Eastern District Division One Association Rules of Competition

Eastern District Division One Association Rules of Competition I. GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS The Eastern District Division One Association ( EDDOA ) will be responsible for organizing, scheduling and supervising a Division I competition within the Eastern District of the South Texas Youth Soccer Association ( STYSA ). A. Age categories will conform to STYSA age categories. B. EDDOA will be responsible for organizing, scheduling and supervising EDDOA qualifying games and league play. EDDOA may also assume responsibility for organizing, scheduling and supervising the United States Youth Soccer National Championship ( State Cup ) and/or the STYSA President s Cup competition. Additionally, EDDOA may organize and administer other competitions as defined by the EDDOA Board. C. The seasonal year shall comply with STYSA rules. The EDDOA Board of Commissioners (the Board ) will annually determine the beginning and end dates of Qualifying Games. D. All competition sponsored by EDDOA shall be planned and administered in accordance with STYSA, USYS and/or USSF rules and regulations, whichever is applicable. E. All U-13 and above teams planning to participate in any competition under the jurisdiction of EDDOA shall be registered with EDDOA and comply with published rules. All U -11 and U-12 teams shall register with their home association and apply to play in the EDDOA Gaming League. F. The EDDOA website is an official source of communication for EDDOA and the games and competitions it supervises. Coaches are responsible for knowledge of the information posted on the website and or distributed at EDDOA Coaches meetings. G. A team participation fee shall be paid at the time each team registers for each playing season. The amount of this fee shall be determined by the Board prior to registration of teams for the upcoming competition. H. A team must play within its proper age group unless approved by the Board. I. The maximum number of Under 10 individual play-ups shall be determined by the current applicable STYSA rules. J. A player shall be free to register with any team regardless of the location of his or her residence. K. Any group, organization, team or individual participating in EDDOA and or Eastern District Gaming League administered by EDDOA must be in good standing with EDDOA, STYSA, USYS and/or USSF. L. Team formation shall be the responsibility of each group or organization interested in participating in EDDOA. Each such group or organization will determine the method to be used for formation of its team(s) subject to compliance with the rules and regulations of EDDOA. M. A team may not have no more than the maximum number of properly registered players allowed by STYSA on their Official State Roster at any time during registration period (August 1 thru July 31). N. Each team shall be responsible for maintaining a record of age certification for its players. Proof of age shall consist of either a birth certificate, board of health record, passport or alien registration card issued by the U.S. government. A copy of such proof of age must be provided to EDDOA Administrator at the time of the player s initial registration with EDDOA.

