US Soccer Organizational Structure

US Soccer Organizational Structure

Youth Soccer 101 US Youth Soccer Through a democratic structure, the membership of US Youth Soccer is able to provide uniform rules and guidelines. These guidelines facilitate intra-state, inter-state and international play. Each State Association has a Board of Directors, who is elected by delegates from their member leagues, clubs or teams. The national administration of US Youth Soccer is conducted by an eleven-member Board of Directors, and is elected into office by delegates from the State Associations. The US Youth Soccer membership is divided into four regions: East, Midwest, South and West. Fifty-five member State Associations make up US Youth Soccer with one in each state, and two in CA, NY, OH, PA and TX. Boys and girls then register to play with one of the 6,000+ clubs or leagues formed by their State Association. At a larger glance, each of the 55 State Associations across America are members of US Youth. US Soccer, along with over 197 other national soccer organizations, are members of FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association. FIFA serves as the international governing body for soccer and US Soccer has been a member since 1913. RIVER CITIES SOCCER CLUB The RCSC is divided and unified by three divisions forming the Academy: RECREATIONAL, DEVELOPMENT AND SELECT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN RECREATIONAL & SELECT? RECREATIONAL SOCCER Recreational soccer places fun as a priority. Most children start playing recreational soccer to learn the rules and foster a love of the game. Recreational soccer is usually offered for all ages, but it is much more popular among younger players as they are introduced to the sport. Recreational emphasize equal playing time for all the players, so no one feels left out and everyone gets a chance to participate. SELECT SOCCER Select, or club soccer, is for passionate players who want to compete at a higher level. Players must try out for a team and are not guaranteed a spot year after year. Select soccer usually requires travel throughout the state and region. In select soccer, players may not get equal playing time, as the coaches select players based on their skills. In general, if your child is interested in playing high school or collegiate soccer, it s important that they have experience playing select soccer. Most soccer clubs utilize recreational, academy and select play in order to provide various levels to meet the needs of a large group of soccer players. Please note Select Play will be used as an additional learning opportunity for the recreational player, not to replace the recreational team your child plays with. THE ACADEMY The Academy includes all players in all divisions within River Cities Soccer Club. RECREATION DIVISION This division will be comprised of teams who are randomly formed for each boys and girls group by age. The season will begin practices in March with games April through May. Teams will be scheduled to play against other within the RSCS Recreational Division (and possibly other local area school teams with similar youth leagues). Modeled after the Marv Meredith Youth Basketball league, games will be organized and scheduled with a championship at the end of the season for each age group. AGE GROUPS: Girls U4, U6, U8, U10, U12, U14 Boys U4, U6, U8, U10, U12, U14 COST: TENTATIVE $40/player per season TEAM FORMATION FEES PLAYING TIME COACHES LOCATION Formed by grouping players randomly on a team each season Includes a seasonal registration fee & uniform Coaches use 50% playing rule (provided player attendance) Volunteer coaches all RCSC practices & games at Russell Soccer Complex

DEVELOPMENTAL DIVISION Will play/train on a more frequent basis and are on a more aggressive path to playing soccer post High School. Training will typically be year around taking into consideration summer, holidays, and High School Soccer Season and allowing breaks accordingly. AGE GROUPS: Little Rivers Girls U8-U10 Boys U8-U10 Valkyries Girls U12-U14 Boys U12-U14 Fury Girls U16-U18 Boys U16-U18 COST: TENTATIVE $80/player ($40/recreational, $40/developmental training) TEAM FORMATION FEES PLAYING TIME COACHES LOCATION There are no teams or league play. The approach of the developmental program is a "Festival"-type training environment, where all players train together. Enrollment is open to any child meeting age requirements. Includes seasonal registration fee, association player registration fee, and training fee. Practice time is focused on skill & tactical drills sessions may include scrimmages to incorporate skills reviewed. Licensed coaches. Practice sessions will be at the Russell Soccer Complex. SELECT DIVISION Will train and practice on a frequent basis and in coordination with each group s High School or Middle School Season. Players will be chosen from the Developmental Division player pool based on tryouts and evaluations. Tryouts will be in July of each year with practices beginning after the close of the High School season (November). The majority of games and tournaments will be played March through May of each year for High School age teams, and September through November for Middle School and younger age teams. AGE GROUPS: COST: TBA Teams will potentially consist of U8-U18 for Girls and Boys and will depend greatly on participation from year to year. Will greatly depend on decisions made by each team and coach taking in to consideration level of competition and how much they wish to travel TEAM FORMATION FEES PLAYING TIME COACHES LOCATION Teams are selected from the developmental player pool through a tryout and evaluation process for each age group for boys and girls. Includes additional fees to cover uniform kits and travel expenses and may vary from season to season and/or team to team based on tournament selection. Playing time is determined by the coach based on several factors (skill, opponent, etc.) and never guaranteed for any player. Licensed coaches. Practice sessions will be on Russell Soccer Complex fields, while games can or may be anywhere in the region, depending on the opponent your team is playing. Tournaments may require travel & hotel related expenses.

