RULE CHANGES
RULE CHANGES FOR THE 2025-2026 HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER SEASON
3-3-1,2,3,2c (NEW): Removes redundant language and permits substitutions during a temporarily suspended
game.
Rationale: Eliminates redundant language and allows substitutions during a temporarily suspended game. In
hot weather, state associations often authorize stoppages within a half for water breaks. Under this change,
teams would now be permitted to make substitutions during these stoppages.
3-3-2b(2): Clarifies that an injured player must leave the field if the referee beckons a coach or appropriate
health-care provider.
Rationale: The rules change clarifies the current rule that if an official beckons a coach or appropriate healthcare
provider for any injured player, including the goalkeeper, that player must leave the field regardless of
the reason the clock is stopped.
4-1-2: Clarifies that a number is required on the front of the jersey and/or the shorts.
Rationale: This language supports the rule prior to the reorganization of Rule 4 and adds clarification to the
overall interpretation to clarify that a number is required on the front of the uniform which may be on the
jersey and/or the shorts.
7-2-4 (NEW): Prohibits a coach or team personnel other than the team captain from speaking with a referee
during interval between periods, unless beckoned by a referee.
Rationale: The time between periods of play is designated for rest for all participants, not for engaging with
officials. This rule change introduces specific language and penalties for coaches who confront officials
during these intervals, aiming to reduce unnecessary disputes and maintain a respectful game environment.
12-4-4: A misconduct penalty may be given to the head coach if team or bench misconduct occurs.
Rationale: To encourage and support sporting and positive bench decorum, the rule change reinforces the
head coach’s responsibility for the conduct of their team and bench personnel within the team area. It
provides officials with additional tools, allowing them to warn, caution, or eject the head coach if any bench
personnel engage in misconduct.
Rule 18: Elimination of Rule 18. Incorporating the definitions into their corresponding rules while expanding
the index to serve as a quick reference tool to streamline the rules, improve clarity, remove unnecessary
duplication and eliminate conflicting definitions.
Rationale: This change relocates definitions into their corresponding rules, streamlining the rules book by
reducing redundancies and contradictions. The expanded index at the back of the book continues to serve as a
helpful quick reference tool, while definitions were updated and aligned in context with appropriate rules.
Click here for downloadable file
3-3-1,2,3,2c (NEW): Removes redundant language and permits substitutions during a temporarily suspended
game.
Rationale: Eliminates redundant language and allows substitutions during a temporarily suspended game. In
hot weather, state associations often authorize stoppages within a half for water breaks. Under this change,
teams would now be permitted to make substitutions during these stoppages.
3-3-2b(2): Clarifies that an injured player must leave the field if the referee beckons a coach or appropriate
health-care provider.
Rationale: The rules change clarifies the current rule that if an official beckons a coach or appropriate healthcare
provider for any injured player, including the goalkeeper, that player must leave the field regardless of
the reason the clock is stopped.
4-1-2: Clarifies that a number is required on the front of the jersey and/or the shorts.
Rationale: This language supports the rule prior to the reorganization of Rule 4 and adds clarification to the
overall interpretation to clarify that a number is required on the front of the uniform which may be on the
jersey and/or the shorts.
7-2-4 (NEW): Prohibits a coach or team personnel other than the team captain from speaking with a referee
during interval between periods, unless beckoned by a referee.
Rationale: The time between periods of play is designated for rest for all participants, not for engaging with
officials. This rule change introduces specific language and penalties for coaches who confront officials
during these intervals, aiming to reduce unnecessary disputes and maintain a respectful game environment.
12-4-4: A misconduct penalty may be given to the head coach if team or bench misconduct occurs.
Rationale: To encourage and support sporting and positive bench decorum, the rule change reinforces the
head coach’s responsibility for the conduct of their team and bench personnel within the team area. It
provides officials with additional tools, allowing them to warn, caution, or eject the head coach if any bench
personnel engage in misconduct.
Rule 18: Elimination of Rule 18. Incorporating the definitions into their corresponding rules while expanding
the index to serve as a quick reference tool to streamline the rules, improve clarity, remove unnecessary
duplication and eliminate conflicting definitions.
Rationale: This change relocates definitions into their corresponding rules, streamlining the rules book by
reducing redundancies and contradictions. The expanded index at the back of the book continues to serve as a
helpful quick reference tool, while definitions were updated and aligned in context with appropriate rules.
Click here for downloadable file