Mercy Rule

This information has been taken from the FAW's Guidelines

Introduction

Matches that finish 18-0, 15-1 or even 35-0 are demoralising for the losing team and do nothing for the development of the players on the winning team. In addition, such scorelines can have a major impact on player enjoyment, well-being and participation in the sport.

There are often many factors to consider why a mismatch / unbalanced matches occur. This could be from any of the following:

• League competition structures without ability banding being considered.

• The number of teams within a league with large ability differences.

• Win at all costs mentality for teams / coaches.

• Rigid competition structures meaning lack of flexibility within a league programme.

• Teams unable to field a full strength team or a full line-up.

Many stakeholders across the FAW family from players, coaches, parents, leagues and Area Associations have expressed a desire for the FAW to consider appropriate interventions to tackle the issue of high scorelines / unbalanced matches in Junior Football.

Data and insight from the 2023-24 season evidenced that more than 1,366 junior matches were completed with a goal margin of more than 10 goals. This equates to more than 15,000 player appearances that would have participated in these fixtures on the losing teams.

Introduction of the 'Mercy' Rule

In an attempt to prevent such high scorelines being recorded where matches are clearly unbalanced, the FAW have introduced the following mandatory rules for Junior competition football (Under 12 to Under 17):

16.18.1 Introduction of the ‘Mercy’ rule. When one team is ahead by eight (8) goals, the match is declared over, the score is recorded on Comet and any remaining game time is to be played out as a friendly. For example, a scoreline may finish 8-0, 9-1, 10-2. When a goal difference of eight (8) has been reached, the Comet platform will automatically prevent further match events being added, meaning no additional workload for grassroots volunteers.

Coaches are encouraged to use interventions to challenge players appropriately during unbalanced fixtures to aid player development. Guidance and resources on how to manage unbalanced matches will be made available. In addition, any disciplinary action in the subsequent part of the game must be recorded in the usual way.

16.18.2 The recording of goal difference is not permitted to be used by junior leagues as a determining factor for league standings.

In addition to the ‘Mercy rule’ the FAW will be working with junior leagues across the country to support the development of ability banding leagues which will help reduce the number of unbalanced matches and provide a more enjoyable football experience for all. When one team is ahead by eight (8) goals, the match is declared over, the score is recorded on Comet and any remaining game time is to be played out as a friendly. For example, a scoreline may finish 8-0, 9-1, 10-2. Comet will automatically prevent further match events once an eight goal deficit has been reached.

Some coaches would argue that football is about winning and losing and therefore we should not seek to protect young players from the harsher realities of life. However, grassroots junior football is very much about learning, enjoyment and player development rather than winning. An Under 14 league match is not a World Cup Final! Even if you are winning, sometimes keeping your own players motivated and suitably challenged can be difficult if you are one of the fortunate coaches whose team wins most of its games. But scoring goals virtually at will is:

• Unfair on your opponents.

• Affecting player enjoyment and retention

• Not going to aid the development of your own players.

It is almost unheard of for a team to come back and win a game after being five or six goals behind. So, if your team is winning by that sort of margin, the overwhelming likelihood is that you will go on to win that match. Instead of allowing your players to continue to rack up the goals in an unbalanced game, you could use the following coaching interventions to challenge your players:

• Discretely impose a two or three touch rule or require a minimum number of passes before playing in the attacking half.

• Move player positions. Your goalkeeper and defenders are likely to be getting bored by now so consider moving them around into different positions creating new challenges.

• Similarly move attacking players into more defensive positions.

• Potentially mix up the players across the two teams.

• Use your subs – this type of match is an ideal opportunity to give your subs as much playing time as possible. So why not take off your ‘star players’ and give others a chance to enjoy themselves and gain valuable game time. As per the FAW Junior Regulations, all players should participate in 50% of the game time available.

• Ensure the ‘mercy rule’ is implemented when the match score reaches a goal difference of 8.

Whatever you decide to do, it is important that you respect the opposition. Place the enjoyment, well-being and safety of each player above everything, including winning.

What you can do if you are losing?

Motivating a team that is losing heavily most weeks is tough challenge, but it can be done. Regardless of the age of your players, you can minimise the impact of the final score by setting your players individual and/or team objectives either before the game or even during the game if it becomes clear they are going to lose by several goals. The actual objectives will depend on the age and ability of your players but as an example:

• Defenders can be tasked with blocking one shot on goal.

• Any player can be set the objective of taking a throw-in with both feet on the ground or making a good pass to a teammate.

• Attackers could be asked to try and make two shots on your opponent’s goal.

• The team can be set the objective of conceding fewer goals in the second half or conceding no goals for a set period of time.

It is important to make the objectives slightly stretching, but achievable. Praise your players for trying to achieve their objectives (not just succeeding) and change objectives from one game to the next as your players’ skills change or develop. Parents / Gurdian’s can also play a key role in supporting this concept.

Junior Leagues play a significant role in the delivery of grassroots football in Wales. There are several ways in which Junior Leagues can support the objective to reduce the number of high scorelines and unbalanced matches including:

• Ensure the ‘Mercy’ rule is being implemented by member clubs within the League

• Supporting club coaches with the transition of implementing the ‘Mercy’ rule

• Consider your League competition structures. For example: Do you look at ability banding prior to setting league programmes / divisions.

• Consider using the previous season’s results

• Potentially deliver an initial short phase of fixtures at the beginning of the season to determine team ability prior to splitting teams into relevant divisions?

• How flexible is the league programme? Can this be delivered in 2-3 phases over a season with teams moving up and down divisions to try and balance teams into appropriate competition.

• Where leagues only have one division in an age group, could you introduce a split, where the top half and bottom half play each other more often encouraging more balanced matches. Similar to the JD Cymru Premier and Adran Premier Leagues.

• Variety & flexibility – Consider the types of competition programmes being offered.

• Consider the purpose of your competitions – are you providing ‘football for children’ or ‘children for football’.