| 2008-09 Soccer Rules Interpretations Publisher's
Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only
source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify
any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations
presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2008
Situation 1: May a soccer game be played on a football field where all
markings are in white? RULING: Yes, however, the NFHS recommends that the soccer
markings contrast in color to the football markings. (1-2-1 and 1-2-1 Situation)
Situation 2: Many school districts are building multi-use,
artificial-turf facilities primarily for soccer, football and track and field.
May soccer goals be placed on the end line of the football field even if they
are not two yards in front of the football goalposts? RULING: No. COMMENT: Rule
1-4-1 states "If used on a football field, portable goals should be anchored at
least 2 yards in front of the base of the existing football goalposts."
Situation 3: Can schools purchase nets with the name or mascot of the
school stenciled on it? RULING: Yes. The school name or mascot is not considered
advertisement. (1-4-2)
Situation 4: If the required team area markings are absent, should the
coach be restricted to the area directly in front of the team bench? RULING:
Yes. (1-5-3)
Situation 5: The referee notices prior to the start of the contest
that team benches are located on opposite sides of the field in unmarked areas
at the halfway line. The referee informs game management to move the teams to
areas diagonally opposite from each other, 10 feet from the sideline and provide
some type of marking to denote each team's area. RULING: Correct procedure. In
absence of host game management, inform the home team's head coach. If the
situation cannot be corrected, play the game and file a report. (1-5-3
Exception)
Situation 6: Can a team substitute an unlimited number of players from
the bench after a) a caution, b) an injured player who is required to leave the
field of play or c) after a goal is scored? RULING: In a) and b), a team may not
substitute an unlimited number of players from the bench but may substitute for
the cautioned/injured player. In c), either team may substitute an unlimited
number of players. (3-3-1, 3-3-2)
Situation 7: Neither team has substitutes at the scorer's table when a
player becomes injured. Can either team substitute an unlimited number of
players? RULING: No. COMMENT: However, the injured player may be substituted for
from the bench. (3-3-2b)
Situation 8: A player from Team A has a violent collision with an
opponent when attempting to play the ball, is knocked down and, in the judgment
of the official, was apparently unconscious. The player is removed from the game
and after being checked by the school's athletic trainer, is sent to the table
by the head coach to re-enter the game. RULING: Incorrect procedure. When this
player was determined by the official to possibly be unconscious, the player may
not return to play that game without written authorization by a physician
(MD/DO). (3-3-2b3)
Situation 9: Both teams have players checked in at the scorer's table
prior to a dead-ball substitution opportunity (injured player). Once the
dead-ball substitution opportunity occurs and the referee beckons the players
onto the field, must these players enter the field of play? RULING: Yes. (3-4-1a
and 3-4-1 Situation)
Situation 10: Are players required to wear NOCSAE-approved shinguards?
RULING: Yes, beginning with the 2008 fall season, shinguards must meet NOCSAE
specifications and bear the NOCSAE seal either on the inside tag or embossed on
the actual shinguard. (4-1-1)
Situation 11: May a team use a navy-and-white striped jersey as both
home and away uniforms? RULING: Yes. COMMENT: Home jerseys must be light and
away jerseys dark. (4-1-1a)
Situation 12: Are warm-ups with multiple logos permitted to be worn by
bench players or coaches? RULING: Yes. Warm-ups are not restricted. (4-1-1)
Situation 13: Is soft-padded headgear made of soft material legal for
field players? RULING: Yes, as long as the product does not contain any hard or
unyielding material. (4-2-2 Situation A)
Situation 14: A player is wearing a protective face mask that is
molded to the face with no protrusions. The player, who does not have a facial
injury, has a medical release signed by a physician that suggests she wear the
mask to prevent possible future injuries. RULING: Illegal. Only players with
facial injuries are permitted to wear a protective face mask. (4-2-8)
Situation 15: The official observes that player A1 is wearing improper
equipment. The official stops the game at the appropriate time and sends the
player off the field of play. The coach wants to substitute for A1 (a) from the
bench; (b) from players who had already reported before play was stopped.
RULING: Illegal in both situations. (4-3 Penalty, Improperly Equipped Players)
Situation 16: At the start of the second half, the referee observes
that player A3, who had played the first half properly equipped, is now wearing
a watch. The game is stopped, the player is sent off the field and a yellow card
is issued to the head coach. RULING: Correct procedure as long as this is the
team's first illegally equipped penalty of the game. (4-3 Penalty, Illegally
Equipped Players)
Situation 17: Is it permissible for officials to wear a shirt with the
USSF logo on it? RULING: Only if permitted by the state association. (5-1-3)
Situation 18: Is it mandatory for the head referee to address coaches
and players prior to the game about good sportsmanship? RULING: No. COMMENT: The
head referee shall address good sportsmanship during the pregame conference with
the head coach and team captains. (5-2-2d2)
Situation 19: A player has a knee brace and she has a signed note from
her orthopedic surgeon and a note from her athletic director. May the referee
determine that the knee brace is dangerous and not allow her to play even though
the girl was allowed to play last weekend wearing the same brace? RULING: The
referee has the authority to determine whether equipment is dangerous or
confusing. (4-2-1, Situation H (b), 5-2-2d4)
Situation 20: Are officials mandated by rule to use the official NFHS
Soccer Signals in a contest? RULING: Yes. (5-3-1b)
Situation 21: If a game is terminated by the referee due to fighting,
regardless of the score at the time, does the official have the authority to
declare a winner? RULING: No. The matter must be reported to the state
association, which will declare a winner. (7-1-3 Situation)
Situation 22: A player from both Team A and Team B are involved in
misconduct at the halfway line while Team A is in possession of the ball on the
18-yard line near Team B's goal. RULING: Allow the play to exhaust its momentum
and then card both players for their actions. COMMENT: Since it is an
on-the-field infraction, a restart with a drop ball should occur at the spot of
the fouls. (9-2-1d)
Situation 23: The coach from Team B complains to the referee that the
coach from Team A is text-messaging his assistant coach who is in the spectator
stands. RULING: Illegal. The coach must be cautioned for unsporting conduct if
the referee actually determines that the coach was text messaging. (12-8-1e)
Situation 24: A head coach is assessed a second yellow card for
unsportsmanlike conduct. What should the official do? RULING: The proper
procedure for a coach or bench personnel receiving a second yellow card is to
disqualify that individual from the contest by displaying a yellow card first,
immediately followed by a red card. (5-3-1f2) COMMENT: This mechanic is used
because a substitute is not allowed as it is when a yellow card and red card are
shown simultaneously.
Situation 25: A player from Team A is guilty of spitting at (a) an
opponent and (b) a game official. The restart shall be a direct free kick in
both situations. RULING: In (a), a direct free kick; in (b), an indirect free
kick. (13-2-1a and 13-2-2j) |
