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2023-24 NFHS SOCCER RULES POWERPOINT

Rules Changes

Major Editorial Changes

Points of Emphasis

2023-24 NFHS SOCCER RULES CHANGES

SUBSTITUTIONS

3-3-2b (2, 3) (NEW)

Rule Change

1. The referee may stop the clock to check on a player who appears to be injured.
2. If the referee beckons sideline personnel to attend to an injured player, the injured player must leave the field.
3. If the clock was stopped, but the referee did not beckon anyone onto the field, the player may remain in the game.

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SUBSTITUTIONS 3-3-7

Rule Change

• A team that elects or is required to play shorthanded for reasons other than misconduct may have the player(s) re- enter the game during a dead ball.
• The re-entry shall occur from the official area after being beckoned in as per 3-4-1a.

#13 was asked to leave the field to correct improper equipment and may re-enter at the next dead ball from the official’s area after being beckoned by the referee.

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PROCEDURES FOR SUBSTITUTIONS 3-4-1e (NEW)

Rule Change

• The player being replaced shall exit the field on the bench side unless the player is injured and unable to exit to that side.
• When exiting the field, players shall exit into their team's bench area (and not the opponent's).

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#13 must exit toward their team area’s side of the field if able to do so

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OTHER EQUIPMENT 4-2-11 (NEW)

Rule Change

• Wearable technology devices are permitted.
• Must be secured.
• Must not create a safety hazard to any player.
• Devices may be worn on the shoes or on the body under the uniform.
• Devices may not be worn under the arm below the level of the shoulder.

ILLEGAL – cannot be worn on wrist (below shoulder)

LEGAL – worn on the shoe

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UNIFORM RULE 4

Rule Change

The uniform rule has been reorganized to offer clarity.

• : Required Uniform
• Art. 1 Requirements
• Art. 2 Jersey
• Art. 3 Shorts
• Art. 4 Socks
• Art. 5 Shinguards
• Art. 6 Shoes
• : Other Equipment
• : Illegal Equipment
• : Coaches’ Responsibilities

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OFFSIDE

11-1-5 (NEW)

Rule Change

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To deliberately play the ball, the player must have time and space, and sufficient sight of the ball to control the ball with the possibility of:

1. Passing the ball to their teammate; or,
2. Gaining possession of the ball; or
3. Clearing the ball

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A save is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).

OFFSIDE

11-1-5 (NEW)

Rule Change

A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage.

In PlayPic A, the second attacker is to be ruled offside because the ball merely glanced off the defender's head (not a deliberate play).

OFFSIDE – deflection off a defender who

did not deliberately play the ball

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OFFSIDE

11-1-5 (NEW)

Rule Change

In PlayPic B, the goalkeeper makes a deliberate save. White #3 has committed an offside offense.

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FOULS

12-1-1 thru 3 (NEW), 18-1-1

Rule Change

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This new section defines the seven direct free-kick fouls that must at least rise

to the level of careless in order to be called a foul.

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Those offenses are (If committed against an opponent):

• Charges
• Jumps at
• Kicks or attempts to kick
• Pushes
• Strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt)
• Tackles or challenges
• Trips or attempts to trip

HANDLING

12-3-2, 3 (NEW)

Rule Change

Handling continues to be defined by the armpit. The upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.

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Attacker 8 is not guilty of handling.

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HANDLING

12-3-2, 3 (NEW)

Rule Change

These new articles stipulate a goal cannot be scored if a player (including the goalkeeper) is guilty of handling, even if accidental.

The handling is penalized. This is clearly handling even if accidental.

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HANDLING

12-3-2, 3 (NEW)

Rule Change

• In PlayPic A, attacker #8 is not guilty of handling, the goal is scored.

• In PlayPic B, attacker #3 cannot legally score a goal, solely focusing on the handling situation presented, even if handling is ruled accidental, a direct free kick is awarded to the defending team.

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RESTRICTIONS ON THE GOALKEEPER 12-8-5

Rule Change

• The goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as any other player outside the penalty area. (PlayPic B)
• If the goalkeeper handles the ball inside the penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction. (PlayPics A and C)

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RESTRICTIONS ON THE GOALKEEPER 12-8-5

Rule Change

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If the violation is playing the ball a second time after a restart before it touches another player, the goalkeeper must be cautioned if the offense stops a promising attack or disqualified if the offense denies an opponent or the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).

MISCONDUCT 12-9-4

Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) defined.

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To determine if an offense meets the DOGSO criteria, the following must be considered:

1. Distance between the offense and the goal.
2. General direction of the play.
3. Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball.
4. Location and number of defenders.

Rule Change

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DOGSO INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE PENALTY AREA

Rule Change

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DOGSO offenses committed OUTSIDE the penalty area where a goal is not scored are

sanctioned with a disqualification (12-9-2d(3)).

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If a defender commits a DOGSO foul INSIDE their penalty area resulting in a penalty kick:

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• If the offender was attempting to play the ball, they are cautioned (12-9-1f(15)).

