Question Number: 22816

Other 2/13/2010

RE: Fairplay Under 7

Dawn Thurgood of Edlesborough, Nr Dunstable Bedfordshire asks...

When playing in under 7's games where a fair play score is given and not the score, I understand that the off side rule does not apply. One of the boys picked up the ball confused and a penalty was awarded. Is this correct as I believed that at this age and level we don't award penalty kicks

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That would all depend on your league's rule modifications. You say they've already removed offside. Removing PK's is also a common U-little modification.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dawn
Provision is made in the Laws of the Game to modify some Laws for Underage Games. The FA publish the standard Laws for Mini Soccer Games and these can be modified to take account of local conditions such as the field of play etc. At this age group offside does not apply as the focus is on fun. See the Laws here
http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Players/MiniSoccer/MiniSoccerTheLawsOfTheGame.aspx

Now you do not state why the young boy was confused and picked up the ball nor indeed how it happened. Law 14, the penalty kick does apply in the FA's Mini Soccer Laws and normally referees would apply a certain degree of flexibility in its application. In this case it could have been a shout by a coach or a parent that caused the young player do act like he did. The referee could use his discretion and stop play to deal with that and restart the game with a dropped ball after dealing with the confusion.
Having said that one of the first premise of educating young footballers is that one always plays to the whistle. Should that happen though at Under 7. I don't think so but the referee only implements what rules has been agreed.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hello Coach. Around here U8 and younger, all kicks are indirect and there are no penalty areas so no penalty kicks.