Goooaaalll! The upcoming girls’ soccer season is sparking feelings due to the new Joint Rule Changes of the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU).
IHSAA and IGHSAU rules include: overtimes & draws, continuous clock, weather delay guidance, and a five-minute sit-out for a yellow card. IHSAA rules include: matches and halves per play.
Starting with the first new rule change to girls’ soccer: overtime and draws. This rule states no overtime will be permitted for any regular season match [at any level]. There is an exception to that rule, the exception being during tournaments or non-regular season matches, they will go into two 10-minute overtimes and penalty kicks.
The second rule change is the continuous clock. If a team is ahead by 10 goals in the first half of a match, there will be a continuous clock until one of two things happens: either the score falls under 10 goals, or halftime arrives. If the 10-goal margin occurs in the first half, the game will conclude at halftime; however, if the 10-goal margin occurs at any time in the second half, the game ends at that point.
The next rule change is the weather delay guidance which states if there is a weather delay during a postseason match, no match may start or restart any time after three hours past the original start time. An example is, a match starting at 1:00 can’t start or resume after 4:00. Teams may mutually agree to end a match if a team is leading during the delay, or officials and teams (under code 7-1-3 of the NFHS Soccer Rulebook) may end the match in the second delay half.
The Iowa rule of players sitting out five minutes after receiving a yellow card has been eliminated and the NFHS rule is being applied. The new NFHS rule 12-8 Penalty is that if a player receives a yellow card they have to leave the field and will be replaced.
The IHSAA suggested four more rules which were approved by the IHSAA’s Board of Control. These rules will also go into effect in the spring for boys’ soccer.
Schools are permitted 17 matches per level, which replaces the rule of 15 dates which might include two tournaments.
“I look forward to utilizing the updated 17 match count that will add an additional 2 games this season,” JV soccer coach Anna Patterson said. “This allows our athletes to have more opportunities to compete in quality play.”
With the 10-goal margin still in place, all varsity games are to be played in two 40-minute halves.
Lastly, the maximum number of halves a player can play in one day is four, which replaces the policy allowing a maximum of six halves a day. The maximum amount of halves a team can play in one day is four, which replaces the policy allowing a maximum of six halves per day.
“Yes, the new rules will certainly affect our upcoming season,” head Varsity soccer coach Kelsey Chenny said. “We will need to adjust our training to emphasize the importance of playing smart and staying composed, especially in critical moments of the game. The focus will be on securing leads and managing the clock effectively.”
There are a lot of new rules being added to the 2025 girls’ soccer season by the IHSAA and the IGHSAU. But it’s safe to say the coaches and players are ready and awaiting the new season.
“I expect the same thing this season, where Together Everyone Always Matters (TEAM),” said Patterson.
