Question Number: 25581

League Specific 10/10/2011

RE: JV High School

Bruce Morey of Burlington, MA USA asks...

A teammate of my daughter's received a yellow card last game & was told by the referee that she had to leave the field of play. 2 questions:

1) is that accurate?
2) If so, when can she return to play?

We are in the Middlesex League playing under MIAA in Massachusetts. Let me know & thanks...

Bruce

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Many state implementations of the high school rules (NFHS) include a provision that a cautioned player must leave the field to 'cool down'. A substitution is allowed.

Some implementations have a specific time the player must be off the field (e.g. 10 minutes) and others may say until the next substitution opportunity (goal, goal kick, throw-in, etc.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bruce
If a player is cautioned in a NFHS game the player must leave the field of play and can be substituted. The cautioned player can return at the next available substitution opportunity.
When a player receives two yellow cards in a NFHS game he/she can take no further part. The team however does not play short and the player is replaced by a team mate in NFHS games.
In USSF games the team plays short after the player is dismissed and a cautioned player does not have to leave the field of play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

High school rules (followed in MIAA with a few exceptions) require that a player who receives a caution must leave the field and can be substituted.

A cautioned player may return at the next substitution opportunity for her team (goal kick; kickoff; throw-in or corner kick when her team is in possession of the ball or if the other team makes a substitution; injury).