LAW 3 - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS
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PLAYERS are those on the field of play allowed to participate in play.
SUBSTITUTES are team members who are not playing on the field but who can replace players.
Click on this picture for a video about substitution procedures
Youth Substitutions -

When substitutes can enter the field and become players varies with leagues and competitions. 

Variations include substitution at any stoppage, substitution at throw-ins for team with possession, substitution at throw-ins for either team if the team in possession of the ball is substituting, goal kicks, and goal kicks. 

Make sure you know these laws before the game begins. 

 

Substitution Process - The substitution process is formal and makes perfect sense in high level games with limited substitution.  However, it does not always seem sensible in youth play where substitution is unlimited.  The proper process is:

Referee

  • Indicates that the restart will be delayed for the substitution and cannot occur except by the referee's signal (whistle only if necessary)
  • When the player has left the field, beckons on the substitute
  • Takes into account time lost due to excessive delay in performing the substitution
  • Does not permit the substitution if the substitute is not prepared to enter the field or if the team in possession on the restart is prepared to restart quickly

Assistant Referee

  • Gives the substitution signal and holds it until eye contact is made with the referee
  • Other assistant referee mirrors the signal if the referee is not looking in the necessary direction, directs the referee's attention to the opposite side of the field when eye contact is made
  • When acknowledged by the referee, lowers the flag
  • Supervises the substitution in accordance with pregame conference
    • Ensures that the substitute does not enter the field until the player being replaced has left the field
    • Checks equipment, uniform, and credentials if the substitute was not present at the start of the match
    • Assists the referee in determining when the substitution is complete
Too Few Players -

If a team is playing with less than the maximum of number of players, a new player may enter the field at any time during the match with the permission of the referee. 

Importantly, the new player's player pass and equipment must be inspected prior to entry. 

This is usually left to the assistant referee to handle.

 

Send-off - If a player is sent-off the field (i.e., shown the red card):

a.   before the match, they may be replaced
b.   during the match, they may not be replaced

Goalkeeper Change:

  1. with a player - can be performed at any stoppage of play and the referee must be informed otherwise caution (show yellow card) to both the new and the old goalkeeper.
  2. with a substitute - just like any substitution.

Improper Substitution - If a substitution enters the field without permission:

  1. stop play
  2. remove substitute from field
  3. return player to the field
  4. caution substitute*
  5. restart with an indirect free kick for the other team where the ball was when play was stopped.

* Use common sense.  Warn the player and substitute.  Inform the coach of the issue.  Ask for help from the Assistant Referee.

 


Too Many Players:
If one team has too many players:

  1. while the ball is in play, stop play, caution* and remove extra player, restart with indirect free kick for other team where the ball was when play was stopped.
  2. while ball is out of play, remove and caution* the extra player, restart play as you would have anyway.

* Use common sense.  Get them off the field, inform the coach, and ask for help from the Assistant Referee.  Frankly, if the referee team was doing their job, this should never have happened under most circumstances.

Graphics used with the permission of Referee Magazine - DO NOT COPY		 Team with Too Many Players Scores a Goal
You goofed up big time!  Remove extra player, do not allow the goal, and restart with a goal kick.  You can not allow this to happen.  If you have any doubt, simply count the number of players on the field.

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