Diocese of Pittsburgh Soccer League
Follow us on

Aug 26 2020

Rule Changes for Fall, 2020

News Image

Here is a list of the Federation soccer rule changes for 2020:

 

  • If the ball becomes deflated, it's a drop-ball to the team who last had possession, except in the Penalty Area (see below).  If deflated on a penalty kick, the kick is retaken.
  • Jerseys are now not required to be tucked into the shorts.
  • Mouthguards now can be clear or white in color.
  • If the ball hits a referee, and stays in-bounds, it's play-on unless 1) the ball goes into the net, 2) the defense gains control, 3) the offense starts a promising attack.  If any of those three things occur, it's a drop-ball at the spot of hitting the referee for the team that had possession.  If the ball goes out-of-bounds after hitting a referee, it's a defensive throw-in / goal kick.
  • A simultaneous touch out-of-bounds becomes a drop-ball for the team that had possession.
  • All Drop-balls are now uncontested, and go to the team that last had possession, except for a stoppage with the ball in the Penalty Area.  In that case, the ball is dropped to the goalkeeper.  All other players must be at least 4 yards away.
  • On a free kick, with three or more defending team players in a wall, all attacking team members must be at least 1 yard from the wall until the ball is played.
  • On a free kick coming out of the Penalty Area, the ball no longer has to clear the box to be in play.
  • If the referee fails to signal an Indirect kick, and the ball goes directly into the goal, the kick is retaken (as opposed to a goal kick).
  • On a Penalty kick, the goalkeeper now only has to have one foot (as opposed to both feet) on or in-line with the goalline until the ball is kicked.

Recent News