2006-07 NFHS Points Of Emphasis

1) Player Equipment (Eyewear) – The NFHS Soccer Rules permit the use of eyewear. Eyewear may be worn for eye protection or as prescription glasses. Sport eyewear is manufactured to protect the eyes without causing injury to the player(s) wearing them or to other players. Any equipment, which in the opinion of the referee is dangerous or confusing, is illegal. Coaches are responsible for their players being in legal equipment and must confirm such when verbally asked by the referee.

2) Participant Conduct – Good sporting behavior and appropriate conduct need to be displayed by everyone in the team area prior to, during, and after the game. Coaches have tremendous influence over players and spectators by the words they use and the behavior they display. Officials reinforce good sporting behavior by communicating effectively with players and coaches and enforcing the rules.

3) End of Game Procedures for Officials – Officials must verify with their state association or the proper authority the role they play after the final whistle. The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee has extended the officials’ jurisdiction to the immediate surroundings; this may differ from one site to another. Extending officials’ jurisdiction to the immediate surroundings is in no way an invitation to delay their exit from the site of the competition. Once the final whistle blows, unless instructed otherwise by the governing authority, the official should verify the score and exit the site of the competition. It is imperative that officials report in writing any disqualifications or unusual incidents to the proper authority.

4) Game Supervision/Management – Proper supervision and pre-planned procedures are critical to proper game management. The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee has encouraged state associations to require contest supervision by individuals other than the coach for soccer games. Host schools should develop a game management plan which includes the following: greeting the game officials, storage of officials’ gear, providing dressing rooms if available, and development of an exit strategy after the final whistle. The committee believes this will reduce unsporting behavior of players, coaches, and spectators as well as keep the school informed of unusual incidents.

5) Field Markings – Fields are to be marked according to the rules. Properly sized team and officials’ areas need to be marked. The NFHS provides a diagram of the field of play and its immediate surroundings in the rules book. It is important to note that the most common and most effective placement for the team and officials’ area is depicted in the diagram. With the team and officials area on the same side of the field, it allows for easier communication between game officials and coaches and more consistent handling of substitutions by the referee.

6) Reporting Incidents – Officials must report game disqualifications and unusual incidents to the proper authorities. This includes unsporting behavior by players, coaches, and spectators prior to, during and after the contest. The proper authorities may include the state athletic/activity association, a league commissioner, or a school administrator. Without a written report, the proper authorities cannot follow-up with those parties involved or determine the appropriate consequences for any inappropriate actions.

7) Handling Apparent Concussions – The action plan for handling apparent concussions states that if one suspects that a player has a concussion, the following steps should be taken: 1) remove athlete from play; 2) ensure that the athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional and do not try to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself; 3) inform the athlete’s parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion; and 4) allow the athlete to return to play only with permission from an appropriate health-care professional.