Dalton Parks and Recreation

Dalton Parks and Recreation

Youth Competitive Soccer League

ARTICLE I – ELIGIBILITY

SECTION A – AGE DIVISIONS

1. There are eight age divisions of play: (Cutoff Date - age prior to August 1)

a) Under 8-Male / Coed / Girls

b) Under 9-Male / Coed / Girls

c) Under 10- Male / Coed / Girls

d) Under 11-Male / Coed / Girls

e) Under 12- Male / Coed / Girls

f) Under 14- Male / Coed / Girls

g) Under 16- Male / Coed / Girls

h) Under 19 – Male / Coed / Girls

2. All Head and Assistant Youth coaches must submit to DPRD background checks and be certified by one of the following programs: NYSCA, ACEP, GHSA, GYSA, or SIMPLY THE BEST.

3. Any player or coach ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike (red or yellow/red) (a referee is not required to show any yellow/red card to a coach or spectator) conduct will be suspended for one game, in addition to the game from which ejected; or, in the case of an individual event within a meet or match, for the duration of that event. All coaches, players and spectators will demonstrate sportsmanship before, during and after games. All teams will be expected to shake hands after a game. Any failure to demonstrate sportsmanship by a COACH, TEAM, PLAYER, or SPECTATOR at any time will result in suspensions and discipline, determined by the league coordinator.

4. Any team that is found to have used an illegal player, whether the infraction is age related, a non-rostered player, misrepresenting a players’ identity or any other factor that would deem a player illegal, will forfeit all games played prior to and after the infraction. There will be a $200 fine that will be assessed to the team. Furthermore, the roster will be frozen for no less than the remainder of the season and all coaches and players associated with team will be suspended.

ARTICLE II – REGULATIONS

SECTION A – GOVERNING RULES

Youth soccer at all levels is governed by the current rules and regulations of GHSA, GYSA and U.S. Youth Soccer except as noted in this manual.
Sanctions, appeals, and other disciplinary issues will be determined by Dalton Parks and Recreation representatives and City of Dalton Recreation Commissioners.

SECTION B – LENGTH OF GAMES

Regulation games shall consist of two (2) 30-minute halves in the Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12 division.
Regulation games shall consist of two (2) 35-minute halves in the Under 14 division and Under 16 Girls division.
Regulation games shall consist of two (2) 40-minute halves in the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions.
All matches have a minimum of 5 minutes at half-time.

For regular season play, if no team has won the match at the end of regulation play a tie will be awarded. In end of season play, if no team has won the match at the end of regulation play, a one 10-minute overtime period will next be used to break the tie. The teams will exchange ends after 5-minutes of play and a 2-minute interval eith golden goal. In the championship matches there will be NO golden goal.

If no goals are scored during the overtime play, a best of 5 Penalty kicks from the penalty mark

will be taken to determine the winner. If still tied at the end of the 5 kicks, sudden death kicks (if

the first team makes their kick in sudden death the second team will have the opportunity to

match the goal) from the penalty mark will take place with each team naming a new five players

to kick. If the score is still tied after exhausting all players on the roster, the first five

players may be named to kick again.

6. Inclement Weather Plan:

a) Play as many games as possible as scheduled

b) Move game times back and start later (end of season play only)

c) If game times have to be moved back play reduced time periods not to be less than 20 minutes.

d) Consider playing on Sunday if teams and facility are available

e) If Sunday is not an option and teams do not want to return another weekend then we would go to penalty kicks as a last resort.

f) Penalty kicks should only be utilized as a last resort and GRPA prefers that they be used after games have been able to start but cannot be completed.

g) If no other choice remains then penalty kicks would be utilized to determine winner

7. Soccer Mercy Rule

In accordance with the National Federation allowance for a state adoption when there is a competitive imbalance between the teams, the match will be shortened as follows:

If a team is seven (7) or more goals down at the midpoint of the first half, that will be considered the end of the half, and the teams will play a twenty (20) minute second half.
If a team is seven (7) or more goals behind at halftime, the second half will be restricted to twenty (20) minutes.
When a team is ten (10) or more goals behind in the second half, the game will be terminated.

SECTION C - SPECIAL PROVISIONS

1. Number of Players

Age Group / Number of Players / Minimum Start With / Minimum End With
U8 / 8v8 / 5 / 5
U9 / 8v8 / 5 / 5
U10 / 8v8 / 5 / 5
U11 / 8v8 / 5 / 5
U12 / 8v8 / 5 / 5
U14 / 11v11 / 7 / 7
U16 / 11v11 / 7 / 7
U19 / 11v11 / 7 / 7

Any team falling below these will forfeit. For example, an U8 team starts with five (5) players and has a player either injured or ejected. At that point that team will forfeit, because they fall below the minimum End With amount. If a team is playing shorthanded the other team does not have to. Meaning the game could be played 5v8.

a. There will be a 10 min grace period starting at Game time.

