Law 3

The Number of Players

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At the end of this lesson the student will:

Objectives

• state the number of players for a legal game

• state when a substitution can occur

• list the correct procedure for substitution

• state the appropriate penalty for illegal substitution

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NUMBERS• Match shall be played by two teams

• Maximum of 11 players per team

• One shall be the goalkeeper

• Minimum of 7 players to start or continue the match

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WHAT TO DOMust have at least 7 players to start

or continue match – for minor injury, player may leave field– game pauses until player returns– if player is unable to return, abandon

match

• Report to the leaguewhen game cannot be startedwhen game cannot be completed

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OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS

Teams shall supply the names of up to 7 possible substitutes, but may use only 3 of these 7.

Substitutes not so named may not take part in the match.

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SUBSTITUTIONS Who?

3 of 7 listed prior to gameWhen?

At any stoppage of play

Where? Player may leave the field anywhere Substitute enters at halfway line

How? With referee’s permission

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SUBSTITUTIONS• Once player is substituted, that

player may not re-enter the game.

• Check league rules for re-entry modifications

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SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE• Substitute reports to assistant

referee (or 4th official)• Assistant referee signals at next

opportunity

• Player may leave the field anywhere

• Referee signals permission to enter

• Substitute enters field at halfway line and becomes the new player

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A PLAYER SENT-OFF• Before the game:

– May be replaced by a substitute

• After the game has started:

– May not be replaced at all

– Yes ! The team plays shorthanded

• After the game has ended:– Include misconduct in game report– Show cards if still on the field

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SUBSTITUTES

All substitutes are subject to the authority and

jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to

play or not.

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United States Youth Soccer

Who ?

Throw-in (by throwing team) Goal kick Injury stoppage Half-time After a goal

Where?

When ?

Player may leave the field anywhere Substitute enters only at halfway line

How? With referee’s permission

Unlimited number may re-enter as often as they wish

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REPLACING THE GOALKEEPERWith another player:

At any stoppage of play

Referee must be notified of a change of goalkeeper

Infringement - CautionCaution both old and new goalkeeper at

next stoppage of play

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REPLACING THE GOALKEEPER

With a substitute:

Just like normal substitution

New goalkeeper in uniform and in position is “notification” (even at half-time)

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LEAVING THE FIELDA player may leave the field

– With the referee’s permission– Without using a substitute

Why? Medical attention Equipment repair or replacement

To re-enter the field Must receive the referee’s permission During play, if from the touch line At any stoppage of play

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SHORT-HANDED TEAM• Late arriving player(s) may join their team:

– With permission of the referee – During play, or– At any stoppage of play

• Assistant Referee first checks pass, equipment and roster

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IMPROPER SUBSTITUTIONSubstitute enters without permission

CautionCaution substitute Remove substitute from field Prior player re-enters

Restart with indirect free kick where the ball was located when play was stopped

Stop play

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Stop play

TOO MANY PLAYERSWhen ball is in play:

CautionCaution extra “player”

CautionCaution extra “player”

When ball is out of play:

Remove extra “player”

Remove extra “player” Restart as you would have anyway

Restart with Indirect free kick

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TOO MANY PLAYERS

Do not allow this to happen

Not sure? Count !!!

CautionCaution extra “player” Remove extra “player” Do not allow the goal Restart with IFK from

goal area.

Goal scored by team with extra player

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REVIEW• How many players is each team allowed?

– 11 maximum – 7 minimum players– one of which is the goalkeeper

• May a player who is sent-off be replaced?

– No, not if the match has started

• What is the substitution procedure?

• When may a field player change places with goalkeeper?– At any stoppage– Referee must be notified

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REVIEW (cont’)• Substitution without permission

– Stop game– Caution “player” and remove– Restart with indirect free kick

• Too many field players during play– Stop game– Caution extra “player” and remove– Restart with indirect free kick

• Too many field players & goal scored– Caution extra “player” and remove– Disallow goal - restart with indirect free kick