Soccer Advisory Committee

Soccer Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Florida High School Athletic Association 1801 NW 80 th Blvd., Gainesville, FL. 32606 Monday, February 22, 2016 10:00 a.m. I. Introduction and Purpose II. III. IV. Mr. Ozuna called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. He welcomed committee members and attendees, and then notified members that the purpose of the meeting was to review the rules and regulations of FHSAA Soccer and make recommendations to the Board of Directors as deemed necessary. Meeting attendees were as follows: Jim Lieb, The Bolles School (Jacksonville); Jeffrey Klug, Milton High School; Scott Carswell, Merritt Island High School; Scott Ware, Wharton High School (Tampa); David Trepkowski, Fort Myers High School; Margo Flack, Cardinal Gibbons High School (Fort Lauderdale); Leo Madrigal, Southwest Miami High School; Jeff Watson, Miami Country Day School, FACA Rep.; Jeff Kurzner, Greater Miami Athletic Conference, Ex-Officio. FHSAA staff members present were Alex Ozuna, Taylor Gies, and Craig Damon. Review Procedures, Agenda and Expense Vouchers Mr. Ozuna reviewed the procedures of the meeting, explained the process that a recommendation goes through prior to being implemented and gave the members time to complete their expense vouchers. Selection of the committee Vice Chairperson Committee members selected Margo Flack as the Vice Chairperson. [Motion: Lieb, Second: Watson Vote (8-0) to Approve] Review 2015 Minutes The 2015 Soccer Advisory Committee Meeting minutes were reviewed by the committee. [Motion: Lieb; Second: Watson Vote 8-0 to Approve the Minutes] V. Review 2015 Soccer State Finals VI. The FHSAA Soccer State Championship Tournament was held at Melbourne High School this year. Mr. Ozuna explained the difficulties behind his year s event and the scheduling conflict Eastern Florida State College faced that required the FHSAA to seek another venue. Mr. Ozuna complimented the Melbourne High School staff and volunteers and that they went above and beyond to help the FHSAA. Mr. Ozuna explained that unfortunately, Eastern Florida State College took on a commitment with the Orlando City Soccer minor league team that created a conflict of scheduling. The RFP will be sent out in the coming months and the FHSAA will be reviewing potential locations in the future. In addition, the committee expressed some concerns with the official photographer taking photos during the 20 minute warmup period and not allowing the teams to get the full allotted time on the playing field. Old Business a. Running Clock

Recommendation: When the game reaches an eight (8) goal differential during the first half, the clock shall continue to run after goals are scored. Rationale: The game is decided once an 8 goal differential is reached, there is no need to prolong the half. Discussion: The committee felt that if at any point during the first half of a contest the score reaches a differential of eight (8) goals, there is no need to prolong the game by stopping the clock after any additional goals. That being said, the committee felt the clock should still continue to stop during any water break or injuries. In addition, the committee felt once an eight (8) goal differential is met, the clock shall continue to run regardless of if the differential is reduced after the fact. Amended Recommendation: When the game reaches an eight (8) goal differential during the first half, the clock shall continue to run after goals are scored. Once the game clock starts running due to an 8-0 lead, the game clock must continue to run for the remainder of the game, regardless of score. [Motion: Lieb; Second: Watson Vote 8-0 to amend the recommendation] [Motion: Lieb; Second: Flack Vote 8-0 to approve the amended recommendation] b. Bracket Rotation During Regional Tournament Recommendation: The starting position for each district in the playoffs should rotate through all four possible positions in 4 years. Rationale: The goal of bracket rotation is to rotate sites of contest in the later rounds of regionals to evenly distribute the opportunities to host the region final. Ideally this results in an even playing field so that no has an advantage over other schools. Presumably all schools would have the opportunity to host contest in each round in some years, and would have to travel in other years. The current system does not achieve this end. When most teams/districts are evenly matched and competitive in any given region, this may not be noticeable because of the many permutations of possible teams and locations. However, when one team dominates a particular district, and its neighboring district, a striking disparity can result. Discussion: Because the current rotation system does not rotate through all permutations, and can result in situations where one school will always be more likely to host the regional final. This gives an unfair advantage to those teams, while producing an unfair disadvantage to the teams that are more likely to play away in the regional final. Committee proposes: 1. Rotate the districts through a four-year sequence, 2. Top teams is always home, but a district champion always host a runner-up, 3. Eliminate the who has played more home game rule, 4.This results in each district starting in all 4 possible starting positions. Mr. Ozuna asked Mr. Lieb to discuss this matter further after the conclusion of the meeting to create the detailed bracket cycle the ADAC requested. [Motion: Lieb; Second: Watson Vote 8-0 to approve the recommendation] VII. New Business a. 10-Minute Cool Down After a Caution

