HARD TO TEACH KIDS THAT SOME COACHES DON'T FOLLOW RULES.

Byline: POSTED BY TIM HADDOCK valleynews.com user

One of my kids asked me during our last AYSO soccer game why some teams play with goalies.

Goalies aren't allowed in the U6 level, but some teams that we play against have a tendency to play a kid way back. Some even put a player in the goal.

I haven't said anything, because this is supposed to be a noncompetitive league and if a coach wants to bend the rules so far that they actually break to win a game, then that's the other coach's problem. I think it's a bad message to send, but it's the win-at-all-costs culture that I have grown to know over my career as a sportswriter.

It's really sad. There are more important things than winning soccer games. There are things like winning humbly, losing graciously, playing fairly. Above all, the most important thing should be encouraging sportsmanship. These things are lost on coaches who think it's all right to break the rules of the U6 level and play a kid in goalie.

I had to explain to my kid that some teams don't follow the rules, and play kids in positions they're not supposed to. He looked up at me, a little confused, pointed to the field next to us, and asked, ``No, why do those teams play with a goalie?''

It was an older group of kids playing on a bigger field. It was a bit of a relief.

I changed my tone and said the older kids get to play with goalies. He asked me when he would be able to play with goalies and I told him when he turns 8. He has two more years to go before that.

I was glad to see my kids haven't noticed that other teams are cheating to win games yet. But the fact remains that some teams don't follow the rules and it makes for some uncomfortable situations for those of us who do.

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