>>> But I'd like to know what referees in youth games are calling. > >> I ref mostly teenage games U14 to U19 and what I do is warn them if they > >> step on the line and call it if the foot of their standing leg is out of > >> the box when they kick the ball. > > > >I hope they're calling it about as much as they called the 4 step rule, i.e. > >never. > >What you describe is trifling. > > > >Jeff Stern > > > OK, if what I've described is trifling, what do you call, if anything? One > full step out of the box, two, three, never?

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As a guideline, if you're CR and up the field, and you see the GK come out and wonder "gee, he might went over the line", then don't call it. But next time you're down in that end and the ball is dead, be sure to mention it to the GK "make sure you and the ball stay in the PA on those punts". Nothing more than this is required. And yes, I am a fan of preventative officiating.

On the other hand, if you're upfield and you see the GK come out and you think "Holy Geez, he came right out of the PA!!" then call it - because if you've had that reaction, he must have blown right by the line. When it becomes that apparent, then the GK is deserving of the call. As my non-Amish dad would say, "serves him bloody right".

Jim