Durham Region Soccer Association FUNdamental Development Program FDP U8 Rules and Regulations Revised April 18, 2017
FUNdamental Development Program Rules and Regulations VISION: The Fundamental Development Program has been established by the DRSA under the principles of the Ontario Soccer Association s Long Term Player Development (LTPD) plan with the goal of providing a structured debut to competitive play and to facilitate the training development of young players by our member Clubs. Section I Name 1) This program shall be known as the FUNdamental Development Program (hereinafter referred to as the FDP). 2) The Durham Region Soccer Association (hereinafter referred to as the DRSA) oversees the operation of the FDP. Section II General 1) The FDP program may make changes to the Rules and Regulations as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the FDP and in conjunction with principles outlined in the Ontario Soccer Associations Long Term Program Development (LTPD). The FDP shall inform Member Clubs of any changes to the Rules and Regulations within seven (7) days of their adaption. 2) All fines resulting from breaches of rules identified in these Rules and Regulations, including those published in the DRSA schedule Fees and Fines shall be assessed against the Club. Section III Membership 1) Membership is open to any properly constituted Club in good standing as defined in the DRSA Constitution and the DRSA Rules and Regulations. Club squads from neighboring Districts may apply if no other playing options are available, but are subject to DRSA and OSA Policies. 2) Dates for submission of applications by Club Squads to play in the FDP (U8) each year shall be as stated below. Actual dates will be determined by the DRSA and published by January 31st of each year. a) Squad Applications and Fees are due March 15 th of each year. b) Squad Placement in a division will be determined by the Club Head Coach and indicated on applications. Each age group and gender will aim to have 2 divisions Tier 1 & Tier 2. 3) Squads withdrawing prior to March 30 th of each year will be issued a 100% refund. Withdrawal after March 30 th of each year will receive no refund. Withdrawing after the start of the season will forfeit all fees paid and their Club will be subject to additional fines per squad. 4) FDP entry fees or any other fees deemed necessary for the responsible operation of the FDP by the DRSA shall be determined and set prior to each playing season by the DRSA. 5) All Squad members shall comply with the rules and regulations of the FDP. Section IV Coaches Meetings There will be a Pre-Season Coach Meeting scheduled just prior to the start of the season. At this meeting, each squad will receive schedules, league rules/regulations as well as any other information required. Failure of a squad head coach to attend the annual coaches meeting will result in the Club being fined (See Appendix A Fees and Fines). 2 Revised April 18, 2017
Section V Ages Divisions and Duration of Matches The age divisions formed by the FDP are determined using January 1 of the current year. Age Divisions and durations are as follows: U8 (5 v 5) 2 x 20 min. halves Section VI Responsibilities of Club and Team Officials 1) By participating in the program, clubs are required to adapt the philosophy and overall goals of the FUNdamentals Stage of player development as set out in the OSA s LTPD plan. 2) Each Host Club for Mid-week Festivals shall ensure fields are properly permitted, cleared and safe for set-up. 3) The Host Club shall be responsible for outlining the field of play including but not limited to: corner flags and nets. The Field may be created as a section of an existing field as long as the min/max dimensions as set out in the OSA s Development Matrix are met. Field lines including half-way line can be identified either with field markings or cones as appropriate. The goal area may be defined at each end and can be identified with markings and/or cones as follows: five yards from inside of the goalposts extended and joined by a line parallel to the goal line. 4) Team Officials are responsible for their Players and Spectators at all times and shall conduct themselves in a proper manner, in accordance with the Laws of the Game. All Team Officials and Players shall confine themselves to the bench area. 5) Each squad must list Head Coach on game day Roster and Head Coach must be present at game. 6) A squad shall have no more than FOUR Team Officials within the technical area. Each Team Official MUST be fully certified with FUNdamentals certificate, Respect in Soccer, M.E.D, Making Head way and Screened by their club 7) Each Club shall register all of its Team officials and players and have those registrations validated according to DRSA Published Rules. 8) All spectators shall be confined to the opposite side of the field from the Players and Team Officials. No Players, Team Officials or spectators shall stand behind either Goal Line. 9) Any Player or Team Official impeding, harassing or otherwise intimidating a game leader/match official, Player(s) or Team Official, shall be subject to severe disciplinary action. 10) All Squad Officials must read, sign and hand in to the DRSA, the DRSA Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship prior to start of season. Failure to do so may result in a fine to the Club and Coach ineligible to participate. 11) Rescheduling of Games not taking place due to weather, match official or squad no show may be rescheduled should the season/timing allow. This will be up to the discretion of the DRSA and participating squads. 12) Team officials MUST bring a copy of their roster (U8) to each game. Team Officials are not permitted to handwrite on their Game Day Rosters unless pre-approved by the DRSA. Note: In the event an incident occurs, the Game Official may need to confirm players name and coach must provide copy of roster to Game Official. 13) Home Team Official MUST submit both the home and visitor game day roster to the DRSA within 48 hours after game completion. Failure to do so will result in a fine as specified in Section XI. Section VII Player Identification & Eligibility (Game) 1) Players must wear a uniform with a number that corresponds to the game day roster sheet, jersey numbers cannot be duplicated. 3 Revised April 18, 2017
