| Referee's
Special Rule Alterations for Region 74 Rules of Note Recently there have been incidents involving players participating in games with jewelry, casts, and dangerous items used to secure hair. AYSO policy is clear about the role of coaches and referees in enforcing these policies. Included below are excerpts from the AYSO publication “Guidance for Referees and Coaches”. May a player wear a cast or splint while participating in a game? The AYSO National Rules and Regulations paragraph VI.H. states: “Players shall not be allowed to practice or participate in any game with any type of cast or splint.” May a player remove a cast or splint in order to participate in a game? The AYSO National Rules and Regulations paragraph VI.H. states: “Removal of any type of cast or splint at the field or surrounding area in order to participate shall disqualify the player from practice or in any game.” Removable casts are designed to facilitate personal hygiene and dressing; they are not designed to be removed so that a player may engage in contact sports. Are players permitted to wear jewelry, earrings or studs? Jewelry, including earrings, of any kind worn in any visible body piercing or any stud used when the jewelry is not being worn must be removed before the player is allowed to participate in a practice or game. Covering the jewelry or stud with tape, padding or bandage is not sufficient, the jewelry must be removed before playing. In the case of visible taped-over or bandaged suspected piercings, referees must not ask players to lift or remove articles of clothing or bandages. It is acceptable however, to ask a player if the tape or bandages is covering an earring. The referee must accept the answer provided, regardless of suspicions. Since it is rare that an earlobe or eyebrow is taped as the result of an injury, the referee should suspect that a player is using tape or other covering to hide a piercing. It is the responsibility of the referee to ask the coach whether or not the player has been injured or is hiding a piercing. This should be done in a cordial manner and in the presence of the player. An assistant referee or other official must also be present. Coaches have the responsibility of not allowing players wearing jewelry to participate in practices or games. If the coach confirms that it is an injury being covered, the referee may not prohibit the player from playing because of the tape or covering. In either case, the referee must indicate in his or her game report which players and coaches were questioned and their responses. Players wearing beads braided into the hair must wear a hair net covering the beads in order to prevent them from flying into their face or the face or eyes of another player. Coaches and referees are role models and should abide by the same rules as the players in regard to wearing jewelry, earrings and studs during practices or games. LAW 4: THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT SPIRIT OF THE LAW The players of each team must be safely equipped and easily distinguished from the opposing team. PLAYER EQUIPMENT According to the Laws of the Game, “A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery)”. The basic compulsory equipment of a player includes: a jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings, shinguards which provide a reasonable degree of protection and are covered entirely by the stockings and footwear. It is the responsibility of each individual referee to examine the specific piece of equipment in question and then make a decision regarding whether or not it presents any danger to the player or to other players. The referee has the obligation and right to allow or disallow players wearing the item depending upon the referee’s best judgment. AYSO neither endorses or refutes the claims of companies that produce products intended to increase player safety. SIDELINE BEHAVIOR BY COACHES AND SPECTATORS AYSO coaches and referees (and all other AYSO volunteers) have a responsibility to provide a fun, pleasant environment for the players. According to the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, a coach must “conduct him/herself in a manner becoming a member of AYSO ... at all times encourage clean competition and good sportsmanship ... uphold the Rules and Regulations” and “Limit their sideline participation during AYSO games to positive instruction and encouragement. Sideline participation shall be limited to two coaches from each team and they shall remain within the coaches’ area as defined in Section 1.E.2. Negative comments and complaints about refereeing shall not be allowed.” Both referees and coaches must work to together to ensure a positive experience for all players. Cooperation between coaches and referees is essential in maintaining an appropriate environment for the players. The lessons young players learn from the behavior coaches and referees demonstrate will long endure after win/loss records are forgotten.
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