Comparison of Selected NF Rule and USSF/FIFA Law Differences

Originally created by Dan C. Heldman in 2003

(USSF National Instructor Trainer)

December 10, 2010 - Revised by NASOA for 2010/11 Rules a

 

Topic - Category Rating b

National Federation

USSF/FIFA

 

 

 

Goals - 1

 

May be padded (check technical details)

 

May NOT be padded

 

 

 

Team Roster - 1

Submitted five minutes prior to match: includes players, substitutes, bench personnel

Submitted prior to start of play: includes players and substitutes

 

 

 

Roster: Adding players - 1

May be added after roster is given to referee

May NOT be added after roster is given to referee

 

 

 

Captains - 1

Team Representative, may request interpretation or essential information

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Team playing with fewer than authorized strength - 3

Player may enter with the referee’s permission at any stoppage, up to authorized strength

Player may enter with the referee’s permission at any time, up to authorized strength

 

 

 

Fewer than seven players - 1

Referee can suspend play if a player is off the field temporarily (e.g., equipment)

Referee can allow play to continue if the fewer than seven condition is temporarySame as NFHS

 

 

 

Substitutions: When - 3

GK, Own CK, Goal, Half, Injury, Caution, Ejection, Own TI (if sub on own TI or CK, other team can sub If sub has reported before stoppage)

Regular: Any stoppage

Youth: Own TI, GK, Goal, Injury, Half

 

 

 

Substitutions: Number - 2

Unlimited

Regular: Up to 3 (6 in “other matches”)

Youth: Unlimited (subject to local rules)

 

 

 

Substitutions: Procedure - 3

Report to Scorer or Official PRIOR to stoppage for GK, TI, CK restart (otherwise cannot enter the field)

No similar requirement, but substitute must be ready to enter the field when stoppage occurs

Substitutions: Referee permission - 1

Referee permission not required after a goal, or at the beginning of a period, and for an injury. However, substitutes must still report to scorer, if present.

Referee permission always required

 

 

 

Keeper: Illegally changed with field player - 2

Both replacement keeper and prior keeper WARNED at next stoppage of play

Both replacement keeper and prior keeper CAUTIONED at next stoppage of play

 

 

 

Substitutions: Injury and Play Stopped - 3

Can treat on field. Injured player MUST leave if attended to on the field or if deemed injured by the referee.  Need not be substituted.  If team elects to play shorthanded, injured player may return with the referee’s permission at the next stoppage of play if blood was not exposed by the injury. If blood was exposed, the injured play must wait until the next legal substitution opportunity due to the player inspection requirement. 

Cannot be treated on field (unless life-threatening or dangerous). Need not be substituted. Injured player MUST leave field if attended to on the field or if play stopped for injury.  Injured player can return only after match is restarted.  If play is not stopped for the injury, player can return even if play is continuing.  However, if substituted, they have to wait until stoppage of play.

 

 

 

Injury: Exit from field - 4

An injured player must leave the field if play has been stopped and a coach, trainer, or attendant has been waved onto the field

If play stopped due to "serious injury," injured player must leave the field (often ignored in youth play) but keeper may be allowed to remain on the field

 

 

 

Substitutions: Return -2

Substituted player can return to the field

Regular: Cannot return to the field

Youth: Can return to the field

 

 

 

Injury: Unconscious - 4

Player rendered unconscious exhibits signs of concussion during play must exit field and cannot return without written authorization by physicianuntil cleared by a healthcare professional

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Injury: Coaching- 3

Coaching instruction to any player by either coach is not permitted during time when a coach or trainer is on field attending an injured player

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Substitutions:

Caution – 4

Cautioned player MUST leave until next substitution opportunity (may be substituted)

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Second Caution: Consequence - 4

Player with second caution CAN be replaced

Player with second caution CANNOT be replaced

 

 

 

Ejected Player - 2

May be replaced if ejection occurs prior to start of game, during half, quarter, or overtime breaks between periods of play

No replacement under any circumstances

 

 

 

 

Substitution: Penalty Kick - 2

Only for injury, caution, or ejection and substitute cannot take PK

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Equipment: Casts  - 2

Illegal, unless covered by padding AND accompanied by release signed by Medical Doctor

Illegal if considered by referee to be dangerous, or becomes dangerous during play, or if used in a dangerous manner

 

 

 

Goalkeeper: Jersey - 1

May be same as other goalkeeper and/or referee

May be same as other goalkeeper but NOT same as referee

 

 

 

Equipment: Stockings - 1

Shall be of a single dominant color

No similar requirement (local rules prevail)

 

 

 

Equipment: Visible Under-garments - 1

Shall be of similar length, all alike, and solid color

Must be of same main color as shirt sleeves and/or same main color as shorts

 

 

 

Equipment: Shinguards - 4

May not be altered, must provide sufficient protection and age and size appropriate.  Also they must be worn with the bottom edge no higher than 2 inches above the ankle.  They must meet NOCSAE specifications.

