Downloads

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SOCCER RULES OF THE GAME

Competition Rules

• Download PDF/Order Rules Book
• Soccer Field Diagram
• Soccer Game Roster Form
• Soccer Substitution Moments Form

Rules of Officiating

• How to Propose a Rules Change
• Two-Year Rules Cycle (2023-25)
• Call for Playing Rules Proposals

Officiating

• Officials’ Uniform Update
• NCAA Soccer Officiating - Center Circle
• NCAA Soccer Red Card Form
• Soccer Protest Form

Updates

• 2025 Major Rules Changes
• 2025 Soccer Rules Book Significant Editorial Changes
• 2025 NCAA Soccer Video Review Experimental Rule
• 2024 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 6
• 2024 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 5
• 2024 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 4
• 2024 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 3
• 2024 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 2
• 2024 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 1
• 2024 Points of Emphasis
• 2024 Soccer Caution and Ejection Help Guide
• 2024 and 2025 Major Rules Changes
• 2023-24 Survey Results
• 2023 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 5
• 2023 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 4
• 2023 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 3
• 2023 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 2
• 2023 Rules Questions and Interpretations, Volume 1
• 2023-24 Preseason Playing Rules Reminders
• 2022 and 2023 Major Rules Changes

Please remember that Junior Colleges have unlimited re-entries and if a player gets a yellow card, they do not have to sub, and can stay on the field.

Also please note that Junior Colleges did not adopt the  clock stoppage rule for subs in the last 15 minutes but are instead using the 5 minute rule that we used previously

Soccer: 

Ball Pressure (2.1.3)

New wording: The pressure of the ball shall be 8.5 to 15.6 psi. Ball pressure shall conform to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Various manufacturers have different ball pressure requirements printed on the ball.Rationale: 

Rationale: Soccer balls all have the manufacturer’s recommendations printed on them. The previous rule allowed for a wide range and potential conflict between a preference of ball pressure and the manufacturer’s recommendation. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations will ensure balls are inflated to the optimal pressure for that particular ball and avoid potential injury situations where the ball is inflated above the manufacturer’s recommendation. 

Game Roster (3.2.1 and 6.3.4)

New Wording: To require the official NCAA game roster, with starting players designated, to be given to the opposing coach and referee (in addition to the scorekeeper as currently required) not later than 15 minutes before game time. Note: The copy given to the opposing coach and scorekeeper shall have the total number of cautions and ejections for all players, coaches and other bench personnel listed. The copy given to the referee shall not have card information listed. All copies shall include the name(s) and number(s) of the suspended player(s) and date(s) of the suspension(s).

Rationale: To assist officials in identifying players for misconduct, especially in the coaching and team areas, and to potentially avoid situations where illegal players participate. Designating starters will facilitate the process of entering player names and numbers by the sports information staff. The only change from what we were doing is the referee requirement. 

Stopping the Clock (3.88 and 6.3.5.4)

New Wording: To require the clock to be stopped on substitutions made by the leading team or if the game is tied in the final 15 minutes of regulation play and all of overtime.

Rationale: Currently, the clock stops during the final five minutes of the second period (or second overtime period) when the leading team makes a substitution. Surveys consistently pointed out that coaches felt the clock was being unfairly manipulated by teams to earn a win or a tie. Expanding the window during which the clock will stop for substitutions will preserve playing time and reduce opportunities to manipulate the clock. EXCEPTION THE NJCAA WILL NOT IMPLEMENT THE 15 MINUTE GUIDELINE AND WILL CONTINUE WITH THE 5 MINUTE RULE CURRENTLY IN PLACE. 

Post-Season Overtime.

New Wording: Reinstating sudden-victory (golden goal) during post-season overtime

Rationale:  In previous seasons, there were very few instances of the team being scored on first in overtime coming back to win the game. Therefore, requiring teams to play more minutes with few instances of a different result, especially with the potential for the advancing team to play another game the following day, is not in the best interest of the student-athlete

Note:  Nothing has changed for us with this rule. The NCAA basically is changing their rule to be the same as ours. 

SOCCER POINT OF EMPHASIS:

1. Coaching and Team Area Decorum.
2. Coaches, players and bench personnel must behave in a responsible and professional manner. Officials will focus on enforcing good sportsmanship and a high level of decorum within the coaching and team areas. Actions which show a clear lack of respect for game officials or the opposing team will not be tolerated, and officials are reminded that they are expected to punish this type of behavior with a yellow card (caution) or red card (ejection) as appropriate.
3. The following will be emphasized: The coaching area is in front of the team area and must be properly marked with either cones or lines. The team area also must be properly marked with cones or lines. The substitutes should remain in the team area behind the coaching staff. Coaches and substitutes should direct their remarks to their own team and not address opponents or officials. Coaches who leave the coaching and team areas to engage in dissent or confrontations with the opposing team or coaching staff are at risk of ejection under Rules 12.7.7.1 and 12.7.7.2

Etisoa will be promoting NCAA, NISOA, and ECSR referees