CLUB SOCCER PROGRAM RULES, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES (For Fall 2008)
Use of Severna Park Middle School for games and practices requires adherence to the policies and regulations of the Anne Arundel County public school system. All soccer participants (players, family members, friends and spectators) are expected to abide by these rules.
Also, all GSPAA Soccer Programs are expected to observe the GSPAA Soccer Lightning Safety Policy.
- Tobacco products on school property are prohibited.
- Alcoholic beverages on school property are prohibited.
- All firearms are prohibited on school property.
- Dogs are forbidden per Severna Park Middle School policy.
The Club follows the Laws of the Game with the exceptions as described herein.
The Referee’s authority begins at the time he arrives at the game field, and continues until he leaves the game field after the match had been concluded.
The following table describes the current policies for the item listed:
League
Max Players
Game Play
Min Players
Game Time
Field Size
Ball Size
Refs
Playoff
Girls 7
12
7 V 7
6
4 X 10
40 X 60
3
P/C
N
Boys 7
12
7 V 7
6
4 X 10
40 X 60
3
P/C
N
Girls 8
12
7 V 7
6
4 X 12
40 X 60
3
P/C
N
Boys 8
12
7 V 7
6
4 X 12
40 X 60
3
P/C
N
Girls 9-10
12
7 V 7
6
4 X 14
45 X 75
4
P/C
N
Boys 9-10
12
7 V 7
6
4 X 14
45 X 75
4
P/C
N
Girls 11-12
12
7 V 7
6
2 X 30
50 X 80
4
1
Y
Boys 11-12
15
11 V 11
9
2 X 30
100 X 65
4
1
Y
Girls 13-14
15
11 V 11
9
2 X 30
100 X 65
5
2
Y
Boys 13-14
15
11 V 11
9
2 X 30
100 X 65
5
2
Y
Girls 15+
18
11 V 11
9
2 X 30
100 X 65
5
2
Y
Boys 15+
18
11 V 11
9
2 X 30
100 X 65
5
2
Y
Max Players: League Coordinators and Coaches should make every attempt to abide by these limits. However, in the event that the total number of players in a league is such that an unwieldy number of teams or players-per-team would result, this limit may be adjusted.
Game Play: Coaches should make every attempt to abide by these limits. However, in the event that the number of players available for a particular game is fewer than this recommendation, the coaches, by mutual agreement, and in leagues that have an official ref, with the ref’s approval, the game may be played with fewer players than recommended.
Min Players: Play for a game can commence provided a team has a minimum of 6 players in 7v7 leagues and 9 players in 11v11 leagues. The other team is encouraged to play down in equal strength until the teams are both able play at full strength. Teams are authorized to borrow players if needed to enable the start of a game provided both teams agree. In the case where a league has had to deviate from the Game Play recommendation, the Min Players may also be adjusted down to a number approved by the Club Director during the creation of the teams.
Game Time: It is critical that game durations are observed. Game and Referee schedules are made based upon these times. However, in the case of extreme weather conditions, and by mutual agreement of the coaches and, in leagues that have an official ref, with the ref’s approval, these times may be shortened, for that individual game only.
Field Size: The sizes of a field are determined by a combination of youth soccer standards and the actual facility and the room permitted at that facility. Minor adjustments are allowed. Typically, fields are laid out before the state of the season and don’t change afterward.
Pre-game Activities: The Referee will gather each team together to inspect the players for safety and conformance to league policies, rule on any special requests, and give any other instructions he feels are appropriate. He will then call for each team’s two designated captains per game to the center of the field to determine which team starts the kick-off and which direction of play. Visiting captains call the coin toss, and winner selects the goal to defend.
Field Set-up: The first 'home" team for a field on game day will have the responsibility of getting the field ready for play. This includes lining the field and setting up the corner flags. Flags and lining equipment are located in the Linwood equipment room. Lining machines should be returned after use. An inspection of the goal is required to ensure that the goal is firmly anchored from toppling. Either sand bags or other braces should be checked for proper placement. Visiting teams assigned the first game are responsible for picking up any trash on the field or near the touchline. League Coordinators have the keys to the equipment room and will open the equipment room at approximately ½ hour before the first game kick-off time on game day.
