santa sangria
RefChat Addict
Sorry but you don't carry out equipment checks until you reach a certain level? WTF it is done from the first game at the youngest level here right the way up? What other LOTG do you ignore, by that I mean if you don't inspect equipment they pretty much wear what they want and you allow it?
OK, if it is of interest, for example, here are other differences in different lower divisions:
Lower leagues: no ceremonial equipment checks, flying unlimited subs with ball in play, shorter game times, shorter half times, discretionary added time, not compulsory to have uniform matching socks/shorts, no ARs (no CARs here).
Hobby leagues: can wear equipment dangerous to yourself, unlimited squads, shin pads not mandatory, corner flags not mandatory.
Youth leagues: some leagues have e.g. max. 3 2nd half substitution events, some leagues have a bonus injured GK sub.
Small pitch games from adults down to 7 year olds have differences, like e.g. no offside, offside only from edge of the box, GK start of play not over half way, small balls, small goals.
If I understand correctly there are only full, by the book, LotG for the top 4 adult divisions and top 1-2 youth divisions at each age. The rest is a sliding scale of grassroots football. I only know all this by the way as I have just tried to memorise it all. Most of it makes sense. There are a couple of youth anomalies that must have historical reasons that are over-complicated.
Presumably, as discussed elsewhere, this is all to lower barriers to participation in grassroots football in a country where only the top 1-2 divisions have pros/semi pros.
I live in a city region where the local FAs handle - and provide officials - for something crazy like 1000 matches per week. And they make it work, which is amazing.