478 Responses to “Ask A Rules Question”

1. Cliff and Ken: This past weekend we had a difficult question from a coach that was not covered by the rules or ARs.

   The coach asked if a field player could exit during the 1st half or Overtime, but re-enter during the same period as a goalie?

   If the field player is allowed re-enter the game as a goalie in the 1st half or Overtime, would the goalie be able to switch with another field player and become a field player again?

   These were questions asked by a coach before the contest began, but did not become an issue during the match.

   Thanks,

   Roger Street

   • Roger: Illegal. The goalkeeper may reenter as a goalkeeper but not as a field player. The field player – on the field -who replaces the goalkeeper (who may be injured) becomes the goalkeeper of record and ONLY then may exit and return as a goalkeeper one time each period.
     NOTE: If I understand correctly, what the coaches might have been conjuring up was a nuance whereby Field Player A replaces the goalkeeper, then later exits the game only to reenter the game as a goalkeeper (allowed) after which the coach sends in a different GK substitute for Field Player A/Goalkeeper who stays in the game as field player while a different field player exits.Clever manipulation of the rule but NOT illegal. It is a scenario the Rules Committee will take a hard look at next February. It also might qualify as TRICKERY whereby the referee who sniffs it out might be well within his/her jurisdiction to disallow and not permit Field Player/GK A to reenter (except in the second period when any field player may reenter once.

     • One more part: Player X is substituted during the 1st Half/OT period. Can Player X re-enter as a goalkeeper in the 1st Half/OT?

       Thanks.

       • Roger: Not legal. The reentry rule is position-specific and applies only to the goalkeeper who begins the given period as a goalkeeper. See Rules 3.5.1 (Field Players) and 3.5.2 (Goalkeepers)

2. In a Men’s Varsity game, Coach insisted that we let his 5 year old son be a ball boy ‘directly behind’ the goal. He insisted that the rule said it is was a “recommendation” that the people be 10 years old, not a requirement. He was insistent that it was the school administration’s choice of who to select as ball people. He assured me that his son was properly trained and had done this before. His insistence was that “I was not reading the rules correctly” and he was allowed to use a 5 year old if they were trained.
   Realizing that the referee has a final approval…. (we did not allow the boy for safety)
   Q: How is the rule interpreted 1) Recommend 4 people who ARE 10 years old, or 2) Recommend 4 people. Recommend 10 years old.

   • Rule 6.5 is an administrative rule so technically, the coach can do it but must have opponent’s prior, written, mutual consent. Cannot ‘spring’ it on him/her at game time.

3. this actually took place…Player A is seen barking, snorting and clucking three times at an opponent during the first half of play in what I determine to be an unfair advantage in playing some 50/50 balls, I approach coach from team A in a quiet moment and explain that I consider player A’s behavior to be “unsporting”. Coach team A reports that player A has Tourettes. Do I still caution even though it might in fact be a medical scenario? Can I ask player A about his medical condition? What should we do about any cursing that might go along with a diagnosis of Tourettes?

   • Marc: This is a new one with no easy answer. Tim Howard, US GK – and #1 for EPL Everton – has Tourette Syndrome and takes medication for it. What we do know is the ‘subject’ – i.e. victim – should not be pressured and under no circumstances embarrassed – example cautioned or confronted…it is best to call time out, approach the coach and handle the matter gently. Most victims of the disease are aware and take medication prior to the game; however, it is possible to forget. Another successful approach has been to calmly approach the victim and ask “Is everything all right or…”are you okay…” I wish you well.

4. Attacker A breaks away with ball into the opponent’s area where he is confronted by Defender C. Defender C fairly wins the ball, although Attacker A falls to the ground. Defender C passes the ball outside the area to Defender D and then moves up the field away from the goal area. Defender D takes several dribbles up the field where he is confronted by Attacker B. Defender D attempts a long pass up the field, but Attacker B sticks a foot in and deflects the ball back towards D’s goal. Attacker A, recovered from his earlier fall, collects the ball and scores past the keeper, the only defender between him and the goal.

   Is the goal allowed or disallowed because Attacker A was offside?

   • Pursuant to R. 11.2 , this is offside and no goal. The player was in an offside position when the ball was played forward to him/ her by a teammate.