Last Game Responsibilities: Each home team playing the last game on game day will take down the corner flags and return them to the Linwood equipment room. Goal nets will be left in place. Any problem with goal anchoring which could cause a goal to topple should be reported to the Club Director, Referee Coordinator, League Coordinator, or their designees.
Time Keeping: The game clock runs continuously with time kept by the referee or his designee. Time is not to be added at the end of regulation time except for injuries requiring stoppage of play or if in the referees opinion a team is attempting to gain an advantage through delaying a game either by excessive or slow substitution or by delaying a restart. There shall be a 2-minute break between quarters and 5 minutes at the half. Possession and side of field change at each half.
Substitutions: For leagues playing quarters, substitutions are allowed at the quarter, at the half, prior to a kick-off after a goal is scored, or in the event of an injury. In the event of an injury, only the injured player may be replaced. The coach must obtain the permission of the referee before any substitution is allowed except at the quarter or half.
For leagues playing halves, substitutions may be made by either team on the following stoppages of play: Kick-off after goal, Goal kick and Injury (replace injured player only). In addition, the team with possession of the ball may substitute on a throw-in. If the team with possession on a throw-in chooses to substitute, then the other team may also substitute.
A referee may disallow a substitution request if, in the judgment of the referee, it is intended as a tactic to delay the game, e.g.: A coach toward the end of the game is trying to protect a one-goal advantage and is making frequent substitutions thereby delaying the game.
Playing Time: Each coach is required to distribute playing time evenly among his/her players. This means that coaches playing a quarter system should plan their players to play entire quarters with no players playing 4 quarters until each player has played 3 full quarters.
Coaches with teams playing halves should ensure that substitutions are regularly made to distribute playing time as evenly as possible. Provided a team has extra players, each player should sit out approximately the same amount each game. For example, a team with extra players may not use the same player in goal the entire game.
The referee is not responsible for monitoring this; coaches are on an honor system. However, if an opposing coach raises a complaint during or at the conclusion of a game concerning the opposing teams lack of evenly distributing playing time, the referee shall inquire of the other coach whether this rule was followed. The referee shall record both the complaint and the response on the game card for action and contact the League Coordinator.
Post-game activities: Referees record the score of the game. In leagues with a playoff system, the coaches should agree on the score that the Referee has recorded. The Home Team coach should call in the score to their League Coordinator. Leagues playing within a non-competitive framework will not keep scores or publish league standings. All 10 and under leagues will play a non-competitive league framework.
Location of coaches and spectators: Coaches, players and players' families and spectators shall be located along opposite touchlines - the home team has preference as to which side of the field. No coaching of the players from the touch lines shall be permitted by anyone except a coach and one assistant coach, who shall be located between the penalty areas, i.e., no closer to the goal line than the point where a line extended from the outer boundary of the penalty area would intersect the touch line. Everyone must stay at least 1 yard behind the touchlines.
Conduct: Coaches, parents, spectators and players are expected to conduct themselves in an enthusiastic, positive and encouraging manner. Any behavior that is negative, such as berating referees or complaining about referees’ decisions or arguing between teams will not be tolerated. Only a coach may inquire of the referee decision pertaining to a call or rules interpretation and is expected to do so in a calm non-confrontational manner after play is stopped. Coaches must brief their players and their parents about the importance of appropriate conduct prior to league play. The coach is ultimately responsible for the conduct of his team, which includes his player’s family and supporters.
If a referee becomes aware of unsportsmanlike conduct caused by a coach, parent or other fan or representative of a team, he may issue a yellow card (warning) or red card, even without previous verbal admonishment. If a yellow card is issued and the poor conduct continues, the offending team will be given a red card and the opposing team will be awarded a penalty kick. A red card may be given without a warning (yellow card) at the discretion of the referee(s) for conduct by a player, coach, parent or other spectator.
If a red card is issued, the offending person must then leave the field and not participate in any way with the game.
Referees will be asked to report on conduct infractions to the referee coordinator and league officials.
