The NCAA’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Committee and the Playing Rules Oversight Panel have approved several rules changes for the 2020 and 2021 NCAA college soccer season. Several rules have been modified to align with the IFAB Laws of the Game as well and modifying existing rules. Major changes include:
- Video Review modifications,
- Clarifying situations were protests will be allowable,
- Redefining the definition of fighting and violent behavior.
Full text of the Rules Change Summary is available for viewing and downloading here. Expect revised rules books to be available this summer.
Looks like the only NCAA rule for “Hand Ball” that changed was if you get one of the 3 big things after an accidental touch of ball to hand.
(1) scores in the opponents’ goal; (2) creates a goal-scoring opportunity; or (3) scoresin the opponents’ goal directly from their hand or arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper
None of the other items have been included,
” if a defender plays the ball fairly and the ball hits them in the hand which perhaps is not in a normal position. Also not included is when a player falls and the hand is between the body and the ground to support the body (but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body.”
On the face of this we should be ignoring the rest of the IFAB rule changes.
Your comments?
The NCAA language is not finalized. Please wait until the Rules book is published before dissecting the nuances of the Rules. These considerations will be dealt with during the pre-season rules meetings that NISOA will conduct for all of its members.
Thanks,
Todd