BAY AREA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES AND RULES OF COMPETITION

I. BAYSA Guidelines

A. BAYSA (referred to as the Association) shall publish Rules of Competition for distribution to all member clubs and teams, and shall be responsible for organizing, scheduling, and supervising all competitions held within its jurisdiction.

B. Age Categories. The Association shall organize

competitions by age category. Age categories shall conform to STYSA definitions as follows:

Age Categories: Under 19 Under 13 Under 18 Under 12 Under 17 Under 11 Under 16 Under 10 Under 15 Under 8 Under 14 Under 6 C. All competitions sponsored by the Association

shall be planned and administered in cooperation with its member clubs and STYSA in accordance with Association, STYSA, and USYSA rules and regulations.

D. Playing Season 1. Ten (10) games scheduled play for each team

in regular season. Any weekend cancelled by BAYSA, may be made up at the discretion of the appropriate BAYSA Scheduler.

2. No previous season playoff team may play a non-playoff team more than twice.

3. No team will play more than one scheduled game on the last weekend of the regular season.

4. There will be a mandatory 6-day separation between last regular scheduled game and the first playoff game.

5. UIL or state rules regarding play will only apply to effected age divisions.

E. Playing Fields 1. The Association shall adopt standards for

playing fields for the various divisions. Prior to the start of season play, the Association shall inspect the playing fields of each club and advise the club of acceptability or deficiencies to the satisfaction of the Association before regular season play commences. Each club is required to inspect all goal posts prior to the start of each season and submit goal post inspection documentation to BAYSA. Forms are available at www.baysa.org.

2. Each member club at the time of initial registration of teams with the Association for an upcoming playing season shall submit a description, including dimensions for, and map(s) showing the location of and main routes of access to all of the club's home playing fields. Each member club must have designated home playing fields in order to register with the Association and will be responsible for making sure that the fields are available for all club home games. Any club with Super 2 or IAL teams will be responsible for designating fields for that level of play.

II. Registration A. General. All players and teams planning to

participate in competition under the jurisdiction of this Association shall be registered with their member clubs and the Association in accordance with STYSA and USYSA requirements. All players and teams officially registered with BAYSA will be registered with STYSA, a member of USYSA. Clubs shall draw members for its affiliated teams only from amateur youths. The registrar must provide all required information (name, complete address, area code with telephone number, verified date of birth). Spelling of the last name and the street address and city for children

from one household should be the same. Nicknames should not be used. Forms for registration and related activities are available at www.baysa.org.

B. Territories for Player Registration. Each member

organization (herein called club) shall have territory within the jurisdiction of the Association that shall be determined on joining the Association. Once an area is assigned to a club, it shall not be deleted from the club's territory without the consent of the club.

C. Team Formation and Rostering.

1. Team formation and rostering shall be the responsibility of each member club participating in Association sponsored competitions. Each member club will determine a consistent method to be used for formation of its teams subject to compliance with the rules and regulations of the Association. Anyone participating in Association sponsored competitions must be in good standing with the Association, STYSA, and USYSA. For more information refer to, Section III, Team Formation and Scheduling.

2. Clubs registering teams for competition in the fall season are required to furnish a list of all teams to the appropriate BAYSA scheduler no later than August 1. This list must include the team name, age division, and level of play (division) for each team. Each club is responsible for the accuracy of all information submitted. No team will be allowed to register for the fall season after August 15.

D. Registration Fees.

1. Initial team registration fees are due to the BAYSA treasurer by August 1. These will be credited to each club’s total registration fees.

a) $100 for each less than 7 aside team b) $110 for each 7-aside team c) $140 for each 8 aside team d) $180 for each 11-aside team

2. Fees for registration of fall season teams after August 1 shall be the above fee plus a non-refundable penalty of $50 per week for each week that the team is registered late or incorrectly by the club.

3. A club dropping a team after August 15 will forfeit that team’s registration fee.

4. The balance of registration fees are payable by the club to the Association and must be received by the BAYSA treasurer by October 1 annually.

5. Initial player registration and team rosters must be submitted by member clubs to the BAYSA registrar by August 15. Rosters will be frozen 2-weeks prior to the first game for the purpose of printing ID cards and scheduling.

6. Each team roster must contain at least seven players and no more than 12 players for 7- aside and 8-aside teams, and no more than 18 players for an 11-aside team.

7. A club is responsible for registration fees to the Association for any player participating in regularly scheduled games.

8. Fees and the timetable for registration of players and teams for spring season play shall be determined by the Association prior to the start of each spring season. Fees must be paid at the time of team registration to BAYSA.

9. For spring and summer registration, players not registered in the fall, will be charged an additional fee for registering with STYSA and USYSA.

E. Player Guidelines for Youth Soccer. 1. The age of a youth soccer player shall be the

player's age before the first day of August. The seasonal year is defined as August 1 to July 31.

2. Proof of Age. Each player shall furnish proof of age at the time of initial registration with a member club, which may be submitted to the Association at time of initial registration. Thereafter, no further proof of age shall be

required, so long as continuous year-to-year registration status is maintained. Acceptable proof of age shall be a certified or verified birth certificate, Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 1173) issued by an appropriate government agency or board of health records, a passport, an alien registration card issued by the United States Government, a certificate issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service attesting to age, a current driver’s license, an unexpired federal, state or local government identification card (if documentation of birth is required or a certification of a United States citizen born abroad issued by the appropriate government agency. Hospital, baptismal or religious certificates will not be accepted.

3. New Player Eligibility. A new player must be registered at least 2-weeks prior to the last regularly scheduled, regular season game and have participated in at least two regularly scheduled, regular season games with his/her respective team prior to taking part in any post-season competition. Byes are considered to be regularly scheduled, regular season games. All adds must go through the BAYSA Registrar and include all paperwork required to effect necessary roster changes.

4. Identification Cards. a. The Association shall furnish each club

sufficient official identification cards for each registered player, manager/head coach, and all assistant coaches.

b. Each identification card must be signed by the person whose name appears on the card and must have his/her photograph permanently attached (not taped, stapled, etc.) to the backside. The player should sign the card exactly as their name is printed on the card, e.g., if there is a middle initial on the card, the player should sign with the middle initial.

c. A valid card must have the official signature of the BAYSA Registrar on the

backside, and must be completely laminated (both sides).

d. There will be no temporary identification cards issued.

5. Playing Above Age Division. Younger players may play up one year with written parental consent/request, local club approval and in accordance with STYSA team formation rules. Each coach and player should be absolutely sure the player is really ready both physically and emotionally to play with other players as much as two years his/her senior. Any player who has to play up more than one year because of problems with local club team formation or requests to play up must have written parental consent/request and local club approval. The playing above age division form is available at www.baysa.org.

6. Playing Down in Age. Any member club may request permission of the Association to place a player in an age group below his or her normal age division (playing down). Each request will be considered on its own merits and shall not be considered a precedent for future actions. Teams with players playing down in age shall not be eligible for post-season competition. Such permission to play down shall expire at the end of the regular season and must be resubmitted for new consideration in ensuing years (seasons). The provisions of any rules or regulations relating to ineligibility of a team because of a player to old on the roster shall not apply when this rule is invoked and approval granted by the Association. The playing down in age form is available at www.baysa.org

F. Player Releases and Team Transfers. Forms are

available at www.baysa.org 1. Requirements for player transfers are as

follows. a. A player wishing to transfer from one team

to another shall obtain a transfer/release form from their local club registrar and

submit to them the completed form and appropriate fee and original ID card. The form will then be forwarded to the BAYSA Registrar and the STYSA Registrar for approval.

b. A new ID card will be printed after the transfer has been approved by STYSA.

c. Players transfer for all teams must be requested by November 1. No request for transfer will be accepted after that date.

