AMERICAN YOUTH SOCCER ORGANIZATION AREA 1U GUIDELINES 20013-2014 SECTION ONE: OBJECTIVES AND CORE VALUES The principal objective of these guidelines is to provide an accelerated fall league season for U-16 and U-19 boys and girls, and to provide for Area league and All Star playoffs for U10-U14. It is also to establish guidelines as to eligibility for teams to participate in the Spring Program for U10-U19 offered in conjunction with AYSO Area 1B. The philosophy, principles and integrity of the American Youth Soccer Organization shall be maintained in that every registered player must play at least one-half of every game in U16 through U19, and preferably, where possible, three quarters of every game in U10 through U14. The Area Program will be successful only if participants receive a positive and rewarding experience from their involvement. The measure of this success is not in terms of wins and losses, but in the accomplishments of the individuals and regions as they relate to the 6 Philosophies of AYSO: OPEN REGISTRATION BALANCED TEAMS EVERYONE PLAYS GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP POSITIVE COACHING PLAYER DEVELOPEMENT The following Area Guidelines will prevail in situations where there is a defin ed difference between these guidelines and Regional Guidelines as it relates to Area sponsored leagues and playoffs. The Section 1 Rules and Regulations, and the National Governing documents (AYSO National Rules and Regulations, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, and the National Policy statements) take precedence in any instance where these guidelines are silent or in contradiction. These documents are available on the area website. aysoarea1u.com SECTION TWO: ORGANIZATION The Area program will be administered by the Area Director and Area Staff. Regions comprising Area 1U are: 23 Hacienda Heights 602 Covina 112 La Verne/San Dimas 624 Walnut 215 Rowland Heights Each Region shall provide a Program Coordinator (Regional Commissioners can be the designated coordinators) and a Regional Referee Administrator. Only Regional Coordinators/Commissioners shall be Voting Members for Area Business with one vote per region. Only voting members in attendance shall be counted. The Area Director shall break all tie votes. SECTION THREE: STAFF A. At a minimum, the Area staff is to consist of the following: Area Director Area Treasurer Area Referee Administrator Area Management Administrator Area Coach Administrator B. Nomination of the Area Director: 1. Six months before the expiration of the Area Director s term, or whenever there is a vacancy in the Area Director position due to death, resignation or removal, notice by email will be sent to each of the regions informing all of the opportunity to submit names for nomination. These names will then be presented to the Regional Commissioners. The Regional Commissioners shall, by majority vote, nominate an Area Director and forward such nomination to the Area s Section Director. A nominee for Area Director is subject to the approval of the Section Director and the National Board of Directors. The National Board of Directors has full discretion to approve or disapprove a nominee for a term of three years or for a shorter period as it sees fit. 2. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Area Director other than at the expiration of the regular term, the Area Staff and Regional Commissioners, including (if available) the outgoing Area Director, shall recommend an interim Area Director and submit such recommendation to the Section Director. The interim successor shall remain in office until the completion of the election procedures described in the paragraph above. 3. An Area Director is not limited to one term, and may be reappointed for multiple terms.
