Card System for Misconduct – Rule Citation

The following is copied from the FHSAA Soccer Sport Manual, 2021-2022 edition:

4.10.1.1.3 Card System for Misconduct. Administration of the Card System for Misconduct in all contests must be administered as follows:

(a) A player, coach, or bench personnel who commits any of the violations listed in NFHS Rule 12-8-1 (a-f(1-11, 13-14)) shall be shall be cautioned (issued a yellow card). A player may be substituted for immediately and shall be required to leave the field until the next legal substitution opportunity. An official may issue a red card and disqualify (eject) a player, coach, or bench personnel on a first offense if the situation warrants.

(b) A player who commits a second violation of any of the violations listed in NFHS Rule 12-8-1 (a-f(1-11, 13-14)) shall be issued a second caution (blue card), shall be disqualified (ejected) from further participation in the game and shall not be replaced on the field with a substitute. The official shall first show the yellow card by raising the card above the head, followed by raising the blue card above the head. (Note: the yellow and blue cards shall not be shown simultaneously).

(c) A coach or bench personnel who commits a second violation of any of the violations listed in NFHS Rule 12-8-1 (a-f(111, 13-14)), or a first offense of NFHS Rules 12-8-1 (g), 12-8-1 (f) (12), or 12-8-2 (a-c, d(1), e-f) shall be issued a red card, shall be disqualified (ejected) and must exit the premises, and shall be subject to the provisions of the FHSAA Policy of Unsporting Conduct.

(d) A player who commits any of the violations listed in NFHS Rules 12-8-1 (g) or 12-8-2 (a-b, d(1), e-g) shall be guilty of unsporting conduct, shall be issued a red card, shall be disqualified (ejected) from further participation in the game and shall not be replaced on the field with a substitute. This player shall be subject to the provisions of the FHSAA Policy on Unsporting Conduct.

(e) A player who violates NFHS Rule 12-8-2 (d) (2) shall be guilty of a hand ball foul (non-contact with opponent) and disqualified (ejected). The player shall be issued a blue card and shall not be replaced on the field with a substitute.

(f) A player who violates NFHS Rule 12-8-2 (d) (3) shall be guilty of committing a foul (non-violent) attempting to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity outside the penalty area, and shall be disqualified (ejected) from the contest. The player shall be issued a blue card and shall not be replaced on the field with a substitute.

(g) A player who violates NFHS Rule 12-8-2 (d) (4) shall be guilty of committing a foul inside the penalty area, while not attempting to play the ball and a goal is not scored and shall be disqualified (ejected) from the contest. The player shall be issued a blue card and shall not be replaced on the field with a substitute.

(h) A player who violates NFHS Rule 12-8-1 (f) (12) shall be guilty of delayed, excessive or prolonged act(s) by which the player attempts to focus attention upon his or herself and/or prohibits a timely restart to the game and shall be disqualified (ejected) from the contest. The player shall be issued a blue card and shall not be replaced on the field with a substitute.