Question Number: 16697

Law 5 - The Referee 9/15/2007

RE: 8 Under 17

kevin phillips of Glen Ellen, ca usa asks...

I broke my arm playing soccer for my high school team. I would still like to continue to ref on weekends. Are refs able to have a cast (elbow to wrist)?

If someone could get back to me asap, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you very much,
Kevin Phillips

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Hi Kevin. Sorry about your arm - hope it heals quickly. There should be no problem with your doing weekend games, generally speaking. I do hope they aren't high level competitive games, because trying to run and look professional with a cast on will be very difficult. And, you can't really be a good AR, so maybe lots of centers on younger games?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

CYSA has no restriction on a referee accepting a match if he is wearing a cast, brace, ace wrap, prosthesis or the like. You should consider the match to which you are assigned and evaluate the danger you pose to the players! I would stay out of highly competitive matches and try to work on the lowest age group available. There referees can lift things like a cast above the level of players and not pose a danger.

When doing well below your usual assignment level a referee can refine skills as needed. Signalling, positioning, anticipation, watching behind play, coordination with assistants, substitutions, free kick management -- all the things we don't have time to do in really fast and furious competition. That way we can establish muscle memory so doing it becomes automatic and natural.

Regards,

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 16749