2. Any player who transfers from one team to another must sit out the next two regularly scheduled games with the new team.

3. Player transfers between two member clubs are permissible provided the player obtains a release from the first club. A coach/club is not bound to release a player upon request, but the Association expects the coach/club to exercise good judgment in considering what is best for the player concerned, and a decision should be rendered within 1-week of receipt of the transfer request.

4. If a coach/club refuses to release a player, the player has the right to appeal the action to the Association's Discipline and Protest (D&P) Committee by filing a written appeal with the D&P chairperson.

5. A player may obtain a release from a team without transferring to another team. A coach cannot release a player without the player's permission.

G. Player Grants (adopted July 7, 1994)

1. Mission. To enroll children in the Bay Area Youth Soccer Association program, who would not, due to economic restrictions, be able to begin participation in youth soccer.

2. Funding. BAYSA will, on an annual basis, allocate funds from the prior year’s operating reserve for the BAYSA Player Fee Grant Program. These funds shall be approved by the BAYSA membership at a regular BAYSA membership meeting. Should the prior year’s operating funds not create a reserve, BAYSA

shall suspend funding for this program, until such reserve does exist.

3. Guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to create a mechanism to equable and effectively distribute funds allocated for the BAYSA Player Fee Grant Program. Said funds shall not leave the treasury of BAYSA, but shall be credited to the BAYSA member club as partial payment to fees due BAYSA for player registration. In the event that no funds are appropriated, no applications shall be submitted by member clubs for such funding, and no credits shall be awarded by the BAYSA Executive Committee to any member clubs. a. Who May Apply? BAYSA member clubs,

in good standing, may apply to the BAYSA Executive Committee, following a review and confirmation by the member club, at a formal board meeting of that club, that the player involved in the application does not have the financial capability to fund the predetermined fee to BAYSA. The application shall include minutes of said club board meeting to verify full board review occurred prior to filing for the grant.

b. Form of Application. The application must contain the following: (1) Name of the applying club including principal contact for any questions (2) Name of the player for which the grant fee is to be applied. (3) Minutes of the club board meeting in which club officers approved applying for said funds (4) Player grant application forms are located at www.baysa.org.

3. Deadline for Submission. Applications must be submitted to the BAYSA Executive Committee by October 1st each year. Approval (or denial) must be completed by the BAYSA Executive Committee by October 15th each year.

4. Limitations on Applications:

a. BAYSA member clubs may apply for a maximum of 2.5% of the prior year’s number of registered players. (For example, if a club had 500 players registered to BAYSA, then that club would be eligible to apply for a maximum of 13 players.)

b. BAYSA member clubs applying on behalf of a player whose fee would not be the maximum amount designated by BAYSA (i.e., an in-house player) will be credited for only the amount paid on that player’s behalf.

c. Grants issued on behalf of a player shall be limited two years.

d. Youths that are registered for high school are not eligible.

H. Participation of Non-Member Teams. Youth soccer teams not belonging to BAYSA member clubs may, with the approval of BAYSA, participate in regular season play with BAYSA teams. Teams requesting approval to participate must register with BAYSA paying the regular player donation to the Association. If such teams originate in the territory of another association, the team must obtain approval from that association for its affiliation with BAYSA. These teams, with the approval of BAYSA, may be eligible for trophies and may represent BAYSA in post-season tournaments on the same basis as BAYSA member teams. Team representatives may attend, but not vote, at BAYSA meetings.

III. Team Formation and Scheduling A. Age Division Subdivision.

1. BAYSA will create a master ten game schedule for all BAYSA teams.

2. For a given division to be divided into two or more subdivisions, there must be 12 or more teams entered in that age division. If there are less than 12 teams, there only will be one sub-division and the Association champion of that age division will be the team with the most

Association points at the end of the regular season. If there is a tie at the end of regular season play, then tiebreakers will be used to determine the Association champion. Individual player championship trophies will be awarded to the subdivision champion in U-9 and up. All players in U-8 and below will receive a participation award.

3. If there are 12 or more teams entered in a given age division, then the Scheduler will divide the teams into subdivisions with no less than four teams per subdivision. At the end of the regular season, a playoff between the champions of the subdivisions will determine the overall BAYSA champion for that age division.

B. Boys and Girls Teams. If there is one boy on the

team, then the team will be classified as a boy’s team unless the team is registered as a coed team. If it is a coed team then they shall play under the coed rules of play.

C. All U-6 play will be in-house and/or with

neighboring clubs within the Association. D. All U-8 play will be in accordance with STYSA's

7v7 format established for U-8 players. Play will be with neighboring clubs to minimize travel and all scheduling will be handled by BAYSA. Neighboring clubs have been defined as follows:

1. Santa Fe, Dickinson, Texas City, & Galveston 2. East Lake Houston, Baytown, East Belt, North

Channel, & La Porte 3. Alvin, Manvel, Pearland, and Friendswood 4. Clear Lake, NASA Area, League City, &

Southbelt

E. Recreational Team Formation (White and Red) and Rostering. 1. All recreational teams shall be formed in the

same method within a club.

2. Transfer of core team players (white and red) to different clubs must be approved by both clubs and BAYSA.

3. A team core is considered to be seven players.

4. The use of tryouts to roster players for any recreational team is prohibited.

5. Formation method must be submitted to D&P prior to submitting teams to BAYSA annually.

F. Red/Blue Committee Guidelines, Procedures, and

Appeals The BAYSA president will establish a standing committee to review the status of any blue or red team of member clubs for the purpose of determining if any specific team should play blue or red for the next seasonal year. The decision of this committee can be appealed within the time line established by the committee to the BAYSA body requiring a vote of 2/3 or more of the general membership to overturn a final decision of the Red/Blue Committee.

1. Guidelines and Procedures The following guidelines concerning Red/Blue Committee procedures and appeals were adopted by the BAYSA membership at the regular monthly meeting in April 1997. These guidelines went into effect in the fall 1997 season, and will remain in effect until subsequently modified and/or repealed by the BAYSA membership.

a. Red/Blue Committee Representative. Each club will be required to have a representative on the Red/Blue Committee. Any club that does not have a representative on the committee will not be allowed to appeal any decision of the Red/Blue Committee nor will any team from that club be allowed to appeal any decision of the Red/Blue Committee.

b. Committee Reports. Each club will receive written reports of the committee’s initial determinations and the committee’s final decisions. The report concerning the

committee’s initial determinations will be distributed to the member clubs in accordance hereinbelow. The final report of the committee will contain the committee’s decisions regarding teams that will be required to play in Division II during the upcoming season and will be distributed to the member clubs in accordance hereinbelow. Each club will receive one copy of each such report, which copies will be distributed at the next regular monthly meeting of the BAYSA body after such reports are completed by the committee. It is the clubs’ responsibility to notify their respective team(s) and/or coach(es) of the determinations and decisions contained in these reports and it is the clubs’ responsibility to register their teams in the appropriate division, in accordance with the committee’s final report.

c. Dropping from Division II. Any team that played the prior year (fall season) as a Division II team that wants to register in Division III must make a request to the Red/Blue Committee that it be allowed to drop to Division III. All such requests must be in writing, and must comply with the reconsideration and appeals procedures outlined below. The committee will deal with such requests on a team-by-team basis. Any team which registers in Division III without first having obtained permission of the Red/Blue Committee shall not be allowed to participate in any competition other than the BAYSA regular season (i.e., participation in post-season play and tournament competition will be prohibited), and will not be eligible to receive awards (i.e., trophies, medals, etc.) based upon their regular season record.

d. Procedures – Reconsideration and Appeals. The following rules are adopted

for the purpose of establishing and clarifying the reconsideration appeals procedures that apply to decisions of the Red/Blue Committee.

