The Ref Stop

Junior/Youth So what is the right age to give Reds?

Homer Ref

Homer Ref

Active Member
Level 7 Referee
An U13 match yesterday, youngster boots ball away after giving away a foul in the opposition PA (cautioned), then 3 mins later deliberately puts his hand out to stop a pass - another caution??? You'd think so, but RCs in these games seems to be a thing that isn't 'appreciated' by anyone...

So unless it is VC or at a stretch, DOGSO, when do we get the red out, or do we chat to (and trust) the coach to met out their own sanctions?
 
The Ref Stop
If he’s deliberately put his hand out to stop a pass, it must be SPA. Deliberate handball in itself is not a caution.

I’ve always said that if they’re old enough to start committing red card offences, they’re old enough to receive the red card. Of course, discretion is important and you might decide a bollocking over a yellow card if it’s an accidental trip, letter of the law but not needed, blah blah blah.

But if they do something stupid whilst on a yellow then sending them off will teach them a lesson. Keeping them on the pitch won’t. Getting them subbed won’t.
 
I try and avoid it at U13, they are still very much kids at that point in my head.

Then again, I've rarely needed to, and only done it once - so I think if it's screaming out at you, then it's your discretion
 
Difficult ones to manage.

With my teacher hat on .. Under 13s very much know right from wrong at this age and a red card needs to be used in certain situations.

One thing I will say.. try to manage situations in the game according to the game. This obviously comes with experience. Take your time to think.. does the yellow card need to be given for kicking the ball away - or would a stiff talking to suffice? As a general rule of thumb.. if it is a fiesty game that you need to be on top of and the situation presents itself.. then definitely take the yellow card.

I officiated a senior county game this weekend and there were two young sides that wanted to play football. First 5 minutes a SPA situation occurred and I decided that on this occasion a talking to would be fine. That was a gamble on my part but it paid off and I could manage the game without the use for cards. Some would say fortunate and I should have taken the opportunity regardless. Important point.. I was consistent… another situation happened later on for the opposition team and I went for the same punishment to maximise game control.

In summary, would I use a red card for youth games.. anything above development football absolutely yes (under 12 and above).

Would I try to manage the game with a little bit more leniency? absolutely yes that includes yellow and red cards. However, if the temperature of the game requires it I wouldn’t hesitate to use it.
 
RonnieM said:
An U13 match yesterday, youngster boots ball away after giving away a foul in the opposition PA (cautioned), then 3 mins later deliberately puts his hand out to stop a pass - another caution??? You'd think so, but RCs in these games seems to be a thing that isn't 'appreciated' by anyone...

So unless it is VC or at a stretch, DOGSO, when do we get the red out, or do we chat to (and trust) the coach to met out their own sanctions?
Click to expand...

Another point.. I wouldn’t be asking the coach much of his opinion, could come across like you don’t really know what you are doing. Stick to your guns, if they break the rules they break the rules, it’s the only way they are going to learn.
 
george.g said:
I try and avoid it at U13, they are still very much kids at that point in my head.

Then again, I've rarely needed to, and only done it once - so I think if it's screaming out at you, then it's your discretion
Click to expand...
But they know exactly what they're up to when they do the deliberate action of, say, tripping. They're not 8 or 9 years old any more. Had one at U13 yesterday: gave yellow card.
 
F
dylanbailey4444 said:
Depends how the second offence happened. Deliberate handball isn’t a caution unless it’s SPA, trying to score in the opposing goal or DOGSO but goal was scored.
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Football.
The clue is in the name.
Deliberately handling the ball in the scenario described is cheating and is USB at best.
As the referee, you have the choice of whether to control the game as you should or just let the kids do pretty much as they please without sanction cos they're kids and can't have their little world shattered by a nasty person with their rules.
Nuff said.
 
Once they’re U13s the LOTG re cautions/dismissals are being much more regular enforced by the book for me, with some leeway/room for management depending on context/spirit/temperature of game.

Biggest issue I have is refereeing my son’s (U13) team, where league doesn’t allocate. I’ve found myself all too often bending over backwards to demonstrate I’m fair, but following games last weekend and this I’m done doing that as they’ll call you a cheat/biased (picked up on VEO, not in earshot) anyway.
 
Adult crime, adult time.

It's more about the reason behind it and less about the age. Same goes for yellow. And all is judged within the context of the game.
 
I think my hesitancy would be on the first caution more than the second. Even elite U13, foul recognition is really challenging. The line between reckless and sloppy/floppy is broad and gray. At that age if I have any question at all I try not to show the YC for this reason. I don’t want to get in a scenario later in the game where the law demands a yellow and I’ve got to send a kid off.
 
dylanbailey4444 said:
Depends how the second offence happened. Deliberate handball isn’t a caution unless it’s SPA, trying to score in the opposing goal or DOGSO but goal was scored.
Click to expand...
Sorry, wasn’t what I meant. If the referee is happy cautioning for one offence, then shirking a second (because it’s now a red) is them bottling it.
 
Kes said:
F

Football.
The clue is in the name.
Deliberately handling the ball in the scenario described is cheating and is USB at best.
As the referee, you have the choice of whether to control the game as you should or just let the kids do pretty much as they please without sanction cos they're kids and can't have their little world shattered by a nasty person with their rules.
Nuff said.
Click to expand...
If a player just picks the ball up and it’s not SPA, trying to score in the opposing goal or DOGSO but the goal was scored , then what are you cautioning the player for ?
 
RonnieM said:
An U13 match yesterday, youngster boots ball away after giving away a foul in the opposition PA (cautioned), then 3 mins later deliberately puts his hand out to stop a pass - another caution??? You'd think so, but RCs in these games seems to be a thing that isn't 'appreciated' by anyone...

So unless it is VC or at a stretch, DOGSO, when do we get the red out, or do we chat to (and trust) the coach to met out their own sanctions?
Click to expand...
I was advised recently by those "in the know" (taps nose) to walk with player to the coach and says "sub him or i show a second yellow".

I didn't entirely agree with this.
 
Kent Ref said:
I was advised recently by those "in the know" (taps nose) to walk with player to the coach and says "sub him or i show a second yellow".

I didn't entirely agree with this.
Click to expand...

I would possibly consider doing this at development football, not that I have ever reached this stage in a young age group game. I wouldn’t at age u13 in my opinion.
 
What level? Top 3 tiers of u13 boys here have NARs, training 5 times a week, coaches that are deadly serious - cards as normal - AAN!

Hobby leagues then common sense where inclusion and education is more important:)
 
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