RETREAT RULE (U7s-U11s)
Instead of booting the ball downfield and hoping their team wins a 50:50, goalkeepers can now only PASS the ball out EITHER by rolling/throwing the ball or passing with their foot to a team mate. This makes for a more skilful, passing game, keeps the ball in play more, gives players (especially defenders) more touches of the ball and challenges players to use their skill, passing and movement to work the ball up the pitch through the 'thirds'.
The key rule changes:
ONE: As soon as the ball is in the keepers' possession or goes out for a 'goal kick', the opposition must quickly retreat to half way. The referee will manage this. There's no retreat after a pass back.
TWO: The goalkeeper can only roll or throw the ball out, or pass it with their foot, to a team mate in their own half. They cannot kick it downfield, either from hands or on the ground. Goalkeepers can, of course, 'kick away' to clear a goalscoring opportunity eg a shot or a through ball. An 'illegal' kick will simply result in the goalkeeper being asked to re-take without a retreat..
THREE: The goalkeeper is entitled to wait for the opposition to retreat but does not have to.
We were one of the first junior Leagues in the country to implement this new FA rule - and it works brilliantly!
The key rule changes:
ONE: As soon as the ball is in the keepers' possession or goes out for a 'goal kick', the opposition must quickly retreat to half way. The referee will manage this. There's no retreat after a pass back.
TWO: The goalkeeper can only roll or throw the ball out, or pass it with their foot, to a team mate in their own half. They cannot kick it downfield, either from hands or on the ground. Goalkeepers can, of course, 'kick away' to clear a goalscoring opportunity eg a shot or a through ball. An 'illegal' kick will simply result in the goalkeeper being asked to re-take without a retreat..
THREE: The goalkeeper is entitled to wait for the opposition to retreat but does not have to.
We were one of the first junior Leagues in the country to implement this new FA rule - and it works brilliantly!