Question Number: 29757

League Specific 9/30/2015

RE: Comp Under 17

John Arnold of Berkeley, ca USA asks...

Can anyone explain why US high schools need a separate 'rule' book with different regulations from those used by the rest of the world? I was approached to referee HS games, but said no once I read through the rule book. Seems totally unnecessary to me. I suspect it's a status or power grab on the part of someone in the HS program, but I'm curious as to why coaches and referees don't refuse to follow these 'rules'. We use FIFA laws in rec and comp, so why not HS?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
The NFHS publishes rules books for each sport or activity, and most states adopt those rules wholly for state high school competition including the non member private school associations. Soccer is not treated any differently. From what I can understand the early ‘50s were a time of experimentation in college soccer. Up to this time, college soccer had followed FIFA’s Laws. In 1951, the colleges introduced the “kick-in” to replace the throw-in, a change benefiting the inferior teams. They essentially received a free kick instead of the normal throw-in, thereby taking a restart tactic out of the college game.
Other experiments, short-lived, included an arc 18 yards out instead of the penalty area. Free substitution was the norm, allowing less skilled but fit “runners” to come in off the bench and affect the game. Colleges also played 22-minute quarters, and referees employed the two-man system, enabling greater participation.
Clearly those changes were to benefit the school system and as these changes would not have been allowed by FIFA I guess going it alone was order of the day. Once outside the FIFA laws that no doubt gained it own momentum and a life of its own.
Now as referees are required to follow these rules then that is a requirement of accepting the appointment. If a referee does not wish to get involved then so be it.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Because they can? (OK, snark turned off.)

Most school sports, both high school and college, have some variation from the pros. For that matter, pro leagues in the US often have different rules than worldwide amateur sports, e.g. the Olympics. And sometimes youth sports are different than adults.

I think soccer is unique in that so many leagues around the world DO follow FIFA/IFAB Laws. So when we see a group like NFHS that doesn't, it looks like a weird outlier.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

John,

I am glad that you asked this question. Hopefully, the below article that I wrote for NISOA and 'Referee' will provide you the answer that you are seeking:

It seems that at almost every high school rules meeting, someone invariably asks: "Why aren't high school sports rules the same as those used by other organization? It would be so nice to be able to call games under one set of rules." This statement is true. It certainly would be easier on officials if all levels, organizations and leagues of the same sport used the same rules. However, this is not the case now, and it is doubtful that it ever will be. Thus, the high school rules of team sports like basketball, football, soccer, baseball and softball are different from the professional, international or college rules in those sports.

The reason that there is a need for different rules is simply because the goals and priorities of each sports organization and level are different. For example, in professional sports the spectator is a major concern, so many rules changes are made with the spectator in mind. These same rule changes are not needed for amateur or youth games where the participant is of primary concern.

Please remember that participation in high school sports is not as popular and almost unheard of in other countries. In most foreign countries, sports clubs rather than high schools govern and sponsor sport competition for youth. Sports in foreign countries are not considered an extension of the classroom as in the United States. Development and recreation are the primary aims of most club sport programs. Thus, the goals and the rules needed to govern international competition are different from high school sport rules.

The goals or priorities of all high school sports are education, safety, participation, and sportsmanship. High school sports rules are made with these four goals in mind. Examples of how each of these goals affects high school sports rules are provided below.

Education. Sports are considered an extension of the classroom. In sports, the student-athlete is educated socially and physically as well as the mentally. Sports are an excellent media through which this education can be delivered. The official is part of this education process and must be able to communicate with players, coaches and spectators, so that everyone is informed and can learn from the experience. To better enable this communication, meetings between coaches, players and officials are mandatory, signals are utilized, and all cautions and ejections must be reported and explained to each coach. To properly educate the players and coaches about high school sports, it is extremely important that the official be consistent, call by the rules established for high school sports, lay aside rules from other governing bodies and concentrate on the game at hand—the high school game.