C. For optimum benefit to the area the following positions should also be filled Area Director of Instruction (referee) Area Director of Assessment (referee) Area Coach Trainer Area Auditor Area CVPA D. To aid in the smooth operation of area programs, the Area Director may also appoint any of the following: Assistant Area Director(s), Area Program Coordinator, Secretary, Scheduler/Statistician, Playoff Director(s), Flex Program Coordinator, Web Master, etc. Position descriptions may be found and downloaded from the Area 1U website at aysoarea1u.com SECTION FOUR: FEES Operational per player fees, and per team league fees will be approved by the Area Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the season. Number of players in a region will be determined as those registered in eayso as of Aug 1. SECTION FIVE: PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY A. PLAYERS 1. All players must be registered within their respective Region, through the National Support and Training Center, to participate in Area Programs. Regions must ensure that all players are registered prior to the first day of practice. 2. A properly completed registration form shall be carried and on hand at all times by the Head Coach or team representative with, original wet signatures in order to participate. 3. In order to be eligible for league playoff competition a player must have played in at least half of the total number of primary season league games played by the playoff team to which he/she was assigned during the regular season, except in the situation where the player is assigned in time to meet this requirement but is unable to play because of illness, injury, or a change of residence which causes a change of regions. 4. Any player who is sent off (red card) for fighting during the regular regional season, regional playoffs, area league play, or area playoffs will be ineligible to participate, or continue to participate, in the area league playoffs. (And in accordance with the Section One Rules and Regulations, they are also ineligible to participate in Section playoffs) 5. No registration or placement of a player on a team in the primary program shall be allowed after the following dates: a. U16/U19 October 1 b. U10-U14 October 31 6. Secondary programs. A secondary program is anything other than the primary program, and includes all star playoffs and spring leagues run by Area 1U by itself or in conjunction with another Area(s) a. To be eligible for participation in the All-Star playoffs 1) A player must play on a team within the region he/she played in the primary program. 2) A player must have played in the division to which he/she was assigned during the primary season 3) A player must have played in at least half of the total number of league games played by the team he/she was assigned to, except in the situation where the player is assigned in time to meet this requirement but is unable to play because of illness, injury, or change or residence which causes a change of regions. b. To be eligible for participation in the Spring league: In addition to the requirements in the Rules and Regulations for the spring league sponsored by Areas 1B & 1U 1) A player must have played in at least half of the total number of league games played by the team he/she was assigned to, except in the situation where the player is assigned in time to meet this requirement but is unable to play because of illness, injury, or change of residence which cause a change of regions. 2) Player must play on a team within his/her own region unless not invited to do so, or the region does not have a team in the division. In these instances intra-region requests are permissible as follows: American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 2 of 19
a) Parent of player (or player if 18 years of age) notifies the Regional Commissioners of both regions as well as the coach. b) Regional Commissioners of both regions notify Area Director that the transfer is in accordance with these guidelines and whether the transfer is to be temporary, for the secondary season only, or permanent. c) Area Director will transfer player through eayso. B. COACHES 1. All Coaches and assistant coaches within a region must have a current volunteer application on file, submitted to the NSTC and entered in eayso. 2. All coaches and assistant coaches must be safe haven certified. 3. In order to participate in Area Playoffs the coach, and assistant coach if one is listed, must have the minimum age level certification as set forth by the National Coaching Commission as follows: a. U10 U10 (Z-online alone is not adequate, must also have field portion to be considered certified) b. U12 U12 c. U14 Intermediate d. U16 & U19 Advanced 4. Reminder: Coaches are responsible for the behavior of the parents and other spectators that come to watch their kids play. 5. Any coach or assistant coach who is ejected for fighting during the regular regional season, regional playoffs or area league play, or area playoffs will be ineligible to participate, or continue to participate, in the area league playoffs. C. TEAMS: If a Region enters more than one (1) team per division in any Area sponsored program, those teams must be balanced. Each region may need to provide to the Area Director documentation of the balancing process with the initial rosters prior to the start of the program. SECTION SIX: AREA 1U PROGRAMS A. The Rules of Competition for fall U16-U19 program, Area League Playoffs and Area All star playoffs, included as appendices A-C, will be given to the coaches and posted on the Area 1U website before competition commences. Fall U16/U19 The game schedule will be determined after the number of field locations and times as well as number of teams is determined. 1. The season starts the Monday before Labor Day, with Championship games to take place 1 week before the Section One U16/U19 playoffs. 