Girls Soccer
Boys Soccer
Soccer has been classified as a fall sport. The fall season may open on August 17th for girls and boys (all divisions), and conclude on November 4th for all divisions (weather dependent).
No school shall schedule more than fourteen contests, exclusive of playoffs sanctioned by the V.P.A.
All Vermont soccer coaches are now required to complete or must have already completed the NFHS concussion education program before the first practice of the Fall season. Coaches must remember that this requirement must be renewed every two years.
As of the Fall of 2016, all coaches are required to have AED/CPR education and shall have training with their school’s Emergency Act Plan. This must be renewed every 2 years.
The following preseason training procedures have been adopted. During the preseason schoolswill follow these new procedures:
The VPA soccer committee has set a goal of trying to play all championship games on turf this year (2023) and on multiple days.
The current issue of the National Federation Soccer Rules shall be the official playing rules for interscholastic soccer among member schools in the State of Vermont, except as varied by the Vermont Soccer Guide. Any game that is stopped before the completion of the first half, is to be replayed in its entirety. The rescheduling of games will be conducted between schools. If an agreement to reschedule a game cannot be met, the VPA Executive or Associate Executive Director, and Chair of the Soccer Committee will mediate.
Encourage each V.P.A. member school and coach to monitor the number of accumulated yellow and red cards and to develop a yellow/red policy for the team.Note – in the 2023-2023 soccer season, any team that acquires more than two ejections (of the 2 game variety) will be required to meet with the Activities Standards Committee before entering or continuing in the tournament. The purpose is to discuss steps being taken to address this situation.
POINT OF EMPHASIS – the NFHS Points of Emphasis is located on page 78 of the NFHS Soccer Rules Book. Coaches are responsible for reading this information as the points will apply to coaching a team. 2023-2023 Rules Changes are on pages 2-3 of the NFHS Soccer Rules book. It is recommended that all schools have a pre-season meeting with an official who can explain new and current rules for the year to the team.
Three situations exist:
TWO (2) GAME SUSPENSIONS:
ONE (1) GAME SUSPENSION: Rule 12-8-2I-when a player receives a second caution in the same game, he/she will be disqualified with a red card and the team will now play the remainder of the game without replacing the disqualified player (2021)
CURRENT GAME SUSPENSION:An intentional handball that prevents a goal. Ejection from that game only if the goal isprevented. If a goal is scored, a yellow card is given and you then follow the yellow cardprocedures.
Accumulation of Yellow Cards. , All schools are required to keep track of the number of yellowCards accumulated by their teams as reported by officials.
MOUTH PIECES: It is recommended that all players wear a mouth guard that covers all upper molars, as well as upper front teeth. Mouthguards are recommended to be worn in all practices and competitions and are recommended to all participants at all levels (e.g. freshman, junior varsity, and varsity for boys and girls).
OVERTIME: (Regular Season)There will be a five-minute mandatory time out after the regulation time.There will be two -10 minute sudden victory overtime periods. If the teams remain tied after the two overtime, a tie is declared.
In 2023, the post-season tournament will be open to all schools.
It is the belief of the VPA that everyone is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the game. With that in mind, coaches, officials, and team captains will meet for a pre-game conference to discuss all game procedures and expectations.
For the Fall 2021 season, the VPA has implemented a running clock rule. In the 2nd half, if there is a 5-goal deficit then the clock will continue to run unless there is a severe injury.
2023 Soccer Rule Changes: Please see page 2 of the NFHS Soccer rules book for changes.
To qualify for tournament consideration, a team must have completed at least an eight-game schedule with three different schools by the time of the picks and submit an application.
All scores must be submitted prior to Oct 22.LAST DATE TO PLAY GAMES:Boys: Saturday, October 21, 2023Girls: Saturday, October 21, 2023
APPLICATIONS DUE:Boys: Sunday, October 22, 2023Girls: Sunday, October 22, 2023
TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS AVAILABLE:Girls: Monday, October 23, 2023, NoonBoys: Monday, October 23, 2023, Noon
PLAYDOWNS:Boys & Girls: Div. 1, 2, 3 & 4 – Tuesday/Wednesday October 24/25, 2023
QUARTERFINALS:Boys & Girls – Div. 1, 2, 3, & 4 –Friday/Saturday, October 27/28, 2023
SEMI-FINALS:Boys & Girls- Tuesday/Wednesday, Oct 31, Nov 1, 2023
FINALS:Boys & Girls – Friday/Saturday, November 3/4, 20238 Finals all the same day (Note: Friday, November 3rd is only used if possible)
*For the finals, the tournament director shall be responsible for determining, in case of inclement weather, whether or not the game will be played, or continued if play has started.
For playoff consideration, the minimum size of the field will be 100 yards x 60 yards, and meet regulations as set by the Federation Rule Book.
Unsuitable Fields:For tournament play, a school with an unsuitable field (due to size or condition), shall provide a backup field, with the approval of the committee.
In the playoff games through finals the Select Royale Soccer Ball will be used by all schools.
In games, all tournament games where a winner must evolve, the following procedure willbe used for breaking ties:
In the State Finals each school will provide two ball persons to run the sidelines. The ball persons will receive free admittance and a $5.00 honorarium from the Tournament Director.