The 2008 NISOA Preseason Guide contains an error regarding the display of cards for an ejection when a player receives a second caution in the same match. From Ken Andres, Jr., NISOA National Rules Interpreter:
The NISOA 2008 Preseason Guide contains an article on Page 1 entitled “Second Card is Always Red,” which sets forth an incorrect officiating mechanic with regard to NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rule 5.5.3. The Preseason Guide article incorrectly states that the referee should not display a yellow card when issuing a second caution to a player. This is not correct and wrongfully interprets a 2008-2009 clarification of R.5.5.3, which addresses the issue of a second caution for Accumulated Cautions and Game Suspensions purposes pursuant to Rule 12.18.1. A player cannot be “charged” with a second caution in the same game for card accumulation purposes within R.12.18.1, but this clarification does not change the NISOA officiating mechanic when a player commits a second cautionable offense. The proper officiating mechanic when a player commits a second cautionable offense is as follows: The referee shall display a yellow card, followed immediately by a red card. See R.5.5.3.
As I finish my second term as chapter president and a new college soccer season approaches, I get to deal with many issues affecting our members and their responsibilities to maintain good standing status. Typically, these issues concern preparing for and taking the fitness test, taking the refresher test and attending the rules interpretation and requisite number of business meetings. The other day I received a copy of an email from a friend who happens to be a National Referee which made me think of what it is to be professional. Read the rest of this article »
Thanks to John Leavy for providing the following nearby NISOA chapter testing schedule:
- NJ Metro ISOA - August 9, Saturday – Drew University, Madison, NJ – Physical fitness test and Interpretation meeting – 8:00 am registration, 8:30 start.
- ISOA-NJ – August 9 – Mercer County College – Fitness test at 8:00 am. Interpretation meeting follows the fitness test.
- Eastern PA and Delaware - Saturday, August 16, Saturday – Villanova University – 7:30 am start for the fitness test. Interpretation meeting follows the fitness test.
- Westchester/Rockland ISOA - Rules Interpretation information is here.
NY Metro ISOA members who attend these (or any other non-NY Metro ISOA) rules interpretation meeting are required to attend three of the four scheduled business meetings to meet the NISOA requirement to attend 3 business meetings.
The 2008 NISOA Refresher Test is now available for download. This year, members will submit their answer sheet online. Answer sheets must be submitted before the annual rules interpretation meeting on August 23, 2008. All active members (including new members) are required to submit an answer sheet to maintain their good standing status. The procedure for taking the refresher test is:
- Download the test from our website. We recommend printing the test and writing your answers on the test itself.
- Log on to the web site and fill out your answer sheet. You do not have to fill out the entire answer sheet in one session. When you click on the ’save and submit’ button, your answers will be saved. You may come back and finish at any time before August 23, 2008.
As always, you may use the NCAA Soccer Rules Book as a reference when you take the test. Please post any questions in the comments section.
The 2008-9 NCAA Men’s and Women’s soccer rule book has been published and is available for download (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
Overall, the rule changes are minor (more details here). The most significant rule changes include:
- The penalty for a team which fails to provide an official game roster before the beginning of the game is a forfeit.
- The diagonal system of control shall be used. There are listed exceptions for using the dual system only when an assigned official fails to appear for the game.
Rule changes will now be considered on a two year cycle. The current edition of the soccer rules book will apply for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Specific rule interpretations and points of emphasis will be presented at the mandatory rules clinic in August.
The ECAC now requires new officials to apply for ECAC membership and pay an application fee of $75. New chapter members should fill out this form to officiate ECAC assigned games. This requirement does not apply to veteran officials who have previously officiated ECAC assigned games.
Our own Alberto Giordano was chosen to officiate the Steve Nash Charity Soccer Showdown in Chinatown on June 25, 2008. He’s the one in the pink on this youtube video. Look for Thierry Henry and Claudio Reyna in the video. Titi doesn’t look too pleased with Alberto’s sense of justice in this picture.