O. A player s age for registration purposes shall be defined by their age on August 1st. P. Any player desiring to be free of obligations to EDDOA registered team before the end of the registration period must submit a written release in accordance with STYSA and United States Youth Soccer National Championship Rules. If a coach of the releasing team feels that there has been unethical recruiting of a player that coach should notify EDDOA Deputy Commissioner in writing, thereby commencing a D&P Committee review. All releases shall be filed with EDDOA Administrator prior to a date established by the Board. Any Transfer filed with the EDDOA Administrator prior to the transfer period shall be effective for purposes of rostering the transferring player to the receiving team. All players transferred prior to the transfer period may participate in all STYSA/USYSA sanctioned events save and except for any EDDOA sanctioned or administered competitions or leagues playing in the seasonal year prior to the Board established transfer period. Q. A player may be released from EDDOA team by the coach without written consent of the player only if the player is unable to play for one of the following reasons: 1. The player has violated the rules of USSF, USYS and, STYSA disciplinary rules. 2. The player has moved beyond a reasonable travel distance. 3. The player is injured in such a manner that the player will not be able to participate for the remainder of the playing season. R. To put in effect the releases noted in Sections P and Q of this Article, a STYSA player release form must be properly completed and submitted to EDDOA Administrator. S. No coach, assistant coach, trainer, team representative, registered player, parent or advertisement may offer or provide any kind of monetary inducement to recruit a player to play on their respective team. Forms of inducements include but or not limited to: free T- shirts, free uniforms, offers of or guarantees of college scholarships, free or discounted travel costs, free or discounted professional coaching, etc., if such costs are normally paid by the majority of the players associated with that particular team, club or organization. This rule applies to verbal discussions, letters, brochures, as well as radio and television advertisements. Failure to comply with the provisions of this rule may result in not less than a one (1) year suspension from all EDDOA activities for the offending party. Complaints regarding noncompliance with this rule must be filed with the EDDOA Deputy Commissioner, who shall render a decision regarding the complaint. Either party may appeal the Deputy Commissioner s decision according to the rules of EDDOA, STYSA and USYS. T. No coach, assistant coach, trainer or team representative may allow an EDDOA registered player or an Eastern District Gaming League Rostered player who does not appear on their current roster or who is not considered a released player (see C1 and C2 below) by current EDDOA rules and regulations to participate in any soccer related activity with them or their team unless such player has written approval from the coach or manager of record of his or her team. U. If a coach, assistant coach, trainer, or team representative allows a player currently registered to EDDOA that is not a released player to participate in an organized or impromptu practice session or scrimmage without the permission of the coach of the team to which the player is registered, he must notify the coach of the team to which the player is registered in writing, communicated by fax, email or the U.S. Postal System, within 48 hours of the player s participation, that the player in question participated in an organized or impromptu practice session or scrimmage. Submission of such notice does not prohibit the coach of the team to which the player in question is registered from requesting that the EDDOA D&P Committee investigate the incident to determine any rule violations. V. A team may not transfer during a competition to another club without 100% unanimous approval of all rostered players. II. EDDOA COMPETITIONS Page 2

A. Non-Qualified Teams: 1. U-11 and U-12 are not Qualified Teams in EDDOA (a.k.a. Eastern District Gaming League, League play). 2. U-11 and U12 teams playing in the Eastern District Gaming League shall abide by the rules of EDDOA. 3. U-13 teams applying shall not become a qualified team in EDDOA until the completion of the seasonal year as established by the Board. 4. U-11, U12 and U13 teams will be admitted on an open entry basis. Each U11 and U12 team must have at least 9 players and a coach on their roster. Each U13 team must have 12 players and a coach on their roster 5. The Board will determine the criteria for U13 teams applying to the Fall U13 Qualifying League. 6. U13 teams qualify based on spring standings. 7. Exception for 8v8 for U11 and U12: a. Teams may play in league play with affiliated guest players subject to the below requirements: b. A player may only play for one team per weekend, c. Limit of 4 affiliated guest players per team in any one game, d. Affiliated guest players must be properly registered with EDDOA, e. Affiliated guest players must be from within the team s EDDOA Affiliated Club, f. For the purpose of this rule, Independent teams in good standing with EDDOA may utilize affiliated guest players from other Independent teams in EDDOA with the proper permission (written prior permission) of the coaches of both teams and with the approval of EDDOA Board. 8. EDDOA Affiliated Club is defined as: a. an organization that has applied and been accepted as a member club of EDDOA that has an identifiable membership of youth soccer players on whose behalf the organization conducts or engages in youth soccer activities; and b. that has a minimum of two teams in a gender that are registered and accepted as an EDDOA team; and c. holds a 501c3 designation (or has an active pending application to the US Internal Revenue Service for a 501c3 designation); and d. accepts responsibility for all members and associated individuals of their club; and e. remains at all times in good standing with EDDOA B. Qualified Teams (U-14 thru U-19) 1. The Board will determine the teams qualified to participate in each age group prior to the start of League play. 2. The EDDOA Board will annually determine the beginning and end dates of Qualifying Games. 3. EDDOA will determine the rules of competition for the Qualifying Games. 4. A fee will be assessed on the challengers for the costs of playing the Qualifying Games. 5. ALL registration paperwork and fees required by USYS, STYSA and/or EDDOA must be properly RECEIVED by EDDOA Administrator before a team will be allowed to play its first Qualifying Games. 6. Prior to the start of League play the EDDOA Board will announce registration deadlines. 7. The earlier of the following dates August 1 or ten (10) days prior to the scheduled beginning of the qualifying games players may be freely moved to the qualifying Page 3

