Referees should become familiar with these new rules, which are essentially similar to those adopted by other leagues in the area. Following is a summary of the key rule changes that referees should know:

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HEADING

 

See the posted rules

 

GAME MANAGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO HEAD INJURIES

 

Referees will be required to immediately stop the game if they observe or otherwise become aware of a forceful bump, blow or jolt to a player’s head or a hit to the body that results in rapid movement of the head or they become aware that a player is complaining about or is showing signs or reporting symptoms consistent with having suffered a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. If a player’s coach becomes aware of any of these circumstances and the referee does not promptly stop the game, the coach should attempt to get the referee’s attention (without violating League rules or the Laws of the Game) and convey this information.  While the new rules give referees discretion to make decisions with respect to these matters, referees are urged to err on the side of caution and player safety.

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If the referee or a player’s coach becomes aware that a player is complaining about or is showing signs or reporting symptoms consistent with having suffered a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, that player must be removed from the game. Unless a health care professional, as defined in the rules (and not any doctor), is onsite and determines that the player did not suffer a concussion or other traumatic brain injury and clears the player to resume play on a form to be prescribed by the League, any player so removed shall not return to play in that game.

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The referee should (x) make a note on both the line-up card and the referee’s report that any player so removed is suspected of having sustained a head injury (noting the input of any onsite health care professional conveyed to the referee), and (y) retain that player’s pass and send it to the League office no later than the next business day following the day of the game.

Referees are receiving orientation and training with respect to these new rules and applicable concussion protocols. Referees should watch USSF's concussions in soccer overview video.  Information concerning concussion signs and symptoms is available on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Please direct any questions with respect to these new rules to the WYSL Referee Committee at assignor@wyslsoccer.org.