REVISED 8/04
PURPOSE
A. The primary purpose is for children to learn the fundamentals of soccer and to participate in a team sport, in a recreational league setting. It will attempt to provide each child with learning and growing experience in the development of soccer skills and sportsmanship.
B. This purpose is best served through experiences of participation. Concern and emphasis on winning is secondary to the enjoyment of the game. Pressuring players to win solely for the sake of winning is strongly discouraged and will not be tolerated by the Association.
C. Every child plays! The participation of every child is equally important and no child shall have his or her opportunity to participate fully in practices and games limited in any way.
D. Participation shall be open to every child regardless of level of skill in the available age groupings of the program. No child shall be discouraged from participation because of his or her level of skill. No child shall be excluded from full participation by reason of sex, race, or non-disabling handicapping condition.
STRUCTURE
A. The program shall be divided into divisions by birth date beginning August 1 and ending July 31. The co-ed divisions will be: Pre-Instructional (U-6); Instructional (U-8); Bantam (U-10); Junior (U-12); Intermediate (U-14); and Senior (U-19) and in high school. There may also be one division for girls only which may combine (U-10), (U-12), (U-14) and (U-19); the girls’ division may also have as many teams as there are children to have separate (U-10), (U-12), (U-14) and (U-19) teams. The Board of Directors may make changes to these age groupings or add additional divisions as needed.
B. There will be no discrimination as to the assignment of, and participation by, players of either sex in the co-ed portion of the program.
C. The Association will offer a soccer program in the Fall and Spring. The Fall and Spring programs will consist of league play followed by all teams participating in a weekend tournament. Tournament plays for Junior Divisions and above only.
REGISTRATION
A. Every player must be registered through the completion of a registration form signed by either parent of guardian prior to the player participating in practices or games.
B. Registration for the Fall season will be on one Saturday and one weekday evening in the summer. These registrations will be publicly announced at least one week prior to the dates. Registration by mail will be accepted with proper paperwork. Following this, any child wishing to register for a remaining space may obtain a registration form from the Winchester Parks and Recreation Department and Frederick County Parks and Recreation Department and submit it to the Registrar of the Association, along with a late registration fee in addition to the registration fee. No registration will be accepted after the Saturday following the first week of games. The Board of Directors may alter dates of registration to fit division requirements.
Registration for the Spring season will be at a publicly announced time in the winter. This registration will be for available spaces only, on a first come basis. New teams will be formed if needed. Following this, the same procedures as above will apply.
C. REGISTRATION SPECIFICATIONS:
1. The minimum number of players on Pre-Instructional, Instructional, and Bantam division’s teams will be eight (8), with a maximum of twelve (12). The minimum number of players on all other teams will be twelve (13), with a maximum of sixteen (18). The Board of Directors may make changes in these numbers at its discretion.
2. The Association will number all applications in each division, in order of their receipt.
3. Registration number, division and school district will form each Fall new teams.
4. If a player refuses assignment to a team in his or her school district, he or she will not be assigned to another team during that season.
5. Some players may be placed on teams outside of their school district because of the limit on the number of players on a team.
6. Siblings in the same division will be placed on the same team regardless of registration number.
7. Applications received after the registration days will be numbered and if any openings occur on any team regardless of school district, that opening will be offered to the applicant who has registered first in the Division where the opening has occurred. If this assignment is refused, the player will be placed at the end of the list of player and pool applications.
8. Registration of returning players for the Spring season will take place after the Fall season. Returning players will be assigned to the same team unless that team will not be playing or a transfer is requested. Any player, who has not paid by the time late registration begins, will lose their position on the roster.
9. All players must be registered. Any team using a player not properly registered in any game will cause that game to be forfeited. The Board of Directors will determine whether further penalties shall be levied on that team or player or coach.
10. Registration fees will be set each year by the Board of Directors. The registration fee will cover the player’s registration as follows:
Fall Registration: A player may register for both Fall and Spring or
Fall only.
Spring Registration: Spring only.
11. Coaches will advise the Registrar of players to be dropped from a roster. The Registrar will confirm this with the parent or guardian. A player can be removed from a roster by a coach’s request for reasons of attendance or discipline by approval of the Registrar after verifications of the reasons given.
12. Vacancies on rosters will be filled in the order in which they are reported except those teams with fewer players that will have priority.
13. Any player dropped from a roster is ineligible to play for the remainder of the season.
14. No child playing select team, traveling team, or another house team may play on an Association team while he or she is a registered member of that team and that team is engaged in active league or tournament play that coincides or overlaps that season. If a child drops off that team, he or she may register.
15. Any child playing in a junior varsity or varsity soccer program in a school system is allowed to play Blue Ridge soccer.
