Law 4
The Players’ Equipment
Objectives
At the end of this lesson the student will do both
of the following:
• list the basic and acceptable equipment that
can be used by a player
• state the penalty for infringements of Law 4
2
COMPULSORY
EQUIPMENT
1. Shirt or jersey with sleeves, same
color as teammates
2. Shorts, same color as teammates
*(can be different color than shirt)
3. Shinguards
4. Socks or stockings, same as
teammates *(must cover shinguards)
5. Shoes or footwear
EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
Referee
shall
inspect
players’
equipment
prior to
match.
Referee shall prevent players with
dangerous equipment from playing
5
EQUIPMENT
REQUIREMENTS
• Players’ equipment shall not be dangerous
to themselves or any other player
(including any kind of jewelry.)
• This is your opinion and is final without
question.
Note:
This does not mean you have the right to set a different
standard from the world. Manufacturers check products with
authorities before marketing them.
6
SHINGUARDS
• Covered entirely by stockings
• Made of suitable material (rubber,
plastic, or similar substance)
• Provide a reasonable degree of
protection
FOOTWEAR
• Safety !!!
• If it looks like a soccer shoe it is probably OK – 1 of these
isn’t !
• Check cleats for sharp edges
or plastic casings in danger of
cracking off and leaving
exposed screws.
CASTS
Are allowed
unless
in your opinion
the cast is dangerous.
9
GOALKEEPER
EQUIPMENT
Goalkeepers shall wear
colors different from:
• All other players
• Referee
10
LOCAL RULES AND
MODIFICATIONS
• Check with your USSF Assignor !
• Normally, if colors conflict, the home team
changes jerseys
• Some leagues specify jersey colors
– Home will wear a specific color
– Away will wear another color
11
UNDER SHIRTS
Allowed if same color as predominate color of
shirt or jersey.
12
UNDER SHORTS
Allowed if same color as predominate color of
shorts
13
PENALTY FOR INCORRECT
OR ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT
• Player is asked to correct the
equipment
• If not corrected by next stoppage,
player must leave the field.
• Must wait for Referee’s permission
before re-entering the field.
• Referee must be certain the problem
has been corrected.
14
REVIEW
• 5 S’s - Compulsory equipment
– Shirt or jersey, tucked in
– Shorts, sliding shorts same color
– Shinguards, 3 requirements?
• Covered by stockings
• Made of suitable material
• Provide reasonable degree of protection
– Stockings
– Shoes
• What type of equipment is Never Allowed?
– Dangerous equipment
15
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS
PICTURE?
Headwear
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverage
Jewelry
Jersey not tucked in
Numbers don’t match
Thermal shorts color
No shin guards
Socks not same color
Dangerous footwear