RULES INTERPRETATIONS AND POINTS OF EMPHASIS 2023

Referees must attend carefully to three recent NFHS rules changes concerning hair control devices and adornments worn increasingly by players. First, metal charms and other metal pieces may not be worn in the hair of a player. Those pieces are to be treated as jewelry. Secondly, plastic beads may be worn, but must be secured to the head. That is, beaded braids that move are considered to be unsafe to the player and other players. Similarly, beaded braids that are tucked into a jersey are deemed to be unsafe. If a player is observed during pre-game activity with unsecured plastic beads in his or her hair, the issue should be addressed with the coach of the player. If a player is observed to be wearing a head covering, the referee is obligated to ask the coach of the player, if the player is wearing jewelry under the head covering. Any jewelry or metal object, like a metal hairpin, under the covering must be removed. If secured hair adornments become losse during play, a referee may proceed in one of two ways, depending upon the circumstances. If the loosened adornments are dangerous to any player, the referee should stop play, immediately, direct the player to depart, beckon a substitute, and restart play with a dropped ball to the team who enjoyed possession when play was halted. If the loosened beads are not dangerous, wait until play ceases and, then, direct the player to either address the problem or leave the field. The restart should be that which results from the natural cessation of play. Thirdly, bandanas may be worn. Relatedly, any protective face covering must be molded to the face and may not protrude unnaturally. Also, a player must have a letter from a health care professional that states the player needs the protection of the face covering. In addition, the MIAA encourages the enforcement of sporting conduct rules. The MIAA has increased the number of cards that a team may be assessed and, still, qualify for MIAA tournament play from 13 to 15 because the MIAA wishes referees to enforce sporting conduct rules. Significantly, vulgar and profane language should be cautioned. Also, time wasting methods, like frequent substitutions or delayed release of the ball by the keeper, when leading near the end of a match should be penalized formally after verbal warnings have been issued. Finally, the MISOA encourages all officials to behave professionally at all times. The crews should conduct a pre-game conference before every match. Referees should not engage with spectators in any way. Rather, the referees should engage the site administrator or coach of the home team to address problems with spectators. Thirdly, the pre-game conference with the captains should emphsize that good sportsmanship is expected at all times. Finally, the game report should be completed before leaving the field. Three significant rules changes will be observed during the 2023 season. All of these changes reflect recent changes to FIFA Laws. First, if the ball strikes the arm of a player, who, then, immediately shoots or moves to score without challenge, the player shall be penalized for handling. This change represents observation of the spirit of the game, which includes the norm that a player or team shall not gain a significant advantage when the ball touches the arm or hand of a player. Secondly, a player who denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity by fouling during an attempt to play the ball shall be cautioned, rather than sent off. That is, a player who attempts to tackle an opponent with an obvious goal scoring chance shall be cautioned. A defender who holds or pushes an opponent with an obvious goal scoring opportunity shall be sent off. Thirdly, offsides shall be nullified, if a defender has an opportunity to control the ball and touches the ball between the last touch by an attacking player and a touch by an attacking teammate in an offside position. Previously, offsides was negated, if a defender deliberately touched a pass to a player in an offsides position. Now, a defender must deliberately touch the ball and have a chance to control the ball to nullify offsides.

RULES DIFFERENCES

ISSUE NFHS NCAA IFABField Acceptability Before Kick-off, the home team The Referee determines the The Referee determines the decides playability; after kick- acceptability of the field at all times playability of the field off, the referee determines if the field is playable
Team Rosters Must be presented to Referee Must be presented to Referee, Names of substitutes must be five minutes before kick-off Scorekeeper, or opposing Coach given to Referee before kick-off 15 minutes before kick-off
Start of play Coin toss winner chooses to Coin toss winner chooses to Coin toss winner chooses a kick off or to defend a goal kick off or defend a goal goal to attack
Official Time Keeper Home team keeps time; time is Home team clock is the official Referee keeps the official time kept by the Referee only by time; Referee is reserve time- agreement of both coaches keeper
Stoppages of Time Goals, penalty kicks, cards, Goals, penalty kicks, cards, Referee adds time at his injuries, and at discretion of the injuries, substitutions by leading discretion for serious injuries, the Referee team in last 5 minutes wastage, and discussions
Official Game One half must be completed 70 minutes must played Full time must be played
Substitutions Unlimited by either side at goal Unlimited by either side at goal Unlimited by either side at goal kicks and after goals and kicks and after goals and kicks and after goals and injuries; team in possession injuries; team in possession injuries; throwing team may may sub at throw-ins or corner may sub at throw-ins or corner substitute kicks; defense may substitute, kicks; defense may substitute, if offense does if the offense does
Reentry Players may return, unless they No reentry during first half and Replaced player may not have received a red card one reentry in the second half return Cautioned Coach Coach of bench personnel may Coach may be cautioned for the Coach and bench personnel may be cautioned 2nd infraction of coaching out of not be cautioned, but can be technical area sent off Cautioned Player Cautioned player must be Cautioned player may remain in Cautioned player shall remain replaced until next substitution or leave at the discretion of his in the game coach Technical Area 20 Yards long and 10 yards from 20 yards long and 10 yards from No standard area, but should the midfield line; coach who midfield; coach who leaves the be marked leaves this area should be area shall be warned verbally cautioned and, then, cautioned. Throw-in: Defensive team is awarded a throw Defensive team is awarded a throw The offensive team throws againBall never enters Throw-in: Defenders must be two yards from Defenders may not interfere Defenders must be at least twoDefenders the thrower and may not interfere meters from the thrower Injury If a coach or trainer is beckoned, the If a coach or trainer is beckoned, the An injured player may remain in injured player must leave the game injured player must leave, except if the the game after receiving medical player is a goalkeeper attention
Restart Uncontested dropped ball Dropped ball Dropped ball after injury at the place of the ball when played ceased
Restart Ball cannot be moved after placed Ball can be moved after placement, Ball can be moved after placement,for goal kicks unless time is wasted unless time is wasted