possessions. Some coaches have the mistaken belief that they are allowed to stand close to the field, at the touch line. This is incorrect. A coach must keep the same one yard distance from the touch line, as a spectator must do.
The assistant referee has to be able to see down the touch line at all times, to judge if the ball has gone out. Players need the sideline to be clear, in order to play. At game speeds, things can happen fast near the touch line. Keep children away from it and keep all parties one yard back from the touch line. Players may need to run over the touch line, to keep a ball from going out. They cannot do this if people are in the way. You can hurt your own team by either being in the referees way, blocking their line of sight, or preventing your player from being able to play the ball near the touch line. You can also risk injuring a player or spectator, by having people too close to the touch line.
It is the coaches responsibility to keep everyone one yard back from the touch line. The referee should not have to ask folks to keep one yard back, which is the rule. Another thing that you should be aware of, you can be sanctioned by the referee for the behavior of your parents. If you have a loud/aggressive parent, that is shouting at the referee or opposing players, talk to them before the referee talks to you. You can be ejected for not controlling your sidelines.
It is a belief among some parents that they are not subject to league penalties, only the coaches. This is inaccurate in per CYSA rules. A parent can be sent to the league disciplinary committee. The end result could be that they would miss some of their players future games. A coach can also get into difficulty by refusing to identify an unruly parent, as they are held accountable for the behavior of their parents. If requested, a coach must help a referee to identify a parent that is being sanctioned by the referee.
Soccer Formations (what does this term mean?)
You may here a coach say that they play a 4-4-2, 3-3-4, or other numerical formation term. What does this mean to a novice coach–tactics. The formations that a team may use serve a tactical purpose on the soccer field. As an example the 4-4-2 means that there are three formation scenarios, with four (4) players in the first scheme, four (4) players in the next line scheme, and three (3) players in the last line scheme. It does not necessarily mean that the players are lined up in a straight line, across the field.
Ok, now comes the next question for a coach. How do I learn, or teach formations? Well, it takes, research, and patience on your part. This will not come over night to your players, and you must constantly practice this. I have listed some sites below that can help you in this.
Dummies.com : Choosing A Soccer Formation
http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/positions.htm
Learning to recognize when to use certain positions can potentially help in your game, for achieving specific results. As a side benefit, it can throw an opposing coach off-balance, as your players shift into a different game pattern. This can greatly benefit you in the second half of a game, when a coach has spoken to their team at half-time, on ‘adjusting’ to your play from the first half of the game. The key is that your players must have practiced these positions and understand their roles. This will not happen over night.
The strategies can also have names, such as the ‘bunker defense’, which essentially tightens up the defense capacity of a team, to hold off attacks. The Women’s National team used this against China, in the 1999 world cup, to win the world cup. This victory helped to start the formation of WUSA, the women’s soccer league.
Sweats
When it gets cold, it is allowed for players to wear long pants/tops, provided that they are under their uniforms. Do not be surprised to find some variations in this. Some referees do not care, as long as the sweats are under the uniform. Some referees might specify that the sweats all be the same color, under the uniform. In general, must rules are that the sweats must be of the same color of the shorts, or that the entire team must wear a uniform color.
Throw-ins’
Teams get a lot of throw-ins during a game. Players should learn how to throw the ball in properly, but teams should also learn the ‘strategy’ of throw-ins. Teams should practice on ‘set plays‘ for throw-ins. Who goes where, sideline, or in-field throw-in, using the opposing player, using your own player’s back to make a wall pass back to the thrower, etc.
Everyone should know their spots, giving the thrower ample targets. Identifying those players that can make long throw-ins is also a must, so everyone must practice throwing the ball in (if you depend on just one player to do all throw-ins, and that player is unavailable for a game, you have an issue). This is one of the strategy areas of a soccer game that often goes over-looked. For Cal North (CYSA) play, a substitution is only allowed when:
The ball went out, over the touch line, when kicked by an opponent. Only you may sub.
On a goal kick, which includes after a goal is scored, before goalie kicks ball into play–Either team.
If an injury occurs and play is stopped–Either team.
