Chapter Rules Interpreter's Page - Gerry Blase, Rules Interpreter

2010 NFHS SOCCER RULES CHANGES

3-3-1c (new): Time for Substitutions: either team may substitute an unlimited numbers of players from the bench, between periods, when a goal is scored or when a player is injured and removed from the field.

3-3-1c3: Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional. (Please see NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion).

4-1-1b: Beginning with the 2012 fall season, the home team shall wear solid white jerseys and solid white socks, and the visiting team shall wear dark jerseys and socks. Prior to and during the game, jerseys shall be tucked into the shorts, unless manufactured to be worn outside.

4-1-1i1: Beginning with the 2012 fall season, all jerseys shall be numbered on the back with a different Arabic number at least 6 inches in height and on the front (jersey or shorts) with the same number which shall be at least 4 inches in height. Numbers shall be of contrasting color to the jersey (or shorts) and clearly visible.

4-1-1i2: Only those names, patches, emblems, logos or insignias referencing the school are permitted on the team uniform, except as in 4-1-1 (d), (f) and (g). The player's name may also appear on the team uniform.

4-2-1c: Hard and unyielding items (guards, casts, braces, etc.) on the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm or shoulder unless covered, and must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than ½-inch thick.

4-2-5: Artificial limbs, which in the judgment of the state high school association are no more dangerous to players than the corresponding human limb and do not place an opponent at a disadvantage, may be permitted. Upper limb prostheses and above-knee leg prostheses are discouraged. Hinges shall be lateral and covered by suitable material. All permissible artificial limbs must be padded with a closedcell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than ½-inch thick.

5-3-2i (new): Instruct the timer to correct the clock, when necessary.

15-1-3: While a throw-in is being taken, an opponent shall neither interfere with, nor in any way impede, the actions of the thrower, and shall stand at least two yards from the point at which the throw-in is being taken. PENALTY: An official shall administer a caution for unsporting conduct.

18-1-1v (new): MISCONDUCT – Any of the actions by players, substitutes and bench personnel that results in yellow and/or red cards being issued.

Major Editorial Changes

Rule 1-1-1: The following minimum dimensions are highly recommended: High Schools - 110 yards by 65 yards; Junior High Schools - 100 yards by 55 yards.

3-1-1 Situation B: RULING: In (a), the goal is disallowed and the game is restarted with a goal kick by team B. However, in (b), the goal would stand.

In both instances, the appropriate player would be removed from the game and cautioned. The game is resumed according to how it was interrupted.

3-1-3 Situation B: RULING: Legal. Players can be added as long as their names have been listed on the roster, even if the names are added after the beginning of the game (3-3-7).

3-5 Situation A: RULING: Incorrect. When a referee beckoned the goalkeeper from the scoring table, this was sufficient “reporting or notifying” of a referee. The goalkeeper is dressed in a different uniform and could be recognized by his attire. A referee should not have stopped play. Play shall restart with an indirect free kick awarded to the new goalkeeper’s team.

4-1-1 Diagram: Change term ILLEGAL to IMPROPER

4-1-1, a, b, c, d, i, i3, Situation C and F: Change term stockings to socks

4-2-1f: Knee and ankle braces which are altered from the manufacturer’s original design/production. Knee and ankle braces that are unaltered, do not require any additional padding. Ankle braces may be worn outside a stocking;

5-1-3c: Predominantly black shoes and black socks with white stripes

5-3-1b: The referee also must signal when the clock is to be stopped and confirm for the scorekeeper the players to be credited with goals;

5-3-1g: Signal the clock to be stopped or started;

7-4-1: The clock shall be stopped for an injury, for a penalty kick, for cautioning (yellow card), for disqualifications (red card, yellow/red card), following the scoring of a goal and when a referee orders the clock be stopped.

