• ART. 1 . . . Game balls shall be spherical, with a circumference of at least 27 inches but no more than 28 inches (0.68 to 0.71 meters). The weight of the balls at the start of the game shall be at least 14 ounces but no more than 16 ounces (396 to 453 grams).
• ART. 2 . . . The outer casing of the ball shall be leather or other similar material that is weather resistant.
• ART. 3 . . . The ball shall be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
• ART. 4 . . . If the ball becomes deflated during play, it is declared dead where it was last played and the game is resumed by a drop ball between any two opposing players at the spot where it was last played. If the ball becomes deflated within the goal area, then the ball is dropped between two opposing players subject to the provisions of Rule 9-2-2.
• ART. 5 . . . The ball shall include the NFHS Authenticating Mark.

RULE 4 - PLAYER EQUIPMENT

• Section 1, Art 1, j. Shoes must be worn by all participants in a game. Shoes with soles containing metal (aluminum, magnesium, titanium, etc.), leather, rubber, nylon, or plastic cleats, studs, or bars, whether molded as part of the sole or detachable, are allowed as long as the referee does not consider them dangerous or they have been altered in any way creating sharp edges thus rendering them unsafe.

RULE 8 - THE START OF PLAY: KICKOFF

• ART. 1 . . . When the referee signals with a whistle, a kickoff shall initiate play at the start of each period and after goals.
• ART. 2 . . . At the moment of the kickoff, all players shall be in their team’s half of the field. Players opposing the kicker shall be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• ART. 3 . . . The ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground in the center of the field of play. A goal may be scored directly from the kickoff. The ball is in play when it moves forward. If the kickoff is taken improperly, it must be retaken.
• ART. 4 . . . After the kickoff, the ball may be played by any player except the one who kicked off. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been played or touched by another player on either team.
• PENALTY: Indirect free kick awarded to the opponent at the spot of the foul.

RULE 9 - BALL AND OUT OF PLAY, SECTION 2 DROP BALL

• ART. 1 . . . The game is restarted with a drop ball:
• a. when the ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by two opponents simultaneously;
• b. when the ball becomes deflated (2-2-4);
• c. following a temporary suspension of play for an injury or unusual situation in which no team has clear possession of the ball (except as noted in 14-1-7);
• d. when simultaneous fouls of the same degree occur by opponents.
• ART. 2 . . . The ball should be dropped at the location where it became dead unless this is within the goal area, in which case, it shall be dropped on that part of the goal-area line which runs parallel to the goal line nearest the location where the ball was when play was stopped. If the ball was caused to go out of bounds by two opponents simultaneously, the ball is dropped five yards inside the boundary line unless this is the goal area. (Also see 9-3.)
• ART. 3 . . . The ball is dropped by an official from waist level to the ground between two opposing players. Other players may be positioned anywhere on the field of play provided they do not interfere with the drop-ball procedure.
• ART. 4 . . . The ball shall touch the ground before it is played.
• PENALTY: If the ball is played before it touches the ground, an official shall drop the ball again. A second violation by the same player on the same dropball situation may result in a caution to the offending player. Play shall be restarted by a drop ball.

RULE 10 - SCORING, SECTION 1 GOALS

• ART. 1. A goal is scored when the entire ball passes beyond the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar provided it has not been deliberately thrown, carried or propelled by the hand or arm of a player of the attacking team (except as noted in 10-1-2g).
• ART. 2. A goal MAY be scored directly from a:
• a. kickoff;
• b. direct free kick;
• c. goal kick;
• d. penalty kick;
• e. corner kick;
• f. drop ball;
• g. goalkeeper’s throw, punt or drop-kick.
• ART. 3. A goal MAY NOT be scored directly from a/an:
• a. indirect free kick;
• b. throw-in;
• c. free kick into a team’s own goal;
• d. goal kick into a team’s own goal;
• e. corner kick into a team’s own goal.

RULE 13 - FREE KICK

• SECTION 1 DESCRIPTION OF A FREE KICK
• ART. 1. Free kicks shall be classified “direct” from which a goal may be scored against the offending team or “indirect” from which a goal may not be scored unless the ball is touched or played by another player of either team.
  