Penalty Kicks/Shootouts
If you are a team that goes to tournaments, you must practice this vital aspect. The players must practice this in the same manner that other soccer skills are practiced. You must be able to identify your solid kickers and have them on the field, if you are going into a shoot-out situation. The players must practice their shots from the penalty mark to goal, and the goal keeper must practice blocking shots. It is especially vital that a goalie has had the experience of working with penalty kicks, so that they will be more accustomed to them. The players will be more at ease when they have practiced these situations and be less jittery.
You must also remember to keep an eye on the time, if a game is heading toward a shoot-out situation, as only the players on the field can take part in the kicks, you may not substitute in players.
If you are awarded a penalty kick during a game, a player is also better prepared to attempt this shot, when they have practiced. Don’t forget your goalie, when you practice kicks, as your goalies may want to be one of the shooters, in shoot-out situations. For information on how to handle penalty kick situations, the following is a good reference:
Game Strategy
Develop a playing style that covers the entire field area, through accurate passing and running. You will be more effective in getting down field. Do not develop a method of playing, which involves going to the same player, on the same side of the field, every time you head down field. This is one-dimensional playing. It also allows the defenders to key in on the side of the field and the offensive lead player.
I saw a game once in which a coach always went down the right side of the field, attempting to get the ball to the same player every time. It took a short while for the opposing time to notice this. They swamped the one side of the field with defenders, keying in on the one player. No adjustments were made at half time. This coach never made it past midfield, for the majority of the entire game.
If you play the ‘offside trap’, a critical element is that all defenders must move up the field together, in a perfect line across the field. Any defender hanging back will disrupt the offside trap ‘line’. If you have to yell at your line to move up, you are also notifying the opposing team to move up. It is more effective if your defense moves up, quietly, as a unit, without being told. This can often catch an offensive player ‘napping’. This is a defensive routine that must be practiced, until it becomes a natural part of play.
High School Rules vs. FIFA Rules vs. League Rules, stated simply, read the CYSA rules & your league rules. The rules that exist for high school games do not necessarily apply to CYSA governed games. Many coaches get hung up on high school rules and get upset at the referee, figuring that the referee does not know the rules. The reality is that they are mixing high school rules, which may not apply in CYSA games. It is the coaches responsibility to learn the rules, for themselves, and for teaching their players. A player that is tired, and expects to get substituted on a corner kick, because their coach has instructed them that this can happen, might get upset when it gets nixed by the referee.
Substitutions on corner kicks, or when the opposing team subs, is allowed in high school play, but not in CYSA play. A typical example is allowing substitutions on corner kicks. This does not apply at CYSA games. A coach should ensure that they and their players are aware of the differences between the rules, if they are high school players. If you coach in multiple age groups, you might need to pay close attention as to what rules are enforced/modified with the older players, which are modified in the younger age groups. Most of the confusion for coaches occur with substitution rules.
Jewelry
Simple answer, get rid of it. The wearing of jewelry is not permitted in CYSA games. The taping over of pierced ear rings is no longer acceptable. They must be removed. This also includes any metal items in the hair, such as bobby pins and hair clips. This is to protect the player from injury while doing headers. Coaches should have all such items removed prior to the referee checking their team in.
The ‘fun’ aspect
Remember that soccer should be fun for the kids, not just a battle for win/lose. Encourage the kids, no matter what happens. Form parent arches for either win or lose, to show that it is effort that counts.
The players should not be chastised after losing a game. Instead, emphasis should be used to point out what the team needs to work on, as a team. Constant emphasis on winning puts pressure on young players and diminishes the ‘fun’ aspect of playing.
Wearing of casts/splints/etc.
Cal North, PIM 04-1 Player Equipment (effective September 12, 2004) All players, parents, coaches, and referees are required to act as a reasonable person concerning player safety, including protecting players from wearing any equipment or device that is dangerous to the player wearing the equipment or device or to any other player. Dangerous equipment and devices include but are not limited to orthopedic casts, air-splints or metal splints. Players wearing any dangerous equipment or device including orthopedic casts, air-splints or metal splints, shall not be eligible to participate in any game, practice, tryout or training session.
Assistant Referees
The assistant referee is a part of a referee team. They have full FIFA law powers, except for the actual booking/ejecting a party. In these two cases, they must ask the center referee to do such. This is important as many spectators say things within hearing range of an assistant referee, believing that the assistant referee can do nothing about it. If the assistant so desires, they may pass the issue to the center referee, and ask that the matter be handled.
