Player Equipment
Law 4 states that:
A player must not use
equipment or wear anything which is dangerous
to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery.)
And that basic compulsory
equipment consists of:
- a jersey or shirt
- shorts - if thermal undershorts
are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts
- socks
- shinguards - must be
covered completely by socks
- footwear
Referees have discretion
to judge the suitability and safety of any and all equipment, including equipment
that does not appear on this basic list. Referee decisions in this regard
are final. Referees are encouraged, however, to be reasonable in making such judgments,
keeping in mind the age of the players involved and the overriding goal that kids
have fun playing soccer in a safe environment.
The following specific rules
on player equipment will be enforced in Region 109:
Casts and braces
- Casts and splints are
NOT permitted, even if taped or wrapped in foam rubber. This applies
even to plastic and Velcro strap-on casts. (What exactly qualifies as
a cast is not easy to quantify. Players in doubt should ask the Regional
Referee Administrator
- Knee braces are permitted,
provided the brace is adequately covered and padded so as to eliminate the
possibility of its causing injury to other players.
Personal Items
- Plain elastic hair fasteners
and cloth-covered elastic "scrunchies" are OK. All hair restraints
containing hard objects are disallowed.
- Prescription glasses
are permitted, retaining straps are strongly encouraged but not mandatory.
Safety or sport lenses are strongly encouraged; metal rims are discouraged.
Sunglasses are disallowed.
- Goalkeepers may wear
soft-brimmed hats; (referee judges acceptability). All other headgear
is disallowed.
- Dental retainers with
protruding wires must be removed. Molded retainers without wires are OK. Orthodontic
braces are OK. A mouthpiece is encouraged (but you'll rarely see it).
- All jewelry is disallowed
(including earrings). Jewelry must be removed, not taped.
- "Medic-Alert"
bracelets can and should be worn (and taped if loose).
- Cloth or string ("friendship")
bracelets are OK (tape if loose).
- Fingernails must not
present a hazard to others.
Basic Equipment
- Team jerseys must be
worn (if possible).
- Goalkeepers must wear
jerseys that are clearly distinguishable from those of both teams.
- Shoes are required. Cleats
are recommended and must be FIFA-approved, without a single cleat at the
toe (i.e., baseball/football shoes). Screw-in cleats are permitted if
a sharp edge or protruding metal core is not present. Turf shoes and sneakers
are OK.
We anticipate that some
situations will arise where a player will need exceptional permission to wear
or carry specific items that would otherwise be disallowed (e.g. for medical
or religious reasons). In these cases, the player or coach should acquire
a written waiver, signed by the Regional Commissioner, which can be
shown to the referee on the field.