Question Number: 16709

Other 9/15/2007

RE: competitive Under 9

Jennifer of merced, ca usa asks...

Can you change the players position on the field after the ball is in play?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There is only one position mentioned in the Laws of the Game - the goalkeeper. Each team must have one, dressed in the funny shirt. Except for a very few circumstances such as being able to handle the ball inside her own goal area, the Laws don't say much about how the goalkeeper must play. She could run laps about the center circle for all the Laws care.

All the other positions - attacker, defender, midfielder, wing, striker, sweeper, etc. - are names made up over the years by players, coaches, spectators and no doubt the media. How those players play, and where they go on the field, are at the discretion of the team and coaches. So if you as a coach want Missy to stop playing defender and start playing attacker, all you have to do is get her attention and tell her.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and must return to his position after doing so. If the tactical instruction are to change from attacker to midfielder then the players will respond as they understand. To change the keeper there must be a stoppage in play and the referee must be notified of the change before it happens.

Regards,