(b)
Conferences - Any school not currently fielding a team but wishing to participate should contact the
NCHSAA office no later than March 1 in men’s soccer and September 15 in women’s soccer. Schools
should also notify the NCHSAA if they plan to drop programs by these same dates. All soccer confer
ences can be found on the NCHSAA website.
(c)
Date of First Practice - July 30 (men) and February 16 (women).
(d)
Date of First Game - August 11 (men); February 25 (women).
(e)
Payment of Officials - [See Rule 3.4]
(f)
Health and Safety - [See Rule 2.3]
(g)
Number of Regular Season Contests - No more than three per week may be scheduled.
(1)
Teams are limited to 24 games.
(2)
A student-athlete is limited to no more than one game per day.
(3)
Junior varsity conference tournament games count toward the 24-game limit.
(4)
Varsity conference tournament games are considered part of state playoffs.
(h)
Starting Time - A time no earlier than 5:00 p.m. is recommended, unless facilities dictate otherwise.
(i)
Tournaments - Tournaments are governed by daily, weekly and seasonal limitations.
(j)
Yellow Card Tracking and Ejections - Coaches and athletic directors are responsible for tracking yel
low cards accumulated by their student-athletes and all team personnel, including coaches. Officials
will enter all yellow and red cards received by student-athletes and coaches into the NCHSAA report
ing platform within 24 hours following the conclusion of the contest.
(1)
A red card is the equivalent of two yellow cards.
(2)
Regular Season
i.
The accumulation of five yellow cards by the same person will result in a
one-game suspension.
ii.
The accumulation of every five yellow cards by the same person after the
first five (10, 15, etc.) will result in a post-game ejection.
NOTE: School administrators are responsible for notifying the NCHSAA via email
(3)
Post Season
i.
Yellow card tracking resets at zero for playoffs. Ejection count does not reset.
ii.
The accumulation of three yellow cards by the same person will result in one-game
suspension.
iii.
The accumulation of every five yellow cards (5, 10, etc.) by the same person
will result in a post-game ejection.
NOTE: School administrators are responsible for notifying the NCHSAA via email.
(4)
Penalties for an Ejection – (See 3.3.8(b))
i.
Soccer Examples
1.
Player A receives one yellow card in each of the first five games on the sched
ule. Player A receives a one-game suspension, game 6. Next, Player A receives
one yellow card in each of the next five games, games 7-11. Player A receives
a post-game ejection (first ejection) and is suspended for one game, game
12. Then Player A receives one yellow card in each of the next five games,
games 13-17. Player A receives a post-game ejection (second ejection)
and is suspended for two games, games 18 and 19.
2.
Player B is ejected for fighting in game 2 on the schedule. This is
Player B’s first ejection and is suspended for one game, game 3. The red card
equals two yellow cards. Then Player B is ejected for fighting in game 9. This
is Player B’s second ejection and is suspended for two games, games 10
and 11. The red card equals two yellow cards, now totaling four. Player B re
ceives a yellow card in game 20. Yellow card total is now five. Player B re-
ceives a one-game suspension, game 21.
3.
Player C receives one yellow card in each of the first five games on the schedule.
Player C receives a one-game suspension, game 6. Player C is ejected for
fighting in game 17. This is Player C’s first ejection and Player C receives a one-
game suspension, game 18. The red card equals two yellow cards, now totaling
seven. Regular season ends and tracking resets to zero. Player C receives one
yellow card in each of the first three playoff games. Player C receives a one-
game suspension, playoff game 4.
(k)
Nine-Goal Rule - If a goal differential of nine is reached by halftime or at any time in the second half,
the game shall be terminated.
(l)
Suspended Game - If a game is suspended due to bad weather, light failure, etc.:
(1)
If suspended in the first half, even if one team is ahead, the game is picked up from the point
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