2020-21 NFHS SOCCER RULES POWERPOINT

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Rules Changes

Major Editorials

Points of Emphasis

National Federation of State

High School Associations

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF�STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS (NFHS)

2021-22 SOCCER INFORMATION

SOCCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Mid-Season Webinars
• Fall – September 16, 2021; 2:00 p.m.
• Spring - April 7, 2022; 2:00 p.m.
• Fall – September 15, 2022; p.m.

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• Rule Change Proposal Form is now Open for Soccer

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• Proposals Due Date – November 1

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• Soccer Interpretations – distributed later this month

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STANDARDIZED OPEN AND CLOSE DATES FOR NFHS RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

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*These are standard annual open and close dates with the exception of girls gymnastics which will always occur during odd number year. (i.e. 2017, 2019, etc.)

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF�STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS (NFHS)

2021-22 ABOUT NFHS

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF �STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

NFHS (located in Indianapolis, IN – Est. 1920):

• National leader and advocate for �high school athletics and �performing arts programs.
• Serves 51 state associations, 19,500 �high schools and 12 million student �participants.
• Writes playing rules for 17 high school �sports for boys and girls.
• Offers online education courses for high school coaches, �officials, parents, students and others.
• Ensures that students have opportunity to enjoy healthy participation, achievement and good sportsmanship in education-based athletics.

www.nfhs.org

NFHS SOCCER RULES COMMITTEE

www.nfhs.org

Andy Frushour

East Lansing, MI

Section 4 - 2022

NFHS RULES REVIEW COMMITTEE

The NFHS Rules Review Committee is chaired by the chief operating officer and composed of all rules editors. After each committee concludes its deliberations and has adopted its recommended changes for the subsequent year, such revisions will be evaluated by the Rules Review Committee.

www.nfhs.org

Davis Whitfield

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Colgate

Football and Sports

Medicine

Elliot Hopkins

Baseball and Wrestling

Lindsey Atkinson

Girls Lacrosse and Volleyball

Julie Cochran

Cross Country, Gymnastics, Field Hockey and

Track & Field

Dan Schuster

Ice Hockey

James Weaver

Boys Lacrosse

and Spirit

Theresia Wynns

Basketball and Soccer

Sandy Searcy

Softball, Swimming & Diving and Water Polo

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF �STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

• The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports �for boys and girls at the high school level.
• Publishes 4 million pieces of materials annually.

www.nfhs.org

NFHS RULES BOOK AS E-BOOKS

• E-books features:
• Searchable
• Highlight areas of interest
• Make notes
• Easy navigation
• Adjustable viewing size
• Immediate availability

www.nfhs.org

NEW NFHS RULES APP

Rules App features:

• Searchable
• Highlight notes
• Bookmarks
• Quizzes for all sports
• Easy navigation
• Immediate availability
• Free to paid members of the NFHS Coaches �and Officials Associations
• www.nfhs.org/erules for more information

www.nfhs.org

2021-22 NFHS SOCCER RULES CHANGES

RULE 4-2-10 NEW HEAD COVERINGS

Head coverings worn for religious reasons shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials; and must fit securely. 

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Rule Change

HEAD COVERING WORN FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS: 4-2-10 NEW

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• Players wearing head coverings for religious reasons are permitted to play provided the head covering is not abrasive, hard, or dangerous to any other player and is securely attached.
• A note from the state association is not necessary.
• Cannot be attached with items made of metal, i.e., clips, bobby pins, barrettes.

LEGAL

LEGAL

Rule Change

RULE 4-2-11 HEAD COVERING FOR �MEDICAL REASONS

In addition to the above permitted uses, state associations (or designee) may on an individual basis permit a player to participate while wearing a head covering for medical or cosmetic reasons if it is required by a licensed physician. A physician’s statement is required before the state association can approve a covering which is not abrasive, hard or dangerous to any other player and which is attached in such a way it is highly unlikely that it will come off during play.