team s roster. From the ninth day prior to the beginning of the qualifying games until the conclusion of all of the qualifying team s qualifying games, the rosters of qualifying teams are frozen. Once a team has qualified to play in EDDOA players may be added to its roster subject to the other rostering rules. A team violating this provision will be ineligible to participate in EDDOA. 8. A player on a team that has qualified through the qualifying games may not move to another EDDOA team until the transfer period established by the Board. U-14 and older teams will be qualified for participation in league play based on participation and results of the fall play. C. Team Eligibility for Qualified U14 and above age Teams: 1. The Board will determine the number of pre-qualified and qualifying teams in each age group prior to the start of the fall season. 2. Competition within each age group, U-14 and older, will be determined and announced by the Board. The Board will determine and announce the number of teams and brackets in each age group. 3. A returning team for league play is defined as a team that meets the following criteria: 4. Competed in the previous League play; and, 5. Has on their current roster, on the initial registration deadline, at least the integer portion of fifty percent plus one (50% + 1) of the players from their final previous League roster;(e.g.: 15/2 =7.5 core = 8) and, 6. Initial fall rosters must be submitted to the EDDOA Administration by a date to be announced by the board. Initial rosters of returning pre-qualified teams must include a minimum of 50%+1, as defined above, of the team s final previous league roster. 7. The Board reserves the option to review individual cases of team eligibility and to grant exceptions to the above criteria if it determines such exception to be in the best interest of the league. 8. A player may move from one EDDOA team to another EDDOA team prior to August 1 at which time EDDOA team rosters shall be frozen to all but new players. Movement of players between EDDOA teams will be prohibited until transfer period without Board approval. 9. From August 1 until transfer period, no movement of players will be allowed between EDDOA teams without prior approval of the EDDOA Board. Request for waivers to the roster freeze will be heard by the EDDOA Board and granted only under limited circumstances. Potential circumstances may include, but not be limited to, relocation of a player s family a significant distance from the team s activities or development of an adversarial relationship between the coach, player and/or parents. 10. Non-association players may be added to EDDOA team s roster at any time subject to STYSA rules and regulations, provided that such roster is not frozen by EDDOA rules. Such newly added player may participate in EDDOA matches immediately after the issuance of an USYS Member Pass. D. Other EDDOA Competitions 1. From time to time EDDOA may sponsor other competitions or Cups. The EDDOA Board, subject to the rules and regulations of the USSF, USYS and STYSA, will determine the rules and regulations for such competitions. 2. The EDDOA Board will determine those teams and/or players who are eligible to participate in the aforementioned competitions. Page 4

