Question Number: 14989

Law 3 - Number of Players 3/16/2007

rufusabc of Belmar, NJ USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14944

Ref Dawson states " The cry of "subs" is one that annoys me because we try to set guidelines for how subs SHOULD be made without all the hollering."

Maybe Ref Dawson looks to the halfway line after every stop in play to see if a team has a substitute up and ready, but after coaching for a number of years, I can safely say there aren't a whole lot of CR's who do that. And in youth leagues where playing time is mandated by percentage of game, the single most confusing thing is getting enough playing time for all your players. If you are carrying 5-6 or even 7 subs, a stoppage of play where you can make substitutions is vital. And if the benches are located in such a manner that the referee is NOT looking, and the AR's (if there are AR's) are not mirroring, then the opportunity for subbing passes very quickly. So, hollering it is, unless Ref Dawson has a fool proof method of getting the substitutes into the game.

R

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The fool proof method is to look to the assistants and at each technical area at every stoppage in play. The referee who can't do that must accept the insulting "Subs" or "Hey Ref, Sub". Me, I looked and woe be it to the coach who insults me. Another thing I did was ask the team captain if he would rather take a quick throw-in to an unmarked player or wait for a substitution. Guess what they usually said?

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Try as I might, I CANNOT get coaches to follow a simple procedure. Maybe you can help. I also look at every stoppage when subs are allowed. I tell the coaches before every game if they want a sub, have their players at the center line ready to go and not to yell. Invariably, I'll look over, see some subs, blow the whistle, and the coach will say "next stoppage". ADvice?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I understand your feelings as, been there, done that, as I too coach.
Everyone likes to think we can bend all laws to suit the expectations or needs of each match. The common sense unwritten value we apply to the grey areas of the game. The problem as I see it is the word "sense" is not all that common when it comes to practical issues of following some simple procedures which could eliminate further problems.

Substitution for youth is unlimited and as such create a different set of conditions for a referee to manage, unlike the 3 or 5 single entry only at the higher levels. Here at the youth level the same player can go from sub to player and back numerous times.

If we understand the laws allow us to sub out on any stoppage you might note many leagues will enforce WHEN these stoppages are exempt as well as the NUMBER of people who can sub at one time often two, especially in tournaments appears to be a magic number. Yet I could allow up to 7 subs at a single stoppage if that was what the coach wanted and no league policy forbade it!

Yes the substitution procedure, if not followed properly, can turn into an irritating mass of confusion and time wasting. Possibly with too many players or even too few playing the game.

I also hold the opinion that many coaches have no idea of good substitution policies, do not plan them out and make far too many, far too often. I have an idea for subs that worked very well for me as a coach if you think it might help I could send it seperately to you?

I admit it is likely you willing be calling out "Ref sub" as the referee abilities or training or the policy your league follows is not the same as what the law 3 plus the uncommen sense we often talk about varies its effect

All substitutions take place ONLY at the halfway line, ONLY at a stoppage!
All subs must be at the halfway line BEFORE the stoppage as notification is required! With no 4th or senior AR often the presence of subs at the halfway line are the notification!
All subs must be within the technical area if they are not ready to sub or within the proper warm up area in preparation to sub.
All subs are prechecked prior to the match as it is generally impossible to check over the constant entering a of new or the same player over and over. However if a late player shows up and is on the roster or an injured player with blood or equipment malfunction that player /sub must report to the 4th or the designated senior AR only at a stoppage to prevent distraction from game duties for inspection before entry to the field is allowed.
ALL subs at the halfway line and at the stoppage if they are not ready to enter are considered to be wasting time as usb and could be cautioned!
All subs should know WHO they are replacing and can relay that fact one at a time with the coach's assistance as number boards at not likely at the recreational levels.
While I personally like my players to exit at the halfway line and high five the incoming player then report to me any information they know or I ask of them, given time is crucial and often referees are reluctant to add time in unlimited sub situations, the player(s) upon leaving the field may exit at the nearest boundary line and raise their hand to indicate they are off the FOP. At that time the referee will then wave in the sub(s) who ONLY then are allowed to enter the field of play.
It is unfortunate that time constraints and scheduling issues often force referees to not add appropriate time for delays. All players and subs shall complete the substitution procedure with due haste and diligence All time lost by these delays should be added on and those players or subs responsible could face being cautioned for delay of the restart.
The ONLY exception to substitution proceedures is in the event of an injury where a player is required to leave the field of play. A sub can get up from the technical area and go to the halfway line to notify and the referee allows the sub on. Totally different than the big boys where teams play short until a sub is made or injured party returns. If no subs available and player was too injured to return, the team simply plays short.

