478 Responses to “Ask A Rules Question”

1. First off Cliff thank you again for attending our Clinic in San Antonio in July, I really enjoyed the session! Now onto business. Question on rule 13.1. If ref stops clock for a foul and to issue a cuation can the team who was fouled restart without the ref blowing whistle? I read 13.1.1 where it states a whistle is only required for a kick off, penalty kick and when the ref indicates play to start on his whistle. I would hope that by stopping the clock for a caution the ref would indicate to the world that the restart is on his whistle but I wanted to see if he didn’t let all parties know the restart was on his whistle. If player restarts, goal is scored off of restart would goal stand if ref did not specifically indicate restart on his whistle when stopping clock and issuing caution.

   • The rule in question is addressed by Rule 13.2 and 13.2.A.R.13.2.a. and the paragraph prior to the PENALTY…and clearly states that “…as soon as the ball is in position to be played, the referee shall give a signal, which may be a whistle…” In short, the mandate IS a SIGNAL…but the current rule does not mandate that the signal be a whistle. Both Ken and I agree that a proposed rule change be made at the annual meetings which we feel will result is a clarification that requires a whistle after such stoppage.

     Cliff Mc Crath

     • according to FIFA when a penalty kick is been taking the referee MUST use the whistle to indicate the player to take the penalty kick.

2. I am not familiar with soccer at all but I have to do a project on it and I have a question about the rules of off-season training. Are there any rules about training in off season? Is there a certain amount of time they are allowed to do soccer specific training per week or anything of that nature? I have heard there are rules about preseason training as well. I would just like some clarification about theses rules.

   • Training and number of out of season games a player can participate in are covered in the NCAA or NAIA rules. You should contact the NCAA office and or the NAIA office to determine what their limitations, if any, are.
     Hope this helps.

3. My son will be entering his High School Freshman year this coming Fall. He plays soccer and receives training from a Division I player once a week and does work on speed and agility with a Division I University trainer twice a week. I pay both of these individuals a nominal fee for their services outside of hours. It has been initiated by us and purely to allow him to better progress and compete regionially on his premier soccer team as well as in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). I see nothing wrong in seeking this added assistance but was curious if there are any rules that would disallow this training. I wouldn’t want to jeopordize either the player or trainer’s status as a player or employee of the university respectively.They are not recruiting him. Is this in violation of any of the NCAA rules for soccer or any other requirement/rule for that matter? Your expeditious response is greatly appreciated.

   • Your trainer’s University will have a compliance officer on staff in their Athletic Department. You should consult with that individual.

   • William: Two answers. First, inasmuch as your son is not yet in high school most of the rules regarding “contact” do npot apply. Second, once in high school, there is no rule against and no violation with reference to paying a trainer or others as long as the relationship is not considered an illegal contact – and the person you are paying is an independent contractor as opposed to representing the school. In any event, each insttitution has a Compliance Officer responsible for approving such activities. For your peace of mind, you should contact the CO whose ruling releases you from interpreting the rules. It also places the burden on the institution where is rightfully beliongs. I hope this helps.

     Cliff

4. I have seen the video of the attack a young girl suffer at a soccer game in Carolina by another girl from the other team; then I have seen all the critics, I’ve read that she is or will be charge with felony assault and I wonder where are the leadership from that school or couching staff, that will allowed a violent misconduct act from a player on a game to become a felony assault charge. I believed that the staff should take a more stronger position in controlling the player and applying stronger santions to players, but not letting outside daily living rules to be part of a match, game, competition on any kind of sport. Is this correct?

   Comment Moderated. Link to article provided in lieu of full text.

5. I have a uniform question. I have a coach who want to know if his away uniform meets the standard.

   royal blue top, white shorts and royal blue socks

   • Paul – This should be no problem under NCAA Rule 4.

6. I was looking over the refresher test for 2012 and came upon a reference of AR5.6.1 and I can’t find that in the Rules Book, what am I missing?

   • I can see how this confused you. It is in the 2012-13 Rule Book which you have not received as of yet.

7. I have a question regarding an incorrect answer I received on the NISOA National Certification Test. Question # 47 states ” The referee allows half time to be shortened to 10 minutes by mutual consent of the coaches, however during the interval, the coach for team A requests the full 15 minutes and the referee does not grant the request. A protest may be filed and upheld “.

   Since Rule 7.2 clearly allows for the adjustment of the half time interval I wonder what the rationale is that would allow a protest to be upheld ?? I know it can be protested, but cannot understand on what grounds it would be upheld…I look forward the hearing from you on this…….

   • Per the secretary rules editor once the agreement is made it can not be changed unless both parties agree

8. I can’t seem to find the policy on a Referee being injured before the season, and “Going inactive” for a year, thus being able to use all the money spent on dues, etc….to be applied to the following year?? Is there a policy in place? Thx. Dave

   • For 2012 you can go inactive which is $40. The balance of your National dues would be refunded. You can then register for 2013 without any problems.

9. Ken,

   At this weekends NISOA National Referee clinic in Jacksonville, we discussed Rule 12.6.1.1, “a player , coach, or bench personnel shall be ejected if he or she is guilty of fighting or leaves the coaching area to participate in an altercation.” Specifically, the rule here uses the verb “participate” without further clarification as to if that participation is in restoring order or escallating the altercation. Therefore any participation requires EJECTION.

   Further clarification to this is Rule 12.6.1.2 in which a “coach” or “team representative” may leave the team area in an attempt to restore order. Unfortunately, Rule 3.2 does not further define “team representative” as inclusive or exclusive of players, but it appears to classify rostered individuals as either (1) players, (2) coaches, or (3) other bench personnel.
   Generally speaking, I imagine “other bench personnel” could be trainers, managers, statisticians, assistant coaches, athletic directors, and administrators. And, I assume these “other bench personnel” (Rule 3.2) are the same individuals considered “team representatives” in Rule 12.6.1.1 and 12.6.1.2.

   So the clarification requested is, if PLAYERS listed on the official NCAA game roster leave the coaching area to “partipicate” in an altercation are they required to be ejected or does the referee have the further responsibility to determine if those players were attempting to restore order – in which no misconduct has occured.

   I certainly would appreaciate any assistance in restoring order during an altercation; however, my concern with the possible interpretation is that if player are permitted to help restore order, that could easily become an encouragement for student-athletes of both teams to leave the coaching area during an altercation, and then the referee crew would be responsibile for determining the intent and actions of upwards of 60 persons during an altercation. Certainly altercations are easier for referees to manage with fewer individuals participating.

   My recommendation is that 12.6.1.2 be clarified to include “coaches” and “other bench personnel,” but, specifically exclue “players.” Your consideration and clarification is greatly appreciated.

   Thanks and PLAY ON!

   Paul Fulks

10. The NCAA rule book states that rule 4 says that face masks are not permitted and it is restated in the comparisons between USSF laws and High School rules, “face masks not permitted”. The real question is, “are the molded medical face protectors considered face masks?” Please clarify if a player can ever wear a face mask/protector in a NCAA soccer match.

    Thank you,

    Michael Rennick
    Eastern New York NISOA

    • From: Ken Andres, NCAA SRE:

      There is no blanket prohibition against wearing a molded medical face protector.

      R.4.5.1 prohibits the wearing of any article which is “dangerous.” This a determination which must be made by the referee on a case-by-case basis.