Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Considerations to Ensure Safety Prepared by: James Keast, Chief Assessor 2006 Refresher Module Presented to the Halifax Dartmouth Referees’ Association Refresher module on May 4 th, 2006

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Things to Consider?

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Things to Consider The Field of Play (Law 1) The Ball (Law 2) The Player’s equipment (Law 4) Spectators, Players, Coaches Behaviour The weather

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 1: The Field of Play

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 1: The Field of Play Is the surface safe: –Dry enough (no standing water) –Free of pot holes, rocks, major divots, glass or other hazards? –Are the goal posts anchored correctly? –Is the netting safe?

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 1: The Field of Play This means you have to check the field before the game This means you have to arrive in time to do this The home team or tournament staff are responsible to correct any problems

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 2: The Ball

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 2: The Ball The ball needs to be round and smooth and the proper size –No cuts, scrapes or an exposed valve –Proper pressure, not too hard

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 2: The Ball This means you have to check the ball (and spare) before the game This means you have to arrive in time to do this Don’t leave this to the last minute

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment Compulsory Equipment: –Jersey or shirt (must have sleeves) –Shorts –Shin guards and socks (which much cover shin guards) –Footwear (need to be safe)

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment Not Allowed?

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment Not Allowed? A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry).

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Jewelry –All items of jewelry are potentially dangerous. The term “dangerous” can sometimes be ambiguous and controversial, therefore in order to be uniform and consistent any kind of jewelry has to be forbidden. –Players are not allowed to use tape to cover jewelry. Taping jewelry is not adequate protection. –Rings, earrings, leather or rubber bands are not necessary to play and the only thing they can bring about is injury.

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Non Compulsory

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Non Compulsory Non-Compulsory Equipment you need to examine: –Headwear –Knee braces –Casts

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Headwear Bandannas –Not allowed Sweat headbands –Strictly not allowed – but the CSA told us to allow tight fitting headbands to control hair Hats –Caps not allowed except goalkeepers –Use reasonable discretion for hats in cold weather – are they safe?

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Headwear Head protectors –Modern head and face protectors specifically allowed by FIFA Eye wear: –Strictly speaking FIFA and CSA say only sports safety glasses are allowed. SNS has provided a less strict policy

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Headwear

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: SNS Glasses (March 2006): “Soccer Nova Scotia recognizes the use of safety sports glasses by players. Soccer Nova Scotia asks referees to use reasonable discretion with respect to Law 4 and Players non-compulsory equipment in regards to eye glasses. Specifically:

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: SNS Glasses (March 2006): 1.Referees should allow players to wear non-sports glasses (street glasses) that have plastic frames, shatterproof plastic lenses and a safety strap that holds the glasses tightly to the head. 2.Referees should not allow wire rim glasses, plastic frames with pointed design features or glasses with wire supports for nosepieces.

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: SNS Glasses (March 2006): Notwithstanding the above, Referees will not allow players to wear any equipment that in the opinion of the Referee is dangerous to the player or any other player.”

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Knee Braces (CSA) FIFA Circular 863 states that the vast majority of commercially manufactured supports are safe to use. instance. –The major concern is not the ‘hardness’ of the equipment alone, rather it should be whether –any part of it can cut or wound another player. Any support must be safe for all players, and adequately padded if necessary.

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Casts (CSA) Players wearing a soft cast will be permitted to play if the cast does not present a danger to him/herself or any other player. –All casts must be adequately padded. –The referee (or a Supervisor of Officials if one has been appointed to the match) will make the final decision as to the acceptability of any cast. –Any player who uses a cast with the intent to intimidate or injure an opponent shall be –cautioned or sent off immediately. –Hard casts should not be permitted

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Law 4: The Player’s Equipment: Inspect the Players! CSA: “It is the referee’s responsibility to inspect players compulsory and non-compulsory equipment before each and every match, as well as that of substitutes when they first enter the field of play to take part in a match. (Law 5)” This means you have to inspect the players It is not necessary to line them up, but it is necessary to inspect them

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee The Weather

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee The Weather Rain –Standing water on the field could be unfair or worse, dangerous Heat –Excessive heat can be dangerous to players and you (consider steps to ensure everyone is hydrated) Lightning –Be aware of weather reports and concious of lightning –When you hear the thunder, you are in danger

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Spectators, Players, Coaches

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Players You must deal players whose actions might inciting violence or create other troubles Violent Conduct, Racial or other insulting comments must be dealt with by sending off the player involved If you don’t deal with this, it will impact game control. Deal with: warn, caution or dismiss as you deem appropriate

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Coaches Deal with persistent dissent from coaches, if you don’t you risk loosing control on the field Deal with any coaches that interact with the other team Deal with any coaches that are abusive to their own team (especially in youth games!) Deal with: warn or dismiss as you deem appropriate

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Spectators Generally ignore them. If they impact game control have the home team or facility staff remove them (if they don’t go and are impacting game control then abandon the game) Be aware of: –Spectators interacting with players –Players interacting with spectators Do your best to come these situations down and avoid having to send of players as a result of spectator interference!

Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee Arrive on time to do everything you need to before the game Never be responsible for a late kickoff!