The adaptation of substitution policies for youth is derived by the need to get the youth in and out expediently and not to create situations where an attacking team is unfairly targeted or either team is unfairly denied its right to substitute.

Let?s say we have two teams a blue and a red.

The referee looks over during play and sees, red sending three players to the midline. The next stoppage occurs as a DFK for blue just outside the red penalty area. Blue team asks for ten yards so now the right to a quick free kick just went into ceremonial mode there is no reason now not to allow the substitution by red.

But if the blue team was interested in taking quickly and the Red coach cries SUB REF he has tactically tried to unfairly influence the match. As referee we could warn him once that substitutions are at our discretion when the players with ball possession are a go to restart NOT his and to refrain from such outbursts. If we repeatedly are forced do this asking him to leave is likely to follow!

The attacking team be it on ANY ball possession has the right to continue uninterrupted if they are not substituting. IF the ball had been knocked into touch for a blue throw in and the blue player scrambled quickly to retrieve and throw to release an attack while the three red players waited patiently at midline I will not allow a red sub at this point. If the ball went out for a blue corner and blue was quickly retrieving and set for the kick I would not allow red subs.

The red subs wanting to enter must wait until the referee sees a point in the match where this can occur FAIRLY!!!! Because the number of times to do so is unlimited! Take these situations and have a blue player?s show no urgency to restart or the ball is kicked over the fence into bushes and we wait for it's retrevial and guess what the referee allows the red players to sub as in his opinion there is nothing by blue that is unfairly affected!

Take any of those situations and place a blue player at the midline with those three red players, now we could allow both teams to substitute.

However if the red coach shouts "Sub ref!" thinking we MUST now allow the sub consider this, if coaches want to sub to get players into the match but the players playing want to restart quickly what policy should we follow that take into account the right to restart quickly and the substitution to take place?

I have on numerous occasions had to warn even caution players when coaches calling for subs and players wanting to play on created some unpleasant situations.

Lets say the blue coach also hollars "Ref Sub!" Must the referee allow the sub as both coaches are hollaring with subs at the ready ? In truth it is within our discrestion to allow the quick restart if the players want to continue so while we acknowledge the substitution could be made, the player wanting to continue is also granted that right to restart quickly if in the opinion of the referee it was in the interest of fairplay to do so! In truth I likely go with subs at throw ins and ball out of play corner and goal but could consider allowing a quick free kick rather than allowing a legal sub.

The one point that you are correct in noting is if the AR?s and referee are not well organized substitution procedures can get hay wired. A referee should look to his nearest AR at every stoppage and keep an eye out for players at the midline during ongoing play. ARs that do not share the mirror image at subs or fail to consider their duties as important rarely enjoy working as my ARs. We can forgive inexperience, understand how scared some are of mistakes but those who put forth neither effort or concern and refuse to listen to general instructions could be removed!!

Leagues could try to organize field layout with technical areas for teams on either side of the halfway line and fans and parents on opposing side of the field . That way both teams sub on the same side at the halfway line much easier to control than on opposing sides of the field! I also recommend a pinny over the uniform as a sub waiting to enter can on occasion be confused as a player while standing at the halfway line. Ensure they stand behind the midline flag at least 3 meters from play to prevent this

The referee must train himself to follow mechanics, look over often and stay in contact with his officials if they are present, anticipate play and consider the need to substitute based on the restart at hand While he can choose not to allow a substitution if the team with ball possession is unfairly affected he must allow subs on ones own possession if proper proceedures and notification are in order or unless the league specifically says no in the bylaws.

Often I see strange things in certain league bylaws like no sub on a PK or free kick or only on goal kicks or throw ins or only if the restart is in their favour. There is no reason to set these apart from any stoppage at referee discrestion of proper proceedures and notification!

I personally do not like the policy of only on your ball possession or if the other team does it as it restricts sub opportunities and creates the flow of players AFTER the stoppage to run the halfway line and expect to be allowed on as the other team was already there!

Referees who make a statement that because time is winding down they do not have to allow subs are 100% completely wrong. If the stoppage occurs in the favor of the team wanting to sub that sub must be allowed provide the correct proceedures are followed. Getting players on in the last few minutes or even seconds for a PK shootout or replace a limping defender are a tactical necessity.

I can appreciate coaches. players, parents who feel there are issues and taking time to look at alternate solutions or consider the what ifs that can make this game better. I can also agree to disagree and move on but prefer to look for solutions rather seek than seek a finger of blame!
Cheers