BAYSL General Rules and Rules of Play  

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                                                 Table Of Content

Rule 1: Responsibility for Discipline. (All Sections listed below are minimums)

Rule 2: Good Sportsmanship.

Rule 3: Proof by Age

Rule 4: Registration

Rule 5: Uniforms

Rule 6: Games, Fields and conduct of Game

Rule 7: Moving Up

Rule 8: Protest

Rule 9: Postponement of Scheduled Games.

Rule 10 Rules of Play.

General Rules and Rules of Play

Rule 1: Responsibility for Discipline. (All Sections listed below are minimums)

A.    General Cases. In general cases, the Teams shall be responsible for governing those persons associated within their operation, and shall establish procedures for so doing. However, it is the duty of all Team staff, coaches, referees and linesmen to report immediately any infraction outlined in these Rules.   

B.    Line of Authority. Should any person or team want to appeal any adverse decision, the line of authority shall be from the head of Coaches to the president, to Disciplinary and Appeals Committee, to the line of authority as specified by the US Club Soccer and USSF.  

C.    Player Fighting. A players guilty of fighting before, during or after games shall receive a two‑game (2) suspension

D.     Player Profanity. A player guilty of using profanity, either by word of sign, against another player, coach, spectator, referee, assistant referee or any league official shall receive a two‑game (2) suspension.

E.     Player Threats. A player guilty of making threatening gestures against another player, coach, spectator, referee, assistant referee or any league official shall receive one‑game (1) suspension.   

F.     Player Striking Official. A player guilty of pushing or striking any coach, referee, assistant referee, or any league official shall receive a one‑year (1) suspension.   

G.     Player Ejection. Any player sent off the field by the referee shall receive a minimum one‑game (1) suspension. 

H.     Coach Threats. Coaches or team officials who make threatening gestures or use threatening language to other players, coaches, league officials, referees or assistant referee shall be disciplined according to the following schedule: First Time: Two‑game (2) suspension. Second Time: The offender shall appear before the BAYSL Board and be suspended for four (4) games.  Third Time: The offender will be suspended for not less than one (1) year.

I.       Coach Fights. Coaches or team officials who fight at any time shall be disciplined according to the following schedule: First Time: The offender shall appear before the BAYSL Board and shall be suspended for a minimum of one (1) year.  Second Time: The offender shall be suspended for not less than three (3) years. 

J.      Coach and Fan Misconduct. Coaches and other team officials shall be subject to all rules pertaining to misconduct contained herein and as set by the BAYSL including cautions, ejections, and standard suspension. Any other individual who may be reasonably construed to be associated with a team, such as relatives and spectators, shall also be subject to the jurisdiction of this League. Any coach or team official shall be held responsible for the actions of any individual(s) who violate these rules and who in the opinion of the disciplinary authority, is a supporter of that team. 

K.    Assault or abuse of a referee by a spectator. If an individual who supports a team abuses or assaults a referee, such action shall be deemed loss of control by the coach and other team officials. Upon receipt of a report of an assault or abuse of a referee by a spectator, the Disciplinary and Appeals Committee will perform a preliminary investigation and disclose the results of the investigation and sanctions to the board of directors for implementation. 

Rule 2: Good Sportsmanship

A.    All players, coaches, parents, fans, and referees will show good sportsmanship.  Each team shall be responsible for the conduct of its coaches, managers, players, parents, and fans.  It is the responsibility of each team to insure that its actions on or off the field do not bring disrespect upon this league. 

B.    Coaches are to demonstrate sportsmanship by exchanging handshakes prior to the start of the game with opposing coaches and team players. 

C.    Code of Ethics: Individuals participating in BAYSL must abide by the Code of Ethics listed elsewhere in this document.

Rule 3: Proof by Age:

 Every Player shall prove his/her legal age to the Board.  A copy of a birth certificate, passport, Board of Health record, Alien Registration card, Certificate of Naturalization, or Driver's License shall be sufficient for proof of age.

Rule 4: Registration.

A.    All players are required to submit a properly completed youth amateur registration form with the required information requested. Each player shall be required to submit to the appropriate league officer various forms as may be levied by the League. 

B.    This League shall be responsible for proper registration of the players, affiliation of the team, proper accounting of fiscal transactions, and accurate reporting to the US Club Soccer.  

C.    Each team official (i.e.. coach, assistant coach, manager) shall be listed on the team roster form up to a maximum of three and all shall be certified through US Club Soccer risk management program. 

D.    Teams may register as units.  Teams registered as unit may not be formed through tryouts. Teams registered as units must register with a coach in place.  

Rule 5: Uniforms:

A.  Equipment:  SHIN GUARDS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL PLAYERS.  Regulation soccer shoes gym shoes or sneakers are permissible in all competition.  Referees will check cleats to be sure no metal parts are exposed.  No jewelry of any kind may be worn.  Players with any type of HARD cast (large or small, padded or unpadded) will not be allowed to play.  Players with SOFT splints (air) may play at the discretion of the referee.  Approval to play must be given by the referee prior to the start of the match.

