The NCAA Men's and Women's Soccer Rules Committee has proposed a change in the rule that allows goalkeepers one re-entry in each period, including overtimes, while keeping substitutions for field players limited to one re-entry in the second half only.

The committee, which met February 15-17 in Key West, Florida, will forward the proposal to the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) during a February 24 conference call. (See the February 14, 2005, edition of The NCAA News for more information about PROP.)

The 2004 rule allowed goalkeepers unlimited re-entry. However, that rule combined with the rule requiring the clock to stop during the last five minutes of the game for substitutions provided coaches with an opportunity to delay the game.

The coaching community was concerned with this tactic and several rules proposals were submitted asking for a change. The committee's original intent for allowing the goalkeeper, a specialized position, additional re-entry was in case of injury or illness. One re-entry in each period of play, overtimes included, will allow goalkeepers to be substituted for in the case of injury or illness. All other field players still will be allowed one re-entry in the second half only.

The committee also proposed that the 2004 rule requiring goalkeeper jerseys and socks to be easily distinguishable from all other field players and referees be changed. Under the new 2005 rule proposal, goalkeeper jerseys and socks should distinguish them from all field players.

"The committee has worked hard over the past few years to create a rules book that works for the sport and that the soccer community is happy with," said committee Chair Steve Holeman, head women's soccer coach at the University of Mississippi. "The rules survey, the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) forum and the acceptance of proposals from coaches and conference offices provided committee members with the information they needed before the meeting. This year, very few rules changes were made because the rules book is in good shape."

The committee also recommended the adoption of shinguard standards created by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). Those standards are scheduled to be complete in spring 2005. The committee proposed that players shall wear NOCSAE-approved shinguards within two years of the NOCSAE standard. Several other NCAA playing rules committees, including softball, baseball and football, have equipment standards based on NOCSAE's recommendations.

"For years, the committee has been working with coaches, officials and the National Federation of State High School Associations to establish a standard for shinguards," said Cliff McCrath, the committee's secretary-rules editor and the head men's soccer coach at Seattle Pacific University. "We are excited the NOCSAE standard is near completion."

All of the rules changes endorsed by the committee will be forwarded to PROP for review. Rules changes that PROP approves will be included in the 2005 NCAA Men's and Women's Soccer Rules book, which will be mailed to all conference offices and head coaches in June.

Rules changes flagged by PROP because of financial implications greater than $1,000, safety issues or a rules proposal that affects the image of the sport, will be reviewed through the NCAA's governance structure. These flagged rules will not be part of the 2005 rules book. After PROP's February 24 conference call, a mailing of rules changes and effective dates will be sent to head coaches and conference commissioners.

Other highlights

Men's and Women's Soccer Rules Committee
February 15-17/Key West, Florida

• Agreed that during the regular season, painted logos or other noncommercial field markings (such as mascots or slogans) on the field are allowed at the host institution's discretion.

• Agreed to remove the word "stitched" from the definition of the ball to meet current manufacturers' practices.

• Voted to allow garments worn under the jersey to be any color.

• Recommended that players warming up outside of the coaching and team area wear colored jerseys or vests that distinguish them from other field players. This will assist referees in determining the players on the field. The committee also recommends that ball persons meet these requirements.

• Agreed that jewelry, including the Lance Armstrong Live Strong bracelet, is considered illegal equipment and must be removed before a player enters the field.

• Voted that new facilities must be 70 yards wide by 115 yards long.

• Recommended that while an electronically controlled scoreboard clock may count up or down, it is preferred that the clock count down.