CONWAY PARKS & RECREATION 2014 FALL SOCCER LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS

CONWAY PARKS & RECREATION 2014 FALL SOCCER LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Rules governs league play. Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism League Rules shall supersede NFHS Rules. OFFICIALS Conway Parks and Recreation will have complete control of the youth athletic program, which includes all practices, games, all-stars and all actions occurring within the park, before, during or after scheduled games or practices. Athletic Supervisors, Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department staff or contracted officials will have complete control of all games. At least one referee will be onsite for each game. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS 1.01.1 Little Tykes Division (5-6) player must be five years of age on or before September 1 of the current year, and shall not have turned seven years of age on or before September 1 of the current year. 1.01.2 Pee Wee Division (7-8) player must be seven years of age on or before September 1 of the current year, and shall not have turned nine years of age on or before September 1 of the current year. 1.01.3 Small Fry Division (9-10) player must be nine years of age on or before September 1 of the current year, and shall not have turned eleven years of age on or before September 1 of the current year. 1.01.4 Mite Division (11-12) player must be eleven years of age on or before September 1 of the current year, and shall not have turned thirteen years of age on or before September 1 of the current year. 1.01.5 Junior Division (13-15) player must be thirteen years of age on or before September 1 of the current year, and shall not have turned sixteen years of age on or before September 1 of the current year. 1.02 Date of birth of players shall be certified by an original registration of birth issued by a governmental agency or a photocopy of the original birth certificate. 1.03 All players shall remain on the same team until their eligibility ends for that league. 1.04 Players who are non-residents of the City of Conway/live outside of the city limits shall be required to pay a non-resident fee as adopted by the Conway City Council. 1.05 The Parks, Recreation & Tourism staff shall have the authority to suspend any team member whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interest of Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Youth Sports Programs and the Soccer Program. 1.06 Only those players who have officially registered and been placed on a team by Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department are allowed on the field for practices and games. OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT 2.01 Each player must wear shin guards for games. Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism highly recommends players to wear shin guards at practices and games to prevent injury. YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 1

2.02 Teams will be dressed with numbered jersey. Each participant will be provided a jersey, shorts and socks. Players must wear jersey, shorts and socks provided by Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Jerseys must be tucked in. 2.03 If a player decides to wear pants during a regular season game then the pants color must be black. 2.04 Tennis shoes, athletic turf shoes or shoes with molded rubber cleats (soccer cleats) are permitted. 2.06 The official soccer ball for the Little Tykes Division will play with a size three (3) soccer ball. The Pee-Wee, Small Fry and Mite Divisions will play with a size four (4) soccer ball. The Junior Division will play with a size five (5) soccer ball. 2.07 Jewelry that includes, but not limited to earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, and other body adornments that could be deemed dangerous will not be allowed. Those players with a medical condition that need to wear medical alert tags in the form of bracelets or necklaces will be allowed to do so. If worn, the medical alert tags should be taped to the body so that the medical alert information remains visible. 2.08 Equipment issued: the league coordinator will issue equipment to the head coach of the team. The league coordinator/athletic supervisor will be present to give equipment to head coach and the head coach will sign a contract stating they have received their equipment for the season. If the coach does not return all the equipment within two (2) weeks of the end of play or is missing equipment then the coach will be charge for the missing equipment as well as their child will not be allow to register for any activities with Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism until account is in good standing. PLAYING RULES The Spirit of the Game is ideal, which implies that players, coaches, spectators, and referees conform to the highest standards of respect and conduct during, before and after every game. 3.01 DURATION OF GAME: Little Tykes: 4 10 minute quarters Period breaks: 1 minute Half Time: 2 minutes Pee Wee and Small Fry 2 20 minute halves Half time: 3 minutes Mite and Junior: 2 25 minute halves Half time: 3 minutes Stopping time: The referee shall serve as the official timekeeper for the game. The time will be stopped only for: Injury; half-time interval; warnings; ejection of players or coaches; a lost ball or a ball kicked a significant distance from the field of play; temporary suspension of play due to weather conditions and consultation with an associate referee. 3.02 ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT Illegal equipment is that equipment which, in the opinion/judgment of the referee, is dangerous to all players. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to: a. Projecting metal or hard object. b. Any elbow, knee, thigh, or hip pads containing unyielding materials, even if covered by soft material unless player has cast on and MUST present case to league coordinator. c. Helmets d. Metal or metal tipped cleats e. No jewelry unless has medical condition or presents case to league coordinator. See rules 2.07 YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 2