TEAMS
A. All Pre-Instructional will play with four (4) players. Instructional team will play will five (5) players. All Bantam teams will play with seven (7) players. All teams in other divisions will play with 11 players, unless an agreement to play with fewer players is made between the two coaches. The minimum number of players for a game to be played in the Pre-Instructional Division is three (3), Instructional Division is four (4), and Bantam Division is six (6) and seven (7) for upper divisions. The Board of Directors may make changes in these numbers at its discretion.
B. Each team will have designated coach and team manager.
C. The coaches’ responsibility will be to supervise and teach soccer and sportsmanship to the players during their practices and games.
D. The team manager will be responsible for communications from the Association to the team and for bringing team information to the team members.
E. Each team will be provided with uniform jerseys. The uniform shall be worn only for games. Players must provide their own shoes, shin guards, socks and shorts. Each team will also be provided with a game ball, for practice and play, and a first aid kit. Also, coaches may be provided corner flags depending on the division and place of play. The coach and team manager is responsible for the care of the Association equipment and for their return to the Association at the end of the season.
F. Teams shall begin practices not more than 3 weeks before the beginning of any season, and at the time announced at the coaches meeting. Teams shall practice on the fields assigned to them unless they make other arrangements with the Chairman of the Fields Committee.
G. Pre-Instructional and Instructional Division teams shall not practice more than twice a week nor shall practices exceed one (1) hour in length. Bantam Divisions teams and above shall not practice more than twice a week nor shall practices exceed one (1) hour in length.
H. Teams shall not practice longer than fifteen (15) minutes prior to any regular season or tournament game.
FIELDS
A. The procurement of fields is the responsibility of the Fields Committee.
B. The Fields Committee will arrange to have fields properly marked.
C. The Fields Committee will arrange for nets for each goal to be used during competition.
D. The local parks departments determine whether a field is in playable condition. Once the game starts the center referee and or the Park Ranger will make the determination to continue play.
GAMES
A. Every player who attends at least half of the practices shall play at least half of each game. If this rule is violated, the Association should be notified immediately, and the Chairman of the Coaches’ Committee shall discuss the philosophy, policies and procedures of BRYSA with the coach concerned.
B. The official dress for each player on the field of play during the game shall be;
Team jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards and soccer shoes. Shin guards must be worn and must provide a reasonable degree of protection. Long sleeve shirts may be worn under the team jersey. It is recommended that these shirts be white or identical to the jersey in color. If long pants are worn, it is recommended that they be sweat pants, that the regulation shorts be worn on the outside of the long pants, and that they match the color of either the jersey or the shorts. Only the Goal Keeper may wear a hat or a visor. The goalkeeper in every game must wear a jersey color, which does not conflict with either team’s jersey colors. Players who do not conform to this dress rule shall not be permitted to play.
C. The Bantam Division five minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off, each team must provide a club linesman to the center referee. The linesman is not to act as a coach on the sidelines while lining a game.
D. A written appeal must be received within 48 hours of the game in question. A review panel shall review a violation of these policies and procedures made up of the Head Referee and two board members. The decision by the committee will be final.
E. All application policies and procedures shall apply to all games whether regular season, playoff, or tournament.
F. All applications policies and procedures shall apply to all games whether regular season, playoff, or tournament.
CANCELLATIONS AND RE-SCHEDULES
A. The only ground for re-scheduling a game is because of poor or unsafe playing conditions. Rain, cold or heat is not in and of themselves factors that may cause the cancellation of a game. The Scheduler may adjust the starting time of a schedule game to accommodate re-scheduling needs.
B. Game cancellations always come through the Competition Committee up to one hour prior to game time. From that point, until the end of the game, the decision to cancel a game or stop a game is the responsibility of the center referee.
C. If a game has not been cancelled, then both teams are required to have a minimum number of players present at game time.
D. The Scheduling Committee has complete responsibility for the re-scheduling of games. The Scheduling Committee will try to honor request concerning rescheduled games. In the event there is a major conflict, however, the demands of fields may frequently result in these requests not being honored. When a date has been announced for a re-scheduled game, it assumes the same status as the original scheduled date, and no re-scheduling is permitted except for the conditions noted above Coaches shall not re-schedule their own games under any circumstances.
E. In the event a game must be suspended because of conditions, if a games reaches halftime it is considered an official game during the regular season. During the post season play in the event of a game must be suspended because of conditions: If the game is stopped at any point, the center referee will send a report to the Scheduling Committee and they will determine if the abandoned match is replayed unless the Scheduling Committee rules provide otherwise.
TEAM STANDINGS
A. Team standings for the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions will be determined as follows: Wins count as two points, ties count as one point, and losses count as zero points. This only applies to regular season.
