Taking into account the recent English FA guidance which advises maintaining social distancing before and after matches. What are peoples thoughts on equipment checks. I'm level 7, on promotion season, so don't want to get it wrong, but how can you genuinely see condition of studs properly for example from 2m. Level I ref at, don't generally have appointed ARs, last year lined them up pre-handshakes for equipment checks but no handshakes either now.?!?
Socially distanced checking of equipment
- Thread starter Nath75
- Start date
I think from 2m you’ll be able to see studs fine. I think it’ll be harder to spot certain jewellery especially if they’re purposely trying to cover up, knowing you can’t get close
one
RefChat Addict
Visual check for jewelry and garment . Can be done from a distance at warm up, just before KO and at each sub. Does it for me.
I have never checked studs. Out of curiosity, how many of us actually check studs and out of those who do, how often have you found unsafe footwear which were replaced?
I have never checked studs. Out of curiosity, how many of us actually check studs and out of those who do, how often have you found unsafe footwear which were replaced?
I was also thinking this. I’ve always checked them just in case and also because I think it’s the norm. When I played, a ‘kit check’ was always a boot check more than anything. When I say I’m going to do a kit check, the first thing players do is show their studs. In my 12 years of playing and refereeing, I’ve never seen anyone have unsafe footwear
Found maybe 3-4 unsuitable boots in 20 years and more than 600 games. Usually a missing stud which affects balance, so I ask for a change of boot or insertion of new stud.
Justylove
RefChat Addict
No, but I have found some occasions where players have been wearing inappropriate footwear for the ground - specifically on artificial surfaces where there are certain types of footwear that are banned.
That's not your problem as the referee, that is a problem for the owner of the pitch.
Justylove
RefChat Addict
In one of the leagues I used to referee on, we were asked to check to make sure players were not wearing boots that were not allowed on the surface.
On the leagues I'm on now, would not need to be doing it.
Fair enough, if you were asked to do it then it's a reasonable request.
Kes
I'll Decide ...
The boot check is merely ceremonial
For promotion, just be seen to do it, regardless of distance. It makes no odds, cos I'd be aghast if i ever noticed anything. Very slight chance a player might want to participate with boots that are falling to bits. I've seen a boot split during a game and the player took no further part. But these things you'd spot from a mile off
For promotion, just be seen to do it, regardless of distance. It makes no odds, cos I'd be aghast if i ever noticed anything. Very slight chance a player might want to participate with boots that are falling to bits. I've seen a boot split during a game and the player took no further part. But these things you'd spot from a mile off
one
RefChat Addict
Must be an English thing. I'd only seen it done regularly in my early playing days (a few decades back 
. Say in the past 10 years or so i have only seen it done a couple of times. I have never been picked on for not checking boots, or ever seen anyone else being picked on either.
So you reckon a boot check would have prevented this?
. Say in the past 10 years or so i have only seen it done a couple of times. I have never been picked on for not checking boots, or ever seen anyone else being picked on either. So you reckon a boot check would have prevented this?
bester
RefChat Addict
Seen a few bladed boots with jagged edges.
Certain footwear not allowed on artificial pitches.
Incorrect studs in Aussie Rules certainly caused a problem
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8600573/amp/AFL-star-left-GRUESOME-injury-leg-split-open-opponents-boot.html
Certain footwear not allowed on artificial pitches.
Incorrect studs in Aussie Rules certainly caused a problem
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8600573/amp/AFL-star-left-GRUESOME-injury-leg-split-open-opponents-boot.html
As a very young kid you'd get the odd older ref who would line you all up and run their hands across every players studs.
I played senior football twice a week from the age of 16-33 and never had a single stud check, apart from if I was coming on as sub and the AR asked us to lift our boots. I never understood why as no one checked the boots of the 22 players who started the game so why check the 23d players boots but thats what happens.
I've never done a stud check at grass roots. When doing the jewellery check I'll have a quick glance and see if theres anything odd about players boots (we're talking metal studs on 4g or rugby boots on grass), but the players won't notice and It certainly isn't an "inspection".
I played senior football twice a week from the age of 16-33 and never had a single stud check, apart from if I was coming on as sub and the AR asked us to lift our boots. I never understood why as no one checked the boots of the 22 players who started the game so why check the 23d players boots but thats what happens.
I've never done a stud check at grass roots. When doing the jewellery check I'll have a quick glance and see if theres anything odd about players boots (we're talking metal studs on 4g or rugby boots on grass), but the players won't notice and It certainly isn't an "inspection".
Kes
I'll Decide ...
Only your opinion mate.
The player has almost clearly made their decision as to whether or not they're able to "function".
On reasonably yielding turf (which is why they'd be wearing studs anyway?) the effect of having a stud missing is negligible. I know this from personal experience.
Sure, I get that it's "equipment" - but Law 4 says naff all about each item of footwear having to have the total/intended amount of studs. (Unless I've read it wrong). All you're doing in that case is potentially ruining somebody's day for no other reason than pedantry. ...
socal lurker
RefChat Addict
Only your opinion mate.
The player has almost clearly made their decision as to whether or not they're able to "function".
On reasonably yielding turf (which is why they'd be wearing studs anyway?) the effect of having a stud missing is negligible. I know this from personal experience.
Sure, I get that it's "equipment" - but Law 4 says naff all about each item of footwear having to have the total/intended amount of studs. (Unless I've read it wrong). All you're doing in that case is potentially ruining somebody's day for no other reason than pedantry. ...
Agree. Law IV used to have detailed specifications on bars, screw in studs, and molded cleats. I believe that was all removed in the first great re-write. Unless I see something dangerous (which I never have), I'm doing nothing. IMO, a missing cleat is foolish, but not dangerous. (The biggest potential for danger probably comes from screw in studs that are either metal with scrapes that become sharp or plastic that has worn down to the metal screw--but I never see screw in studs in Southern California, as the fields are too dry to make sense (and field owners are very protective about shutting down fields when it rains because they get so much use that they get damaged too easily when wet).)
I've always understood this to be something you do in order to cover your own back. If a player gets a massive gash down their leg as part of a tackle, the fact you've done an inspection means that you can argue that either a perfectly OK stud did the damage, or the stud became damaged during the game. As soon as you've failed to do that inspection (even if you don't pay any attention while doing it), there's an argument that you've failed to fulfil your LOTG duties and may have let dangerous equipment onto the field.
The actual inspection isn't particularly important. What matters as far as you're concerned is that you're seen to have done it. Same goes for the pitch inspection as well. Do an inspection but miss a hole in the pitch that a player breaks their ankle in? Unlucky. Fail to do the inspection at all? Negligent.
The actual inspection isn't particularly important. What matters as far as you're concerned is that you're seen to have done it. Same goes for the pitch inspection as well. Do an inspection but miss a hole in the pitch that a player breaks their ankle in? Unlucky. Fail to do the inspection at all? Negligent.
Russell Jones
RefChat Addict
If the Assistant is being Observed (which generally happens at Step 4/5 or above) then substitutions are one of those few occasions when all eyes, including the Observers', are likely to be on the actions of that AR. So making the full equipment check super thorough is an easy way to look professional.