f. Casts: any player that has been placed in a cast must have a medical/doctor s note that they are medically clear to play and MUST have padding all over the cast before they can step onto the field to play and keep all players safe from injury. Any player(s) with a cast on must present cast to the referee to show them that the padding is soft and will not harm any player on the field. 3.03 SUBSTITUTIONS Substitutions (sub[s]) will be made when the ball is out of play or for an injury; can only sub for injured player and no other player. The subs will stand at the half field line to enter the field of play. They may enter the game when the referee stops play from restarting and makes the hand motion for players to come onto the field. The team that wants to make a sub must have possession of the ball, sub when the opposing team is making a sub, half time, or after a goal is scored. In addition, a sub can be made on any goal kick or team s corner kick. Substitutions will not be allowed on direct or indirect kicks unless a player is injured and needs to come off the field. 3.04 UNIFORMS No player shall be allowed to play without an appropriate team jersey; jersey, shorts and socks provided by Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Players cannot wear different color shorts and socks then what is provided to them. Goalkeepers must wear a jersey whose color distinguishes them from all other players on the field. 3.04 NUMBER OF PLAYERS Maximum number of players allowed on the field to play Little Tykes (5-6) 8 Pee Wee (7-8) 9 Small Fry (9-10) 11 Mite (11-12) 11 Junior (13-15) 11 *Little Tykes must have at least 6 players to start the game. Small Fry must have at least 7 players to start the game. All other leagues must have at least 8 players on the field to start the game. **If a team can only field 7 players, then the other team can play with an additional player (+1) on the field (i.e.: 8v7). 3.05 MAJOR FOULS a. A player shall not kick, attempt to kick, strike, attempt to strike, spit at or jump at an opponent. b. A player shall not trip, or attempt to trip an opponent. c. A goalkeeper shall not strike or attempt to strike an opponent by throwing or kicking the ball at an opponent or by pushing an opponent with the ball while holding the ball. d. A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking, or propelling the ball with a hand or arm. e. A player shall not hold or push an opponent with the hand(s) or arm(s) extended from body. f. A player shall be penalized for charging an opponent in a dangerous or reckless manner or using excessive force unless players are making shoulder-to-shoulder contact in an upright position (50/50 challenge). g. A player shall not charge, in any manner, at the goalkeeper in the penalty area/goalie s box 3.06 RESULT OF A MAJOR FOUL a. Direct free kick from point of infraction, except for a penalty kick situation.* b. No free kick can be awarded if the ball WAS NOT in play. YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 3

c. Penalty Kick - if foul was committed in penalty area.* d. A referee may eject without warning a player who commits a dangerous or detrimental foul. *In the Little Tykes League, there will be no penalty kicks. All kicks inside the penalty area will be indirect. 3.07 MINOR FOULS a. A player shall not charge into an opponent when neither player is within playing distance of the ball. b. Obstructing the play or causing a dangerous play on the field. A player lying on the ground and attempting to play the ball, when an opponent is within striking distance of the ball c. On any occasion when a player deliberately kicks the ball to his/her own goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it with his/her hands. In addition, a goalkeeper shall not touch the ball with his/her hands when receiving it directly from a throw-in by a teammate. The only time a goalkeeper can pick the ball up from their teammate is when the teammate heads the ball or makes a chest pass to the goalkeeper. d. Raising the foot to the same height of opponent s waist or higher while opponent is nearby/arms reach e. Lowering the head to a position at or below the waist while attempting to head the ball in the presence of an upcoming player. f. Kicking the ball or pestering goalkeeper when the ball is held securely by goalkeeper, or while the keeper is attempting to distribute the ball. g. Intentionally obstructing a player when not in a position to be able to play the ball. h. Goalkeeper indulges in time-wasting tactics that would give one team an advantage. i. Accidental/unintentional handling the ball. j. The referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team for any violation which would interfere with the progress of the game. RESULT OF A MINOR FOUL: Indirect free kick from point of infraction. 3.08 THROW-INS a. Throw-ins must be taken within one yard from point of exit. b. The player must face the field of play and both feet must stay on the ground behind the touch line upon throw-in. c. The ball must be thrown-in with both hands and be delivered from behind and over the head. d. If an improper throw is made, one additional attempt is given in Little Tykes and Pee Wee Divisions for the first week of play. After first week the possession/throw in will be awarded to the opposing team. All other leagues, the possession/throw in will be awarded to the opposing team. Penalty: Opposing team takes possession of throw-in. e. The thrower shall not again play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player. Penalty: Indirect free kick to the opposing team 3.09 PLAYER/COACH/SPECTATOR EJECTION a. Disqualification: Players and coaches must exercise good sportsmanship and abide by the Rules of the Game set forth in this document. They will be cautioned by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct (if necessary, they will receive a verbal warning), and if they persist, they shall be disqualified and leave the field area immediately. b. If in the judgment of the referee a player is guilty of a violent play or uses obscene language, he or she will be disqualified and put on report. Any disqualification will result in the player not being permitted to play in the next scheduled match. Any player disqualified three times in a YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 4

