ARROWHEAD YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION UPPER DIVISION RULES AND LAWS OF THE GAME 2017 www.arrowheadsoccer.com info@arrowheadsoccer.com 218-624-1713 218-624-1759 (fax)
Upper Division Rules Manual Introduction 3 Law 1: Field of Play 3 Law 2: The Ball 3 Law 3: The Number of Players 3 Law 4: The Players Equipment 4 Law 5: The Referee 5 Law 6: The Assistant Referees 6 Law 7: The Duration of the Match 7 Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play 7 Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play 8 Law 10: The Method of Scoring 8 Law 11: Offside 8 Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct 9 Law 13: Free Kicks 11 Law 14: The Penalty Kick 12 Law 15: The Throw-In 12 Law 16: The Goal Kick 13 Law 17: The Corner Kick 13 2
Introduction Arrowhead Youth Soccer Rules Manual 2017 This manual describes the laws and rules of the game for Arrowhead Youth Soccer s Upper Division Recreational program. This manual addresses on-field rules. For information on administrative rules and policies such as game cancellations, weather issues, etc., please see the Coaches Administrative Manual. While this manual attempts to capture all laws and rules of the game, it is not perfect. The AYSA Executive Director and Board of Directors reserve the right to change rules, and to interpret existing rules. The Laws of the Game are from FIFA with modifications from both Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association (AYSA). More information on FIFA Laws is at http://www.fifa.com. Questions on this manual can be directed to the AYSA Executive Director, 218-624-1713, or info@arrowheadsoccer.com Information on game cancellations, reschedules, field directions, and other administrative procedures can be found in the Coaches Administrative Manual at www.arrowheadsoccer.com. Coaches contact information is available in the AYSA Coaches Directory: www.arrowheadsoccer.com. LAW 1 - The Field of Play Goals must be anchored. If goals are not anchored properly, the referee will not start the game. The field of play must be safe for the players. The dimensions and marking will conform to United States Soccer and United States Youth Soccer Federation rules. If a field is playable and in the opinion of the referee safe for the players, the referee shall have no authority to cancel a game but will report field irregularities on the referee report. Adverse field conditions: If the field conditions are not satisfactory for a team, no forfeit will automatically be declared. That team must refuse to play under the existing conditions and must relate the conditions in writing to the Executive Director who will decide if the game is to be forfeited or played at a different time or site. LAW 2 - The Ball The U15-U18 age groups will use a size 5 ball. The U12 age group will use a size 4 ball. Both Home and Away teams should have a suitable game ball. Generally, the home team will provide the game ball. LAW 3 - The Number of Players U15/U18 -- The match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players. U12 -- The match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than nine players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than six players. 3
Substitutions for AYSA League Play Substitutions shall be unlimited. Teams must have their players at the halfway line in order to substitute. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times: Prior to a throw in, by both teams, provided the team with possession of the ball chooses to substitute. Prior to a goal kick, by either team. Teams must have their players at the halfway line prior to the kick in order to substitute. After a goal, by either team. After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play, substitution is unlimited. At half time. Substitution Procedure To replace a player by a substitute, the following conditions must be observed: The referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made A substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee A substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match A substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play From that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced ceases to be a player All substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not Changing the Goalkeeper Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that: The referee is informed before the change is made The change is made during a stoppage in the match Infringements/Sanctions If a substitute enters the field of play without the referee s permission: Play is stopped The substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card and required to leave the field of play Play is restarted with a dropped ball where the ball was when play was stopped If a player changes with the goalkeeper without the referee s permission before the change is made: Play continues The players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card when the ball is next out of play For any other infringements of this Law the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card. LAW 4 The Players Equipment The basic compulsory equipment of a player is: A jersey or shirt Shorts Stockings Shin guards Footwear Shin guards Are covered entirely by the stockings Are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substances) Provide a reasonable degree of protection 4
