This page contains some Law Tips. These have been developed for the FNSW Premier Youth League Panel by the FNSW State Technical Committee and hence are relevant to SSFRA Referees also.:

1) Management of Injuries

When play is stopped due to an injured player, it is the referee’s responsibility to control the situation and it is important that you all manage this in a consistent manner. The following procedures need to be implemented:

• ·          Once play is stopped, you need to check with player if they require attention.
• ·          If they do, then call on the trainer and inform the player that they will be required to leave the field for treatment.
• ·          Allow the trainer a reasonable amount of time to assess (not treat) the injury.
• ·          Have the player removed from the field, as quickly as possible via the closest boundary line.
• ·          If a trainer enters the field to assess the injury then the player MUST go off the field for treatment.
• ·         The exception to this is where the trainer advises that the injury will only be complicated by movement of the player or the player is a goalkeeper.
• ·          The player is only permitted to re enter the field with the permission of the referee.
• ·          If a player requires treatment and can walk then request they leave the field for treatment.
• ·          Stoppage time MUST be kept to a minimum. 

SSFRA Referees officiating at CAS Games must ensure they are aware of the CAS Guidelines Regarding Injuries. These are outlined in the SSFRA Season Guidelines.   

2) Delaying the Restart of Play 

Referees need to be aware of and take action against players who interfere with the restarts of play. Picking the ball up, carrying or kicking it away are all forms of time wasting and are mandatory cautions. Other tactics include standing in front of the ball or running back through the free kick area after the wall has been set or one that is becoming more prevalent, asking the referee to explain the reason for the free kick! 

To minimise time delay tactics, once a free kick has been awarded the referee should move out of the area as quickly as possible and not stop at the ball unless they are going to issue a sanction. Often the referee causes unnecessary time lost during a game by engaging in conversation with players when all that is required is a short response and this is usually given while moving away.

Remember a free kick is simply a mechanism of giving the ball back to the team that had it unfairly taken away from them, so the quicker you can get the play restarted the loss of any advantage is minimised