Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer Association

RULES AND REGULATIONS - UPDATED January 2007

PREFACE

The Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League exists to foster and perpetuate the game of soccer where fair play and proper sporting behavior will be displayed at all times. The following will be the rules and regulations governing team play in the Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League for the age groups U-6 (under six) through U-19 (under nineteen).
The following clubs are members of the Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League and agree to abide by the following rules: BACK MOUNTAIN, BEAR CREEK, COSMOS, FORTY FORT, HANOVER, KINGSTON, LARKSVILLE, MOUNTAINTOP, NANTICOKE, PLAINS, PLYMOUTH, SKYHAWKS, and STONERS

I. LAWS OF THE GAME AND RULES GOVERNING PLAY
The laws of the game will be governed by the FIFA rule book except where modified herein.

II. BEGINNING OF THE SEASON

Practice may begin on August 1st.

III. FIELD OF PLAY

A. The designated home team (club) in any game is responsible for the preparation of the field before that game. The field should be distinctly lined and goal nets should be provided. Corner flags should be provided where possible.

B. The field must have a coaching box on each touch line, extending twenty yards on each side of the halfway line and be a minimum of one yard deep. All lines should be adjusted appropriately for downsized fields. All coaches and substitute players must remain within the designated area.

C. A spectator line of two yards deep must be provided parallel to each touch line

IV. PLAYERS

A. All players must be properly registered through EPYSA and must be registered on that team's roster.

B Permission must be obtained from WVYSA board in order to receive approval to over roster players on a team. A written request is required and the reason for this request must be given.

C. Every rostered player present must play a minimum of half the game. This pertains to players playing periods, quarters or freely substituted during U-15/16 and U-17/18 games.

V. EQUIPMENT

A. The use of shin guards is mandatory.

B. Shirts must be tucked into shorts.

C. Socks must be pulled up over shin guards.

D. No metal spikes are allowed.

E. No rings, earrings, necklaces. bracelets or jewelry as well as hard hair clips will be allowed. Eye glasses and medical alert bracelets will be permitted however these bracelets must be taped to players wrist.

F. The designated home team is responsible for providing two (2) suitable game balls for each game.

VI. REFEREES

A. A licensed FIFA referee is highly recommended for all age levels of play. However, if a licensed FIFA referee is not available, and the assigned referee does not arrive to referee the game, the two coaches must then agree upon whom referee's the game. If an agreement cannot be reached, they may choose not to play the game.

B. During U-16 and up it is highly recommended to have two referees where possible.

C. It is suggested that the referee of the game, when possible, be at least two years older than the age level he/she is officiating.

VII. CONDUCT

A. All players, coaches, parents, spectators, etc. are expected to demonstrate proper sporting behavior at all times.

B. Each team's coaches are responsible for insuring that their team's parents, spectators, etc. follow the rules of conduct and that the rule regarding the spectator line is followed.

C. Coaches and players must stay in the coaching box.

D. There will be no smoking by Coaches or Referee's on the game field and/or sidelines.

E If complaints are received, A Wyoming Valley sanctioned representative picked by the league would be sent weekly to evaluate games with complaints against coaches/parents. This Wy. Val. official has the right to enter the field of play any time at his or her discretion to advise the official.

F. If a red card is given to any player, a suspension of that game and next scheduled game will be given to that player.

G.Violent act directed toward a referee will be reported directly to EPYSA.

VIII. CLUB ATTENDANCE AT LEAGUE MEETINGS

A. Clubs missing two consecutive Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League meetings will be fined $25.00 per missed meeting. After the fourth meeting missed the club's voting rights will be suspended. The club's president will be informed of this action by way of a registered letter. Their teams may continue to play in the league. To regain their voting rights, the club must attend two consecutive meetings and pay all fines.

B. It is the responsibility of the individual clubs to make sure they know when and where the meetings are to be held.

IX. SPONSORSHIP

Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer clubs may secure sponsorship for their teams. Sponsor names may be printed on player uniforms at the discretion of the club, in a tasteful manor, so as not to overshadow, and / or, be more prominent than the soccer logo itself. Uniforms must continue to display the league logo.

X. GAME DAY

A. In the event that two teams are wearing similar uniforms, the team wearing colors not previously registered with the Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League must provide alternate colored jerseys during game day.

B. In the event a team does not attend a scheduled Wyoming Valley League game and does not notify the opposing coach, or the president of Wyoming Valley, via a personal phone call, or a phone call from your clubs president, that team's parent club will be fined $20.00 for each offense.

XI. PUBLICITY

Newspaper articles promoting youth soccer or publicizing intramural teams will be permitted, provided team records and / or standings are not included. Any club breaking this rule will fined $25.00 for each offense.

XIV. GENERAL

The Board of Directors; which includes the elected officers and club representatives of Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer,reserves the right to take whatever action it feels may be necessary to correct any violation of the rules and regulations to ensure continued success of the soccer program for the youth of Wyoming Valley.

XV. RULES

A. Start of Play-All players must be in their own half of the field with one team kicking off. Opponents must be 5 yards from the center mark at the kick off. Before the game decide who will kick off to begin the game and then change the kick off team at the beginning of each quarter. Kick off is intended to ensure possession and must go forward to a teammate. The ball is not kicked to the other team.

B. Ball In and Out of Play-When the WHOLE of the ball goes over the WHOLE of a boundary line, the ball is out of play.

C. Method of Scoring-A goal is scored when the WHOLE of the ball goes over the WHOLE of the part of the goal line defined by the cones or actual goal. Scoring goals is possibly the MOST fun a soccer player has during a game. Give players every opportunity to score a goal.

