Points Of Emphasis
New for 2006-07
Scroll down for 2005-06
1) Player Equipment (Eyewear) –
The NFHS Soccer Rules permit the use of eyewear. Eyewear may be worn for eye
protection or as prescription glasses. Sport eyewear is manufactured to protect
the eyes without causing injury to the player(s) wearing them or to other
players. Any equipment, which in the opinion of the referee is dangerous or
confusing, is illegal. Coaches are responsible for their players being in legal
equipment and must confirm such when verbally asked by the referee.
2) Participant Conduct – Good sporting behavior and appropriate conduct
need to be displayed by everyone in the team area prior to, during, and after
the game. Coaches have tremendous influence over players and spectators by the
words they use and the behavior they display. Officials reinforce good sporting
behavior by communicating effectively with players and coaches and enforcing the
rules.
3) End of Game Procedures for Officials – Officials must verify with
their state association or the proper authority the role they play after the
final whistle. The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee has extended the officials’
jurisdiction to the immediate surroundings; this may differ from one site to
another. Extending officials’ jurisdiction to the immediate surroundings is in
no way an invitation to delay their exit from the site of the competition. Once
the final whistle blows, unless instructed otherwise by the governing authority,
the official should verify the score and exit the site of the competition. It is
imperative that officials report in writing any disqualifications or unusual
incidents to the proper authority.
4) Game Supervision/Management – Proper supervision and pre-planned
procedures are critical to proper game management. The NFHS Soccer Rules
Committee has encouraged state associations to require contest supervision by
individuals other than the coach for soccer games. Host schools should develop a
game management plan which includes the following: greeting the game officials,
storage of officials’ gear, providing dressing rooms if available, and
development of an exit strategy after the final whistle. The committee believes
this will reduce unsporting behavior of players, coaches, and spectators as well
as keep the school informed of unusual incidents.
5) Field Markings – Fields are to be marked according to the rules.
Properly sized team and officials’ areas need to be marked. The NFHS provides a
diagram of the field of play and its immediate surroundings in the rules book.
It is important to note that the most common and most effective placement for
the team and officials’ area is depicted in the diagram. With the team and
officials area on the same side of the field, it allows for easier communication
between game officials and coaches and more consistent handling of substitutions
by the referee.
6) Reporting Incidents – Officials must report game disqualifications and
unusual incidents to the proper authorities. This includes unsporting behavior
by players, coaches, and spectators prior to, during and after the contest. The
proper authorities may include the state athletic/activity association, a league
commissioner, or a school administrator. Without a written report, the proper
authorities cannot follow-up with those parties involved or determine the
appropriate consequences for any inappropriate actions.
7) Handling Apparent Concussions – The action plan for handling apparent
concussions states that if one suspects that a player has a concussion, the
following steps should be taken: 1) remove athlete from play; 2) ensure that the
athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional and do not try
to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself; 3) inform the athlete’s parents
or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet
on concussion; and 4) allow the athlete to return to
play only with permission from an appropriate health-care professional.
2005-06
1) Sportsmanship: At the pre-game conference, the head referee shall address coaches and players concerning aspects of good sportsmanship including excessive celebration, profanity and taunting. 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.
2) Ball holders: Home schools shall provide at least two ball holders. The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee continues to encourage schools to make arrangements in advance to comply with this requirement. Ball holders are an integral part of any soccer match. The committee feels strongly that it elevates the quality of matches at the high school level. This should be addressed in coaches' and officials' pre-game checklists. If ball holders are not provided, the referee shall report the situation to the proper authorities.
3) Caution/Disqualification Procedure: Whenever an official issues a card, the player, both coaches, the scorer, and the other officials shall be notified of the reason for the caution or disqualification. Officials can enlist one of his/her assistant referees to assist in the notification procedure. State associations may consider designating a reporting area prior to the game where officials can notify scorers and coaches the reason for cautions or disqualifications. The reporting area must be in an area where both scorers and coaches can hear and see the official. This requirement will elevate the quality of the high school game and keep everyone informed as to the calls being made on the field.