• ART. 2. All free kicks, with the exception of kickoffs and penalty kicks, may be taken in any direction. Free kicks are taken from the spot of the foul except for restarts following certain temporary suspensions of play, e.g., misconduct committed by bench personnel during a live ball and fouls committed in the goal area by either team.
• ART. 3 . . . Any free kick awarded to the defending team within its own goal area may be taken from any point within the goal area.
• ART. 4 . . . Any indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team within its opponent’s goal area shall be taken from the part of the goal-area line which runs parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the offense was committed.
• ART. 5 . . . Any player of the offended team may take a free kick.
• SECTION 2 WHEN AWARDED
• ART. 1 . . . Direct free kicks are awarded and taken from the point of the infraction (Except as in 13-1-3 and 14-1-1):
• a. if a player spits at, kicks, strikes, attempts to kick or strike, or jumps at an opponent (12-1-1);
• b. if a player trips or attempts to trip an opponent (12-1-2);
• c. if a goalkeeper attempts to strike, strikes or pushes an opponent with the ball (12-1-3);
• d. if a player, other than the goalkeeper in his/her own penalty area, deliberately handles the ball (12-2);
• e. if a player pushes an opponent with the hand(s) or arm(s) extended from the body (12-3);
• f. if a player holds an opponent (12-3);
• g. if a player charges an opponent in a dangerous or reckless manner, or using excessive force (12-4-1);
• h. if a player charges an opponent while the opponent, in the act of playing the ball, has both feet off the ground (12-4-1);
• i. if a player charges the goalkeeper (12-4-2).
• ART. 2 . . . Indirect free kicks are awarded and taken from the point of the infraction (except as in 13-1-3 and 13-1-4):
• a. if the ball is played next by the kicker following a kickoff (8-1-4), a free kick (13-3-3), a penalty kick (14-1-5), a goal kick (16-1-4), a corner kick (17-1-5), or by the thrower following a throw-in (15-1-4);
• b. if a player is penalized for being offside (11-1-3);
• c. if a player fairly charges into an opponent when neither is within playing distance of the ball (12-4-4);
• d. if a player who is not in possession of the ball obstructs an opponent who is attempting to play the ball (12-5-1);
• e. if a player kicks or attempts to kick the ball while it is in the possession of the goalkeeper (12-6-1);
• f. for dangerous play (12-6-1);
• g. if the goalkeeper takes more than six seconds before releasing the ball for play (12-7-1);
• h. if the goalkeeper illegally handles the ball while in his/her own penalty area after once relinquishing possession of the ball (12-7-1);
• i. If the goalkeeper touches the ball again with his/her hands before it has been touched or played by another player (12-7-1);
• j. If the goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands after it is deliberately kicked by a player to his/her own goalkeeper (12-7-3);
• k. If the goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands when receiving it directly from a throw-in by a teammate (12-7-4);
• l. if the game is stopped for misconduct of a player, and no other restart takes precedence (12-8-1, 2, 3);
• m. spitting at a teammate or game official.
• ART. 3. The following indirect free kicks are taken from where the ball was when the referee stopped play: (Subject to restrictions in 13-1-3 and 4.)
• a. if a player, coach or bench personnel enters or leaves the field of play without permission of an official (12-8-1);
• b. for temporary suspension of play for an injury or unusual situation and one team has clear possession of the ball (9-3-1);
• c. if the game is stopped because of misconduct by a person in the team and coaching area (12-8-1, 2, 3).
• SECTION 3 HOW TAKEN
• ART. 1. Players opposing the kicker shall be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked, unless they are standing on their own goal line between the goal posts. If the free kick is awarded to the defending team in its penalty area, players opposing the kicker shall be outside the penalty area at least 10 yards from the ball and must remain there until the ball clears the penalty area.
  
• PENALTY: An official shall caution a player who fails to move the required distance
  away from the ball or engages in time-wasting tactics such as kicking or
  carrying the ball away after a free kick has been awarded to the opponent’s
  team.
• ART. 2. The ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground at the spot specified by the official. To be in play, the ball shall be moved in any direction. If the free kick is awarded to the defending team in its penalty area, the ball is not in play until it is beyond the penalty area and into the field of play. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a re-kick.
• ART. 3. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player.
• PENALTY: Indirect free kick awarded to the opponent from the spot of the foul.

RULE 14 - PENALTY KICK

• ART. 1. A penalty kick shall be awarded when a foul, which ordinarily results in the awarding of a direct free kick, occurs within the offending team’s penalty area.
• ART. 2. All players except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from and behind the penalty mark until the ball is kicked.
• ART. 3. The opposing goalkeeper shall stand on the goal line, between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked. Lateral movement is allowed, but the goalkeeper is not permitted to come off the line by stepping or lunging forward until the ball is in play.
• PENALTY (ARTICLES 2 AND 3): Infringement by the defending team is not penalized if the goal is scored. If a goal is not scored on the penalty kick, it is retaken. If there is an encroachment by the attacking team and the ball enters the goal, the goal does not count and the kick shall be retaken. If there is an infringement by the attacking team and the ball does not go into the goal, there is no rekick. If the ball rebounds into play or is deflected out of bounds by the goalkeeper, the game shall be stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick for the defending team at the location of the encroachment. If the ball is saved and held by the goalkeeper, play shall continue. In cases where players from both teams are guilty of infringements, the kick shall be retaken regardless of the outcome of the kick.
• ART. 4. The ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground from the spot or any place on the penalty mark. To be in play, the ball shall be moved forward. Once the kicker starts his/her approach toward the ball, he/she may not interrupt his/her movement. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a rekick.
• ART. 5. After the penalty kick is properly taken, the ball may be played by any player except the one who executed the penalty kick. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player on either team.
  
