Question Number: 26877

Law 5 - The Referee 10/3/2012

RE: select Under 13

Tricia of Mystic, CT USA asks...

My question is in regards to stopping of play due to an injury. At the U14 select level do you always play advantage when stopping play? Or, should the ref stop play at once when a player is on the ground, in obvious pain after being elbowed in the head? I know there is a bunch of new legislation, at least in CT, regarding head injury and wanted to know if it affects the stopping of play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tricia
Referees are advised to stop play in the case of a serious injury. A head injury would be a reason to stop the game immediately.
What can happen is that the referee may not see the injury to the player and play continues with the referee unaware of a player in obvious pain.
In relation to minor injuries the referee has the discretion to allow play to continue until the next natural stoppage such as the ball going out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You don't play advantage with injuries - that applies to fouls.

Law 5 says the referee stops play for serious injuries, but allows the game to continue if the player is only slightly injured. For the u-littles, a boo-boo is a serious injury. Stop play and let the player be subbed out to get some consolation on the sidelines. But at older ages, starting about U12 and especially at U14, I'll start evaluating the injury before I stop play. Potential head injuries should always be taken seriously.

We also have to be aware of players who may go to the ground because of a non-foul interaction - for example, as a result of a fair charge - and then stay down in hopes that the game will be stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

We need to do a better job getting the world out. Head injuries are a serious injury that should cause the referee to immediately stop play at the amateur level. Seconds could matter.

The age and skill level will be an important factor in dealing with most other injuries. In a recreational U10 match, almost anything can be a good reason to stop play and check on the player. In a competitive U18 match, the referee needs to decide if the matter is serious enough that the player's safety could be compromised if unintended for 30 seconds.

Moreover, some players remain down on the ground as a form of dissent for what they perceive as an uncalled foul. It no longer is a strong indicator of a serious injury.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Advantage has to do with fouls only.

The referee is to stop play for any injury he deems serious. This changes with age and skill level.

There is a 13 year old child on the ground writhing in pain from a blow to the head. Does this sound serious to you? DUH! Any referee working youth games that does NOT stop play in this instance needs to seriously re-evaluate his primary responsibility; player safety.

Head injuries are SERIOUS!!

Children on the ground in obvious pain, have sustained an injury that is SERIOUS!!