I had one scrimmage a few weeks ago under the new rules, but this past weekend featured my first competitive games with the new rules. I think the 8-second rule is the biggest change to a CR's workflow since I started reffing in 2016. Other rules (e.g. handball changes, offside reinterpretations) may be conceptually more important, but worrying about the 8-second count affects what we do multiple times a match, and it's a big change because previously the focus was on getting into the next position you need to be (especially if you're expecting a long punt from the GK), and now you have to do that while also being aware of the count. I think it'll be fine once it becomes more of an ingrained habit, but it's a little weird right now. I had three centers last weekend and I think I managed to improve my percentage of starting the count in my head with each game.
I think for higher level matches with comms it will help for the lead AR to count while the ref gets to where they need to be, but for matches without them I can see it being a big change.
Backpedal? you determine when goalkeeper control begins and my count doesn't start until I get into position. That's when I start counting the 3s in my head. Then the last visual 5.
I used the 8 second count for all my MLSN scrimmages last weekend. Before the game, confirmed that the goalkeepers knew about the rule, or explained it to them. I also gave them a full verbal countdown from 5 and told them that during the season, it's a silent countdown, but just to get you used to it in preseason I'll count it down. It also wasn't that hard to get into position as soon as you see the save happen and start the three second count to yourself, you can still do the 5 second countdown while getting further into position if need be, maybe I'm missing the issue here.
It really, really isn't difficult. Get in position - that should take you just about three seconds anyway. Give the countdown. Do it accurately - look at a clock and figure out how long a second actually is (hint - it's faster than you think). Give the corner kicks when they are deserved. The opposition to these new procedures is sounding more and more like boomers "not being able to figure out this technology, so I'll just do it my way" in the workplace...
I regularly work in two different leagues. For one the preseason instruction on 8 seconds was “Law changed, get it right.” For the other it was “We’ve never had problems. Didn’t need the law. Don’t want to see you guys out there making it an issue. Use it as a tool if it’s egregious; otherwise please don’t let me see you out there counting down.” FWIW I agree with both of them. But differing enforcement is what’s going to make it hard.
Well, we don't enforce Law 11 on younger ages. We don't enforce Law 3 completely on any games I do. Do you need other examples? TWIAVBP. Round these parts, I haven't heard boo from the state org about the Law changes. I haven't done a USSF game yet this fall, but we normally don't implement the law changes until the mid-winter recerts. I'll certainly check the ROC when I do my next USSF game, but I'd be surprised if they've been updated yet.
I get what you're saying, but both of those fall under USSF recommendations for youth games in order to help develop players. A local league choosing to ignore a law because they just don't think it is needed is like saying they aren't going to call handballs or are going to allow basketball type throw-ins.
The problem with local leagues mucking with the Laws is refs coming in have no idea what each league wants. They're just begging for inconsistency and anger when refs call stuff they don't expect. League admins that want their own rules just don't think ahead to refs being familiar with what they want. Even if refs are informed of a rule like "no slide tackling", there is no set definition for what a slide tackle is or what the restart is.
I've only seen the 8 second rule implemented once. The keepers have been quick to get the ball away. The one time, the Blue team is up 2-0. Keeper saves it and falls down to the ground. I counted five in my head by the time the CR raised his hand and started counting down from five. By the time he reached three the keeper yelled "I don't have possession of the ball, yet!" I asked her after the game and she said she thought she had to be on her feet before we start counting.
I didn’t use it in the proper manner with the X over the head, but this weekend was one of the few times I’ve actually had a conference with the team captains at halftime, and then also specifically called them over during play to discuss a few situations Saturday was a U17B comp game with 4 yellows at halftime. Conferenced to give them a chance to control their players Sunday U19B ECNL with 4 yellows at halftime including a 2CT, halftime conference. Then in the second half there were a few incidents where everyone started freaking out. One for wanting an opponent FRD when I gave one to their team that led to his 2CT, I talked to the captains to explain the situation and calm people down, then issued the FRD YC. Then another freak out when a defender gently kicked the ball out of the attackers hands bending down to pick up the ball for a quick attacking throw, and it’s on AR2 touch line so parents are screaming along with all the players because it would be this players 2CT as well. I already had the YC in my hand as soon as it happened but with all the screaming, before issuing I conferenced with captains to calm down the situation, and then gave the 2CT for DR. And in this conference, the player even said how it was a dumb thing for himself to do, so I had a good reason right there. The optics in the second game were definitely not good, and it led to extended delays. It’s the first time I’ve ever really done anything like that. But I figured that with the new captains rule, I would give it a chance in a different way and see if it helped. And I actually think that these conferences really did help, because I could clearly articulate the situation and what was going on, and why I was giving the punishment that I was. And in a clearly very heated game, I think it allowed things to cool down in those two situations. Sure the game ended up with 8 yellows and two 2CT, one for each, but it was ripe for a mass confrontation and I feel like this method prevented one.
If that was an 'in house' league, then I'm more OK with the directions. If it is for higher level, the person/league that made that decision isn't helping the teams as when they play different competitions or tournaments that actually DO follow the laws and they aren't used to it.