City of Rock Hill PRT Soccer By-Laws

City of Rock Hill PRT Soccer By-Laws

2017 SPRING SOCCER CALENDAR Mon, January 30 th Fri, February 17 th Start Spring Registration End Spring Registration Mon, February 20 th 24 th Late Registration Thurs, March 2 nd Tues, March 7 th Sat, March 11 th Mon, March 27 th Mon, April 10 th -April 14 th Early May May 8 th May 12 th May 15 th May 19 th 6:00-7:00pm Coaches only meeting kickers, U8-U14 Practices may begin Kickers Season Begin (Cherry Park) Regular Season Games Begin No Games Spring Break Regular Season Ends Make-up Dates /Practices Tournament for U10, U12 and U14 Jon Shea (League Coordinator) jonathan.shea@cityofrockhill.com (P) 803-325-2634 Jason Reynolds (Athletic Supervisor) jason.reynolds@cityofrockhill.com (P) 803-329-5640

Weather Policy Games will be canceled when one or more of the following situations occurs: Rain is so heavy that the game cannot be played in a fairly normal manner. The field is so wet from earlier rain that the game cannot be played in a fairly normal manner. Lightning is in the vicinity. Any unusual element of danger is present. Normally, games will not be cancelled until near the scheduled starting time. As soon as games are canceled, the decision will be posted on PRT s Weather Information Line. Decisions about ALL sports can be heard here: 803-325-2677 Attached is our procedure for weather-related postponements or cancellations. A. A decision will be made as early as possible by a department staff concerning rainouts. B. Should a decision be made to postpone or cancel a game prior to 3:30 pm on the day that it is scheduled, the PRT Weather Information Line will be updated and coaches will be notified. C. If the department has not made a decision to cancel or postpone an event or game prior to 3 pm on the day that it is scheduled, those involved should report to the designated field at the scheduled time with the assumption that the game will be held as scheduled. However, this does not rule out the possibility that the game may still be postponed or canceled. TROPHIES/AWARDS Trophies/awards are not provided by the youth soccer program. Any trophies or end of season celebrations may be handled individually by teams, but are not required.

RECREATION LEAGUE ROCK HILL PRT YOUTH SOCCER RULES ***The Jamboree this year is a little different. Instead of coming on a Saturday to have pictures and a small game, we will be doing pictures the first week of games. Teams are asked to come 30 minutes early to their games the first week. For the kicker s age group, pictures will be done on their 2nd Saturday of games. There will be a schedule emailed later on in the season.*** NOTE: League age divisions are listed as Kickers, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, and Under 14. The following rules will apply to Rock Hill PRT Recreational leagues. Any rules not addressed will be covered by FIFA Laws of the Game. 1. Game Rules- League play on Cherry Park soccer fields and at Manchester Meadows is proportion to ages: KICKERS Field #1 at Cherry Park Under 8 - Small fields at Manchester Meadows Under 10- Medium Fields at Manchester Meadows Under 12- Medium Fields at Manchester Meadows Under 14- Medium Fields at Manchester Meadows ***Coaches may enter the playing area only when beckoned on to the field by an official (for injury). If teams share the same sideline of the field, coaches must remain in appropriate coaching areas between midfield and the top of the penalty box. Coaches cannot go beyond the half field mark into the other coach s area.*** 2. Game Ball- Leagues use balls in proportion to ages: Kickers - Size 3 Under 8 - Size 3 Under 10 & Under 12 - Size 4 Under 14 - Size 5

3. Number of Players Kickers - roster maximum of 12 Under 8 - play 9 vs. 9; roster maximum of 13 Under 10 - play 9 vs. 9; roster maximum of 13 Under 12 - play 9 vs. 9; roster maximum of 13 Under 14 - play 8 vs. 8; roster maximum 13 If less than the allotted numbers of players are present, the opposing team will not have to play with the same number of players, it is up to the coach if he/she wants to play down to their numbers. The league coordinator reserves the right to adjust the maximum number of players on the field should participants drop out of the league and teams have a difficult time fielding a team. If Team A only has 7 players they must play with that seven, a five minute grace period will be allowed for the arrival of additional players. ***During the playoffs/tournament, teams that have enough players to field a team will not have to play down to the number of players the other team has.*** Substitutions-Made only after a quarter has been completed. Substitutions may be made during play if the child is sick, overheated, or unable to continue play due to sickness or injury. A decision to substitute may also be made by the referee, if needed. 4. Playing Time All players will play at least two complete quarters per game. No child will be allowed to start a fourth quarter unless every other child on the team has completed at least two quarters. Substitutions should not be made unless one of the extreme circumstances, as discussed above, occurs. If a child starts a quarter, then that child should finish that quarter. 5. Player Equipment- consists of shirts and socks (provided by the department), shin guards and shoes are required. Illegal equipment, including watches, earrings, necklaces, or loose headbands are not permitted. 6. Referees- Are appointed for each match and are responsible for control of the game. Decisions of the referees are final. 7. Linesmen- Officials on the sidelines will assist the referee in all Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10 matches when possible.

