478 Responses to “Ask A Rules Question”

1. Guys, here is a question from one of the college admins that wants to hire a company that will film their practice to start with and with intent of doing real games in the future using remote controlled drones:

   ” I have a question to ask you about Soccer rules. This question may sound crazy, but it is true.

   Our Men’s Soccer team has purchased a drone. It is a small remote control flying machine about 12″ by 12″ and has 4 small propellers. The propellers are each about 3-4 inches long. They plan to fly it over the field during practice to take video tape of practice. The overhead angle and quality of the video really is quite remarkable. From the side of the field, one of the coaches or a manager will operate the remote control unit and keep the drone over the field while it is video taping. I would imagine most of the time the drone is over the field it will be hovering.

   They would like to use the drone to video tape their games. Do you know of any rules and/or guidelines they need to follow for the use of drones during games? If none exist, can you think of any guidelines I can tell our coaches? minimum height above the field etc.

   Have you ever heard of any other NCAA school using a drone to film with? ”

   Please advise so I can get back to this admin ASAP with some advise on this new technology which is coming sooner than I expected.

   SCSOA Rep — Stan Kupinski

   • Stan,
     This issue has been raised to the NCAA and will be addressed by the NCAA Secretary / Rules editor. When the ruling is issued, NISOA will post it on its web site.
     Todd Abraham
     NISOA Rules Interpreter

   • From the NCAA Soccer Central Hub: “The NCAA Soccer Rules Committee has ruled that drones may not be used to monitor or record intercollegiate soccer games, as they are not considered to be the type of “electronic device” contemplated by Rule 12.14.2, which permits enhanced communication between members of the on-site coaching staff.”

2. Is NISOA adhering to the new USSF/FIFA 2013-14 interpretations of the offside law? The Comparative Study of Rules and Laws indicates there are no differences but others I have talked with do not believe NISOA has addressed these new interpretations.

   • Fred,
     Thanks for your question. NISOA is aligned with the USSF/FIFA 2013-14 interpretations of offside. The comparative study correctly indicates no differences in application or interpretation.
     Todd Abraham
     NISOA Rules Interpreter

     • Thanks Todd for your response. My general impression from discussing this matter with NISOA referees is there remains some debate over whether or not the NCAA offside interpretations are consistent witht the USSF/FIFA interpretations. Possible this could be addressed in a brief memo to NISOA referees. Have the NCAA coaches been informed that this is how offside will be interpreted in their games from now on?

       • Fred, I appreciate your perspective, however, I do NOT believe we need to make a public statement. All ofour instruction and documents indicate there is no difference – nothing further should be needed. I happy to discuss further, if you’d like. If so, please contact me directly.
         Todd Abraham
         [email protected]

       • From the NCAA Soccer Central Hub: “Although there are differences in verbiage, these [NCAA Soccer Rules] definitions are consistent with FIFA Circular No. 1362 issued June 2013.”

3. confused…When i stop the clock for an injured player (so i may assess the injury), does that player need to come off the field or may they stay if no trainer was needed?
   I know that if the trainer is beckened the player goes off.

   Thanks

   • Bob J: The injured player does NOT have to leave the field unless the trainer is beckoned. No trainer no departure. See Rule 5.6.7.1. Exceptions: Bleeding injuries or signs of concussion. (See Rule 5.6.7.2)

     • To take this situation one step further, what if the trainer enters the field without being beckoned? I know this is not supposed to happen but many games do not have an Alternate Official and a trainer or Staff person my enter the field when the clock is stopped. Is this a defacto signal that the player must now leave the field? It would seem that the action by the “bench” would indicate treatment deemed necessary. If the player does NOT leave the field it could cause problems with the other coach.

       • Wayne: Soccer is one of the few sports where the trainer is not supposed to enter the field of play until beckoned by the referee; however, with player safety enjoying a much higher priority as a result of the rise in litigious actions – and increased liability for those managing the game – I suggest the referee use discretion and err on the side of caution if the trainer enters without approval. He/she can always provide rationale to an opposing coach explaining that the player might not have to leave because the trainer “broke the rule”. A side note: The Rules Committee will be producing the next two-year book (2016-17) next January which I am sure will include serious study of Rule 5.6.7.2

4. This is a first in my experience. While assessing a college match, I noticed that one of the substitutes on the bench was smoking a cigar. After the match, I suggested to the AR that he occasionally glance at the bench behind him. In any event Rule 12.1.2 states that the player should be “disqualified” as opposed to the term “ejected” used elsewhere in the Rules. It is not listed as a 12.3 Ejection reason. My question is, if the AR noticed this infraction and called it to the attention of the referee, should the referee issue a red card or merely verbally instruct the player to leave, and secondly, should an ejection report be filed?

