The NFHS released a new memo earlier this week to address confusion on defensive restarts for this
season. Please read carefully and update your Rule Book accordingly.
New 4-22-1, 2, and 3
ART. 1 Once the official has signaled the ball ready for play, the official shall resume play within five seconds. Play may be resumed immediately after the ball is signaled ready for play if a player of the team awarded the ball is in position (see Articles 2 and 3) outside the goal area and officials are in position to officiate the restart.
ART. 2 Any violation on the defense that occurs while the ball is in the goal area will result in the ball being awarded to the offended offensive team laterally outside the goal area.
ART. 3 . Any violation on the offense that occurs while the ball is in the goal area will result in the ball being awarded to the offended defensive team laterally outside the goal area. The defense may restart play with the ball in the goal area or in the crease.
1. Clarification of the word MAY in Art 3: There are situations where by rule the ball MAY be restarted within the attack area and there are there are situations where by rule the play may be restarted outside the attack area. The use of the word MAY does not mean that there is a choice that can be requested by the coach or player.
ART. 4 No restart shall take place with any player within 5 yards of the ball carrier.
ART. 5 The goalkeeper shall be given a maximum of five seconds to re-enter the crease on
2. There are several play situations in which certain words are no longer correct and need to be adjusted to comply with Rule 4-22 Art 3. They are:
4-11 Sit, page 41
4.18.2 Sit B, page 44
4.18.2 Sit C, page 44
4.18.3 Sit E, page 45
6.2.1 Sit B, page 63
6.2.1 Sit H page 64
The change is to delete the phrase “laterally outside to outside the goal area” in each rule or situation. In all 6 situations, play shall be restarted inside the attack area near where the ball was when play was stopped and not outside the attack area as the situations incorrectly state.
New Rule 2.1 Art 3
(Y) ART. 3 . . . If, because of injuries or players out on ejection fouls, a team cannot keep 10 players in the game, that team may continue the game with fewer than 10 players, with onside and stalling rules remaining in effect. However, a game shall not continue if a team has fewer than seven on-field players. The result of the game shall be determined by the state association or appropriate sponsoring authority.
Notes: There is some older inconsistent language in situation 7.2 I, p.77 that says that under certain circumstances a team may play with less 7 players. This is now incorrect. The team must comply with rule 2.1 Art 3 page 21 stating “a game shall not continue if a team has fewer than seven on field players.”
4. 7.2 situation H page 77. This situation also has some incorrect language. The erroneous words are changed below.
7.2 SITUATION H: A1, A2, A3 and A4 receive one-minute releasable penalties that are all reported during the same dead ball. A1, A2 and A3 begin to serve their penalties at the same time, while A4 waits in the bench area immediately next to the scorer’s table but not in the table area. Team A restarts play with seven players on the field. (1) Team B scores a goal after 30 seconds. (2) Team B does not score a goal in the next minute. RULING: (1) A1, A2 and A3 are released and A4 begins serving his one-minute penalty in the table area. COMMENT: The team penalty against Team A was four releasable penalties causing the team to play short for one minute or until a goal is scored. Since a goal was scored, three players for the team are released the team returns to full strength; however, A4 still must serve his one-minute penalty. (2) A1 and A2 may enter the field. A3 must exit to the bench area and A4 steps into the table area and begins serving his penalty. Team A is now playing with nine players on the field. A3 may now substitute into the game in the normal manner, if desired.