The center referee is in ‘charge’ of the game. The center referee may ask the assistant referee to help call fouls that the center referee did not see. The assistant referees primary role is to call the direction of ball throw-ins’, when the ball goes out, to judge offside, verify goals, and assist with fouls (dependent on center referee instructions to do so). The center referee may over-ride any decision of the assistant referee, on any matter, if they do not agree with the assistant’s decision. The center referee may discuss an issue with the assistant referee, but they make the final decision.
It is also critically important that coaches keep all people (including themselves) a minimum of 1 yard back from the touch line, at all times. The assistant referee must have a clear line of sight down the side of the field. This allows the assistant referee to determine when a ball is out of play, and see fouls that the center referee may be shielded from, by other players. At some fields there may be a flag erected past the touch line which indicates that no party is to be between this flag and the touch line. Some coaches mistakenly believe that this only applies to spectators, not to them.
A coach should be totally aware that if they step onto the field during a game, the referee can caution the coach for entering the field of play without permission. Coaches and spectators are not shown ‘cards’, like players, they are just told that they are ‘cautioned’, or ‘ejected’. For a coach/spectator that is ejected, they cannot return to the field. Some may think that they can do this, when the game is over, but they may not. Ejected players are allowed to remain on the sideline, if they are not disruptive to the game in progress. They cannot be part of the handshake line, after the game.
Before and after games, interaction with a referee It can be critical for both coaches, players, and parents, to be aware that the referee crew is in charge of the field from the beginning, through the end of the game. This is important, especially at the end of a game.
Some believe that when the game is over, they can say what they want to the opposing teams, and referees. This is totally incorrect. Players can be carded/ejected for any improper behavior prior to, and after games. Essentially, any activity that occurs on the field/sidelines is under the jurisdiction of the referee, whether the game has begun/ended, or not. Since coaches are responsible for their parents behavior, a hot-headed parent can get the coach in trouble by ‘going off’ on the referees after a game. The same applies to coaches, who some times feel like expressing their displeasure on what they felt were ‘bad calls’ during the game.
It is not a good idea to approach a referee if you are even remotely upset. This can be translated into the referee as ‘dissent’, which is an actionable item. Body language and tone of voice can also make a referee think that they are being threatened. This is especially true when an adult chastises a youth referee. At the end of a game, it has happened that a coach has gotten ejected from a game by giving a referee a ‘piece of their mind’ regarding perceived bad calls. This can be viewed as dissent by a coach, and the referee can eject you.
The referee is in charge of the field, game over or not, all rules still apply. The same applies for players, and interaction that they may have with the opposing team during handshakes. There have also been players that were ejected due to how they participated in handshakes, by physical, or verbal interactions.
ACL Injury In Female Soccer Players
There is a consensus in the medical community that female soccer players injure their ACL at a significantly higher rate over male soccer players. This is solely based on the different physical make-up of female vs. male players. It has been recommended that female players need further conditioning, to help reduce the potential for ACL issues. US Youth Soccer has recommendations regarding this here.
Video on the female soccer player and their ACL here
Video on KneeBOUND program for ACL protection here
Video on ACL Injury Prevention Exercises (PEP program) here
Covid-19 Environment
O.k., let’s keep this short, and real. Covid-19 is liable to be with us for a good while to come, as a yearly happening, until the world gets it under control. The second item of high concern for you will be spring allergy season, and the cold/flu season. There will be coughing during both of these time periods, and you and your league will need to determine how this is handled, before your season starts, practice & season play.
O.K., so where are we now, in terms of COVID ‘protection’? That has become a hot subject, with people camped out on both sides. There are those that want all restrictions removed, those wanting restrictions based on the circumstances, and those because of existing medical conditions do not have a basic choice on being cautious.
In your first season team meeting with your parents have an open discussion on what they would like to see done on the team, to protect their children. This could be a very simple question, ‘do we want any COVID precautions, or just go out and play?’. Parents wanting to be cautious might want their player to wear a mask, fine, no big deal. Precautions could be simple items, which were previously enforced when the state mandates were in force, and organizations had rules in place, such as:
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- When a player leaves the field, they immediately use a cleansing hand wipe (to get dirt off hands, before using sanitizer) on hands, and then hand sanitizer
- No one on the team shares any item with anyone
- Goalies have their own jersey and gloves
- If pennies are used, the coach much sanitize them between practices/games and they must not be shared between players.
