Can new ideas and match rules change youth football in England?

Last week, the English FA unveiled some new rules that will be trialled in the Manchester area. The rules will give grassroots football in the region a new look. It is hoped the rules can improve the game on and off the pitch. The rules are interesting, and could be adopted across the country to raise the level of youth football players.

What’s changing?

The rules that are being trialled are quite cutting-edge and have the opportunity to really change the way children play the game in England.

Perhaps the biggest rule change that will be enforced actually is due to parents. Spectators will no longer be able to shout or yell at youth football players, coaches or referees. The idea is to promote a clean, safe and fun environment that teaches learning.

Rules of play

A majority of the rules being trialled in youth football are in regards to on-field play. No longer will players be able to slide tackle as this rule has been enacted to prevent injuries to young players. A blue card system has also been brought in for trial. The offending player who receives the blue card will be forced to sit in the ‘sin bin’ for five minutes – ala rugby.

When a goalkeeper takes possession of the ball, the opposing team must retreat to the halfway line. The goalkeeper must then play the ball out from the back, rather than booting it downfield. The idea is to teach players to play the ball out and become more skillful with their passing. In addition, goalkeepers are no longer able to pick up the ball from a back pass. The FA wants young goalkeepers to learn to play with their feet more.

Coaches in youth football are no longer allowed to shout instructions. What they can do is ask prompting questions. The questions are to get the players thinking for themselves.

Other rules that will be trialled include:

  • Equal playing time for all players,
  • all players must get the chance to play in all positions,
  • clubs can not field ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams,
  • if one team leads a match by four goals, the opposing team can field an extra player, and
  • if one team doesn’t have enough players to compete, the other team must lend players to make up the numbers.

Of course, the ideas are great, but enforcing them is a completely different story.