RULES & BY-LAWS REVISED FEBRUARY 11, 2015

RULES & BY-LAWS REVISED FEBRUARY 11, 2015 1

Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club Website: www.corinthianssoccer.com Email: pueblocorinthianssoccer@gmail.com Or Phone: 719-547-1619 Rules and By-Laws TABLE OF CONTENTS Article Page Mission Statement.....3 General Provisions...4 Age Chart...5 Eligible Players...6 Teams...7 Equipment... 8 Practices...9 Schedules...9 Cancellation of Games...10 Duration of the Games...10 Start of Play... 11 General Rules...11 Protest...13 Referees...13 Player Discipline...14 Conduct of Participants...14 Ejection of Participants...15 Disciplinary action for coaches...15 Bill of Rights..16 2

CORINTHIANS ATHLETIC CLUB Excellence and sportsmanship are embodied in the name Corinthians, a name adopted by soccer clubs around the world. Inspired by these ideals, Corinthians Athletic Club, a nonprofit organization, was created to provide the best soccer experience for youth players throughout the Pueblo area. Corinthians Athletic Club is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation created for the purpose of operating a youth sports organization. Currently, Corinthians conducts developmental soccer programs for U3 to U11 aged players and forms boys and girls competitive teams ranging from U11 to U19 for play in the Colorado Youth Soccer Association. Corinthians is a member of United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and United States Soccer Federation (USSF, National Governing Body). Corinthians offers the local community soccer at different levels, ranging from programs for the very young player to entertaining yet, competitive Elite soccer games. We are committed to training and developing youth teams and individual players to create a strong youth program and develop possible players for the next level. Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club strives to provide an alternative club soccer experience to young players in the Pueblo area, ages 2 ½ through 18. We provide a cost effective soccer value to our parents and the community in a fun, committed, and nurturing environment. We offer Developmental, Recreational, and Competitive soccer. We work with coaches who are committed to all players on the team, and desire to see each player succeed at their highest level. Pueblo Corinthians Soccer club encourages teams formed by school or geographic area. 3

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS a. At the discretion of the Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club (PCSC) Staff, and in order to provide an opportunity for all interested children to play, age groups, gender, and /or divisions may be combined. Whenever divisions are combined, players will be evenly assigned according to age and experience. b. In order to provide the best qualified coaches, every PCSC coach will run their team s practices according to the methods found in their Basic Training manual. c. All play is governed by FIFA Laws of the Game. This book contains those exceptions which are necessary to support the purpose and achieve the goals of the Corinthians Athletic Club s programs as well as regulations governing organization and administration. d. This league will be known as the Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club. 4

Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club AGE CHART FALL 2014-SPRING 2015 U3 AUGUST 1, 2011 ~ JULY 31, 2012 U4 AUGUST 1, 2010 ~ JULY 31, 2011 U5 AUGUST 1, 2009 ~ JULY 31, 2010 U6 AUGUST 1, 2008 ~ JULY 31, 2009 U7 AUGUST 1, 2007 ~ JULY 31, 2008 U8 AUGUST 1, 2006 ~ JULY 31, 2007 U9 AUGUST 1, 2005 ~ JULY 31, 2006 U10 AUGUST 1, 2004 ~ JULY 31, 2005 U11 AUGUST 1, 2003 ~ JULY 31, 2004 U12 AUGUST 1, 2002 ~ JULY 31, 2003 U13 AUGUST 1, 2001 ~ JULY 31, 2002 U14 AUGUST 1, 2000 ~ JULY 31, 2001 5

3. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS a. Players will be assigned to team/divisions by their age at the time of registration and according to CYS age guidelines. (See age groups, Page 5) b. A player who is assigned to a team, who is the proper age and has completed the registration process, is eligible to participate in the PCSC. c. A player may be registered on only one Colorado Youth Soccer affiliated team at any time. d. Coaches are required to play each eligible player at least one half of each regulation game. (Exception, see section 14.) e. Coaches/Referees may not add players to official team rosters. Any noted discrepancies between roster and players will be brought to the attention of the PCSC Staff for correction. This may result in disciplinary action taken against anyone adding players to a roster without having them registered through the Pueblo Corinthians web site. f. In the event a team cannot field all players required for a game, the coaches will have the first opportunity to divide players between the two teams on the field. If that coach refuses to split his/her teams the center referee will divide the players equally and play the game. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! g. Players carried on any high school team roster must have written approval from their Athletic Director to participate in the PCSC. h. In the event that a player quits attending practices, the coach must notify the PCSC Staff as soon as possible. 6