Goalkeepers Each goalkeeper wears colors that are distinguishable from the other players, the referee, and the assistant referees. AYSA Modifications A referee shall not permit a player to wear or use any equipment or clothing that in the opinion of the referee would likely risk injury to others. No jewelry allowed. Earrings are not allowed under any circumstance. Jewelry in any other piercings are also not allowed. All eyeglasses shall be secured by an elastic eyeglass holder band or strap, or by other means that will be reasonably likely to secure the eyeglasses to the player s head. AYSA strongly recommends that eyeglasses, including frames and lenses, shall be either athletic glasses or flexible plastic or other synthetic frame glasses with shatterproof lenses. Eyeglass frames should either have rounded corners or have any non-rounded corners taped. Metal frames or wire-rim eyeglasses are not recommended. A player will be allowed to wear a cast only if, in the opinion of the referee, it is well padded and will not constitute a risk of injury to the player or others. Generally, AYSA expects that soccer players will dress and conduct themselves in a fashion that is in keeping with usual soccer custom and does not reflect unfavorably upon their state or community. Visible under garments such as cycling shorts are authorized. In the case of cold weather, the use of sweat pants or shirts underneath the uniform shall be acceptable. Players must have their own numbers on jerseys with no numbers being shared by players on the same team. Jerseys must be tucked in at all times. Socks and shorts need not be identical colors for all players on a team in recreational league play. Infringements/Sanctions For any infringement of this Law: Play need not be stopped The player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment The player must leave the field at the next time the ball goes out of play, unless he has already corrected his equipment Any player required to leave the field of play to correct his equipment does not re-enter without the referee s permission The referee checks that the player s equipment is correct before allowing him to re-enter the field of play The player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play at a stoppage, when the ball is out of play and with permission of the referee. A player who has been required to leave the field of play because of an infringement of this Law and who enters (or re-enters) the field of play without the permission is cautioned and shown the yellow card. Restart of Play If play is stopped by the referee only to administer a caution: the match is restarted by an indirect free kick taken by a player of the opposing side, from the place where the ball was located when the referee stopped the match. LAW 5 The Referee The Authority of the Referee Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed. 5
Powers and Duties The Referee: Enforces the Laws of the Game Controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees and, where applicable, with the fourth official Ensures that the ball meets the requirements of Law 2 Acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match Stops, suspends or terminates the match, at their discretion, for any infringements of the Laws Stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind Stops the match if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that they are removed from the field of play Allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in the referee s opinion, only slightly injured Ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped Allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time Punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending off offences. The referee is not obligated to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play Takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner. The referee may expel team officials from the field of play and its immediate surroundings Acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents which he/she has not seen Ensures that no unauthorized persons enter the field of play Restarts the match after it has been stopped Provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match off Decision of the Referee The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at their discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he/she has not restarted play. LAW 6 The Assistant Referees Duties Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate: when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position when a substitution is requested when misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee when offences have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area) whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line 6
LAW 7 The Duration of the Match Arrowhead Youth Soccer Rules Manual 2017 Half-Time Interval Players are entitled to an interval at half time. The half-time interval is usually 5 minutes, but must not exceed 15 minutes. The duration of the half-time interval may be altered only with the consent of the referee. Allowance for Time Lost Allowance is made in either period for time lost through: Assessment of injury to players Removal of injured players from the field of play for treatment Wasting time Any other cause The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee. If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the duration of either half is extended until the penalty kick is completed. AYSA Modifications The Length of games will be: U18 Two 45 minute halves U15 Two 40 minute halves U12 Two 30 minute halves LAW 8 The Start and Restart of Play A coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match. The other team takes the kick-off to start the match. The team that wins the toss takes the kick-off to start the second half of the match. In the second half of the match, the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals. Kick-off A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play: At the start of the match After a goal has been scored At the start of the second half of the match At the start of each period of extra time, where applicable A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off. Special Circumstances A free kick awarded to the defending team inside its own goal area is taken from any point within the goal area. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponents goal area is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where infringement occurred. When play has been temporarily stopped while the ball is inside the goal area, and a dropped ball is awarded to restart play, the dropped ball is taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line, and nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped. 7