   • Don: This rule is system-wide applicable to all sports. When the NCAA executive committee handed down the ruling the word disqualification – used in other sports – was all inclusive presupposing removal from competition. In soccer’s case that means a red card and removal of the player(s) from the site of competition (Rule 5.6.4). With reference to further action re the student athlete(s), the referee should follow the procedures set forth in Rule 12.3; what happens next is up to the institution.

     • A shot taken on goal is blocked and controlled by a defending player inside his own team’s penalty area. The defending player then starts to dribble the ball, having full control of it. Before the defender dribbles the ball out of the penalty area, he stops and the goalkeeper comes over and picks up the ball from his teammate.

       I’ve read A.R. 12.10.3.a in NCAA rulebook.

       Is this OK?

       • Mike: This is a fuzzy one inasmuch as none of the three ‘conditions’ set forth in Rule 12.10.3 occurred. For example, based on your description, trickery does not seem to be involved and it is obvious the field player and goalkeeper did not violate A.R.12.10.3.a.and b. However, the field player did STOP – inadvertently or on purpose – which allowed the goalkeeper to pick up the ball. What your description does not include is whether there was a challenge by the opposing team which led to the field player’s decision to stop. In the end, it is a judgment call for which the referee probably would not be held culpable whether he allowed play to continue or applied the penalty either to the field player (12.10.3) or goalkeeper (A.R.12.10.3.a.) If the referee judged a penalty should be assessed my sentiment would be to apply the penalty in A.R.12.10.3.b…i.e. indirect kick to the opposing team. Note: I will forward to Ken Andres a recommendation that the Rules committee clean this one up for the 2016-17 rules changes.

5. I am looking for any information regarding an understanding or ruling on a player with a cast on their arm and if they would be allowed to play soccer, would it matter which arm or how large the cast is? Say a full length cast from above the elbow versus a half cast just above the wrist. would they be allowed to play if the cast was covered with a soft cover? I know this is a college rules forum, however my question is concerning Florida High School Soccer rules. I have been unable to find any guidance to cover this question.

   Thanks for you reply

   • Don: Players wearing casts or playing with prostheses is permissible set forth in Rules 4.5.3 and 4.5.5 of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules. The critical issue – to be determined by the referee BEFORE each game – is whether the padding is adequate to ensure injury to that player or others will not occur. For specific ruling re High School play please contact Mark Koski at [email protected] or 317-822-5716

6. Mr. McCrath,
   I have question about time management and the duration of a match. Why doesn’t NCAA soccer matches last 90 minute(2 – 45 min halves) as dictated by FIFA, it seems to me that in the past games I have attended both as a former player and as a bystander the official time is kept on a clock rather than allowing the referee to decide on the lost time during each period, especially allowing the NCAA to allow a 10 second countdown, as we both know this rule needs to be adjusted.
   FIFA or FA rules regarding duration of a match:
   An allowance is made in either period for the time lost through the following and there’s plenty of these infractions:
   • Substitutions
   • The assessment of players’ injuries
   • The removal of the injured player from the field of play for treatment
   • Time-wasting
   • When the play is stopped for different reasons/any other cause

   Additional time should be dictated from the field and not by a clock which is not the case at the collegiate level.
   Looking forward to hearing your answer and as always thanks Nubs

   • iPhone battery on deep red – I will respond when I get to my computer

   • Michael: The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Committee, reconstituted from the previous, longstanding subcommittee of the Men’s Championship Committee, reconfirmed rules that were created – largely – to help promote the college game. In addition, media sources continued to press for timekeeping that would help them program more closely the end of game issues. Stopping the clock at predetermined junctures augmented time management while eliminating the guesswork many times associated with the referee acting as timekeeper.

7. In the 11/7/2014 NCAA Postseason Rules Refresher, question 6 appears to be lifted from the “2013 Rules Examination – Top 10 missed questions,” question 2. Yet the answers directly contradict each other. I believe that the defining difference would be if time is kept on the field by the Referee, opposed to a time keeper and time keeping device. This situation arose recently in our pool where the Timing device failed to sound and the ball entered the net before the center blew his whistle. For his sanity and mine, can you please clarify these two differing answers.

