Greater Lafayette Recreational Soccer Alliance
Policies and Rules
Fall 2008
Policies
1.
It
is the policy of the Greater Lafayette Recreational Soccer Alliance (GLRSA)
that all players receive equal playing time. This is dependent upon players’ practice
participation (i.e. if a player does not make it to any/many practices, the
coach is not obligated to play her or him as much as those who have
participated in more or all practices).
Coaches are responsible for monitoring and administering equal playing
time.
2.
We always
have more teams than we have practice fields available to us. Our game and practice sites are provided to
us with the expectation that they will be used wisely. Teams must all get along when appearing for
practices and games. Scheduled games
take precedence over practices at the respective fields. If any extreme situations occur, please send
email to glrsa1@aol.com. See the Field
Information sheet enclosed in this packet for further information.
3.
The
GLRSA area representatives/board members do all rostering. Players may not be moved from one team to
another or added to a roster without prior approval by the Board once rosters
are finalized and distributed at the coaches meeting. Any team that is found to have an illegal
player(s) will forfeit all games up to and including the affected game. An illegal player is one who does not appear on
the roster of the team in question. Any
team found to be playing an illegal player is subject to removal from the
tournament schedule and/or other possible disciplinary action(s).
4.
Games
will be played as scheduled unless prior approval has been granted by the Game
Scheduler Administrator or officer of the board. To find out whether games have been canceled due to weather
conditions, call the hotline at 477-1400 after 4:00 p.m. for weekday games and
after 6:00 a.m. for Saturday games.
5.
Lightning: Once lightning is seen or thunder is heard,
all practice fields and game fields must be cleared immediately. All individuals should seek proper shelter. Practices and games will resume after a
mandatory 30 minute waiting period from the time the last lightning strike is
seen or thunder is heard. Referees or
board members will decide when games are suspended and resumed. Board members
will decide game cancellations.
Rules
Games will be played according to the NFHS rules with
adoptions by the IHSAA and any modifications that the GLRSA deems
necessary. All referee calls are final once the start of the next play has
begun. Exceptions are the following:
1) Playing Time and Ball Size:
The U6, U8,
U10, U12 divisions will use a size 4 ball.
The U15, U18 divisions will use a size 5 ball. The U6, U8, U10 games will consist of four ten-minute periods.
The U12 games will consist of two 25-minute halves; the U15 games will consist
of two 30-minutes halves; the U18 games will consist of two 30-minutes halves;
the referee will be the sole judge of any extra time granted for ball
retrieval, injury, etc. The referee may
alter the time structure for weather-related reasons. Half-time should be five minutes and two minutes between
quarters.
2) Players on the Field:
U6, U8, and U10 games should have 6 field players plus a goalie for a
total of 7. U12 games should have 7
field players plus a goalie for a total of 8.
U15 games should have 10 field players plus a goalie for a total of 11. U18 games should have 6 field players plus a
goalie for a total of 7.
3) Minimum number of players: U6, U8, and U10 teams must be able to field 5 players to start the
game. U12 teams must be able to field 6
players to start the game. U15 teams
must be able to field 7 players to start the game. If a team does not have the minimum number of players to start
the game, then the game is declared a forfeit.
The team with enough players will be given a 1-0 win. If both teams do not have a minimum number
of players to start the game, then the game is declared a loss for both teams.
4) Team Size:
All U6, U8, U10 teams shall be limited to a roster of 12 players. A 13th player may be added only
with head coach’s approval.
All U12 teams shall be limited to 13 players.
A 14th player may be added only with head coach’s approval.
All U15 teams shall be limited to 16 players. A 17th player may be added only
with head coach’s approval.
All U18 teams shall be limited to 12 players. A 13th player may be added only
with head coach’s approval.
5) Off sides:
Off sides occurs when the offensive person is between or past the last two defenders of the
goal. This depends on from where the
ball is kicked and where the defenders are at the time of the kick. This is solely a judgment call by the
referee. For U8 - only if camped in the
penalty box. For U10 - inside the
penalty box with the front edge of the box extended to the sidelines. For U12, U15, U18 – midfield.
6) Slide Tackles:
Slide tackles
must be cleanly done to avoid a foul/penalty. Slide tackles will not be allowed in the U6 and U8 age brackets.
7) Goal Kicks:
A goal kick is
awarded to the defensive team when the offensive team kicks the ball past the
end zone/goal line. The goal kick will
be taken six yards from the goal line (U6/U8/U10 may take the kick from the top
of the penalty area). When a goal kick is taken, the ball
must clear the penalty area before it is officially in play. A re-kick is
taken if the ball does not clear the area.
8) Corner Kicks:
A corner kick is
awarded to the offensive team when the defensive team kicks the ball past the end zone/goal line. The ball is to be placed within
the white arc located at the corners of the field.
9) U6 Referees:
One
representative from each team, which may be the coach, will work together on
the field to referee the game. The
coaches of the U6 teams will be allowed on the field to position and/or
instruct the players.
10) Fouls: For both major and minor fouls, no second whistle is
needed for a restart unless the referee needs to move the defending players the
required distance away from the ball.
In order to be in play, the ball shall be moved in any direction. If a free kick is awarded to the defending
team in its penalty area, the ball is not in play until it is beyond the
penalty area and into the field of play.
Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a rekick.
A) Minor Fouls - Indirect Kick:
An indirect kick
is signified by the referee raising his/her arm straight above the head. Ball must
be touched by two (2) players before scoring. These fouls include: 1) dangerous play as determined by the
referee; 2) off sides; 3) obstruction
(intentionally blocking another player from the ball without attempting to play
the ball); 4) while playing goal keeper, picking up the ball after it has been
deliberately kicked back to you by your own teammate.
B) Major Fouls - Direct Kick:
A direct kick is
signified by the referee pointing his/her arm straight out from the body while
facing the goal. The ball need not be touched by anyone else other than the
kicker before scoring. These fouls
include: 1) deliberately kicking or attempts to kick an opponent; 2) charging
the goal keeper; 3) holding; 4) intentional hand ball (use of hands to gain
advantage); 5) jumping at an opponent; 6) pushing; 7) slide tackles when the
ball is not being played or when no contact is made to the ball prior to player
contact; 8) spitting at an opponent; 9) striking an opponent; 10) tripping; 11)
unfair shoulder charge (lowering the shoulder). A penalty kick is awarded if the major foul occurs within the
penalty area while the ball is in play.
11) Flagrant Violation:
Any player found
to be in flagrant violation of any rule will be asked to leave the game until
the referee has decided to allow his/her return. This time is not to exceed one quarter. The coach will be allowed to substitute that player. The coach must ask for permission for offending
player to return. In the event the player is asked to leave again in the same
game, the player will not be allowed to return and the team must play one
player short for the remainder of the game. If a player is found to be playing
violently or with extreme unsportsmanlike conduct, the player will be removed
immediately from the game without substitution. The referee will possess the
authority to award a team a penalty kick for any coach, parent, or fan found to
be expressing unsportsmanlike conduct. If the coach, parent, or fan continues, he/she
will be asked to leave. If the coach,
parent, or fan persists, the game can or will be terminated. U12, U15, U18 players may be penalized with
a yellow or red.
12) Substitutions:
The coach may
substitute any player on the field when his/her team has a throw-in or corner
kick, on any team’s goal kick, or after each goal. The coach must first get the referee's attention, at which time
the referee will stop play and allow the substitution. Play will resume at the direction of the
referee. The team not in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited
number of players on a throw in and corner kick if the team in possession of
the ball is also substituting.
13) Stopped Play:
Game play
continues until a goal is scored or the referee stops play by telling the
player to hold the throw or kick. If
the referee has not told a player to hold the throw or kick, then play will
continue (i.e. corner kicks, free kicks, and throw-ins are all live play unless
otherwise directed by the referee). Once the referee has stopped play, it will
resume only under his/her direction.
14) Coaching:
Coaching shall
be in a positive manner. In the heat of the game, please remain in control.
There will be no coaching by anyone from the goal line. Refer to sideline rule below for further
information.
15) Field Cleanup:
Please be
considerate by cleaning up the area after your game. If you are the last game
of the day, please take care of any obvious litter concerns. This is greatly
appreciated by the league and the people who live in the area. If you have lost
or found any items, please check the website or send us an email to
glrsa1@aol.com.
16) Required Equipment:
All players have
been given a game shirt for the current season. This shirt, along with shin
guards, must be worn in order to participate in any game. Players are not
required to wear soccer cleats or mouth guards, however; both are recommended.
Shoes with a toe cleat cannot be worn unless the shoe is altered in such a way
as to be safe. If unsure, please check with the referee.
17) Jewelry:
Jewelry shall
not be worn except for religious or medical medals. A religious medal must be taped and worn under uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be
visible. If unsure, please check with the referee. If the player wants to keep earrings in (i.e.
starter earrings), the earrings must be covered with a Band-Aid or tape.
18) Casts:
If a player wears
a cast, the cast must be wrapped in ½ inch of foam or other soft material.
19) Sideline Rule:
Coaches shall be on
one side of the field, and the spectators on the other. Each team’s coaches shall be permitted to
walk only one half of the field, and shall not cross the center line during
play. A diagram is enclosed in your
coach’s packet. Coaches are to review
with their parents prior to the first game.
The U6 division is exempt from this rule.
a.
Coaches
choose a half upon arrival to the field and place their teams’ equipment, etc.
b.
Team
A players and coaches stay on opposite side of parents, and stay on one half of
the field for entire game. Team B
players and coaches stay on opposite side of parents, and stay on the other
half of the field for entire game.
c.
If
both coaches want the same half, then the ruling will be to take the half that
has the goal they defend first.
Parents, family, and fans are to sit along opposite side of coaches and teams.
e.
The
game will not start until all fans are on one side and each team is on their
own half.
The
referee may stop play if a coach crosses the centerline.
g. It does not matter which side of the field is occupied by the
teams/fans. The diagram is an example
only.
20) Referee Assignor:
Referee Assignor is Doug Cupp and may be reached at (765) 430-5534 for rule interpretation or other referee questions.
21) Spectator Line:
A spectator line shall be 3 feet
from the field sideline and all spectators shall stay behind the line.
Soccer Hotline – (765) 477-1400 Web Address – www.glrsa.org E-Mail –
glrsa1@aol.com