Soccer is designed as a players’ game and the involvement of non-players (coaches and referees) is intended to be limited.
This can be a difficult concept for those accustomed to seeing active involvement by coaches and officials in other popular sports. Coaches participate in these other popular sports by directing the action of the players, debating rule decisions with officials or completely stopping the action by calling time-outs. Officials, in these other popular sports, participate by stopping the game for each rule violation and not continuing play until the infraction and violator have been identified, the punishment options explained to the opposing team and a final accounting of the entire incident announced or signaled to the spectators. Indeed, it is not uncommon in some sports for considerably more time to be devoted to dealing with these matters than is actually spent playing the game. The spirit of the game of soccer intends something quite different.
In soccer, particularly youth soccer, the application of the Spirit of the Law is far more important than the application of the Letter of the Law.
Soccer is a fast-paced game that should flow with a minimum of interruptions.
Referees have considerable authority and flexibility when determining whether or not to stop play. Violation of the Letter of the Law may be overlooked if the referee considers it to be a trifling or doubtful offense. The referee may also elect not to stop play for a foul when it would be more of an advantage to the team that was fouled to continue playing. It is easy to fall into the trap of becoming overly concerned with the details of various rules and regulations surrounding the game. Players simply want to get on with the enjoyment of playing. Standards that may seem appropriate to enforce during international, college or high school competitions are not necessarily appropriate to apply at all levels of youth soccer.
Soccer is a game, and the reason people play games is to have fun. The roles of AYSO coaches and referees are to facilitate a game that is safe, fun and fair and also will provide the maximum enjoyment for the kids.
Referees strive for uniformity of interpretation, just as players strive for excellence in playing skills and coaches strive to develop successful teams. With varying degrees of success, each does the best he or she can, and it is the inevitable human variation that makes for greater interest and enjoyment.
"Before kids can play like a pro, they must enjoy playing the game like a kid."
- Steve Locker
Steve spent 16 years as the Head Coach at Harvard University, worked extensively with AC Milan, and holds a professional coaching license from Germany.