NEP playing time rules

[Unregistered]

Does the NEP mandate equal playing time for kids U9-U12?

U9 - U12 Substitution Rules
Players should have at least 15 minutes of playing time before substitution.
This is to ensure equal playing time for all.
Also so that players can have time to perform and develop.

U13 - U15 Substitution Rules
It is strongly recommended ALL players get equal playing time to ensure development.
The league Recommends that once a player is substituted they do not return to play that same half.

[Unregistered]

No. "should have" = not a rule.

[Unregistered]

NEP has lots and lots of guidelines. Unfortunately, most are ignored. The addition of hundreds of Maple teams has added to the debacle.

[Unregistered]

NEP has lots and lots of guidelines. Unfortunately, most are ignored. The addition of hundreds of Maple teams has added to the debacle.

Most teams in NEP were once Maple. Some just moved over sooner than others. It’s funny how some people are so worried about maple teams coming into NEP. What is the worry ? If you are any good, you would be getting promoted and it should not concern you. Perhaps you feel insecure about your own abilities. Afraid you might be put to shame ?

[Unregistered]

Does the NEP mandate equal playing time for kids U9-U12?

U9 - U12 Substitution Rules
Players should have at least 15 minutes of playing time before substitution.
This is to ensure equal playing time for all.
Also so that players can have time to perform and develop.

U13 - U15 Substitution Rules
It is strongly recommended ALL players get equal playing time to ensure development.
The league Recommends that once a player is substituted they do not return to play that same half.

This is written very poorly. Not surprising. To answer your question, reading the U9-U12 paragraph in conjunction with the U13-U15 paragraph, it does sound as if equal playing time is mandated at the younger ages.

That said, doubt the NEP would actually enforce it.

[Unregistered]

This is written very poorly. Not surprising. To answer your question, reading the U9-U12 paragraph in conjunction with the U13-U15 paragraph, it does sound as if equal playing time is mandated at the younger ages.

That said, doubt the NEP would actually enforce it.

Do they keep a book for every game and put them into any system? Shows how important that rule is to them.

[Unregistered]

This is written very poorly. Not surprising. To answer your question, reading the U9-U12 paragraph in conjunction with the U13-U15 paragraph, it does sound as if equal playing time is mandated at the younger ages.

That said, doubt the NEP would actually enforce it.

“Should” does not equal “ensure”

[Unregistered]

Do they keep a book for every game and put them into any system? Shows how important that rule is to them.

Who in the world is going to add that expense to games? You already have a shortage of officials.

[Unregistered]

Who in the world is going to add that expense to games? You already have a shortage of officials.

Then what is the point in writing into the "NEP book of helpful guidelines"? Win or die in every youth league in America. Winning is the only way to feed the dream and keep the pipeline of hopefuls open. Equal playing time is a non-competitive practice when you overstack your rosters for $ with kids that are not at the same level as your starters.

[Unregistered]

Then what is the point in writing into the "NEP book of helpful guidelines"? Win or die in every youth league in America. Winning is the only way to feed the dream and keep the pipeline of hopefuls open. Equal playing time is a non-competitive practice when you overstack your rosters for $ with kids that are not at the same level as your starters.

Well as you state it’s a guideline not a rule. The NEP rule writers knew full well that this was one of those things that could not be monitored or enforced. They assumed that there would be more clubs and coaches then not that would put the interests of kids and development ahead of club and wins. Unfortunately the current environment doesn’t allow that type of atmosphere. And just to throw it out there it’s not just a youth soccer NEP problem, it is the way of life for every soccer league and every youth sports league for that matter. Hence why it’s a guideline and not a rule.

[Unregistered]

Can only tell you from experience, not what the rule stated, but:

* U9-12 some kids played most or all the game, but everyone played at least half. Roster size is key here

*U13-current, it swings wildly. While some do play all the game, it's mostly defenders and a couple of key midfielders. The rest play at least half the game for the most part. I say "for the most part" because there are some who don't.

Coincidentally, those who don't are the ones who miss practice when it's raining, on vacation, for basketball, etc. They complain the most, and attend the least.

[Unregistered]

Can only tell you from experience, not what the rule stated, but:

* U9-12 some kids played most or all the game, but everyone played at least half. Roster size is key here

*U13-current, it swings wildly. While some do play all the game, it's mostly defenders and a couple of key midfielders. The rest play at least half the game for the most part. I say "for the most part" because there are some who don't.

Coincidentally, those who don't are the ones who miss practice when it's raining, on vacation, for basketball, etc. They complain the most, and attend the least.

School and vacation should never be a basis for playing time or missed training sessions

[Unregistered]

School and vacation should never be a basis for playing time or missed training sessions

If I have two close to equal players, and one is always there and sacrifices to be there, and the other is not, I will chose that first player 100% of the time and won't even give it a second thought.

(School commitments I agree with, but also those should be rare)

[Unregistered]

If I have two close to equal players, and one is always there and sacrifices to be there, and the other is not, I will chose that first player 100% of the time and won't even give it a second thought.

(School commitments I agree with, but also those should be rare)

Sacrifices vacation and possible school commitments (do you count band?) to play u13 and younger NEP soccer?
And that is why the rules were at least written, if not enforced

[Unregistered]

If I have two close to equal players, and one is always there and sacrifices to be there, and the other is not, I will chose that first player 100% of the time and won't even give it a second thought.

(School commitments I agree with, but also those should be rare)

What if they are not equal, but the miscreant is better...?