santa sangria
RefChat Addict
Sorry but you don't carry out equipment checks until you reach a certain level? WTF it is done from the first game at the youngest level here right the way up? What other LOTG do you ignore, by that I mean if you don't inspect equipment they pretty much wear what they want and you allow it?![]()
OK, if it is of interest, for example, here are other differences in different lower divisions:
Lower leagues: no ceremonial equipment checks, flying unlimited subs with ball in play, shorter game times, shorter half times, discretionary added time, not compulsory to have uniform matching socks/shorts, no ARs (no CARs here).
Hobby leagues: can wear equipment dangerous to yourself, unlimited squads, shin pads not mandatory, corner flags not mandatory.
Youth leagues: some leagues have e.g. max. 3 2nd half substitution events, some leagues have a bonus injured GK sub.
Small pitch games from adults down to 7 year olds have differences, like e.g. no offside, offside only from edge of the box, GK start of play not over half way, small balls, small goals.
If I understand correctly there are only full, by the book, LotG for the top 4 adult divisions and top 1-2 youth divisions at each age. The rest is a sliding scale of grassroots football. I only know all this by the way as I have just tried to memorise it all. Most of it makes sense. There are a couple of youth anomalies that must have historical reasons that are over-complicated.
Presumably, as discussed elsewhere, this is all to lower barriers to participation in grassroots football in a country where only the top 1-2 divisions have pros/semi pros.
I live in a city region where the local FAs handle - and provide officials - for something crazy like 1000 matches per week. And they make it work, which is amazing.