NFHS vs. NCAA vs. FIFA

[USSF REF]

Comparative Rules Study (http://www.nfhs.org/staticContent/PDFs/Soccer/Soccer_Rules_Comparative_Study.pdf)

Here is a useful document published from a NISOA author via the NFHS. I cannot verify the accuracy, nor do I like the way everything is layed out, but I still think it is useful.

Check it out.

[NJ Ref]

Good stuff USSF Ref! NISOA has been doing this for some time…I think the first time I saw this from them was in the 90’s.

By the way, in this years High School rule book they also published a comparison of the three disciplines….it is grossly incomplete and I’ve found one error. On page 74, “Penalty Kicks,” for High School the coach is NOT allowed in the center circle during kicks. In NCAA it says “same as NFHS” and this is not true…They may reduce to equate.

My two cents.

[LoewenBoy]

Comparative Rules Study (http://www.nfhs.org/staticContent/PDFs/Soccer/Soccer_Rules_Comparative_Study.pdf)
Here is a useful document published from a NISOA author via the NFHS.
One day the US will adopted FIFA LOTG across all US soccer domains (with appropriate age/other modifications as necessary) and get away from this Balkanization of the Laws. One world, one game.:D

This notion of different Laws for high school, college, USL, MLS, etc. does not help the officials. One reason I think it is easier to officiate in Europe...one set of rules.

Is it any wonder (in another thread) a GK is complaining when a CR tells him to stop moving during a PK? Everyone is confused..players, coaches AND officials. Great Post!!!

[macheath]

One day the US will adopted FIFA LOTG across all US soccer domains (with appropriate age/other modifications as necessary) and get away from this Balkanization of the Laws. One world, one game.:D

This notion of different Laws for high school, college, USL, MLS, etc. does not help the officials. One reason I think it is easier to officiate in Europe...one set of rules.

Is it any wonder (in another thread) a GK is complaining when a CR tells him to stop moving during a PK? Everyone is confused..players, coaches AND officials. Great Post!!!

The US modifications of the rules, always sort of pointless, are now counterproductive. All of those kids playing under different high school and college rules have come up through USSF rec and travel teams, where the FIFA rules are used. (Not just in Europe--in the whole bloody world except for you-know-where.) The rule changers for HS and college have too much time on their hands, and think they can somehow improve the rules that work for every other country in the world, and for many leagues and matches here.

[LoewenBoy]

The US modifications of the rules, always sort of pointless, are now counterproductive.
Was it ever productive?:D Seriously, what is the reason for so many different versions of the laws?

[billf]

The US modifications of the rules, always sort of pointless, are now counterproductive. All of those kids playing under different high school and college rules have come up through USSF rec and travel teams, where the FIFA rules are used. (Not just in Europe--in the whole bloody world except for you-know-where.) The rule changers for HS and college have too much time on their hands, and think they can somehow improve the rules that work for every other country in the world, and for many leagues and matches here.

Maybe to a degree this is true. The way I see it, in high schools its pencil pushers making the rules to suit a set of real or percieved needs. In college, its the coaches managing and mantaining control over their game.

It really isn't like USSF ball in the US is strictly adhering to Fifa either. Look at substitutions. The Super-Y league, for a youth league, did things about as close to Fifa as they could but even that didn't last.

[LoewenBoy]

It really isn't like USSF ball in the US is strictly adhering to Fifa either. Look at substitutions. The Super-Y league, for a youth league, did things about as close to Fifa as they could but even that didn't last.
I think it is rather amusing how the USSF lets regional, state and other bodies to adjust the rules when VERY few organizations outside the US do. Case in point: When I first started playing AH (over 30+) football in Germany, I had a rather rude experience. My first game I started and ran my ass off the first half, just like I did when I was "younger". Did the same in the second half. During the first 50 minutes we had made 3 subs. About 15 minutes into the second half I called my captain for a sub. He looked at me rather odd and said, "We have made our three, stick it out.":eek: Had I known that even at OVER 30 they played strict FIFA rules I would have conserved myself a bit more. Guess that's what I get for "assuming" the rules were different (typical American:) ).

[Law5]

Good stuff USSF Ref! NISOA has been doing this for some time…I think the first time I saw this from them was in the 90’s.

By the way, in this years High School rule book they also published a comparison of the three disciplines….it is grossly incomplete and I’ve found one error. On page 74, “Penalty Kicks,” for High School the coach is NOT allowed in the center circle during kicks. In NCAA it says “same as NFHS” and this is not true…They may reduce to equate.

My two cents.
Actually, the NFHS book is silent about the location of the coach during a shootout. This comparison document is the only place that says that the coach can not be out there. Note that in a NFHS shootout, any player who has not been red carded can participate in the kicks, so the entire team will be in the center circle, not just those on the field at the end of the game. It makes no sense to have them out there and the coach on the bench, yelling out to them who will take the kicks.
I like better the comparison at http://www.oreofficials.org/files/sport%20pages/soccer/soccer%20rule%20differences.doc. Note that this one does not include the NISOA rules and it does include some Oregon only interpretations/practices/rules.

[MasterShake29]

Was it ever productive?:D Seriously, what is the reason for so many different versions of the laws?

It's an American thing. It happens in football, basketball, and baseball too.

It's totally stupid, but accepted as normal over here.

[intechpc]

Personally, there are some "allowed" modifications under USSF that I do believe are a good thing. For instance, substitutions is a big one. Sure at a pro level or even college level it makes sense to use the FIFA laws regarding this. However, at a youth rec league or even high school level it's counter-productive to the greater good of the game. At those levels everything is about participation and player development, so I think flexibility in the laws is appropriate.

As far as why do these organizations (NFHS, NIOSA, etc) make other changes to the laws, it's simple. Here in the US we have many sports that have developed using an American sense of what is fair (Baseball and American Football being two of those). Those organizations, in order to make the sport more attractive to players and fans, have attempted to adopt changes that are more consistent with that American viewpoint. In other countries where the soccer is by far the most popular game and very few others are played at a professional level, the same need to attract players/fans just isn't there. How long do you think it will be before NISOA and possibly even the USSF sweepingly adopt instant replay? Just my opinion anyway.

[USSF REF]

Personally, there are some "allowed" modifications under USSF that I do believe are a good thing. For instance, substitutions is a big one. Sure at a pro level or even college level it makes sense to use the FIFA laws regarding this. However, at a youth rec league or even high school level it's counter-productive to the greater good of the game. At those levels everything is about participation and player development, so I think flexibility in the laws is appropriate.

As far as why do these organizations (NFHS, NIOSA, etc) make other changes to the laws, it's simple. Here in the US we have many sports that have developed using an American sense of what is fair (Baseball and American Football being two of those). Those organizations, in order to make the sport more attractive to players and fans, have attempted to adopt changes that are more consistent with that American viewpoint. In other countries where the soccer is by far the most popular game and very few others are played at a professional level, the same need to attract players/fans just isn't there. How long do you think it will be before NISOA and possibly even the USSF sweepingly adopt instant replay? Just my opinion anyway.

USSF will NOT adopt instant replay without the permission of the IFAB, if they did they might be ousted from FIFA membership.

NISOA would not likely adopt instant replay for a sport that is not recorded at the same level as football. Hell, even in D3 football there is no instant replay. Instant replay is only in the conferences that adopt it.

Very few NCAA soccer games are telecast, and in reality without telecasting the game you won't be able to have replay. Plus there would be no example at the pro level.