Date:         Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:05:48 +0000
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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From:         doug smith <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Casts (Was: RE: We're in for it now -- SJ vs NE (MLS))
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I trust that the doctor is making a valid medical decision for her patient - the cast may very well provide enough protection (possibly more than for an uninjured/uncasted limb) for the healing bone and surrounding soft tissues to prevent reinjury.
 
I do not trust that the doctor is making a valid safety decision for all players in today's soccer match.  The danger is that casts are too prone to morph into clubs, especially when encasing arms that are swinging while the player is running at match speed.
 
In my opinion, doctors' permissions should only be taken as applicable to the patient, not to the other players.  If a cast is dangerous to anyone, not just the wearer, the referee should forbid it from the field.
 
Doug Smith

> From: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Depending on the league, tournament, day of the week, month of the year, lunar calendar, casts are either allowed, not allowed, allowed with a doctor's note, left up to the referee, or all of the above. 
> 
> One of the things I learned is doctors have opined that it is perfectly fine to play with the cast. As a parent, I always thought it was stupid with a capital S to allow your kid to play with a healing bone, but I guess that isn't the medical case. 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Burke, Rick A CIV OSD DMEA [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 01:28 PM
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: FW: We're in for it now -- SJ vs NE (MLS)
> 
> Okay, so I think we're in trouble. SJ vs NE on Sunday. Alston, NE playing with a CAST!? Every coach anywhere will require that we allow players to play with a cast because MLS lets their players play with casts. Maybe they allowed it because it was painted pink in support of breast cancer awareness?
> 
>                                    rb
> 
> Rick Burke
> Advanced Coach/Advanced Referee