NFHS Soccer Rule Changes
and Points of Emphasis
for 2016-2017
Rich Valle
EMSOA Rule Interpreter
©2016 Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Officials’ Association
Introduction
1. This presentation was given at the Rules Interpretation meeting of
EMSOA. Some of the information presented was given orally and
was not on the slides. For this version, oral comments have been
added as BLUE TEXT
2. Definition: “Re-Set”
When this is mentioned in the discussion of offside, it means that
an action has occurred that eliminates the requirement that an
attacking player in an offside position should be penalized. Offside
may be penalized if another situation occurs a few seconds later
which meets the definition of the rule.
As of 2015-2016
Rule 11-1-4: A player is offside and penalized if, at the time
the ball touches or is played by a teammate, the player is
involved in active play and interferes with play or with an
opponent or seeks to gain an advantage by being in that
position.
Added in 2016-2017
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.
Offside situation is RE-SET
Offside Rule Interpretation
“Deliberate play” is
• An action by a defender to attempt to play the ball; usually
associated by a movement to the ball or
• An action to set up to play the ball.
• Deliberate play is an act in which the player chooses to act. A
reflex is not a deliberate act.
A deliberate play requires that the ball be “touched.”
The result of the play does not matter. Offside situation is RE-SET
A poor attempt to clear the ball is still a deliberate play and
effectively resets the offside position.
Officials should not compensate for player errors.
Offside Rule Interpretation
If the defender is not challenging for the ball or even aware that
the ball has struck him/her,
it is not a deliberate play.
NO RE-SET of offside.
A person who was in an offside position, is still in an offside position
Offside Rule Interpretation
“A deliberate save is when a player stops a ball that is close to
the goal with any part of the body except the hands (except for
the goal keeper within his/her own penalty area ).”
A deliberate save can be made by any player.
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 1 of 7
= Defense
= Offense
GK
4
8
Bench
6
3
Attacker #3 shoots from 25 yards. Attacker #6
and defender #8 jump to get the ball, only #6
touches it and the ball deflects to #4. Result: #4
declared offside as no defender deliberately
touched the ball.
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 2 of 7
= Defense
= Offense
4
8
GK
6
Attacker #6 shoots from 14 yds,
defender #8 makes a deliberate save
with his chest, the ball then deflects
to attacker #4.
Result: #4 was in an offside position
and will be called offside. #4 received
the ball from a deliberate save.
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 3 of 7
= Defense
= Offense
GK
4
8
Attacker #6 shoots from 25 yds. Defender #8
attempts to trap but misplays the ball.
The ball is then deflected to attacker #4.
Result: Because #8 deliberately played the ball, #4
will now be judged to be onside.
(Judgment is that #8 did not make a deliberate
save).
6
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 4 of 7
GK
4
8
6
Attacker #6 shoots from 21 yds.
Defender #8 attempts to trap the ball
at 13 yds out. The ball deflects to
Attacker #4.
Result: Same as in previous diagram.
#4 will now be judged to be onside.
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 5 of 7
GK
Attacker #6 attempts to pass to
teammate #4. Defender #8, who
was marking #4, does not see
the pass and the ball strikes #8
in the hip and it deflects to
Attacker #7.
Result: #7 is Offside. #8 did not
deliberately play the ball.
7
8
6
4
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 6 of 7
4
Attacker #6 shoots or passes
from 18 yards out. GK dives
at the ball and it deflects to
attacker #4.
Result: #4 is Offside.
The GK’s action would be
considered a deliberate save.
GK
8
6
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 7 of 7
7
Attacker #6 kicks a line drive
toward GK. GK attempts to grab
the ball 4 yards in front of his goal.
Ball deflects to #7.
What should the referee decide?
GK
8
6
Offside Rule Interpretation
Diagrams 7 of 7
7
GK
Same as the previous page, but this
time the ball is gently chipped
toward the GK. He misplays the ball
and it goes to attacker #7.
Result: The official has to decide in
each case...”Was the GK making a
deliberate save?”
Factor in: level of skill of players,
speed of ball, where the ball was
directed, etc.
Make a decision based on the rule.
8
6
Offside Rule Interpretation
Definitions relating to offside.
Interfering with an opponent (18-1-1u)
“Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the
ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or
movement of challenging an opponent for the ball.”
Offside Rule Interpretation
7
8
6
GK
Attacker #6 shots on net when
attacker #7 is standing next to GK.
#7 is certainly interfering with GK
even if #7 does not move.
Offside Rule Interpretation
Definitions relating to offside.
Gaining an advantage (18-1-1o)
“Defined as a player who plays a ball that rebounds to him/her off a
goalpost or the crossbar after having been in an offside position or a
player who plays a ball that rebounds to him/her off an opponent who
has not deliberately played the ball (except for a deliberate save) after
having been in an offside position”.
Offside Rule Interpretation
Definitions relating to offside.
Offside – gained advantage by position
Offside Rule Interpretation
Definitions relating to offside.
Offside – deliberate save and gained advantage by position
Penalty Kick
Rule 14-1-4
“Once the kicker starts his/her approach toward the ball, he/she may
not interrupt his/her movement”.
Although this is technically a dead ball foul, it shall now be treated
and penalized as a “violation by the attacking team”.