AYSA Modifications The referee shall ensure that games not begin later than 15 minutes after the designated starting time. However, the referee may extend such time for an additional time to allow for delays caused by traffic and travel problems. The referee may choose to shorten the halves of the game due to impending darkness or to allow a later game to start on time. When consecutive games are scheduled on the same field, the first game should end no later than 10 minutes after the starting time for the second game, at the referee s discretion. Once the game has started, no team may protest because of the field or referee qualifications. If a team wants to protest, it must tell the referee that it is playing under protest before the start of the game. If a team takes the field and plays under objectionable conditions, (without announcing it is playing under protest) that game will be considered in the standings. A referee will never have the right to declare a winner or loser in a forfeit or protest. The referee will simply report his/her observations to the Director for action. At the conclusion of the game, the coach will bring his/her team to the center of the field for the ceremonial handshake. This end-of-the-game ceremony is a respected tradition in soccer and should be honored as such, regardless of the outcome of the game. LAW 9 - The Ball In and Out of Play The ball is out of play when: It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air The referee has stopped play LAW 10 - The Method of Scoring A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal. LAW 11 - Offside It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to their opponents goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. A player is not in an offside position if: They are in their own half of the field. They are even with the second to the last opponent. They are even with the last two opponents. Offence A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a teammate, he/she is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by: Interfering with play, or Interfering with an opponent, or Gaining an advantage by being in that position 8
No Offence There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from: A goal kick. A throw in. A corner kick. Arrowhead Youth Soccer Rules Manual 2017 Infringements/Sanctions For any offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred LAW 12 - Fouls and Misconduct Direct Free Kick A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force: Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Jumps at an opponent Charges an opponent Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent Pushes an opponent A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences: Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball Holds an opponent Spits at an opponent Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area) A direct free kick is taken from where the offence occurred. Penalty Kick A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside their own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. Indirect Free Kick An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following four offences: Plays in a dangerous manner Impedes the progress of an opponent Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following three offences: Touches the ball again with his/her hands after it has been released from their possession and has not touched any other player. Touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate Touches the ball with his/her hands after he/she has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate Keeps the ball under possession, without releasing it into the play, for more than 6 seconds. The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred. 9
AYSA Modification: No Heading at U12 When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game at the U12 level, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue. The referee will make the decision of whether or not the header was deliberate. There will be no headers allowed in games or practices at U12. There are no restrictions for heading at U15 or U18. Goalkeeper in Control of the Ball The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of their hand or arms. Possession of the ball includes the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball, but does not include the circumstances where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after they have made a save. Disciplinary Sanctions Cautionable Offences (Yellow Card) A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if they commit any of the following seven offences: 1. is guilty of unsporting behavior 2. shows dissent by word or action 3. persistently infringes the Laws of the Game 4. delays the restart of play 5. fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick 6. enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee s permission 7. deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee s permission AYSA Modification: Yellow Card Exit Rule A cautioned player shall leave the field and may be replaced. Should the team with the cautioned player elect to play short-handed; the cautioned player may not re-enter nor be replaced until the next legal substitution opportunity. An indirect free-kick shall be awarded to the non-offending team from the spot of the ball, unless the game had been stopped for some other reason calling for a different restart. Note: This rule also applies to Goalkeepers receiving Yellow Cards. Please Note: The Yellow Card Exit Rule is for AYSA recreational league play and playoffs only. Competitive level teams and teams registered in Rec Plus and playing in MYSA sanctioned tournaments should note that the Yellow Card Exit rule does not exist in MYSA league play or MYSA sanctioned tournaments. Sending-Off Offences (Red Card) A player is sent off and shown the red card if he/she commits any of the following offences: 1. is guilty of serious foul play 2. is guilty of violent conduct 3. spits at an opponent or any other person 4. denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) 5. denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty kick 6. uses offensive, insulting or abusive language 7. receives a second caution in the same match 8. tackles opponent from behind 10
