Out of interest how much in a 15th grade game should the letter of the law be applied? I saw an incident in a game today with a player clear through on goal only to be totally wiped out in the area as he rounded the keeper. A penalty was given, but in any senior game the defender would have been sent.
I'm not sure what div it was in, but it just made me think about when does the letter of the law start applying?
I did a Level 1 basic refereeing course here & when I asked similar question about letter of the law, yellow/red cards etc I was told by the "referee trainer" there are to be no cards in any football upto/including u17s unless the referee is qualified (am unsure to what level) & has been specifically appointed (eg by Cap Football) for that game.... Reason being to stop over zealous, under qualified volunteer refs dishing out cards - leading to problems on the sidelines etc, federations having to deal with the admin etc.
But as with many things in NZ football guess some grades, some regions, some clubs, some refs will be playing under their own version of the "rules"
I think FIFA rules should be applied from U13 upwards....kids gotta learn....Although in the vast majority of junior games theres no reason for cards to be shown Ive seen some serious foul play/reckless challenges in u13 - u17 go unpunished - hows that teaching them whats acceptable?
(Q....In other sports in NZ eg rugby, from what age do juniors play under the full/adult rules & is it dependant on having official refs ?)
In the UK,, USA? I think FIFA letter of law applies from U13 ie yellow/red cards, player fines etc.....?...Unsure if this only applies to games with "qualified" refs & a difference to NZ is more junior/youth games in UK have "official" refs (paid about £20 game)