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)