Must provide a reasonable degree of protection, manufactured for the purpose, and appropriate for the age (no further requirement for placement -- USSF referees are not shinguard police)

 

 

 

Equipment: Jewelry - 1

Not permitted (medical bracelets or medals must be taped and showing the medical data)

Not permitted unless clearly religious or medical in nature and not dangerous (taping over is not an allowed solution)

 

 

 

Equipment: Braces - 4

Illegal, unless hinges covered and hard surfaces padded or covered by approved manufacturer sleeve. Ankle braces may be worn over stockings. if altered from manufacturer’s original design

Illegal if considered dangerous by referee, or if becomes dangerous during play, or if used in a dangerous manner

 

 

 

Systems of Control - 1

Dual, Single, 3 whistle, Diagonal System of Control (DSC)

Single or DSC

 

 

 

Signals -1

Use official NFHS signals (including offside and timeoutstart and stop clock)

Use USSF/FIFA signals (no signal for offside or timeout)

 

 

 

Foul Signals - 1

Numerous signals to indicate type of fouls for DFK and IFK(Foul signals eliminated this year)

No similar requirement to indicate type of fouls called for DFK and IFK

 

 

 

Substitutions: Wasting time - 3

Referee orders time clock stopped during substitutions and notifies coach of offending team (potential USC)

No similar requirement (referee discretion)

 

 

 

Referee

Authority - 3

Begins 15 minutes before kick-off

and ends when leaves the

immediate surroundings of playing

field

Begins upon arrival at the area of the

field of play and continues until has left

the area of play at the end of the game

 

 

 

Termination - 2

Host institution up to opening whistle, referee thereafter

Referee determination

 

 

 

Referee responsibilities prior to start of game – 1

Referee must address coaches and captains regarding sportsmanship

No similar requirement (such lengthy statements are not advised)

 

 

 

Length of Half - 3

40 minutes (Varsity)

35 minutes (JV & MS) a

Regular: 45 minutes

Youth: Varied, based on age

 

 

 

Length of Halftime - 3

10 minutes

Up to 15 minutes

 

 

 

Timing - 3

Stadium clock controlled by time-keeper (otherwise kept by referee).  Stops for Goal, PK, caution, ejection, injury, or as ordered by referee.  Restarts when ball is in play.

Referee keeps time, takes into account time lost but amount is discretionary and only excessively prolonged stoppages should be counted

 

 

 

Coin toss - 3

Head coaches required to attend coin toss;

Winner chooses goal to defend or to kick first

No similar requirement on head coaches;

Winner chooses goal to attack, other team kicks first

 

 

 

Dropped Ball -1

One player from each team

(no one else may participate or interfere)

No similar requirement

 

 

 

 

 

Dropped Ball - 3

Required restart if ball is caused to leave the field by two opponents simultaneously or for simultaneous fouls of same degree by opponents

No similar requirement, referees are advised to decide for one team or another (recent IFAB Q&A allows DB for "simultaneous fouls" but practice is discouraged)Allowed restart in the “limited and rare event” of simultaneous fouls.

Not allowed if ball appeared to have left field caused by two opponents simultaneously.