Recommendation: When an individual receives a yellow card, the individual must sit a mandatory period of 10 minutes. Rationale: This is current practice in the state of Michigan. The purpose is to allow the student-athlete to cool down after being caution during the contest and not have the student-athlete immediately back on the field when he/she may still be upset after being cautioned. In the interim, the team may replace the athlete on the field and will not have to play a player short. Discussion: The committee discussed this matter at length, and concluded that while this idea has merit behind it, the decision to give the player a cooling down period comes down on the coaches. The committee also discussed that there are too many factors involved to approve this recommendation, such as the varying degrees that cause a yellow card and the officials being able to keep track of every yellow card given and the time each player becomes eligible. [Motion: Lieb; Second: Fleck Vote 8-0 to deny the recommendation] b. Official Game Time Recommendation: The official match time shall be kept by the designated head official on the field. If a scoreboard is used, it shall be stopped at 2:00 minutes remaining in each period with an announcement that the official time is being kept on the field. For games with a paid time-keeper as a part of the officiating crew, the official time will be kept by the time keeper on the scoreboard and it shall run down to 0:00 with a horn, buzzer or other signal to indicate the end of the match. Rationale: In too many games this year, the consistency of the application of time when using a scoreboard has caused too much controversy. Without a paid time-keeper, the use of scoreboards can cause problems with coaches and players relying upon it for end of game determination. Several games in the playoffs had questionable results due to both officiating errors and communication. The preference is obviously to have a scoreboard clock that mimics the exact time remaining on an officials watch. However without a paid timekeeper as a part of the crew (like football), the use of a scoreboard clock causes problems. To satisfy both conditions, it would be best to set the clock to stop at an arbitrary 2:00 remaining with an announcement that the official time is kept on the field. That way, everyone realizes the clock is an inaccurate guide to the end of the match. However, in cases where teams or schools wish to utilize a paid official as timekeeper; or in cases of the State Series Competition when there is a paid timekeeper; the use of a more accurate clock can still be done. Discussion: After a lengthy discussion, the committee concluded that this was a necessary issue that needed to be addressed. They agreed that there is a significant lack of communication between officials and time keepers and that there needs to be a mandated way of time keeping during the post season. The committee agreed that during the regular season it is recommended, but not required, to use a contest official to operate the game clock if the scoreboard is working and available. In addition, the committee agreed that during the post season, if the scoreboard is working and available, it is required for a contest official to operate the game clock. Amended Recommendation: For regional games and beyond, mandate the use of a paid time keeper as part of the officiating crew. The official time will be

kept by the time keeper on the scoreboard and shall sun down to zero with a horn, buzzer or other signal to indicate the end of the match. If the scoreboard is not available, a time keeper is not required. [Motion: Madrigal; Second: Trepkowski Vote 8-0 to amend the recommendation] [Motion: Madrigal; Second: Trepkowski Vote 8-0 to approve the amended recommendation] c. Classifications Recommendation: The FHSAA should reexamine soccer classifications and create equality with the sport similar to the other major team sports. Add additional classifications. Rationale: Boys and girls soccer currently competes within 5 classifications in the state of Florida. Other similar team sports such as softball, baseball, volleyball, boys and girls basketball compete in 9 classifications. Softball currently has 556 participating schools and baseball has 581 participating schools across 9 classifications. In comparison girls soccer competes with 528 and boys soccer 547 schools in 5 classifications. Across both boys and girls soccer 52 districts has 8 or more teams, including numerous 10 team districts. In comparison, only 13 districts across softball and baseball contain 8 or more. Previous reasoning behind non-expansion of the soccer classifications have been a lack of rural school participation and the lack of money generated by the sport. To rebuke these arguments the state can just reclassify by total population. Creating smaller windows for schools to fit in classifications. Rural classifications are not needed. Additionally finance is always an area of topic, however creative revenue, such as raising ticket prices $1 to district tournaments and raising the fee for preseason tournaments could balance these costs. Discussion: The consensus of the committee was that the FHSAA should reexamine the soccer classifications during the next reclassification period and create additional classifications for the sport, to decrease the amount of schools per classification and to create more equitable numbers, as compared to the other team sports, per classification. [Motion: Lieb; Second: Fleck Vote 8-0 to approve the recommendation] d. Public Versus Private Schools Recommendation: Have a separate state championship series for private and public schools. Rationale: Separating the private and public schools for post season play will allow increased opportunities for many schools to participate in the state championship series. The additional revenues provided will allow the FHSAA to expand recognition programs for member schools. Discussion: The committee discussed this item and concluded that e public versus private argument goes beyond recruiting and that there are many factors to consider when discussing this topic. The committee discussed how this topic has been brought up through many different venues but never gains any traction. Item was discussed but no further action was taken by the committee. e. Conduct Penalty Kicks in Non-District Games

