The NMAA, a member-led organization, provides leadership in interscholastic athletics & activities, promoting equitable participation and character development.
Soccer Misconduct Rule
Rule (NMAA Handbook, 7.17.5):
A. Yellow cards received during regular season or tournament competition must be counted. Once a player has accumulated five yellow cards, they are suspended for the next game. Once the player accumulates three additional yellow cards (totaling eight yellow cards), they are suspended for the next two games and are required to attend a meeting with the school’s Athletic Director, head coach and the NMAA Executive Director or his/her designee. Any additional yellow cards received by a player after eight total cards will be subject to more severe penalties by the NMAA Executive Director, including but not limited to suspension from additional contests.
B. Any team whose players and coaches, during the regular season, collectively receive a total of 24 or more yellow cards (including all second yellow/red cards and straight red cards) will be required to attend a meeting with the school’s Athletic Director and the NMAA Executive Director or his/her designee.
C. Any school receiving 32 or more yellow cards will be prohibited from participation in post-season. Any yellow/red cards received by the coach will count toward the 32 card total. (Note: The 32 card total is in effect for a two-year block, at which time this amount will be revisited by the NMAA Soccer Sport-Specific Committee and NMAA Commission.)
D. If a player receives a red card or a second yellow card resulting in disqualification, that individual is suspended for the next scheduled game. These are minimum penalties. All yellow and red cards must be reported to the NMAA.
E. Upon the commencement of post-season, all players and coaches receive a “clean slate” for the accumulation of cards. However, any pending sit-out resulting from the accumulation of cards or a direct send-off must be fulfilled in post-season if the requirement for a sit-out has not been satisfied during the regular season. For example, if a player receives his/her fifth yellow card or is sent off during the final regular season game, he/she will be required to sit out the first game of the post-season if the team has qualified for post-season competition or the first game of the next season if the team has not qualified for post-season competition.