12-8-3d: Committing serious foul play, that is any play in which the player commits one of the offenses punishable with a direct free kick (or penalty kick if the offense takes place by a defender in the penalty area) and uses disproportionate and unnecessary force against an opponent while playing for the ball. Serious foul play also includes the following:

12-8-3 Situation D: RULING: The referee should apply the advantage to Team A. At the next stoppage, the referee should disqualify the trainer. If the referee stops play for the disqualified trainer, the game is restarted because of misconduct with an indirect free kick by Team A from the point where the ball was when the time was stopped.

13-1-2: All free kicks, with the exception of kickoffs and penalty kicks, may be taken in any direction. Free kicks are taken from the spot of the foul except for restarts following certain temporary suspensions of play, e.g., misconduct committed by bench personnel during a live ball and fouls committed in the goal area by either team.

13-2-2l: If the game is stopped for misconduct of a player and no other restart takes recedence. (12-8-1, 2, 3, 4);

14-1 Play Rulings: PENALTY KICK SITUATIONS:

(14-1-2 and 14-1-3) **Move table below 14-1-3 Penalty

14-1-2, Table: Saved & Held by Goalkeeper: Play Continues:

Play continues: Rekick: Rekick

18-1-1m: FOUL - A rule infraction by a player on the field of play during play, for which free kick is awarded to the player’s opponents.

Sample Tournament Progression: Sample Tie-Breaking Procedure

Sample Tournament Progression: #7. Unless participating in the kicks as a kicker or goalkeeper, team members, coaches and other bench personnel shall remain in a designated area as determined by the state association.

Dual-Officiating System, Pregame Conference:

The head referee is responsible for conducting the conference and is responsible for the overall management of the game. The head referee conducts the pregame instructions with the timer, scorer, coaches, ball holders and team captains, and also handles the coin toss.

Double-Dual System (DDS): A reserve official may be assigned to a tournament in order to assure game officiating continuity in the event one of the assigned officials is unable to officiate as assigned.

Rules Comparison: The 2010-11 rules book contains an updated comparison of the major differences among NFHS and NCAA rules and FIFA laws.

PLAY RULINGS:

The situations contained in this book have been developed from the actual questions which have been raised in administering the many thousands of interscholastic soccer games each year. The situations have been arranged by rule number.

New or revised situations are preceded by an asterisk (*). All interpretations have the approval of the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee, which consists of coaches, officials and athletic administrators active on the high school level. Each ruling has been given careful study and is intended to provide for fair, easily administered competition.

If there is need for additional interpretations, they may be received by contacting your state high school association. In case of doubt, the state association shall receive a ruling from the NFHS office.

NOTE: PIAA does not provide for use of the diagonal officials system.

1) Concussion Management - The NFHS has been at the forefront of national sports organizations in emphasizing the importance of concussion education, recognition and proper management for the past several years. In 2008, the NFHS Sports Medicine advisory Committee (SMAC) advocated that a concussed athlete be removed from play and not allowed to return to play on that same day. To highlight the continuing importance of this issue, the NFHS SMAC and each sport’s rules committee has taken the unprecedented step of including Concussion Recognition and Management as a point of emphasis in each NFHS sport rules book for the 2010-11 year.

The position of the NFHS SMAC is that no athlete should return to play or practice on that same day after suffering a concussion. Studies have shown medical professionals that the school-aged brain does not recover quickly enough for a high school athlete to return to activity in such a short time. No athlete should return-to-sport or other at-risk participation when symptoms of concussion are present and recovery is ongoing. Please see the “NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports” at www.nfhs.org for further information.

(See page 107)

2) Ankle and Knee Braces - A player may wear an ankle or knee brace that has not been altered without padding or in the case of a knee brace, without a sleeve. An ankle brace may be worn over the sock.

3) NFHS Code of Ethics - Coaches and officials should read the NFHS Code of Ethics and incorporate them into their game preparations. (See pages 111-112)

4) NFHS Soccer Signals - Officials in the course of enforcing the rules of play need to properly and consistently use the updated NFHS Official Soccer Signals.

