|
I do several games each year grades 5 -8 and try to enforce all rules according to the book. At the lower grades my partner and I try to use some leniency and common sense, but we also try to teach (not coach, but teach.)
When a player steps out of bounds and gains an advantage, I make the call, and tell the player it is not allowed. On a few occasions I have seen a player go OOB with one foot and come back in but s/he is not in the play and never touches the ball. I’ve ignored it.
As stated, grade school games are long enough with the dozens of held balls and if we call everything, the game will last two hours. Most coaches agree with this philosophy…but still complain when we don’t make the calls. When the coach says “you missed it”. My answer is, “Coach I didn’t miss it; I ignored it!”
At the junior high level, I don’t show the leniency. By this time they should know the rules and they need to know they can’t get away with going OOB.
|