OFFICIAL RULES OF VAN BUREN COUNTY  SOCCER ASSOCIATION

GOVERNING BODY

 

The governing body for the Soccer Association will be the Van Buren County Soccer Association Board (Board).

 

MISSON

 

To provide an opportunity for the most competitive, enjoyable play possible for the soccer players of Van Buren County.

 

RULES

A.      Except where modified herein, the rules of play shall be the 2003 FIFA Laws of the Game.

B.     Determination of Winner:  Tournament will be determined using a points format. At the end of competition a winner will be determined by most points accumulated. 

1.      Three (3) points will be awarded per victory

2.      One (1) point will be awarded for a draw, and

3.      Zero (0) points will be awarded for a loss. 

C.     Tie-Breaker System:  If points accumulated are equal, then the first tie-breaker shall be goal differential. If goal differential is also equal, then the second tie-breaker shall be goals scored. If goals scored is also equal, then the final tie-breaker shall be two (2) silver goal periods of 15 minutes, followed by kicks taken from the penalty mark, if necessary.

D.     Single Elimination Play: Playoffs will be scheduled to determine a champion. The top four teams will play semi-finals and the remaining teams will play a consolation round. During single elimination play, if a tie persists after regulation time, the winner will be determined by two (2) silver goal periods of 15 minutes, followed by kicks taken from the penalty mark, if necessary. If single elimination matches are held at a facility with time constraints, due to lights or otherwise, then ties will be broken directly by kicks taken from the penalty mark.

E.     Uniform: All players must wear age-appropriate protective shin guards, specifically manufactured for the purpose of protection, beneath the game socks at all times while participating in a match. Under no circumstances will a player be allowed to participate without shin guards. 

      Players must wear the uniform as provided by the Association to be eligible to play.  Players are encouraged to wear soccer shoes with soft cleats.  Hard, dangerous or unsafe cleats as determined by an official, Board Designee or coach are not to be worn during play or practice.

F.      Substitutions and Eligible Players:  Players may only be substituted during a stoppage of the game. The number of substitutions shall be unlimited. Only registered players for the team can participate. No guest players are allowed. 

G.     Disciplinary Action:  Players, coaches, or team personnel ejected during the course of the championship/game will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament/game. Non registered team players or illegible players discovered to be playing will be suspended for one season. Coaches are responsible for the conduct and behavior of players, coaching staff, and spectators. Any violent or abusive action will be sufficient grounds for immediate dismissal from competition resulting in complete forfeiture of all/any fees paid.

K.     Behavior:  Team officials, bench personnel, and coaching staff of both teams participating in a contest shall be directly responsible for the conduct of teams, coaches, and spectators.  Coaching is allowed from the sideline only, as long as it is directed to one’s own team and is limited to tactical instruction and positive encouragement. Under no circumstances will unsporting behavior and abusive language directed toward any participants, spectators, or game officials be allowed under this rule. Only eligible players, bench personnel, and registered coaches will be allowed on the sideline.

L.      Number of Players:  Numbers will be determined by the Board each season or as the rules and laws govern.  Players are not allowed to transfer teams and a freeze will occur after the start of the first competitive game. After that time, no new players may be added unless approved by the Board.

M.     Inclement Weather and Failure to Play: 

Any match postponed due to inclement weather as determined by the match official will be completed prior to the commencement of the semi-final round or the end of the season or as decided by the Board. Matches abandoned after one half of play will stand as complete.

 

Rescheduling of the matches by coaches needs the approval of a Board Member or Board Designee.  

 

Failure to play a match as scheduled will result in forfeiture of the match no matter what the reason.  The opposing team will be awarded a 3-0 win. Scheduled matches are to wait a minimum of 10 minutes after the official game starting before a forfeit can be assessed.

N.     Fees:

1)      $25.00 per player and $20.00 for each additional family member.

2)      $ 0 registration fee per coach. Coaches must have to have a valid coaching license or approved by the Board.

3)      Ejected personnel will be subjected to suspension, fine or other as determined by the Board.

4)      Sponsorships a teams is $250.00.

