| Author | Message | ||
     Perry Papadopoulos Username: Ppapadopoulos Registered: 08-2003 |
Fellow officials, it looks like we have resolved the issue with fields and the 10 feet set back. The national federation has come back and made the 10 feet a guideline rather than a rule. The referees are off the hook now on this issue. With the exception of the team benches, which must be 10 feet back. Portable benches must be moved back the 10 feet. If they are not moveable, play the game and let your local board president know and we will work with CIAC to resolve the problem. The CIAC and Connecticut Soccer Officials' Association (CSOA) have recently communicated with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) about the field diagram in the NFHS 2012- 2013 Soccer Rules book. We asked the NFHS to clarify whether or not the dotted line in the diagram indicating "a minimum boundary for spectators, fencing or any objects" is a rule of play or simply a guideline/recommendation. We received an official interpretation from Mark Koski, NFHS Soccer rules Editor and National Rules Interpreter, which clarifies the intent of the filed diagram guide and addresses the set-back area surrounding the field of play. This interpretation has been sent to soccer officials. Please be sure that your athletic office staff and soccer coaches review the interpretation carefully. "The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) would like to issue the following interpretation: The information in the diagram about a set-back area surrounding the field of play, including the dotted line delineation of a "minimum boundary for spectators, fencing or any objects," is not stated in any of our soccer rules, except with respect to the bench area. We specify a 10-foot set-back for the team/ officials benches in Rule 1-5, but set-back space around the rest of the field of play is not addressed in the rules. Except as specifically set forth in a rule, the diagram in the rules book is intended as a reference, not a mandate. From time to time, school-related personnel are interested in designs for laying out athletic facilities. We provide this and other court and field diagrams as guides, but we understand that not all schools have the space or resources to meet the exact specifications of this or other court and field diagrams. In the absence of an applicable law, building code or rule, schools have discretion to set up facilities as they deem appropriate, consistent with the exercise of sound judgment to minimize risk". ALSO - Please remember that the NFHS Fall 2012 shinguard rule requires that the NOCSAE seal and height range be permanently marked on the front of the shinguard. It is the responsibility of the school to assure that players are properly equipped; officials will be asking head coaches if their players are legally and properly equipped prior to the start of play. If you have been unable to find shinguards that meet the rule, the following websites may be helpful. |