We are encouraging teachers/coaches to consider implementing Rest the Best & Power Play.
These can help in a mismatch when one team is well ahead (eg. goal difference is 4 or more*)
Rest the Best : The winning team swaps their best player for a fringe player.
Power Play – the losing team gains an extra player(s) when the goal difference is 4 or more.
*It has been suggested that a 4-goal difference is when a game is won.
Clearly this is NOT always the case.
Factors such as a sloping pitch and wind can influence this.
However – under normal circumstances, a 4-goal difference is when coaches ought to consider implementing one or both of these suggestions.
Rest the Best
Guidance only – NOT a rule.
When it feels like the match is won – replace your best player with one of your fringe players.
Rest the Best has more of an impact than Power Play.
If necessary, this can be extended to involve a second player swap, or maybe even a third (same idea – best for fringe).
Remember we have roll-on roll-off substitutes if things swing too far the other way.
Power Play
DDSSA Power Play – Guidance only
This is guidance only and is not a competition rule. The referee does not enforce Power Play. Coaches are encouraged to use it where appropriate to avoid a match becoming excessively one-sided.
| Goal difference | Suggested action |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Equal numbers |
| 4 | Trailing team +1 player |
| 5 | Trailing team +2 players |
| 6–8 | Trailing team +3 players |
| 9 | Match ends |
Alternatively, the leading team may voluntarily withdraw player(s) instead of, or in combination with, the trailing team adding player(s).
If the trailing team scores and the goal difference falls below the relevant threshold, the additional player(s) should be removed and the teams return towards equal numbers.
Benefits
Rest the Best & Power Play benefit…
– the losing team and their parents
– the fringe players on the winning team (and their parents)
– the winning team will also enjoy a more competitive match
Tournaments
Goal difference (GD) will be capped at +3 (per match) in Don & Dearne tournaments.
Goals scored is slightly more complex (see below).
If a team is level on points 1) Head to Head 2) Goal difference 3) Goals scored
Goals scored in capped matches.
Actual score 3-0 or 4-0 or 5-0 etc. GD 3 (capped) Goals scored 3 (capped)
Actual score 4-1 or 5-1 or 6-1 etc. GD 3 (capped) Goals scored 4 (capped)
Actual score 5-2 or 6-2 or 7-2 etc. GD 3 (capped) Goals scored 5 (capped)
Basically, goals scored 3 more than the number of goals the opponents scored
We’ll do the Maths – all we want teachers/coaches to do is embrace the philosphy of managing a mismatch.