The so-called "soft" red card is being shown the door in high school soccer.
Starting in the 2012-13 school year – or the prep boys season in Wisconsin – players who will receive a second yellow card not only will be sent off, but their team will not be allowed to replace them. This follows the standard rule on red cards used on nearly every other level of soccer.
Under the current National Federation of State High School Associations rule, which will continue to be in effect for this spring's Wisconsin girls season, if a player is issued a second yellow, their team is still permitted to field 11 players. Teams cannot replace players who receive straight red cards.
Another rule change announced by the NFHS earlier this week involves handballs in the box.
The existing rule states that a player who deliberately handles the ball in the penalty area to deny a goal-scoring opportunity will be issued a red card, regardless of whether the goal is scored or not.
Starting next fall, if a goal is scored in such a situation, the offending player will be cautioned with a yellow card and only receive a red card if the handball prevents the ball from going into the goal.
Tag(s): Prep Girls