2025 -26 NFHS Rules

The 2025-26 NFHS Rules PowerPoint has been released.

The 2025-26 NFHS soccer rules changes emphasize accountability and sportsmanship, reinforcing the head coach’s responsibility for team conduct. These changes include:

• Rule 12-4-4: Head coaches may be warned, cautioned, or ejected for misconduct committed by bench personnel in the team area. 

• Rule 7-2-4: No coach, player, substitute, or other team personnel other than the team captain can approach or speak to officials during the interval between periods, unless beckoned by the official. 

• Rule 3-3-2: Clarifies that if an official beckons a coach or appropriate health-care provider for an injured player, including the goalkeeper, that player must leave the field regardless of the reason the clock is stopped. 

• Rule 3-3-2 (new): Teams will now be allowed to substitute when a game is temporarily suspended due to water breaks in hot weather. 

Points of Emphasis

 COURAGE, CHARACTER AND CONSISTENCY

• Courage, character, and consistency are essential qualities for any soccer official.  These qualities encourage the game to be managed fairly, effectively, and with integrity.  Officials must have the courage to make difficult decisions, calling fouls equally for both teams without fear of backlash from players, coaches, or spectators.  This courage extends to maintaining authority on the field, recognizing and firmly addressing any attempts to challenge their control or interfere with the game.  Character is reflected in professionalism and the official’s personality they incorporate into their management philosophy, fostering cooperation and mutual support within the officiating team.  By maintaining composure and a focused attitude, officials uphold the integrity of the game, ensuring their decisions are based on the rules within the spirit of the game, rather than external pressures or emotions.

• Consistency ties these attributes together, ensuring officials apply the rules uniformly and fairly throughout the game.  Players and coaches expect predictability from officials in decision-making, which reinforces trust in the official’s authority.  An official who applies the rules consistently, while managing interactions with confidence and conviction, fosters a controlled and respectful environment.  An official who successfully combines these attributes bolsters acceptance when managing dissent and conflicts, while emphasizing calmness, direct communication, and resolution without unnecessary escalation.  Ultimately, courage, character, and consistency define an official’s ability to manage the game effectively, uphold fairness, and maintain order, ensuring a positive experience for all participants.

TEAM AREAS and BENCH DECORUM

• Effective communication is essential for officials in maintaining control over the match, particularly when dealing with bench decorum and sportsmanship.  An official’s role is to keep the game safe, fair, and fun, which requires adapting to the level of play and responding to game situations as they develop.  High school soccer is an extension of the classroom, meaning officials must uphold the highest standards of professionalism, composure, and integrity.  By setting a respectful tone, referees can prevent escalation and unnecessary conflict.  Recognizing and addressing dissent early is crucial—while emotional reactions can be ignored, public, provocative, or persistent complaints must be dealt with decisively.

• Coaches and bench personnel set the tone for their teams, and poor behavior can spread if not managed properly.  In education-based athletics, adult leaders must be champions of character.  Bench decorum must be actively monitored, as unchecked misconduct from the team area can quickly influence players and spectators.  The head coach has an obligation to manage their team’s behavior.  A firm but fair approach ensures that the game remains under control while demonstrating respect for all participants.  Officials have tools to warn coaches and must take action to sanction misconduct when it occurs.  Ultimately, head coaches are responsible for their team area, including assistant coaches and substitutes, and must be held accountable for any misconduct occurring within it.

Player Equipment (Shin guards)

• Ensuring student-athlete safety is a top priority, and proper equipment plays a key role in maintaining a safe and fair playing environment. NFHS Rule 4 provides clear guidelines on required player equipment, including shin guards, which are essential for protecting athletes during competition. Given that high school players are still in their developmental stages, shinguards must be age- and size-appropriate, meeting NOCSAE safety standards. Each shin guard must display the NOCSAE seal, permanently marked on the front, indicating the approved height range for that model.

• While coaches are responsible for ensuring their players are properly equipped before the game, officials take a proactive approach by observing warm-ups to identify any potential concerns. Rather than conducting formal equipment checks, referees use preventive officiating by maintaining awareness during pregame activities and addressing any noticeable issues. If a player's shinguards appear inadequately sized, officials should engage with the coach in a professional and approachable manner to confirm compliance.

• By prioritizing communication and proactive observation, officials help reinforce safety standards while allowing players to focus on the game. A consistent and safety-conscious approach ensures that every student-athlete competes with the necessary protective equipment, contributing to a positive and well-regulated match experience.