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Q. May a referee add time for substitutions and injuries?

A. Yes and no (see explanation below). In accordance with Law 7, the referee should allow additional time for substitutions, injuries, wasting time and other causes for which the referee believes that time should be added. According to USSF's Advice to Referees "[T]he main objective should be to restore playing time to the match which is due to excessively prolonged or unusual stoppages." That being said, however, local or tournament rules may require that no time be added due to time constraints. That is the case in our region where if time were added there would not be sufficient time to complete the game before the starting time for the next scheduled game. Law 7 permits referees to use their discretion in adding time. Where there is sufficient time (such as in playoff games where there is a longer period between games) the referee has discretion to add time; provided, however, that in doing so the game will still be completed before the starting time for the next scheduled game. Our referees should not add time where the addition of that time will result in a delay in starting the next scheduled game (the only exception to that is to allow time for the completion of a penalty kick).

Q. Should the referee extend time to complete the taking of a penalty kick?

A. Yes. Law 7 explicitly requires that time be extended (at the end of the half, or the end of the game, or at the end of any overtime periods) for completion of the taking of a penalty kick. In no other circumstance is time to be extended unless the referee has added time in accordance with Law 7.

Q. May a player wear ear studs if they are taped over?

A. No. Law 4 provides that “A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry).” Players may not tape, cover up or otherwise hide any prohibited item and that includes jewelry of any kind. See section 4.2 USSF Advice to Referees. The ear studs must be removed, not taped over, before the player will be permitted to play. No exceptions. That would obviously also apply to nose and lip rings or other visible bodily adornments. A tongue stud does not fall into that category and may be permitted if the referee believes that it does not pose a danger under Law 4. Medical emergency or medical alert identifications are permissible and should not be removed, but they need to be taped over (with clear tape so that the information can be read). It is the duty of the referee under Law 5 to ensure that the player’s equipment meets the requirements of Law 4. If a player refuses to remove an item of jewelry the referee shall not permit that player to play. See also Local Rule 6.6.

Q. May a player play with a soft cast?

A. No. Rule VI (J) of the AYSO National Rules and Regulations specifically prohibits a player from playing (or even participating in practices) with any type of cast or splint. That includes hard casts, soft casts, and wrapped casts and splints. See also Local Rule 6.5. A player is permitted to play with a bandage wrap (without underlying support in the form of a cast or splint) provided that the wrap is secured with tape and without metal clips. A soft rubber-like support brace is not considered dangerous and may be worn provided that there are no hard plastic or other surfaces that could endanger the player or other players. As a matter of regional policy, and for the liability protection of our referees, if a referee observes a player at the field removing a cast or splint in an attempt to be allowed to play, the referee shall not permit the player to play unless the player has a release signed by an medical doctor permitting the player to play without the cast or splint (parental permission is not sufficient). The required medical release must be presented to the referee who shall retain the release and submit it to the region in the event of a problem.

Q. When may a late arriving player be permitted to enter the field if his or her team is playing with less than the number of permitted players on the field?

A. In accordance with section 3.2 of the USSF Advice to Referees, the late arriving player may enter the field at any time once beckoned by the referee. The referee must give permission as soon as he or she becomes aware that the player is ready to enter the field. The player may enter during play and need not wait for a stoppage in play; nor must the player wait for a regular substitution opportunity (quarter or half time break) because the player is not a substitute. If the player’s equipment has not been previously checked, it must be checked by the referee (or the assistant referee) before the player may seek permission to enter the field. In our region, the referee may authorize the assistant referees to give such permission, but that is up to the individual referee as to whether or not to give such authorization.

Q. When may a player who is temporarily off the field due to an injury return to the field if his or her team has elected not to replace that player?

A. Section 3.13 of the USSF Advice to Referees provides that if a player has left the field due to an injury, and has not been replaced by another player (i.e., the team has elected to play “short”), the player may return to the field at any time with the referee’s permission. The player need not wait for a stoppage in play to request such permission and the referee should be aware of when the player is able to return and should give permission at the earliest opportunity. In our region, the referee may authorize the assistant referees to give such permission, but that is up to the individual referee as to whether or not to give such authorization.