Question Number: 15492

Law 5 - The Referee 5/15/2007

RE: Rec, Travel Under 15

Kathy Stover of Jane Lew, WV USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15343

During a game who is responsible for stopping play if a player goes down and stays down due to an injury? Referee? Coach? Players kicking the ball out of play? Also, if a player is hurt on the field what is the correct way for that player to alert referee or coach that they are hurt and need to be taken out of the game? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 5 says the referee:
? stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play. An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted
? allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
? ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped

If the referee does not see an injury, the players may kick the ball over the touchline so play will stop. The referee can then be alerted to the injured player.

If a player is slightly hurt and wishes to go off the field for treatment, she may ask the referee for permission to leave the field. She must again ask permission to return to the field. If the team wishes to substitute for her, they must wait for a stoppage in play.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the referee believes the player is seriously injured, then the referee should stop game right away. If the referee feels the player is only slightly injured, then play continues until it next stops.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

As soon as we start saying kick the ball out the referee has lost his ability to determine if a player is seriously injured or just has a slight booboo. If a player is seriously injured then the referee will stop play, if the referee is the least bit competent. In the U15 Boys there exists the possibility a player is just laying down to stop play [an attack] just like they do in the professional leagues. If he wants to lie there and rob his side of an 11th man, that is his decision.

If the referee deems his injury serious in nature the referee is obligated to stop play. When the magic water cures him then it's time for admission to the diving team, the ticket is yellow in colour and you only get the one and stay in the match.

Another thing a referee might do is ensure the player has adequate time to recover before allowing him to return to the field of play after play restarts. Not seconds mind you...

Regards,

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15509