4. TEAMS a. Rosters will be compiled after registration and players will be assigned to teams on a first come first served basis ONLY, maintaining geographical integrity by Zip code where possible. Coaches will not be allowed to hand carry or register teams. Pre-registration will commence at the end of each season. After pre-registration, players will be assigned to teams on a first come first served basis. At the option of PCSC, rosters may be evened or adjusted to obtain a good balance in team size. b. Team sizes are as follows: DIVISION MAX PLAYERS ON TEAM PLAYERS ON FIELD U3, U4, SOCCER CAMP U5 - U6 6 3 U7 8 4 + GK U8 8 4 + GK U9 9 5 + GK U10 9 5 + GK U11 9 5 + GK c. In all age groups not using goalkeepers, defensive players may NOT stand in the goal area to assume that position. All players must be involved in the flow of the game. d. Coaches will not allow a player to practice or play with a team unless the player has been properly registered by Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club. e. Players must be registered with Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club in order to be covered by insurance. Without being registered, coaches are PERSONALLY liable for any injuries or incidents involving a player who is not properly registered. f. Coaches must inform their Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club when any player drops from the team. g. Coaches may not add or delete any player from their team roster. All changes will be made by the PCSC Staff. h. Coaches will contact players 2 weeks prior to the first game to begin practice and conduct a parent meeting. Coaches should conduct a parent meeting within the first three practices; only children who are on an official roster may participate in the games. If your roster is incorrect, inform PCSC Staff immediately. You may not add or remove a player to your roster. i. A player may request to participate in a division one level above his/her age providing: The player s age is within one year of that division, space is available and the request does not adversely affect the organization within that division. j. Players may NOT participate in a division below their age group, except under circumstances of physical or mental impairment. k. All requests for players to participate outside of their proper age division must be approved by the PCSC Staff. l. In the event that a team dominates all other teams in their division, they may be required to move up one age division. 7

5. EQUIPMENT a. PCSC will provide each coach with 2 soccer balls, field markers and equipment bag if available. b. Each player must wear shin guards, which must be completely covered by socks. c. Cleats are recommended, but not required for play. Cleats may not extend from the sides, front, or the back of the shoe. Shoes with toe cleats, metal cleats, spikes, or metal- tipped cleats are not allowed. d. Each player must wear a uniform consisting of shorts, soccer socks and one dark colored jersey and one light colored jersey. Any sweats suits worn during inclement weather will be worn under the uniform. e. The following items are NOT permitted: 1. Hair control devices with any hard parts. 2. Jewelry of any sort, including earrings of any kind regardless of covering. f. Any article worn which is deemed a danger to the players by the referee will not be allowed. g. Medical tags/ religious medals, if worn, will be taped to the chest. h. Shirts will be tucked in at the start of play or during play at the discretion of the referee. i. Players with arm casts will be allowed to play provided the cast is covered with foam padding and parent release form is provided to the referee coordinator prior to the scheduled game. j. For emergency purposes, the head coach is required to wear a Corinthians Soccer coach s shirt while his or her team is participating in a scheduled match and needs to be visible at all times. If you would like to purchase additional coaches shirts you may do so through the Corinthians office. 8

6. PRACTICES a. Practices are limited to no more than three (3) per week. But two (2) a week must be offered. Maximum practice time: U5, U6 60 MINUTES U7, U8, U9, U10 75 MINUTES U11and up 90 MINUTES b. No practices or scrimmages may be required on Sunday. c. Corinthians teams may scrimmage any team in their league, one age up or one age down. d. Scrimmages may count as practice time for both teams. e. All practices and games shall be conducted within the PCSC geographical boundaries. f. The head coach or his assistant (adult) must be present at every practice and game. g. Coaches may begin practice 2 weeks before first game. 7. SCHEDULES a. The season will consist of those games scheduled by the PCSC Staff. ALL GAMES WILL BE PLAYED AS SCHEDULED, ON SATURDAY Some make up games may have to be scheduled for Sundays. b. Any games scheduled outside of the PCSC area will not be sanctioned by Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club. Coaches and Parents will be personally responsible for any injuries or incidents relative to such games. c. Official score, league standings and/ or win/ loss statistics will NOT be kept. d. SCHEDULES WILL NOT BE CHANGED TO ACCOMMODATE FOR COACHES OR PLAYER S ABSENCE. e. Any coach that takes more than one team must find adequate assistance in the event that both teams play at the same time. 9

