Keep a complete record
Use a game record sheet, and complete all the boxes for every goal, penalty and card. The referee may need
the information if something comes up, such as serious misconduct or an injury. Transfer the
information to the game sheet when you have time. - don’t keep the initial record on the game sheet.
Don’t allow the game to restart before everything is set and ready to go if there are penalties.
Make sure you understand the referee’s call, and have properly noted it down on the game record sheet.
Remember that you shouldn’t be writing (too much) during play, as you have other duties as per the rules
and the referee’s instructions.
You must use a stop watch in the penalty box. There is no alternative.
Specific notes about penalties:
• enter each penalty separately on the game record sheet.
• a double minor is two penalties.
• start your stopwatch at 0:00 and time upwards.
• don’t confuse the number of players in the box with the manpower situation on the field.
It is the manpower situation on the field that determines whether a penalty ends if a goal is scored.
• don’t confuse the end of a penalty with a player going onto the field.
It doesn’t always work that way. Often, penalties end with no player leaving the box. And, there will be
players in the box after their time penalties are over.
• if a penalty ends, but there is another for the same player, then that penalty starts when the first one ends.
He doesn’t get out of the box.
• if penalties are coincidental, then neither player has anything to do with the manpower situation on the
field, nor do they leave the box when their penalty time has expired.
• if there are more than two penalties that are not coincidental to more than two players of one team, there
will be a situation when the first penalty has expired but the player does not join his team on the field. At that
moment, the third penalty would start. The second player would leave the box when his penalty time
ended, provided there is no fourth player. The first player would leave the box at the first stoppage after
his penalty time expired. This might be after the second, or even the third, player has already left the box.
• hold up the restart with a whistle when a player is able to leave the penalty box but not able to rejoin his
team on the field so he has time to go to the player’s box.
• If you are confused or unsure of a call, call the referee over to the box and sort the situation out.
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EDSRA welcomes comments or suggestions. Email: EDSRA President
© Edmonton & District Soccer Referees
Association, 2008
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