4) Inclement Weather: Weather that threatens the players' safety (lightning, tornadoes, etc.) is of utmost concern to the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. Referees, coaches and administrators should take a collective responsibility to insure the safety of the players and spectators. Become familiar with the lightning guidelines adopted by the NFHS in this rulebook. Check with your state association for additional weather-related guidelines.
5) Proper Equipment: Coaches, players, and officials share in the responsibility to insure that all players are properly equipped, i.e., shoes, shinguards, uniforms and jewelry. Coaches should never expect that this is a responsibility of officials only. Rule 4-3-1 clearly indicates the coach is responsible for his/her players being properly equipped.
6) Excessive Celebration and any delayed, excessive or prolonged act(s) by which a player(s) attempts to focus attention upon himself/herself and/or prohibits a timely restart of the game.: is considered to be a disqualification (yellow/red). When the game is delayed or a player(s) draws attention to himself/herself officials shall show the yellow/red cards and the number of players on the field shall not be reduced. As defined in Rule 18.1.1(p), excessive celebration and such identified delays should never be condoned.
1) Player Equipment (Eyewear) – The NFHS
Soccer Rules permit the use of eyewear. Eyewear may be worn for eye protection
or as prescription glasses. Sport eyewear is manufactured to protect the eyes
without causing injury to the player(s) wearing them or to other players. Any
equipment, which in the opinion of the referee is dangerous or confusing, is
illegal. Coaches are responsible for their players being in legal equipment and
must confirm such when verbally asked by the referee.
2) Participant Conduct – Good sporting behavior and appropriate conduct need to
be displayed by everyone in the team area prior to, during, and after the game.
Coaches have tremendous influence over players and spectators by the words they
use and the behavior they display. Officials reinforce good sporting behavior by
communicating effectively with players and coaches and enforcing the rules.
3) End of Game Procedures for Officials – Officials must verify with their state
association or the proper authority the role they play after the final whistle.
The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee has extended the officials’ jurisdiction to the
immediate surroundings; this may differ from one site to another. Extending
officials’ jurisdiction to the immediate surroundings is in no way an invitation
to delay their exit from the site of the competition. Once the final whistle
blows, unless instructed otherwise by the governing authority, the official
should verify the score and exit the site of the competition. It is imperative
that officials report in writing any disqualifications or unusual incidents to
the proper authority.
4) Game Supervision/Management – Proper supervision and pre-planned procedures
are critical to proper game management. The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee has
encouraged state associations to require contest supervision by individuals
other than the coach for soccer games. Host schools should develop a game
management plan which includes the following: greeting the game officials,
storage of officials’ gear, providing dressing rooms if available, and
development of an exit strategy after the final whistle. The committee believes
this will reduce unsporting behavior of players, coaches, and spectators as well
as keep the school informed of unusual incidents.
5) Field Markings – Fields are to be marked according to the rules. Properly
sized team and officials’ areas need to be marked. The NFHS provides a diagram
of the field of play and its immediate surroundings in the rules book. It is
important to note that the most common and most effective placement for the team
and officials’ area is depicted in the diagram. With the team and officials area
on the same side of the field, it allows for easier communication between game
officials and coaches and more consistent handling of substitutions by the
referee.
6) Reporting Incidents – Officials must report game disqualifications and
unusual incidents to the proper authorities. This includes unsporting behavior
by players, coaches, and spectators prior to, during and after the contest. The
proper authorities may include the state athletic/activity association, a league
commissioner, or a school administrator. Without a written report, the proper
authorities cannot follow-up with those parties involved or determine the
appropriate consequences for any inappropriate actions.
7) Handling Apparent Concussions – The action plan for handling apparent
concussions states that if one suspects that a player has a concussion, the
following steps should be taken: 1) remove athlete from play; 2) ensure that the
athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional and do not try
to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself; 3) inform the athlete’s parents
or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet
on concussion; and 4) allow the athlete to return to play only with permission
from an appropriate health-care professional.