MANUALS: SOCCER, REGULAR SEASON
2025 Soccer
Manuals provide the most up to date policies, rules, and regulations for Iowa High School Athletic Association sports in the regular season and postseason.
Member school athletic directors and head coaches seeking more information or clarifications on the contents of this manual should contact the IHSAA sport administrator for this sport, Todd Tharp. All other inquiries should be directed through athletic directors or coaches at member schools or host schools.
All the rules and regulations governing this sport can be found in the annual NFHS Rule Book, which all member schools receive from the IHSAA, excepting updates or experiments approved by the Board of Control.
The lowa High School Athletic Association abides by the soccer rules found in the 2024-2025 Soccer Rules Book as published by the National Federation of State High School Associations. National Federation rules are further revised by this manual.
For more information on concussions or sport safety, please visit the Health & Safety resource page.
Manual Index
To search this manual, click a topic header from the Index above or select Find (Ctrl + F) from your keyboard.
Classifications
School enrollment numbers from each year inform the following school year’s classifications for IHSAA sanctioned sports. Enrollment numbers are provided by the Basic Educational Data Survey (BEDS) from the Iowa Department of Education.
Class 4A: 36 largest schools
Class 3A: Next 40 largest schools
Class 2A: Next 48 largest schools
Class 1A: Remaining schools
2025 Rule Updates
2024-25 NFHS Soccer Rule Changes
4-1-4d: Clarifies there is not a limitation on the color of tape or sock worn at or below the ankle.
Rationale: Athletes have the flexibility to modify socks within the existing regulations. Frequently, they remove the foot of one sock to layer another underneath, enhancing comfort or grip inside their shoes and fastening the top sock around the ankle. Any tape or similar material used above the ankle must match the sock’s color, while at or below the ankle, any color is allowed. Referees are no longer required to oversee socks below the ankle.
Rule 12: Reorganized the rule for clarity and consistency.
Rationale: The Fouls and Misconduct rule has been revised to eliminate duplicate language and improve usability. The main changes involve reorganizing the existing rule for clarity. Sections have been rearranged to enhance ease of reference, and a new section addressing Stopping a Promising Attack (SPA) has been included. Certain general language in the rule has been modified to align with other rules codes. Section 6, Ejections, provides an ordered list of offenses by severity to allow associations more flexibility for determining post-game sanctions for misconduct. Additionally, an article has been added to clarify that all necessary conditions must be met for DOGSO (Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity) to be applicable.
2024-2025 Editorial Changes
3-4-3, 6-2-3, 12-9-1g
2024-2025 Points of Emphasis
- Official’s Toolbox for Game Management
- Stopping a Promising Attack
- After a Goal
Regulations Pertaining to Soccer Games & Practices
- Starting Date: Soccer practice shall begin on the Monday of Week 37, which is March 17, 2025.
- First Competition: Schools are permitted to compete on the Monday of Week 39, which is March 31, 2025.
- NEW FOR SPRING 2025: Per IHSAA Soccer Advisory Committee: Game Limitation: Each school will be permitted 17 regular season playing matches. A team may play a maximum of 4 halves per day, per level. Example: A team may play 2 varsity matches, 2 junior varsity matches and 2 freshmen matches in the same day. A team is prohibited from playing 3 matches in on day at any level of competition.
- NEW FOR SPRING OF 2025: An individual player may play a maximum of four halves per day, no matter what level. Example: Player A plays in 2 halves of a varsity match. On the same day, he plays 1 half of a junior varsity match and 1 half of a freshmen match. Answer: Legal as a 4 halves were played in one day. The player is charged with 2 of his 17 regular season games.
- Individual Limitation:
- a) An individual may compete in 17 regular season games.
- b) An individual may not dress in more than three games per day.
- c) Participation in one half only in one day does not constitute a contest.
- d) Participation in two or three halves in one day constitutes one game toward their 17 regular season games.
- e) Participation in four halves in one day constitutes two games toward their 17 regular season games.
- f) Participation is limited to four halves per day.
- g) Overtime is considered an extension of the second half and does not count toward additional halves being played.
- Scrimmages: Each team will be allowed two interscholastic scrimmages. This is per soccer program, not two at each level of competition. If the varsity team is scrimmaging at one location and the junior varsity at another location on the same day, this is considered two separate scrimmages. If the varsity team is scrimmaging at home and the junior varsity is scrimmaging at home on the same day, this would be considered one scrimmage. These scrimmages may occur any time after the beginning of practice until each team plays their first post season tournament game.
- Jamborees: Each school will be allowed to participate in one jamboree. The following are the guidelines for that jamboree:
- a) The first legal playing date for a jamboree is the Monday of Week 38, which is March 24, 2025. A jamboree can be held from March 24, 2025 through March 30, 2025.
- b) A school may not participate in more than one half of play (maximum 40 minutes) during a jamboree.
- c) A jamboree shall have a minimum of 4 teams participating.
