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Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2024

SITUATION 1: Prior to the game, the referee notices that the home team has numbers on the back of the jersey and only on the front of the shorts. The referee allows the game to be played with no penalty. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A visible number at least 4 inches tall shall be worn on the front of the jersey or the shorts. (4-1-2)

SITUATION 2: The home team arrives at the field wearing long-sleeved jerseys. The torso is solid red and the arms solid white. The referee notifies the head coach of the team with illegal uniforms. The head coach informs the referee that the team is unable to correct this situation before the game. The referee allows the game to be played and notifies the state high school association following the game of the illegal uniforms. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: When an illegally uniformed team is unable to correct the situation or cannot verify state association approval of the uniform, the game shall be played. The referee shall, however, notify the state association following the game. (4-1 NOTE)

SITUATION 3: Player A uses a deliberate verbal tactic to gain possession of the ball by confusing the opponent. The referee stops play and cautions Player A because the player committed misconduct (unsporting conduct 12-9-1f). The restart would be an indirect free kick for the opposing team from where Player A committed the offense. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If play is stopped because a player commits misconduct, but a foul is not associated with the misconduct, then an indirect free kick is awarded and taken from the point of infraction. If foul accompanies the misconduct, then the foul’s restart takes precedence. (13-2-2k)

SITUATION 4: Legal or illegal home jersey?

RULING: (a) Illegal, (b) illegal, (c) illegal, (d) legal. COMMENT: The home team shall wear dark jerseys, and dark is defined as any color which contrasts with white. (4-1-2)

SITUATION 5: Legal or illegal visitor’s jersey? 

RULING: (a) Illegal, (b) illegal, (c) illegal, (d) illegal. COMMENT: The visiting team jersey shall be solid white. (4-1-2)

SITUATION 6: While the ball is in play, Player A4 (a) standing in line with their penalty area off the field (next to the goal) punches B1 also standing off the field; (b) punches a bench personal in front of the opponent’s bench. The referee stops play, ejects player A4 and awards a (a) penalty kick (b) direct free kick from the point of the infraction.  RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If an active player commits an offense against an opposing player outside of the field of play the direct free kick is taken on the field closest to the point of the infraction. (12-1-9, 12-6-1, 13-1-2, and 13-2-1)

SITUATION 7: Attacker B2 is dribbling along the end line and pushes the ball past A4 and steps off the field to go around the A4. While off the field Player A3 steps off the field as well and impedes B2 denying them the ability to get back onto the field of play. The referee stops play, awards an indirect free kick from the point of the infraction.  RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If an active player impedes an opposing player outside of the field of play the indirect free kick is taken on the field near the boundary line closest to the point of the infraction. (12-3-4 and 13-2-2)