D. Goal Kick-If the team attempting to score a goal kicks the ball over the goal line outside the goal posts, the opposing team puts the ball back into play with a goal kick. The kick should be taken within 2-3 yards of the goal and opposing players must be 5 –6 yards away.

E. Corner Kick-Use an indirect free kick with the opponent 5 yards away. If the team defending against a goal being scored kicks the ball over the goal line outside the goal posts, the opposing team puts the ball back into play with a corner kick.

V. RULES
A. Officials- (Game Manager, Coordinator, Observer, Director, Parent Volunteer/ Coach) Your job is to keep the playing environment FUN, SAFE and focused on the child.
In addition you need to keep time, enforce the rules, stop and restart the game. When you stop the game because of a foul, ball out of play, goal or another reason, take the time to explain to the players why! This is their first experience with soccer, too, and the BEST time to educate all on the Laws of the Game.
B. Offside-Offside is not used in the small-sided games.
C. Fouls and Misconduct-Fouls can and will occur even at this level. All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick with opponents at least 5 yards away.
• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent; trips or attempts to trip an opponent • Jumps at an opponent
• Charges an opponent • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent • Pushes an opponent
• Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball • Holds an opponent • Spits at an opponent • Handles the ball deliberately
• Plays in a dangerous manner • Impedes the progress of an opponent
Soccer is a contact sport and each action is dealt with at the time it occurs. Explain the foul in simple terms, restart and let the game continue.
D. Free Kicks-All free kicks will be indirect. That means that a goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team. All opposing players should be 5 yards away.
E. Penalty Kick-Not used in small-sided games

F. No defensive player should be positioned inside of the goal box as a permanent position.
F. GAMES ARE TO BE USED AS A TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND NO STANDINGS ARE TO BE KEPT.

III. LENGTH OF GAME

A. six, 6 minute periods (thirty-six minutes)

B. The time between each period is two minutes and the time between halves is five minutes.

IV. THE FIELD

A. The touch line (length) will be a minimum of fifty yards long and a maximum of sixty yards long. The goal line (width) will be a minimum of thirty yards long and a maximum of forty yards long. The goals will be six feet wide by four feet high. The goal area will be three yards from the end of the goal post and three yards into the field of play. The penalty area will be six yards from the end of the goal and six yards into the field of play. The half line will remain. The center circle will be a six yard radius from the center spot. The corner areas will remain the same. The penalty spot and the arc will be eliminated (no penalty kicks are taken at this level).

V. RULES

FIFA rules will be followed with the following exceptions:

A. START OF GAME, CORNER KICKS, AND FREE KICKS: The ball must travel forward, and all opposing players must remain six yards away from the ball when the kick is taken.

B. OFF-SIDES: There will be no off-sides in U-8 levels. Although the off-sides rule will not apply, coaches must continue to give instruction on this law and not attempt to use the off side position as an advantage during the game. If in the referee's opinion a coach is blatantly abusing the offside position, the referee shall give a warning and explanation to the coach offending coach.

C. FOULS: Every foul will result in an indirect kick. There will be no direct kicks or penalty kicks during U-8 games.

D. THROW INS: If a player incorrectly performs a throw-in on the first throw, he/she should be instructed by the coach and/or referee, as to the proper manner of throwing the ball in, and be given a second chance to complete the throw-in. After the second attempt the ball is given to the other team.

E. GAMES ARE TO BE USED AS A TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND NO STANDINGS ARE TO BE KEPT.

F. No defensive player should be positioned inside of the goal box as a permanent position.

III. LENGTH OF GAME

A. four , 10 minute quarters ( forty minute games)

B. The time between each quarter is two minutes and the time between halves is five minutes.

IV. THE FIELD

A. The touch lines will be a sixty yards long. The goal lines will be forty yards long. The goals should be 61/2 to 7 feet in height, and 18 to 21 feet in width.. The goal area should be six yards from the end of the goal post and six yards into the field of play. The penalty area will be twelve yards from the end of the goal and twelve yards into the field of play. The half line will remain. The center circle will be a six yard radius from the center spot. The corner areas will remain the same. The penalty spot and the arc will be eliminated (no penalty kicks are taken at this level.)

V. RULES

FIFA rules will be followed with the following exceptions:

A. START OF GAME, CORNER KICKS, AND FREE KICKS: The ball must travel forward, and is an indirect kick. All opposing players must remain six yards away from the ball when an indirect or direct kick is taken.

B. OFF-SIDES: Off-sides rule WILL BE enforced for U-9 and U-10 levels.

C. FOULS: Every foul will result in either a direct or an indirect free kick, according to FIFA rules. There will be no penalty kicks during U-9 and U-10 games.

D. THROW INS: If a player incorrectly performs a throw-in on the first throw, he/she should be instructed by the coach and /or referee as to the proper manner of throwing the ball in and be given a second chance to complete the throw-in. After the second try the ball will be given to the other team.

E. GAMES ARE TO BE USED AS A TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND NO STANDINGS ARE TO KEPT.

III. LENGTH OF GAME

A. four, 12 minute quarters ( forty-eight minute games)

B. The time between each quarter is two minutes and the time between halves is five minutes.

IV. THE FIELD

The minimum and maximum dimensions are as follows: 50-70 yards in width and 90-120 yards in length

V. RULES

FIFA rules will govern each game.

III. LENGTH OF GAME

A. four, 14 minute quarters (fifty-six minute games)

B. The time between each quarter is two minutes and the time between halves is five minutes.

IV. THE FIELD

The minimum and maximum dimensions are as follows: 50-70 yards in width and 90-120 yards in length

V. RULES

FIFA rules will govern each game.