The Spirit of the Game
The Laws of the Game are intended to provide a game which is, first of all, enjoyable for the players and, secondly, enjoyable for the spectators. It is intended to be a "players' game" and interruptions or interferences in play by non-players are to be minimized. Therefore, coaching during the game is only permitted in AYSO under limited conditions. Coaching in AYSO is limited to comments which instruct, encourage, and are made in a positive manner. This coaching is further limited to two coaches per team who must remain within 10 yards of the halfway line. This limited coaching is a concept to which many Americans have difficulty adapting, since this interference by non-players (coaches) is common in many sports. Many of the sports with which the average American is familiar involve the active participation of the coach; indeed, in some sports, rules are often written to allow the coach to direct the action of players from the sidelines or to stop play (time-outs) to instruct the player how the "coach" wants the game to be played. It is also quite normal in other sports for the coach to be allowed to come on to the field to instruct players, voice disagreement with referees, and demand an explanation or reconsideration of a decision. The emphasis in these sports has made them into more of a "coaches' game" rather than a "players' game." In soccer, the Laws of the Game intend for something quite different to occur.
Soccer referees are instructed by the Laws to "interfere with the game as little as possible." Referees in some sports are actually required, when a rule has been broken, to stop play and not to continue play until the infraction and the violator of the infraction are verbally identified and the punishment options are explained to the team which was fouled. Indeed, it is not uncommon in some sports for considerably more time to be devoted to dealing with these interruptions than is actually spent playing the game. Many spectators and coaches have grown accustomed to being kept informed by referees as to the precise nature of the referee's decisions. Therefore, it is understandable that a common request from the novice soccer spectator, coach, or player is, "Hey, ref, what's the call?" which, as all knowledgeable soccer enthusiasts know, really translates to, "Pardon me, Mr. Referee, but please stop the players from enjoying the game while you explain to me what is going on?"
As a coach, you have the opportunity to increase the understanding of the spirit of the game for your players and for many of the parents and spectators who will be watching your games. The more knowledgeable the participant, the more enjoyable the game. Training sessions belong to coaches and games belong to players, so do coaching during practice and let the players make the decisions during the games. It is what makes it fun, and is what the Laws provide for as the "Spirit of the Game."