Question Number: 19744

Law 5 - The Referee 8/14/2008

RE: Under 15

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 19736

When an injury occurs, how much does the game situation come into play when deciding on weather or not to stop play.

If a defender is down and the attackers are in an advantageous situation would you be more inclined to let play resume? Or should this even be a consideration if someone is seriously injured.

Also, can you give some personal insight onjudging a serious vs minor injury?

Your thoughts would be very helpful.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the injury is serious, you stop play. Period, full stop, end of discussion.

Serious has different meanings based on age of players and level of play. Bleeding is always serious. Apparent head injuries are always serious. Hearing a bone snap is always serious.

In the youth u-littles, boo-boo's are serious - even all they need is a reassuring word from Coach or Mom, and a pat on the head or hug to get going again.

As the kids get older they may suffer from some pain, but there is no serious life-threatening injury involved. We tend to first delay to see if the player is likely to get back up, and second delay stoppage until a more neutral moment.

It takes each referee to read the way the game is going to determine just where the line lies between immediate stoppage and waiting.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You stop play if the injury is serious. Doesn't matter what is going on in the game. If you think a player is seriously injured, you stop play. The younger and less skilled the players, the more quickly you blow the whistle. Of course, at higher levels of play you also have to worry about players faking injuries.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The laws say that the referee should stop play for any serious injury. If the player is slightly hurt, then the injury is delt with at next stoppage.