• PENALTY: Indirect free kick awarded to the opponents from the spot of the foul.
• ART. 6. If the ball touches the goalkeeper before passing between the goal posts, when a penalty kick is taken at or after the expiration of time, it does not nullify any goal. If necessary, play may be extended so that the penalty kick may be taken. If a penalty kick is taken after the expiration of time (7-1-4 Exception),
• (a) only the kicker may play the ball and he/she may only play the ball once;
  
• (b) the ball is in play until its momentum is spent, it goes out of bounds, or is retouched by the kicker.
• ART. 7. After the penalty kick is properly taken, if there is an unusual situation that causes a temporary suspension in play before the ball is played or touched by another player, or before the ball hits the goalpost or crossbar, the penalty kick shall be retaken.

RULE 16 - GOAL KICK

• ART. 1. A goal kick shall be awarded to the defending team when the entire ball crosses the goal line, excluding that portion between the goal posts and under the crossbar, either in the air or on the ground, having last been touched or played by the attacking team. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.
• ART. 2. Players opposing the kicker shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball has cleared the penalty area.
• ART. 3. Once spotted, the ball shall be kicked from the ground from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. A goal kick shall clear the penalty area and enter the field of play. If the ball is not kicked beyond the penalty area, the goal kick shall be repeated.
• ART. 4. After the goal kick leaves the penalty area, the ball may be played by any player except the one who executes the goal kick. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched by another player.
• PENALTY: Indirect free kick awarded to the opponents from the spot of the foul.
• ART. 5. The goalkeeper shall not pick up the ball to put it into play.

RULE 17 - CORNER KICK

• ART. 1. A corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team when the entire ball passes over the goal line, excluding that portion between the goal posts and under the crossbar, either in the air or on the ground, having last been touched or played by the defending team. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.
• ART. 2. Players of the defending team shall be at least 10 yards from the ball until it has been kicked.
• ART. 3. The ball shall be kicked from the ground within the quarter circle, including on the lines, nearest where the ball left the field of play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a rekick.
• ART. 4. An offensive player who is not offside during the corner kick may be put in an offside position during a subsequent play.
• ART. 5. After the corner kick, the ball may be played by any player except the one who executed the corner kick. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player.
  
• PENALTY: Indirect free kick awarded to the opponent from the spot of the foul.
  
• EXCEPTION: A corner kick shall be awarded to the opposing team when a free kick taken from outside the penalty area goes untouched into a team’s own goal.

TIE GAME PROCEDURE
When the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team areas. There will be five minutes during which both teams may confer with their coaches, and the head referee will instruct both teams as to proper procedure.

• 1. There shall be two, full 10-minute overtime periods (note — not sudden victory),
• a. A coin toss shall be held as in Rule 5-2-2(d).
• b. At the end of the first 10-minute overtime period, teams shall change ends.
• c. There shall be a two-minute interval between periods.
• 2. If, at the conclusion of the two 10-minute overtime periods. a tie still exists, there shall be two five-minute, sudden-victory overtime periods.
• a. A coin toss shall be held as in Rule 5-2-2(d).
• b. At the end of the first sudden-victory period, teams shall change ends.
• c. There shall be a two-minute interval between periods.
• 3. If the score still remains tied, all coaches, officials and team captains shall assemble at the halfway line to review the procedure as outlined below:
• a. The head referee shall choose the goal at which all of the kicks from the penalty mark shall be taken.
• b. Each coach will select any five players, including the goalkeeper, on or off the field (except those who may have been disqualified) to take the kicks.
• c. A coin toss shall be held as in Rule 5-2-2(d). The team winning the toss shall have the choice of kicking first or second.
• d. Teams will alternate kickers. There is no follow-up on the kick.
• e. The defending team may change the goalkeeper prior to each penalty kick.
• f. Following five kicks for each team, the team scoring on the greatest number of these kicks shall be declared the winner.
• g. Add one goal to the winning team score and credit the team with a victory. An asterisk (*) may be placed by the team advancing to indicate the advancement was the result of a tie breaker system.
• 4. If the score remains tied after each team has had five kicks:
• a. Each coach will select five different players than the first five who already have kicked to take the kicks in a sudden-victory situation, wherein if one team scores and the other team does not score, the game is ended without more kicks being taken. If a team has fewer than ten available players at the end of the first set of kicks from the penalty mark due to either injuries or disqualification, the coach must use all players who have not participated in the first five kicks. The coach may choose additional players from the first five kickers to ensure that five different players participate in the second set of kicks.
• b. If the score remains tied, continue the sudden-victory kicks with the coach selecting any five players to take the next set of alternating kicks. If a tie still remains, repeat 4-a.
• 5. During all tie-breaker penalty kicks, the ball remains alive until its momentum is spent, it goes out of bounds, or it is retouched by the kicker.
• 6. For the final game, co-champions may be declared if a tie still exists at the end of regulation time, two 10-minute periods, and two five-minute sudden victory overtime periods.
• 7. Unless participating in the kicks as a kicker or goalkeeper, team members, coaches and other bench personnel shall remain in a designated area as determined by the state association.
• NOTE: In tournament situations, a game may be rescheduled from the start, or restarted from the point of the suspension according to state association adoption.