Two weekends ago saw what in youth football, is called a Silent Weekend. In other words, parents who are watching youth matches must remain silent, apart from clapping.
This was the second weekend of an experiment by the FA but there was a sight change from the first weekend, in that coaches were allowed to coach.
The idea is to allow the youngsters to enjoy their games without any pressure. It is hoped the coaches would keep their comments to a minimum as they can be part of the problem.
As I said, this has been a trial for couple of weekends, but this idea was started many years ago in America and the Netherlands.
I wonder how much the FA has been in touch with footballing authorities in these countries, to learn from their experiences. What worked well and what didn’t.
Lao Tu, the Chinese philosopher, said that a fool learns from his own mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Why not also learn from the successes of others.
Another trial being conducted this season in a certain number of youth competitions, is the banning of deliberately heading the ball.
This is for under 12s and below, because their brains are not yet fully formed, and therefore more likely to be damaged.
Deliberate heading is seen as a player moving their head towards the ball or into the path of the ball. Heading is already banned in over 50s walking football, where a deliberate heading results in an indirect free kick.
Personally, I doubt whether it will be much of a problem in youth football as it is not often you see 12-year-old or under heading the ball. However, I wonder if the FA’s research has extended to America where they have banned heading for under elevens for some years.
One other experiment this year is the use of body cameras for referees. The FA claim they are the first national association to take this step, although young referees in particular have campaigned some years for this, even going on strike because their use was not allowed.
It was originally to be trialled next season and I said at the time, why wait?
Now 100 referees in grass roots adult football are being equipped with body cams. The hope is that this will reduce the abuse, both physical and verbal, suffered by referees, or at least provide reliable evidence of any abuse they may receive.
By Dick Sawdon Smith