     Ken Andres
     NCAA Soccer Secretary Rules Editor

5. I have finished reviewing the new AO update on Arbiter and find some confusing info. First it refers to “Fourth Official” in places and also to a “Technical Area”. These are FIFA terms, not NCAA. It also says that subs cannot enter until exiting player is off. (See Sec. 4) Is this a new procedure? Again, it seems to be a FIFA rule. Finally, at the end of the paper it details referee responsabilites for caution and ejection, not AO duties. Please review the paper

   • Don: You are correct about the disinction between the NCAA and FIFA which behooves referees to study the NCAA rules for proper terminolgy and definition. NCAA terminology is “Alternate Official” and “Technical Area” is “Coaching and Team Areas” As for substitution entry the waiting player(s) can enter as soioin as the referee beckons – even as the departing player is exiting…which nust be at the halfway line. Need a little more input regarding your concern about caution and ejection???

     • Thanks Cliff – That’s my opinion as to when a sub may enter. The new AO ditective is in error, however, in requiring te AO to wait until the exditing player leaves the field before allowing the sub on. Such new disseminated materials need more vetting before they are released in my opinion.

       • Don: I continue to advocate that we (NISOA) needs a 1-2 day ftf task force/summit event where we – in the most positive and uplifting way – take NISOA apart piece-by-piece – and put it back together in the most seamless, workable form. There are simply too many fuzzy areas…this being one of them. Forward march!

6. In the new AO Update, it says that the AO should make sure that “non-game balls are put away”. Is this a new requirement?
   It has bugged me for years, but I don’t recall this ever being addressed in the NCAA Rule Book.
   Thanks.

   • There is no NCAA rule and/or requirement for the AO to insist non-game balls be put away. It is at the discretion if not common sense to insure such be done. What is in place – for postseason play – is a Championship site formula mandating that only sponsor balls (Wilson) be used in the games.

7. Cliff, Ken,
   FIFA just issued a change regarding tape on socks (must be same color).
   USSF has incorporated it into the current season.
   I see no mention in the NCAA 2012-2013 Rules, nor in the Rules Clarifications for 2012 (Posted 8/28/12)
   Yet I hear “talk” that says it is.
   Can you please clarify, and point us to any specific documentation.
   Thanks,
   -carl jones

   • The NCAA does not require that tape on socks must be the same color as the socks.

     Ken Andres
     NCAA Soccer Secretary Rules Editor

8. Does the the NCAA have the requirement on free kicks that the ball must be put into play using a kicking motion of the foot, rather than merely touched or rolled? USSF has such a requirement (Advice 13.5).

   Thanks.

   • Bob: I am quite sure I repled to this earlier but just in case: NCAA rules require that the ball merely be touched with the exceptions of the kickoff and penalty kick. See Rule 13 A.R. 13.2.a. – last sentence in the paragraph following the bold word: RULING

9. Looking for an official interpretation. USSF changed it’s stance on advantage applying only to fouls. Situation in a recent college game, player A comes from offside position into a pack of players, wins a header back to his teammate player B. Flag is up, but referee initially misses it, as it’s not an obvious offside situation. Player B coughs up the ball and opponents have an advantage advancing into attacking third as referee realizes the flag is up and whistle is blown. Could advantage be applied to this situation per NCAA rules?

   Per 5.4.3 – The referee shall, however, refrain from penalizing in cases in which he or she is satisfied that by doing so an advantage would be given to the offending team. When the referee observes a foul that is not to be penalized, the referee shall call out the words “play on” and signal accordingly to indicate that the foul has been acknowledged. However, if the advantage does not materialize, the referee shall then blow the whistle and award a free kick.

   I do not read this as specifying only toward fouls, as the terminology “penalize” is used throughout the NCAA rule book. Looking for a clarification. Thanks in advance.

   • Joe: To avoid confusion I’ll ‘pass’ on comments re FIFA’s stance. Your interpretation of 5.4.3 is correct and can be applied to the example you have set forth in the the first paragraph.

     • Thanks for the quick reply. Only offered the FIFA scenario since it’s clearly defined and maybe this is something that can be added to the NISOA/NFHS/USSF rules differences chart. Thank again for the clarity.

       • Joe – we will do just that. Thanks for your input. Best wishes to you.

10. I have a question regarding conflicting rules between NCAA/NAIA on one hand and NJCAA on the other. NJCAA schools play by NCAA rules with some exceptions, the most notable being unlimited reentry for substitutes. Is there an official position regarding which rules prevail when NJCAA schools play NCAA/NAIA schools?

    • NAIA has a bylaw requiring their members to play games according to NCAA rules. Two-year school games do not count as regualrly scheduled games when playing NCAA schools so they could be exhibition in nature and any rules agreed on by the coaches may apply.