2006-07 Comments on the Rules

4-1-1: Over the past five years, attempts to clarify the coverage, placement and size of shinguards on players within the text of the rule has fallen short. Beginning with the Fall 2007 soccer season, players will be permitted to wear only shinguards that meet the National Operating Committee for the Safety of Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) specifications. Shinguards that meet the standard will have a permanent seal or mark visible on the front of the equipment. Each manufacturer whose shinguards meets the standard will be required to indicate the height of the player that would be permitted to wear that specific equipment. Coaches should be certain that every player has shinguards with the NOCSAE seal and that the player meets the height requirement posted by the manufacturer on the equipment. During the pre-game inspection, officials need only ask the coaches if their players are legally and properly equipped according to NFHS Soccer Rules.

4-1-1f: The new rule clarifies that compression shorts or garments under the short are no longer required to be the same basic color of the uniform. As long as the undergarments are of a solid color and all are alike, they are legal. It is difficult to purchase this type of undergarment in colors other than black and white. Officials on the committee did not feel that undergarments that were a different color than the uniform would be a problem.

4-1-1g: This change prevents a manufacturer from adding to the uniform any verbiage or mark other than the logo/trademark. Such things as the line of apparel or words to describe a manufacturer's theme would not be permitted. This clarifies that only one logo/trademark may appear on each piece of the uniform.

4-2-8 New: Prior to this rule, face protection of any kind was declared illegal. Manufacturers have now developed protection for the face that is safe to the player wearing it and to other players. The committee is concerned that players would play without protection, putting them at serious risk. This new rule allows players to play as long as they have a medical release from a physician (MD/DO). Officials still have the authority to declare any equipment illegal if it is dangerous or confusing.

5-1-2: Officials are often confronted by coaches, players and spectators prior to contest. This rule change permits officials to caution or disqualify coaches and players 15 minutes prior to the start of play. After the game is over, jurisdiction continues until they leave the immediate surroundings of the site. Once the officials leave the immediate surroundings, they should not caution or disqualify coaches or players but instead, should file a written report with the proper authorities. In the sport of soccer, it is imperative that officials exit the immediate surroundings as soon as possible without delay. Delaying one's exit may provide coaches, players, and spectators the opportunity for inappropriate contact with officials.