(See page 104)

5) Online Education - The NFHS Web site (www.nfhs.org) offers coaches online educational opportunities. These include rule changes, situational videos, tactical and technical instructions, and management skills.

6) Team Areas - The team areas shall be marked by a solid line at least 10 feet from the touchline and extend 10 yards on each side of the halfway line, for a distance of 20 yards. When placed on opposite sides, each team area shall be placed diagonally across from each other, 10 feet from the touchline. This is a recommendation in games under PIAA jusrisdiction.

7) Throw-in Encroachment - Opponents shall stand at least two yards from the point at which the throw-in is being taken. They shall neither interfere with, nor in any way impede, the actions of the thrower. This change was made to help speed up the game by getting the ball back into play as quickly as possible without interference.

Note: A doctors excuse is no longer required for any player wearing a brace or cast.

COMMENTS ON THE RULES

3-3-1C (new): An addition was made to this rule to provide for both teams to substitute an unlimited number of players from the bench when a player is injured and removed from the field.

3-3-1c3: An addition to this rule was made to further clarify that any player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional. (Please see NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion).

4-1-1b: This rule was changed to require the home team to wear solid white jerseys and socks, to better differentiate between the visiting team, who is required to wear jerseys and socks that are dark. This rule change will be enforced beginning with the fall 2012 season.

4-1-1i1: This rule now requires all goalkeepers to have a number on the back of their jersey and the front of their jersey or shorts that is different than any other number used by the other players on the team. This rule change will be enforced beginning with the fall 2012 season.

4-1-1i2: This rule addition allows only those names, patches, emblems, logos or insignias referencing the school to be permitted on the team uniform.

(g). The player’s name may also appear on the team uniform. This rule will be enforced beginning with the fall of 2010.

4-2-1c: This rule requires that all hard and unyielding items such as guards, casts, braces, etc. on the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm or shoulder must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than 1/2-inch thick.

4-2-5: This rule required that all permissible artificial limbs must be padded with a closed-cell, slow recovery foam padding no less than 1/2-inch thick.

5-3-2i (new): This rule further clarifies that the referee has the authority to correct the clock when an error is detected.

15-1-3: This addition to this rule requires the opposition to stand at least two yards from the point at which the throw-in is being taken.

18-1-1: This addition to this rule provides a definition for misconduct, where previously, a definition was not provided.

PIAA ADOPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

Adopt the 2010-2011 NFHS Soccer Rules Book.

Although NFHS has authorized different officials signals, PIAA will continue to use the 2009-2010 signal chart (see page 14).

Defined appropriate health care professional as licensed physician or osteopathic medicine (MD/DO).

Experiment with Rule 12-8-1 PENALTY, to provide for a 5-minute playing time sit out following the issuance of a yellow card to a player, with the opportunity for that player’s Team to substitute for that player. A cautioned player may return to the field as a substitute, following the 5-minute playing time sit out period.

Modify Rule 5-1-1, to use either a head referee and a referee or a center referee and two side referees.

Modify Rule 5-1-1 NOTE, to use either the dual or the double-dual officiating system.

Adopt Rule 7-1-1, length of periods, play two equal halves of forty minutes at the senior high school level (varsity and junior varsity) of competition.

Adopt Rule 7-1-3, If less than one-half of the Contest has been played, restart from the suspension of play.

Adopt Rule 7-3-1, Tie Contests, as follows:

Senior high school varsity soccer Regular Season Contests which are tied at the end of eighty minutes of play shall be resolved by playing no more than two "sudden victory" overtime periods not to exceed ten minutes each.

Modify the Sample Tournament Progression

For senior high school varsity soccer Regular Season Tournaments and Postseason Contests, as set forth in the NFHS Soccer Rules Book, to provide for no more than two "sudden victory" overtime periods not to exceed fifteen minutes each. If the score remains tied, proceed to the penalty kick procedure.