B. RESULTS: 1) Results are reported by game cards completed and filed out by the referee within 48 hours from the end of the game.
2) Coaches are responsible for providing game cards to the referee for all divisions. The coach of the home team shall have the game card available for the referee. The Referee Assignor shall also provide additional game cards directly to the referees at their meetings, and during the season upon request.
3) The team manager of the winning team shall also call the Division Coordinator for the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Division, and inform them of the results of each game.
4) If a scheduled game is not cancelled and not played, the Competition Committee shall review the circumstances and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors concerning the disposition of the game. The Board of Directors shall decide the disposition of the game.
5) Tie-Breaking procedure is as follows:
Steps 1: Best record head to head
Step 2: Least goals allowed overall during season
Step 3: Coin toss by Competition Committee
In the case of multiple ties, when a team is eliminated from a tie situation, the tie breaking procedure starting at Step 1 will determine the remaining teams’ status. If more than two teams are involved in the tie-breaking situation, then head-to-head procedure (Step 1) only applies if each of said teams has played each other exactly the same number of games.
D. Games will not end in a tie during playoff or tournament play. If a tie exists at the end of the regulation time, the following sequence of tie-breaking procedures will be initiated:
1. A 5 minute overtime period if ends in a tie
a. A coin toss will be held to determine possession of the ball at kick-off.
b. The team that did not call the coin toss before the game will call the toss for overtime.
If the game is still a tie after the first 5-minute overtime:
2. A second full 5 minute overtime period if ends in a tie
a. The team will switch ends of the fields.
b. The team that did not kick-off in the first overtime period wills kick-off in the second overtime period.
3. Shoot-out as per “Instructions Regarding the Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark” as found in the USSF Guide for Referees; in case of darkness, the shoot-out will take place the next day or as soon thereafter as may be practicable if ends in tie, repeat #3.
E. With reference to score, games are considered “out of hand” when a (6) goal differential has been reached. At that point, the game is concluded and the team with the most goals is declared the winner. Under this rule, all games must complete one half prior to the game being called. If the goal differential has been reached in the first half, the match is concluded at the half and is considered an official match. If the goal differential is reached in the second half, the match is terminated at that point and is considered an official match. The referee shall keep the official score. At the point, as stated above, that the goal differential is reached, the referee will notify both coaches and terminate the match.
AWARDS
A. Each individual participating as a member of a team in BRYSA in the spring season shall receive a patch or medal or the like recognizing their participation.
B. In the Junior, Intermediate, Girls and Senior Divisions, each member of the teams and coaches winning the tournament championship and the championship runner up in the Fall and Spring seasons tournaments shall receive an award so signifying. The tournament committee may establish additional awards at their discretion.
CONDUCT
A. BRYSA has a zero tolerance for physical or verbal abuse to any referee or any participant of BRYSA.
B. Coaches shall be responsible for the conduct of their teams’ players and supporters while they are at the game, practice field or facility. Improper conduct on the part of the coaches, players or spectators may result in penalties against the individual, including expulsion from the field or facility, forfeiture of a game if deemed necessary by the referee. Referees shall provide, within 48 hours, a written report to the Head Referee describing the circumstances surrounding the sending off (red card) of a player or a coach.
C. In addition to those penalties required by the Laws of the Game for the issuance of a card, the following will also apply:
1. Any player sent off the field by receiving a red card from the referee shall be suspended for the remainder of that game and the next in which he or she plays. Ejected players shall not be replaced or substituted for at any time during the game.
2. A player receiving a yellow card shall be removed from the field and may not re-enter the game until the next regular substitution. A player so removed may substitute for upon removal. A player receiving a second yellow card in a match will be sent off and no substitute will be allowed and the team will play short.
3. A point system as follows will be in place for yellow and red cards:
a.) A player will receive 5 points for a yellow card.
b.) A player will receive 10 points for a red card.
c.) If a player accumulates 20 points, there will be a one game suspension (in addition to any red card penalty for missing one game).
d.) After a team accumulates 40 points, the coach will be suspended for one game.
D. Issues concerning the conduct of players, coaches, officials, and other persons connected with the program of the Association are now governed by the Policy & Procedures of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association. Any member desiring of copy of those procedures should call the BRYSA hotline 662-6380 or go to the web page of Virginia Youth Soccer Association at www.vysa.com.
E. The referee must explain all infractions of the law to the players in the Pre-Instructional, Instructional and Bantam Divisions.
LAWS OF THE GAME
The Playing Rules shall be the laws of the game as authorized by the Federation International De Football Association (FIFA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) shall apply in all cases, except as amended by the following.
