Soccer Rule Differences
Updated for 2007
Rule 1
Minimum size 100 x 55 yards 100 x 50 yards
Maximum size 120 x 75 yards 130 x 100 yards
Recommended 110 x 65 yards 110 x 70 yards
Width of lines 4 inches not more than 5 inches
Penalty mark 2 foot line or 9” diameter circle “a penalty mark”
Center mark a 9” diameter spot, an X, or not specified, but a spot
a line is shown on the layout
Diameter of corner flags not less than 1” not specified
Goal post/cross bar size 4 to 5” in diameter same size as the lines
crossbar does not have to be
the same size as the posts
3 to 4” diameter pipes are also
acceptable
nets required and must be supported not required
2 feet back of crossbar
padding of posts permitted not mentioned
team (“technical”) area required permitted
size of team area 20 yards wide 1 yard beyond seating
at least 10 feet from touchline at least 3 feet from touchline
location of team area same side of field recommended not specified
if not same side, benches must
be offset from center line
spectator area at least 10’ from touchline, goal line not specified
and team areas
safety of field determined by home school determined by referee
until game begins, then determined
by the referee
Advertising permitted in field area not mentioned not allowed on field, goals, nets,
corner flags or on the ground
inside the nets or bench area
Rule 2
number of balls required 3 or more 1
provided by home team not specified
inflation required “manufacturers’ recommendation” 8.5 to 15.6 PSI
certification NFHS authenticating mark required FIFA mark not required
Rule 3
Captains required not mentioned
Roster bench personnel must be listed not mentioned
Can the roster be changed after yes no
the start of the game?
Coin toss winner chooses end or kickoff chooses end
If a goal is scored by a player goal counts, add name to roster goal does not count
not on the roster
opportunities for substitution between periods, after a goal, goal during any stoppage
kick, injury, caution, disqualification,
blood, own corner kick or throw in
unless opponent is also subbing
point of entry for substitutes anywhere (but must have reported halfway line
to nearest official before entry)
when is a substitute the player when beckoned by the referee when the substitute
of record? enters the field
can an entering substitute take sub can not take kick no restriction
a penalty kick
re-entry by substituted player no restriction no re-entry at highest levels
number of substitutes no restriction not more than 7
if a field player and the goalkeeper warn both players caution both players
change places without the referee’s
permission
repeated substitution to waste time warn coach, caution if repeated again not mentioned (but time is added
for substitutions)
can a player who was unconscious not without a doctor’s permission yes
re-enter the game?
can a coach instruct the players no yes
during an injury stoppage?
Rule 4
Required equipment not mentioned all five items must be separate
requirements for shin guards age and size appropriate, not altered made of a “suitable material” and
to decrease protection, worn not more provide a “reasonable” degree of
than 2” above the ankle, must cover protection
most of the shin
shirt color conflict home team changes see rules of competition
sock requirements both socks the same color, with a no requirement, see rules of
single dominant color competition
sock color conflict home team changes contrast not required by rule, see
rules of competition
assigned colors home team wears white or light no requirement
visitors wear dark
visible under shirts all the same solid color, does not same color as shirt
have to be the same as the shirt color
statements on apparel not mentioned no “slogans or advertising”
may be shown on undershirts,
no political, religious or
personal statements on any
required equipment
visible under the shorts all the same solid color and the same color as shorts
same length
logos, etc. on uniforms restrictions on the size and not mentioned
number
numbers not less than 6” high on back, no requirement, see
not less than 4” high on front or rules of competition
shorts, goalkeepers exempted
uniforms not correct if whole team not in compliance, player leaves the field
play the game and file report with
state association
non-compulsory equipment prohibited items include: helmets, nothing dangerous may
hats, hard pads. Casts may not be be worn
worn (except with padding & doctor’s
permission). Also prohibited are
knee braces with exposed metal,
ankle brace not under a sock,
bracelets, anything knotted,
anything “for adornment.” Face
masks may be worn with a doctor’s
permission.
Jewelry religious medals may be worn if any kind of jewelry is
taped and under the uniform. prohibited
Medic alert bracelets may be worn
if taped and visible.
