Additional Rules of Competition
30 Second Lightning Rule (revised, 2005 season)
The following lightning policy is in effect for all outdoor soccer matches:
If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of visible lightning, all outdoor soccer matches shall be suspended immediately. All team members and officials must leave the field to a protected area.
Game officials are asked to strictly enforce this policy for all contests. If the officials do not enforce the policy, then principals or athletic directors in attendance shall suspend the contest. If no administrator is present, the head coaches of the competing schools shall suspend the contest.
The decision to resume play will me made by the school officials present after a 30-minute period of no lightning.
8 Goal Rule
per the Virginia High School League Handbook -- Page 109, Section 78: Soccer
78-3-1 "Eight Goal Rule - Each district council has the authority to adopt the Eight Goal Rule for its district competition. The Eight Goal Rule provides that a game shall end after 20 minutes of the second half have been played if a team is behind by eight or more goals."
Overtime Procedures
Regular Season Matches
By adoption of the VHSL Executive Committee, regular season Varsity match overtime periods shall be 5 minutes each and played in their entirety.
Post-Season Matches
If tied at the end of regulation (2 40-minute halves), all players return to the bench areas except for designated team captain(s) for overtime coin toss.
After a 5-minute break from the end of the regulation time, the appropriate number of eligible players take the field on the ends determined by the overtime coin toss. Two (2) five-minue overtime periods are then played by the teams in their entirety with the teams changing ends after the end of the first five-minute period.
If tied at the end of the first two overtime periods, all players return to the bench areas except for designated team captain(s) for sudden victory overtime coin toss.
After a two-minute break from the end of the first two overtime periods, the appropriate number of eligible players take the field on the ends determined by the sudden victory coin toss. Play of the first of two possible five-minute sudden victory overtime periods is then commenced. If either team scores, the match is to be terminated with the scoring team declared the winner. The teams change ends at the end of the first five-minute sudden victory overtime period and the second sudden victory overtime period is commenced.
If tied at the end of the two sudden vicotry overtime periods, all players return to the bench areas except for the coaches and designated team captain(s) who meet with the Officials at the halfway line for determination of overtime kicks from the penalty spot. The referee designates the goal from which penalty kicks will be taken. The Fourth Official or dsignated Assistant determines from the coaches the five kickers on their rosters from all eligible players (not ejected and properly attired), who will participate. The coaches return to their teams and the Referee executes the overtime penalty kick coin toss with the designated captain(s) from each team. The winner of the coin toss chooses to kick first or second. AR1 assists the Referee with the management of the penalty area where kicks are being taken. AR2 manages the kickers at the center circle. The Fourth Official manages the bench areaas of non-participating players and coaches.
If tied after the completion of five kicks by each team, the Fourth Official or designated Assistant determines from the coaches five kickers on their rosters from all eligible players (not ejected and properly attired) who will conitnue to participate in the taking of sudden victory penalty kicks. Any of these players may have already kicked once in the first set of overtime penalty kicks. Kicks continue from the first group, but with each team taking one kick, with the results determining whether the kicks will continue. If one kicker scores and the opposing kicker misses or has the kick saved by the goalkeeper, the match is terminated and the team ahead in kicks scored awarded the victory.
If tied after a complete set of five sudden victory penalty kicks by each team, the procedure above is repeated until there is a winner declared.