8. CANCELLATION OF GAMES a. Cancellation of games may occur on site. Games may be canceled if the PCSC Staff or referee has determined that the field is unsafe for play. The weather and information line for Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club is 214-8800. b. Lightning in the immediate area of a game or practice will terminate all activity and send everyone to their cars. c. If a game in progress is canceled after the end of the first half, that game will be considered completed. 9. DURATION OF THE GAME a. All games will begin at the scheduled time, in accordance with the game schedules provided by the PCSC Staff. The official time clock will be kept by the Center Referee. b. All divisions will play timed halves except the lower divisions, which will play 4 quarters per game to facilitate player substitution. The length of each half and quarter is as follows: U5, U6 10- min. qtrs. 1- min. between qtrs. 5- min. between halves. U7, U8 20-min. half. 5-min between halves U9, U10 25- min. half 5-min between halves. U11 & UP 25- min. half 5-min. between halves. c. Teams scheduled for the first game of the day are responsible for putting up the nets. On a case by case basis teams scheduled for the last game are responsible for taking the nets down. Whenever you are the coach for the first game you will need to arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before kickoff to ensure enough time to put up the nets. d. All games must start at the scheduled time. Games started late will be terminated at the designated time in order to maintain the daily game schedule. 10

10. START OF PLAY a. At the beginning of the game, choice of ends and the kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin. b. When restarting after half-time, ends shall be changed and the kick-off shall be taken by a player on the opposite team to that of the team who started the game. c. To resume play at the beginning of the second and fourth quarters, the team in possession of the ball at the end of the first and third quarters will throw-in or kick in from the sidelines at mid-field. d. Teams will change goals only at the half. 11. GENERAL RULES a. PCSC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, ADD TO, OR DELETE ANY OF THESE RULES OR BY-LAWS AT THEIR DISCRETION. b. Field dimensions are modified to accommodate younger players. c. In the interest of safety, one finger on a non-moving ball shall constitute possession by a goal keeper. d. Slide tackling from behind (outside of the offensive players peripheral vision) is not allowed. Yellow card will be given. (U7 and Up) e. Teams shall use balls as follows: 1. Under-8 and younger will utilize ball size #3 2. Under-9 through Under-11 will utilize ball size #4 f. Substitutions: Under-5 through Under-6: A team may substitute players at the end of the quarters, half-time, for injury or when in the opinion of the coach a player s physical condition warrants. Under-7 and up: With the referee's permission, a team may substitute or re-substitute any number of players at the following stoppages: a. Prior to a throw-in, only by the team throwing in. b. Prior to a goal-kick, by either team. c. After a goal, by either team. d. After an injury when the referee has stopped play, by either team. e. Between periods, by either team. The proper procedure is: Notification from the substituting team prior to the throw-in, The sub is at the halfway line, With the proper equipment (shin guards, shirt tucked in, no jewelry) when the throw-in occurs. 11

If these conditions have been met, then the referee must allow the substitution. If the proper procedure is not followed, you may be denied the substitution until the conditions for a legal substitution have been met. a. Injuries: The referee shall stop the game if, in his opinion, a player has been seriously injured (PLAYER IS DOWN); have the player removed as soon as possible from the field of play, and resume the game. If the player is slightly injured, the game shall not be stopped until the ball has ceased to be in play. A player who is able to go to the touch or goal-line for attention of any kind shall not be treated on the field of play. h. The following rules apply to Under-8 and younger divisions: 1. No offside (Coaches in these divisions may not instruct players to continually play in an offside position). 2. Hand ball will only be called if deliberate. 3. After any foul, resume the game with indirect kick only. 4. No penalty kick. Any foul inside the penalty area is an indirect kick at the place the infraction occurred 5. One retake on bad throw-in. i. The following rules apply to Under-9 and above divisions 1. Offside rule applies: A player shall only be penalized for being in an offside position 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 an active play by : 2. Interfering with play; or 3. Interfering with an opponent; or 4. Gaining an advantage by being in that position. j. A team s coach, one assistant and sub players may occupy the coaches box and must remain within the coach s box (if marked), or within five yards of mid-field, except when motioned onto the field by the Referee. 12

12. PROTEST a. Protest may be filed on a rule interpretation only, not on referee judgment calls. b. Protest may be filed only by the individual who was coaching the team during the protested match. c. Protests may be submitted in writing to the PCSC before 5:00 p.m., the Monday following the game via e-mail. If the protest is not filed within this time limit, no action will be taken 13. REFEREES a. All referees working as the Center will be United States Soccer Federation (USSF) certified. b. A referee s authority to enforce PCSC rules and by-laws and FIFA Laws of the Game will commence when the official enters the field of play and terminate when he/she leaves the field of play. His/Her decision on points of fact connected with the play shall be final. c. The PCSC staff will enforce all rules and by-laws in all areas surrounding the playing fields before, during and after all scheduled events. d. Complaints regarding referees may be filed with PCSC Referee Assignor for investigation. Referees are held to the same standards of conduct as are PCSC coaches. Referees may be suspended from officiating PCSC activities for violations of these standards. e. Coaches may talk to referees before the game, half-time intermission, or after the game for rule clarification only. f. Comments towards the referees during the course of a game from coaches or players constitute dissent and the appropriate action will be taken by the referee who may include a caution (yellow card) or ejection (red card). g. Referees must conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner at all times. This is an instructional and recreational league. Officials are encouraged to help participants understand the laws of the game and their application. However, the coach is responsible for instructing his players on the laws of the game. 13

