Question Number: 17879

Law 4 - Players Equipment 11/12/2007

RE: High School

laurie of warwick, ny orange asks...

At a h.s. game, players were putting vaseline on the spikes of their cleats. It had rained earlier and the fields were muddy. What does this do?
Also, during the game, the boys were putting the ball on the ground before throw ins, and rubbing their shoes on it, and also during free kicks. Can this make the ball slippery?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

They may think the vaseline will make the mud not stick to the cleats. I know that running around with an extra 4 pounds on each shoe does not promote swiftness.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I can't imagine why they were rubbing their cleats on the ball - well, okay, I don't want to imagine why. If it were me, I'd be worried any Vaseline on the ball would cause me to throw it wrong, and that would cause the other side to get the throw - not too bright.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Players do tend to do some strange things, Vaseline on the boots, Vicks on the jersey, tape on earrings 'n' stuff like that. Who knows what prompted that bit of fancy engineering or what effect it has on preventing mud from adhering to the boot. Now putting mud on the ball before a throw-in or a free kick might tend to help prevent opponents from having a fair chance to play the ball, of course the playing field levels out because everyone has the same chance at the ball. Besides, the initial acceleration of the ball does tend to remove that which is not firmly attached, e.g. mud and Vaseline.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

That's odd. I don't know why they would do this. Next time you see it perhaps you could ask them to find out why. Then, report it back here to us because I would love to know the answer.