VIII. IX. Recommendation: Allow penalty kicks procedures to be conduct, if a nondistrict game ends in at tie, and it is mutually agreed upon by participating schools. Rationale: As an option for a non-district games, if mutually agreed upon by participating schools, if at the end of regulation the game is tied, teams can conduct the penalty kicks procedure to determine a winner. This primarily is to prepare teams to take penalty kicks in a competitive setting. This will also allow referees to officiate and let them have the environment play out for them as well. This can be in the contract prior to the game. This would not be allowed in regular season district play. Discussion: The committee discussed the possibility of conducting penalty kicks during the regular season to offer players an in-game practice scenario that they wouldn t be able to experience otherwise until the postseason. The committee requested that this be discussed and stipulated in the game contract between the competing schools prior to the game. In addition, the committee stated that it will be the responsibility of the home team to communicate this information to the contest officials prior to the game as well. [Motion: Lieb; Second: Klug Vote 8-0 to approve the recommendation] FACA Recommendations Mr. Watson spoke about items that were discussed during the FACA meeting. Items which included, the definition of a celebration, uniform mandates, academy players, and the three seasons of soccer. The committee discussed the topic on what is considered a celebration is written in the rule book as anything that brings attention to the athlete or causes delay of the game. However, the ultimate call is left to the individual official s discretion. The committee also discussed the strict guidelines of team uniforms and while the away uniform don t have to follow strict guidelines it is required that the home uniforms be predominantly white, from the top to the socks. This is due to the fact that it makes it easier for the officials to distinguish teams during play. The committee also discussed the topic of academy players and the requirements of the club versus the requirements of the school on kids being eligible to play. Finally, Mr. Watson spoke on the matter of the three seasons of soccer and the possibility of moving the soccer season to just one season across the nation. Unfortunately, due to the prevalence of football in the state of Florida, it would be impossible to move soccer to the fall because of the limited number of fields available. Compliance and Eligibility Update Mr. Damon gave the committee an update on current compliance and eligibility issues, including the legislative changes that are currently taking place in Tallahassee. Mr. Damon assured the committee that all information regarding legislative matter will be relayed back to the schools as soon as the FHSAA knows. In addition, Mr. Damon discussed the topic of Policy 24 and coaches hosting soccer camps and clinics during the school year. X. Round Table Discussion a. 30-Second Tim-Out Discussion: The committee discussed the possibility of installing one 30 second time out that a coach would be able to use during any stoppage during the game. The committee agreed that this had merit and would allow coaches to strategize

XI. and communicate with their team more effectively. However, the committee was worried about whether or not this changes the game. They also discussed how the water break is essentially a mandated time out. b. Officials Rating System Discussion: The committee expressed interest in a rating and evaluation system for officials. However, Mr. Ozuna explained to the committee that there is currently an officials evaluation system in place, which the evaluation scores are inputted in the each officials overall rating. In addition, Mr. Ozuna explained that coaches have the opportunity to comment on their officials through a contest official s evaluation form which is currently located on the soccer FAQ page of the FHSAA website. c. Field Size Discussion: At the 2015 Soccer Advisory Committee Meeting, the committee brought the topic of field size for postseason play have a minimum/maximum requirement. The committee wanted to reiterate that the mandated field size should be no less than 65 x 120. d. Substitution Rule Discussion: The committee discussed the possibility of limiting that number of substitutions allowed during the game. The committee pointed out that this would align the game more with the college and professional rules. Limiting the number of substitutions would require he coaches to strategize more on who is coming on and off the field and when. e. Spectator Accountability Discussion: The committee brought up the topic of whether or not the FHSAA can hold unruly spectators accountable for their actions during games. Unfortunately, Mr. Ozuna pointed out that any discipline is at the discretion of the host venue. It would be impossible for the FHSAA to know who is coming in and out of every facility across the state of Florida. f. Warm ups at the State Finals Discussion: Mr. Carswell brought up the topic of more warm up time at the state finals and the strict guidelines on when the teams were allowed on to the field. Mr. Ozuna explained that Melbourne Hog School was still in session prior to the first game and their PE class required use of the field and track. Also Mr. Ozuna wanted to make sure that every team was treated equally. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 1:13.