8. Duration of the Game- Games in each league consists of quarters or halves as listed below, with the game clock stopping for injuries. Period length is in proportion to ages: Under 8-8 minute quarters (2 minutes between quarters) Under 10-10 minute quarters (2 minutes between quarters) Under 12-10 minute quarters (2 minutes between quarters) Under 14-12 minute quarters (2 minutes between quarters) Games ending in a tie are final. If the Soccer Coordinator determines that a game will not be completed before darkness, prior to the start of the game, the Soccer Coordinator may shorten quarters by an equal amount in order for the game to be completed. ***Should inclement weather or darkness cause a game to end before time has expired, the game will be considered complete if half of the game has been played. If less than half of the game has been played, the remaining time of the game will be postponed and played at a later date. The game will be resumed at a later date from the point of interruption. The Soccer Coordinator, field supervisor or referee reserves the right to call the game for any reason.*** 9. Start of Play- Play begins when the ball has been legally touched (with one complete revolution of the ball forward) by a player. The kicker may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player. The team kicking off will be determined by the referee prior to the game. Each team must stay on its own half of the field and the defending players must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is touched. 10. Ball in and Out of Play- The ball is out of play when: a. It has completely crossed the boundary lines, or b. When the game has been stopped by the referee. 11. Method of Scoring a. A goal is scored when the entire ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar. b. A player may score no more than three goals per game. In the event a team leads by five goals, a player who has scored may not score again, even if he/she has not reached the personal limit of three goals per game. An infraction of this rule will result in a free kick for the opposing team at the top of the goalie box arc. A child scoring three goals in one game can no longer score in the same game unless the opposing team brings score within one goal.

12. Off-side- (excludes Under 8 League) a. A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer to his opponents goal-line than the ball, unless: (1) he is in his own half of the field of play, or (2) he is not nearer to his opponents goal-line than at least two of his opponents. A player who is even to an opponent is onside. b. A player shall only be declared off-side and penalized for being in an off-side position, if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee (a) interfering with play or with an opponent, (b) seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position, or (c) actively involved in the play. c. If a player is declared off-side, the referee shall award an indirect free-kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred 13. Fouls and Misconduct- A player who intentionally attempts to or actually: (a) kicks, (b) trips, (c) jumps at, (d) charges violently, (e) charges from behind, (f) strikes, (g) holds, or (h) pushes an opponent, or (i) intentionally handles the ball shall be penalized by a direct free kick. Any one of these nine offenses committed in the penalty area by a defender will result in a penalty kick awarded to the offensive team. A player committing less flagrant violations such as offside, dangerous plays, obstruction, or unsportsmanlike conduct will be penalized by an indirect free kick. Sliding Tackle is potentially dangerous play and should only be used as a last resort. League rules apply. Under 8, Under 10, and Under 12- Not permitted; warning to player, direct kick to opponents. Under 14 - permitted. 14. Free Kicks- Are classified into two categories: direct : (from which a goal can be scored directly against the offending side) and indirect (from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been touched by a player other than the kicker before entering the goal). Free kicks are taken from the place of the foul and may be taken as soon as the ball is placed and is stationary. The kick is taken after the officials signal if the offense requests the defending team to back up 10 yards from the ball.

15. Penalty Kick- Defined as a direct kick which is taken at the penalty mark. All players except the player taking the kick and the Goalkeeper must stay outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the ball (hence the arc at the end of penalty area). Players outside the box may not enter the goalie box until the kicker has kicked the ball. 16. Throw-ins- When the ball has completely crossed the touchline (side line), it is put back into play be a throw in from the point where it went out, and by a player from the opposite team that last touched it. Throw-ins must be delivered from behind and over the head with two hands: both feet must be on the ground, outside the playing field. In the Under 8 league the player will get two attempts for a correct throw-in. ***A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in*** 17. Goal Kick- When the ball has completely crossed the goal line after being last touched by a player from the offensive team; it is put back into play by a kick from any point within the goal area by the defending team. The ball must completely go outside the goalie box before it is touched by another player. 18. Corner Kick- When the ball has completely crossed the end line after being last touched by a player from the defending team, it is put back into play by a kick from the corner on the side the ball went out on by the attacking team. 19. A pass back to the Goalie If a player passes the ball back to his/her keeper they CAN NOT pick it up with their hands. If this happens an indirect free kick is awarded to the other team where the ball was touched by the goalie. 20. Conduct Guidelines- Rock Hill Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) sports facilities are designed to offer leisure activities for families, groups, and individuals of all ages with diversified interests.

Sporting events are provided by the P.R.T. Department as opportunities for friendly competition, while promoting a spirit of sportsmanship among participants and a pleasant environment for spectators. A player, coach, manager, team representative, or person (including spectators) is expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner before, during, or after an event on or within 500 feet of city property. Sportsmanlike conduct includes proper language and actions as judged by game officials, league officers, and/or department staff. Examples of misconduct include (but is not limited to) profanity, excessive inappropriate loudness, gestures, abuse of Youth Soccer Rules personal facility equipment, physical violence (such as attacking or attempting to hurt another), and other derogatory acts. A designated team manager (or coach) is responsible for the conduct of themselves, team members, and other appropriate team representatives. Team manager have full control of the team at all times. Violation of conduct guidelines will result in send off from the game for participant(s), expulsion from the property will result. Send off will be accompanied by a write-up of the incident by the appropriate official. First-time send offs resulting from a severe act AND secondtime send offs are subject to expulsion from the league.

PARENT S CODE OF ETHICS I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parents Code of Ethics. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other youth sports event. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win. I will insist that my child plays in a safe and healthy environment. I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at youth sports events. I will remember that the game is for youth not for adults I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child. I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability. I promise to help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with coaching, or providing transportation. By signing the following you agree to the above. Childs Name: Parent/Guardian Signature & Date: