The Number of Players (3) U.S. Soccer Federation Referee
Program Grade 8 Referee Course Competitive Youth Training
Slide 3
Checking in Players o
Slide 4
Number of Players o LOTG Maximum 11, Minimum 7 o Each team must
have a goalkeeper o Small sided games Rules of competition may set
different maximum/minimum o Goalkeeper always required
Slide 5
Late Arrivals o Players who arrive late can play o Still have
to check-in o Assistant referee or fourth official can perform
inspection o Player can enter during play with permission from the
referee
Slide 6
Substitutions
Slide 7
Procedure o Substitute reports to official o Referee is
informed o Player leaves the field o Anywhere o Substitute enters
the field o Only after the players leaves o Only at the halfway
line
Slide 8
Goalkeepers o Any player may change with the goalkeeper o
During a stoppage o With the referees permission o For violation
both players cautioned o Substituting the goalkeeper o Standard
procedure
Slide 9
Too Many Players
Slide 10
Sent Off Players o Sent off before game o Replaced by another
player on roster o Team starts with 11 players o Sent off during
game o May not be replaced o Sent off after game o Include
misconduct in the game report
Slide 11
Outside Agents o Anyone or anything not listed on roster o Stop
play if needed o Not immediately if no interference o Remove
outside agent o Restart play with dropped ball if play was
stopped
Slide 12
Review Question Can the checking of player passes and the
players equipment be skipped if the game is running behind
schedule? oNoN o, its important to check and inspect all players
even if the game is running late oYoY es, this process can be
skipped so long as both coaches agree
Slide 13
Can the referee allow a team to play without a goalkeeper? oYoY
es, a team is allowed to play without a goalkeeper if they chose to
oNoN o, each team must have a goalkeeper