season will not be allowed to play for the remainder of the season. c. Refusal to leave: If an ejected player or coach refuses to leave the field of play, the referee will warn the team that the player of coach has one (1) minute to leave the field or the player s/coach s team will forfeit the game. d. Number of players following disqualifications: A player ejected from the game by the referee after the game has started cannot be replaced. The team must continue on with the game by playing a player down for the remainder of the game. e. Spectators: Coaches shall monitor the conduct of spectators with regard to abusive or profane language or interfering with the game. Spectators shall stand or sit in the designated sitting/bleacher area. No one except for the referee/linesman should be near the field. No one shall enter the field of play while the game is in progress without the consent of the referee. In case of injury, the referee will stop play as soon as possible. If the injured player is not near the play, then play may continue until the ball is out of play. At this time, a coach may be allowed onto the field with the permission of the referee; the referee will make hand signal for coach to come onto the field. A parent may be beckoned onto the field if the coach makes the request to the referee. Parents should sit back and/or stand no closer than 7 feet from the sideline as well as sit on the opposite side of the field for safety reasons. f. The coach may be ejected from the game for spectator misconduct at the discretion of the referee and/or athletic supervisor. In addition, spectators may be asked to leave the facility by the referee and/or athletic supervisor. g. Unsportsmanlike conduct: A player may not shout at an opposing player or intimidate a player by calling for possession of the ball within playing distance of the ball. 3.10 RULE CHANGES The Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department is always striving to make our programs better. If any head coach, assistant coach, parent, or guardian has a rule change suggestion, please contact our department at 488-1950 and/or league coordinator. In addition, Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism reserves the right to adjust and/or add any rule(s) for the benefit of the soccer program. Coaches will receive written notification of any rule changes and/or additions. 3.11 LIGHTNING POLICY Coaches will follow Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Guidelines concerning the Lightning Policy. The Conway PRT staff, referees, and coaches may all take responsibility for removing the players from a practice/game area due to dangerous conditions. (Attachments available upon request). 3.12 HEAT POLICY Coaches for the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will follow the Heat Policy for youth sports. The Department staff will decide when dangerous conditions are present. 3.13 CONCUSSIONS Coaches will follow Conway PRT Guidelines concerning the Concussion Policy. Conway PRT staff, referees, and coaches may all take responsibility for removing the players from a practice/game area due to suspicion of concussion. (Attachments available upon requests) 3.14 ARTIFICIAL NOISE MAKERS If artificial noise makers become a distraction for participants, Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism officials, referees and athletic supervisors reserve the right to remove the artificial noise maker (vuvuzelas, horns, drums, etc.). YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 5

FORFEITURE 4.01 There is a 10-minute grace period from scheduled game time to meet the minimum player requirement. A team failing to field at least the minimum number of players at the start of the game, after the grace period, shall forfeit that game. Within the grace period, as soon as minimum number of players are present the team must start play. If the team cannot field the required eligible players then a scrimmage will be held between the two teams with each team fielding equal number of players to play or mixing players all together. 4.02 If a team has minimum number of eligible players present at game time, they must start play. 4.03 Playing ineligible players shall result in forfeiture of the game. 4.04 Any protest for ineligible players will affect only the game in question. 4.05 If the preceding game ends early, the next scheduled game can only begin early with the approval of both team coaches. If approval is not issued, game time will immediately revert to the original scheduled game time. PROTEST 5.01 No protests shall be accepted concerning the administration of any playing rule made by game officials. 5.02 Protests can only be made concerning player eligibility (Non-Registered player). All protests must be submitted to the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department in writing, within 24 hours of scheduled game time in question. 5.03 Use of ineligible players shall result in forfeiture of game. 5.04 Only the head coach or the acting head coach for the game in question may protest. COACHES 6.01 Only coaches, head or assistant coaches, who have been certified and approved by the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department to coach youth soccer during the current year will be allowed to be on the field during practices and games. All others will be asked to leave. A signed coach s code of conduct is required and a criminal background check will be performed on each coaching applicant. Coaches are required to wear their ID badge at all practices and games. 6.02 Bench Area: One (1) Head Coaches, Two (2) Assistant Coaches with issued ID badges and players are allowed in the bench area. If there are spectators near the bench area then it will be the coaches responsibility along with the athletic supervisor to remove any spectators from the bench area. 6.03 A person must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for a head coaching position for the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department; 16 years of age to be considered for an assistant position. 6.04 The coaching staff shall consist of no more than ONE (1) Head Coach and TWO (2) Assistants in the team area at game time. If present, the 3 coaches must be the ones that are listed in the official league program. Under special circumstances other coaches will be allowed to fill in as substitutes if they have filled out the proper paper work and have been approved by the Parks, Recreation & Tourism officials and league coordinator prior to the practice or game in question. 6.05 All coaches shall be approved annually by the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director and league coordinator. Coaches shall be responsible for their teams, notifying them of practices and games; as well as their actions on the field. YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 6