Safety of Participants. This is the biggest priority in high school sports. This is also the reason for the emphasis on the equipment check, the verification of legal and safe equipment by the referee and the rule that requires the official to stop the game when an injury occurs, no matter the position of the ball. Also, rule that requires injured players to leave the game, when the referee stops the game for an injury is the result of this big concern for safety. Because of this stress on safety, coaches are also involved in the safety aspect of the game. It is for this reason that before each high school contest, the coaches must verify to the officials that all players are properly and safely attired.



Participation. Allowing more players to participate in the game and thus receive the many benefits associated with playing high school sports is a goal in all high school sports. This goal has resulted in the inclusion of liberal or unlimited substitution rules that apply in a number of different substitution situations. Also, timing rules that allow for more playing time have been added in some sports to provide additional participation.



Sportsmanship. Because sportsmanship is a high priority, a statement discussing the importance of sportsmanship is spoken or read to players and coaches before each game. Also, a number of caution and ejection rules and penalties have been established to eliminate acts of non-sportsmanship. In addition, most schools have sportsmanship events for players, coaches and spectators and many states offer sportsmanship awards to member schools.



With the emphasis on safety and sportsmanship, the "flow of the game" principle, commonly followed in professional or college sports, has no place in the high school game. When "the flow of the game" is the major consideration, the referee tries to keep the game moving and the ball in play by disregarding minor fouls. However, these minor fouls later often result in retaliation fouls, poor sportsmanship, and injuries. Safety and good sportsmanship, not the "flow of the game" must be the main consideration when calling fouls in the high school game.



So, the next time you hear someone ask, "Why are high school rules different and why can't all rules be the same?" You can now provide the answer. The rules are made to meet the needs and goals of high school sports. Also, you can emphasize the goals of high school sports and what the referee must do to meet these goals. Hopefully, this knowledge will add to your enjoyment of officiating high school soccer, and allow you to be a better high school referee.
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Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John,
hmmm a lot more to consider than perhaps you first thought? I love soccer but FIFA has done itself no favours as of late in the way they are perceived nor in the infighting and political shambles of their organization. Plenty of great individuals but the association is long due for a make over. It is not within the ego of those who claim their right to govern a world sport to think they may have lost the right and are no longer the guardians of the game.. .

The fact is the game is not the same around the world despite the vaunted efforts to the contrary. Many nations are a shambles when their officiating is so influenced with their politics. I also point out the divergence in accepting of certain types of play as fair differ greatly nation to nation.

Here in Canada the educational or high school soccer programs are held to a similar accountability as their USA counterparts. The main point is the field is an extension of the classroom . We have mandatory sit outs for cautions to help the young players to cool down rather then become emotionally crippled, youth are prone to react explosively when frustrated as we all are to some degree. Attitude and respect play a greater importance than fan enjoyment and the amount of money at the gate.

While the alterations for ROC are at times a bit odd or a trifle peculiar. In reviewing USA high school rules, play is not fundamentally altered ! Fair play respect and skill all play the defining role as they are meant to. It is hardly a blow to the great game a restart might waver between a drop ball or indfk or a horn sounds rather than a whistle. FIFA LOTG have some weird restarts as well. The standards of what is accepted is indicative of the attitude, integrity and respect those playing afford to those officiating. Adult FIFA WC games may inspire nations to act bonkers in their support of a team. The enthusiasm for youth is every bit as intense just not as tolerant of unacceptable behaviour and make no mistake, EVERYONE is held accountable for their behaviour on or off the field as to even being allowed to participate. It is not just the referee but in effect we are all -teachers- to the youth under our care.

FIFA could take a few of the NFHS rules and place them in theirs quite nicely. I might personally not like the high school 2 man referee system or the reasoning why a certain restart should occur but in the end, we do WHAT WE DO, for the youth. If one feels their contribution has value, in whatever form they see it, that, is in my opinion, the best reason to referee!

As I am demonstrative and communicative perhaps to a greater degree than many upon the playing field I actually do well at the youth level! I am easily approachable, undaunted by dissent, willing to try to explain to those who are confused, and willing to listen even if we might have to agree to disagree but as my referee shirt says, 'I can explain it TO you but I can not understand it FOR you!
Cheers