Question Number: 16719

Law 3 - Number of Players 9/16/2007

RE: Rec Under 14

Kat of Pine Falls, Manitoba Canada asks...

Lets say team yellow was rewarded a throw in (with an opportunity to score) and team blue calls sub and the ref allows the sub when team yellow could have made a play before team blue was rested or in position. is that allowed? calling a sub when its in the other teams posestion??

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Depends on your local modifications. FIFA allows subs at any stoppage. Around here in youth soccer at the present you cannot sub on the other teams throw-in

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Here the problem is a referee is reacting to the coach bellowing out he needs a substitution NOW. The first thing that must happen is the referee is informed BEFORE any proposed substitution is made. Here the referee allowed the himself to be informed AS the substitution was made. This is incorrect.

The referee should look to what the players want to do at any stoppage in play BEFORE allowing time for a substitution to be made. If the yellow side has an unmarked player and is able to reach him from their throw-in the referee should delay substituting anyone until the next stoppage. This is allowing the match to flow. Conversely the referee may not refuse to allow a substitution that he has been properly notified about. He does not have to do it then but must allow it as soon as play dictates.

Note: some leagues alter times a team may substitute players to specific occasions. That does not mean a team is allowed to shortcut the written procedure because that's the way we have always done things.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Calling for subs is NOT a coach?s tactical prerogative but having players ready to sub at the legal moments is. That said the right to restart quickly if the players desire to do so can be allowed by the referee although no referee should deny a legal sub unless proceedure is not followed. Substitution at youth because of the unlimited aspect requires a firm policy of procedure and hustle on the part of those participants to not use up valuable time or waste opportunities!
A referee has the discretion to allow a legal sub if procedures are followed at any stoppage unless the league specifically says no! As Law 3 is a law that can be altered for youth competition! Referee who do not follow policy create coaches who feel obligated to yell for subs as the referee and officiating team ignores those standing on the touchline ready to go! Also if coaches are not prevented in previous games then they feel compelled to continue!
A referee who follows policy and sets the bar from the start will stop such things most of the time if he deals with those who try to play (what can I get away with today) by quietly saying "Not very much!" and doing what the game requires to see it stays that way!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the subs are at the center and all checked in, then they go in at the next opportunity recognized by the referee. The referee need not wait for the coaches permission before allowing the substitution.