AYSA Modification Referees should promptly report problems of improper behavior by coaches, players, and fans to the AYSA Executive Director or Referee Assignor. This behavior may result in forfeiture of the game or other appropriate action as governed by the AYSA Disciplinary Policy. If a coach is out of control, a referee may request the coach to leave before a game continues. This information must be included in the game report. The referee will note any yellow or red cards and report to the AYSA. Referees will keep the player pass of any red carded player and send it to the AYSA office with a game report. Player Sanctions Minimum 1 game suspension Sent off by the referee for persisting in misconduct after having received a caution. That is, after having received a yellow card, receiving a second yellow card for one of the following: 1. Unsporting behavior; 2. Dissent; 3. Persistently infringing the Laws of the Game; 4. Delaying the restart of play; 5. Failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick; 6. Entering or re-entering the field without the permission of the referee; 7. Deliberately leaving the field without the permission of the referee; or 8. The player has been sent off by the referee for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Minimum 2 game suspension Sent off by the referee for one of the following: 1. Serious foul play (except as noted above); 2. Spitting at an opponent or any other person; 3. Offensive, insulting or abusive language; or 4. Violent conduct. Note: A 2-game minimum suspension will be in order even if the player had received a yellow card prior to the red card. AYSA Modification: The AYSA Executive Director may increase or decrease the length of suspension if deemed appropriate. Handling of Red Cards Referees will retain the passes of any red-carded player, and turn them into the AYSA office with a game report within 24 hours. All red cards carry over to the next playing season year. Suspension will be served by the team to which the player is officially registered. Players will not be allowed to play for any AYSA team while serving a suspension. It shall be the responsibility of the player s coach to enforce the suspension. LAW 13 - Free Kicks Direct free kicks are those that can be scored directly against an opponent. In-direct free kicks must be played (touched) by another player on the field before a goal can be scored. The Referee signals an indirect free kick by raising one arm in the air until the ball has been touched by a second player. All opposing players must be 10 yards from the spot of the free kick. 11
LAW 14 - The Penalty Kick Arrowhead Youth Soccer Rules Manual 2017 A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area, and while the ball is in play. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. The goalkeeper can move along the goal line before the kick is being taken. LAW 15 - The Throw-In A throw-in is a method of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. A throw-in is awarded: When the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air From the point where it crossed the touch line To the opponents of the player who last touched the ball A throw-in can be taken by the goalkeeper. Procedure At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower: Faces the field of play Has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line Uses both hands Delivers the ball from behind and over his head The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. All opponents must stand no less than two yards from the point where the throw-in is taken. The ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play. Infringements/Sanctions If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball a second time (except with his or her hands) before it has touched another player: An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred A penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the thrower s penalty area If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower: They are cautioned for unsporting behavior and shown the yellow card For any other infringement of this Law: The throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team 12
LAW 16 The Goal Kick Arrowhead Youth Soccer Rules Manual 2017 A goal kick is a method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly form a goal kick, but only against the opposing team. A goal kick is awarded when: The whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10 Procedure The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team Opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play The kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area Infringements/Sanctions If the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area: The kick is retaken LAW 17 - The Corner Kick A corner kick is a method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team. A corner kick is awarded when: The whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10 Procedure The ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flag Opponents remain at least 10 yards from the ball until it is in play The ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team The kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves Infringements/Sanctions If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his or her hands) before it has touched another player: An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred A penalty kick is award if the infringement occurred inside the kicker s penalty area For any other infringement of this Law: The throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team Questions? For questions regarding any of the above rules, please contact AYSA at 624-1713 or info@arrowheadsoccer.com. 13