Question Number: 23282

Law 5 - The Referee 5/9/2010

RE: travel division 2 Under 11

anthony of camp hill, pa us asks...

Attacking player is tackled from behind in the penalty box on a break away run. It's debatable whether it was a foul. Defender and attacker both come down and are hurt. The goalie picks up the ball and punts. There are no other players close to the box. Should the ref have stopped play then or waited until a stoppage in play?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Anthony
At underage in my opinion it is advisable to stop play on injuries when they happen. Many times there is a concerned parent or coach and it is helpful to deal with the reason why the player is down there and then. However the referee can make a judgment on the seriousness of the injury and then decides to halt play or not based on his/her personal opinion.
In open age the referee has to make a decision how serious the injury is whether to halt play or not. On head injuries the referee should stop play immediately.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Law 5 requires the referee to stop play for a serious injury, but what is serious depends on the age and skill level of play.

IMO, with ten years olds, the referee should stop play if two players remain down and hurt inside the penalty area. When the ball is safely in the goalkeeper's hands, the restart is universally viewed as fair. When the dropped ball allows the keeper pick it up, play will restart exactly where things were when it stopped.