After months of intense membership discussion, the NCAA Men's and Women's Soccer Rules Committee has forwarded a proposal to change the substitution rule implemented just last year.

The committee made the recommendation during its annual meeting February 10-13 in Indianapolis. The rule for the 2003 season allowed no reentry in any portion of the game. Many in the membership felt this substitution policy was too restrictive and did not allow participation by enough student-athletes.

The substitution rule will be changed to allow one reentry in the second half of the game only. The substitution rule will remain the same for the other periods -- no reentry will be permitted in the first half, first overtime or second overtime. The rules change will be implemented after appropriate review from within the NCAA governance structure.

"The committee listened and responded to the membership in a way that was favorable to the majority viewpoint," said Nelson Bobb, athletics director at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and chair of the rules committee. "The success of our first online rules survey coupled with the initiative to receive proposals from the membership provided a solid direction for revisiting the substitution rule."

Traditionally, Divisions II and III have supported more liberal substitution policies than Division I.

An underlying theme of the rules committee meeting was to make the rules book more user-friendly. In the process, the committee eliminated about 80 approved rulings from the rules book by either incorporating the information into the main body of the rule or eliminating the approved ruling entirely. The committee also focused on re-writing sections of the book for ease of use.

Some of the longstanding approved rulings the committee determined could be eliminated include:

* A.R. 12. Is it a goal if, on a shot or kick, the ball bursts and falls over the goal line? Ruling: No; if the ball bursts, it does not conform to Rule 2-2-b. The new ball shall be dropped at the nearest point outside the goal area.

* A.R. 55. May a player participate if he or she does not use footwear? Ruling: No.

* A.R. 106. The team that wins the coin toss chooses end of field. Does the other team have a choice? Ruling: No, it must kick off.

* A.R. 122. The ball goes halfway across the goal line. Ruling: No goal. The ball must be all the way over the goal line.

* A.R. 251. On a penalty kick, the ball bursts on contact with the kicker's foot. Ruling: The kick shall be retaken after the ball has been replaced.

In other business, the committee commended Nelson Bobb for his work as committee chair. Steve Holeman, head women's soccer coach at the University of Mississippi, was named the new chair. Holeman's duties as chair will begin September 1.

A memo outlining all rules proposals will be mailed to coaches and conference commissioners in early March. After the rules changes have gone through the governance structure, another memo will be mailed outlining the rules changes and their effective date. A copy of the 2004 NCAA Men's and Women's Soccer Rules book will be sent to each head soccer coach and will be available for sale from the NCAA after June 1.

Other highlights

Men's and Women's Soccer Rules Committee
February 10-13/Indianapolis

Noted the success of the first online rules survey and agreed to obtain all e-mail addresses for the fall 2004 survey.

Agreed to continue the formal call for proposals implemented for the first time last year. Coaches are reminded that two supporting signatures from different institutions are required for a rules proposal to be considered by the committee.

Agreed to survey coaches and explore the use of institutional pep bands.

Noted that the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment is creating manufacturing performance standards for soccer shin guards. The rules committee will follow this situation closely.

Clarified information regarding the Governing Sports Authority. Coaches and conference offices are encouraged to review Page 8 of the 2004 rules book.

Moved the sample pregame timing sheet from Rule 3 to Rule 6 (timekeeper duties).