III. RULES OF PLAY A. General Requirements: 1. FIFA Laws of the Game as approved by the USSF and modified for youth play. 2. All games played by EDDOA qualified member teams and teams participating in the Eastern District Gaming League and EDDOA Under 13 Qualifying League shall be under the jurisdiction of this EDDOA. 3. Each member team is responsible for the actions of its players, officials and spectators on or off the playing field during a game. Any team refusing or failing to play a game in compliance with EDDOA rules may result in the forfeiture of the match pursuant to the ruling of the D & P Committee. 4. With respect to administrative matters, STYSA and USYS administrative rules shall apply unless otherwise noted herein. B. Player Eligibility: 1. At every game, each team coach or manager must have proof of his or her players registration available for inspection by the match referee(s). Proof of registration is a property prepared (laminated) USYS Member Pass for each player with the player s current picture (permanently attached) and the player s signature appearing on the back. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in forfeiture of the match by the D& P Committee. 2. The manager, coach or captain of each team shall furnish the referee with an official roster or preprinted game report of his or her players prior to the start of the match. Players not participating in the match due to suspension must be so indicated on the roster prior to the start of the match. Players not participating in the match due to injury or for another reason should be so indicated on the game report. A player not properly listed on the game report for a team shall not play in the match unless prior consent is granted by an EDDOA official (e.g. Field Coordinator). 3. Jersey numbers must be listed on game report prior to start of game. C. Tryouts: 1. Tryouts for the following year U-11 thru U13 teams will be held no earlier than the third Monday in May and no later than July 31st. 2. Players that are playing up on an association registered team and meet the age requirements to participate as an U-13 or younger for the seasonal year for which the tryouts are being held, shall be considered a released player for the purpose of participating in that players actual/pure age tryout. 3. Tryouts for the following year U-14 and older teams will be held no earlier than the first Monday in June or a date established by the Board and no later than July 31st. Affiliated Clubs and Teams conducting tryouts on dates other than the above shall be subject to punishment from the D & P Committee (which may include but is not limited to be declared ineligible to compete in EDDOA). 4. Tryouts are defined as the organized evaluation of multiple players for the purpose of placing them on a team. D. Referees: 1. All association games or games administered by EDDOA shall be officiated by certified referees and assigned by a USSF certified assignor. Page 5

E. Playing Rules: 1. Players and Spectators: a. Teams will occupy one side of the field and spectators will occupy the opposite side of the field. Spectators of the team must remain on the same end, opposite their team bench. A team may have a maximum of four adults on the player sideline. The adults on the player sideline must be affiliated with the team and registered with EDDOA. All adults on the players sideline must comply with the STYSA KidSafe policy. 2. Touchlines: a. All persons are required to stay an appropriate distance behind the touchlines. Coaches, team officials and players may only occupy the area from the 18 yard line to the mid-line on the same side of the mid-line as their team occupies. 3. Uniform Colors: a. Each team must have alternate jerseys available at each match for use if necessary. The alternate jerseys must have numbers on the back and should correspond to the numbers on the team s regular jersey. The home team must change jersey colors if the referee decides that a color conflict exists. If the home team is unable to resolve the color conflict and the match is not played as scheduled the match may be forfeited in favor of the visiting team. 4. Uniform Numbers: a. All players are required to have proper uniforms in accordance with FIFA regulations. Players without proper uniform, including numbers, may, in the judgment of the match referee, not be allowed to compete. Duplicate numbers are prohibited and jerseys may not be switched with another player during the match with the exception of the goalkeeper. 5. Shin-Guards: a. All players must wear age appropriate shin-guards. 6. Number of Players: a. An 11 aside team must have at least eight (8) players to start a match and at least seven (7) players to continue a match or the match shall be subject to forfeit. For U-11 and U-12 teams playing 8v8, each team must have at least 7 players to start a match and at least 6 players to continue the match or the match shall be subject to forfeit. 7. Match Balls: a. Only balls approved for that age group shall be used during a match. The home team should provide the match ball. 8. Field Marking and Nets: a. EDDOA is responsible for ensuring that the field is properly marked and netted, and is in a safe playing condition. For U-11 and U12 teams playing 8v8 the following rules will apply to the field of play: Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line. Length: minimum 70 yards maximum 80 yards Page 6

Width: minimum 45 yards maximum 55 yards Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than (5) inches wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of eight (8) yards is marked around it. The Goal area: Conform to FIFA. The Penalty Area: A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, fourteen (14) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of fourteen (14) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made ten (10) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of eight (8) yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area. Flag posts: Conform to FIFA. The Corner Arc: Conform to FIFA. Goals: Conform to FIFA with exception that the goal size shall be a minimum of eighteen and one half (18.5) feet by six and one half (6.5) feet or a maximum of twenty one (21) feet by seven (7) feet. 9. Substitutions: Substitutions will be handled as follows: Substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times: Prior to a throw-in in your favor; Prior to a goal kick by either team; After a goal by either team; After an injury by either team when the referee stops play; Half time; A player may be substituted after receiving a caution; and, At any other stoppage of play with the consent of the referee. No substitution will be allowed for a player ordered from the playing field by the referee. No player shall enter or leave the field of play without the consent of the referee. 10. Scores: a. The game report shall be given to the EDDOA field coordinator by the winning team (home team in case of a tie). If the coordinator or his alternate is not present at the field then the game report shall be mailed to the EDDOA Administrator by the winning team (home team in case of a tie) within 48 hours of completion of the match. 11. Inclement Weather Procedures: a. Teams must appear at the playing site ready to play unless otherwise officially notified. In many instances the referee will make the decision as to the play ability of the field based on the condition of the field at the start of the match. If a match is suspended because of inclement weather prior to completion of the first half, it shall Page 7