6.06 The Parks, Recreation & Tourism Staff shall have the authority to suspend any coach whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interest of Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department and the Conway Youth Soccer Program. 6.07 Any coach ejected from a game must be reinstated through the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Staff and league coordinator prior to entering the next scheduled team game. Failure to comply will result in automatic expulsion from the Youth Soccer Program for the remainder of the season. 6.08 All ejected coaches will forfeit their right to coach in two (2) consecutive games effectively immediately. The offending coach after being ejected must leave the complex and will not be able to return until after the entire two (2) game suspensions has been served. Refusal to leave field, see rule 3.09 C. 6.09 If a coach is ejected, the ejection will stand regardless of the circumstances. This includes protests. 6.10 Second offenses will merit automatic expulsion from the Youth Soccer Program for the remainder of the season. 6.11 A suspended coach has the opportunity to go through the Appeals process. 6.12 All authorized coaches must adhere to all Parks & Recreation Youth Athletic Rules regarding the sport they coach. PLAYER SELECTION 7.01 The order of the draft will be the reverse of the previous year's final standings. The draft will then be snaked with the team picking last in round 1, picking first in round 2, etc... This will continue until all players have been selected. 7.02 New players must attend skills assessment night. Returning players can attend the skills assessment if they would like to. 7.03 After team placement, coaches will rank the top 80% of upcoming players (number 1 through whatever). This is an attempt to evenly divide the teams and any attempt by the coaches to make the process fail will result in that coaches ranking being eliminated, and may result in the coach being disqualified as a coach. 7.04 Player rankings (with coaches name on them) are given to Parks, Recreation & Tourism staff and league coordinator. 7.05 Staff will review the rankings. The average rank will be calculated. The players will be aligned according to the average rank. The players will then be placed into rounds according to that average rank. 7.06 If a coach s son or daughter is ranked, that coach will use their pick for that round to select their child 7.07 If a team does not have available slots for all the players in the rankings, the team will only get the top rounds until such time that the team is full. The remaining players from the group will go into the draft. 7.08 After all ranked players are picked; the draft will go on as normal. 7.09 If a coach s child is not in the group with the ranked players, they will automatically go on the parent s team. 7.10 Siblings of players already on teams will automatically be traded for the same round picks as coaches children are. 7.11 Siblings who are in the draft at the same time will go to the team that gets the highest ranked sibling. 7.12 If the 2nd sibling is also ranked, this will cost the team that round pick. If both siblings are YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 7