League officials will then monitor such offending conduct and counsel the coaches of teams involved in such activity. Continued inappropriate conduct will result in disciplinary action, which may include suspension from the league of the parties responsible for the inappropriate conduct.
The League Coordinator can at his or her discretion counsel coaches on this or seeks the assistance of the Club Director.
Dispute Resolution: These rules, policies and guidelines are an attempt to codify how the program should be run. It is nearly impossible to account for all situations, whether they are administrative or game related. In such instances, the dispute should be handled diplomatically, calmly, and the agreement should reflect what’s in the best interests of the players and the soccer program. This is an especially valuable way to demonstrate proper behavior to the children.
Interpretations and Other Subjective Issues
The following section is included to summarize some of the major aspects of the game and to indicate where the Club program institutes differences and exceptions. The summary is not intended to replace a thorough knowledge of the Laws of the Game.
Offside: Here are a few words regarding what is probably the least understood and most controversial situation in soccer – offside. First, notice there is no ending “s” – the term truly is offside. The offside offense is discussed in Law 11. As for defining the term, it is deceptively simple: A player is in an offside position when he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent, except if he is in his own half of the field of play. Notice the word position is bolded. This is where the confusion starts. A player may be in a technical offside position on the field, but being so is not an offense in and of itself. A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play. Active play is described as interfering with play, or interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position. There are thus two parts to the offside law that make this call so subjective – determining when a player is truly in an offside position (this can be a matter of an inch) and determining what is active play. The penalty for an offside offense is an indirect kick awarded at the spot of the infraction.
For the 7 and 8 year old leagues, a modified offside rule is in effect, the intent being to prevent 'goal hanging" or other tactics antithetical to the game. In these leagues a player is offside only if he or she is in an offside position when the ball crosses the halfway line. In other words, once the ball is brought across the halfway line by the attacking team, offside no longer applies. Note that this does not prevent a player from receiving a pass, which crosses the halfway line, so long as he or she is onside.
For all other leagues, we observe the official offside law.
In either case, the referee will stop play an award an indirect kick from the spot of the infraction.
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick or a throw-in or a corner kick.
Slide Tackling: Slide tackling is leaving one’s feet, feet-first to get the ball from an opponent with contact being made with the opponent. Slide tackling shall not be encouraged or taught in the Club program. If the referee determines that a slide tackle has occurred, he shall award a direct kick to the opposing team. If this occurs in the penalty area by a defending team, a penalty kick will be awarded. If a player repeatedly slide-tackles or if the slide-tackle is severe or intended to harm, the player will be additionally yellow or red- carded at the discretion of the referee.
Penalty Kicks: The referee will place the ball at a penalty spot distance appropriate for the age level, which is marked on the field. The goalie must remain on the goal line, but may move along the goal line. All players except the goalkeeper and shooter must remain outside the goal/penalty area, including the arc until the ball is kicked. A kick may commence only after the referee’s whistle. The ball remains in play after the kick. No shootouts will be used to break tie games during the regular season. Separate Shootout Rules apply for Playoff games.
Goalkeeping: A goalie may hold the ball for up to 6 seconds before releasing it. Once released, the keeper may not repossess the ball with his hands. In either case, the opposing team will be awarded the ball as an indirect kick from the spot of foul.
A goalie who receives a ball kicked intentionally from a teammate from outside the goal/penalty area into it may not pick up the ball. If he does, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick and the spot of the infraction.
If a goalie carries the ball outside the goal area the opposing team will be awarded a direct kick from the spot of foul.
Fouls and Misconduct: Following are excerpts from the Laws of the Game:
Indirect free kicks are restarts that must touch a second player before producing a goal. They are the penalty for procedural violations.
- Direct free kicks are restarts that may produce a goal directly from its first touch.
- A direct free kick is awarded from the spot of a foul to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses:
- Kicking, tripping, jumping at or charging, striking pushing, holding, spiting, or attempting any these
- Handling the ball deliberately (except for the goalie within the penalty area)
- Using abusive language
- In addition, committing these in a careless, reckless or excessive-force manner will result in being assessed a “card”, and should any of these occur in the penalty area a penalty kick will be awarded.