2. Deadline for entering teams in the program is August 1. 3. A schedule will be provided to the Regional Commissioners in advance of the coaches meeting and will be made available to all coaches at the coach/referee meeting and will be posted on the area website. U10/U14 League Playoffs 1. There will 12 teams in each division. Each region will be allowed to send 2 teams per division. There will be wild card draw to determine the remaining 2 teams in each division. 2. Each region will determine its own competitive format for advancement to Area League Playoffs. 3. The Playoffs will take place December 10-15,2013. 4. A packet containing Game Cards and Rules of Competition will be given to the RC or his/her designee in November for distribution to his/her teams. 5. eayso rosters need to be submitted to the Area Director no later than December 2, 2013. 6. Game schedules will be provided to coaches one (1) week prior to playoffs and will be posted on the Area 1U website U10/U14 All Star Playoffs 1. Each region may enter 1 team per division. American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 3 of 19
2. The Playoffs will take place on the last weekend of January, (Saturday and Sunday) 3. Game Cards and Rules of Competition will be given to the Regional Commissioner or his/her designee in November for distribution to his/her teams. 4. Coach names need to be submitted at least 3 weeks before the playoffs, and eayso rosters are due 1 week before the playoffs. B. Rosters: Only eayso rosters are acceptable. They do not need to be signed by the Regional Commissioner 1. The following information should appear on each team roster: a. Coach and Assistant Coach (if any). including cell phone numbers b. Team Color c. Players listed in Jersey number order. 2. Players may not be added to the rosters without prior permission of the Regional Commissioner. Should a player be removed from a team roster that player may not be reinstated without prior approval of the Area Director. C. Fields and Equipment (U16-U19) 1. Each Region is requested to enough field space to accommodate the number of teams they plan to enter. 2. Each participating Region shall provide a field(s), which shall be properly maintained by the Region. 3. If the field requires marking, the hosting Region will mark the field as needed. 4. Each team scheduled for the first game of the day will assist set up one goal, including corner flags. Team Representatives should be at field site early enough to have field ready to start on time. 5. Each team scheduled for the last game of the day will assist in tear down of one goal as required by the site, which may include disassembly of goal and returning all equipment to a storage bin. 6. Host Region must have a representative at the playing site at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the match to have equipment available. 7. Hosting Region to provide scrimmage vests in case of color conflict. 8. Each location will maintain a binder that contains at minimum: a. Referee misconduct reports b. Serious incident (injury) reports c. Referee feedback forms D. Uniforms: Each Region is responsible for providing their own uniforms which shall conform to AYSO Rules and Regulations. E. Lineup Cards and Time Monitoring Sheets 1. U10-U14 a. All players in U10-U14 league playoffs are to play as evenly as possible, with no player playing a whole game if another player is playing ½. b. All players in U10-U14 all star playoffs are to play at least ½ of the game they attend c. The Area provided lineup cards must be properly completed, in ink in jersey number order, first and last name of player, and submitted to the field staff at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the game. All players on the team roster must be listed on the game card even if injured, sick or absent. 2. In U16 &U19 a. All players are to play at least ½ of the game they attend. b. The Area provided lineup cards/time monitoring sheets time sheet (time monitoring sheets are required under National Guidelines for U16-U19 free substitution matches) must be properly completed in jersey number order and submitted to the field staff at least fifteen (20) minutes prior to the start of the game. All players on the team roster must be listed on the game card even if injured, sick or absent. Prior to the start of the game the referees will write their names in the indicated area on both of the timesheets and will give them to the coach. c. At the conclusion of the match, the coach is to return the time sheet to the referee. 3. Each host site s Regional Coordinator shall be responsible for collecting completed match report and time sheets for games played. These shall be forwarded to the Area Coordinator/Area Director in a timely American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 4 of 19
manner. F. Referees 1. The Area Director or Area Referee Administrator will assign to each region the games it is to provide referees for based on the number of teams it has entered.: 2. It is each region s responsibility to assign referees that have current volunteer applications on file at the National Office and entered in eayso properly and meet the minimum certification requirements to referee the games assigned. a. Youth Referees: Youth Referees may only officiate (as either the center referee or assistant referee) players at least one division younger than they are old enough to participate in. (for example, a youth referee who is 16 as of July 31,2012 may officiate as an AR in a U16 match for the 2012-2013 season, but may not officiate as a CR) b. U16-U19: The goal is that Center referees have National or Advanced certification. However the minimum requirement for Center Referees is Intermediate, with 4 years experience as a Center Referee 2 years of which is as an Intermediate Referee. Though preferable for Assistant referees to be at least Intermediate referees, Regional Referees with 4 years experience is acceptable c. U14: Center Referees: Minimum Intermediate certification. Assistant Referees, Minimum Regional referee with 2 years experience. d. U12: Center Referees: Minimum: Regional Referee with 2 years experience. 