14. PLAYER DISCIPLINE A player must attend practices on a regular basis in order to participate in the games and for playing time rules to apply. a. Coaches may suspend a player at anytime from participating in a game and/or practice due to improper conduct, poor attitude, failure to attend practices/games. b. A coach must notify PCSC within 24 hours after disciplinary action has been taken. c. Coaches are required to notify the parents of any player who has been suspended. d. When a player becomes sick, is injured, or suspended, minimum playing time is waived. 15. CONDUCT OF COACHES/ PLAYERS, PARENTS AND SPECTATORS a. All coaches are expected to display good citizenship and sportsmanship at all team functions, maintain a high degree of team and player morale, and all times avoid the use of profane language in the presence of the players. b. All players are expected to conduct themselves in a polite, law observing and sportsmanlike manner at all times, both on and off the playing field, and serve as an example of good citizenship to his fellow teammates, members of other teams, and those who do not participate in PCSC. U7 and above, all parents /spectators on one side and coaches and teams on the other. c. U3 to U6 All parents/ Spectators must be located on the same sides of the field that their team occupies. They are expected to conduct themselves in an adult manner at all times, at all games, setting an example of good citizenship and sportsmanship for the participants. d. Harassment of referees, players, coaches, PCSC officials, or parents of the opposing teams will not be tolerated at any time. e. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of the spectators/ parents associated with their teams. Officials and/or coaches may ask unruly spectators/ parents to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. If this is not effective, and after a warning from the coach or an official, those responsible may be instructed to leave the sight and sound of the game. f. Spectators must remain two feet away from the touch line. SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED BEHIND THE GOAL LINES, IN BETWEEN THE TOUCH LINES AT ANY TIME. Officials may suspend play until such time as spectators have cleared the goal line. g. Refusal by participates to comply with an official s instructions is just cause for an official to suspend play until the offending party has left the sight and sound of the game. If necessary, police may be called to remove the offending party. h. A coach who walks off the field with or without his/her team prior to the end of a game has terminated his/her coaching position with Pueblo Corinthians Soccer Club. 14

i. Alcoholic beverages and the use of tobacco in any form will not be permitted at any function involving PCSC participants. j. Participants and/or spectators will not be verbally harassed or berated. Disciplinary talks should be conducted in a private and with temperance. k. PROFANITY, OBSCENE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES WILL BE CAUSE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND/OR IMMEDIATE EJECTION. l. Technical advice will come from the coach s box only. All other spectators are to encourage players. 16. EJECTION OF PARTICIPANTS a. A player ejected (red carded) from a game for Serious Foul Play, Violent Conduct, or Abusive Language must leave the sight and sound of the playing field, and will not play the next scheduled game. b. Any player receiving more than one red card in a single season may not be permitted to participate for the remainder of the season. c. If a coach is ejected from a game, his/her coaching duties for the next scheduled game will be suspended. The suspended coach may sit with the team but may not participate in any way. The suspended coach must assign his/her coaching duties to an assistant or volunteer for that game. d. A player ejected (red carded) from any game may be substituted for. 17. DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR COACHES a. Coaches are subject to disciplinary action for: 1. Failure to uphold the PCSC rules and by-laws 2. Unsportsmanlike conduct 3. Arguing with officials 4. Failure to support PCSC program and its personnel. 5. Failure to maintain and return PCSC property and equipment 6. Allowing unregistered players to participate in PCSC games or practices. b. Disciplinary action will be documented and kept on file for a period of at least one year. Disciplinary action may consist of, but not limited to: 1. Verbal warning 2. Written warning 3. Suspension of coaching privileges for up to one year. c. Appeals may be filed with PCSC within 5 days of any disciplinary action. 15

Right to participate in sports BILL OF RIGHTS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES Right to participate at a level commensurate with each child s maturity and ability Right to have qualified adult leadership Right to play as a child and not as an adult Right of children to share in the leadership and decision-making of their sport participation Right to participate in a safe and healthy environment Right to proper preparation for participation in sports Right to equal opportunity for success Right to be treated with dignity Right to have fun in sports 16