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• For all other offenses (e.g., holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball, etc.) the offender is disqualified (19-9-2d(4)).

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DOGSO offenses committed by deliberately handling the ball (other than the goalkeeper) and a goal is not scored are sanctioned with a disqualification, regardless of where the handling occurred (12-9-2d(2)).

MISCONDUCT EXAMPLES 12-9-4

Rule Change

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Scenario ONE:

If a player carelessly slide tackles their opponent, which is a play on the ball, denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, they will be disqualified for DOGSO if this foul is located outside the penalty area: the offender is disqualified per 12-9- 2d(3), their team must play short-sided, and play restarts with a direct free kick.

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If committed inside the penalty area, they are cautioned for unsporting conduct and a PK is awarded per 12-9-1f(15).

MISCONDUCT EXAMPLES 12-9-4

Rule Change

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Scenario TWO:

If a player tackles their opponent using excessive force inside the penalty area, the offender is disqualified for serious foul play. Even though their foul, may also be a DOGSO inside the penalty area from a play on the ball, the nature of the foul rises to the level of disqualification per 12-9-2d(1).

​

The offender is disqualified for serious foul play, a penalty kick is awarded, and the offender's team must play short-sided.

MISCONDUCT EXAMPLES 12-9-4

Scenario THREE:

A defender, other than the goalkeeper, who deliberately handles the ball and stops a goal from being scored will always be disqualified for DOGSO regardless of where the handling offense occurs per 12-9-2d(2), provided the other considerations of DOGSO apply.

Rule Change

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NEW/REVISED DEFINITIONS 18-1-1

Rule Change

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A total of five definitions were added or revised to Rule 18-1-1.

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The terms Careless, Excessive Force, Serious Foul Play and Tactical Fouls were added to the Rules Book.

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The term Violent Conduct was revised.

2023-24 NFHS SOCCER EDITORIAL CHANGE

IN PLAY AND OUT OF PLAY 9-1-1 (A & B)

Editorial Change

The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed a goal line or touchline, whether on the ground or in the air.

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This diagram was moved in the Rules Book to better align with the corresponding text.

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2023-24 NFHS SOCCER POINTS OF EMPHASIS

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Points of Emphasis

• Wearable technology is permitted in certain instances.
• Coaches and officials must review the Rule Change to Rule 4-2-12 (earlier in this presentation).

ILLEGAL – cannot be worn on wrist (below shoulder)

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LEGAL – worn on the shoe

COACHING AND TEAM AREA DECORUM

Points of Emphasis

• Coaches set the tone with display of sportsmanship.
• Officials focus on action of players, coaches and other bench personnel.
• An open line of communication between officials and coaches makes for a better game.

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COACHING AND TEAM AREA DECORUM

Points of Emphasis

• Examples of inappropriate decorum:
• Kicking or throwing objects in reaction to decision.
• Entering the field to dissent or confront an official.
• Acting in a provocative or inflammatory manner.
• Arguing calls constantly.
• Referees must manage this type of behavior.

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DENYING AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY (DOGSO)

Points of Emphasis

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Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) is an egregious attempt to prevent

opponents from scoring.

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For a player to be sent off for denying and obvious goal-scoring opportunity the following four criteria must be present:

1. Distance between the offense and the goal (the offense must be near the goal).
2. General direction of play (the attacking players are generally headed toward the goal).
3. Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball (the player must have or been able to control the ball in order to score).
4. Location and number of defenders (If another defender, including the goalkeeper is in a

closed enough position to make a lawful tackle or attempt a save then this criteria is not

met).

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If any element is missing, the player cannot be sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

DENYING AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY (DOGSO)

Points of Emphasis

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Questions to ask when judging on the four considerations:

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• Where does the offense occur on the field?
• Did the foul occur inside or outside the penalty area?
• What is the distance between the offense and the goal?
• What is the direction of play?
• Does the player have control of the ball?
• Can the player gain control of the ball?
• How many defenders are involved in the situation?
• Where are the defenders located?
• Does the offense lead to a direct free kick or an indirect free kick?
• If no offense were to occur, would the player have an obvious opportunity to score a goal?
• Does the player deliberately handle the ball to deny the opposing team a goal?
• Was the offender attempting to play the ball?

DENYING AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY (DOGSO)

Points of Emphasis

• In this PlayPic, the referee must consider all questions from the previous slide.
• Based on the information available - NOT DOGSO.

Correct,given that three players remain to defend.

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DENYING AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY (DOGSO)

Points of Emphasis

Remember – Offenses which deny a goal-scoring opportunity are not limited to a foul that would result in a direct free kick or penalty kick.

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Offenses may include fouls that would result in an indirect free kick.

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SUBSTITUTION

Points of Emphasis

• When do substitutions typically occur?
• Throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, after goal, half time, injury.
• Replaced player – exits field on bench side unless unable to do so.
• Substitutes must be beckoned by the referee.

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