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Subscribe to our Newsletter2026 - NYSPHSAA & Suffolk RULES Changes
Maximum # of Contests: 16
Official Ball: Spalding TF-5000 Size 5
Rules: NFHS
Latest Rules Updates from the NFHS (updated March 2025):
3-3-1,2,3,2c (NEW): Removes redundant language and permits substitutions during a temporarily suspended game.
Rationale: Eliminates redundant language and allows substitutions during a temporarily suspended game. In hot
weather, state associations often authorize stoppages within a half for water breaks. Under this change,
teams would now be permitted to make substitutions during these stoppages.
3-3-2b(2): Clarifies that an injured player must leave the field if the referee beckons a coach or appropriate health-care provider.
Rationale: The rules change clarifies the current rule that if an official beckons a coach or appropriate health-care provider
for any injured player, including the goalkeeper, that player must leave the field regardless of the reason the clock is stopped.
4-1-2: Clarifies that a number is required on the front of the jersey and/or the shorts.
Rationale: This language supports the rule prior to the reorganization of Rule 4 and adds clarification to the overall
interpretation to clarify that a number is required on the front of the uniform which may be on the jersey and/or the shorts.
7-2-4 (NEW): Prohibits a coach or team personnel other than the team captain from speaking with a referee during interval
between periods, unless beckoned by a referee.
Rationale: The time between periods of play is designated for rest for all participants, not for engaging with officials.
This rule change introduces specific language and penalties for coaches who confront officials during these intervals,
aiming to reduce unnecessary disputes and maintain a respectful game environment.
12-4-4: A misconduct penalty may be given to the head coach if team or bench misconduct occurs.
Rationale: To encourage and support sporting and positive bench decorum, the rule change reinforces the head coach’s
responsibility for the conduct of their team and bench personnel within the team area.
It provides officials with additional tools, allowing them to warn, caution, or eject the head coach if any bench personnel
engage in misconduct.
Rule 18: Elimination of Rule 18. Incorporating the definitions into their corresponding rules while expanding the index to serve
as a quick reference tool to streamline the rules, improve clarity, remove unnecessary duplication and eliminate conflicting definitions.
Rationale: This change relocates definitions into their corresponding rules, streamlining the rules book by reducing
redundancies and contradictions. The expanded index at the back of the book continues to serve as a helpful quick reference tool,
while definitions were updated and aligned in context with appropriate rules.
2025-26 Editorial Changes
3-3-2b(5), 3-3-3b(4), 3-3-3c(2), 3-3-3d(3), 3-3-7 4-1-1c, 4-1 Notes, 5-1-2, 13-1-5
2025-26 Points of Emphasis
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Education Based High School Athletics
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Courage, Character and Consistency
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Team Areas and Bench Decorum
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Player Uniform Equipment and Safety
Section-XI Athletics
Fall 2025
has received a definitive answer from Pete Bleiberg at Section-XI regarding overtimes.
The Section-XI Policy Committee has decided that ...
LEAGUE GAMES
We are required to play overtimes in all League games.
NON-LEAGUE GAMES
We are not required to play overtimes in non-league games.
Coaches must decide before the game begins if they will play overtimes.
If the coaches can't agree, then the overtimes MUST be played.
PLEASE LET YOUR JV COACHES KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW RULE, AS IT APPLIES TO VARSITY & JV
SUFFOLK COUNTY BOYS' AND GIRLS' SOCCER
Important overtime information for the 2026 soccer season.
Please be advised that at this morning’s Athletic Council meeting the committee voted in for Girls Soccer
regular season that there will be 2-5 minute Golden Goal Over Times.
The Boys will remain using the 2-10 minute Golden Goal Overtime procedure as they have in the past.In regards to NL games, both Boys and Girls have voted to NOT have OT unless both coaches agree and
alert the referee prior to the start of the contest. If they do agree to play OT, then they would follow the
guidelines listed above.I have included both Anthony and Larry on this email so they may share this information with their referees.
Thank you,
Peter Blieberg
Assistant Executive Director
Section XI-NYSPHSAA
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National Federation
Soccer Rules Changes - 2025-2026
https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/soccer-rules-changes-2025-26/
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- Soccer Rules Changes - 2022-23
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
- Strategic Time Wasting Techniques
- Penalty Kick
- Dissent
- Sportsmanship
National Federation
Soccer Points of Emphasis - 2025-2026
National Federation
Soccer Uniform Requirements - 2025
GAME JERSEY
1. Home Team: • Dark color contrasting white • If gray is used, darkest color
2. Visiting Team: • Solid white • No colored trims
3. All jerseys shall be tucked into shorts, unless manufactured to be worn outside.
4. All team members shall wear the same color and style of uniform.
5. Appropriate-sized manufacturer’s logo allowed.
6. Only names, patches, emblems, logos or insignias referencing the school are allowed on the jersey.
7. GOALKEEPER’S jersey must be distinctly different in color from that of team members and the opposing team.
GAME JERSERY (FRONT NUMBER)
1. All jerseys, including the goalkeeper, shall be numbered. Numbers shall not be duplicated.
2. There shall be a 4-inch number on the front (jersey or shorts).
3. The color of the number shall contrast with the color of the jersey or pants and be clearly visible.
GAME JERSERY (BACK NUMBER)
1. All jerseys, including the goalkeeper, shall be numbered. Numbers shall not be duplicated.
2. There shall be a 6-inch number on the back.
3. The color of the number shall contrast with the color of the jersey or pants and be clearly visible.
SOCKS
1. Home Team: • Dark color contrasting white • Single dominant color • Does not need to match the jersey color •
Both socks shall be the same color
2. Visiting Team: • Solid white
3. If tape or stays are used externally, it should be the same color as the socks.
4. Manufacturer’s logo on both sides of the socks is legal.
SHORTS
1. May be of a color unlike that of the jersey.
2. May have an appropriately sized manufacturer’s logo applied.
3. Only names, patches, emblems, logos or insignias referencing the school are allowed on the shorts.
SHINGUARDS
1. Professionally manufactured.
2. Age- and size-appropriate.
3. Worn under socks.
4. Worn with bottom edge no higher than 2 inches above the ankle.
5. Must meet NOCSAE Standards at time of manufacture.
6. NOCSAE seal and height range permanently marked on front of shinguard.
7. May not be altered.
UNDERGARMENTS (TIGHTS/LEG/KNEE & ARM SLEEVES)
1. If worn, similar length for an individual.
2. Solid color, all alike for the team, if worn.
HEAD COVERINGS
1. Goalkeeper may wear soft-billed baseball-type hat or soft-billed visor.
2. Soft-padded headgear is permitted.
3. Medical or cosmetic required head coverings must be approved by state association.
4. Religious required head coverings must be approved by the state association.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Manufacturer’s logo may not exceed 2¼ square inches or exceed 2¼ inches in any dimension.
2. American flag may not exceed 2 inches by 3 inches.
3. By state association adoption, commemorative or memorial patches placed on the jersey may not exceed 4 square "s.
4. Armbands shall be worn on the upper arm by the team captain.
5. Substitutes should wear distinguishing pinnies when warming up outside the team area.
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