(1) Initial Determinations. The Red/Blue Committee will issue a written report that contains its initial determinations concerning teams that competed in Division III during the prior year. The report will state which teams the committee considers should be required to register in Division II for the upcoming year. With respect to teams that will play in the U-11 age brackets in the upcoming fall season, the report shall state which clubs will be required to form one or more blue teams to compete in the U-11 Division II. Such report shall be completed and distributed to the member clubs at the monthly meeting of the BAYSA body, not later than May of any given year.

(2) Request for Reconsideration. Any club that has a representative on the Red/Blue Committee may request that the committee reconsider its decision with respect to any given team names in the initial determinations. However, all such requests to have the committee reconsider its initial determinations must be made in writing, within 30-days following the date of the meeting at which the report of the committee’s initial determinations is distributed. Further, all written requests for reconsideration must be made by an officer of the club (preferably the club president), and the written request should indicate whether the club’s board has voted to support the request for reconsideration, and whether the coach of that team has been consulted on the decision to request reconsideration by the committee. The request for reconsideration should include a brief

explanation of the reason(s) that the club believes the team in question should not be required to play in Division II in the upcoming year. The Red/Blue Committee will meet prior to the June meeting of the BAYSA body to consider any requests for reconsideration that have been received in compliance with the foregoing procedures, and also to consider any requests for permission to drop to Division III. It is recommended (but not required) that a representative from the club presenting the request for reconsideration and/or the affected team appear at that meeting to answer any questions which the committee may have concerning the request for reconsideration.

(3) Final Report. Following such meeting, the committee will issue a final report stating which teams will be required to move up into Division II. The final report will also include the committee’s decisions with respect to requests for reconsideration that were presented to the committee, and a statement of any conditions which affect the decision made by the committee concerning the request for reconsideration by any given team or club, for example. If the request to not be required to play in Division II is based upon the contention that players from the subject team are going to play on a Division I team or on another Division II team, the committee reserves the right to make that fact a condition of allowing that team to complete in Division III. The final report will also include the committee’s decisions concerning any requests for permission of a Division II team to dorp to Division III.

(4) Distribution of Final Report. The final report of the Red/Blue Committee will be distributed to the member clubs at the monthly meeting of the BAYSA body not

later than July of any given year. The committee shall only be responsible for providing one copy of its final report to each member club at such meeting. The committee shall not be responsible for any club that does not attend the meeting at which the final report is distributed, or which claims that it did not receive a copy of the final report at such meeting.

(a) Failure to Comply. Any team that does not comply with the final report of the Red/Blue Committee shall not be allowed to participate in any competition other than the BAYSA regular season (i.e., participation in post-season play and tournament competition will be prohibited, and will not be eligible to receive awards (i.e., trophies, medals, etc.) based upon their regular season record. Such prohibition shall be automatic, and will not require further action of either the Red/Blue Committee or the BAYSA body, nor shall any further notice other than the final report be required to be given to the affected club(s) or team(s).

(b) Appeals. Any club that has representation on the Red/Blue Committee may appeal the final decision of the committee to the BAYSA body. However, in order to overturn any final decision of the Red/Blue Committee, a 2/3 vote of the members present at the regular monthly meeting of the BAYSA body is required. Further, such appeals shall be presented in writing at least ten (10) days before the meeting at which such appeal will be considered. c.) Deadline for Appeals. No appeal of any decision of the Red/Blue Committee in any given year shall be considered by the BAYSA body after the regular monthly board meeting in September of

that year. The BAYSA body shall have no authority to consider appeals of any decision of the Red/Blue Committee after the September meeting has adjourned. Any decision of the Red/Blue Committee which has not been fully and successfully appealed to the BAYSA body by the end of the September meeting shall no longer be appealable. Further, in order for a team to be allowed to change brackets following the decision of their appeal, that appeal must be completed by the conclusion of the August meeting of that year. Any team that brings an appeal to the BAYSA body at the September meeting will not be allowed to change the bracket in which they are registered to compete for the upcoming fall season, regardless of the outcome of their appeal.

2. Blue Team Quota Rules.

The following Blue Team Quota Rules (numbered 2-6) were adopted by the BAYSA Red/Blue Committee at the meeting held April 7, 1979. The rule (numbered 1) was revised and adopted at the BAYSA general meeting held on March 5, 2001.

a. If a club has two U-12 or older teams in an age group, they will form at least one competitive team in that age group. If a club forms three U-11 teams (boys or girls), they must form at least one competitive team. For every two additional teams in that age group, they must form at least one competitive team.

b. If a club has a team that elects to play Division I, and that team has seven or more players that live within the club’s established boundaries, that team will count as a competitive team for that club. However, only one Division I team per age division will be included for purposes of

meeting the blue team quota of a given club.

c. In order to reach the correct proportion of blue teams, the remaining teams in Division II will be formed from the teams that return from Division III the year before. Several factors should be considered by the committee in arriving at this decision: playoff results, team record and scoring differential for the past seasons should be given primary consideration; factors such as the size of the pool of available players in a given age bracket and the club’s existing red/blue team ratio should also be considered.

d. No team will be restricted from playing in Division II, so long as the appropriate draft is held by the club to form such team(s). However, the committee reserves the right to sanction any team, any coach and/or any club that it learns has advised players to wait until after the blue team draft before registering to fall soccer, or which has otherwise attempted to circumvent the purposes of the committee.

e. The committee recommends (but does not require) that girl blue teams be formed on a regional basis, with one team being formed from each of the six recognized BAYSA regions. It is the desire of this committee to see Division II brackets (both girls and boys) formed to play in single age competitions, with at least six teams in each bracket.

f. Any team that refuses to abide by the decision of the Red/Blue Committee shall not be allowed to participate in any competition other than the BAYSA regular season (i.e., participation in post-season play and tournament competition will be prohibited), and will not be eligible to receive awards (i.e., trophies, medals, etc.) based upon their regular season

record. The BAYSA body may also vote to prohibit any club that fails to abide by the decision of the Red/Blue Committee from participating in post-season play, in tournaments or from receiving BAYSA awards.

G. BAYSA and the BAYSA Division I Committee will

attempt to form Division I teams through a tryout of any particular age group U-11 through U-19 from players (boys and girls) throughout the Association.

IV. Coaches

A. Each club shall be responsible for requiring all coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, managers, team moms, managers, and other participating adults to complete the STYSA adult membership form. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the club being sanctioned. The adult membership form is available at www.baysa.org.

B. Only one person per team may be designated as

the coach. There can be several assistance coaches, managers, or trainers, but there can only be one person identified as the coach.

B. No ID cards for coaches will be released until

completed adult membership forms are received. Coach ID cards should follow refer to section above on Identification Cards for information on signatures, lamination, etc.

