Socks, Mouth Protectors in 2026-27 High School Soccer Rule Changes

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (March 16, 2026) — Clarifications for uniform and equipment rules were among the rule changes approved in high school soccer for the 2026-27 school year by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

In Rule 4-1-4c, the word “dark” was added to clarify that the home team must wear socks that contrast with the away team’s solid white socks. In Rule 4-2-7, subsections ‘d’ and ‘e’ were added to clarify that mouth protectors, if worn by players, should not serve any function other than to protect the teeth or mouth.

Additions were also made to Rule 4-2-11 a-c, stating that no athlete participating in a match is permitted to wear any type of audio or video device to record, transmit or livestream, aligning with other NFHS rules books. State associations may further restrict electronic devices.

“This year’s updates represent another exciting step in our ongoing effort to modernize the NFHS Soccer Rules Book,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Soccer Rules Committee. “With major rewrites to Rules 13 and 14, we’ve made significant progress in creating a resource that is clearer, more intuitive, and easier for coaches, players and officials to use. These aren’t just rule changes; they’re part of a broader commitment to building a rules book that truly serves the high school game. We look forward to continuing this work in the years ahead.”

Changes to Rule 5-3-1 f-j concern a new process for distributing yellow cards and red cards. Amended language states that officials shall hold a yellow or red card and indicate the substitute, coach or bench personnel being cautioned. If there’s an ejection, and the reason was receiving a second caution in the same game, the referee shall show a yellow card indicating the subsequent caution followed immediately by showing a red card. The referee must then direct any player shown a yellow or red card to leave the field of play.

Additionally, the official must “notify both coaches, the scorer, and other official(s) of the nature of the misconduct after showing a yellow or red card to a player, coach or bench personnel.”

Other rule changes include kickoffs, free kick fouls, goalkeeper restrictions, verbal offenses, ejections, free kicks and penalty kicks. A complete listing of the soccer rules changes will be available on the NFHS website.