Most Important NFHS vs. NCAA Rule Differences for 2017
Procedures |
NFHS |
NCAA |
Stick requirements |
Refer to full list of rule differences |
Refer to full list of rule differences |
Mouth guard |
Cover all upper or lower teeth |
Cover all upper teeth |
Glove color |
No mention |
Non-GK players must wear same team color |
Mercy rule |
Running time in 2nd half if lead is 12 or more |
None |
Violation during face-off, after whistle but before possession |
Possible play-on |
Avoid play-on |
Face-off violation by Team B |
No limit; could be releasable USC per NFHS 5-10-e |
Limit of 2 per team per half |
Goalie out of crease on stoppage |
Goalie gets up to 5 seconds to return to crease |
Immediate restart if other conditions are met |
Defender is w/in 5 yards on restart |
Player gets 5-count to move back or gets technical if he was within 5 yards when play stopped; technical foul if he was more than 5 yards away and ran in |
Play restarts immediately. Defender must gain 5 yds. |
Stoppage with ball in attack area |
Restart outside attack area except for end line OOB or offensive technical |
Quick restart for defense, moves out of box for of- fense or if there is a flag (one pass allowed) |
Jewelry |
Prohibited; 1:00 NR |
Permitted unless deemed dangerous by officials |
Player w/o required equip. other than crosse in scrimmage area |
Stop play if player is in or enters scrimmage area. Ball awarded to team in possession or by AP (or to defense in alley for loose ball in crease) |
Stop play.Technical foul to participate if ball is loose or player is from defense. For player from team in possession, no foul and team retains possession. |
Stalling |
“Get it in” and “Keep it in” |
Thirty-second shot clock procedure |
Stalling during penalty situations |
Stall warnings may be issued if team in possession is man up or man down |
The shot clock procedure is not used when there is an uneven penalty situation |
Last 2:00 of 4th quarter |
Automatic stall warning for team in lead by 1-4 goals; immediate whistle for second flag in some circumstances |
No automatic warning; shot clock may be issued |
Defensive clearing counts and offensive counts |
Twenty seconds to cross midfield, then ball must enter the attack area within 10 seconds, |
Thirty seconds after possession is gained to move the ball into the attack area |
During timer subs, 20-sec. timer sounds;Team A has too many or too few players |
Illegal procedure technical foul on Team A for too many or too few men on field |
Illegal procedure for too many men; no mention of too few men |
Second NR USC foul (same person) |
Expulsion and 3:00 NR penalty |
Usual penalty is assessed |
Checks to the head and neck |
Minimum 2:00 NR penalty |
Minimum 1:00 NR penalty |
Checking a defenseless player |
Minimum 2:00 NR penalty |
Could be 1:00-3:00 unnecssary roughness |
Tape on head |
Not allowed for anyone taking a face-off |
Not allowed for anyone but goalie (3:00 NR foul) |
Loose-ball personal foul |
Immediate whistle and flag in all situations |
Immediate whistle/flag if no flag already down; FDSW if already a flag down (both fouls on defense) |
Conduct foul |
Includes “any act considered misconduct” or trying to “interrupt or confuse” opponent’s play |
These clauses are not present |
End of flag down |
Ball leaves attack area; ball touches ground (not on a shot); shot is completed; defense gains possession |
Play continues until any of the usual conditions for stopping play occurs or the defense gains possession |
Flag down; loose-ball foul by defense |
Impossible; whistle blows when ball touches ground |
Additional flags; play continues |
Challenging the application of a rule by head coach |
Permitted; if appeal denied, coach is charged TO (or technical) and may use remainder of TO |
No mention; can speak with officials only during halftime |
Shot in flight when horn sounds |
Goal cannot score |
Goal can be scored in some circumstances |
Timeouts |
Live ball: can be called by offense anywhere on the field. Dead ball: either team can call. |
Live ball: offense can call past restraining line. Dead ball: either team can call except on change of posses- sion foul (then only offense). |
Ball in back of head NOT on face-off |
Illegal if stuck |
Can’t pick up ball in back of head; can’t be stuck. |