At the expense of taking journalistic liberty with acronyms, PIAA PRIDE is a moniker for PIAA Referees In-service (training) Develops Excellence. This message grasps the concept and reality of training of officials at the local chapter level. Unlike many states, PIAA sports’ officials chapters must adhere to the minimum standard of six seasonal in-service sessions and one mandatory rules interpretation meeting.

This formula assisted by lesson plans for chapter rules interpreters, preseason rules interpretation bulletins, during season NFHS and PIAA rules interpretations allows for training at the local association level to be thorough and comprehensive. This structure allows all registered officials to receive continuing education as part of their registration as a PIAA sports’official.

For all of this to be successful, chapter officers, in leadership positions, as well as the rank and file sports’ officials only need to follow ten two letter words; IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME. The combination of experiences with continued officiating education is a great recipe for success.

All PIAA member schools shall enter into either paper or electronic contracts on the official contract form entitled “Contract for Officials Under PIAA Rules” with all registered sports officials retained by the schools or assigned by an assignor. Registered sports officials are independent contractors and therefore, are NOT employees of PIAA, the school, or the assignor. Disputes arising from oral agreements will not be considered by PIAA.

PIAA By-Laws, Article XV; Section 3

Requirement of Written Contract:

If a PIAA member school violates or cancels a contract with an official, the District Committee or the Board of Directors, in their respective jurisdictions, may require a school so violating or so canceling to pay to the offended official the fee or fees for the Contest or Contests which have been provided in the official contract.

Failure of a PIAA member school to live up to the terms of the contract shall be considered a violation of the Constitution and By-Laws of PIAA.

Comment: It has been brought to our attention on numerous occasions that officials have lost assignments or games because a school or assignor has “double booked” the contest. Officials are reminded that unless there is a written contract executed between the parties, they have no claim to any type of reimbursement from the offending school(s). Many schools have made a “good faith “ effort to the officials to get them an additional assignment in the future or offer a scrimmage to pick up the lost fees. However, officially, without a written, signed, properly executed contract between the official(s) and the school(s), there is no recourse for the officials. In this day of technology it is not very hard for assignors, or schools, to execute these contracts.

This is part of an assignor’s responsibility. Officials should request contracts from their assignors or schools for both parties protection.

Section 4 Violation or Cancellation of Sports Official’s Contract By a PIAA Member School

Play Rulings

The situations contained in the NFHS Soccer Rules Book have been developed from actual questions which have been raised in administering the many thousands of interscholastic soccer games each year. The situations have been arranged by rule number.

All interpretations have the approval of the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee, which consists of coaches, officials and athletic administrators active on the high school level. Each ruling has been given careful study and is intended to provide for fair, easily administered competition.

If there is need for additional interpretations, they may be received by contacting your chapter or district interpreters. In case of doubt, please contact our statewide rule interpreter or the PIAA Office.

Arrival at the Site

Cooperation with Contest management begins with timely arrival at the Contest site. Nothing makes administrators and coaches more nervous at the onset of a contest than not knowing whether the officials are going to show up. Start the game off right by communicating your arrival time at the site with the athletic administrator.

Show up, where possible, at least thirty minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff. It will go a long way in helping your credibility as a quality official.

Fitness and Health Condition

Athletic officiating is a vigorous avocation and it demands that an official be in excellent physical condition, able to give the very best, on every play, in every contest. To that end, the American Medical Association has stated that before one attempts any vigorous physical activity they should first visit their family physician for a check-up. It is part of good personal health maintenance to have an annual physical exam and participate in an exercise program. This type of exercise program should be minimally three days per week and include cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, flexibility and muscle endurance.

These components along with proper nutrition will assist in developing one's optimum body composition. The PIAA Sports Medicine Committee recommends that each registered sports official have an annual physical examination and practice good health habits.

