What Are the Rules for Girls' High School Soccer?

The National Federation of State High School Associations is in charge of writing and developing the rules of competition for girls high school soccer. Each individual state has its own State High School Association that will implement the rules set down by the national association.

Soccer Team

The soccer team has eleven players.

Object of The Game

The team that scores the most goals is the winner.

Length of The Game

Girl’s high school soccer game is 80 minutes in duration. The game can be divided into two 40-minute halves or four 20-minute quarters. There is a 10-minute break between the first and second half or between the second and third quarters.

Start of The Game

One team occupies one end of the field while the other team occupies the other end of the field. One team starts with possession of the ball at the center spot of the field.

Playing of The Game

Play begins with the team (the attacking team) in possession of the ball attacks the other team by either dribbling or passing the ball. The other team (the defending team) attempts to stop the other team from advancing the ball by either intercepting the other team’s passes or tackling the ball away. Tackles are made with the feet. The defending player can slide feet first to take the ball away from the attacking player.

Touching The Ball

Neither team can touch the ball with hands or arms. The only person who can touch the ball with hands or arms is the goalkeeper.

If a player touches the ball with her hands or arms, the other team is awarded a free kick from the spot of the foul.

If a defending player touches the ball with her arms or hands inside her team's own penalty area, the other team is awarded a penalty kick.

The penalty area is 44 yards wide (40 meters) and 18 yards deep (16.5 meters). The penalty spot is exactly 12 yards directly in front of the goal. The player tries to kick the ball past the goalkeeper.

Other Infractions

Players cannot trip, kick or hold the opposing players. The fouled player will take a free kick from the spot of the foul. The fouled player can score a goal from such a foul.

Offsides is called when the attacking player receives a pass from a teammate and there are not two players between the attacking player receiving the pass and the goal.

The opposing team is awarded a free kick from the spot where the infraction occurred.

When the ball is kicked out of bounds, the team that did not kick the ball out of bounds puts the ball back into play by a two handed overhead throw in.