The Seven-Goal Guideline

MYSA does everything in its power to create teams from player pools that is based on a "luck of the draw" approach.  Even so, some teams will dominate play due to parental support, player skill and coaching talent.

The seven-goal rule is not so much a rule as it is an agreement between opponents to ensure that each child competing can leave the playing field having been enriched by the experience.  We have all been on both sides of a drubbing.  The MYSA board feels that children gain little from lopsided victories or losses.

In this spirit, the following rule of thumb has been instituted:

It is the responsibility of the coaches and parents to do what they can to limit the score differential to seven goals.

There is no automatic penalty for ignoring this guideline.  The referees have been instructed to inform each coach of the guideline when the score is approaching a seven goal difference.  But no standing points are subtracted if the difference is exceeded.  MYSA is aware that even the best effort to keep a team from scoring cannot stop motivated and excited kids.  Games that end with an excessive score differential will be reviewed by the MYSA board to determine the circumstances.  The board reserves the right to take whatever corrective action it deems necessary to rectify the situation.

The real problem with any such handicapping is that it can backfire and create more problems than it solves.  But there are some things that can be done to slow down a runaway game which might be of benefit to all players.

For example, make the game more challenging for the dominant players by creating games within the game such as insisting that no player on the winning team may touch the ball more than three times consecutively  Or insist that goals must come from crosses and headers.  There are many approaches and we are certain the coaches and parents can create games which are challenging and fun for the better players without insulting the less experienced teams.

An example of a potentially insulting approach is to have the kids play keep-away.  The less experienced teams could easily feel slighted by such an approach since kids play this game at school to tease one another.

MYSA thanks you for your patience and cooperation as we try to create an environment that enriches and challenges our children.