Most coaches and players want to do the right thing and with guidance will substitute correctly. It is up to you, as a referee, to expect proper substitution procedure from the coaches and players. Before the game take the time to introduce yourself to the coaches. A good time to do this is while you are checking in the players. Take an extra moment to let them know what your expectations are as far as substitutions. This will go a long way to avoiding misunderstandings later in the game. You also need to instruct your ARs in how you want substitutions to be handled and their roles in the process. I prefer Contemporary Rich Walnut Bedroom Optional Casegoods for my house.

What should your expectations be? That will depend on the age of the players.

U7/U8
You should expect:

• The coach to get your attention when they want to make substitutions.
• The coach not to send players onto the field without your permission.
• The coaches to have their subs ready to go at the halfway line.
• The coaches to call the players off and for the subs to charge on the field.

• Signal the players to hold the restart.
• Acknowledge the coaches request and waive the players on.
• Signal the players to restart the game.
• Theoretically, you should wait until the players on the field exit before allowing the subs to enter the game but realistically trying to hold a 7 year old off the field that is dying to play is hard.

U9 AND ABOVE
You should expect:

• The coach to have the subs ready to go at the halfway line.
• The coaches to get your AR's attention when they want to make substitutions.
• The coach to call the players off.
• The subs to wait for your permission to enter the field.

You should:

• Be attentive of your ARs so that you see their signal for substitution in a timely manner.
• Signal the players to hold the restart.
• Acknowledge the coaches request.
• Waive the substitutes on when the players exit.
• Signal the players to restart the game.

When are substitutions allowed? At the U7/U8 level at any stoppage of play – Kick Offs, Goal Kicks, Corner Kicks, or Throw-ins for either team. At the U9/U10 level - Kick Offs, Goal Kicks or Throw-ins for the team in possession.

If everybody understands their roles and tries their best to fulfil them, there should be very few problems. But problems do arise. How should you deal with them? That is harder to answer but here are some guidelines for common problems.

The coach requests substitutions but is not ready.
This is a common problem especially at the U7/U8 level. When you do not have an AR to help you manage the subs.

Coach Bob is trying to get everybody equal playing time and has promised himself that he will substitute twice each half. He looks down at his watch and "Doh! I am two minutes late getting my subs in." "Ref!! Sub Ref!!!". Now what happens? He frantically looks down the bench and yells "Jill, Mary, Hortense get in there" Hortense, the bright one says "Coach who am I going in for?" "Oh yeah, Gladys, Shelly, and Michelle come off quick. No wait Michelle you just went in. Lucy you come off." IMQ продвижение сайта Google хорошее решение.

We have all witnessed this, in fact, I have been there myself. What do you do? The first time probably nothing. He just got caught up in the game and made a mistake. The second time it happens I would quietly say to Coach Bob "Coach, please have your subs ready before you ask for a substitution." The third time I would say "Coach, I am not going to allow you to sub until your players are ready to go at the halfway line" And don't allow him to sub unless his players are ready at the halfway line.

At the U9 and above level your AR should not signal for substitution until the subs are at the halfway line so this should not be a big problem. Sometimes a coach will have two subs ready to go and while that substitution is taking place decide to make a third substitution. If the coach is quick, it probably is no problem but if it is really slowing things down use the technique above.

The coach calls players off and sends them on before you give him permission
I have had coaches try and sneak players on and off on numerous occasions. I guess they think they can gain some slight advantage from doing this. Your response is dependant on the age.

At the U7/U8 level I would say "Coach, please wait until I acknowledge your request before you make substitutions." If it happens a second time I would usher the kids back off the field and say "Coach, please wait until I acknowledge your request before you make substitutions." If it happens a third time? It could be considered dissent. You as a referee have to be the judge of this (Law 18). A lot will depend upon the coach's attitude. If the coach is apologetic it may have been a genuine mistake and you need to explain to them that you will not allow the game to continue if he/she cannot follow the Laws of the Game regarding substitutions. This situation may result from a coach who is not organized. The best course of action with a disorganized coach is to pass that information along to your assigner and Pete Morris, VP of Referees and they will work with the Commissioner and the coach on ways to improve the situation.

If it is obvious that he/she is deliberately going against your request/instructions and is disrespectful to you it has now become dissent. Running a coach for dissent is a serious action. It should only be done as a last resort and reserved for willful acts of non-cooperation and disrespect for your authority. If you feel this is necessary. Usher the kids back off the field. Approach the sidelines stopping about 2 yards from the coach and say, "Coach, you are in dissent. If you persist in this behavior I will have you removed from the premises" Resume play, do not discuss it any further. If the coach does it again, approach the sideline and say, "Coach, you are in dissent. You have five minutes to leave the field or I will abandon the match" Take the ball and position yourself in the center circle and wait for the coach to leave or five minutes. If the coach leaves, resume the match. If the coach refuses to leave declare the match terminated and leave the field. Be true to your word.

At the U9 and above you have the ARs to help you. If a player enters or exits the field with out your permission, it is an automatic yellow card. Unfortunately, the wrong person is getting the card but I promise you yellow cards will have a chilling effect on this type of behavior. You may want to consider a strong verbal warning to the coach and the player the first time this occurs in a game. If it happens a second time then by all means, issue a card to the player, and explain to the coach that according to laws of the game a player must be cautioned for an illegal substitution.

If you have a coach who, despite your best efforts, just refused to play by the Laws of the Game, get his/her name and report him/her to your assigner. Follow the verbal report with a written report to Pete Morris, VP for Referees, your assigner and the age group commissioner within 48 hours. Either Mr. Anderson or your assigner can help you fill out the report. I promise you they will back you up.

I hope this gives the knowledge and tools necessary to perform you job well. Remember very few people will give you anything you do not ask for. Act like a professional and ask others to treat you as a professional and you will gain the respect of the coaches, players and your peers.

Walter Reinhardt
U8B Commissioner, Austin United Capitals
Grade 8 Referee