Question Number: 12758

Mechanics 5/8/2006

Darryl of Northern California, California USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12701

In regards to recent question 12701 that questioned why a referee did not stop play when a player was obviously hurt
(blood was present) and he waited since the attackers were playing "advantage".
The inquiry did not stated how long the time delay was between injury and stoppage.

This past season, I had 2 instances with injuries directly in front of the goal (net) close to the 6 yard line ironically in the same game for high school game.

The first one a defender on 50/50 ball (clean play) hurt her foot and went down. I waited a few moments (2-3 seconds) to see what would happen with play. Fortunately, antoher defender cleared the ball toward the sidelines to another defender and I blew my whistle to stop play so hurt player could be attended. When that was done, I did quick drop ball to defense at sideline area since they had possession when whistle blew.

Later, a goalie tried saving a shot on goal with 3 defenders near her. She dove toward the ball, bobbled it and dropped it to the ground. AS she was reaching for the ball (not having any control or contact) a defender kicked the ball (no foul) but the goalie's head caught the defender knee and she went down hurt and crying. The ball rolled in front of the goal. The defenders near by came over to her to either help or yell she was fouled while at the same time 2 attackers stopped and looked at me to see what I was going to call with another attacker who was next to the rolled ball kicked into the net. I called goal and simultaneously called over the coach to attend to the player.

In both cases, I waited to see how the action transpired and 2-3 seconds later blew the whistle for stoppage. I am sure for those on the field it may have seemed a lot longer.

I waited because from I have learned from your Q & A. I do not like seeing players get hurt. Yet, from what I have obtained from your writings is that a referee needs to access the action and what is devloping before blowing a whistle. I beleive if I had blown the whistle exactly at injury impact, then it would be drop ball with one team being penalised and being placed at a disadvantage. I wasn't trying to be insensitive or uncaring to the hurt person, I just felt I needed to be fair.
This is my third season refereeing so I cannot say I am a veteran at the craft yet.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Sounds like you did the correct thing on allowing play to coninue. The laws tell us to allow play to continue if we believe that player is slightly injured. Sounds like that was the case here as there was no clear foul. Also, in high school if a team has clear possession of ball during a stoppage for an injury, that team gets an indirect free kick. The U.S.S.F. policy is you must start with a dropped ball where the ball was when you stopped play. As Always,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Darryl,
while we can quote the law scripture of LAW 5 Powers and Duties of the Referee: it is worth reminding those that seek to cast stones at apparent insensitivity is the decisions to continue or stop do reflect a concerned caring OPINION that is also wrestling with the fact he or she is likely NOT a doctor, some people fake or adlib extra for the sympathy or rest period it provides. The age factor? Certainly we stop play with less reason at the littles grassroots than we might at a competitive u-19 gold cup match. The NEEDS of the match will create the environment, the players and referee will find the acceptance and tolerance of what FAIRPLAY will be today! We wish you well on your chosen craft my young friend.

stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play. An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted;

allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured;
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Darryl you probably acted correctly in each case.

It would do you well to remember that is US high school rules there are significant differences in dealing with stopping play for injuries. The first is when there is no specific team in possession of the ball when you stop play, the restart is a dropped ball and one player from each team must be present. The second is when one team has clear possessions when you stop things, the restart is indirect free kick to the team with clear possession.

Another weird change is you may stop play for dangerous play against an opponent or teammate. the restart is indirect against the team of the dangerous player.

Regards,