 

 

 

O.    Protests and Appeals:  Protests and appeals will be dealt with by the Board in accordance with its policies. Protests and appeals must be filed by VBC Soccer Association member in writing within 1 hours of the involved incident, accompanied by a fee of $20, refundable if the protest or appeal is upheld. Protests are to be given to a Board Member or Board Designee.

A Protest may be disallowed for the following reasons:

i)      Does not deal with the violation of the Board’s rules and regulations;

ii)     Concerns a matter of 'referee judgment',

iii)    Is incomplete or does not contain the required information,

iv)    Is not filed in a timely or proper manner, or

v)     The question arising from the protest does not deal with either the application of these rules or the qualifications of the opposing team.

      The protest may not be withdrawn and the protest fee is not refundable unless the protest is up held.   

P.     Illegal Substances: The use of alcohol, tobacco products, or other illegal substances in the vicinity of the playing area, is absolutely prohibited. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of points, suspension, and/or fines, subject to Disciplinary Committee action.

Q.  Scheduling:  Scheduling of games and practice times will be determined by the Board or its Designee.

R.  Age Groups:  Age groups for competition and governing rules will be determined by the Board at the beginning of each season and will be subject to the number and age of players.

S.  Team Competitions/Tournaments:  Competitions will be determined by the Board at the beginning of each season.  Scores for games are to be reported by the referee to the Board’s designee.

T.  Trophies:  The Coach of each team is encourage to recognize players for participation and   achievements.   The Board is to recognize winners of competitions and tournaments.

U.  Referee: 

In the event the assigned referee fails to appear (within 10 minutes of the match  time), an official must be found to officiate the match.  Competing coaches or parents are not to referee these matches.

 

Referees may suspend matches for lack of crowd control, poor team behavior or other unsportsmanlike circumstances. (Note - each coach is responsible for the behavior of his sideline players.  Each coach is responsible to assist the official, when asked, in the control of parents, fans, and spectators).  The Referee shall issue a written report concerning the suspension to Board who will take disciplinary action.  Disciplinary action may include:

i)      Reprimand

ii)     Forfeiture

iii)    Suspension from one or more matches or

iv)           Recommendation of a more severe penalty.

 

 

V.   Ejections and Removals:

 

Any player ejected from a match will receive a minimum of a one match suspension.

 

Any player guilty of fighting with another player on or off the field will be given a minimum of a two match suspension.

 

The referee must file a report with the Board after the match.

 

Any coach, trainer, or other person in the technical area/sideline who is removed from the playing area by a match official will receive a minimum of a one match suspension.

Any spectator who is removed from the playing area by a match official will be barred from his team’s next match.

 

W.  Safety:  Every effort must be made to keep the participants safe and is the responsibility of the Coaches and Referee.  First Aide supplies and access to a telephone for emergencies is required.  Play is to be stopped if a player is injured and appropriate action taken.  The game can resume when the player is removed from the field.  The player should be removed from the field until they have recovered.  The officiating of the game should be conducted in such a way that will ensure the safety of the players.  Players warned for unsafe play should be removed from the game if unsafe behavior continues. There should be low tolerance to unsafe play. 

 

The referee may continue a game if he or she feels that the injury is being conducted in an effort to change the outcome of a game.  Even in this event a Coach or Assistant Coach can provide immediate assistant to a child who appears to be injured.

 

X.   Registration:  All registration of players closes on the first day of competition.

 

Y.     Team Selection:  Team selection will be done by the Board.  The objective is to make the teams as even as possible.  The selection process will be:

1.       Coach’s immediate family members will be placed on their teams first.

2.       All players will be rated as good, better and best.  These players will be placed in hats and selected one at a time until all players have a team. 

3.       Each team will have an even number of players or as close as possible.

4.       Teams can be changed by the Board up until the first competition.

5.       A player can be moved if a team is not considered as even as possible.

6.       If a participant is noticed to be making an unfair attempt to gain team selection, they will be subject to being moved to a team of the Boards choice.

 

Z.    Participation:  Every player should participate at least 50% of a game.