- d) A jamboree shall have a maximum of 8 teams participating.
- e) Schools and/or individuals participating in a soccer jamboree will not be charged with a game under the soccer limitation rules.
- f) A jamboree does not count as one of the two scrimmages that are allowed.
- Seating: It is recommended that spectators be assigned to designated areas for seating. For example: Placing the home team on one side and the visiting team on the other side. If facilities provide for spectators to use other means than bleachers to sit in, they should be at least 10 feet away from the touch line on all sides. Additionally, fans should not be permitted to sit in the penalty area behind each goal.
- Officials: The National Federation “Dual Officiating System” or “Diagonal Officiating System“ as outlined in the 2024-25 High School Soccer Rules Book shall be used for all games involving high school players. The “three whistle system” may also be used. The “Diagonal Officiating System” will be used in all IHSAA tournaments. All officials must be registered officials with the IHSAA.
- The Select “Royale” soccer ball is the post season tournament soccer ball. Host schools will be responsible for supplying the Select “Royale” ball for the post season.
Contest Information
Rule Clarifications & Modifications
- Game Length: NEW FOR SPRING OF 2025- Per IHSAA Soccer Advisory Committee: Varsity soccer games shall be played in two equal halves of 40 minutes each. The length of halves for junior varsity competition may be shortened by mutual agreement.
- Goal Differential: The IHSAA has adopted a 10-goal differential causing the termination of a game. Any game that reaches half-time or anytime in the second half with a 10-goal differential shall be immediately terminated. The first half is to be played to completion.
- NEW FOR SPRING OF 2025– Per IHSAA Soccer Advisory Committee: No overtime will be permitted for any regular season match at any level.
- Tied Invitational or Conference Tournaments: A bracketed tournament in which a team must advance to the next round, teams would proceed directly to kicks from the mark to determine which team advances to the next round of the tournament. If this occurs, the match will be considered a tie, with the score at the end of regulation being the final score. The kicks from the game is simply a criteria used to move teams to the next round(s) of the tournament.
- Suspended Games: In accordance with IHSAA policy, whenever a game is suspended and no winner can be determined according to Rule 7, Section 1, Article 3, the game shall be restarted from the suspension of play.
- Yellow Card Conduct Modification Removed – Per the IHSAA Soccer Advisory Committee: The Iowa Adaptation of a 5 minute sit out period when a yellow card is received will be eliminated and the NFHS rule will be applied. A cautioned player shall leave the field and may be substituted. The cautioned player may not re-enter until the next legal substitution opportunity.
- Any team receiving four varsity red cards, players or coach, will not be permitted to participate in the substate tournament. If the fourth red card is received in a substate tournament game or a state tournament game, the game will be halted and the team receiving the card will forfeit the contest.
- If a coach receives two (2) red cards over a three (3) year period, he/she will not be allowed to coach his/her team in the substate or state tournament for two years.
Postseason Information
Substate Tournament Information
Substate tournaments will be held on the following dates.
- Monday, May 19: Class 3A and Class 4A
- Tuesday, May 20: Class 1A and Class 2A
- Monday, May 20: All classes
- Wednesday, May 22: All classes
a) There will be eight (8) substates with six, seven, eight or nine teams in each substate.
b) The substate winner will qualify for the IHSAA State Soccer Tournament.
c) Substate pairings will be posted on Monday, May 12, 2025.
d) IHSAA rankings will be used to determine the brackets in each class.
e) Substate Tournament Format will be single elimination play. In case of a tie at the end of regulation play the following format is to be used.
A five minute break will occur after regulation during which both teams may confer with their coaches, and the head referee will instruct both teams as to the proper procedure.
The first overtime will consist of a 10 minute period. When the first goal is scored in the overtime the game is over and a winner has been determined.
If the score is still tied after the first overtime, a 2 minute break will occur.
The second overtime will consist of a 10 minute period. When the first goal is scored in the second overtime the game is over and a winner has been determined.
If after the completion of the two ten minute overtime periods neither team has scored, the tie will be broken using penalty kicks.
The referee shall choose the goal at which all the kicks from the penalty mark shall be taken.
Each coach will select any five players including the goalkeeper, on or off the field to take the kicks.
If after the 5 penalty kicks, the score is still tied, each coach will select 5 different players than the first five to take kicks in a sudden-victory situation, where-in if one team scores and the other team does not score, the game is ended without more kicks being taken.
Team Representatives: The official soccer team for substate tournament competition shall consist of no more than 24 players and 9 other personnel (including coaches, trainers, managers, etc).
Substate Tournament Awards: The winning school will receive a banner upon winning the substate championship. Members of the winning team will receive medals.
State Tournament Information
State Tournament: The state quarterfinals will be held on Monday, June 2 at regional sites. The state semifinals and finals will be held at Mediacom Stadium on the Drake University campus from June 4-6.
