DOWAGIAC — The National Federation of State High School Associations has approved the switching of home and away uniform colors beginning this season.

Home teams will now wear dark jerseys and socks, while the visitors will wear solid white jerseys and solid white socks.

It was one of nine rule changes recommend by the soccer rules committee at its January meeting in Indianapolis.

“This change allows home teams to wear their school-color jerseys at home,” said Theresia Wynns, director of sports and officials and liaison to the soccer rules committee. “It also could provide the opportunity to use an alternative color uniform for special events.”

Dowagiac coach Mike Wiliams has been through changes before, but is not sure this one was needed.

“Like everything in life, the only thing constant is change,” he said. “We have seen several changes in uniform requirements over the years. This is just another one of those. I am not sure of the justification of the change. We have the same uniforms as last year, we just switch home and away. This I believe lines up with other sports in the state. To me it does not matter, but it would be nice if the state made up their minds.”

Niles boys soccer coach Ryan Haines likes the change.

“It looks like the MHSAA is switching,” he said. “I do not think it was a necessary change, but personally, I am a fan. It now gives us the opportunity to wear a different color for home games as well as support Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.”

The rules committee also approved wearing head covering for any player who meets certain criteria and if the state association approves the request.

If a state approves the rules change, a player could wear a head covering for medical/cosmetic reasons or for religious reasons.

If the covering is for medical/cosmetic reasons, a physician’s note would be required.

Another rule change was made in the area of unsportsmanlike conduct.

A player who commits a foul against an opponent within the penalty area on an obvious goal-scoring play will now receive a yellow card as well as that team being awarded a penalty kick.

Previously, a red card was issued as well as the penalty kick.

“The committee thought this rule needed to be revised because in this situation in the past, the player and the team were placed in double jeopardy when applying a penalty,” Wynns said.