- No ‘high fives’
- If a team snack is given out, have one parent designated to give the snack out. Do not let players ‘hand dive’ into snacks to get it themselves.
- Only coach/team staff is to handle equipment used for practices/games (i.e. cones, balls, etc.)
- No fist pumping/hand slapping with referees after game
- No fist pumping/hand slapping with each other after game
- No team bench with players sitting right next to each other
- All players wear a mask, when not on field playing
- All team staff are to wear masks and should refrain from touching players.
- Team area is kept free from all spectators, which includes siblings of players who are not on the team
- No ‘team chant’, with players having formed a circle to do so
- No parent tunnel, after game
- No team water container, everyone brings their own water
- With agreement from all parents, the coach could use a temperature gun to check temperatures of all players, prior to practice/games, to ensure that all players do not have a high temperature, which is a potential indicator of Covid.
- At the end of the game, all team members and staff wipe hands with hand wipe and then use sanitizer on hands.
- Coach is to bring a disposal bag, for all team/staff members to dispose of hand wipes.
- At the end of the game, only ONE person picks up the trash (ideally a volunteer parent), using a trash pick-up tool, to place it in a trash bag. Players should not be picking up items that were handled by other parties.
- If a player is coughing, absolutely ensure that they are wearing a mask, and have them sitting away from the team. While the parent may assert that it is ‘just a cold/allergies’, it is prudent to be cautious, to protect the team, as coughing is a symptom of having Covid-19.
- Does you organization have a site where food vendors may come out with carts, roaming your fields? With a usage permit, they have the right to decide who can be there. They should ensure that they have strict Covid preventative/control measures for the vendor to operate at their field, which should be monitored by league personnel. One Covid-19 measure should be that all parties standing in line at the food vendor should be wearing masks, including the vendor. There should also be no food item that buyers are individually reaching into/holding, that another buyer would potentially touch also.
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Also inform them of any league imposed Covid guidelines.
The parent of a player should check the following, prior to any practice/game of their player:
A coach will need to be aware if working with their team might affect them, health wise. If the coach has ‘underlying health concerns‘, the environment surrounding working with the team needs to be considered. The coach may decide to wear a mask themselves, again, no big deal.
COVID HIDDEN DANGER
There is a potential hidden health danger for youth, which most leagues are unaware of, and have not posted information on, to warn coaches & parents. When a coach gets their team, they might want to take a minute to ask their players if any had ever tested positive for Covid, or had Covid, and there is a major reason for this–to protect the player.
Needless to say, this is a private health matter, so the coach would have to ask the parents discreetly, maintaining their privacy. It should be disclosed first, as to why the coach is asking the question, which is to ensure the health of their child. The questions that the coach would need answers to are as follows:
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- How recent was the Covid-19 infection
- How severe was the infection
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The reason for needing this information is due to how Covid can insidiously affect the heart of a child, who has had Covid. Covid could potentially cause cardiac damage and myocarditis. The American College of Cardiology, physicians, hospitals, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all have issued general guidance alerts for youth and their return to play, after testing positive for, or having had Covid. This is one aspect of having Covid that people often overlook. While a party might ‘get over’ Covid itself, it can sometimes be post-Covid issues that can more affect their health.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA REACTION TO, AND ACTION TAKEN
The State of California was concerned enough about the potential health implications for children that they formulated and passed Assembly Bill 856 into law, in July 2021, as a requirement for public schools. The reason given for the bill was stated as:
INSTITUTION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAD COVID SYMPTOMS
American Academy of Pediatrics
Over past history, there have been numerous cases, around the world, where young athletes have collapsed and died on sports field, while involved in intense sports games/practices. In the vast majority of cases, the cause was found to be some form of heart issue.
The arrival of Covid has added an additional degree of concern, due to how Covid can affect the internal organs. Covid can cause inflammation of internal organs, in some cases, and the heart has been shown to be a target. The potential inflammation of the heart from Covid could weaken the heart of an athlete, which is only found out through thorough heart testing.
