How does the stretcher procedure work?

You are in charge of all players on the day and have the final say on whether a player may resume the current match.

1. When a player needs a stretcher, the Field Umpire stops play at the earliest opportunity with one whistle (play pauses, the clock keeps running).
2. After you call for the stretcher, the Field Umpire blows two whistles, and only then may authorised people enter to help carry the player. Anyone entering earlier breaches the Ground Encroachment policy.
3. The Field Umpire restarts play once the player is off.

Rules that follow:

• A player removed on a stretcher takes no further part in the game. A player who is propped up by another person is not "stretchered off".
• The team may replace the player with a benched player via the interchange.
• No team meetings or coaching while the stretcher is on.
• If you judge a player cannot be moved because of the severity of injury, play may be abandoned by agreement of the two Team Managers, the Field Umpire and any League Official, with regard to the player's health, the limits of your qualifications, and the effect on later matches.
• Stretcher call-outs and outcomes must be recorded on match documentation.