In an ongoing focus on risk minimization in high school soccer, the NFHS (in February 2009) has announced an addition to the shinguard policy has been approved.

A year after requiring shinguards to meet National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standards, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Soccer Rules Committee will now require the front of the shinguard to be permanently marked with the NOCSAE seal and height range, effective in fall 2012.

The delay in implementation is to allow manufacturers to supply these types of shinguards to retailers. There is also an emphasis on placing the shinguard no higher than two inches above the ankle to minimize risk of injury.

The revised shinguard policy was one of four rules changes approved by the Soccer Rules Committee at its January 26-28 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

"As is always the case, the Soccer Rules Committee is most concerned about minimizing the risk of injury for student-athletes," said Mark Koski, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Soccer Rules Committee. "The requirement of the NOCSAE seal and height range on the front of the shinguard by 2012 is a good example of that. The committee wants to make sure that players are protected in the best way possible."

"Joint" ankle braces have made technological leaps in safety over the past decade. Because many "joint" ankle braces are designed to be worn over stockings or other material, Rule 4-2-1g has been amended to allow players to wear braces outside the stocking, provided they are not made of metal or other hazardous material. Any braces made of metal or other hazardous material must still be worn under a stocking.

"The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee recommended updating this rule based on the advances made in ankle braces," Koski said. "This change reflects our flexibility as far as the safety of the players goes."

Source: National Federation of State High School Associations, February 2009 Press Release  (Read the entire release)