Re: It's a choice.

>I think once the players are beyond the age of about 11, this should not be
the way it is done.>

Then captains in your area must not EVER screw up.  I regularly have the
coaches thank me for doing it this way.

>well I guess if I wanted to get out of the rest of the (varsity) season, that
would be one way to do it :) >

Not letting captains screw up is against your assn's policy?

>> Lest you think this is underhanded, remember that the coaches can choose to
have the coin toss ahead of time with NO captains present.>> 

>Not according to fed rules they can't. Only the captains (not more than four)
can be present at the coin toss.>

Let's go to the book:

FED 3-2-1:

[snip] "If the coin toss, *or simulated coin toss*, is held on the playing
field, it shall be held three minutes prior to the scheduled game starting
time, *or as otherwise specified by individual state associations*"  [emphases
added]

Also, from the FED Football Handbook, p. 84:

"When the toss is held off the field, the results shall be indicated at the
center of the field prior to the game."

Now let's be practical:  You go to talk to the home coach before the game.  He
tells you, "He (the visiting coach) and I want to have the coin toss when
you're through talking to him."

Are you going to INSIST that the captains be present and that neither coach can
talk to his captain?

Jim Rosenfeld

God Bless the 
    U. S. A.