Tournament Format: State tournament competition will be single elimination. In case of a tie at the end of regulation play the following format will be used. A five minute break will occur after regulation during which both teams may confer with their coaches, and the head referee will instruct both teams as to the proper procedure. The first overtime will consist of a 10 minute period. When the first goal is scored in the overtime the game is over and a winner has been determined. If the score is still tied after the first overtime, a 2 minute break will occur. The second overtime will consist of a 10 minute period. When the first goal is scored in the second overtime the game is over and a winner has been determined. If after the completion of the two ten minute overtime periods neither team has scored, the tie will be broken using penalty kicks. The referee shall choose the goal at which all the kicks from the penalty mark shall be taken. Each coach will select any five players including the goalkeeper, on or off the field (except those disqualified or receiving a yellow card in the last 5 minutes of the second overtime) to take the kicks. If after the 5 penalty kicks, the score is still tied, each coach will select 5 different players than the first five to take kicks in a sudden-victory situation, where-in if one team scores and the other team does not score, the game is ended without more kicks being taken. The state tournament will use the following format:
Team Representatives: The official soccer team for state tournament competition shall consist of no more than 24 players and 9 other personnel (including coaches, trainers, managers, bus driver,etc.).
State Awards: Each school competing in the state tournament will receive a trophy. Each member of the teams participating in the state tournament will receive medals. The champion and runner-up will receive a banner.
Pictures: Teams who qualify for the state tournament will have their pictures taken; these will later be mounted on a plaque to be presented to each team member and coach, compliments of the IHSAA. This picture will be taken one hour before the time you are scheduled to play your quarterfinal game. Each school will receive one plaque for each team member present for the state tournament and one plaque for the coach.
Weather Information
Suspension Or Postponement Of Contests
I. Prior to the contest officials’ assuming authority.
A. The home school’s management shall determine whether a contest should be suspended or postponed due to severe weather.
1. In making the decision whether or not to suspend or postpone a contest, the host management should first take into consideration the safety of the participants and spectators.
2. Playing surface conditions should be considered and what continued use may do to the surface.
3. If the decision is made by the host management to postpone the contest, administrators from both schools should mutually agree if, and when, to reschedule.
II. Once the contest officials’ authority begins.
A. Refer to NFHS playing rules, or IHSAA post-season rules, for the exact rules in each sport regarding contest officials authority to suspend the contest.
III. Postponing the contest.
A. Wait a sufficient amount of time to see if the severe weather will subside.
B. Home management and/or contest officials shall decide whether to postpone or resume the contest.
C. Playing surface conditions should be considered when making this decision.
IV. If the contest resumes.
A. Adequate time should be given for contestants to warm up prior to continuing play.
V. If the contest cannot be resumed after a severe weather delay and the match has been suspended prior to halftime or after halftime and no winner can be determined the following protocols for the post season are in effect.
A. Administrators from both schools need to come to an agreement. The contest may be considered complete with the existing score becoming the final score, or the contest may be postponed and continued from the point of interruption, at a time mutually agreed to by both schools.
Per the IHSAA Soccer Advisory Committee: During the postseason matches in which there is a weather delay in the 2nd half, no match may be started/restarted any time after 3 hours of the actual starting time. (A game that starts at 7:00 pm could not start/resume after 10:00 pm). During this weather/delay, teams may mutually agree to end the game if there is a team leading during this delay. (Rule 7-1-3 of the NFHS rules allow the officials and teams to end the game in the 2nd half if there is a team in the lead – this provision provides a timeline for teams to delay/restart).
If a regular season game that has been suspended prior to halftime or after halftime and no winner can be determined and it cannot be completed by the beginning of the post season, that game will be a tie.
Lightning Safety
The safety of the players and spectators is always more important than the game! Communication between game management, officials & coaches is essential for the safety of everyone. Lightning only takes an instant to strike. You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder. All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from rainfall. Don’t wait until the last minute to seek shelter. If thunder is heard, or cloud-to-ground lightning is seen, immediately suspend the event and instruct everyone to take shelter in a safe structure.
Have a lightning safety plan in place. Know where teams and spectators will go for safety and know how much time it will take them to get to safety. A “safe structure” is a completely enclosed building that is normally occupied or frequently used by people. The building should have plumbing and electrical wiring to help ground it from lightning. If there is no such structure available, an enclosed vehicle with a metal roof and sides is a reasonable second choice. When a contest is suspended due to lightning, wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder before leaving safe shelter and resuming activity. Lightning detectors are a great tool to draw one’s attention to the fact that lightning is in the vicinity. Remember, even with lightning detectors, the weather should be monitored closely for lightning or thunder.
Hazardous Weather Guidelines
The primary concern when signs of hazardous weather are present is the safety of participants and spectators. Have a safety plan for any type of hazardous weather that may occur. Practice and follow the plan. Know where people will go for safety and know how much time it will take for them to get there. Have specific guidelines for suspending the event so everyone has time to reach a place of safety before the threat becomes significant.