Law 3
Alabama
Interpretations of the
Laws of the Game as
provided in the IFAB
for 2016-2017;
subject to change!
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 8 Referee Course
Competitive Youth Training
Checking in Players
o
o Teams should
present a roster to
the referee
o Player passes should
be checked against
the roster
Number of Players
o Maximum of 11 players
o Each team must have a designated
goalkeeper at all times
o Minimum of 7 players
o Begin game
o Continue game
o Unless situation is temporary
o Match must not resume after ball has gone out
of play if team does not have the minimum
Late Arrivals
o Players who arrive late can play
o Assistant referee or fourth official can perform
inspection
o Player can enter during play with permission
from the referee
Sent Off Players
o Before game
o Replaced by a named substitute
o Substitute can not be replaced on roster
o Team starts with 11 players
o The number of named substitutes is reduced but the
number of substitutions allowed is not
o During game
o May not be replaced
o After game
o Include misconduct in the game report
Substitutions
o By Law substitutions
are limited but can
occur at any stoppage
o Most youth matches
may allow unlimited
substitutions but
restrict the stoppages
– verify local rules of
competition
Procedure
o Substitute reports to official
o Referee is informed
o Player leaves the field
o Substitute enters the field
o Only after the player(s) leaves
o Only at the halfway line
o May take any restart after entering field
Management
o Communication before the game
o Referee and assistant referees
o Don’t be influenced or pressured
o Players
o Coaches
o Spectators
o Always follow the correct procedure
Goalkeepers
o Any player may change with the goalkeeper
o During a stoppage
o With the referee’s permission
o Without referee’s permission
o Both players cautioned at next stoppage
o Substituting the goalkeeper
o Standard procedure
o Referee need not be notified of goalkeeper change during
halftime unless competition rules mandate limited
substitutions
Leaving the Field
oLeave field for injury,
equipment repair, etc.
oWith Permission
oRe-enter
oWith Permission
oDuring play: only
from the touchline
oDuring stoppage:
any boundary line
Infringements
If a player re-enters the field without permission:
o Stop play, if needed
o Not immediately if no interference
o Issue caution for entering field without permission
o Order the player to leave the field of play
o If referee stops play, it must be restarted
o With an indirect free kick where the ball was or
o In accordance with Law 12
Infringements
If a team official, substitute, substituted or sent
off player enters without permission:
o Only stop play if there is interference
o Have person removed when play stops
o Take appropriate disciplinary action
o If interference by team official, substitute, etc
o Restart with direct free kick or penalty kick
o If interference by outside agent
o Restart with dropped ball
Outside Agents
o Anyone or anything not listed on roster
o Stop play if needed
o Not immediately if no interference
o Remove outside agent
o Restart play with dropped ball if play was
stopped
Interference
o If ball is going into the goal and the
interference does not prevent a defending
player from playing the ball, the goal is
awarded if the ball enters goal, even if contact
was made with the ball
o Does not apply if the ball enters the
opponents’ goal
Too Many Players
o Referee should follow
substitution procedure
and maintain the proper
number of players
o If referee realizes there
are too many players
during play
o Stop play
o Caution and remove
extra player
Too Many Players
o Team with too many players
scores a goal
o Disallow goal
o Caution and remove
o Restart with a goal kick
o If realized after kick-off,
then goal stands.
o Team with too many players
has goal scored against them
o Allow goal
o Caution and remove
Review Question
o Can the checking of player passes and the
players’ equipment be skipped if the game is
running behind schedule?
o No, it’s important to check and inspect all
players even if the game is running late
o Yes, this process can be skipped so long as
both coaches agree
Review Question
o Can the referee allow a team to play without a
goalkeeper?
o Yes, a team is allowed to play without a
goalkeeper if they chose to
o No, each team must have a goalkeeper