Question Number: 27668

League Specific 8/16/2013

RE: Competive High School

Derrek Hooyman of Appleton, Wisconsin United States asks...

I am confused as to when a player must be checked in with the scorer prior to the deadball and when they can just check-in from the bench and go on the field.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

NFHS rules assume that there is a scorekeeper's table near the bench area where players may check-in. In many parts of the country, that does not exist. You should check with your local association about the actual procedures in your area.

Where there is a scorekeeper, NFHS rules generally provide for three circumstances:

No Check-in required. (Rule 3-3-1.) A player may enter the match as a substitute even if they haven't checked in first with the scorer (for 2013/14 after the referee beckons) if the substitution opportunity is: (a) start of halftime/overtime periods; (b) after a goal is scored; (c) after an injury where the player is treated on the field or deemed injured by the referee (including suspicion of concussion).

Check-in required before ball went out of play. (Rule 3-4-1(d).) Substitutes must have checked in before play was stopped if the substitution opportunity is a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. If not, they wait until the next appropriate substitution opportunity.

Check in permitted even after ball goes out of play. (Rule 3-3-2) For two substitution opportunities, the substitute must still check in with the scorekeeper, but may do so after the stoppage in play: after a yellow or red card, or after a player leaves the field because of blood.