Injuries During Games
(The rules and field ethics)

Spectators are often confused, and sometimes angered, by referees who do not stop play immediately when a player is injured during a game.

So that everyone is clear, a referee is not required to stop play during a game when a player goes down with an injury. While current rules in youth soccer gives the referee some latitude, play is often only stopped for an injured player once the ball has been played out of bounds or some infraction has occurred. If a referee determines that a player is seriously injured he/she should stop play regardless.

Consequently, it is common courtesy for the team in possession of the ball to intentionally kick it out of bounds (to the side lines) as soon as they recognize that a player is clearly injured. When play resumes, the opposing team is given the ball. Reciprocating common courtesy, the opposing team should throw the ball back (toward their own goal), rather than immediately advancing the ball forward. A good referee, will request, or suggest, this of the opposing team. These are unwritten rules, but most referees and opposing teams will be aware of and abide by these field ethics.

The Rampage will always abide by these ethics regardless of the actions of our opposition or referees.

 

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