The Number of Players (3) Online Training Script: Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 8 Referee Course. Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the competitive youth game. This presentation focuses on Law 3 – The Number of Players. U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 8 Referee Course Competitive Youth Training

Checking in Players Online Training Script: Most teams in competitive youth games will present the referee with rosters. Additionally, most players at this level will have a pass issued by the league or state association. According to the local rules of competition, referees should check the player passes against the team roster to verify identity and eligibility. The general rule is that a player can’t play without a pass but this must be verified by the local rules of competition. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Explain process for checking passes and rosters, and that recreational levels normally don’t have passes/rosters. In those cases, there is no “check-in” needed. In leagues using passes, a player may not participate unless he/she has a valid pass.

Number of Players LOTG Maximum 11, Minimum 7 Each team must have a goalkeeper Small sided games – Rules of competition may set different maximum/minimum Goalkeeper always required Online Training Script: The maximum number of players a team can have is 11 and the minimum number is 7 players per team. One player on each team must be the goalkeeper and each team must have a goalkeeper at all times. A game can not begin if a team has fewer than 7 players and a game cannot continue if a team drops below 7 players. Exceptions should be made when players temporarily leave the field for instances of quick treatment of an injury, correcting blood on the uniform, or to correct illegal equipment. If a game cannot continue due to a team having fewer than 7 players, the referee must terminate the match and report this to the local competition authorities. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Much of this has already been covered in the first day. This is their first introduction to the fact that there must be a goalkeeper. Even though local competition may specify fewer players, one most always be a goalkeeper. Explain that GK is essentially “the one dressed differently.” The GK can play anywhere on the field. If the coach decides to tell the GK to run up and take a PK, that’s OK. But the person dressed as the GK is the only one who can use hands in the penalty area.

Late Arrivals Players who arrive late can play Still have to check-in Assistant referee or fourth official can perform inspection Player can enter during play with permission from the referee Online Training Script: Late arriving players may play in the game and they should report to the assistant referee, or fourth official, with their player pass for inspection. Once the player’s equipment is inspected and deemed safe for play, he or she can enter the field during play provided they have the referee’s permission. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Don’t spend a lot of time on this.

Substitutions Online Training Script: The local rules of competition will outline how many and when substitutions are allowed so officials will need to know these rules. Many competitive youth games will allow for unlimited reentry and it is common that substitutions may only be allowed during certain stoppages such as throw-ins, goal kicks, injuries, after halftime, and following goals. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Procedure Substitute reports to official Referee is informed Player leaves the field Anywhere Substitute enters the field Only after the players leaves Only at the halfway line Online Training Script: The procedure to replace a player with a substitute begins with a stoppage of play. Again, the local rules of competition may dictate which stoppages of play permit substitutions. Substitutes will typically report to the assistant referee on the team-side touch line, or a fourth official if the game has one assigned. That official will then notify the referee at the next appropriate stoppage of play. The player being replaced usually leaves at the halfway line but he or she can leave the field from anywhere. The substitute may only enter the field after the player leaves and the substitute receives a signal from the referee. The substitute is required to enter the field at the halfway line. This process remains the same regardless of how many players are being substituted for at the same time. The substitution procedure is over when the substitute enters the field with the referee’s permission, thus becoming a player. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Goalkeepers Any player may change with the goalkeeper During a stoppage With the referee’s permission For violation – both players cautioned Substituting the goalkeeper Standard procedure Online Training Script: Any player may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made and the change is made during a stoppage of play. If the change is made without the referee’s permission, then the referee should caution both players at the next stoppage of play. Note that when a change is made without the referee’s permission and cautions are issued, the change of player and goalkeeper is still upheld. If a team is substituting a goalkeeper, rather than changing with a player on the field, referees should follow the standard substitution procedure as determined by the local rules of competition. In a competitive youth games with unlimited substitutions, a new goalkeeper in place at the start of the second half is considered appropriate notification. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: A goalkeeper and player can change places at ANY stoppage, with the permission of the referee. In case of a violation of this rule, both players are cautioned. (We DO NOT want to spend a lot of time on this, as it’s not a common occurrence. If a substitute GK is entering the game, the normal substitution process applies.

Rut Roh! Too Many Players Online Training Script: When multiple substitutions are being made, it is very important that referees follow the substitution procedures and not allow substitutes to enter the field prematurely. Following the proper procedure allows officials to reduce the risk that the game would restart with too many players. If the referee realizes that there are too many players during play, the game should be stopped right away. The referee should then caution and remove the extra player. The game would be restarted with an indirect free kick for the opposing team. If the referee realizes that there are too many players during a stoppage of play, he or she should caution and then remove the extra player. The game is then restarted with the appropriate restart that led to the stoppage of play. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Hopefully we notice this before play starts – that’s why we count players before the game and after substitutions. (We DO NOT count by pointing – count in your head!) If play starts with more than the maximum number of players, we need to fix it. If the ball is in play, stop play. Caution the extra player(s) and remove from the field. Restart with an IFK to the opposing team at the location of the ball when play was stopped. If the referee noticed the extra player while play was stopped, caution and remove the player and restart with the appropriate restart that resulted in the stoppage of play. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!!!

Sent Off Players Sent off before game Replaced by another player on roster Team starts with 11 players Sent off during game May not be replaced Sent off after game Include misconduct in the game report Online Training Script: If a player is sent off before the game, the player can be replaced by someone else on the team roster, and the team still starts with 11 players. Note that this does not count as a substitution, but unless otherwise indicated by the local rules of competition, designating a replacement substitute is not permitted. If a player is sent off during the game, he or she may not be replaced and the team must play with one fewer player. If a player is sent off after the game the referee should still show the red card if the player is still on field and then include this information in his or her game report. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Outside Agents Anyone or anything not listed on roster Stop play if needed Not immediately if no interference Remove outside agent Restart play with dropped ball if play was stopped Online Training Script: Outside agents would include anyone, or anything, not listed on the team roster as a player, substitute, or team official, including a player who has received a red card and sent off. At the competitive youth level, outside agents are typically little siblings who run out on to the field or family dogs. If they do not interfere and are quickly removed, there is no need to stop the game. If the game must be stopped to have the outside agent removed, the game would be restarted with a dropped ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Outside agents can be people, animals, another ball, a rocket – anything or anyone not listed on the roster. If the outside agent is at the far end of the field, not interfering with play, there is no need to stop play. If it interferes with play – and any time an outside agent touches the ball – play must be stopped. After the outside agent is removed, restart with a dropped ball.

Review Question Can the checking of player passes and the players’ equipment be skipped if the game is running behind schedule? No, it’s important to check and inspect all players even if the game is running late Yes, this process can be skipped so long as both coaches agree Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question Can the referee allow a team to play without a goalkeeper? Yes, a team is allowed to play without a goalkeeper if they chose to No, each team must have a goalkeeper Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points: