BYLAWS All teams under the jurisdiction of Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. (SCSA) and Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. (Girls Southeast) shall play under the rules of the game as approved by FIFA/USSF/USYSA and/or as modified by SCSA/Girls Southeast. This Rules Guide published by the Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Council, Inc. is the basis of the playing rules and regulations used by our organizations. 1. Players in Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. and Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. must be 19 and under (born 1978-1992) on December 31 of the year that the season is played]. 2. Proof of age shall consist of: birth certificate, baptismal papers, passport or alien registration card. Girls Southeast/SCSA may waive the formal requirement of proof of age for league play and accept parent or guardian certification of age. Such certification is subject to verification by the Girls Southeast/SCSA. 3. Coaches are responsible to verify ages of all players assigned to their teams. Games in which any over-age player competes will be forfeited. 4. No player shall be permitted to play with any team unless that player is registered with and assigned by SCSA or Girls Southeast to that team. All games in which an unregistered and/or unassigned player competes will be forfeited. 5. No player shall be registered and playing with two different soccer associations, leagues, or teams at the same time. Players must choose between SCSA/Girls Southeast and all other organizations. All games will be forfeited in which players playing for other organizations compete during our league period. This rule does not prohibit a player from participating in school intramural play. (This includes teams in USYSA competitive, SAY, and independent programs like Clermont Central Soccer Assn). 6. Any player signing a player registration form is bound to that team for the entire "Fall" season unless there is a case of extreme hardship. Extreme hardship can be defined as instances such as moving to another location subject to approval of the Director of Player Placement. The purpose of this rule is to prevent the formation of select teams. 7. Players who have completed their High School Varsity or Reserve season cannot play with or be assigned or join a neighborhood team during that same fall season. 8. All players must be registered with the SCSA/Girls Southeast and must be issued Player's Passes (to be held by coach during season); and be listed on the team roster, which includes players' ages. Any player violating this rule will be ineligible.
9. Player Passes must contain only the name of the authorized players. Cards that have had the name of one player entered and then crossed out cannot be used for a second player. 10. The Player Passes shall be presented to the referee at the beginning of the game by the coaches. If the cards are not available at game time, the game is to start and the coach is responsible to insure that the cards are available at half-time (team representative is to return home to get them). In the event that the cards are not available at half time, each girl on the team is to sign a roster sheet and enter his/her birth date. The signature will be compared to the league copy of the player pass. If the signatures do not match, the game will be forfeited. 11. Coaches and Assistant Coaches passes are to be given to the referees with the player passes. All passes will be returned at the end of the game (unless coach or player is ejected from game). 12. The number of coaches actively coaching during a game is limited. In addition to one head coach, teams are limited to (for SCSA one rostered assistant coach and for Girls Southeast two rostered assistant coaches) rostered assistant coaches. Each coach and rostered assistant coaches are to carry to each game their Coaches Pass. These passes are to be presented to the referees prior to the start of the game along with their player passes. Only carded coach's may actively coach from the sidelines during the game. In the event that a carded coach cannot be at the match, a substitute coach can use the carded coaches card. However, the carded coach is responsible for the action of the substitute coach. Teams may have as many nonrostered assistant coaches as desired. 13. Two separate five yard long coaches boxes are established on one side of the field. The coaches box starts five yards on each half of the field from the center line. The space between the two coaches boxes are for the substitutions to be made. The coaching box on one half of the field are for one team and the other half is for the other team. Coaches may be restricted to these boxes by the referee if in the referee's judgement they are interfering with play and/or the referee. If the coach leaves the coaches box after being restricted during the game (except as invited on to the field by the referee for injury), the referee may order the coach to leave the field. If the coach fails to leave the field when requested by the referee, the game is to be suspended and the circumstances reported to the Director of Referees. In the Dribbler, Trappers, Shooters and Passers Divisions the coaches are permitted to coach and move along the touch line.
14. Coaches or spectators may be asked to leave the field by the use of a red card ejection if they continually and vocally interfere with the referees on the field. If the coach or spectator refuses to leave the field, the referee is to suspend the game and report the circumstances to the Director of Referees. After the investigation the Board of Directors will determine the status and/or outcome of the game. 15. If the field permits, both teams are to be on the same side of the field. The members of the team not playing in the game are to be in the general area of the coach (coaches box). 16. When the colors of two competing teams are similar, the home team (team listed first on the schedule) is responsible for the color change. Both coaches should do everything possible to get a different uniform color. In the event it is impossible to change, an effort should be made to get the game played. 17. Coaches are responsible to have their team at the field in time for play. All games are to be played according to your schedule. The only way the game will be rescheduled is due to inclement weather and the fields are closed during the game or if the Director of Scheduling is makes changes. Coaches that have a game re-scheduled by phone are responsible for confirming all oral schedule changes with the coach of the other team. All games will be forfeited if the team does not show up for a scheduled game. 18. The coach is responsible for the actions of players and spectators and is required to take all precautions to prevent spectators from threatening, assaulting or hassling the officials and players before, during or at the conclusion of the game. If the coach cannot control the action of the spectators, the official may suspend the game and report the circumstances to the Director of Referees. 19. If field conditions permit, coaches and players are to be on the opposite of the field from the spectator. Coaches are responsible for helping the referee keep spectators six feet back from the playing field. 20. Coaches are not permitted on the field during substitution breaks. However, in the Dribbler, Trappers, Shooters Divisions, coaches may enter the field for the purpose of helping their players gain their position. The game is not to be delayed by this action. Coaches are not to call their players off the field and over to the side line for a team meeting during the substitution break. Players are to remain on the field and substitutes are to enter the field and replace the players being removed. 21. Players electing to play on a college level "club" team cannot play in the SCSA or Girls Southeast programs during the same fall season that they play "club" level soccer at college.
22. In the event that a player has a physical disability that would prohibit a legal throw in, a special waiver may be granted by the Director of Referees. Such a waiver will be written on the reverse side of the player pass and must be shown to the referees and the opposing coach before the game. In that case (as long as the player does not take advantage of the waiver), illegal throw ins will not be called. 23. All fields used by this Association have regulations and/or state laws that prohibit alcoholic beverages. Games will be suspended if any team has any alcoholic beverages on the field. 24. No one is permitted to stand behind the goal lines during the game. 25. Noise makers, air horns, whistles are not permitted to be used on any field. If noisemakers are used, the referee is to stop all games and have the noise maker removed. 26. In the event of inclement weather where a game must be suspended, if the first half has been completed, the game will be considered completed at it's point of suspension. If the first half has not been completed the game will be replayed entirely. 27. Any player or coach ejected from any game will automatically receive an one-game suspension. The Director of Referees may, at his/her evaluation of the circumstances, lift the automatic one-game suspension. If the circumstances are of an unusual nature, or if the coach or player has been suspended more than once. The Director of Referees is to report the circumstances to the Conduct Committee. The Committee may hear the circumstances of the suspension in a Committee meeting or conducted via mail. The Committee may elect to increase the length of the suspension, or take no action. Any coach or player that receives any additional suspension from the Conduct Committee (above the one game suspension or two games if second red card of season), may appeal this additional suspension (not the one or two game original suspension) to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect to hear the appeal at a full Board of Directors Meeting or via a Committee that will represent the Board of Directors. The serving of the additional suspension will be suspended until the appeal is ruled upon by the Board of Directors. If the Conduct Committee's results are upheld, any coach or player, may appeal this ruling to the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association, Inc. following their rules and regulations. The serving of the additional suspension will be postponed when the appeal is filed with OSYSA.
28. Suspensions will be served at the next consecutive game(s). The first game suspension must be served at the next game. Additional suspensions must be served in consecutive games unless the appeals process if followed. If appeal is not up held, the suspensions will be served at the team's next game(s). 29. Any suspended player or coach may not appear at the field during the suspension, even as a spectator. 30. Referees may report to the Director of Referees circumstances were the referee should have awarded red cards after the game, but didn't based on game circumstances. If the Director of Referees investigation determines that a red card should have been awarded, the Director of Referees can assess the suspension to player(s) or coach(es) as outlined above or in the general bylaws. 31. Any coach or parent may file a signed written report with the Conduct Committee concerning the on field behavior of any parent or coach before, during or after any game. If two or more written reports are received, the Conduct Committee may elect to investigate the circumstances. If the Circumstances are deemed to be serious, the Conduct Committee can hold a hearing into the reports and award sanctions in line with the nature of the behavior. Any penalties awarded by the Conduct Committee can be appealed to the Board of Directors and then to OSYSA as outlined in the Bylaws.
SPECIAL SCSA BYLAWS All teams under the jurisdiction of Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. (SCSA) are subject to the following regulations. 1. Any coach (no matter which age division) and/or players in the Kickers or Minors age groups ejected from any game will automatically receive a three game suspension for the following circumstances: a. Violent conduct or serious foul play b. Uses foul or abusive language All other types of violations which the coach or player receives a red card, will result in an automatic one game suspension. The Director of Referees may, at his/her evaluation of the circumstances, amend the automatic one or three game suspension. If the circumstances are of an unusual nature, or if the coach or player has been suspended more than once, the Director of Referees is to report the circumstances to the Board of Directors. The Board may hear the circumstances of the suspension in a Board Meeting or via mail. The Board of Directors may elect to increase the length of the suspension, or take no action. Any coach or player that receives any additional suspension from the Board of Directors (above the one or three game suspension) may appeal this additional suspension (not the one or three game original suspension) to the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association, Inc. following their Rules and Regulations. The serving of the additional suspension will be postponed when the appeal if filed with OSYSA.
SPORTSMANSHIP PROGRAM GIRLS SOUTHEAST CINCINNATI SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC. The Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. shall award individual sportsmanship trophies to the team and coaches in each age group that most clearly demonstrate the principle of good play and sportsmanship during the season. Referees shall award up to 10 points per game per team based on the conduct of the coaches, players and parents. The winner shall be the team that has the highest average number of sportsmanship points per game. If a red and/or yellow card are given, sportsmanship points will be deducted. In the event that a game is not played, no sportsmanship points will be awarded to either team. In the event of a tie, the teams with the highest number of 10 point games will receive the trophies. If two or more teams have the same number of 10 point games, the team with the highest number of 9 point games will be declared the winner. The same principle will be applied until the tie is broken. In the event that two teams tie for Sportsmanship and one of the tied teams is going to receive a league or Cup trophy, the trophies will be awarded to the team not receiving another trophy. The coaches of all teams are to set the following sportsmanship standards. 1. Exhibit exemplary conduct at both practice and games; 2. Stress playing over winning itself; 3. Work on team morale; 4. Maximize praise and minimize criticisms; 5. Coach skillful and sportsmanship like soccer; 6. Encourage parents to follow these same standards; Parents are to let the Coach provide the strategy, player control, and playing instructions during the game.
BOYS PLAYER PLACEMENT SOUTHEAST CINCINNATI SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC. General Prohibitions There will be no select, all star or high school teams in our regular Fall program. No more than three players from any USYSA Spring competitive teams will be assigned to any Fall team playing the Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. Boys may not play on any other soccer teams, competitive or neighborhood, of any other soccer organization and at the same time be assigned and play on the Fall Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association neighborhood teams. Original Assignment of Players Players are to be assigned to teams on a neighborhood basis. Every effort consistent with the age of the players will be made to assign all the players from each neighborhood to the same team. Neighborhoods will be defined by public elementary school attendance area or adjacent public elementary school attendance area. Brothers of the proper age will be assigned to the same team. Players are assigned to teams by calendar year ages. Every effort will be made for the Spring Dribblers teams to be retained for the Fall season. Dribbler players who choose to play Fall Only will be assigned from the player pool. Players will not be permitted to play up in older age groups except the head coach's second son. Team Size Passers, Wings, Strikers may be assigned up to 16 players. Kickers will be assigned up to 18 players. Minors will be assigned up to 20 players. Dribblers will be assigned rosters of 12 players. The Board of Directors of Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. may approve higher limits in any age group. Player placement will attempt to place all registered players on teams, which may require coaches to take the full number of players permitted under this rule. Therefore, coaches should purchase enough uniforms at the beginning of the season to accommodate the maximum number of players allowed in his/her divisions.
Player Placement may combine teams prior to the fall season if there are not enough players available to fill team rosters. The coach of the combined teams who has continuously coached in SCSA the longest will be the head coach, and the coach of the other combined team will be the first assistant rostered coach. Every effort will be made in the following season to give the first assistant rostered coach a team for which he/she will be the head coach. Reassignment of Players to Achieve Age Balance Players will remain on the team to which they were assigned the previous season except players which in the fall have been assigned to teams making that team in excess of the specific age group balance and players assigned to team after the roster has been handed out for the fall season will be removed from the team the following year and placed in the reassignment pool if the team to which they were assigned is not balanced by age. It will be the policy of the Association to balance the teams by age. However, players will be assigned to teams and possibly affect this balance if the players(s) would otherwise have to be assigned to teams located substantially out of their neighborhood. No more than 9 players of the older age group (7 in Dribblers Division) will be placed on each team. In order to achieve proper balance of age, out of neighborhood players will be moved first unless that player is one of a team's core players. A core player is a player that has played on a team the prior seasons and has one of the nine lowest computer numbers in an age group. In the event that the teams exceeds the age balance and in order to achieve proper age balance, the players(s) that will be removed from the team to achieve age balance will be determined as follows and in the following order: By player, in that age group, who is substantially out of neighborhood, unless that player is a core player. By player, in that age group, who has the highest computer identification number. Assignment of Players After Original Placement Each coach should contact all players assigned to his/her team within thirty (30) days after the original rosters are distributed at the June coaches' meeting. Coaches should call all players on the original roster before requesting additional players. After contacting all players on the original roster and within thirty (30) days after the June Coaches' meeting, each coach must advise the Player Placement Coordinator for his/her team's division of the number of additional players needed. All players must be registered with player placement and placed in the player pool before that player may be placed on any team. Only Player Placement may assign a player to a team. A coach may not assign a player to his/her team.
