Guidelines For The Determining Field Playability

General Conditions For Declaring A Field Unplayable Are:

• Field conditions constitute a danger for the players.
• Conditions exist so that a proper game of soccer cannot be played.
• Playing on the field may cause significant damage to it.

A field may be declared unplayable by the referee, or by a representative of the town/city or school district whose field it is.

The referee may declare a field unplayable for the following reasons:

Water-based Situations---

• A substantial part of the field (20% of field or a key area such as penalty area) is covered with water so that the ball will not roll or bounce, or is so soft that a ball will not bounce to knee height when dropped.
• Footing is slippery so that the ground will not support a sharp turn or could give way when a strong kick is made.

Dangerous Field Conditions---

• Debris on ground, e.g., large amounts of broken glass and/or rocks on the ground which would constitute a hazard to players if they fell.
• Holes, burrows or very rough surface; a field with holes which are large and deep enough so that if stepped into could cause injury. The number, depth and size of the holes should be the determining factor in deciding if a field is playable.

Inadequate Marking Or Goals---

• Markings are not visible at all or are so faint that they cannot be seen to make a proper call.
• Goals are not up or have no nets, or nets are in such poor condition that a ball goes right through.
• Goals cannot be secured so that tipping over is a potential.
• Standard markings are missing such as penalty area and center circle.
• Grass is so high that the ball will not roll, or the field markings cannot be seen.

The Referee should allow a reasonable amount of time to remedy the situations so that the game may be played. Game may be played without corner flags (use bags or other “marker” and include in your game report).