Question Number: 22581

League Specific 11/24/2009

RE: Competitive High School

Tom Stagliano of Wellesley, MA USA asks...

Subject of question: Goal keepers and hats.

Under USSF, High School (NFHS) and College (NCAA) guidelines/rules under what conditions may a goal keeper wear a hat, and what type of hat may be worn? (a Hat Not a Helmet).

Thank you.

- Stag

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

USSF:
As reflected in a 2004 answer, the laws do not address hats but keepers traditionally have been permitted to wear them so long as they are safe in the opinion of the referee. Recognizing that the type of 'soft cap' once was worn by goal keepers may no longer be availalbe, the USSF answer rejected (n favor of common sense) the notion that a baseball style cap was somehow prohibited. The hard baseball batter's helmet, however, is not a 'soft cap' and would not be allowed.

NCAA:

NCAA rules permit a keeper to wear a hat that is not considered dangerous ITOOTR.

NFHS:

As Stag knows, each state may modfiy NFHS rules, but the national rules provide for keepers to wear 'soft caps.' The debate whether this is intended to prohibit baseball caps is left for each state. It is ironic that the referees who insist that a baseball cap is too dangerous to be worn by a goal keeper often are wearing them.

IMO, common sense informs the referee when the cap is being worn by a keeper for warmth or protection from a rising or setting sun, or is simply worn for adornment.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The overarching consideration in this decision should be whether the cap is dangerous in the normal playing of the game. Personally I see no problem with the keeper wearing a cap for playing reasons such as a visor from the sun.
Has anyone ever recounted a story of a player being injured by a cap? I doubt it.