Question Number: 15376

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 5/3/2007

RE: rec Under 6

Tyler of oshkosh, WI USA asks...

For reffering U6, and U8 games, where do you stand on kickoff, and after a goal was scored?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Tyler these first matches are where you make the habit patterns that'll stay with you 'til your first assessment. Stand where you think you'll be out of the way but be close enough to play where your presence can be felt, 15-20 yards. If there is foul play be at the point of the foul OR running at top speed to get there. Note: being 15-20 yards from play sometimes precludes running along a diagonal! That happens on professional matches as well. You want the players to see you, too, are having fun -- unless they misbehave! At that point you assume your alter ego, an intolerant ogre who'll have none of that. The instant they start behaving again flash back into a happy faced fun and games mode. This also works on a professional match. See where I'm going -- Yup! Learn the good habits here so breaking bad ones won't slow you down later. Work with us and we'll be happy to assist where we can.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You stand anywhere you think will be out of the way. On a kickoff, the ball is almost always blasted downfield (well, blasted as best the U-littles can do it), so standing to the side of the center circle is a good choice.

After a goal is scored, you may have to retrieve the ball yourself and bring it back to the center for the next kickoff. Along the way you may need to console the goalkeeper who was just scored upon. If he's upset, remind him that not even the pros can stop everything. Or comiserate with him that his defense shouldn't make him need to stop everything - although you have to be careful how you say it, you don't want to be seen as critizing his teammates.

Since you will most likely be alone in a u6 or u8 game (no AR's) you would not necessarily have to run along the diagonal of the field. Sometimes you can run up and down one side of the field, and only have to cross over if the play goes to the other side. If you can run on the side with the quietest spectators, or with the sun at your back, that's a bonus.