Player Assignments/Age Group Waivers

Players will be assigned by age. Players may advance 1 age level pending review  by their coach, age group coordinator, and rec league coordinator.   Approval must be received from all 3 prior to submitting an application. We do not advance players between the fall and spring season. Team assignments will be made using league software and reviewed  by age group coordinators or league coordinator. Coaches are welcomed to recruit for their age group, however, they may not assign players to teams!! U8 age guidelines can be waived for players who have played 2 years at the wellness center. (8/27/02) Exceptions to this can only be made by the Recreation League President.

Practice Fields

Practice fields will be assigned each season. The master schedule will be maintained on the web site. To reserve a field, follow instructions on the site. Each coach will received a 1 hour first choice. Remaining slots will be assigned as requested and available. Only e-mail requests will be honored.  (except in person at the coaches meetings.)

Inclement Weather

Games will normally be played unless lightning is observed at the game field or other extreme weather conditions. (Rain is not an extreme weather condition!) If all games are cancelled, a notice will be posted on the league website as soon as possible.

Refunds

Refunds will only be given for a physical disability received prior to the first game or for a move out of the area prior to the first game. (9/15/97) For those paying the full year price and not playing in the spring, we will refund the difference only if we are notified prior to the application deadline for the spring season.

LAWS/MODIFICATIONS

Spring - 2006

As much as possible, HSC will follow US Youth Soccer Official Laws for each age group. Some modifications are made due to limited facilities and time restrictions. Rules are per “Laws of the Game” (FIFA, see www.fifa.com/refs/laws_E.html); any exceptions are noted as follows. See also http://dps.twiihosting.net/USSF/doc/content/doc_6_322.pdf

Law 1 – The Field

Overall size of fields and goals may be modified. For U8, fields will be 40 yd x 30 yd with smaller goal areas, center circles and corner arcs. There are no penalty areas for U8. Spectators, coaches & non-participating players must stay at least 1 yd from the touchlines for all age groups.

Law 2 – The Ball

U8, U10 and U12 will use size #4.

Older divisions (U13 and above) will use size #5.

Law 3 - Number Of Players

There will be no exceptions to the maximum number of players each team can field during any game. If one team does not have enough players to field a full team, the opposing team will be allowed to play only one player more than that team.  

U8

·          exception – teams shall have equal number of players on the field.

·          no designated goalkeepers.

·          four (4) maximum, three (3) minimum, on each of the two adjacent fields

U10

·          seven (7) maximum, five (5) minimum (with coaches agreement, may go to nine (9) max for U10)

U12 and above

·          eleven (11) maximum, seven (7) minimum

If either of the teams does not have the minimum number of players, a game shall be played anyways, with the available players divided equally with the agreement of the coaches.

 

Substitutions

Permission shall be requested of the referee. There is no limit to the number of substitutions.

 

U8

·          substitutions can be made at any stoppage of play.

U10 and above

·          substitutions may be made prior to throw-ins by either team, on goal kicks and corners kicks by either team, and on restarts after a goal has scored by either team. Substitution requests may be denied.

Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total game playing time. League directors hope that all players, regardless of ability, will play equal amounts of time. Players should have the opportunity to play different positions.

Law 4 – Players’ Equipment

·          Footwear:  Tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes. No metal, long hard rubber, or screw in cleats.

·          Shin guards:  MANDATORY - players cannot play without shin guards.

·          No jewelry.

·          Keepers are required to wear a shirt or game penny with a color that distinguishes them from field players on either team.

Law 5 & 6 - Referees

U8

·          coaches and assistant coaches will act as center referees with no assistant referees. Rule infractions and stoppages shall be explained to the players, particularly in the younger age groups.

U10 and older age groups

·          as much as possible USSF Certified referees will be used as center officials, and HSC certified referees will be used as Assistant referees, for

Law 7 – Duration Of The Game

To maximize playing time and keep all the games on schedule, all coaches and players must be on the sideline 5 minutes before the official game start time and must leave the field quickly after their game to make room for the next teams. Referees will start the games promptly at the designated time. If a team isn’t ready, referees should shorten the periods so the game ends at the proper time. There shall be no stoppage or add-on time. Adjustments may be necessary due to fields and number of players.