2) Players are registered by their club into FDP player pools (all players are registered to the appropriate age group and gender with the FDP program). A player must be registered as mini outdoor players and validated in accordance with OSA Operating Procedures. 3) Other rules and regulations as set out in the OSA Operating Procedures regarding playing up, TEP,TRP s shall also apply. Section VIII Discipline 1) Any Player receiving red cards or yellow cards during the season shall be subject to discipline outlined in the OSA Operational Procedures. 2) Any coach who is cited by a game leader/match official for inappropriate conduct shall be subject to discipline as outlined in the OSA Operational Procedures. 3) Any Player or Team Official has the right to request a hearing from the DRSA. A request for a hearing must be submitted in writing within two (2) days after the incident and must be accompanied by a Hearing fee. 4) The DRSA shall publish a list of regularly scheduled dates to review and hear all discipline reports. 5) All suspensions shall be based on games within the FDP. The Club of the suspended Player or Team Official shall be notified and the DRSA is required to record the suspension, where applicable. 6) All youth players must be accompanied to any hearing by a parent or guardian. Section IX Squad Eligibility 1) The MAXIMUM number of players eligible to play in a game is 10 and must be included in the game day roster. 2) Player books are NOT required for this age group. 3) Players are not assigned to specific squads rather an open roster is used. 4) 65% of the players on the Open roster must be residents of the Club s municipality. 5) Guest Players: U8 Development Squad may use U8 mini outdoor Players as Guest Players' provided: i) The player is registered within the same Club (or affiliated Club), at the same age group, as the Squad requesting the guest player. ii) Players may be used as many times as required however, players CANNOT exceed their maximum of 20 competition days per season (as stated in the LTPD Matrices). The DRSA must receive the guest player form a minimum of 24 hours prior to game time for input into Sport Savvy. 6) Failure to comply with any of the above will result disciplinary action against the Club and Team Officials. 7) Member Clubs are not limited to the number of Squads they can enter in any Tier of FDP. Section X - Competition Rules 1) Match Officials/Game Leader: All Mini-Festival games shall be managed by a Match Official/Game Leader. If the assigned Match Official(s) do not show up, and a qualified Match Official is available, the game shall be played. The Team Officials can mutually agree upon a Match Official and the game shall be played. 2) Start of Game: At the beginning of the game, choice of halves and the kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin. 3) Coin Toss: The squad which wins the toss shall decide which goal to attack in the first half. The other squad will take the kick-off. At a kick-off, all players shall be in their own half of the field of play. 4 Revised April 18, 2017
4) Kick Off: All players opposing the squad taking the kick-off shall be not less than 6 yards (5.5M) from the ball until it is kicked-off. The game shall be started when the ball is kicked forward into the opponent s half of the field. Should the player taking the kick-off play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing squad. A goal may NOT be scored directly from a kick-off. 5) Goals: After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted by a kick-off, to be taken by a player of the squad against which the goal was scored. 6) Kick-Ins/or/Dribble in: The ball shall be kicked-in or dribbled in as opposed to thrown-in. At the taking of a kick-in or dribble in, all opponents must be at least 6 yards from the ball. A goal may NOT be scored directly from a kick-in or dribble in. 7) Retreat Line: On all goal kicks and keeper possession of the ball with his/hers hands, squads are asked to retreat to half to allow the squad with the goal kick to play out of the back, once the ball is played into play and has been touched by another player, the opposing squad can advance if the goal keeper chooses to play over half when in possession then no retreat line is required. 8) Ejections: Players ejected by the referee may not take any further part in the game and must be replaced by squad mate. (Red Card does not result in playing short-handed) 9) Free-Kicks: Indirect kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls and misconduct. All opponents must be at least two (2) metres from the ball NO DIRECT KICKS, No CORNER KICKS or PENALTY KICKS should be awarded. 10) Uniforms: Squads shall provide each player with an identical sweater with a different number on back. The Goalkeeper (if applicable) will wear a contrasting sweater. When Uniforms are similar, the Home Squad shall change to a colour from the Opposing Squad. 11) NO scores or Standings at this Age as per LTPD. Section XI - Fees and Fines The fees and fines payable by Squads are summarized below for convenience and reference. In the case of a conflict between this summary section and the specific section elsewhere in this document the specific section shall take precedence. Infraction Fine Per Occurrence 1 Rescheduling a game without DRSA permission $100 DBR 2 Failure to produce a game day roster at game when requested $25 DBR 3 Failure to report a cancelled game $25 DBR 4 Failure to play a game with a mutually decided upon Match Official, if the scheduled Match Official does not show up $25 DBR 5 Game forfeit with 48 hours notice $100 DBR 6 Hearing Request Fee $50 DBH 7 Use of more players than stated on Development Matrix DBH 5 Revised April 18, 2017
8 Squad withdrawal after March 30th Loss of League Fee + Admin Fee 9 Squad withdrawal after the season starts Loss of League Fee + 200.00 Fine 10 Squad found to have played an ineligible player DBH 11 Game defaults/forfeits/no-show (on game day) $175 12 Failure to attend a Discipline Hearing $100 + Suspension from all soccer activity DBH 13 14. 15. 16. 17. Violation of DRSA Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship Failure of a squad head coach to attend the Pre-Season Coach Meeting and Seminar Failure to submit Game Day Roster to DRSA within 48 hours after game completion. Incomplete Game Day Roster submitted to DRSA Administrative Fee Removal from Bench DBH $100 DBR $25 DBR $25 DBR $100.00 DBR = Discipline by Review DBH = Discipline by Hearing 6 Revised April 18, 2017