Sportsmanship- Avoiding one-sided games Here are a few suggestions for avoiding blowouts. There are othersthat may work as well or better for you. Though we do not publish standings for small-sided play, we will be monitoring scoring differentials and contacting clubs when there are significant violations in any age division. 1. Explain during practice why blowouts should be avoided in the interests of good sportsmanship. Teach these steps in practice. Once a game is in progress, it is virtually impossible to introduce these ideas for the first time and expect the players to grasp and remember them. 2. Begin using these steps when you are ahead by a 3 or 4-goal margin since there still could be additional scoring despite these steps which could push the margin to the six-goal limit. 3. Designate a shooter or two shooters. Only those designated can take shots. 4. Any shots must be taken from outside the the 18-yard box. 5. Shots may be taken with the other foot only. 6. A shot may be taken only after a pass back away from the goal. 7. Don’t always try to pass the ball to the designated shooter (s). Instead, practice possession and in the process, let defenders get some touches. This doesn’t mean we should play keep-away for long periods of time, but a couple of minutes at a time is good practice. 8. Ball possession should involve a designated maximum number of touches by each player in each possession (e.g. 3, 4, 5), whatever is reasonable for the particular age group. 9. Try to build the attack from the back through the midfield, instead of sending long balls into the offensive third of the field. 10. These are the games when playing time can be spread more evenly among all your players. Give your players who get the most playing time a rest. 11. Alert your players that you may take one or two off the field if the game becomes one-sided. Try not to choose players who you would have to yell to on the far side of the field to get their attention. 12. Remember that the goal is to take these steps quietly, so they are not obvious to your opponent. Please don’t yell out, “Don’t score any more” or anything similar that could embarrass the opponent. Thank you for your cooperation.