C. A minimum coaching certificate is required by

STYSA for the adult in primary charge of the team. This requirement must be met within one year after the individual begins to coach. Failure to meet this requirement will, at a minimum, result in the team not being allowed to participate in playoffs.

D. All coaches must be in good standings with the Association, all other STYSA Associations, STYSA, and USYSA.

V. Scorekeeping

A. A master list of all home games, by date, will be given to each club to verify all games played or the rescheduling of games not played.

B. Final seasonal standings for divisions and

subdivisions shall be determined by the BAYSA Scorekeeper using 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 for a loss.

C. Each club scorekeeper will maintain a list of all

cards within their responsibility, recording date of game, game number, home team score, away team number, away team score, and any card comments.

D. Club scorekeepers (or club) will furnish to the

BAYSA Scorekeeper on Monday following that weekends games a list of all home games played with game number, home team number, home team final score, away team number, away team final score, and any card comments. Any scheduled game not played will be included with an explanation as to why the game was not played.

E. Club scorekeepers (or club) must turn over all

game report cards received to the BAYSA Scorekeeper by Wednesday following the games. Any game card not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper by Wednesday following the game will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit against the home team. If the game card is not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper within 7-days of the recording of the game, a forfeit will be declared by BAYSA D&P and a $25 fine will be levied against the home club.

F. On the final weekend of the season (or portion thereof), all game report cards must be turned over to the BAYSA Scorekeeper by the following Monday. Any game card not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper by Monday will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit against the home team and a $25 fine will be levied against the home club. No allowances will be made for game report cards received after Monday.

G. Distribution of standings will be made in the

October, November, and December BAYSA meetings. Coaches must contact their club scorekeepers for standings and corrections.

H. During playoffs, club scorekeepers and/or playoff

host club(s) will call in or present games cards to the BAYSA Scorekeeper as soon as possible after each playoff game. No modifications to the playoff format may be made after the formation of the subdivision.

I. Game Report Cards.

1. The referee association has been asked to verify that the card contains at least the following information before being accepted from the home team coach:

a. BAYSA game number b. BAYSA five digit team number c. BAYSA field number d. Club and team names (printed legibly). e. Player names and jersey numbers (printed

legibly). f. Both coaches’ names (printed legibly). g. Scheduled (original, not make-up) game

date and starting time. (Referee will fill in actual date and time.)

h. Sex and Level of Competition i. Age division of play. 2. A player whose name appears on the game

report card is considered to have participated in that game. The only exception is in the case of a player who has been suspended by BAYSA for disciplinary reasons for one or

more games. If a player has been issued a red card and is sitting out a game, the player's name must be included with a notation as to which game of the required suspension is being served.

3. Prior to player inspections before each game, it shall be the responsibility of the home team coach to supply the referee with a completed BAYSA game report card. The home team coach must have obtained the visiting team's complete information prior to giving the game card to the referee.

4. The referee is requested to follow these guidelines in completing the "Referee Game Report" section:

a. Enter the scores for both teams. b. Record the actual date and time of start of

game. c. If a game is abandoned while in progress,

report the half in which and time at which the game was abandoned.

d. Make notation of any player ID cards that are not laminated, photo attached, and signed.

e. Report on any of the following as appropriate:

(1) Conduct of players, coaches, or spectators not covered elsewhere

(2) Condition of the fields and markings (3) Injuries to players (4) Other matters believed to be needing

attention by the league (6) Fill out the portion of the game report

card for the visiting team with the final score and any discipline cards given to the visiting team during the game and give this portion to the visiting coach.

f. After the game, the referee will give the completed game card to the home coach. The home coach will submit the game card to his club scorekeeper.

VI. Referees

A. At the end of each game, each referee shall report

on the game card the results of the game, personnel of the teams, all goals scored, and all discipline actions taken before, during, or after the game, and shall give the completed form to the home team coach before leaving the field. For more information on game report cards, see Section III, Scorekeeping, #I-Game Card Reports.

B. By separate report, the referee shall notify the

Association D&P chairperson of all serious disciplinary actions taken during the game. This additional report shall be mailed within 48 hours of the game to the BAYSA D&P chairperson.

C. Referees are not required to notify opposing

coaches of players playing without proper ID cards. The Referee's sole responsibility will be to report on the game card to the Association, any player whose identification is not proper.

D. The Bay Area referee’s web site is www.basra-

refs.org. VII. Playoffs and External Competition A. Playoff Regulations.

1. BAYSA will establish a standard set of regulations for each season regarding playoffs.

2. A BAYSA Playoff Director will be appointed to verify seeded teams and coordinate with individual clubs for official notification and advancement.

3. A Referee Director of Playoffs will be appointed to assure game coverage for all playoff games.

4. Individual teams and coaches will contact their club scheduler for playoff information.

5. Club scorekeepers and/or playoff host club(s) will call in or present games cards to the BAYSA Scorekeeper as soon as possible after each playoff game. No modifications to the

playoff format may be made after the formation of the subdivision.

B. Association Points and Team Standings.

1. Final seasonal standings for divisions and subdivisions shall be determined by the BAYSA Scorekeeper using 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 for a loss.

2. Tie Breakers. Should teams in any division or subdivision end their regular season in a tie for any position that would receive BAYSA awards or would be eligible for further post-season competition, the following shall determine their order of finish.

a. Results of regular season head to head competition among the teams tied for the specific position per the above point system.

b. Results of total goals for minus total goals against in all games, within the bracket (subdivision) with a maximum of three goals differential used both for and/or against in any game.

c. Results of least goals scored against for all regular season games.

d. Coin flip or game (time permitting) as determined by the appropriate BAYSA Scheduler for playoff seeding (refer to section on playoffs) of tied teams seeded.

C. Playoffs.

1. Playoffs may be required for any of the following reasons:

a. To determine divisional champions among several subdivisions.

b. To assist in selection of BAYSA entries into extended competitions.

2. The number of teams that will go into BAYSA playoffs is determined by the size of the subdivision using the following table: a. Subdivisions with less than eight teams

send at least two.

b. Subdivisions with more than seven teams but less than ten teams will send at least three.

c. Subdivisions with ten teams or more send at least four.

3. The format of each playoff competition will be determined by the number of teams participating in each age bracket playoff. After formation of subdivisions, specific finishing places will be placed in their appropriate brackets following these guidelines:

a. No teams from the same subdivision will be placed on the same leg of the bracket until all legs have at least one team from the subdivision.

b. Byes will be used in the earliest possible round and given to first place teams before second place teams.

c. Where possible, teams will not be scheduled to play each other unless they have had equal rest prior to the start of their game. Equal rest will mean that both teams shall have had at least three hours elapsed since the scheduled start of their last game. Teams can expect to play with less than three hours rest if the interval between their last starts is equal.

D. Extended Competitions.

1. Immediately following the BAYSA season, and at least within the Greater Houston area, teams will be expected to participate in BAYSA supported extended competition for which their BAYSA performance qualifies them.

2. Selection and ranking of those teams will be based on the following criteria, taken in order:

a. Position in BAYSA standings (division or subdivision). When mixed age and/or level subdivisions are formed, all games played will count for advancement. Teams will be seeded for advancement according to their final standings in the subdivision.

b. Result of playoff among teams of equal position in BAYSA standings.

E. Championship or Playoff Games (Tie breaking

Procedures). If a championship or playoff game should end its regulation time in a tie, the game must be extended two overtime halves to be played like a new game. Duration of overtime halves shall be as follows:

U-19 thru U-15 Two 15-minute halves U-14 thru U-9 Two 10-minute halves

If a championship or playoff game is still tied after overtime periods, FIFA rules of taking kicks from the penalty mark will apply to determine the winner.