2. Substitutions

A substitute who desires to enter the game shall be at the center line or report to the scorer, giving his/her jersey number and the number of the player being replaced. If the entry is made at a time other than between periods, the scorer shall cause the timer to signal immediately after the whistle has sounded. The substitute shall remain at the center line or the scorer’s table until an official beckons the player onto the field of play.
When there is no official scorer and time, incoming substitutes shall report directly to the nearest official from the official area or be at the center line.
Either team may substitute:
Between Periods
On a goal kick
When play is stopped for an injury (the injured player shall be replaced)
When a player is cautioned
Disqualification of a player
A team having gained possession of the ball for a throw-in or corner kick may substitute as many players as it desires provided each player is at the center line and has reported before the ball goes out of bounds.
When a team repeatedly substitutes to consume time, an official shall order the timer to stop the time clock during such substitutions and shall notify the coach of the offending team the repetition may be construed as unsportsmanlike conduct.
A player leaving the field of play during the progress of the game without the consent of an official (except through normal movement of play) shall be guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct unless stopping play to assess the penalty would be an advantage to the offending team. GRPA Athletic Manual
Entry onto the field of play by a substitute, trainer, or coach is prohibited without the approval of an official.
When play has stopped, one of the players on the field may change places with the goalkeeper. Any time the goalkeeper is changed, an official shall be notified.

3. No new game should be originally scheduled after 10:00 PM on weekdays. All games will be

scheduled and start no later than 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights but may be played in

emergency situations (rain, game delays, etc.)

ARTICLE III – EQUIPMENT

SECTION A – APPROVED EQUIPMENT

1. Shoes are mandatory for play in all divisions of soccer as specified by GHSA Rule Book.

Ages Under 14 and above may wear screw-in cleats, but Under 12, Under 10, & Under 8 year must wear shoes with rubber-molded cleats or smooth, soft-soled shoes, such as tennis or basketball shoes.

2. The approved soccer balls for division are as follows:

The Under 8 divisions will use a #3 hand-sewn synthetic ball
The Under 10 & Under 12 divisions will use a #4 hand-sewn synthetic ball.
The Under 14, 16, and 18 divisions will use a #5 hand-sewn synthetic leather ball.

SECTION B – UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

A uniform for youth soccer shall be a jersey, shoes, stockings and shin guards.
A jersey or team shirt must be alike in style and color with players on the same team and must have factory type numbers on the front or back.
The jersey of the goalkeeper shall be distinctly different from that of any teammate, opponent, or referee and does not require a number.
It is recommended that each team have 2 sets of uniform shirts of different colors.

SECTION C – PLAYING FIELD REQUIREMENTS

1. The following field specifications are required for all games:

A. Under 8 and Under 9 old Division

Width: Minimum 20 yards, Maximum 30 yards

Length: Minimum 25 yards, Maximum 35 yards

Goal: 6 feet high minimum-7 feet maximum,

10 feet wide minimum-12 feet wide maximum

B. Under 10, Under 11 and U 12 Division

Width: Minimum 40 yards, Maximum 60 yards

Length: Minimum 60 yards, Maximum 100 yards

Goal: 6 feet high minimum-7 feet maximum,

18 feet wide minimum-21 feet wide maximum

C. Under 14, 16 & 18

Width: Minimum 50 yards, Maximum 60 yards

Length: Minimum 100 yards, Maximum 130 yards

Goal: 8 feet high, 24 feet wide

ARTICLE IV – OFFICIALS AND PARTICIPANTS

SECTION A – DPRD

DPRD shall provide a minimum number of competent adults for scorers and timers, a League Coordinator, and two (2) officials approved by Dalton Parks and Recreation. The referee will be responsible for keeping the official time. The scorekeeper will, if available run the clock in, each half, until 2:00 minutes show on the scoreboard.
Each Team shall be responsible for proper conduct by spectators.
The Home team shall be responsible for providing the game ball in accordance with GRPA/GYSA specifications in these rules.

SECTION B – GAME OFFICIALS

A minimum of two (2) officials will be employed for regular season play.

Section C- Player Transfers

Players NOT on a roster may be added at any time before the mid-point (July 20th 2015) of the regular season. A player MAY NOT change teams once he/she has played an official game with one team.
A player may change teams the following Season. (Spring season, Summer season, Fall season)

Section D- Team administration

1.Teams will be allowed to roster the following number of players

U8, U9, U10, U11, U12 15 players

U14 and above20 players

2.ID Cards- Starting February 28th 2015, all registered teams will be required to use DPRD issued player ID cards.

ARTICLE V –PROTESTS AND APPEALS

Section A- PROTESTS FOR SOCCER RULES INFRACTIONS

1.The judgment decision by the referee on any play shall not be protested.