3. Referees should arrive at the field a minimum of 25 minutes before the scheduled start of the game, ready to take the field. Referees are expected to be in proper uniform and bring with them the proper equipment. a. Uniform: Jersey, with correct AYSO certification patch; (Referee should also have alternate colored jersey available so as not to conflict with either team), black shorts, black socks with 3 white stripes, black shoes. b. Equipment: Watch with a timer Whistle Referee wallet (containing match reports and red and yellow cards) Pen Flags for the Assistant Referees. 4. The referees shall conduct an equipment check of all players prior to the match. 5. The Diagonal System of Control (three (3) referee system) shall be employed in all matches. Should one (1) referee fail to appear or be unable to continue, a club lines-person shall be appointed by the referee. In no event will the two-man/whistle system be used in any AYSO Area 1U match. 6. Misconduct Reports: The referee shall complete a report of all misconduct (red cards issued) prior to leaving the game venue if at all possible. The report will contain information on all disciplinary actions (cautions and send offs of players, substitutes or coaches) that have taken place during the match. The misconduct reports will be passed on to the Regional Representative at the venue and then be passed onto the Area Director and Area Referee Administrator. Red card report notification is to be made on the same day as the match and report mailed or emailed within 24 hours. Area 1U Board Members are encouraged to submit their own written report of any serious misconduct they observe on or off the field of play. 7. Protests a. Referee decisions are final and are not grounds for protest. b. The Referee may suspend or terminate the match, but he/she does not determine the outcome of the match or if the match is to be ruled a forfeit by one or both teams. American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 5 of 19
c. Any comments regarding officiating shall be made in writing only on the Area 1U Referee Feedback Form, and forwarded to the Area Referee Administrator with a copy to the Area Director. SECTION SEVEN: OPTIONAL INTRA-REGION PLAY From time to time two or more regions may join together to offer intra-regional play for one or more of its divisions during the primary (fall) season. This is done to add diversity to those who are participating. Any such program needs to have prior permission from the Regional Commissioners of regions wishing to participate and the Area Director. So that there are no misunderstandings, Rules of Competition must be submitted to the Area Director and made available to all participants before the end of August. SECTION EIGHT: DISCIPLINARY ACTION A. Cautions: Though not required, it is strongly recommended that the coach or acting coach substitute any player receiving a caution. B. A Team member, coach or assistant coach sent-off or ejected for other than violent conduct, before during or after a game, including a send-off for receiving a second caution in the same match, shall be suspended from all participation in the current and next scheduled played match. C. For each subsequent red card/ejection received by a player there will be a minimum 2 game suspension. D. A Team member, coach or assistant coach sent off for violent conduct shall be suspended from all participation for two (2) of the next scheduled played games and may be subject to further action pending review by the Area Board. Anyone who falls under this category may not be eligible to participate, or continue to participate, in the Area 1U Playoffs. E. Any player or coach who is sent off (red card) or ejected for fighting during the regular regional season, regional playoffs or area league play, or area playoffs will be suspended for 4 games and will be ineligible to participate, or continue to participate, in the area league playoffs. 1. If at any time a fight breaks out on the field, ALL of the players and substitutes are instructed to IMMEDIATELY go to their sideline and remain there. Players or substitutes who fail to do so may be suspended for one or more games. F. A player who has been sent off shall be required to take his/her jersey off or cover it and sit behind the team so as to prevent disharmony until the end of the game. The Coach or acting Coach shall ensure that a player who has been sent off participates no further, whether by word or action, including the end of the game handshake. G. A Coach, assistant Coach, or acting Coach who has been expelled must leave the vicinity of the field of play. The referee shall not allow a match to start or continue without a team s properly credential Coach, Assistant Coach, or acting Coach in attendance. H. Suspensions shall be served in the next scheduled played match(es) including, if applicable, Area or Section playoffs. All disciplinary suspensions are in full force and effect until fully served. I. A suspended Coach may not attend any match he/she is suspended from. J. It shall be the responsibility of the Coach, or acting Coach to ensure that any suspension is served regardless of whether the referee fails to note it on the line-up card or write up a match report in a timely matter. A Coach violating this provision shall be suspended for the next scheduled played match. K. Additional Disciplinary Action 1. Any player, coach, or assistant coach involved in violent conduct, offensive, insulting or abusive language, dissent or unsporting behavior or gestures before or after the match may suspended by the Area Director and subject to additional disciplinary action based on further review by the Area Review Board. Area 1U Board Members and Regional Commissioners have the authority to act as necessary to forestall or diffuse potentially difficult situations. 2. A Coach who withdraws his/her team from a match in progress without consent of the referee will be subject to further review. 3. A team member consistently exhibiting disregard for the laws of the game by accumulating, three or more cautions (i.e. unsporting behavior, persistent infringement, etc.) during league play (including, if American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 6 of 19