   • Kylan: Todd Abraham, NISOA’s President, is also Director of Instruction and curator of the Refresher Test. He is the one to answer your questions.

   • Kylan,
     This was a Rules change for the 2014 season which is why we included it on the post season refresher test. Prior to the 2014 change, the period ended when the referee blew his / her whistle if the horn malfunctioned. THe 2014 rule change now ends the period when the clock indicates.
     Todd Abraham

8. Can a MACC Championship final be officiated by officials from the same state as one of the teams is from, when two teams are from different states, or should it be someone impartial? Please advise

   • Kathy: Your questions have merit; however, oversight for postseason assignments are made in concert with conference commissioners, assignors and/or association (example NCAA, NAIA, et al) championship committees. They are the ones to respond to your questions. Hope this helps.

9. I ref High School Soccer and am So Confused On White home Uniform and White Socks. Reading Comparison That was Prepared by NISOA, it Doesn’t Define That as NFHS Rules Do? Example, My Understanding Was Socks Must be All White with a Logo ok, However Several of us went and Watched Games to view Ref’s Style Handling and learn in 2 adjoining States to mine( Tennessee) and the Home Team in All 6 Games I watched ( 3) each Had 2 Stripes of another Color at The Top of The Sock. Tn Association said No Stripe was Interpretation of NFHS Rule , The Refs in The Two other States ALL said , Stripes ok at Top of White Socks??
   Second Issue was All White Jerseys . 99% of All White Jerseys Have White a Shade Darker or lighter For Emphasis. It Is Still all White and Allowed in Other Two States Tennessee Assoc says All White is All White in one White Color? In Other Two States , Two Teams Had All White Jerseys But One Was Small Squares All Over The Jersey So Every other had a Sheen and Every other flat White. The Other All White Jersey Had White Sublimation Of Mascot in Chest , It Was AllWhite and You Had To Look close But Mascot was Sublimated in White So That You Had To be Real Close or Light Just Right to See. All The White Jerseys I saw in 6 games Had Some Type Of emphasis in Them in White but a Shade Darker or lighter. All Refs Said Every Jersey were Good as They were All White and Sublimation or Emphasis Ok as They Were All White? I am Confused as Tenn Assoc Says Different on Jerseys and Socks. Also , Team that Had Mascot in Sublimation on White says He has it in His Away Red Jersey too, It’s Red, In Material , Not Applied , in original Material So it is Not a Patch or a Emblem but Built in material? Reading Your Comparison With NFHS , NCAA, and FIFA , I’d Agree. But, Reading NFHS and what State assoc Says NFHS is Completely Different to me in Your Rule Comparison , Other States, Tennessee Assoc. Boys Soccer here Starts Soon , What am I To Allow? How Can thereBe So Many Opinions of Rules. I know this is a Book , But our Whole local Ref association is Interested In Each Question Above. Can You PLEASE ADDRESS EACH ONE, It would Greatly Help us ALL!!! Fred Brown

   • First let me state that the state association usually responds to rule questions. Thereafter the final authority is Mark Koski at [email protected]. I can only give you my unofficial take on your questions.
     Rule 4, Sec. 1, Art. 1 is very clear. The home team shall wear solid white jerseys and socks. Note the word SOLID. Multi-tone white shirts would not be allowed, nor would any striping on the socks be permitted. A manufacturer’s logo is permitted on the outside of each uniform item within certain specified size limitations. It is possible for a state to request an exemption for reason to the NFHS rfegarding uniforms, but approval is rare. I can find nothing regarding an exemption in Tennessee. They would appear to be in violation. I certainly suggest that youi go through your state association for a rulling and possibly copy Mark Koski who is ther NFHS Rules editor.

10. Please let me know if there is a MAX Roster size for Varsity Girls soccer in Delaware. If so, what is the number?

    • Ed: There are no roster limits established for teams by states such as Delaware. There are roster limits for postseason play established by the NCAA and other governing bodies which can be found in championship manuals. In addition, each school (and some conferences) individually, has the option to establish roster limits within each sport they sponsor which means you will have to check each program on your own. At the same time, such matters should not be of concern to the referee with reference to games in the regular season; they’re the responsibility of the Governing Sports Authority (GSA).