Question Number: 24615

Law 5 - The Referee 2/26/2011

RE: Competitive Under 19

Todd of Houston, TX USA asks...

Can you please comment on mechanics, at various levels of competition, when a player may be seriously injured? What exactly do I say to, for example, a U15 competitive player to find out whether to beckon his coach onto the field?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some injuries are patently obvious, and you blow your whistle and call for help immediately.

I assume that you are talking of less dramatic situations. For the older players like U15, you can simply ask them. 'Do you need help? Are you able to continue?' If they are too groggy or in too much pain to answer, then yes, they need help.

With younger players, like U10, you want to err on the side of caution and be more proactive. For the very smallest U-littles, you need to remember that even a boo-boo is considered 'serious' by them and their parents.

I find the hardest age to judge to be the U12's. (Perhaps not coincidentally, that is also the hardest age group to judge fair vs. foul contact, but that's another question.) Some U12's are still in the boo-boo stage of life; they have some growing up to do yet in my opinion. But you have to respect their feelings. You don't stop play immediately when they go down, but you do call help onto the field if they stay down. Other U12's would continue to play with a broken bone and arterial blood pumping out if you let them; they have to be protected from their own zeal. (OK, that's absurd, but you get my point.) They like to play so much that they won't tell you if they're really hurt. If you see something that makes you wince, that you think other players would need assistance, keep watch on that player who attempts to bravely carry on. You can tell from his actions - disorientation, wincing, limping, etc. - that he really should be assisted and given a rest.

With apparent head injuries, you take no chances whatsoever. Even if the player jumps right back up, she should be assisted and allowed to rest for a few moments. Most youth leagues allow for free substitutions for injuries, so it doesn't hurt the team. Player safety is the most important issue.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Todd
At underage it is best to err on the side of caution. If a player is down on the ground/injured then it is best to stop play immediately and deal with the player. Through experience referees can also determine perhaps the nature of the injury based on the circumstances.
At older ages my advice is based on the referee's opinion to either allow play to proceed to a natural stoppage or if it is serious to stop play immediately. The player can then be asked if he/she needs treatment. The player will usually respond with a Yes or No.
On head injuries it is vital to stop play immediately and allow the physio on to the field of play to deal with it.
Over very many years I have never had any complaints about stopping play to deal with a genuine injury. I have on the odd occasion had to deal with a player abusing the injury 'goodwill' by looking for play to be stopped for the teams advantage. Experienced officials will know when that situation is being abused and he/she will respond accordingly

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When to stop play varies greatly with the age and skill level of the players. The younger the player, the quicker you should be to stop play. The U-littles may not get up until the coach tells them they are ok. Ironically, many players above 40 also appreciate that play is stopped for the nagging injuries to the ankles and legs - which often are longstanding.
Always deal with blows to the head immediately and at every level. Only about 10 percent of concussions involve loss of consciousness.

My mechanic after play is stopped is the same. Move quickly to the player. (The more serious the injury, the quicker you run.) Observe the player and the nature of the injury. I recommend that you do not touch the player. Almost every U16 will respond 'I'm fine' to 'Are you OK.' If you have 16 year old kids, you know that 'fine' is not a report on their condition. 'What happened?' sometimes will get a more accurate response.

As soon as you summon the coach/trainer, move away, at least 20 yards. Move further, if you anticipate that the coach is upset about why the player is injured. This helps direct the coach to the player and not to complain to (about) you.

Imagine that somehow is recording the game. The video shows a player is injured. The referee stops play and sprints to the player. He summons the coach and moves away. Your impression is that the referee is caring, professional, and has the match under control. Imagine, instead, that the video shows a player on the ground in pain. The referee is no where to be seen. He eventually walks toward the player, and from about 15 yards away yells for the coach. The coach runs to the referee and yells at him. Your impression may be different.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As my fellow panelists point out, this is not a simple question and there is no simple answer. U15 Select Boys is a grey age/skill group for me. First, they are still kids, second they are full of testosterone and likely to lie about their injury so I usually will observe and not ask them if they are all right. I might ask 'What day is it?' or 'Who is President?' or something like that, third they are also fully capable of diving or exaggerating an injury if they think it beneficial.

Still, I'll err on the side of caution unless there is an obvious shot on goal about to happen and I'm unsure of the injury. Barring that, at U15 I'll probably have a quick whistle and take any heat. U17 and U19 not so quick.