be replayed in its entirety. If a match is suspended after completion of the first half, it shall be considered to be a completed match. 12. Match Scheduling: a. The EDDOA Administrator shall schedule all matches, subject to approval of the Board. b. Schedule Changes and Rescheduling of Matches for U13 and above: (1) must be agreed to in writing by both teams and submitted to the Boy s and Girl s Commissioner by the Wednesday prior to the scheduled weekend.. (2) The rescheduled game must be played prior to original scheduled game. (3) The rescheduling team are required to acquire and pay for all cost associated with the field and referee crew of the game. (4) The rescheduling teams shall be charged the cost of the original games. (5) Failure to supply an original game report to the EDDOA Administrator prior to the original rescheduled game shall result in a loss for each team. c. Teams must appear at the playing site ready to play unless otherwise officially notified. d. All matches postponed due to inclement weather will be rescheduled the by the EDDOA Administrator as soon as possible after the postponement. 13. Duration of Matches: a. The duration of season matches is as follows: b. U11 & 12 Two 30 minute halves c. U13 & 14 Two 35 minute halves d. U15 & 16 Two 40 minute halves e. U17 & 18 Two 45 minute halves f. If for any reason other than inclement weather a game is not played the full length for that age group, the EDDOA D&P Committee shall have the power to: Order the game rescheduled by the EDDOA Administrator, or; Order the game to stand as played, provided that at least one half has been completed. 14. Scoring: a. All EDDOA sponsored competitions will be scored using the following system: Three (3) points for a win; One (1) point for a tie; Zero (0) points for a loss. 15. Forfeits: a. Any team that willfully or purposefully forfeits a match is subject to a D & P Investigation and may be subject to suspension from EDDOA. The score of a forfeited game shall be 5 0 unless the D&P Committee determines that the goal differential should be greater. In the event the D & P Committee suspends a team, at the discretion of the D&P Committee, all games played by the team that forfeits a game shall be scored as 5-0 losses and/or the team may be removed from the competition. b. Any of the following may result in forfeiture of a match: Page 8

Fielding an ineligible suspended or unregistered player. Fielding is defined as a player in team uniform and ready to play. A player whose name appears on the game report and is not marked off is considered to have participated in that game. A suspended coach appearing at a game that engages in any interaction with the team prior to, during or after the game Failure to record a suspended Adult on the Game Report as not being present at the game. Falsification of a game report. Failure of a team to field the minimum number of players to begin a match within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time of the match. A coach or other responsible adult not present with the team during competition or failure of such adult to be present within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled match start time. Any game stopped due to fighting may be ruled as a forfeit or a double forfeit at the discretion of the D&P Committee. Such games will initially be shown as a double forfeit in the standings. (See the EDDOA Discipline, Protest, Grievance and Appeals Procedures for more information) Fan entering the field without permission of the referee Failure to have seven players on the field to complete the match. Suspension of the team from EDDOA. c. Final judgment of forfeits rests with the EDDOA D&P Committee. The D&P Committee will determine if a team willfully or purposefully forfeited a match. Forfeiture of said match may occur at any time prior to the end of the regular season for the team s playing age group. Any interested party may bring the reason for such forfeiture to the attention of the D&P Committee. 16. Tie-breaking Procedures: a. In the event ties exist in the standings at the end of a competition or stage of a competition (Fall, State Cup, President s Cup, other competition, regular season or the cup round of the regular season) and the ties must be broken to determine the order of finish for state play-off seeding and/or distribution of awards, the following procedures will be used and applied progressively: 1st. Result of head to head competition during the competition or stage of the competition; 2nd. Goal difference (goals for minus goals against with a maximum difference of five (5) goals per game for or against considered in the tie breaking determination) in matches between/among the tied teams; 3rd. Most goals scored in matches between/among the tied teams (maximum of five (5) goals scored per game to be considered in the tie breaking procedures); 4th. Goal difference (goals for minus goals against with a maximum difference of five (5) goals per game for or against considered in the tie breaking determination) in all games; 5th. Most goals scored in all games (maximum of five (5) goals scored per game to be considered in the tie breaking procedures); 6th. Play-off match, time and site will be determined by the EDDOA Administrator. Play-off match will consist of two standard overtime periods (U15 and older -15 minutes and U14 and younger - 10 minutes) following regulation time followed by FIFA kicks from the penalty spot, if necessary. Page 9