ranked in the same round, the drafting team will lose that round and the next round pick. 7.13 Assistant coaches cannot be selected until after the draft. All coaches must be approved by Conway PRT. 7.14 Conway PRT staff, at their discretion, shall advise all coaches on draft day of a child s true playing ability. 7.15 Players (moving to next the league that was on all-stars the previous year) that do not attend team placement, will be graded and ranked accordingly by the coaches and PRT staff. 7.16 The Little Tykes Division will be selected blind draft by the Parks, Recreation & Tourism staff. Once a player is placed on a team, they will remain on the same team until they age out of that league (move up into the next age league [i.e. 7-8 player(s) moving up into the 9-10 league]). If a parent or player has problems with a coach, a written complaint must be filed with the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department and League Coordinator during the current season. The Department will determine if the player should be placed back in the team draft the following year. If a written complaint has not been filed with the Department, the player will not be allowed to re-enter the team draft and will not be placed on a different team. SCHEDULES 8.01 The Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department shall be responsible for scheduling all league practices and games. 8.02 In cases of game postponements due to inclement weather occurring BEFORE 5:00 pm on game day, the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department/League Coordinator will contact all head coaches involved in games for that day. 8.03 In cases of unfavorable playing conditions occurring AFTER 5:00 pm, teams should report to the game field prepared to play. All decisions to postpone or cancel will be made before/by game time. Information after 5:00 p.m. will be available on the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Weather Hotline 843-248-1744 or visit www.conwayparksandrecreation.com. Information on Cancellations are also updated on Facebook and Twitter. 8.04 Practice sessions shall be limited to two (2) practices per week prior to the opening of scheduled games. 8.05 Upon the beginning of scheduled games, practices shall be limited to two (2) practices a week. 8.06 NO practice session may exceed sixty (60) minutes in duration on a week night. 8.07 NO practice session may exceed ninety (90) minutes in duration on Saturdays. PLAYER PARTICIPATION POLICY The following shall be the minimum play rule for all Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism soccer teams. A. Coaches shall play ALL participants a similar amount of time. All participants should participate in at least two (2) quarters or both halves of the game. a. Little Tykes i. Players must play at least 2 quarters of the game b. Pee Wee & Small Fry i. Players must play at least 20 minutes of the game c. Mite and Junior i. Players must play at least 25 minutes of the game B. Coaches are encouraged to start, rotate and substitute players liberally for the duration of the game. Each player should experience each position (forward, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper, right and left side of the field). YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 8

a. Players can play either the full half or play half of the first or second half. i. Example: Play 12.5 minutes of the first half and then the second 12.5 of the second half C. Coaches are expected to ensure that all participants play a part throughout the game and are also expected to ensure that all participants sit out at some point during the game. No player(s) should play the entire game unless you do not have enough players to field a full team. 9.01 In the cases of a player missing practices, games, or other disciplinary problems, the coach may not have to meet a player s participation requirement. In such a case, prior to the start of the game, the coach must present to the Parks, Recreation & Tourism staff, league coordinator or athletic supervisor his/her reasons for anyone that is not going to meet their playing requirement in the game in question. The Parks, Recreation & Tourism Staff, league coordinator or athletic supervisor will make the final decision on playing time for the game in question. 9.02 In the case of a player arriving after the game has already started, the coach does not have to meet that player s participation requirement for that game; the player must get into the game but the coach does not have to meet the requirements listed above. 9.03 In the case of a player who becomes a disciplinary problem after the game has started, the head coach can make an immediate appeal to the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Supervisor, league coordinator or athletic supervisor on site. If the official agrees with the decision, the player in question may not have to meet their playing requirement for that game. 9.04 Only the head coach will be allowed to protest a player participation rule. 9.05 There shall be no protest on the decision of the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Staff regarding player participation; decision is final. ALL STAR SELECTION 10.01 Head coaches only will attend the selection meeting. The head coaches will select the All Star Head Coach from a list a coaches in good standing with the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. The Department will vote in the case of a tie. The All Star Head Coach will select his assistants with at least one position being offered to another Head Coach from the regular season. If no other Regular Season Head Coach is available, the 2 assistant positions can be filled with other assistant coaches. 10.02 Players will be selected as follows. A list of nominees will be submitted to the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department before the meeting. The head coaches will meet and talk about the nominees and one (1) ballot vote will be taken. The Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism representative will tally the ballots. The players with the most votes will make the team. The Department Representative and the All Star Head Coach will meet and discuss those players who are tied for the remaining roster spots (only players who are tied shall be discussed). The Department Representative and the All Star Head Coach will fill out the remaining roster openings from the players who have received equal votes. 10.03 If a player drops off of the team after being selected, the All Star Head Coach will select a replacement player from the list of nominees. ALL STAR PLAY 11.01 Depending on travel distance of games, All Star teams may be given a meal allowance for players and coaches. Coaches are responsible for the distribution of funds and collection of YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 9

receipts for this meal money. Additional guidelines are provided for All-Star Coaches and participants. 11.02 All-Star teams fall under the jurisdiction of Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism. The Department has complete control over the team. No solicitation of any kind is allowed for allstar players, coaches or teams. Violation of this rule shall result in Disciplinary action. 11.03 Any coach who does not turn in receipts, attempts to contact sponsors/donors, or knows but does not report any individuals for contacting sponsors/donors, may be dismissed from coaching at the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. YOUTH SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS - 10