Junior/Youth U13 game OFFINABUS gesture

[Pembroke]

No, but a male brain isn't fully developed until their early 20s, and research from Harvard today stated adolescence lasts until early 30s!

Yes.

- their brains might not be fully developed

This is not a might.

but far more often than not they know exactly what they're doing.

So there is a not. What you have identified is that a child is not an adult.

No, but a male brain isn't fully developed until their early 20s, and research from Harvard today stated adolescence lasts until early 30s!

My boy had just turned 14, and I referee U14s regularly (and prior to this year U11s, U12s, U13s) - their brains might not be fully developed but far more often than not they know exactly what they're doing.

I have twenty five years experience in youth coaching. I have thirty years experience supporting vulnerable children. We should not treat children as adults. Children behave in inappropriate immature and stupid manners. And here a child was punished and will be excluded from football for waving two fingers around. I would suggest this is a disproportionate response.

Sent off for sticking two fingers up nowhere physical. If I exclude a kid for that from a service its a report to the Council/CQC, and for football its the Somerset FA safeguarding officer.

As a ref I think we have tools at our disposal - Common sense, flexibility, I would not be sending a player off and getting them a one match ban (I think) for something minor. Straight reds in kids football should be used for the remarkable and exceptional.

 

[Homer Ref]

I think we are getting into the realms of child psychology here. We are referees, we ref. We are not counsellors, nor are we cold-hearted machines either. What has happened is that someone broke the rules of the game, and that person was dealt with according to the rules of that game. We're not there to deal with the impact when we enforce these rules. That is the role of parents. coaches, their clubs and their leagues they are in.

All we should really do is give ourselves (and each other) a break. I guarantee you this young man is on the x-box or playstation right now with that red card, the last thing on their mind. The impact is more on the OP I think. We should be looking after each other with supporting the correct decision as per the LOTG. instead of looking to cause even more grief with potential scenarios.

 

[JamesL]

What has happened is that someone broke the rules of the game, and that person was dealt with according to the rules of that game.

Exactly this. If you play snakes and ladders and it tou land on the snake then you go down the snake.
Because those are the rules of that game.

 

[The Gump]

I have twenty five years experience in youth coaching. I have thirty years experience supporting vulnerable children. We should not treat children as adults. Children behave in inappropriate immature and stupid manners. And here a child was punished and will be excluded from football for waving two fingers around. I would suggest this is a disproportionate response.

Sent off for sticking two fingers up nowhere physical. If I exclude a kid for that from a service its a report to the Council/CQC, and for football its the Somerset FA safeguarding officer.

As a ref I think we have tools at our disposal - Common sense, flexibility, I would not be sending a player off and getting them a one match ban (I think) for something minor. Straight reds in kids football should be used for the remarkable and exceptional.

This isn’t a healthcare setting or a social services matter. You don’t need to be concerned about a CQC audit.

This is a game of football where the LOTG apply. The boy was sent off for an offensive, insulting or abusive gesture, as per the LOTG.

There really is nothing to see here.

 

[ARF]

I did not mention the multiple attempts at kicking an opponent. The child was sent off for the fingers.

Well you probably should, seeing as it happened.

As a ref I think we have tools at our disposal - Common sense, flexibility

We also have red cards - very good for negative punishment and decreasing the likelihood of the individual repeating the undesirable behaviour in the future. You can also add some positive punishment with the use of your voice to explain to the child that what they did was wrong and that they're not allowed to do that.