F. BAYSA Post-Season Play.

1. It is the duty of each club to inform any team entering post-season competition of its obligation to represent BAYSA.

2. In some cases, BAYSA teams that are to be entered into STYSA playoffs will be chosen by means of a post-season seeding tournament. Immediately following the regular season, BAYSA shall notify each member club as to which teams within that club are eligible for any such seeding tournament. Each club shall guarantee BAYSA in writing that any of its teams entering tournaments will represent BAYSA in STYSA playoffs, if chosen. No team may be entered into a seeding tournament without such a guarantee. Prior to November 1, all teams eligible for advancement will have a signed form on file with the BAYSA Playoff Director indicating that they will or will not participate in further competition if eligible. Advancement form is located at www.baysa.org.

3. Should any team qualify for STYSA playoff competition in such a seeding tournament and subsequently refuse to represent BAYSA in

playoff competition, BAYSA reserves the right to sanction the coach and/or players of that team through action of the D&P Committee. Sanction, in this case, shall be taken to mean revocation of eligibility to participate in post-season playoffs following the next fall season. Any fines levied by STYSA on BAYSA for failure of a team to participate in post-season play will be passed on to the club.

VIII. Tournaments and Travel Permits A. General. Information on tournaments may be

obtained from your club. Proper forms must be filed for all teams that register in tournaments.

B. Out of State Travel. If you are going to a

tournament outside STYSA, you need to file the following forms:

1. Application for Travel 2. Roster Form 3. Approved application to host tournaments or

games (supplied by host association)

NOTE: Thirty days advanced notice is required to process all application for travel forms if you plan to travel in North America. Ninety days advanced notice is required if you plan to travel to a foreign country. You should carry a copy of all approved forms with you while traveling. USYSA player passes must be carried with you at all times. Contact your home registrar, club president, or BAYSA president for more complete information.

IX. Risk Management (Medical Insurance, Goal Post Inspections, Certificates of Insurance, Kidsafe Program)

A. Medical Insurance. STYSA provides secondary insurance coverage with a $100 deductible (integrated with primary insurance). For those who have no other insurance, STYSA insurance acts

as primary. The plan pays up to $100,000 for any one accident for reasonable expenses incurred by the insured person for medical care which results from injuries caused by an accident sustained while participating in a covered activity. All registered STYSA members (players age 19 and under, coaches, officials, and employees) whose applications and premiums have been accepted are covered by the insurance. The form and information on processing is available at www.baysa.org.

Coverage is available for STYSA members:

1. Participating in the sanctioned play or practice of soccer under the direction and supervision of an authorized official

2. Traveling as an organized group at the direction of an authorized official directly and uninterruptedly to or from such play or practice

3. Participating in other scheduled group activities that are directly supervised by an authorized official.

B. Goal Post Inspection

Each club should establish a system for yearly inspection of goals using the STYSA goal post inspection criteria. This critieria, found in the format of the “Goal Post Inspection Form”, can be found on the BAYSA website, www.baysa.org. One form should be used for each location that the club is utilizing for practice or game fields. These inspection forms need to be returned to the BAYSA Executive Vice President before September 1st annually.

C. Certificate of Insurance Forms

The owners or operators of game and practice facilities are required to provide proof of insurance

before allowing member organizations to use those facilities. Association Insurance Commissioners may order Certificates of Insurance by submitting the written request found under “Insurance” on the BAYSA webiste, www.baysa.org. Clubs should complete and mail this form to the Executive Vice President before September 1st annually.

D. Kidsafe Program

Kidsafe is a risk management program designed to foster safe circumstances for every person, and especially every child, who participates in a US Youth Soccer affiliated activity. It is a program to inform all US Youth Soccer volunteers and employees concerning the risks associated with youth programs. Copies of information on the program are available through STYSA (www.stxsoccer.org). In keeping, BAYSA requires all adult volunteers to complete and submit an adult membership form. (Forms are found on the BAYSA website, www.baysa.org). Further, each club should have in place established risk management policies and procedures to screen volunteers and provide a KidSafe environment within their clubs.

X. Soccer Start Program

Soccer Start is a sports participation program designed to introduce the sport of soccer to children living in economically depressed areas. The program targets disadvantaged children in rural, suburban and urban areas who need an activity outside of school, in their own environment. The philosophy of Soccer Start is that all children can benefit from an exposure to the sport, regardless of the level of parental involvement or ability to pay. The Soccer Start program provides a tool to increase participants' self-esteem, provide positive role models, and build social and life skills, while at the same time, providing exercise, fun, and pride for the children. Soccer Start targets disadvantaged at-risk children, boys and girls from the ages of 6 to 18 years of age. These children may be

classified at-risk due to: low household income, exposure to crime and drugs, language and cultural barriers, children of first generation Americans into the mainstream culture, children of single parent homes, children with learning disabilities, children without any organized after school supervision, and children who score low on TASP state testing and need additional motivation to excel in school. Those interested in starting program or participating in existing programs should contact the BAYSA representative.

XI. TOPSoccer

TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs. The program, designed and administered by US Youth Soccer and its volunteer TOPSoccer Committee, provides meaningful learning, development and physical participation opportunities to young athletes. The emphasis of this program is on participation rather than on competition. TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission to foster the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition. A TOPSoccer player is defined as any youth player between the ages of 4 and 19 who has physical or mental disability that limits their ability to perform at the level of play they have chosen to participate. Anyone interested in participating should contact the BAYSA TOPSoccer representative.

XII. Rules of Play A. General Requirements.

1. FIFA laws of the game as approved by the USSF are applicable to all Association-sponsored competitions except as noted in the Rules of Competition.

2. All games played by Association member teams shall be under the immediate jurisdiction of this Association.

3. Each member team is responsible for the actions of its team players, officials, and

spectators on or off the playing field before, during, or after a game. Any team refusing or failing to play a game in compliance with Association rules shall forfeit the game.

4. With respect to administrative matters, USYSA administrative rules shall apply unless otherwise noted herein.

B. Player Eligibility for Games 1. All players must present an official

identification (ID) card to the referee prior to participation in any BAYSA sanctioned competition.

2. Playing a game without a valid BAYSA ID card or with an improper ID card may result in game forfeit (1-0) due to participation of an ineligible player. Game forfeits subsequent disciplinary actions shall be administrated at the discretion of the BAYSA D&P Committee.

3. The manager, coach, or captain of each team shall furnish the referee, prior to the start of the game, with a roster of his/her players. A player not properly listed on the roster for a team shall not play in the game. The roster will also serve as the official game report.

4. Uniforms for players are mandatory and consists of jersey or t-shirt, shorts, knee socks, shoes, and shin guards. Included are the following:

a. Knee pads and elbow pads are permissible.

b. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be dressed just like the referee.

c. All goalkeepers must have a jersey that contrasts with their own team and the opposing teams’ jerseys.

d. Warm clothing, in cold weather, is acceptable provided the jersey is worn on the outside.

e. Bandannas of any style may not be worn during any game. Players may not wear a bandanna on their head, legs, or arms.

f. It is mandatory that all players’ jerseys be numbered with a 6” to 10” number with

exception of the goalkeeper, and each player wear the same number throughout the game. Each player jersey must have a number different from every other player jersey on their team.

g. No players will be allowed to play with a hard cast (plaster, plastic, or fiberglass), padded or otherwise.

h. Socks must cover shinguards. i. No jewelry of any type will be permitted

during a game. Medical bracelets or necklaces may be worn provided they are taped to the skin with the medical condition displayed.

j. Hair clips, that the referee determines may be dangerous to the players, will not be allowed to be worn during a game.

k. Uniforms are mandatory by the second regular season game, except in certain extreme hardship cases, which must be approved by the BAYSA executive board in advance.

