U.S. Soccer Referee Department 2012 Grade 8 – Law 4 The Players’ Equipment

1. U.S. Soccer Referee Department2012 Grade 8 – Law 4 The Players’ Equipment

2. Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will be able to do both of the following to the satisfaction of the Instructor; • list the basic and acceptable equipment that can be used by a player, and • state the penalty for infringements of Law 4

3. Topics • Compulsory equipment • Non-dangerous equipment • Uniforms / Colors • Infringements • Local requirements

4. Compulsory Equipment The 5 S’sare all separate items • Shirt or jersey • Shorts • Shinguards • Socks or stockings • Shoes or footwear

5. Shirt or jersey Same color as teammates Must be a separate item (can’t be a 1 piece suit with shorts)

6. Undergarments Allowed if same color as predominant color of shirt or jersey.

7. Shorts Same color as teammates Undershorts or tights are allowed if same color as predominant color of shorts

8. Shinguards Requirements - • Covered entirely by stockings • Made of suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substance) • Provide a reasonable degree of protection

9. Socks and tape Stockings – if tape or other similar material is applied externally it must be the same color as that part of the stocking it is applied to

10. Socks and tape Only OK if the part of the sock it’s put on is white too Are the socks grey?

11. Footwear Safety !!! • If it looks like a soccer shoe - it is probably OK, as long as it is deemed safe by the referee – 1 of these isn’t ! • Check cleats for sharp edges or plastic casings in danger of cracking off and leaving exposed screws.

12. Casts Are allowed unless, in your opinion, the cast is dangerous. Or, your local competition authority has overriding rules. If a player uses the cast in a dangerous manner during the game, he/she must not be allowed to continue playing.

13. Goalkeeper Apparel • Goalkeepers shall wear colors different from: • All other players • The referee

14. If the equipment is not correct • Player is asked to correct the equipment • If not corrected by next stoppage, player must leave the field. • Must wait for Referee’s permission before re-entering the field. • Can only re-enter at stoppage of play • Referee must be certain the problem has been corrected.

15. Equipment Inspection Referee should inspect players’ equipment prior to match.

16. Exclusion Referee shall prevent players with dangerous equipment from playing

17. USSF Exceptions Use Law 18 – These are OK • Exception – Medical Alert • Taped to inside of jersey • If on wrist, cover with a wristband

18. Final Decision • Players’ equipment shall not be dangerous to themselves or any other player (including any kind of jewelry). • As the referee, this is your opinion and is final without question.

19. Recently Banned Equipment • Equipment that is dangerous to themselves, including “Snood” neck warmers are banned Why?

20. Same for players at all levels

21. Review 5 S’s - Compulsory (separate) equipment • Shirt or jersey, if undergarments same color • Shorts, if sliding shorts/tights same color • Shinguards, 3 requirements • Stockings • Shoes Dangerous equipment (7 magic words) “If in the opinion of the Referee” Never Allowed

22. Local Modifications Check with your USSF Assignor ! • Normally, if colors conflict, the home team changes jerseys • Some rules of competition (leagues) specify jersey colors • Home will wear a specific color • Away will wear another color Do your homework, it’s part of the job !