applicable, playoff competition and year-end Area 1U Playoff) may be subject to suspension from participation in the next scheduled played match. SECTION NINE: DISPUTE RESOLUTION/DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES A. General Policy 1. It is the policy of Area 1U to resolve all disputes involving persons involved in the Area in an amicable way, if possible. Compromise should be emphasized whenever possible, and personality conflicts should be avoided. 2. If disciplinary action is found to be necessary, it is the Area s policy to take only the minimum action necessary. All means available should be taken to avoid legal action. 3. It is the policy of the Area to avoid punishing the players for the conduct of the parents except when there is no other solution (e.g., where a parent cannot or will not cease his or her disruptive behavior). 4. It is the policy of the Area to avoid wiping out years of good memories of AYSO and good service to AYSO, and that suspension or removal procedures are to be used only as a last resort. Voluntary resignation is preferable to a suspension or removal procedure. 5. It is the policy of the Area to avoid publicizing the result of suspension or removal proceedings beyond those persons who need to know these results and to respect the privacy of the individuals involved. However, the Area Director or designee should notify the Section Director, the National Support & Training Center or members of the AYSO Legal Commission of any pending proceedings pursuant to the operating regulations, and must comply with all applicable regulations and laws requiring suspension for abuse and similar events. B. General Due Process Procedures 1. When an incident occurs before, during or after an Area sponsored event that involves participants from only one region, the discipline and review should be carried out within the region according to Section Nine of the Standard Regional Guidelines. The Area Director should be kept informed, up to resolution. 2. The Area Director shall have responsibility and authority to resolve disputes and conduct discipline review proceedings involving matters between or among participants from two or more Regions within the Area, and any review of such action(s) shall be heard by the Section Director or disinterested hearing panel he or she may appoint. a. The Area Director is to be informed of any incident that may require discipline that occurs before, during or after an Area sponsored event. This shall include details of the incident, and witness statements if necessary. b. If the regions involved choose to resolve it among themselves, the Area Director needs to be copied on all findings, including the discipline the regions have chosen to implement. c. If the regions choose to have the Area Staff resolve the conflict, and it is determined that a participating or playing member of an Area (including parent, guardian or other family member) needs to be disciplined or that his or her participation should be limited or terminated, by way of suspension or removal, then the Area Director shall give such notice to such person, and his/her Regional Commissioner of such action or proposed action, initially by telephone, FAX, in writing via email or in person. d. Notice should always be followed by a written confirmation, delivered via a method which provides proof of mailing and/or delivery, not necessarily proof of receipt or signature by the non-executive member. The Written confirmation shall specify the action to be taken and the reason therefore. Such notice shall further notify such person that he/she has 5 days to explain why such action should not be taken. Such opportunity to respond should be in writing, either by email, use of the Postal service, or hand delivered to the Area Director, and his/her Regional Commissioner. e. The Area Director may decide to conduct the Review alone. If the Area Director was a witness to the incident or is otherwise involved in the matter, a neutral designee or board should be appointed to conduct the review. After the Review the Area Director shall make the final determination and announce it in writing to the persons concerned. American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 7 of 19
f. Alternatively, the Area Director may appoint a panel of 3 members, none of which are from the regions involved. If such a panel is appointed, the person appointed to chair that panel shall provide a written recommendation to the Area Director based upon a review of the information presented to the panel, after which the Area Director shall make the final determination and announce it in writing to the persons concerned. SECTION TEN AREA GUIDELINES These guidelines are to be reviewed and approved by the Area Staff and voted on by the Regional Commissioners no later than the May Area meeting each year. THE AREA GUIDELINES SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AFTER APPROVAL BY THE SECTION DIRECTOR. A SIGNED COPY OF THE AREA GUIDELINES SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE AYSO NATIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING CENTER American Youth Soccer Organization Area 1U Guidelines Page 8 of 19