C. Game Scoring Forms and Game Procedures

It is the responsibility of each home team coach at every game to perform the following. 1. Prepare a game roster of his/her team's

players on an official scoring form (game card).

2. Properly list, on the game report card, all of his/her rostered players and the coach in attendance at the game. Any player or coach serving a suspension will be noted as such on the game card. Any player absent must be noted.

3. Give the scoring form to the visiting team's coach prior to game time so that the visiting coach can properly list all of his/her rostered players and the coach in attendance at the game. Any player or coach serving a suspension will be noted as such on the game card. Any player absent must be noted.

4. See that the referee obtains completed game card prior to the start of the game.

5. All players must present an official identification card to the referee prior to participation in any BAYSA sanctioned competition. All registered coaches should present an official identification card as well to the referee prior to participation in any BAYSA sanctioned competition. In absence of a registered coach, substitute coaches will be allowed with a photo ID. The referee shall check all ID cards, and note on the game report card any player whose ID card is not properly prepared (photo, signed, and laminated).

6. The home team must change jerseys, if the referee decides that a color conflict exists, providing the visiting team is wearing its official team uniform. If the visiting team is not wearing its official colors and a color conflict exists, then the visiting team must change.

7. The referee will turn the game card over to the home coach after each game, and the coach will then submit the card to their club scorekeeper. Any game card not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper by Wednesday following the game will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit against the home team.

7. Coaches must contact their club scorekeeper for standings and corrections.

9. Refer to Scorekeeping (Section V) for additional information including information on game report cards.

D. Minimum Play

1. BAYSA requires significant participation in each game by each eligible player with a minimum of one half of the game required. This applies to all levels of competition and within each and every age division.

2. This policy is policed and enforced solely by local clubs. If a team feels that its coach is not playing everyone 50%, the team should notify its club president. The club has the responsibility of seeing that this situation is corrected.

3. Playing time is not a matter of protest by an opposing team. If a problem develops in regard to playing time within a club or on a specific team or club, then the assistance of the BAYSA D&P chairperson should be requested to help resolve that problem.

E. Sideline Coaching and Behavior

1. When teams occupy the same size of the field, it is the home club’s responsibility to choose and designate which end of the field to occupy. Each team is allowed a maximum of three coaches/assistant coaches with the team. Coaching will be allowed only from this side and only from the midfield line to the top of the penalty box on the team’s end of the field. All other spectators will be placed on the opposite side of the field. Also, team members will be restricted to the area between the midfield line and the top of the penalty box on the team’s end of the field.

2. For games that have both teams positioned on the same side of the field, the spectators shall be positioned opposite the team they are supporting between the mid-field line and the top of the penalty box. They may not go beyond the mid-field line into the other spectator section to cheer for their team.

3. Sideline coaching of players on the field during a game shall be permitted by coaches only from their side of the playing field, along the touchline, and between the penalty boxes. Excessive coaching may be limited by the referee no matter where the source is located.

4. All persons except coaches are required to stay 6-feet back of the touchlines.

5. No verbal abuse or game interference shall be allowed regardless of source. The game may be stopped and the outcome referred to the D&P Committee if such actions continue after a warning from the referee.

6. A coach shall be warned or sent off for the actions of the sideline spectators (parents, friends, etc.). If, in the judgment of the referee,

that the coach is without fault in the excesses of these sideline spectators, and if those persons so ordered have left the area, then the referee may permit the coach to remain on the sideline in his coaching capacity. Coaches are reminded that the referee is under no obligation to permit them to remain in a no-fault situation. This rule merely gives the referee the flexibility to allow the coach to remain if the coach is judged by the referee to be without fault. The referee will file the usual misconduct report concerning the incident, making particular note of the specific actions/conduct of the coach during any such incident for the records of the D&P Committee.

F. Sportsmanship Points for U-7 and U-8 Divisions

1. Three categories of sportsmanship points will be used: coaches, spectators and players. A maximum of 5-points will be awarded in each category with 5, being exemplary; 4, above average; 3, average; 2, below average; 1, being unacceptable.

2. At the end of each game the referee will award up to 5-points each for the sportsmanship of each category. The total of three scores will be divided by three to obtain the sportsmanship points. The points will be carried to one decimal and rounded off. At the end of the season these points shall be tallied and the team that accumulates the most points shall receive sportsmanship awards and special recognition.

3. No one may approach the referee to ask about the number of points being awarded.

4. Game report cards not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper within 7-days following the game will be recorded as follows: the home team will received a sportsmanship score of zero for that game; the visiting team will receive no sportsmanship points for that game.

G. Forfeits. Any of the following may result in forfeiture of a game. 1. Fielding an ineligible, illegal, or suspended

player. “Fielding” is defined as a player dressed and ready to play. The coach will be subject to indefinite suspension by STYSA and the team will forfeit all games in which that particular player participated.

2. The playing of a boy or girl outside the age limits of his/her team (except for players with approval to play up or down) shall result in the forfeit of all games in which said player participated.

3. A suspended coach or spectator appearing at a game.

4. Failure to field a team with a minimum number of players per STYSA within 15 minutes of the scheduled starting time of the game according to the referee's watch. It is the visiting coach's responsibility to call and verify game time and location, before each game, with his/her opposing coach.

5. A coach or other responsible adult not present with the team during competition or failure to show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled starting time of the game.

6. The appropriate team not changing jerseys when a color conflict exists. Color conflict is to be determined by the referee.

7. Falsification of a game report. 8. Any team which receives a total of 27 STYSA

discipline points during one game shall forfeit said game by a score of 1-0 unless the score was more favorable for the winner when play was stopped, in which case the existing score shall be declared the final score. All play will cease with the third ejection and all players required to leave the field. Final judgment of forfeits resides with the D&P Committee.

9. Any game card not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper by Wednesday following the game will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit against the home team. If the game card is received within 7-days following the recording of the

forfeit, the final score will be corrected. If the game card is not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper within 7-days, a forfeit will be declared by BAYSA D&P.

10. On the final weekend of the season (or portion thereof), all game report cards must be turned over to the BAYSA Scorekeeper by the following Monday. Any game card not received by the BAYSA Scorekeeper by Monday will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit against the home team. No allowances will be made for game report cards received after Monday.

11. Failure to play any scheduled U-10 and under game due to lack of a center referee. Forfeiture of a game may occur at any time before the end of the season and grounds for forfeiture may be brought to the attention of the D&P Committee by any responsible individual affiliated with the Association or a team involved in the game in question.

H. Game Protest

If a coach intends to protest a game, he/she must make this intention known before leaving the field, i.e., the coach must notify both the referee and the opposing coach before leaving the field. A game cannot be protested on a referee’s judgment call. A game may be protested for the following reasons.