(as per the chart on page 65 of Rule Book)
NFHS interpretation: stutter step is allowed; stopping is not allowed.
Penalty Kick
Rule 14-1-4
RESULT OF PK
NO VIOLATION
VIOLATION BY
VIOLATION BY
ATTACKING TEAM DEFENSIVE TEAM
ONLY
ONLY
VIOLATION BY
BOTH
Enters Goal
Goal
Re-kick
Goal
Re-Kick
Goes Directly
Out-of-Bounds
Goal Kick
Goal Kick
Re-Kick
Re-Kick
Rebounds into
Play from Goal/
Goalkeeper
Play
Continues
In-Direct
FK
Re-Kick
Re-Kick
Saved & Held by
Goalkeeper
Play
Continues
Play
Continues
Re-Kick
Re-Kick
Deflected
Out-of-Bounds by
Goalkeeper
Corner
Kick
In-Direct
FK
Re-Kick
Re-Kick
Penalty Kick
Rule 14-1-4
Situation B
Player “A2” taking a PK, approaches the ball then stops abruptly. He/she then
(a) kicks and scores; RESTART ??
(b) kicks the ball over the goal; RESTART ??
(c) kicks the ball and it rebounds from the goalkeeper; RESTART ??
(d) kicks and the ball is saved and held by the goalkeeper; RESTART ??
(e) kicks and the ball is deflected over the net by the goalkeeper. RESTART ??
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
EDITORIAL CHANGE
Team Areas Rule 1-5-1
Change requires that team & Official area be marked.
The markings do not have to be permanent or painted
• 10 feet (3.0 m) from the touch line
• Benches 15 yards (13.7 m) from the halfway line
20 yd
Team & Coaching Area
10 yd
20 yd
Official
Area
Team & Coaching Area
10 feet
15 yd
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Rough Play
Rough play, including contact above the shoulder, often results in
player injury.
Officials, coaches and players must eliminate rough play from the
game.
Officials should deal with rough play by giving appropriate penalties
immediately when it occurs.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Examples of Rough Play
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Soft-Padded Headband
Rule 4-2-9
A rule was created to allow a soft-padded headband to be worn.
This rule has been in existence and emphasis has been brought
to it. Because of concussion concerns, more of these headbands
may be seen.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Soft-Padded Headband
Rule 4-2-9
Permitted
Wearable sensor to detect head
injury and collect data
Permitted? Probably.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Team Member Equipment Check
Because of the number of recent rule changes involving uniforms and
equipment and possible misconduct cards that may be associated with
them, officials are encouraged to informally check the equipment of team
members before the game to prevent possible violations occurring during
the game.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Illegal Uniforms
Team uniforms that do not meet rules requirements continue to be
a problem. Although, teams wearing illegal uniforms are permitted
to play, it is imperative that officials report all instances of illegal
uniforms to their state high school athletic associations.
MA = Light (not white) vs. dark
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Referee checking for injury after a goal
If the clock is stopped for a goal and the referee
examines a player, including a goalkeeper, for a possible
injury, that player will not have to leave the game
unless the coach or medical personnel are beckoned
onto the field to check the player.
If the referee beckons the coach or medical personnel,
the player, including a goalkeeper, is required to leave
the field.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Ball Holders
Because the clock is running when the ball goes out of bounds, it is
essential that ball holders be available to get the ball back in play
quickly.
At least two ball holders are to be provided by the home team at
each game.
The ball holders are under the direct supervision of the officials.
Editorial Change
Spectator’s Area
Rule 1-6
The change allows fans to be in
designated areas for spectators
behind goals. For example, if
there are bleachers set up
behind a goal, fans can sit or
stand in the bleachers, as it is
designated for that purpose.
Editorial Change
Spectator’s Area
Rule 1-6
When there is no designated area behind a goal for spectators,
they should be directed to the designated areas behind the touch
lines.
2015 POINT OF EMPHASIS
Team Roster
Rule 3.1.3
Each team shall submit a team roster, containing the first and last
names and number of
• all players and substitutes,
• all bench personnel and
• all coaches,
to the officials at least five (5) minutes prior to the start of the
contest. The personnel and coaches may be added to the roster after
the start of play. A MIAA score sheet with players and coaches names
is a roster. Sub-varsity can use plain paper for a roster.
Goalkeepers may have two (2) numbers listed on the roster, a
goalkeeper’s number and a field player’s number.
POINT OF EMPHASIS
PRE-GAME
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check field (Proper markings?/Danger situations?)
Check game balls (NFHS approved?/ Proper inflation?)
Check goals (Secured?)
Check nets (Holes? / Properly attached?)
Collaborate with partner (Special situations/signals)
Observe players equipment (Prevent a caution)
Determine side and direction of officiating
POINT OF EMPHASIS
PRE-GAME
THREE MUSTS BEFORE THE KICK-OFF
DO NOT START UNLESS….
• Goals are secure
• Roster for both teams with players and coaches names available
• Coaches’ and captains’ meeting….
 Coin flip (ball or end)
 Ground rules (if any)
 MIAA taunting policy reminder (Red card offense)
 Ask formally….”Coaches, will your teams be legally and
properly equipped at kick-off?” (Get a Response)