Soccer Rules Interpretations - 2025-26
Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2025
SITUATION 1: Player A uses a deliberate verbal tactic to gain possession of the ball by confusing their opponent. The referee stops play and cautions Player A who committed misconduct (unsporting conduct 12-5-1g). The referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where Player A committed the offense. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If play is stopped because a player commits misconduct, but a foul is not associated with the misconduct, then an indirect free kick is awarded and taken from the point of infraction. If foul accompanies the misconduct, then the foul’s restart takes precedence. (12-5-1g, 13-2-2k)
SITUATION 2: Legal home jersey or illegal home jersey?
RULING: (a) Illegal, (b) illegal, (c) illegal, (d) legal. COMMENT: The home team shall wear dark jerseys, and dark is defined as any color which contrasts with white. (4-1-2)
SITUATION 3: Legal visitor's or illegal visitor’s jersey?
RULING: (a) Illegal, (b) illegal, (c) illegal, (d) illegal. COMMENT: The visiting team jersey shall be solid white. (4-1-2)
SITUATION 4: While the ball is in play, Player A4 (a) standing in line with their penalty area off the field (next to the goal) punches B1, who is also standing off the field; (b) punches a person on the bench in front of the opponent’s bench. The referee stops play, ejects player A4 and awards a (a) penalty kick (b) direct free kick from the point of the infraction. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If an active player commits an offense against an opposing player outside of the field of play, the direct free kick is taken on the field closest to the point of the infraction. (12-1-9, 12-6-1, 13-1-2, 13-2-1)
SITUATION 5: Attacker B2 is dribbling along the end line and pushes the ball past A4 and steps off the field to go around A4. While off the field, Player A3 steps off the field as well and impedes B2, denying B2 the ability to get back onto the field of play. The referee stops play, awards an indirect free kick from the point of the infraction. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If an active player impedes an opposing player outside of the field of play, the indirect free kick is taken on the field near the boundary line closest to the point of the infraction. (12-3-4, 13-2-2)
SITUATION 6: Team A is awarded a direct free kick. The referee delays the restart for an injury, requiring a second whistle before the ball may be put into play. Before the referee whistles for the restart, Player A2 kicks the ball. RULING: Illegal. Play shall be restarted by a second whistle. COMMENT: A2 may be warned or cautioned for their actions which may constitute unsporting conduct. Regardless of any subsequent actions, the ball was not legally put into play, and the game must be restarted with the original restart: a direct free kick for Team A. (9-1-3)