After the original placements are made, player placement assignors may only place players on teams from the player's pool. Players will be assigned to teams from the pool upon request of coaches on a first call basis. The order of placement from the pool will be as follows and in the following order: a. By age b. By neighborhood c. By computer identification number No registration of new players shall be permitted for the fall season for all divisions, except Minors and Dribblers, after the schedules are received in August. No registration for new players for the Dribblers (for fall season) and Minors shall be permitted after September 15. Requests for Reassignment to a Different Team Players may request to be moved to other teams for two reasons; a. The player is assigned to a substantially out of neighborhood team, or b. Coach/parent/player conflict. Written requests signed by the coach, parents, and/or player(s) must be sent to the Player Placement Coordinator. If approved, player(s) will be transferred to the player pool for future placement in accordance with these rules. The player(s) and/or parent(s) cannot request to be moved to a specific team. Transfer request should be made no later than one week before the first scheduled game. Once all teams are established for the year, the transfer request may be refused by the Player Placement Coordinator if such movement could affect the players current team's roster number. Coaches and Assistant Coaches The head coach of a team must be at least 21 years of age. Coaches are not permitted to recruit players for their team, and are not to recruit assistant coaches for the purpose of having the assistant's son(s) assigned to their team.
PLAYER PLACEMENT GIRLS SOUTHEAST CINCINNATI SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC. Players are assigned to teams based calendar year of birth. Players are to be assigned to teams on a neighborhood basis. In the event that there are not enough players to form a complete neighborhood team or there are more players available than can be placed on one team, these players will be assigned to the next closest neighborhood team or players from a nearby neighborhood will be assigned to the first neighborhood to complete the team. Every effort consistent with the age of the players will be made to assign all the players from each neighborhood to the same team. The location of the neighborhood may be based on the coach's neighborhood and/or the players' neighborhood depending on the location of the team. Sisters of the proper age will be assigned to the same team. In the event that two or more coaches live in the same neighborhood, players from that neighborhood assigned to each team will remain with the same team; new players will be assigned to the teams based on location within the neighborhood. It is the policy of the Association to attempt to balance teams by age. However, players will be assigned to teams and possibly affect this balance if the player(s) to be assigned would otherwise have to be assigned to other teams that are located substantially out of neighborhood. If at all possible, no more than 10 players of the older age group will be placed on each team. No more than three players from any USYSA spring competitive teams will be assigned to any fall team playing in the Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. In order to assign newly registered players to neighborhood teams, Dribblers team will be able to move into the Trappers age group with six (6) players from the previous year Dribbler team. Trappers teams will be able to move into the Shooters age group with eight (8) players from the previous year Trapper team. Shooters teams will be able to move into the Passers age group with eight (8) players from the previous year Shooter team. In order to achieve proper age balance and integrate new players into neighborhood teams, Passers teams will be able to move into Wings with no more than eight (8) players will automatically be assigned to the team in the Wings age group.