Being physically fit and conveying an appropriate, positive image through proper health and nutrition habits will greatly assist all officials in keeping up with the game. After all, the game, the schools, players, coaches, spectators and fellow officials deserve no less. As importantly, officials owe good health habits to themselves and their families if for nothing more, than the health of it. If officials have any chronic health condition, officials are requested to share this information with on site medical personnel at their contest(s).

Communicable Disease and Skin Infections

The risk for blood-borne infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis B, remains low in sports and to date has not been reported. However, proper precautions are needed to minimize the potential risk of spreading these diseases. In addition to these diseases that can be spread through transmission if bodily fluids only, skin infections that occur due to skin contact with competitors and equipment deserve close oversight, especially considering the emergence of the potentially more serious infection with Methicillin-Resistant Staphyylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Infectious Skin Diseases

Means of reducing the potential exposure to these agents:

Notify guardian, athletic trainer and coach of any lesion before competition or practice. Athlete must have a health-care provider evaluate lesion before returning to competition.

 If an outbreak occurs on a team, especially in a contact sport, consider evaluating other team members for potential spread of infectious agent

 Follow NFHS or state/local guidelines on “time until return to competition.” Allowance of participation with a covered lesion can occur if in accordance with NFHS, state or local guidelines and is no longer considered contagious.

Blood-Borne Infectious Diseases

Means of reducing the potential exposure to these agents include:

An athlete who is bleeding, has an open wound, has any amount of blood on his/her uniform, or has blood on his/her person, shall be directed to leave the activity until the bleeding is stopped, the wound is covered, the uniform and/or body is appropriately cleaned, and/or the uniform is changed before returning to competition.

Certified athletic trainers or caregivers need to wear gloves and take other precautions to prevent bloodsplash from contaminating themselves or others.

 Immediately wash contaminated surfaces or mucous membranes with soap and water.

 Clean all contaminated surfaces and equipment with disinfectant before returning to competition. Be sure to use gloves with cleaning.

Any blood exposure or bites to the skin that break the surface must be reported and evaluated by a medical provider immediately.

Copied from the 2010 NFHS Soccer Rules Book

Guidelines on Handling Contests During

Lightning Disturbances

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a default policy to those responsible for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of contests based on the presence of lightning. The preferred sources from which to request such a policy for you facility would include your state high school association and the nearest office of the National Weather Service.

Proactive Planning

1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during events.

2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby shelter.

3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play.

 When thunder is heard, or a cloud-toground lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.

 Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.

 Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count, reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.

4. Hold periodic reviews for appropriate personnel.

Copied from the 2010 NFHS Soccer Rules Book.

Concussion Information

We now know that a person does not have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion. In fact, according to our most recent data from the High School Reporting Information Online (RIO) and the National High School Sports Related Injury Surveillance Study, only 3.2 percent of all concussed athletes lost consciousness during the 2009 football season.

Given that most concussed athletes do not lose consciousness, yet they often show other common signs, symptoms and behaviors of concussion, the NFHS SMAC strongly believes that officials must be empowered to remove these athletes from play, thus protecting them from potential further injury. Continued participation in any sport following a concussion can lead to worsening concussion symptoms, as well as increased risk for further injury to the brain, and even death.

Neither officials, nor coaches, are expected to "diagnose" a concussion, as that is the job of an appropriate health-care professional. The previous rule called upon officials to determine "apparently unconscious" which appeared to expect some level of medical judgment. Officials are now being asked to use their best judgment again in observing the signs, symptoms and behaviors as listed above, but are no longer being asked to make what could be perceived to be a medical opinion. The well-being of the athlete is of paramount concern during any athletic contest.

Officials, coaches and administrators are being asked to make all efforts to ensure that concussed athletes do not continue to participate. Thus, coaches, players and administrators should also be looking for signs of concussion in all athletes and should immediately remove any suspected concussed athlete from play.

