Eight Rules Changes Approved in High School Soccer

[4thgoal]

Rules related to improperly equipped players and procedures for dropping the ball are among eight rules changes in high school soccer for the 2019-20 season.

The rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Soccer Rules Committee at its January 28-30 meeting and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“While there are not any substantial revisions to the rules this year, I believe coaches and players will be pleased with the changes we have made,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials education.

Rule 4-3 will now specify that an improperly equipped player will not require teams to play shorthanded. The improperly equipped player will be asked to leave the field when the ball is not in play if the issue cannot be resolved immediately on the field, and the player may be replaced.

Once the offending player is properly equipped, he or she can report to an official. If the player was not replaced, he or she may re-enter the game at a dead ball. Infringement of the rule will not cause the game to be stopped unless a referee determines the situation is dangerous.

The rule was changed because the penalty for an improperly equipped player was more severe than the punishment for illegal equipment. The rule change ensures both infractions are handled equally.

With regard to the dropping of the ball in Rule 9-2-3, any number of players, including the goalkeeper, may now contest a dropped ball, and the referee cannot decide who may contest a dropped ball or determine its outcome.

Two new articles were added to Rule 9-2 to further clarify a dropped ball. Article 5 states the ball should be dropped again if it touches a player before hitting the ground or if it leaves the field after hitting the ground without touching a player. Article 6 states that if a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players, the play must be restarted with a goal kick if it entered the opponent’s goal or a corner kick if it entered the team’s own goal.

Rule 9-2-1c was amended to remove the provision that if a team is in clear possession of the ball, the game will not be restarted with a drop ball. The rule now states the only time a game will not be restarted with a drop ball following temporary suspension of a player, injury or unusual circumstances is when the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball.

A change to Rule 9-3 eliminates free kick opportunities by replacing an indirect free kick with a drop ball if the ball was not in the goal area and in possession of the goalkeeper during cases of temporary suspension due to injury or an unusual situation.

An addition was made in Rule 3-4-3 to state that the clock should be stopped when the leading team makes a substitution within the last five minutes of the second period. The new rule is meant to prevent coaches in the lead from wasting time and running the clock when no plays are being made.

The final change was to Rule 5-3-1d that now allows officials to call out “play on” with an underswing of one or both arms.

“Our game is in pretty good shape,” Wynns said. “There will be a few changes this particular year, but the rules revisions that have been made will not change the game for the most part.”

A complete list of soccer rules and changes can be found on the NFHS website, www.nfhs.org under “Activities and Sports”.

[Redball]

Looks like some good rule changes I do particularly like the clock stoppage rule on late subs.

[ndc soccer]

Are they going to adopt the new FIFA changes for the fall?

[Tower]

Question on rule 3-4-3 on subbing. If team with lead subs and clock stopped, can losing team sub then with clock stopped. Also, what if the game is tied? Running clock or not, I have seen some teams take a tie as a win.

[mglight88]

That is a good rule, but it will make the scoreboard operator to pay closer attention to the field and time left on the clock. I think it should start and stop for all subs made during the full game.

[Redball]

I do agree they should stop for all, but pros play 90 minutes with no stops. High school currently is 80 minutes with clock stops for goals and major injuries. High school may actually play longer than pros now, if you throw in every time they sub the clock stops I'm sure they would.

[4thgoal]

I think they should stop the scoreboard at 2 minutes and let the officials on the field handle the end of the game. I am sure the clock will be off a couple seconds at least and more if there are subs under this new rule.

Honestly subbing while you are ahead in a close game would allow you to regroup with this new rule. Once the ref recognizes the sub, signals the clock operator, calls in the sub, makes sure the subbed player gets off the field, and then signals to restart the clock.....all that time would allow a coach to regroup the team even if you were up 2-1 or something like that. Although time would not be running off, it would almost be like a time out to get people positioned.