Question Number: 3902

Law 4 - Players Equipment

RE: REC

Herm Madison of Charlevoix, MI USA asks...

What is classifed as a "soft billed cap" for goalkeepers?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Herm, do you write of the soft billed cap mentioned in Rule 4 Section 2 Exception (2) of the soccer rules book published by the National Federation of High School Associations? If so, then it is foam or like material. It is not a baseball cap with a rigid fabric covered cardboard brim. A baseball cap?s brim can produce injury in certain situations; it is unlikely a foam cap will produce a similar result. The high school soccer rules are peculiar to America and are written in a way that is familiar to the American sportsman. They are all encompassing, extremely detailed and attempt to address all possible adverse situations. They are not applicable to the Game outside America...Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson

All the LOTG state is, "A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player." It is generally accepted (worldwide) that field players may not wear hats (stocking caps are ok is cold weather) but that goalkeepers may wear hats in sunny conditions. The only thing that needs to be satisified for a goalkeeper's hat is that, in the opinion of the referee, the hat must not be dangerous to the goalkeeper or other players. Obviously, hats with a foam brim are acceptable. I will tell you that I also allow keepers to wear baseball caps. While my colleague is entitled to his opinion, and it is the opinion of the referee that counts here, I cannot imagine any situation where a baseball cap presents a danger to anyone. Certainly cardboard is a lot softer than bone and we allow goalkeepers with thick skulls to play!

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

See Question: 14905