2010 Concussion Concerns
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 health-care professional.*
Symptoms may be * headache * fogginess * difficulty concentrating * easily confused * slowed thought process * difficulty with memory * nausea * lack of enery, tiredness * dizziness, poor balance * blurred vision * sensitive to light and sound * mood changes, irritable, anxious, or fearful * apparent loss of consciousness
* CIF has determined that any player removed from a game for symptoms consistent with a concussion will NOT RETURN to a match that day.
CIF Bylaw 313
A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day.
NOTE: This supersedes the guidance from NFHS and from SMAC.
2009 Shinguard issues - from NCS:
In summary, the referee must know: - No 100% inspection of shinguards
- Assume shinguards meet the standard
- Require individual inspection only if the shinguard looks suspect
- Know the requirements
- In the absence of a NOCSAE label, the official's opinion is final
- Card the coach for the first violation
- Card players for subsequent violations
Harry Schrauth
,
NCS Coordinator of OfficialsFrom the NCS Rules Interpreter - 2008-09 NFHS Rules state:
4.1.1...shinguards must meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOSCAE) specifications....
Shinguards, as with all equipment, are under the direct responsibility of the coach, who should certify that all players are legally and properly equipped.
This would include shinguards. It is not appropriate for an official to perform a 100% inspection of shinguards. That is, no pregame line up and no pregame inspection of any equipment need be done. When a coach responds, "Yes", to the question, "Are your players legally and properly equipped?", that should be sufficient.
The game official becomes involved only at the point when he/she sees shinguards which may be undersized. At that point, the official should inspect that player and their shinguards.
If detected prior to the start of the match, should the player's shinguards 1) not provide adequate and reasonable protection, or 2) are not professionally manufactured, or 3) are not age- and size-appropriate, or 4) altered to decrease protection, or 5) not worn under stockings, or 6) worn with the bottom edge higher than 2" from the ankle, then the player may not participate until the shinguard deficiency is corrected. Any violation which occurs once the match start will result in a yellow card issued to the coach. Any subsequent uniform violation will result in a yellow card for the player involved and not the coach.
Please note, with the new ruling, shinguards must meet the NOCSAE standards, the presence of a NOCSAE label, while preferable, is not a requirement of the rule. It is likely that in some cases, the label may have been removed. The standards the referee are to enforce are stated in the above restrictions. While a NOCSAE label gives an official a very visible number to work with, the absence of such a label does not prevent an official from determining if shinguards are in violation of the above standards. It is the presence of the label on properly sized shinguards which will definitively determine if shinguards meet the requirement and resolve all questions. The absence of labels will leave all decisions regarding shinguards up to the opinion of the referee.
As with all equipment, shinguards are assumed to be correct unless the official determines otherwise. Given that shinguards which have the NOCSAE label may not be readily available, it is incumbent on the involved official to make an informed decision when questionable shinguards do not have such a label. Having already determined that the shinguards are suspect, and requiring a specific inspection, it is highly likely that the shinguards won't meet the standard. Such a decision is fully within the official's authority, only the presence of a NOCSAE label, which meets the height requirement of that player can result in a change of the official's decision, in so far as adequate protection is concerned.
2010-11 Soccer Rules Changes
3-3-1c (new): Time for Substitutions: either team may substitute an unlimited numbers of players from the bench:
a. between periods;
b. when a goal is scored;
c. 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 health-care 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 closed-cell, 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.
NFHS Official Soccer Signals: The NFHS Official Soccer Signals have been modified to reflect common practice.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS (from NFHS)
2010-11 Points of Emphasis
1. Concussion Management - see NFHS "Suggested Guidelines for Concussions in Sports" in the Rule Book
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 can be worn over a sock.
3. NFHS Code of Ethics - See Code of Ethics in the Rule Book (pages 111-114)
4. NFHS Soccer Signals - Signals have been updated to reflect common practice.
5. Online Education - for coaches at www.nfhs.org
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.
7. Throw-in Encroachment - Opponents shall stand at least 2 yards from the point where the thrown-in is being taken. They shall not interfere with or any way impede the actions of the thrower.
