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Question Number: 15170

Law 3 - Number of Players 4/13/2007

RE: High School High School

Derek Toohey of Lake Havasu City, Arizona USA asks...

Is it required that I notify the referee if I change my goalie during halftime? I know that I must make him aware of it during the game but if I change goalies at halftime must I make the referee aware of the change?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The HS rules say you're supposed to inform the referee as to a change of goalkeeper. However, if you make the change at half-time the referee is giving tacit permission for the change and should know and accept that this new person dressed as the goalkeeper will be the goalkeeper in the 2nd half.

That said - be a friend to yourself and mention this to the ref. The only reason I say that is there are overly officious refs who aren't 100% clear on all the rules. They may mistake this rule and the last thing you want to have to do is protest the result of a match or deal with unwanted decisions when simply mentioning it to the ref isn't going to cause you considerable inconvenience.

So the answer is No you don't HAVE to inform the ref of the change at half-time, but you probably SHOULD.



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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There are a number of things different in the high school "game" that differ from the rest of the world in this situation.

First and foremost is entering the field after the interval or after a score a substitute may enter the field of play without being beckoned by the referee. However, the "player" [they mean substitute here] must report to the scorekeeper prior to entering the game.

The goalkeeper may change places with a player on the field whenever the clock is stopped or a substitution takes place, provided the uniforms are legal. The referee is notified first, if not the players concerned are "warned" at the next stoppage NOT cautioned. It is interesting to note the clock does not stop for foul play unless an injury happens or there is misconduct associated with the foul.

If a substitute goalkeeper enters the game and starts the second half but fails to notify the referee he shall given a verbal warning at the first stoppage in play.

The reader must have figured out by now that US High School referees MUST NOT caution when there is a keeper change without prior notification, there is no keeper change at "Any" stoppage in the match as allowed by the Laws of the Game and after a goal is scored there is the possibility of the referee having to deal with more than eleven players on the field and the resultant disciplinary issues if a player is disqualified in the interim. The referee is only required to have the proper number of players on the field when starting the second half or when starting after a goal has been scored, he has no obligation to ensure they are the same ones either... There can be no caution for a substitute entering without permission as no permission is needed... Ain't that grand.

So, to answer your question -- Ref Montanino is correct, tell the referee what you're doing even though it isn't a requirement. We say this BECAUSE the procedure is so foreign to the way every other part of the world plays there is always the chance the referee will do as he is supposed to, not as the NFHS rules demand.

Regards,



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