KEY LAW CHANGES
1. Players may be sent off before the kick-off.
a. If before the team list is submitted, the player cannot appear on the team list in any
capacity.
b. If after the team list is submitted but before the kickoff, the payer can be replaced
by a “named” substitute. The “named” substitute cannot be replaced. Team still has
3 substitutes.
2. Player undershorts must be the color of the shorts or hem.
3. Players injured as a result of a red card or yellow card foul can be quickly assessed/treated
and stay on the field of play (do not have to leave unless the assessment/treatment takes
an extended time).
4. Kick-Off: The ball can be kicked in any direction. All players must be on their own half.
5. Kicks From the Penalty Mark:
a. The referee will toss the coin to determine which goal will be used (except for
circumstances of ground condition, safety, etc.).
b. A second coin toss will occur and the team that wins the toss will decide whether to
kick first or second.
c. Both teams must have the same number of players before and during the kicks.
d. A player temporarily off the field (e.g. injured), at the final whistle, can take part.
e. A kick is completed/over when it goes over a boundary line or stops moving
(including being held by the goalkeeper).
f. Kicks will not be delayed if a player leaves the field. If the player is not back in time,
their kick is forfeited (missed).
6. Offside: The offside free kick is taken where the offside offense occurs – which may be in
their own half of the field.
7. Injured defending player off the field of play:
a. Once the defending team clears the ball out of their penalty area towards the
halfway line, the injured player is no longer considered “active” for the purposes of
offside position of the opponent.
8. A player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any
other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless
the force used was negligible.
9. A foul off the field of play, as part of normal play, will be penalized by a direct free kick on
the boundary line at the point nearest the offense or a penalty kick if in the offender’s own
penalty area.
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10. Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity:
a. When a player commits an offense against an opponent in their own penalty area
which denies the opponent an obvious goal scoring opportunity and the referee
awards a penalty kick, the offending player is cautioned unless:
i. The offense is holding, pulling or pushing = red card; or
ii. The offending player does not attempt to play the ball or there is no
possibility for the player making the challenge to play the ball = red card; or
iii. The offense is one which is punishable by red card wherever it occurs on the
field of play (e.g. serious foul play, violent conduct, etc.) = red card.
11. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves (includes corner kicks, free kicks, etc.).
12. Penalty Kick:
a. Several changes in the restart for infringements that occur during the taking of a
penalty kick:
3. Summary table
Outcome of the penalty kick
Goal
Penalty is retaken
No Goal
Indirect free kick
Encroachment
by defending player
Goal
Penalty is retaken
Offence
by goalkeeper
Goal
Penalty is retaken and
caution for goalkeeper
Ball kicked
backwards
Indirect free kick
Indirect free kick
Illegal feinting
Indirect free kick and
caution for kicker
Indirect free kick and
caution for kicker
Wrong kicker
Indirect free kick and
caution for wrong kicker
Indirect free kick and
caution for wrong kicker
Encroachment
by attacking player
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