B.    All League teams will wear the League designated uniform.  The home team must wear the green jersey and the away team wear the gray jersey.  Goalies must wear a different from either team. 

Rule 6: Games, Fields and conduct of Game.

A.  Games-Cancellations-Postponements:  Soccer games are seldom canceled.  Each team must report to the field scheduled unless notified by a official that the game has been canceled. 

B.  Upon arrival at the field, only the referee may call the game.  A game must be called under following conditions: danger to players (such as lightning, hail, etc.) or poor field/game conditions (excessive water on the field, improperly anchored goal posts, strong winds, darkness).  Anytime a weather siren is sounded the game is to be suspended immediately, and the referee must instruct coaches and players to seek shelter.  Coaches should also apply these guidelines in canceling practices. 

C.  Upon agreement of cancellation of a game, Procedures for a canceled game should be followed as in rule 6  section A . Failure of the home team to make a good faith effort to reschedule the game will result in forfeiture of the game. 

D.    Minimum field dimensions will vary based on age group and availability of the fields.  

E.  Grace Period: A fifteen (15) minute grace period will be allowed for all games.  Any team not ready to play after the grace period has expired shall forfeit the game. 

F.  Official Game: Two halves of play shall constitute an official game unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the team coaches.  In the event a game must be suspended because of conditions which make it impossible to continue play, the game shall be declared an official game if one complete half or more of the game has been played.  If less than one half of the game has been played, the game must be rescheduled and played in its entirety.  At LEAST ONE certified U.S.S.F. referee MUST be present for a game to be deemed official.

G.  Coaching from the Sidelines: Coaches and managers are permitted to give their own team points of strategy and position.  The coaching tone of voice is to be informative, positive and not a harangue.  Voice amplifying devices are not permitted. 

H.  Player Substitutions: Unlimited substitution is permitted with the consent of the referee as specified in the Rules of Play by BAYSL.

Rule 7: Moving up

A. All players shall play within their age group except when grade appropriate to play up in age group. 

Rule 8: Protest

Any team protesting any decision made by the referee or the BAYSL shall enumerate and explain the reason for said protest in writing (typed or printed) in triplicate to the League Secretary and shall be accompanied with a $100 fee within two (2) calendar days of the incident. The protest fee will be returned if upheld. It shall not be returned if denied. 

Rule 9: Postponement of Scheduled Games

Scheduled games may not be postponed by either coach.  It is the responsibility of the coach and the team to report to the field at the designated time. 

The Referee can abandon the game at the field for the following reasons:

1.     The field is not in a condition suitable for play.

2.     Inclement weather (tornado warning, thunder, lighting, etc…).

3.     Serious injury which would adversely affect the attitude of the players.

4.     The collapse of a goal.

5.     Notice by an appropriate municipal office or police officer.

6.     The appearance on the field of an obstacle dangerous to play

7.     A disabling injury to the referee.

If a game is abandoned for any reason #1 - #7, the following rules shall apply: 

a)     A game at or before half-time shall be declared void, and may be rescheduled. 

b)    A game abandoned in the second half (after the second kick-off) shall be considered the same as a game played for the full regulation time. The score at the time of stoppage shall be recognized as the official score. 

Rule 10: Rules of Play by Age Group

Team roster sizes may be flexible in order to accommodate game scheduling.  On field team sizes and field sizes will be flexible to accommodate roster sizes.   

U6 Playing Rules 

            Team roster size 6-8 players

            Size #3 balls

            3 v 3 on the field-approximately 25 yards long by 20 yards wide

            All league rule apply with the following modifications:

·         Pop-up goals

·         No goalkeepers

·         No penalty area

·         No penalty kicks

·         All players must be 3 yards from all restarts

·         ALL KICKS ARE INDIRECT

·         KICK- INS ONLY-NO THROW-INS

·         Goal kicks taken from goal line

·         No corner kicks

o    When the defending team kicks the ball over their end line, the offensive team is awarded a kick from the end line on the field approximately 1 yard from the corner.  If the offensive team kicks the ball across the end line, the defending team gets a goal kick from anywhere on the end line.

·         No offside

·         No slide tackling

·         Games are 4 ten minute quarters with 2 minutes between quarters and 5 minutes between halves

·         Kick off  from the center following a goal

·         Substitution are made at quarters, half or at any injury

·         Each player in required a minimum of 50 percent of the game minutes

·         No referees-one coach from each is allowed the field.  Coaches should not interfere with play, but make the possession calls.

