Question Number: 21558

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/18/2009

RE: Under 17

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21543

This reminds me of a situation
that ussually comes up a few times
each game with unlimited substitutions:
Sub is waiting at centerline, while she's waiting the ball goes into touch in favor of her team, but her teammate sees an advantage and hustles to the ball to throw it in for a goal scoring opportunity.
I hate to blow the whistle and take away the opportunity but I also feel obligated to sub a player when requested.
I almost always let the quick throw go ahead because I like to reward players hustle and of course the coach on that team never complains but I wonder if this is the correct mechanics.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The referee should use some discretion when a player is attempting to restart quickly, particularly if it is the other team wishing to substitute. Look at it similar to what you do for a quick kick vs. a ceremonial kick. If the team doesn't take the kick quickly, you can make the kick ceremonial without undue loss of benefit to the kicking team. In the same way, if a team doesn't take a restart quickly when someone is waiting to sub in, they have given you the opportunity to hold up the restart for the substitution. But if they're in place almost immediately to restart, let them go and get the subs in next time. Realize as well that many restarts have virtually no inherent advantage for going quickly, and those restarts could easily be interrupted for substitutions.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I agree with you. If the team requesting the substitution wants a quick restart instead, then by all means allow it. The only time it would become dicey is if the team not requesting the substitution wants a quick restart. If they have already put the ball in play I would not stop play. We can let the substitutes come in the next opportunity.