FIELD OF PLAY
A. A field less than 100 yards in length may be permitted for all Pre-Instructional, Instructional, Bantam and Junior Division games.
B. No one will be permitted behind the goal lines during a game.
C. Spectators shall be restricted to one side of the field and the teams to the opposite side of the field.
D. Each team must have at least one coach approved by BRYSA present at the game.
E. The coach, the assistant coaches and members of the teams are the only individuals allowed on the team sidelines during the game.
F. The coach, assistant coach and members of the team are restricted to one-half of the area along the team side of the field (i.e. from 18-yard line to the halfway line), except for Pre-Instructional and Instructional. Coaches are allowed at any point along the touchline on the team side of the field in Pre-Instructional and Instructional for the purpose of instructing their players.
THE BALL
Pre-Instructional and Instructional: Size 3
Bantam and Junior: Size 4
Intermediate and Senior: Size 5
Girls Team (U-12): Size 4
Girls Team (U-14): Size 5
Girls Team (Combined U-12 & U-14): Size 5
PLAYING RULES
A. Teams shall play with 11 players, except for the Pre-Instructional, Instructional and Bantam divisions. These three divisions shall play in accordance to page 4 TEAMS.
B. Substitutions will be allowed only after a goal has been scored or goal kick by either team, or during a throw in when the ball is in possession of the substituting team. Injured players may be substituted for at any time with proper notification to the referee, one for one. Yellow-carded players may be substituted for upon their removal from the field. When a team repeatedly substitutes to consume time, the referee shall stop the clock and notify the coach of the offending team that the repetition may be construed as unsportsmanlike conduct and earn a yellow card.
C. The game will be forfeited if the minimum amount of players is not available by 10 minutes after the scheduled game time. In the event a game is started late, the referee has the option of reducing the playing time of the game to accommodate the starting time of the subsequent games, and shall so notify the coaches.
D. Ejected players shall not be replaced or substituted for at any time.
E. During the soccer season, all players shall play only for the team to which they have been assigned by the Association.
F. If the assigned referee fails to appear within 10 minutes after the scheduled game time, the coaches by mutual agreement may appoint a substitute referee. Such agreement of a substitute shall be binding for the game unless mutually withdrawn. If the coaches cannot agree on a substitute referee, the game will be rescheduled, through the Competition Committee.
PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
This applies to any equipment, which, in the opinion of the center referee, is dangerous (rings, necklaces, earrings, watches, etc.):
A. Types of equipment which are always illegal include:
1. Projecting metal or other hard plates on clothing or person.
2. Knee, head, arm thigh or hip pads containing sole leather, fiber, metal or any unyielding materials, unless covered with proper padding. The center referee will make the determination if the padding is sufficient.
3. Casts of any material, including hard or soft casts.
B. A knee brace may be worn, but shall be wrapped.
C. Referees, coaches, parents and any member of the Association shall act responsibly to the wearing of illegal equipment.
D. Proper soccer shoes, in conformity with the official lawful standards are the only acceptable soccer shoes. Sneakers may be worn, but no hard sole street shoes are permitted.
E. All players shall without exception, wear shin guards. Shin guards must be covered entirely by socks. Kneepads and elbow pads may be worn.
F. Glasses and contact lenses may be worn; however, the player and/or his or her parents or guardian accept the responsibility and liability for replacement, damage or injury, if such are worn. Wearing of such apparel is discouraged.
DURATION OF THE GAME
Pre-Instructional: 4 Ten minute quarters
Instructional: 4 Ten-minute quarters
Bantam: 2 Twenty-five minute halves
Junior: 2 Thirty-minute halves
Intermediate: 2 Thirty-five minutes halves
Senior: 2 Forty-minute halves
START OF PLAY
In those games played in quarters, the team kicking off in the first quarter shall also kick off to start the game in the second quarter. The team kicking off in the third quarter shall also kick off to start the game in the forth quarter.
OFFSIDE
The center referee shall not apply the offside rule in Pre-Instructional and Instructional games.
PENALTY KICKS
A direct free kick will be used in lieu of a penalty kick in the Pre-Instructional and Instructional Divisions. Penalty kicks on all fields for Bantam Division and above shall be taken from the penalty spot located 12 yards from the goal line. Even though a field may be of reduced size, this distance shall not be reduced or altered.
THROW IN
One retry on a foul throw in shall be allowed for Pre-Instructional and Instructional Divisions. The referee shall explain the proper method before allowing the player to retake the throw in.
GOAL KICKS
There will be no goal kicks in the Pre-Instructional and Instructional Divisions. Restart will apply in all other Divisions.
CORNER KICKS
No substitution is allowed on corner kicks.
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