2.Protests on misinterpretation of the rules are allowed to the referee and if accepted as valid by the League Coordinator. The League Coordinator shall coordinate any such protest committee as determined prior to the game by DPRD. If a protest is accepted by the League Coordinator, it must be made by the team coach or responsible person in charge of the team by the following Tuesday. A full, typed, or emailed explanation of the protest is expected for any protest. During the game, the team representative will indicate to the official scorer and retained for reference. All such protests are to be reviewed upon by the protest committee before team play is continued in the next scheduled game.

Article VI – Game Forfeit Procedures and Penalties

Section A – Procedures

There are two (2) types of forfeits:

Excused Forfeit. An Excused Forfeit is when the league coordinator is contacted by 12pm, the day prior to the game by the head coach or team representative. Contact must be either an email to the league coordinator OR the team representative coming to the main DPRD office and signing an Excused Forfeiture form. Both of these will allow the league coordinator and the team representative to have a dated and stamped receipt of the transaction. An Excused Forfeit will result in a $50 fine.

Unexcused Forfeit. An Unexcused Forfeit is when the forfeiting team does not contact the league coordinator and/or does not have the “MINIMUM Start With” amount of players. See Article 1, Section C, Number 1. For example a team has only 4 ROSTERED players present at game time that will be an Unexcused Forfeit. An Unexcused Forfeit will result in a $100 fine.

Section B - Penalties

Forfeit Fees are DUE by the following Tuesday, 12pm.

The team will not be able to participate in competition or a DPRD scheduled practice until the full amount of the forfeit fee is paid. If another forfeit fee is incurred because of the forfeit fee not being paid in full then an additional UNEXCUSED FORFEIT will be added to the team. If the team has not paid the TOTAL of both forfeiture fees, by the following Tuesday at 12pm, after the second forfeiture fee has incurred the team will be taken off the schedule and will be removed from the league.

Forfeit fees are the responsibility of all coaches and players associated with the roster involved. This means that until the forfeiture fee is paid the roster will be frozen and no players may transfer to another team.

If forfeiture fees are not paid by the end of the current season, all players and coaches on affected roster will not be allowed to participate in future DPRD Competitive Leagues until the forfeiture fees are paid in full.

Article VII – DPRD Zero Tolerance Policy

There will be zero tolerance for fans, participants and coaches for misbehavior at all sporting events. This includes but is not limited to: booing, shouting at officials, or arguing any calls. Expressing ANY negative behavior or comments, threats or obscene gestures to players, coaches, officials or other spectators is also unacceptable.

Any spectator who does not behave appropriately, as stated in the Zero Tolerance Policy, will be asked to leave the sporting event according to the following steps:

Officials / Park and Recreation Staff will identify violators to the coach, or vice versa.
Officials / Park and Recreation Staff will confer with both coaches, one of whom will then approach the spectator and may give a warning, or ask the person to leave. If the spectator is not recognized by either coach the Park and Recreation Staff will speak to him/her.
If the decision is made for the spectator to leave IMMEDIATELY, play will not resume until he/she has left the facility. If he/she refuses to leave, the police will be called and the game will be forfeited.

The following will be the consequences for violating the Zero Tolerance Policy:

If a coach or spectator violates the policy and is asked to leave a facility without further incidence then:

1st offense- The coach or spectator will be suspended for the remainder of that game and the next game whether scheduled or a make-up game. The suspended coach or spectator must come in and sign the Zero Tolerance Policy that will describe the second offense and punishment.
2nd offense- The coach or spectator will be suspended for the remainder of that game and the rest of that season, post-season included. If the offense should happen with less than four games remaining in the season then the suspension will carry over to the next sport that their child registers for. On the second offense the same punishment applies for the child. This means that child will not be eligible for any post-season play. The suspended coach or spectator must come in and sign the Zero Tolerance Policy that will describe the third offense and punishment.
3rd offense- The coach or spectator will be suspended for the remainder of that game and will be suspended for 1 year from the date of the incidence. The coach or spectators child will again have the same suspension.

If a coach or spectator engages in a physical altercation with an official, staff, coach or spectator the consequences will be as followed:

1st offense- The coach or spectator will be suspended from all Dalton Parks and Recreation Facilities for 1 year. This will include all programs and non-program events on Dalton Parks and Recreation facilities. The suspended coach or spectator must come in and sign the Zero Tolerance Policy that will describe the second offense and punishment.
2nd offense- The coach or spectator will be suspended from all Dalton Parks and Recreation Facilities for unlimited duration. This will include all programs and non-program events on Dalton Parks and Recreation facilities. Also, the coach or spectators child will again have the same suspension. The suspended coach or spectator must come in and sign the Zero Tolerance Policy that will describe the second offense and punishment.
All violations must be reported to the Park and Recreation Department. All reports will be investigated and subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the “Zero Tolerance Policy”. All suspensions are subject to review by the Dalton Parks and Recreation Director and or Recreation Commission.

DPRD reserves the right to adjust any of the penalties mentioned in the above bylaws.