The following rule changes have been approved by the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee and will be incorporated into the rule book for 2014-15:

Rule 3-3-2(b)2 – If the referee stops the clock for an apparent injury to a field player or goalkeeper, the field player or goalkeeper will have to leave the field.  the field player may be replaced, and the goalkeeper shall be replaced.

Rationale:  Risk minimization is one of the major tenets of NFHS sports and the rules writing process.  the committee wanted to make sure that players who were apparently injured were evaluated by a coach or an appropriate healthcare professional.  The overriding concern is the safety of all players.  Previously, the goalkeeper was not required to leave the game when the referee stopped the clock.

Rule 5-1-2 – The jurisdiction of the officials shall begin on their arrival at the field of play and its immediate surroundings (to begin their official responsibilities), which shall be not later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the game, …..

Rationale:  The jurisdiction of the officials shall begin on their arrival at the field of play and its immediate surroundings, which shall be no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.  Previously, the jurisdiction of the officials began 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.  The original intent was to establish a minimum arrival time for the officiating crew and not to place a limit on the start of the jurisdiction.  Jurisdiction now begins at the time of their arrival.