·         Coaches and parents may not stand behind the goal

·         No standings kept

U7 Playing Rules 

            Team roster size 8-10 players

            Size #3 balls

            4 v 4 on the field-approximately 30 yards long by 20 yards wide

            All league rule apply with the following modifications:

·         Pop-up goals

·         No goalkeepers

·         No penalty area

·         No penalty kicks

·         All players must be 3 yards from all restarts

·         ALL KICKS ARE INDIRECT

·         Throw ins only

·         Goal kicks taken from goal line

·         No corner kicks

o    When the defending team kicks the ball over their end line, the offensive team is awarded a kick from the end line on the field approximately 1 yard from the corner.  If the offensive team kicks the ball across the end line, the defending team gets a goal kick from anywhere on the end line.

·         No offside

·         No slide tackling

·         Games are 2 20 minute halves with 5 minutes between halves

·         Kick off from the center following a goal

·         Substitutions can be made on your own throw ins after any goal is scored, on any goal kick or on your opponent’s throw in if your opponent makes a substitution.

·         Each player in required a minimum of 50 percent of the game minutes

·         Referees will be assigned

·         NO coaches shall be on the field during the game

·         Coaches and parents may not stand behind the goal

·         No standings kept

U8 Playing Rules 

            Team roster size 10-12 players

            Size #3 balls

            5 v 5 on the field-approximately 50 yards long by 30 yards wide

            All league rule apply with the following modifications:

·         Pop-up goals

·         No goalkeepers

·         No penalty area

·         No penalty kicks

·         All players must be 3 yards from all restarts

·         ALL KICKS ARE INDIRECT

·         Throw ins only

·         Goal kicks taken from goal line

·         No corner kicks

o    When the defending team kicks the ball over their end line, the offensive team is awarded a kick from the end line on the field approximately 1 yard from the corner.  If the offensive team kicks the ball across the end line, the defending team gets a goal kick from anywhere on the end line.

·         No offside

·         No slide tackling

·         Games are 2 25minute halves with 5 minutes between halves

·         Kick off from the center following a goal

·         Substitutions can be made on your own throw ins after any goal is scored, on any goal kick or on your opponent’s throw in if your opponent makes a substitution.

·         Each player in required a minimum of 50 percent of the game minutes

·         Referees will be assigned

·         NO coaches shall be on the field during the game

·         Coaches and parents may not stand behind the goal

·         No standings kept

U10 Playing Rules

             Team roster size 12-14 players

            Size #4 balls

            6 v 6 on the field-approximately 70 yards long by 40 yards wide

            All league rule apply with the following modifications:

·         Goalkeepers are used

·         Goalkeeper cannot punt or drop-kick the ball over the half line on the fly.  Play will be restarted by a kick in at the nearest intersection of half line and touch line from where ball crossed the half line in the air.

·         All players must be 5 yards from all restarts

·         Throw ins

·         No goal kicks.  The goalkeeper restarts the game by a throw, punt, or dribbling out of the penalty area

·         There are corner kicks

·         No offside

·         No slide tackling

·         Games are 2 25minute halves with 5 minutes between halves

·         Kick off from the center following a goal

·         Substitutions can be made on your own throw ins after any goal is scored, or on your opponent’s throw in if your opponent makes a substitution.

·         Each player in required a minimum of 50 percent of the game minutes

·         Referees will be assigned

·         NO coaches shall be on the field during the game

·         Coaches and parents may not stand behind the goal

·         Standings are kept for league use to balance divisional play, if needed.  No placement awards given.

U12 Playing Rules

             Team roster size 14-16 players

            Size #4 balls

            8 v 8 on the field-approximately 100 yards long by 60 yards wide

            All league rule apply with the following modifications:

·         Goalkeepers are used

·         All players must be 10 yards from all restarts

·         Offside, free kicks, goal kicks, corner kicks, throw ins, penalty kicks, per FIFA

·         Games are 2 30minute halves with 5 minutes between halves

·         Substitutions can be made on your own throw ins after any goal is scored, or on your opponent’s throw in, if your opponent makes a substitution.

·         Each player in required a minimum of 50 percent of the game minutes

·         Referees will be assigned

·         NO coaches shall be on the field during the game

·         Coaches and parents may not stand behind the goal

·         Standings are kept for league use to balance divisional play, if needed.  No placement awards given.

 U14 Playing Rules

             Team roster size 18-20 players

            Size #5 balls

            11 v 11 on the field-approximately 120 yards long by 60-70 yards wide

            All league rule apply with the following modifications:

·         Goalkeepers are used

·         All players must be 10 yards from all restarts

·         Offside, free kicks, goal kicks, corner kicks, throw ins, penalty kicks, per FIFA

·         Games are 2 35minute halves with 5 minutes between halves

·         Substitutions can be made on your own throw ins after any goal is scored, or on your opponent’s throw in, if your opponent makes a substitution.

·         Each player in required a minimum of 50 percent of the game minutes

·         Referees will be assigned

·         NO coaches shall be on the field during the game

·         Coaches and parents may not stand behind the goal

BAYSL Rules of Play