Covid Related Heart Issues & Athletes
Potential COVID-related heart issues raise concerns for athletes across sports
Heart condition linked with COVID-19 fuels Power 5 concern about season’s viability
Sudden Death In Youth Athletes
Soccer And Sudden Cardiac Death In Young Competitive Athletes
Ohio State study: 30% of student athletes have heart damage linked to COVID-19
For soccer, added into the continuous physical exertion of running, the environmental factor of high heat/humidity can add to the forces working on the heart. This can be especially bad on turf fields, known to generate a high degree of heat.
Ideally, the league, at registration, should have a mechanism for finding the COVID status of players and just pass information on to the coach, for any special circumstances revolving around a player that may have had Covid. A league policy guideline, and any needed paperwork would already be in place.
The focal point of concern is the heart of the youth. For youth that have had a moderate, or severe (hospitalization in this case) bout with Covid, could have underlying heart issues, due to the inflammation from Covid. The general statement is that ‘All children who test positive for Covid-19 should wait until at least 14 days after their symptoms have resolved before returning to sports, and some children – depending on their age and the severity of their illness — will need cardiac testing before being cleared to play‘.
There is firm consensus that ‘If a player suffered from multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), or was hospitalized due to Covid, they should be restricted from exercise and participation for three to six months in active sports’. These youth should undergo heart testing before being allowed to play, and should enter play on a graduated return to play program.
The source of worry for youth is that they may have Myocarditis from Covid-19. Myocarditis is inflammation of the middle layer of the wall of the heart muscle, and it can weaken the heart muscle and the heart’s electrical system, which keeps the heart pumping regularly. Severe myocarditis can lead to heart failure, abnormal heartbeat and sudden death. It is stressed that this is an infrequent occurrence for youth to get, but it does occur, so it is urged to keep a prudent eye out for it.
There is concern for different age levels, which is divided into the under-12 group, and over-12 group. The following chart shows the progression toward playing in sports, depending on the severity of Covid, and age of the youth involved.
The above chart is from the American College of Cardiology .
There is a recommendation to have a ‘Graduated Return To Play‘ for youth having had Covid, as follows:
The following type of document is in use by some, for a parent to complete, which indicates the Covid-19 status of a player. This information can be used to determine the capability of a youth athlete to fully resume sports activities after COVID, or to determine if they need a graduated return to play:
FOOTNOTE:
A heart stoppage for an athlete is often a fatal situation. It is caused by circumstances that typically are not regulated to be be in place, such as:
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- No defibrillator equipment at site
- No trained personnel to operate a defibrillator device
- No trained medical personnel at site to perform compressions
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When the heart stops pumping blood, oxygen stops getting delivered to the brain, at approximately three minutes, the brain starts to suffer from oxygen deprivation. Around ten minutes, the brain dies. While compressions can be done to attempt to get the heart going, the heart needs electrical stimulation (defibrillator ) to get ‘jumpstarted’, just like the battery does for a car engine.
With compressions, and the heart not beating, no blood gets circulated to the brain. Rod Brouhard, EMT-P, stated that “During cardiac arrest, unconsciousness will occur rapidly once the heart stops beating, typically within 20 seconds. Deprived of the oxygen and sugars it needs to function, the brain will be unable to deliver the electrical signals needed to sustain organ function, including breathing.” Rod further states “Even if a person is resuscitated, eight out of every 10 will be comatose and sustain some level of brain damage. Simply put, the longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the worse the damage will be.”.
It goes without saying that in any situation where a heart has stopped, immediate action is absolutely required. This is difficult for a lot of youth sports organizations to do, as they operate at different venues, on the same day and:
- It would require them to send a person off to specialized training, which would cost them (potentially not that much though, as Red Cross offers courses).
- The trained person would have to be at their main venue, every time activity is happening (which would typically mean that they would need more than one trained person, so that they could have a break from being at venues, EVERY weekend.
- They would have to purchase a ‘defib’ machine, costing them.
- They would need to ensure that the trained person could get to an athlete quickly, by having transportation at hand, or immediate communications established to reach the trained party, or potentially both items at hand (better).
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote understanding and knowledge of soccer and soccer health related matters. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Soccer information is related to players playing in Cal North/CYSA soccer organizations.
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