The game official is not responsible for the sideline evaluation or management of the athlete after he or she is removed from play. The responsibility of further evaluating and managing the symptomatic athlete falls upon the head coach, appropriate health-care professional or other individual designated by school administrators. If an appropriate health-care professional on the sideline determines that the athlete HAS NOT suffered a concussion, the athlete may return to play. If there is no appropriate health-care professional available to evaluate the athlete, the athlete SHOULD NOT be allowed by the coach to return to play. Please see the "NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports" at www.nfhs.org for further information on sideline management.

The official does not need written permission for an athlete to return nor does the official need to verify the credentials of the appropriate health-care professional.

Ensuring compliance with the Suggested Management Guidelines is a health and safety issue and should be the responsibility of the head coach and school administration, NOT the game official.

CONCUSSION RECOGNITION AND MANAGEMENT

Adolescent athletes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion. Once considered little more than a minor "ding" on the head, it is now understood that a concussion has the potential to result in death, or short- and long-term changes in brain function. A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body.

The NFHS has been at the forefront of national sports organizations in emphasizing the importance of concussion education, recognition and proper management for the past several years. In 2008, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) advocated that a concussed athlete be removed from play and not allowed to return to play on that same day. In 2009, this position was adopted by the leading group of sports medicine experts and the National Football League (NFL).

To highlight the continuing importance of this issue, the NFHS SMAC and each sport's rules committee has taken the unprecedented step of including Concussion Recognition and Management as a point of emphasis in each NFHS sport rules book for the 2010-11 year. The purpose of this point of emphasis is to explain the change in verbiage in the NFHS Football Rules Book regarding the official's recognition of a concussed athlete and to emphasize the importance of proper concussion management.

Concussions at all levels of sports have received a great deal of attention in the past few years. Attention has increased even more so over the past year, culminating with the NFL, NCAA and NFHS testifying before the United States Congress about what each organization is doing to protect athletes from concussions.

Change in verbiage

Previous rules books for most sports included language directing officials to remove an athlete from play if "unconscious or apparently unconscious."

That language has been changed to the following:

Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional

Suggested Concussion Management

1. No athlete should return to play (RTP) or practice on the same day of a concussion.

2. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day.

3. Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition.

4. After medical clearance, RTP should follow a stepwise protocol with provisions for delayed RTP based upon return of any signs or symptoms.

The suggested guidelines for concussion management fall outside the realm of game management, but are clearly a health and safety issue for coaches and administrators. These guidelines should also be applied to practices and scrimmages. The position of the NFHS SMAC is that no athlete should return to play or practice on that same day after suffering a concussion. Studies have shown medical professionals that the school-aged brain does not recover quickly enough for a high school athlete to return to activity in such a short time.

An "appropriate health-care professional" must be determined by each member state association and/or school district with respect to state laws and local preferences. Such individuals should be knowledgeable in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions and may, depending on controlling law, include MD’s, DO’s and certified athletic trainers.

Athletes with continued concussion symptoms are at significant risk for recurrent, cumulative and even catastrophic consequences of a second concussive injury. Such risks are minimized if the athlete is allowed time to recover from the concussion and return to play decisions are carefully made. No athlete should return-to-sport or other at-risk participation when symptoms of concussion are present and recovery is ongoing.

For further details, please see the "NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports" at www.nfhs.org.

PIAA By-Laws Article XIII, Section 8

Any coach and/or contestant who, while coaching or competing for a PIAA member school, is ejected from a Contest by a state high school association recognized and/or registered official in that sport for unsportsmanlike conduct or flagrant misconduct shall be disqualified from coaching and/or participating for the remainder of the day and in all Contests on the next Contest day of the same level (varsity, junior varsity, or otherwise) of competition.

For a coach, participation in the next Contest includes any contact by the coach with members of the Team, including other coaches, between the time that the Team arrives at the Contest site and the conclusion of the last Contest of the day. The Principal shall direct the coach not to attend all of the Contest(s).

