Developing Inter-Play Policies

Jeff Moore, Area 12-A Director of Referee Instruction

December 2006 • AYSO SHORTS Page 7

Having Problems with inter-play between regions? Check out what one AYSO area decided to do.

In response to declining enrollment of upper division players, Area 12-A implemented a program for upper division inter-play between regions for the fall 2005 season. After one year of play, unexpected complications

arose. The area had no written policies to deal with the various issues which arose among the regions. Because of this lack of documentation, coaches and experienced referees threatened to quit. Regional commissioners were not going to support the program. Parents were not going to allow their kids to play unless there was a comprehensive policy and procedure to deal with the problems experienced during the 2005 season. The regional commissioners mandated that a document be drawn up to address these issues.

The foundation for this document was SPORTSMANSHIP. Research on policies and procedures was conducted. Information was gathered from the United States, Canada and England. Not just soccer, but other sports were considered. After a great deal of material was gathered and culled, we researched what other AYSO areas were doing. Lo and behold, Area 1-D had exactly what we needed. We used their Inter-Play Policies and Procedures as the framework for our document. Once written, we had meetings with the regional commissioners, referees and coaches to refine a useable, functional document for the 2006 season. After nine months of work, the Inter-

Play Policies and Procedures were unanimously approved.

With the emphasis on sportsmanship, problems experienced the previous year were nonexistent. It has been refreshing to have coaches worried more about sportsmanship points than the score. They have gone overboard in creating a fun, fair, safe and positive environment for each game. Referees were directed to give bonus points to teams for exceptionally sporting behavior. In order to qualify for the Area 12-A Tournament, a team was required to earn a minimum number of sportsmanship points. Teams not meeting the minimum would fail to qualify. At the request of the coaches, the minimum qualifying points have been raised for next year's 2007 tournament.

The 2006 season has been a great success due in part to the Area 12-A Inter-Play Policies and Procedures. Every area should have a document that addresses inter-play among the regions. Guidelines allow everyone to be on the same page. They also provide a clear means of dealing with problems. If you choose to have guidelines, look within AYSO for documents you might need. Compared to the rest of the world, AYSO has it right when it comes to sportsmanship and fair play.

The document is now online at www.AYSO1D.org, under "U16-U19", then "Rules and Regulations".