1. An error in applying the laws of the game by the referee.

2. A team playing an ineligible, illegal, or suspended player or players.

3. A suspended coach at the field coaching the team. This does not mean that the coach must then follow through with the protest. It just gives notification of his intentions at this time, and allows the referee the opportunity to write up a usable game report. All protests must be postmarked or received by the chairperson of the D&P Committee no more than 72-hours following the scheduled game

from which the protest arises. Postage meter dates will not be acceptable.

Any protest relating to late starts, the grounds, goal post, bars, or other appurtenances shall be entertained for consideration only if an objection has been lodged with the referee in writing prior to the start of the game on the official team line-up sheets. This protest must also be verbally communicated to the manager/coach of the opposing team as well as the game referee.

All questions relating to the qualifications of competitors, interpretation of the rules, or any dispute, shall be referred to the BAYSA D&P Committee. The initial contact for any dispute or protest will be the individual club D&P representative. The club’s D&P representative will advise and coordinate the filing of any dispute or protest to the BAYSA D&P Committee and inform the chairperson of the BAYSA D&P Committee of said dispute or protest. The BAYSA D&P Committee will convene on the dispute or protest as soon as it is possible. Decisions of the D&P Committee shall be binding on all involved parties unless appealed. For subsequent appeals, refer to the STYSA Administrative Handbook. Game protest forms are available at www.baysa.org and at the back of this handbook. Instructions are on the form.

The fee for a protest or an appeal at the BAYSA level shall be set prior to the beginning of each playing season by the BAYSA elected officers. Fees above the BAYSA level shall be in accordance with the rules of the entities in question. These fees are returnable if the protest or appeal is upheld.

To be valid and eligible for consideration, each protest filed with the D & P Committee must include:

1. Fee in the amount as set by BAYSA prior to the playing season. Fee is $50.00 in cash.

2. At least two written copies (original plus a copy) of the grounds on which the protest is lodged. Forms may be obtained from your club D&P representative.

3. The written protest must be received by the chairperson of the D&P Committee within 72-hours and should clearly state: a. The name, address, phone number, and

club affiliation of the plaintiff. b. The date of the game, field location, and

age and type of competition (Boys U-13- Division III or Girls U-16-Division II).

c. The time of the incident in relation to the start of the game.

d. The rule or rules which have been violated and a description of how they were violated

e. The score of the game prior to the incident, after the incident, and the final score of the game.

f. The name of the opposing team, coach, and club.

g. The name of the referee. h. The signature of the club president or his

representative. It is suggested that club presidents advise coaches regarding their protest before signing.

4. Two copies of any information to be presented by witnesses. The following applies to all protests. a. Upon receipt of the written protest, the

BAYSA chairperson will call a meeting of the Association D & P Hearing Committee within 7-days.

b. If the protest is sustained, the protest fee shall be returned.

c. Any decision of the Association D&P Hearing Committee may not be appealed.

The Association D&P Hearing Committee has the right to call any or all involved parties to their hearing for testimony, or they may ask for

written statements in advance. In any case they will rule at the end of their deliberations. As a courtesy to all participants hearing, processes will not extend beyond 10:00 PM.

I. Grievance Procedure

A grievance may be filed for disciplinary action, not for changing the outcome of a game. The proper procedure is as follows.

1. Contact your local club D&P representative of your intent to file a grievance.

2. Grievance will be directed to the BAYSA D & P chairperson by your local club D & P representative.

3. A non-refundable $50.00 fee is required. 4. The D&P chairperson will review grievance

and at his/her sole discretion take whatever action is deemed appropriate. At a minimum, all such letters will be acknowledged. Such additional action may include:

a. No action required. b. Call a hearing of the Association D&P

Hearing Committee. c. Any other action the BAYSA D & P

chairperson deems appropriate. 5. Any decision of the Association D&P Hearing

Committee may be appealed. The first level of appeal is to the STYSA D&P Committee. This must be handled in a manner similar to an initial grievance, with a new fee deposited, and the circumstances detailed in writing by the appealing party. For fees and the STYSA appeal process, refer to the STYSA Administrative Handbook.

J. Suspensions and Probations.

1. Member clubs may institute their own suspensions or probation procedures, but any player or coach who so desires may appeal in writing a suspension/probation by his/her club to the BAYSA D&P chairperson upon deposit of the current association fee which will be returned if the appeal is upheld.

2. Any club enforcing disciplinary action taken on a player or coach must advise the BAYSA D&P chairperson, in writing, of its action.

K. Disciplinary Point System.

1. STYSA requires member associations to maintain records on cautions and ejections issued during the Association’s sanctioned competitions. STYSA also requires member associations to report these records to STYSA for all teams desiring to participate in any STYSA sanctioned competitions (state, regional, or national levels).

2. When reporting these team discipline points, 9- points will be assigned to the team for each red card (ejection) issued to a player or coach (coach includes conduct of fans) and 3-points will be assigned for each yellow card (caution) issued. Players will normally accumulate no more than 9-points per game.

3. Any physical contact with a referee or assigned neutral linesperson by a player, coach, or spectator, documented in a referee’s report, will result in an immediate BAYSA suspension, pending review by the STYSA D&P Committee.

4. Each player sent off (red carded) before, during or after a BAYSA sanctioned game (regularly schedule or rescheduled game) will not play in the next game (regular scheduled or rescheduled) that is played. Game suspensions will carry over to the next year if not satisfied in the current seasonal year. Each coach sent off (red carded) before, during, or after a BAYSA sanctioned game (regularly scheduled or rescheduled) will not function as a coach before or during the next game (regularly scheduled or rescheduled), or until the D&P Hearing Committee has met and reviewed the situation. Each player or coach cautioned (yellow carded) before, during or after a BAYSA sanctioned game (regularly scheduled or rescheduled) will be assigned discipline points as above. A one game

suspension will result for each 9-points (discipline points) accumulated by a coach or player as a result of cautions (yellow cards).

5. Any player or coach receiving a total of 18 disciplinary points shall petition BAYSA D & P for reinstatement and shall not participate in any BAYSA or STYSA sanctioned activities until such time as formal reinstatement has occurred.

6. Cards issued at tournaments are not reported to the BAYSA D&P Committee.

7. Team Penalty Points a. Team penalty points will be kept and

recorded. b. A Division III or IV team shall be allowed

penalty points totaling three times the number of scheduled season games plus 10-points, i.e., an average of one yellow card per season game plus 10-points.

c. A Division I or II team shall be allowed penalty points totaling three times the number of scheduled season games plus 16-points, i.e., an average of one yellow card per season game plus 16-points.

d. Action for Maximum Penalty Points: A team that exceeds its allowed penalty point accumulation will be automatically suspended through the remainder of the season. No appeal to the STYSA D&P Committee will be allowed. Teams will be automatically reinstated the day after the end of the season. Requests for reinstatement are unnecessary.

L. Scheduled Games and Inclement Weather

1. Regularly scheduled games can only be postponed or rescheduled for inclement weather or other sanctioned BAYSA soccer activities. All teams are required to show up for all scheduled games (regular or make-up) at the field and at the time scheduled unless notified prior to the game by the team’s club president.

2. If a game is declared a rain out or is stopped prior to the start of the second half, each coach involved will contact their club scheduler. The club schedulers (home and visitors) will submit to the appropriate BAYSA Scheduler, within 5-days, a list of all games (home and visitors) that are to be rescheduled. Games not submitted to the appropriate BAYSA Scheduler will not be rescheduled and will be submitted to BAYSA D&P. The appropriate BAYSA Scheduler will reschedule the game at any available open slot of either club’s field, first priority to the home club, second priority to the visiting club. If no site is available, a neutral site may be assigned. The appropriate BAYSA scheduler will confirm all reschedules and arrange for referees, if available.