NOTE: If it is determined at the end of a match that the 2 teams playing in said match are tied using tie-breakers 1 through 5 and these results would constitute the use of tie-breaker 6. The teams would then play two standard overtime periods (U15 and older -15 minutes and U14 and younger - 10 minutes) followed by FIFA kicks from the penalty spot, if necessary. The EDDOA Administrator has the right to eliminate the overtime periods and go straight to FIFA kicks, if deemed that doing so would cause delays in game schedules. Also, if time restraints do not allow for a play-off match a coin toss will be used to break the tie 17. Determination of Fall State Play-off Berths: a. In age groups where teams are all placed in a single bracket, participation in state play-offs will be determined by order of finish at the end of regular season play (first place team will be Eastern District 1, second place team will be Eastern District 2, etc.) b. In age groups involving more than one bracket, advancement to the State Fall Championships will be based on the format selected for that age group prior the start of play. F. Discipline, Protest, Grievance and Appeals: 1. The EDDOA Discipline, Protest, Grievance and Appeals Procedures promote and ensure uniformity and consistency in the application of the rules and procedures of the EDDOA, STYSA, USYS, USSF and FIFA. Additionally, these procedures attempt to regulate and control unacceptable, unsportsmanlike, and/or unfair behavior on the part of players, coaches, managers, administrators, fans and supporters, in order to promote the sport of youth soccer. All questions relating to the qualifications of competitors, interpretation of the rules, disputes, protests or grievances shall be referred to the EDDOA D&P Committee. All decisions of the EDDOA D&P Committee shall be binding on all parties unless appealed to and overturned by a higher authority. 2. The EDDOA Administrator, as directed by the Deputy Commissioner, shall be responsible for distribution of a copy of the EDDOA Discipline, Protest, Grievance and Appeals Procedures. These procedures enumerate the procedures that MUST be followed to properly file a protest, grievance or appeal. These procedures shall remain in effect until changed by the D&P Committee. 3. Jurisdiction: a. In no event shall any person(s) or organization(s) under the jurisdiction of EDDOA resort to the courts or other external authorities until all protest, grievance, and appeal procedures within EDDOA have been exhausted. For violation of this rule, the offending party shall be immediately prohibited from participating in any capacity in EDDOA except as parent/spectator and shall be subject to fines and/or other sanctions, if any, set forth by EDDOA, STYSA and USYS. Additionally, such person(s) or organization(s) shall be liable for all expenses incurred by EDDOA and its officers and members in defending each court action, including, but not limited to, court costs, attorney fees, reasonable compensation for time spent by EDDOA officers and members in responding to and defending against allegations in the action, including travel expense, and expense for holding special meetings necessitated by the court action. In addition to the above references, EDDOA adopts the policy that it is allowed to take full advantage of the rights permitted to it by the laws of the State of Texas for non-profit organizations. Page 10

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