NCAA SOCCER RULES CHANGES
2014 AND 2015
By Ken Andres
NCAA Soccer Secretary Rules Editor
FIELD DIMENSIONS
RULE 1.1.1
• Team not required to play on noncompliant
field size.
• Teams may agree to play by mutual
consent.
• Team that agrees to play waives right to
protest non-conforming field.
• PENALTY—Game shall not begin.
OTHER FIELD MARKINGS
RULES 1.7 AND 1.8
• If it cannot be corrected before kickoff,
game SHALL begin:
• Corner Area, Hash Mark.
• Corner Flags.
• Goal post and crossbar same width as
goal line.
Continued…
OTHER FIELD MARKINGS
RULES 1.7 AND 1.8
• If it cannot be corrected before kickoff,
game SHALL begin:
• Align back edge of goal post with
outermost edge of end line.
• File report with Governing Sports
Authority.
OTHER FIELD MARKINGS
RULES 1.6 AND 1.9.1
• If it cannot be corrected before kickoff,
game shall NOT begin:
• Penalty Area.
• Goals.
• File report with Governing Sports
Authority.
The Ball
Rule 2.2
• No restriction on color of ball.
LAST 5 MINUTES OF SECOND PERIOD
ONLY
RULE 3.6.2
• ANYTIME the leading team substitutes, the
clock must be stopped.
There are no other contingencies.
PLAYERS’ UNIFORMS
RULE 4.1.1
• Institution’s name, nickname or
mascot permissible on front and
or back of uniform.
• Player’s name on back of jersey.
PLAYERS’ UNIFORMS
RULE 4.2 AND 4.3
• Both teams may wear shorts of a
similar color.
• Numerals are required on the front
and back of the jersey.
TECHNOLOGY
RULES 4.5.6; 12.14.1 AND 12.14.2
• Monitoring Devices – Rule 4.5.6:
• Devices which monitor physiological data
and performance may be worn.
• Data may be used during game.
Continued…
TECHNOLOGY
RULES 4.5.6; 12.14.1 AND 12.14.2
• Coaching Restrictions – Rules 12.14.1
and 12.14.2:
• Electronic communication between
coaches is allowed. Coaches:
─Must be listed on roster.
─Must be on site.
OFFICIAL’S JURISDICTION
RULES 5.4.1, 5.5.1.1 AND 7.3
• Begins upon arrival at field – Rule
5.4.1.
• Arrive minimum 30 minutes before
kickoff – Rule 5.5.1.1.
• Game ends when referees/teams leave
site of competition – Rule 7.3.
RULES OF CONDUCT
RULE 5.4.6
• Rules cannot be altered by referee or by
coaches’ consent:
• Game times.
• Substitutions.
• Overtime procedures.
REFEREE’S POSTGAME DUTIES
RULE 5.5.2
• Review box score for completeness
and accuracy of information:
• Sign it.
• If electronic version, verify it.
• File red card report within 24 hours.
• www.NCAAsoccer.arbitersports.com
.
DISCRETIONARY POWER
A.R. 5.6
• The referee may allow for
stoppages due to extreme heat
and humidity.
PEP BANDS
A.R. 5.6.9
• Permissible during pregame, period
intervals and anytime the clock is
stopped and ball not in play.
TIMING DEVICE MALFUNCTION
RULE 6.3.3.1
• When:
─Malfunction with official timing device.
─No electronically controlled scoreboard
clock visible to both benches and
spectators.
• Referee on field becomes timekeeper.
• Common practice update – not new!
RECOMMENDED TIMING SHEETS
PAGE 31
• Teams may begin warm up on field in front
of their bench 60 minutes before starting
time.
Continued…
RECOMMENDED TIMING SHEETS
PAGE 31
• Halftime is 15 minutes:
• May be reduced by mutual consent of
coaches and officials – Rule 7.2.
• May be extended in postseason
competition by the games committee.
TIMEKEEPER
RULES 6.3.8 AND 6.3.9
• Call out audibly using PA system or to
nearest official:
─Last seconds – from 10 to zero.
• Expiration of time is moment timekeeper’s
signal begins regardless of position of ball.
• If no horn sounds, period ends when clock
reaches zero.
TIEBREAKER KICKS
RULE 7.1.1.1
• After all eligible kickers have
kicked once, the order of
designated kickers may be
changed.
RELOCATED TEXT – INCLEMENT
WEATHER POLICY, EXPIRATION OF TIME
RULE 10.11 NOW RULE 7.6
• A temporarily suspended game
cannot restart more than 3 hours
after original start time:
─Unless coaches agree to play.
─Unless Governing Sports Authority
agrees to play.
SERIOUS FOUL PLAY
RULE 12.3.1
• Must be:
• Against an opponent.
• Between players competing for the
ball.
• Committed on the field of play.
• A direct free kick foul.
VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
RULE 12.3.2
• Violent behavior:
• May be against anyone not
competing for the ball.
• May be on or off the field of play.
• Ball may be in or out of play.
COACH SERVING SUSPENSION
RULE 12.11.1
• Permitted to participate in pregame
activities until kickoff.
• Then restricted to spectator area.
Continued…
COACH SERVING SUSPENSION
RULE 12.11.1
• Prohibited from
communication/contact, direct or
indirect, with team, coaches, bench
personnel.
──From beginning of contest to
completion, including OT and
tiebreakers.
ENHANCED SUSPENSION
RULE 12.12.1
• Each successive red card results in
an additional game suspension.
Continued…
ENHANCED SUSPENSION
RULE 12.12.1
• Fighting red results in added
suspension:
• Second red is 2-game suspension;
third red is 3-game suspension.
• Fighting red follows straight red –
total 3-game suspension.
COACHING FROM TOUCH LINE
RULE 12.14.3
• Coaching from touch line restricted
to coaching/team area.
• Warning no longer required.
• Warn/caution/eject as appropriate.
PENALTY KICKER
RULE 14.2
• Kicker identified by referee
handing him/her ball.
PENALTY KICK INFRINGEMENT BY OFFENSE
A.R. 14.3.2
• If goal scored, re-kick.
• If ball goes directly out of play over end
line untouched.
─Goal kick awarded.
Continued…
PENALTY KICK INFRINGEMENT BY OFFENSE
A.R. 14.3.2
• If goal not scored and ball rebounds into
or out of play.
─Indirect free kick awarded against
offending team.
QUESTIONS?