NISOA’s Director of Physical Fitness, Dr. Ken Kaylor is recommending modifications to the NISOA Physical Fitness Test. Key highlights of the modifications include:
- Eliminating the point system. Officials must pass each event.
- Eliminating the Pro 40 Box event and reduces the number of events to three.
- Replacing the 30M shuttle (7 x 30 meters) with a 6 x 40 meter sprint repeat test similar to the one used by US Soccer.
The significant issues driving the proposed modifications are:
- Safety. There are too many reports of officials falling during the Pro 40 box event.
- Better alignment with US Soccer while still not burdening chapter administrators.
- Simplify the test to pass/fail.
- Use gender-based scoring.
The proposed fitness test is available for review/download and is on the agenda for action at the upcoming NISOA Convention/Annual General Meeting in Buffalo, New York on July 18, 2014. We are looking for feedback and comments from members to help shape our direction on this initiative. Please comment here.
Updated August 9, 2014 – Some significant changes to the proposed test were approved by the NISOA Membership at the Annual General Meeting in July 2014. Details are available on the NISOA web site.
Once again, it’s playoff time so please take a couple of minutes to review NCAA Rule 7.1.2. Important and specific points of the rule are highlighted in this article published last year.
Our last clinic and article on offside have generated a lot of positive feedback and discussion on this issue. One aspect of offside we did not discuss was the location of the restart after an offside infraction. Read the rest of this entry »
During last night’s chapter business meeting/clinic, we discussed the three elements the Assistant Referee must consider before raising the flag to indicate an offside infraction. The goal of the clinic was to increase the consistency of offside decision making based on the common language and elements of Rule 11. In summary, in order for there to be an offside offense, the attacking player in an offside position must be:
- Interfering with play (defined as playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate) or;
- Interfering with an opponent (defined as preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball) or;
- Gaining an advantage by being in that position (defined as playing a ball that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent or playing a ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent).
Read the rest of this entry »
Heat and high humidity are a significant part of the playing conditions at the start of the intercollegiate soccer season. While the NCAA soccer rules do not address heat and humidity specifically, Rule 5.6.1 can be broadly applied by the referee to suspend a match for any reason deemed necessary. Dangerous heat conditions can and probably should be considered in this context.
Referees are encouraged to use judgement in their application of Rule 5.6.1, especially in cases where a brief water break will reduce the risk of endangering player safety. The match should be resumed as soon as possible as conditions allow in this case.
Additional discussion and background on this interpretation is available on the NISOA web site.
Todd Abraham, NISOA President, has appointed Jim Miller as the NISOA Region II Representative (New York State) effective immediately. Jim is the President of the Triple Cities ISOA as well as a NISOA National Referee Emeritus. The Region Representative’s responsibilities include:
- Expediting and rendering decisions on local grievances.
- Acts as the intermediary agent between the NISOA National Office and local chapters.
- Coordinates the development of new chapters within the region.
- Makes recommendations for NISOA awards
- Promotes and assists with NISOA Regional clinics.
I am very pleased with Jim’s appointment and am totally confident he will do a great job representing our region. I would also like to thank all the chapters in Region II for their support during my two year term as Regional Representative.
The start of a new college soccer season is an exciting time. NISOA officials prepare physically, attend rules clinics, and take NCAA Soccer rules tests so they can be at their best throughout the season. However, when December comes around and the soccer season has ended, it can be a melancholy time. However, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the past season and even start preparing for next autumn. The time is perfect for each NISOA member to do a personal self-assessment. Read more about your own self-assessment.