Primary responsibility for players coach referee
wearing proper equipment
Rule 5
Refereeing systems permitted diagonal, dual or double dual diagonal
Hats for referees solid black, if worn not recommended
Pants permitted not really
Arrival time not less than 15” before kickoff 30” before kickoff, unless
Instructed otherwise
Inquiry to coach about whether required not appropriate
players are properly equipped
pre-game discussion about required not appropriate
sportsmanship
pre-game inspection of player not required required
equipment
time keeper designated time keeper, unless referee
there is no visible clock, in which
case it is the referee
use of signals to identify fouls required to be used sparingly
notifying coaches of players required not appropriate
who have been carded
Rule 6
Assistant referee duties not specified, except as noted indicate substitutions, offside,
in back of rule book back into touch, throw in direction,
corner/goal kick, keeper encroachment
on penalty kicks, fouls & misconduct
ball holders not less than two required not mentioned
official time stadium clock is official referee
clock stopped/time added for injury, card, penalty kick, goal, injury, substitution, time wasting, “any
“when ordered by the referee” other cause”
Official scorer designated by home school none
Rule 7
Length of halves 40 minutes 45 minutes
When can teams agree to before game or half time before game
shorten the halves
who can shorten the halves the teams together or by order teams and referee together
of the referee
length of half time 10 minutes not more than 15 minutes, see rules
of competition
status of abandoned match official if more than half played replayed in entirety
otherwise may be rescheduled by
the schools
mercy rule may be adopted by league none
Rule 8
There are no differences between the codes
See rule 3 about the coin toss, however.
Rule 9
What if the ball goes into touch after drop ball that doesn’t happen
both teams simultaneously struck
the ball?
What if there are simultaneous drop ball that doesn’t happen
equal fouls by both teams?
How is the game restarted after if one team had possession at the drop ball
an injury or other unusual situation? time play was stopped, they get an
indirect free kick. Otherwise, drop ball
What if the drop ball is touched redrop, but a second violation by the redrop
before it hits the ground? same player could lead to a caution
Rule 10
How do we resolve a tie game full overtime, then kicks from the mark away goals, full overtime,
When we must have a winner? kicks from the mark, as found
in the rules of competition
What is the score of a forfeited game? 1-0, unless the offending team was see rules of competition
behind, in which case that is the score
Rule 11
There are no differences between the codes
Rule 12
There are substantial wording differences, with much more explanation in the high school rules, but there are essentially the same fouls in both codes
when does the goalkeeper have contact with the hands contact with hands or arms
possession of the ball?
who can be carded? anyone on the roster, including only players or substitutes
coaches, trainers, etc.
is incidental (non-directed) foul yes may be considered unsporting
language cautionable? behavior
is the use by the coach, etc. no, use must be cautioned no, use would be considered
of video equipment or not behaving in a responsible
cell phones, bull horns, etc. manner. Also see rules of
permitted during competition
the game?
In case of player with improper
equipment, caution to coach no one
does a cautioned player have to yes no
leave the field until the next legal
substitution opportunity for their team?
penalty for a player removing their “soft” red caution
shirt or a “delayed, excessive or
prolonged act” by coach or player
focusing attention on themselves or
prolonged delaying the restart after a goal
penalty for second caution “soft” red send off
denying an obvious goal scoring disqualification and direct free kick send off and indirect free kick
opportunity by an indirect free kick
offense, such as impeding or dangerous play
bench personnel who leave the bench disqualification caution for entering the field without
to join a fight, if they do not the referee’s permission
actually participate
procedure if the referee can not head coach receives caution or no action is possible
identify bench personnel committing disqualification
misconduct
if a player is red carded at halftime team does not play short team plays short (if they were in
the game at the end of the half
where does a red carded player go? to the bench out of the vicinity of the field
mechanics for issuing a second yellow and red simultaneously yellow, then red
caution send off unless given to someone on the
bench, in which case yellow then red
Rule 13
There are no differences in the codes
Rule 14
Stutter stepping or interrupting their not permitted, retake the kick if permitted
run by the kicker kick succeeds
Kicking team violates rules play on indirect free kick
(e.g. encroaches) and shot is saved
Kicking team violates rules and goal kick indirect free kick
ball goes directly out of bounds
Rule 15
How close can an opponent be no specified distance. May not 2 yards
To the player taking the throw in? interfere with or in any way impede
the thrower
What if the ball hits the ground throw in awarded to opposing team re-do by same team
before entering the field?
Rule 16
There are no differences in the codes
Rule 17
Minimum distance for defenders 10 yards from the ball 10 yards from the corner arc
Kicks from the Penalty
Mark
Who is eligible to participate? Any player on the roster players of record at the end of the game
who has not been disqualified
How many kickers are used if irrelevant the number of players on the team
one team finishes with fewer with fewer players
players than the other?
Can coaches be in the center yes no
circle during the kicks?
11th kicker, if required can be anyone the 11th player (unless the reduce
To equate clause is in use)
12th kicker, if required anyone other than the 11th the 1st kicker (unless the reduce to equate clause is in use)
Can players cautioned during the they must sit out one round yes (unless it’s their 2nd!)
kicks still take a kick?