An indirect free kick is awarded for the following infractions:
Typical Yellow Card Infractions (Caution):
- Goalie holding ball more than 6 seconds
- Ball picked up by goalie in the penalty area after it’s kicked to him intentionally by a teammate
- Player plays in a dangerous manner
- Player impedes the progress of an opponent.
- Any other infraction for which play is stopped.
Typical Red Card (Send-off) Infractions:
- Unsporting Behavior
- Dissent
- Persistently infringes the Rules of the Game
- Delaying play
- Failure to respect the required distance for a free kick (6 yards 7-8 year old leagues, 8 yards 9-10 year old leagues and 10 yards all other leagues).
- Entering or leaving the field of play without referee’s permission
In the Club Program, a team that receives a red card may continue to play at full strength by replacing the offending player.
- Serious foul play
- Violent Conduct
- Spitting at an opponent
- Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by a deliberate handball (except goalie) or by an offense listed above.
- Using offensive, abusive or insulting language.
- Receiving a second caution in the same match.
Advantage: Advantage is a clause in the Law that directs the referee to refrain from stopping play for a foul if a stoppage would benefit the team that committed the violation.
Although the formal rules provide for stoppage of play by the referee only in the event of “serious" injury, refs in this league should stop play in the event of an injury which causes a player to stop playing for more than a few seconds, draws blood, or appears to require checking by the coach --- err on the side of caution! However, the refs have discretion to allow play to continue for a few seconds if the team with possession of the ball has a clear and immediate chance of "breaking away" or scoring a goal, if the player does not appear seriously injured, and if he or she is out of immediate danger from the flow of play.
Dangerous Kicks: Kicks above the waist are discouraged. A kick above the waist that could contact an opponent will be termed “dangerous play” and an indirect kick will be awarded. A kick above the waist that contacts an opponent will be judged a foul and result in a direct kick. Depending on the severity it may also be judged a cautionable (Yellow card) or send-off (Red Card) offense.
Referees: In most games, there will be only one referee on the field who will be in a referee uniform. At the referee’s request, each coach will select one parent to act as a sideline referee who will determine possession when the ball goes out of bounds. The coach should introduce these individuals to the referee before the start of the game. In the event a referee is not present for a game, each team will provide someone knowledgeable with the rules to officiate. At a referee’s option, he may delegate timekeeping to an adult on the sideline.
In the 7 and 8-year-old leagues, the league will not regularly assign referees. Each coach will choose one adult to officiate on the field. The intent is to provide on-field coaching in these “friendly” and instructional leagues.
There are no shootouts during the regular season to break a tie game.
Kickoffs and Corner Kicks: In all leagues a kickoff or corner kick that is otherwise untouched and enters the goal will count as a goal the same as any other direct kick.
Playoffs (11 year old and older leagues): The Club Director or League Coordinator will write a single-elimination playoff schedule for the last two weeks of the season. Regular league standings will determine seeding. Only playoff games will have tie games decided by a shootout.
A shootout will have 5 players from each team alternate penalty kicks. The final two teams playing for the league’s playoff tournament championship will be awarded trophies.
Separate shootout rules and procedures are written and apply. They will be distributed separately in the Tournament Section.
Medical Issues
Braces: Players with braces on their teeth must wear mouth guards.
Casts: In order for a player with a hard cast to be allowed to play, the following must be in place: The player must have the approval of her treating medical practitioner (Physician, Osteopath, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant), her parents, and both her coach and the opposing team’s coach. She then must have her cast wrapped in bubble wrap, and prior to participating in pre-game activities, must present herself to the Club Director, Referee Coordinator, or League Coordinator, or their designee, for inspection and approval. The final decision ultimately rests with the Referee. If the player is permitted to participate, the Referee may cease her further participation at any time if he observes that she is acting in a reckless manner, is unable to adequately protect herself, or is otherwise jeopardizing her own or another’s safety.
Tournament: In all age ten and under leagues, standings will not be kept. No playoffs will be held. A season ending tournament will be held the last two weeks of the season with each team playing two shortened games per day. Players in these leagues will be awarded patches or similar favors from the league. See the Tournament section for details.
Last updated on March 4, 2008.
