Question Number: 19462

Law 7 - Match Duration 6/20/2008

Connor kinley of , missouri usa asks...

in the rule book it says.. allowance for time lost is permitted through substitutions.

where i ref, the teams have unlimited amount of substitutions. am i expected to add on additional time for everytime they substitute?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Generally not. I look at it this way - in a pro match, a substitution is a rare event (usually only 3 per team, and not always are all of them used). Therefore time is added to compensate.

In a youth match, substitutions are not rare events; they are part of the way the game is played. So time would be added only to compensate for unusual delays while subbing - for instance if there is a keeper change and they have to swap the jersey, gloves, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Typically no. If you feel the substitution proceedure has exceeded the amount of time you would normally expect to be used up for the number of subs that have been requested, then you could add time. Otherwise - I would not add any.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Substitution is a normal part of the game, and as such you would only add the time that is LOST - i.e. that time which would not normally be consumed during a regular substitution. Added time makes up for time lost through time wasting (could be kicking the only ball six fields over for the 3rd time) , injury and removal of injured players, substitutions and any other cause the referee may feel is needed to compensate for time lost to the game. An example of any other cause might be 30 seconds required to deal with a manager/coach who is conducting themselves irresponsibly. That's not the players' fault, but dealing with it must be done - so time lost can be added back. A player who will be subbed out is reluctant to leave, so he doesn't run off, he walks off. Not enough for a caution, but it took 30 seconds to a minute longer than it should have - add it back. Hope that helps.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Or if it's obvious to you that the team that's ahead is subbing to run time off the clock then you should not only add time but inform the coach of this.