RCSC ACADEMY DEVELOPMENTAL DIVISION RECREATIONAL DIVISION BG U6 BG U4 G U8 B U8 G U10 B U10 SELECT DIVISION G U12 B U12 G U14 B U14 There will not be a Girls U14 Spring Recreational season due to Kentucky Girls Middle School Soccer Season

RCSC CALENDAR - TENTATIVE January 24 th, 2017 February 18 th, 2017 February 26 th - March 9 th March 12 th - March 16 th Week of March 12 th March 19 th - March 23 rd Week of March 26 th April 2 nd - April 6 th Week of April 9 th Week of May 21 st June 11 th June 21 st - June 23 rd July 13 th - July 15 th Week of August 6 th Week of November 5 th Online Registration Opens Online Registration Closes Player Evaluations: date and time per age group TBA all registered players must attend one session Team selections and alignment made by RCSC and announced by 3/16 RCSC Girls U18 Fury training begins (date/time TBA) Coaching and Referee Training Recreational Team Practices begin Spring Break Russell RCSC Recreational Season Begins RCSC Recreational Championship Developmental Training Begins: Little Rivers Select Team Tryouts: all HS age teams will cease RCSC training until close of HS season in November. Bluegrass State Games Lexington, KY: U8-U14 U8-U14 training begins in prep for fall season HS Select team training begins boys and girls

1 RCSC 2017 PROPOSED Recreation Season Calendar SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 3 4 5 6 7 APRIL SPRING BREAK - RUSSELL Teams are permitted to practice, decision made by each team s Coach. 8 9 Season Opener 10 11 12 13 14 Game 8:00 Field A Game 9:00 Field A Game 10:00 Field A Game 11:00 Field A Game 12:00 Field A Game 1:00 Field A Game 2:00 Field A Game 8:00 Field B Game 9:00 Field B Game 10:00 Field B Game 11:00 Field B Game 12:00 Field B Game 1:00 Field B Game 2:00 Field B 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Game 8:00 Field A Game 9:00 Field A Game 10:00 Field A Game 11:00 Field A Game 12:00 Field A Game 1:00 Field A Game 2:00 Field A Game 8:00 Field B Game 9:00 Field B Game 10:00 Field B Game 11:00 Field B Game 12:00 Field B Game 1:00 Field B Game 2:00 Field B 22 MAKEUP GAMES As needed MU Game 2:00 Field A MU Game 2:00 Field B MU Game 3:00 Field A MU Game 3:00 Field B MU Game 4:00 Field A MU Game 4:00 Field B 23 24 25 26 27 28 Game 8:00 Field A Game 9:00 Field A Game 10:00 Field A Game 11:00 Field A Game 12:00 Field A Game 1:00 Field A Game 2:00 Field A Game 8:00 Field B Game 9:00 Field B Game 10:00 Field B Game 11:00 Field B Game 12:00 Field B Game 1:00 Field B Game 2:00 Field B

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 MAY Game 8:00 Field A Game 9:00 Field A Game 10:00 Field A Game 11:00 Field A Game 12:00 Field A Game 1:00 Field A Game 2:00 Field A Game 8:00 Field B Game 9:00 Field B Game 10:00 Field B Game 11:00 Field B Game 12:00 Field B Game 1:00 Field B Game 2:00 Field B 6 MAKEUP GAMES As needed MU Game 2:00 Field A MU Game 2:00 Field B MU Game 3:00 Field A MU Game 3:00 Field B MU Game 4:00 Field A MU Game 4:00 Field B 7 8 9 10 11 12 Game 8:00 Field A Game 9:00 Field A Game 10:00 Field A Game 11:00 Field A Game 12:00 Field A Game 1:00 Field A Game 2:00 Field A Game 8:00 Field B Game 9:00 Field B Game 10:00 Field B Game 11:00 Field B Game 12:00 Field B Game 1:00 Field B Game 2:00 Field B 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Game 8:00 Field A Game 9:00 Field A Game 10:00 Field A Game 11:00 Field A Game 12:00 Field A Game 1:00 Field A Game 2:00 Field A Game 8:00 Field B Game 9:00 Field B Game 10:00 Field B Game 11:00 Field B Game 12:00 Field B Game 1:00 Field B Game 2:00 Field B 20 Championships 21 Championships 22 23 24 25 26 Championships 27 Championships 28 29 30 31 1 JUNE 2

