2022 NFHS Soccer Rules Changes

 

 

 

By NFHS on March 03, 2022

4-2-2: The change clarifies that hair adornments, such as beads, may be worn in the hair if they are secured to the head and do not present a risk of injury to the player, teammates or opponents.
Rationale: Clarifies that hair adornments can be worn in the hair if they do not endanger other players as well as being more inclusive of participants’ cultural and religious beliefs.

7-1-3: State association may adopt procedures to require the game be played in its entirety.
Rationale: This allows states that may require the game to be played in its entirety (for post-season or regular season seeding play), to do so without a conflict with the current rule.

10-1-2f, 10-1-1, 10-1-3h (NEW): Clarifies that a player cannot score by throwing the ball into the goal.
Rationale: Defined the outcomes on a goalkeeper’s throw when throwing the ball directly or own goal.

12-2, 11-1-1. 18-1-1s (NEW): Clarifies the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.
Rationale: Defines the arm for the purposes of determining handling and offside.

14-1 Penalty: Defines that an indirect free kick is awarded the defending team for an improper penalty kick.
Rationale: Penalizes the kicking team for not kicking the ball forward on penalty kick.

17-1-2: Defines proper distance for the opposing team from a corner kick restart.
Rationale: Clarifies the proper distance for the opposing team on a corner kick.

2022 Editorial Changes
4-1-1, 11-1-4b 2022

Points of Emphasis

  1. Strategic Time Wasting Techniques
  2. Penalty Kick
  3. Dissent
  4. Sportsmanship