For the Dribblers, Trappers, Shooters, and Passers age groups, the players removed from the roster will be placed in the player assignment pool for reassignment. Out-of-neighborhood players will be moved first and if additional moves are required, the players that live furthest from the center of the team will put in the player assignment pool. Players that have been removed based on this rule, may be reassigned to the team if they are in the proper neighborhood and the team will be within the proper age balance. All requests for movement must be made in writing by the parents/players. Verbal requests (telephone calls) cannot be considered. All written requests are to be signed by parents and/or player and must be sent to the League Commissioner for consideration by the Player Movement Committee. If approved, players will be transferred to the closest neighborhood team that has an opening. In the event that some teams in that age division are substantially below authorized roster size, the player will be assigned to the team with the lowest roster number. The player and/or parents CANNOT request to be moved to a specific team. The request for Transfer should be made no later than three weeks prior to the first game of the season. Even though the request meets the requirements of Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, it may be refused by the Player Movement Committee if such movement would affect the players current team's roster strength. Players/parents may use the following reasons to support their written request for movement: (a) The player is assigned to a substantially out-of-neighborhood team. (b) The player has a conflict with the coach. Players/parents who wish to request a transfer based on the previous season are to submit their written request prior by the 1st week of June. Players will not be permitted to play up in older age groups except the head coach's second daughter(s) who may play up in the next highest age group. Coaches are not permitted to recruit assistant coaches for the purpose of having the assistant coaches' daughter(s) assigned to their teams. Coaches are not permitted to recruit players for their team nor can parents request to be placed on specific teams. Coaches who have coached different teams in different and/or the same age group cannot combine their teams. Coaches can elect to coach together and may choose one of the two teams. The remaining players on the other team will be returned to the player pool and reassigned to teams based on neighborhood (coaches' daughters will be moved from one team to another). All players will be placed on teams by neighborhood by Player Placement in all divisions. There will be no select or all star teams in our regular Fall program.
Coaches who move up an age division will have assigned to their team players who were on their team in the previous year if these players are of the proper age except for Dribbler, Trappers, Shooter and Passers teams where, as outlined above, part of the team will be placed in the player assignment pool. Coach's daughters will be assigned to the Coach's team. Assistant coach's daughters may be assigned to that team if the assistant coach is an active coach (be listed on the previous year's roster) and coached with that team in the previous year. No registration of new players shall be permitted after the third Saturday after the first game of the season. The League Commissioner may grant an exception to late registration if the team is substantially below roster strength. Players assigned to teams after the roster has been handed out for the fall season may be removed from the team the following year and placed in the reassignment pool if the team to which they were assigned will not be in age balance. Dribblers and Trappers may be assigned up to 12 players. Shooters and Passers may be assigned up to 14 players. Wings, Strikers may be assigned up to 18 players. Kickers will be assigned up to 20 players. Minors will be assigned up to 22 players. The Board of Directors of the Girls S. E. Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. may approve higher limits in any age group. Girls may not play on Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. competitive teams or the competitive teams of any other organization and at the same time be assigned and play on fall recreational teams. Player placement for our spring 5-A-SIDE, 7-A-SIDE and Spring Fun League programs will be separate from player placement for our fall program. The fact that a player is or is not on a spring team will not be a factor in determining placement for the following fall season.
COMPETITIVE TEAM PROGRAM GIRLS SOUTHEAST CINCINNATI SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC. The purpose of the competitive team program is to provide the opportunity for as many girls as possible to compete in competitive soccer and have the opportunity to develop their soccer ability. In order to achieve our purpose, Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc shall offer both recreational and competitive programs for its members. The Association shall establish a priority system so that recreational programs will receive the highest priority and the competitive program will follow after the recreational program. The strongest and best possible recreational program is in the best interest of all the members of the Association. A strong and viable recreational program will insure a continuing strong and viable competitive program for these members of the Association that elect the option of competitive soccer. All girls playing in the program are invited to tryouts for the competitive teams offered by Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Inc. Girls who have not previously played in the Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer program may try out for teams within the restriction outlined the Cincinnati Cardinals Soccer Club Rules and Procedures. Competitive team coaches will be selected by the Board of Directors from volunteers. All current competitive team coaches will be contacted in August of each year to determine if they wish to be re-appointed. All other coaches will be informed of the coaching status and asked if they wish to be considered. This request will be handed out in the coaches packets that include the fall team schedules. A follow-up letter will be sent in September. All competitive team coaching positions are re-appointed each year and all fall neighborhood coaches may apply for appointment to these positions each year. All candidates for competitive team coaching will meet for oral presentations to the Board of Directors in late October. The Board will make the appointments as promptly as possible. Competitive team coaches are appointed for a calendar year. Coaches can be re-appointed and serve for more than one year. Coaches must commit to follow all club rules before their appointment is finalized.
The Association has two levels of teams: a. Club teams composed of girls who played in Girls Southeast (as outlined above): b. Sponsored Club team that do not have a connection with the club, but are sponsored by the Association so that they may play in the Tri County League. Only coaches in good standing will be accepted as coaches of sponsored club teams. These coaches must agree to follow club rules and direction before they are accepted for sponsorship. In the event of field space problems, priority will be given to club teams over sponsored teams. A separate set of Cincinnati Cardinal Soccer Club Rules and Procedures controls and provides guidance for all of our member competitive teams. The day to day operation of the competitive team division rests with the Competitive Team Committee.