Age Group 18U 14U 12U 10U 8U 6U 4U Game Length Two 45' halves 10 minute halftime Two 35' halves 10 minute halftime Two 30' halves 10 minute halftime Two 25' halves 10 minute halftime 4-10' quarters (5) minute break between each period. 4 10' quarters (5) minute break between each period. 4 10' quarters (5) minute break between each period. RCSC RULES OF PLAY Overtime Periods Two 15' halves Two 10' halves Two 10' halves Ball Size Number of Players Offsides Deliberate Heading #5 11 Yes Yes #5 11 Yes Yes #4 NONE #4 NONE #3 NONE #3 8 + goalkeeper = 9 Total 6 + goalkeepers = 7 Total 5 + goalkeepers = 6 Total 5 + goalkeepers = 6 Total Yes Yes No No Yes NONE #3 5, no goalkeepers No No In tournament play, if the game is still tied after overtime periods, FIFA "Kicks from the Penalty Mark" (PKs) rules apply to determine the winner. No No No AGE GROUP BIRTH RANGE Spring 2018 18 Under Jan 1, 2000 thru Dec 31, 2003 14 Under Jan 1, 2004 thru Dec 31, 2005 12 Under Jan 1, 2006 thru Dec 31, 2007 10 Under Jan 1, 2008 thru Dec 31, 2009 8 Under Jan 1, 2010 thru Dec 31, 2011 6 Under Jan 1, 2012 thru Dec 31, 2013 4 Under Jan 1, 2014 thru Dec 31, 2015 Build Out Line: Kentucky Youth Soccer Technical Committee has reviewed the implementation of the build-out line for 7v7 games and smaller; KYSA will be using half-way line as the build-out line for all 7v7 game. A. On a goal kick the opposing team s players must be outside their own half of the field until the ball is in play. B. When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play C. Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed) D. Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line E. However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resume F. After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal G. To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play H. Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players I. Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate J. Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line. K. Normal offside rule applies

KYSA State Rules The player registration fee beginning August 1, 2016 is listed below: Recreational Players: $12.00/player Select Players: $27.00/player Out-of-State Players: $35.00/player Maximum Roster No Under 12 and below teams shall be allowed more than twice the number of players on the field during games on its roster at any time during the seasonal year. (Example: An Under 12 team playing 9v9 may not have more than eighteen (18) players In the U13-U19 age groups, a team may roster no more than twenty-two (22) players on its Team roster and no less than seven (7). If a team carries more than eighteen (18) on its Team roster, they are required to provide a Game roster for each game they play. The Game roster may not have more than eighteen (18) players and they must be players who are listed on the Team roster. Teams are further subject to rules of specific competitions they compete in. Some competitions may require a smaller than eighteen (18) Game roster that teams must abide by in those specific competitions. Minimum Roster No team playing full sided shall be allowed to have less than seven (7) players on its roster at any given time during the seasonal year. No team playing small sided 9v9 shall be allowed to have less than seven (7) players required on the field at games. No team playing small sided 7v7 shall be allowed to have less than five (5) players required on the field at games. No team playing small sided 3v3 or 4v4 shall be allowed to have less than the number of players required on the field at games Recreational Team Formation The team formation process will be random in nature. Special requests by players, coaches, or parents for specific team assignments are strongly discouraged. Criteria for player assignment will include NO consideration for the ability of the player or the relative strength of the team. All forms of recruiting, invitations, and tryouts are specifically prohibited at the recreational level. Coaches will have no direct input to, or involvement with, the assignment of players to their teams. Deliberate creation of single birth year teams is not permitted. Team formation procedures will avoid assignment of a disproportionate number of players with the same birth year to the same team. Minimum half game playing time is mandatory for all Member Organizations in recreational play. Teams which fail to meet one or more of the rules for Recreational team formation and player assignment specified herein may be considered as select teams in any Association sponsored competitions, including tournaments or inter-district competitions. The team status/eligibility will be determined by the State Tournament Committee for all competitions conducted by KYSA.

Potential Events/Tournaments: RCSC Girls 00 Fury NKSA Spring Classic WHEN: April 28-29, 2018 WHERE: Miami Whitewater Soccer Park, Cleves, OH FEES: U9-10, $550; U11-12, $600; U13-19 (U18/19 will combine) $650 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, Mar 25, 2018 PAY TO: Northern Kentucky Soccer Academy; PO Box 75189; Ft. Thomas, KY 41075 Derby Cup 2018 WHEN: April 27-29, 2018 WHERE: Oldham Soccer Park: 4305 W Highway 146, Buckner, Ky, 40010 FEES: $525 - $625 APPLICATION DEADLINE: PAY TO: Mid-American Soccer Classic WHEN: April 13-15, 2018 WHERE: Fairfield, OH FEES: U9-U10 - $600; U11-U12 - $625; U13-U19/20 - $675 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, Mar 13, 2018 PAY TO: MASC Soccer Tournament; PO Box 18309, Fairfield, OH 45018 Age Groups: U10-U18 2018 Kentucky American Cup WHEN: June 9-10, 2018 WHERE: FEES: Elizabethtown Sports Park, Elizabethtown, K APPLICATION DEADLINE: Registration will open in March 2018. PAY TO: Who Can Participate Only recreational players registered with the Kentucky Youth Soccer, through an affiliate member recreational league are eligible to participate in the American Cup. No select players or all-star teams are allowed. Additionally, any team or player entered in or rostered for State Open, President's Cup or Soccer Village Cup are not eligible. When we incorporate programs that create a fun and healthy developmental environment for players while recognizing their participation and excellence, we are investing in a quality future.