Any coach and/or contestant ejected from the last Contest in that sport in a sport season shall be disqualified from coaching and/or participating in the first Contest(s) in that sport in the subsequent sport season, at the same level (varsity, junior varsity, or otherwise) of competition, at any PIAA member school or, if the student changes levels of competition, such as from junior varsity to varsity, the first Contest(s) in that sport.

The official shall file a report with the PIAA Office on the form prescribed for the sport involved, within twenty-four (24) hours following the completion of the Contest in which the ejection occurred. Failure to file such report shall not affect the validity or consequences of the ejection. In soccer, the athletic director and principal must meet with the ejected coach/contestant and detail in a report what corrective action has been taken. This report then must be signed by all parties and sent to the district soccer chairperson. This form is located on the PIAA website on the soccer page.

Examples of Disqualification Provision of Article XIII, Section 8

The following examples are for players or coaches and are only examples and not a complete list. What this means is a player or coach ejected from a contest at any level must sit out the remainder of the day and the next day of the next contest at that level.

Example #1: Player/coach gets ejected from a junior varsity contest before a varsity contest. This player/coach gets disqualified for the remainder of the day and the next day of the next junior varsity contest.

If this contest is followed by a varsity contest on the same day, the player/coach gets disqualified for the varsity contest also (the whole day).

Example #2: Player/coach gets ejected from a varsity contest on Friday, the team’s next varsity contest is Friday. Before the varsity contest is a scheduled junior varsity contest, player/coach cannot participate in any of Friday contests since they are not eligible the whole day.

Example #3: Player/coach gets ejected from a tournament. The next varsity contest is a tournament the following Saturday.

The player/coach is not eligible for the remainder of the tournament they were ejected from and are not eligible for the next scheduled tournament the following week.

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

OVERTIME PERIODS (15 MINUTE PERIODS DURING POST-SEASON PLAY)
(5 minute break flip coin)

Referee Rotation

n Start as original crew set up - #1 CR handles the 1st 10 minute first overtime period,

n #2 CR handles last 5 min of first half, and first 5 min of second half. (side referees switch sides during the ½ time interval (2 minute interval)

n #3 CR handles the last –10 min of second OT period)

n #1 CR handles the administration and execution of the “kicks” if required, CR 2 & 3 handle players and goal judge.

ALL OVERTIME PERIODS ARE “GOLDEN GOAL”

TAKING OF KICKS any players on the roster (who have not been disqualified) are eligible to participate

(flip a coin, the winner shall have a choice of kicking first or second)

n The coach will select 5 eligible players to participate in the 1^st set of kicks.

n ANY player receiving a caution within the last 5 min of the second overtime period will NOT be permitted to participate in the 1^st set of kicks (5 kicks).

n The cautioned player IS allowed to participate in the 2nd set of kicks.

n If one of the 5 players is listed to take a kick and is cautioned BEFORE his/her turn to kick, they are not eligible to kick until the NEXT set of kicks. (another eligible player not listed in that set of kicks must take the kick for the cautioned player)

n If one of the first 5 players listed to take a kick and is cautioned AFTER his/her kick, they are not eligible to kick until AFTER the NEXT complete set of kicks has been taken (must sit until the set beginning with the 11^th kick)

n If a goalkeeper is cautioned during the taking of ANY SET of 5 kicks, a substitute is permitted for the goal keeper, and they can not re-enter until the next opponent completes their kick. (must sit out for ONE kicker)

n If any player is disqualified RED CARD (including a goalkeeper) that player may no longer participate, but a substitute is permitted if their kick has not yet been taken.

Continuation of Kicks (after each team has taken 5 kicks, and the score remains tied)

■ The coach will select 5 different eligible players to participate in the Sudden Victory kicks. (ONLY if a team has less that 10 eligible players, may a player who has already participated kick again.)

■ If the score remains tied, continue the sudden victory kicks with the coach selecting ANY 5 players to participate in the continuation of sudden victory kicks.