 

 

 

Restart: After stoppage other than for foul or misconduct - 4

IFK if one team has clear possession; otherwise DB (Location: where ball was, except in GA)

DB under all circumstances

(Location: where ball was, except in GA)

 

 

 

Restart: After stoppage for misconduct off the field or by nonplayer - 4

IFK for team not involved in misconduct (Location: where ball was, except in GA)

DB under all circumstances (Location: where ball was, except in GA)

 

 

 

 

Foul: Contact by hand with the ball following reflexive movement to protect self - 3

DFK for handling, if hand or arm moves after ball is in motion

USSF advises against considering this an offense if the referee judges the action to be reflexive and no advantage is taken after contact occurs

 

 

 

Foul: Charging the Keeper - 3

Not permitted within PA unless Keeper is obstructing and is dribbling the ball

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Dangerous Play Violation - 1

Any act considered by referee likely to cause injury to any player (including self) but requires another player to be within playing distance

Any act considered by referee to be dangerous AND which causes opponent to lose opportunity for challenge (requires opponent within playing distance)

 

 

 

Foul: "Trickery" in "Pass Back" to Keeper – 2

No caution for player; keeper is penalized only on handling (IFK)

Keeper need not handle, player committing trickery is cautioned

 

 

 

Misconduct: Removal of Jersey after Goal is Scored - 2

Send off, with replacement

Mandatory Caution

 

 

 

Second Caution: Mechanics - 1

Yellow/Red cards displayed together in same hand to players;

Yellow card displayed, put away, and red card displayed to others

Yellow card displayed, put away, and red card displayed

 

 

 

Foul: by defense to prevent goal - 2

Send off whether successful or not

Send off only if successful on the immediate play

 

 

 

Misconduct: Taunting - 4

Send off

No similar requirement (may be USB at referee's discretion)

 

 

 

Misconduct: Excessive Celebration - 4

Send off, with replacement

No similar requirement (may be DR at referee's discretion)

 

 

 

Cautions and Ejections - 1

Referee required to notify coach, scorer, and officials as to reason

No similar requirement

 

 

 

Misconduct: By other than players or substitutes - 1

Coaches may be cautioned or ejected and shown the yellow or red card for their own conduct, for illegally equipped players, for team misconduct, or for bench misconduct that cannot be attributed to a specific individual.

No one other than a player or substitute on roster can be cautioned or sent off (or shown a yellow or red card).  Coaches and other team officials can be required to leave the field and its surroundings under threat of game termination for irresponsible behavior.

 

 

 

PK: Violation by attacking team only – 3

If ball enters goal, rekick.

If ball rebounds into play from keeper or goal structure, restart with IFK by defense;

If ball goes over goal line untouched, restart with goal kick;

If keeper deflects ball over goal line, restart with IFK by defense;

If ball is saved by keeper; play continues.

If ball enters goal, rekick (same as NF).

If ball does not enter goal for any reason, restart with IFK by defense.

 

 

 

Misconduct: Encroachments on PK - 3

If play is allowed to continue (e.g., encroachment by attacker and ball is saved by Keeper), caution for infringement at next stoppage

Infringements of Law 14 are not cautioned except on repetition

 

 

 

PK: kicker’s movement to the ball – 4

The kicker may not interrupt movement to the ball.

No similar violation (kicker may not move past ball and come back, unfairly distract keeper using hand/arm signal, or delay kick)

 

 

 

Kicks from the Penalty Mark -- Participants – 2

Any persons on the roster can participate, unless previously disqualified

Only players on the field at the end of play can participate

 

 

 

Throw-in - 4

Must enter the field of play or ball is awarded to opponent

No similar requirement, throw-in is retaken

 

 

 

Throw-in: minimum distance - 2

Opponents must be at least 2 yards from the location of throw-in, caution player for USC No analogous requirement

Opponents must be at least 2 meters (yards) from the location of throw-in, caution player for FRD

 

 

 

Tie Game with Required Winner - 4

No 10-minute periodsa, two 5-minute sudden victory periods, kicks from the mark

Away goals, full extra time (sudden victory not allowed), kicks from the mark

 

 

 

Kicks from the Penalty Mark: Participants - 2

Teams can differ in the number of persons permitted to participate

Number of players from each team must be the same to start (reduce to equate)

 

 

 

a Originally created in 2003 for 2002/03 NFHS Rules Book.  Updated consistent with 2003/04 through 2010/11 NFHS Rules changes and FIFA Law changes and adjusted to match AHSAA modifications to NFHS Rules.

 

b Category Rating

   1 = Minor, technical, administrative, so what?

   2 = Important but rarely occurs.

   3 = Important but can survive though with some embarrassment.

   4 = You are in serious trouble!!!

 

Underlined text indicates material added by the 2010/11 version of the NFHS Rules Book.

 

Strike through text indicates text deleted by the 2010/11 version of the NFHS Rules Book.