Considerations to Ensure Safety

Prepared by: James Keast, Chief Assessor. 2006 Refresher Module.
Presented to the Halifax Dartmouth Referees’ Association Refresher module on May 4th, 2006

Things to Consider

• The Field of Play (Law 1)
• The Ball (Law 2)
• The Player’s Equipment (Law 4)
• Spectators, Players, Coaches Behaviour
• The Weather

 

Law 1: The Field of Play

• Is the surface safe: Dry enough (no standing water), Free of pot holes, rocks, major divots, glass or other hazards? Are the goal posts anchored correctly? Is the netting safe?
• This means you have to check the field before the game
• This means you have to arrive in time to do this
• The home team or tournament staff are responsible to correct any problems

 

Law 2: The Ball

• The ball needs to be round and smooth and the proper size. No cuts, scrapes or an exposed valve. Proper pressure, not too hard.
• This means you have to check the ball (and spare) before the game
• This means you have to arrive in time to do this
• Don’t leave this to the last minute

 

Law 4: The Player’s Equipment

• Compulsory Equipment: Jersey or shirt (must have sleeves). Shorts. Shin guards and socks (which much cover shin guards). Footwear (need to be safe)
• A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery). All items of jewelry are potentially dangerous. The term “dangerous” can sometimes be ambiguous and controversial, therefore in order to be uniform and consistent any kind of jewelry has to be forbidden. Players are not allowed to use tape to cover jewelry. Taping jewellery is not adequate protection. Rings, earrings, leather or rubber bands are not necessary to play and the only thing they can bring about is injury.
• Non-Compulsory Equipment you need to examine: Headwear, Knee braces, Casts.
• It is the referee’s responsibility to inspect players compulsory and non-compulsory equipment before each and every match, as well as that of substitutes when they first enter the field of play to take part in a match. (Law 5). This means you have to inspect the players. It is not necessary to line them up, but it is necessary to inspect them

 

Spectators, Players, Coaches

Players

• You must deal players whose actions might inciting violence or create other troubles
• Violent Conduct, Racial or other insulting comments must be dealt with by sending off the player involved
• If you don’t deal with this, it will impact game control.
• Deal with: warn, caution or dismiss as you deem appropriate

Coaches

• Deal with persistent dissent from coaches, if you don’t you risk loosing control on the field
• Deal with any coaches that interact with the other team
• Deal with any coaches that are abusive to their own team (especially in youth games!)
• Deal with: warn or dismiss as you deem appropriate

Spectators

• Generally ignore them.
• If they impact game control have the home team or facility staff remove them (if they don’t go and are impacting game control then abandon the game)
• Be aware of: Spectators interacting with players. Players interacting with spectators. 
• Do your best to come these situations down and avoid having to send of players as a result of spectator interference!

 

The Weather

• Rain. Standing water on the field could be unfair or worse, dangerous

• Heat. Excessive heat can be dangerous to players and you (consider steps to ensure everyone is hydrated)

• Lightning. Be aware of weather reports and conscious of lightning. When you hear the thunder, you are in danger.

 

Arrive on time to do everything you need to before the game.
Never be responsible for a late kickoff!

Prepared by: James Keast, Chief Assessor. 2006 Refresher Module.
Presented to the Halifax Dartmouth Referees’ Association Refresher module on May 4th, 2006