3. All postponed games must be rescheduled within 22-days of the originally scheduled date. Failure to comply with the 22-day requirement may cause the game be forfeited. If a coach has a conflict with the reschedule, arrangements must be made for someone else to coach the team.

4. Coaches will not reschedule a game without adherence to the above procedure. The appropriate BAYSA field scheduler will have final authority in rescheduled games.

5. Rain during game. Once a game has started, only the referee can decide if the game is to be called because of the foul weather or possible damage to the playing field. If the game is called off prior to the start of the second half, the game must be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety. If the game has started the second half, the game will stand with the score as it is at that particular time. The referee has final authority to postpone a game because of weather and/or playing field conditions.

6. Only U-19, U-18, U-17, U-16, and U-15 Division III games and all Division II games may be rescheduled due to the lack of a

center referee. For the purpose of this rule, a center referee is defined as: a. One who is assigned by the referee

association b. One who is assigned by the home club

president (after being contacted by the referee association).

c. One mutually agreed upon by both coaches.

d. Rescheduling will follow same procedures as for a rain out.

7. All U-10 and under games will be played as scheduled. If a scheduled center referee does not show at game time, the procedure shall be as follows: a. One mutually agreed upon by both

coaches to referee all of game, or b. If coaches cannot mutually agree, each

team will provide a center referee for half of the game.

XIII. BAYSA Modifications to the Laws of the Game

The Rules of Competition for BAYSA shall be the International Laws of the Game as published in the current issue of the “Laws Of The Game And Universal Guide For Referees, USSF Supplement” as authorized by the International Football Association Board with the following modifications for BAYSA youth competitions. Those portions of the laws not discussed in the following sections have not been modified. Some of the laws listed below have not been modified, but are repeated for emphasis.

A. Law I. The Field of Play.

The Appendix shows typical field layouts for 11v11, 8v8, and 7v7 fields, with minimum and maximum dimensions. Deviations should only be made to accommodate specific field situations. Clubs shall mark a spectator restraining line approximately 6-feet off each touchline.

B. Law II. The Ball

The balls used in all competitions shall be as follows. Division Size

# Circum-ference

Weight

U-19 thru U-13 5 27”-28” 14-16 oz. U-12 thru U-9 4 25”-26” 11-16 oz. U-8 & U-6 3 23”-24” 8-10 oz.

C. Law III. Number of Players.

A match shall not be considered valid if there are fewer than the minimum number of players on either of the teams. Ejected players cannot be replaced to meet this minimum. No less than the following number of players must be present in a game:

Division Number of Players U-19 thru U-11 (11v11) No less than 7 U-10 & U9 (8v8) No less than 6 U-8 & U7 (7v7) No less than 5 U-6 (recommend 3v3) No less than 2 U-6 (if play is 4v4) No less than 3 U-6 (if play is 5v5) No less than 3

Substitutions (freely and without limitation) may be made with the permission of the referee, as follows:

1. Throw-in in your favor. 2. By either team at a goal kick. 3. By either team following a goal.

4. By either team when the referee stops play for the substitution of an injured player.

5. By either team at half time.

Substitution by one team at any of these times does not automatically give permission to the other team. This permission must be specifically given to each team by the referee. No substitutions shall be made during corner or penalty kicks. However, one of the field players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is

made. The referee must be made aware of all goalkeeper changes, even those that occur at half time.

D. Law IV. Player Equipment.

All players are required to wear a uniquely numbered jersey of a color matching (or similar to) that being worn by their teammates. This jersey shall be numbered with 6 to 10 inch high numerals and be worn by the same player throughout the game. Unless approved by BAYSA Executive Board, in advance, all teams must be wearing their jerseys by the second regular season game.

If, in the judgment of the referee, teams do not have contrasting jersey colors, then the appropriate team shall be required by the referee to change colors. These jerseys shall be marked with unique numbers using “masking tape”, “magic marker”, etc., but need not conform to the above dimensional limitations, or they may be unnumbered jerseys worn over the original jersey. All players are required by USYSA and STYSA rules to wear shin guards in all games and practices that are commercially produced and specifically designed to provide protection to the shins. No players will be allowed to play with a hard cast, padded, or otherwise. Players using protective devices to gain advantage for themselves or cause danger to another player may be asked to leave the field by the referee. A player sent off in this manner is not ejected and, therefore, may not be replaced.

Bandannas of any style may not be worn during any game. Players may not wear bandannas on their heads, legs, or arms.

The goalkeeper shall wear colors that distinguish him/her from other players and from the referee. Goalkeepers should avoid wearing all black jerseys, particularly at the older age divisions.

E. Law V. Referees.

Game officials are normally assigned to all BAYSA games. The assigned official(s) can normally be expected to be at the field 15 to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off time. If the assigned official(s) does not appear within 15-minutes after the scheduled kick-off time, then a person mutually agreed upon by both coaches may officiate the game. The person agreed upon is the referee with all the appropriate authority of an “assigned” referee.

F. Law VII. Duration of the Game.

Regulation time for all BAYSA sanctioned games shall be:

Division Regulation Time U-19 thru U-17 45 minute halves U-16 & U-15 40 minute halves U-14 & U-13 35 minute halves U-12 & U-11 30 minute halves U-10 thru U-7 25 minute halves U-6 & U-5 20 minute halves

Half-time interval shall not exceed 10-minutes in all divisions. If a championship/playoff game is tied at the end of regulation play, then that game shall be extended by two complete halves. The duration of these overtime halves shall be:

Division Time U-19 thru U-15 15 minute halves U-14 thru U-9 10 minute halves

If a championship/playoff remains tied after these overtime periods, then the outcome shall be decided by FIFA rules of taking kicks from the penalty mark to determine which of the two teams in the tied match shall be declared the winner. The rules as defined in the FIFA rulebook are to be

followed for this procedure. Coaches are advised to be familiar with this procedure. Especially the fact that only players on the field at the end of the overtime are to take part in the taking of kicks. When the final overtime whistle blows, no players are to leave or enter the field.

G. Law XII. Fouls and Misconduct.

Goalkeepers Protection (all divisions). In order to reduce the incentive for dangerous player activity in and around youth goalkeepers, the following provisions have been adopted. Coaches are advised train their players to be cautious in their play in the area of the keeper as the consequences are harsh for minor contact or foul play. The Referee’s Association has been requested to issue an immediate caution for any and all fouls, intimidating actions, and obstructive movements by attacking players against the keeper. Further, all verbal warnings, “soft” cautions, or the like for these actions should not be used except in the most unusual circumstances. Steps by the keeper shall be strictly enforced within the spirit and letter of the laws.

For U-8 & U-6 Divisions, all fouls will result in indirect free kicks. For fouls committed inside the penalty area, the referee will place the ball at the 9-yard penalty spot for an indirect kick only. For all free kicks, the defending team must stay at least 6-yards away from the ball.

H. Law XIV. Penalty Kicks

For U-8 and U-6 Divisions, there will be no penalty kicks during regular season games.

I. Modification or Amendment of Rules Competition

After adoption by the Association, these Rules of Competition may be amended or modified, and new rules established, as set forth in Article VIII. of the BAYSA constitution. USYSA and STYSA rules and regulations shall govern all other matters not

covered by these Rules of Competition or the constitution and/or by-laws of the association.