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Rule Change

HEAD COVERING WORN FOR MEDICAL/COSMETIC REASONS: 4-2-11 NEW

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• Players must have a doctor’s note and seek state association permission to wear a head covering to play. State permission must be in writing.

Rule Change

2021-22 NFHS SOCCER EDITORIAL CHANGES

RULE 13-3-2 FREE KICK – HOW TAKEN

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The ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground at the spot specified by the official. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

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Editorial Change

FREE KICK — HOW TAKEN: 13-3-2

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• The ball is in play when it is kicked, and it moves.

Editorial Change

2021-22 SOCCER POINTS OF EMPHASIS

PROPERLY WORN UNIFORMS AND MARKED FIELDS

It is important that games are played on fields marked in a consistent manner, and players wear uniforms according to NFHS rules. If a field is improperly marked and/or if a team wears an illegal uniform the referee shall contact the state association, who will work with school administrators to make appropriate changes. In addition, during pregame communication with school administration, game officials are also encouraged to communicate these corrective actions directly to administrators.

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www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis

PROPERLY WORN UNIFORMS AND MARKED FIELDS

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The home team must wear darker colored jerseys and the visiting team must wear white jerseys (PlayPic A).

In PlayPic B, the player is not wearing shin guards as intended to be worn. Players should wear equipment as it is intended to be worn.

Points of Emphasis

PROPERLY WORN UNIFORMS AND MARKED FIELDS

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• The fields should be properly marked.
• Non-compliance of field markings should be reported to the school athletic administrator and the state association.
• The game is still played.
• In the MechaniGram, the center circle is not marked as required by rule.

Points of Emphasis

RECKLESS AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY

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Soccer is a contact sport and as such officials must be prepared to effectively manage the flow and intensity of the game. Understanding the differences between fair and hard play and a foul that is either Reckless or Serious is important to ensuring fair play and the safety of the players. Reckless play is defined as “a player has acted with disregard of the danger to, or consequences for, the opponent. A player who displays reckless play shall be cautioned.” Serious Foul Play is defined as “any play in which the player commits one of the offenses punishable with a direct free kick and uses disproportionate and unnecessary force against an opponent while playing for the ball.” It is critical that officials recognize the differences between the two and the corresponding penalty.

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Points of Emphasis

RECKLESS AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY (CON’T.)

Although officials cannot eliminate a player from engaging in reckless or serious foul play, there are Preventive mechanics that can be used to control this type of play from occurring during the

match by:

• Addressing fair play and good sportsmanship during the pregame meeting with the coach- es and captains. Let them know your expectations for competitive and fair play.
• Talk to the players and captains during the match. When the intensity of play increases and fouls become more prevalent remind the players of your expectations. Control the temperature of play by warning, whistle and when necessary, cards.
• Deal with reckless and serious foul play immediately. Be sure to let the players and coaches know that you will not tolerate that level of play during the match. When warranted use cards to address these behaviors.
• Use of Headsets. Officials who have used headsets in communicating between and among the crew have found this to be an effective tool in helping to control play and deal immediately with unsporting and dangerous play.

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Points of Emphasis

RECKLESS AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY

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• Referees are encouraged to attend meetings and view videos — when possible — to discuss and learn more about fouls and misconduct.

Points of Emphasis

RECKLESS AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY: DENIAL OF GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY

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• When an attacker is fouled and denied a goal scoring opportunity outside the penalty area and a goal is not scored, the fouling player is disqualified (red card).

Points of Emphasis

RECKLESS AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY: DENIAL OF GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY

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• When an attacker is fouled and the goal is scored, the fouling player is cautioned (yellow card).

Points of Emphasis

RECKLESS AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY: DENIAL OF GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY

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A player who commits a foul inside the penalty area in an attempt to play the ball and a goal is not scored and the referee awards a penalty kick the fouling player is cautioned. If the player commits a foul while not attempting to play the ball and the goal is not scored and the referee awards a penalty kick , the fouling player is disqualified (red card).

Points of Emphasis

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS IS EDUCATION-BASED

High school athletics are education-based, and for this reason some mechanics of our game are intentionally different from other levels of soccer. Playing sports and participating in interscholastic activities is a privilege that students earn by maintaining academic standards and good conduct in and outside the classrooms.

