Everything You Need To Know About The Duration Of A High School Soccer Match

Soccer is a game which is more especial than just a game; this is a sport that connects players, fans and communities. Many young players want to showcase their skills on the pitch and for them high school soccer is of great importance. However, if you have ever been curious as to how long does a high school soccer last, you are not the first one to ask this question. Gaining an idea of the lasting of these battles will complement your understanding during the watching of those nail biting Friday night fixtures and also help you plan your calendar.

Whether you’re a parent wanting to support your child or a player wanting to improve your game, learning the details regarding the length of the soccer matches in high school is important. There are many things that are in play such as time limits and other external factors that may influence the amount of time for each of the matches. To put things into perspective, tie up your boots and brace yourself as we explain everything about how long one high school soccer game is!

Know How Long a Game Lasts at High School Level

The games at a high school level are expected to adhere to the guidelines as set out by the National Federation of State High School Associations or NFHS for a sense of order and fairness among the schools/ teams taking part in the competition. 

Normally a game at a high school level has two halves and each half is played for a duration of 40 minutes which equals to a total of 80 minutes. There is a lot of room for the players to perform and even maintain a good rhythm thanks to the breaks in this competition.

A match is often divided in two halves and there is typically a period between them called halftime, lasting around 10 minutes. This allows the coaches a little time for their plans and the players some time to breathe. That short break is very important because it helps the players to recollect and prepare for the next period of the game.

Though the time on the clock runs at all times during the course of play, it does stop during some circumstances like injuries, or when the referee thinks it prudent to do so. Any time which is lost due to such interruptions may be compensated for by allowing stoppage time towards the end of each half, ensuring that teams are able to fully exploit all opportunities that present themselves.

In addition to the above, if the two competing teams remain level at the end of regulation time during playoff matches, the two sides may enter overtime. Overtime is said to be played when the two teams have not scored after the first two 10 minute periods and may result in sudden death if one team scores in the second period and the period is stopped immediately.

Every single detail in a professional game is as important as the next. To help understand all the diverse reasons as to why a high school soccer game is so interesting, let us first look at the game time and all the different elements that make it different than the others.

Why do high school soccer games run longer than some others?

It is a universal fact that the higher the level of competition, the higher the physicality and the tougher the game. This is how high school games operate as well. Starting with the “Stopping the Watch” rule, a complex set of circumstances causes a game to take a certain span of time. 

Play being stopped is one of the biggest causes that need attention in this case. For example, injuries, even in the slightest of matter, multiple stoppages are required as a player is assessed and remedied. To add to this, bad weather such as a thunderstorm or pouring rain can also cause referees to put the game play on hold.

Considering there might have been low scores or checkpoint goals for multiple quarters in the match, players and coaches can allow multiple substitutions which in return should give their team some extra time to score. 

Now finally, there is half time, during a match if a team manages to reach at least 45 minutes into the match, there is a break that is focused on stretching other muscles as well as recovering the fuel tanks. Otherwise, if we are talking in the context of tournaments, this time period can drastically change if bracketing is tight.

And lastly, to conclude, the tension and excitement of a playoffs game is always on top. In the case of common conflicts, there fortunately is overtime to resume from. Overtime easily adds tens of minutes before the dramatic announcement of the victor.

Game time can wildly fluctuate with variations like added injury time as determined by the game officials owing to the various situations that require consideration such as stoppages or breaks. And while this added control preserves the integrity of the game, it can create a rather perplexing scenario for both the fans and players with no real end time window.

Local league regulations can even make stake type-time rules during matches, thus adding further tries and the anticipation of how long each fixture would take from region to region.

Disparities in Duration of High School Soccer Game

In high school, the length of the soccer games does not always vary across the board. Due to differences in the state or league, some of them even have regulations on the length of time that a game must run. And in result, this can cause variations that quite honestly could be shocking to both fans and players alike. 

For example in many high schools across the globe a typical match lasts for around 80 minutes with regulation running two, 40 minute halves. However, the restrictive rules appear to be more lenient in some areas where ‘permits’ allow teams to play only 60 minutes or even 70 minutes, Thus affecting the final duration. These variations again depend largely on time, place, and where the game is being played. 

Again, whether plays a factor in game time as well. Intense heat or even a torrential downpour may make the officials reconsider how long the halftime break lasts, or if any time outs are required to be called.

Moreover, tournaments often integrate certain schedule peculiarities. In knockout forms, if the score is level at the end of regular time, extra periods or penalty shootouts may be held.

One more aspect is the age division differences among high school sports in general. Participation in these sports may vary in terms of timing for freshman teams and varsity teams due to varying levels of development and skills.

These differences emphasize how different high school soccer differs in terms of game lengths and explains the need for all game players and people watching a game to understand the rules of a given league before going to watch a game. 

More on High School Soccer Games 

High School Soccer games are competitive and social events that have an element of stirring up the community. Each game is not just about how long it lasts but is important in that it brings together the players, the fans, and the families in the game. 

In the case of teams participating in the tournaments or some special occasion, the game duration may differ from that of regulation. The games may concern the competition in the tournaments and are meant to be played in the appropriate time or in certain other conditions for others like 7 v 7 or small sided games.

Another crucial factor for any high school soccer match is the weather. For instance, rain delays or high temperature conditions may alter the time the match kicks off and it is even possible that the halves may be shortened for the safety of the players.

In addition to regular season games, playoff structures also introduce more variables into the timing of the match. More variables are introduced in terms of timing such as overtime periods in knockout rounds if the end of regulation time sees the score board reading a tie. While these extra minutes sometimes lead to excitement on the pitch, they not only increase the game time but also create scenarios to prolong overall match duration.

When you are on the field watching your child’s game or supporting your local team fighting it out under Friday night lights, the knowledge as to how long does a high school soccer game last helps one to strategize better. Having an understanding of what causes this time to be increased in every match, helps you to enjoy every pass and each goal even more in each match!