U8

·          four 10 minute periods with three minute breaks between the periods

U10 through U12

·          two 25-minute halves with a five minute break between periods

U14 and above

·          two 35 minute halves with a five minute break between periods

In a game when a team has no players to substitute, and the weather is hot, a short water break midway through each period may be taken with the prior agreement of the referee and coaches. The break may be taken at any stoppage in play, however, the clock does not stop. The restart is whatever is appropriate for the stoppage.

When HSC teams play teams from other organizations (e.g., county) with different time periods, the times may be modified with the agreement of the coaches as long as the overall time allotment is not exceeded.

Law 8 – Start & Restart Of Play

The winner of the coin toss at the start of the game gets to choose which goal it will attack in the first half; the other team takes the kick-off. (same as FIFA). For U8, the kick-off will be treated as an indirect kick and all opponents are to be at least 5 yd from the center mark.

Law 10 – Method Of Scoring

U8 – for a goal to be scored when the ball is kicked from the defensive half of the field into the goal, it must touch another offensive player before entering the goal.

Law 11 - Offside

U8

·          no offside will be whistled. No player, either team, is allowed to stand and wait in the goal area.

 U10 and above

·          conform to FIFA rules; offside shall be enforced, but be sure to give proper instruction as to why an offside occurred, particularly at the U10 level. See http://www.vadcsoccerref.com/docs/home/200506Changes.pdf for recent clarifications.

 

Law 12 – Fouls & Misconduct

·          Remember - if the ball hits the hands of a player who is instinctively covering his/her face for protection, it is not considered a hand ball. A hand ball foul depends on deliberate handling.

 

·          A player shall be called for dangerous play if they are on the ground and play the ball, attempt to play the ball, or show no initiative to get up or away from the play (not an injury situation). Restart is an Indirect Free Kick.

 

·          Keepers are allowed 6 seconds while controlling the ball with their hands. Latitude should be shown in applying this rule, especially for younger groups. Once a keeper gives up control of the ball, they may not pick it up again. Keepers are considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of their hands or arms. Possession includes parrying the ball, but not when, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally after a save.

 

·          Any tackle, which endangers the safety of an opponent, must be sanctioned as serious foul play, irregardless of direction.

 

Law 13 - Free Kicks

U8

·          all free kicks shall be classified as INDIRECT, that is, a goal cannot be scored directly from the kick - it must be played or touched by a player from either team after the kick. Opponents must be at least 5 yd from the ball for the free kick.

 

U10 and above

·          conform to FIFA rules.

 

Law 14 – Penalty Kick

U8

·          no penalty kicks.

 

U10 and above

·          conform to FIFA rules. If the kicker violates Law 14, or a teammate enters the penalty area or encroaches within the required distance, & the ball does not enter the goal, play is to be restarted with an Indirect Free Kick awarded to the opposing team.

 

Law 15 - Throw-Ins:

U8

·          throw-ins are replaced by a kick-in, which is considered an indirect free kick with opponents at least 5 yd away.

 

U10

·          a second throw-in must be allowed if a player does it improperly on the first attempt. The referee shall instruct as to the proper method before the rethrow. If the second throw-in is improper, the other team will get the throw-in.

 

U12 and above

·          conform to FIFA rules; proper form shall be enforced. No second throw-ins.

 

To neglect improper throw-ins, encourages bad form and more improper throw-ins. Opponents are to be at least 2 yards from the point at which the throw in is being taken. A violation is treated as misconduct.

Law 16 – Goal Kick

For U8, a goal kick may be taken from anywhere within the goal area and will be treated as an indirect free kick with opponents at least 5 yd away.

 

Law 17 – Corner Kick

For U8, a corner kick will be treated as an indirect free kick with opponents at least 5 yd away.

 

Other

·          At any injury or indication of an injury that may require attention, play must be stopped. If a player is down (possibly injured) and does not seem to be coming around, this is the time to stop play. A quicker whistle is appropriate with the younger players. Play typically would not be stopped as quickly with the older players or when an advantage would be neutralized. Keep in mind that it is better to err on the side of caution. Restart is a drop ball.

·          Opposing players and coaches should shake hands after the game.

·          Coaches and players to be on one side of the field; all others on the opposite side of the field. No one will be allowed directly behind the goals or the goal lines.

·          The touch lines (sidelines) need to be kept clear of coaches, spectators, dogs, etc. for their safety, and the safety of the players and AR’s. Keep back 2 yards.

·          No yelling at referees, opponents, or coaches. Report spectator violations to coaches.

·        De-emphasize winning/losing. Scores are not kept. Enjoy the game and encourage the positive activity of the players.