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As an extension of the classroom, the goal of education-based athletics, in addition to core academic subjects learned in the classroom, is that students experience additional educational opportunities through their participation in sports. Beyond the specific skills of a sport, these individuals can learn important principles that can guide them the rest of their lives. Learning the life skills of sportsmanship, playing by the rules, teamwork and perseverance will pay huge dividends throughout these students’ lives. Certainly, improving skills and winning games is a part of the overall goal, but the quest to win games, events, and championships cannot come at the expense of providing these educational opportunities.

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www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS IS EDUCATION-BASED (CON’T.)

The required pregame meeting is a time for officials to communicate expectations to both head coaches and captains. This meeting for both head coaches and captains should cover pertinent rules, sportsmanship, the coin toss, and legally equipped players. This meeting is a purposeful start to an education-based interscholastic match.

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Points of Emphasis

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS IS EDUCATION-BASED

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• The soccer pitch is a classroom. Coaches are responsible for helping players understand the fine points of the game.

Points of Emphasis

SPORTSMANSHIP

Interscholastic athletic programs must promote good character, enhance the integrity of education, and foster civility in society. Student-athletes, coaches and all others associated with interscholastic athletic programs, as well as those who attend interscholastic athletic events, should adhere to the fundamental values of honesty, integrity, respect, caring, cooperation, trustworthiness, leadership, tolerance, and personal responsibility.

The message of good sportsmanship should be addressed by school administration with their students, coaches, parents, and spectators alike, which includes a message which prohibits taunting and the use of profanity during games. Coaches and officials should model good sportsmanship during the pregame, game, and post-game. A short but firm statement by the official outlining the action that will be taken for unsporting conduct would be appropriate. Check with your state association. They may have provided a statement for use by officials in the pre-game meeting.

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Points of Emphasis

SPORTSMANSHIP

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• In PlayPic A, #4 helps up opponent #6. In PlayPics B and C, #3 chases down the ball for the opposing goalkeeper, #1.

Positive sporting habits are expected of players, coaches, spectators, and others involved with the game.

Points of Emphasis

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OFFICIALS

Officials are an integral part of education-based athletics and for this reason it is important that officials conduct themselves in a professional manner that upholds the dignity of this vital role. For this reason, an official shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, shall master both the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, shall exercise impartial authority in a firm and controlled manner and shall stay up to date with game management and health and safety requirements. Additionally, officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interactions with student-athletes, coaches, school administrators and spectators alike.

It is important that officials take steps to educate themselves with the NFHS Officials Code of Ethics in the soccer rules book as well as their state association’s officials’ handbooks.

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www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OFFICIALS

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It is important for contest officials to conduct themselves in a professional manner that upholds the dignity of the position. This includes arriving on time, conducting the proper pregame, knowing and applying the NFHS rules properly, speaking to players and coaches in a professional manner, and completing any necessary postgame reports.

Points of Emphasis

2021-22 NFHS OFFICIALS EDUCATION

OFFICIALS EDUCATION CONTENT IS NOW FREE

TEACHING AIDS

RULES

CHANGES

DIAGRAMS

VIDEO

LIBRARY

OFFICIALS

COURSES

National Federation of State

High School Associations

2021-22 NFHS LEARNING CENTER

Implicit

Bias

• What is Implicit Bias?
• Why does Implicit Bias Matter?
• Managing Implicit Bias

Available at

Units

New FREE Course!

2021-22 NFHS NETWORK

NFHS NETWORK

• By 2025, every high school sporting event in America will be streamed live.
• The NFHS Network will be �THE DESTINATION for fans �to view these broadcasts.
• 27 Different Sports and Activities

www.NFHSnetwork.com

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THANK YOU

National Federation of State High School Associations�PO Box 690 | Indianapolis, IN 46206�Phone: 317-972-6900 | Fax: 317.822.5700�www.nfhs.org | www.nfhslearn.com | www.nfhsnetwork.com

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