RULES OF PLAY

AND REGULATIONS

Adopted: September, 1994

Revised: April 8, 1995

IN-HOUSE SOCCER PROGRAM FOR U-6, U-8 & U-10

ARTICLE 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Laws of the Game for the Monroeville Soccer Club will be consistent with those of the United States Soccer Federation and PA West Soccer Association, exceptions and amplifications only as indicated herein will govern.

1.2 Soccer in Monroeville will be conducted as a gentlemanly sporting activity with courtesy, common sense and good sportsmanship prevailing.

1.3 The Board of Directors issue the following Rules and Regulations to be followed uniformly.

ARTICLE 2 – GAME SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 Game Duration, Ball Sizes, Number of Players and Field Size:

Age Group Game Duration Ball Size Players per Team / on field

U-10 Four 12 min. quarters #4 10 max. / 5 + Keeper

U-8 Four 12 min. quarters #3 8 max. / 4 – No Keeper

U-6 Four 8 min. quarters #3 6 max. / 3 – No Keeper

(For the Fall 1994 session only, the U-8 Boys shall play 5 vs 5 and U-10 Boys shall play 6 vs 6 plus a keeper.)

Field Size

Recommended Maximum Minimum

U-10 60 yds by 30 yds 70 yds by 40 yds 50 yds by 25 yds

U-8 50 yds by 25 yds 60 yds by 30 yds 40 yds by 20 yds

U-6 25 yds by 20 yds 30 yds by 20 yds 20 yds by 15 yds

2.2 There shall be a two (2) minute break after the first and third quarters and a five (5) minute break at half time.

2.3 All players present shall play a minimum of 50% of each game.

2.4 Substitutions: A. Substitutions shall be permitted at the quarter, half, goal

kicks and after a goal is scored.

B. Substitutions shall not be permitted on throw-ins.

C. The Coach shall notify the referee when a substitution is being made and obtain permission from the Referee.

2.5 Injury: A. If the player is unable to continue the Coach may substitute

one (1) player for the injured player.

B. Before a player can re-enter the game all blood must be

removed from the uniform, cuts or scraps must be

bandaged completely.

2.6 Fouls: U-6 and U-8, all fouls result in an in-direct free kick (the

ball must be touched by another offensive or a defensive

player before it goes into the goal).

2.7 Free Kicks: At the kick-off, in-direct kicks, corner kicks and goal kicks,

no opposing player may be closer to the ball than:

U-6 3 yards (9 feet)

U-8 5 yards (15 feet)

U-10 7 yards (21 feet)

2.8 Off-sides: For U-6 and U-8, there will be no off-sides. Coaches shall

discourage cherry picking. For U-10, regular off-sides

rules apply.

2.9 Out of Bounds: The ball must be completely over the line before being out

of play. U-8 and U-10 shall put the ball in play by a throw-

in; U-6 shall use a kick-in from the touch line at the point

where the ball went out of bounds.

2.10 Throw-ins: U-8 players will be given a second attempt if a foul throw

is called. The Referee shall explain the infraction to the

player before the second throw is taken. If a foul throw on

the second attempt, the ball will go to the opposing team.

U-10 players shall not be given a second attempt.

2.11 Keeper: In addition to punting the ball, the goal keeper may chose

to throw the ball or place the ball on the ground and play it

with his feet. Once the ball has been placed on the ground,

it can not be picked up again by the keeper.

ARTICLE 3 – UNIFORM:

3.1 All players shall play in the uniform designated by the club. The uniform includes two shirts (Gold and White), soccer shorts (Black on Black), socks (Black) and soccer shoes or sneakers.

3.2 Each player shall bring both shirts to all games.

3.3 All players shall wear shin guards when on the field of play. Players without shin guards shall not be permitted to play. Shin guards must be completely covered by the socks, they cannot be worn on the outside of the socks.

3.4 Inclement weather: Sweat pants, sweat shirt and tousle caps may be worn on cold days. The sweat pants shall be worn under the soccer shorts. Sweat shirts shall be worn under the uniform shirt. If the sweat shirt has a hood it must be tucked into the shirt so that it can not be grabber during the course of play.

3.5 Prohibited Equipment: No jackets, jeans, cut-offs or baseball caps will be permitted during the play of the game. Rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces, hair baubles and barrettes are prohibited. Anyone wearing pierced ear rings shall remove them or cover the studs in a manner acceptable to the Referee. Players deemed by the Referee as having dangerous attire shall not be permitted to play until offending items have been removed.

3.6 Cloth or soft head bands are permitted. Bandannas or anything with a knot shall not be permitted.

ARTICLE 4 – REFEREE:

4.1 Monroeville Soccer Club will provide one Referee for each U-8 game and a Referee and 2 Linesmen for each U-10 game. Referees are not provided for U-6.

4.2 Each U-8 team shall provide one parent other than the Coach to act as a linesman. The linesman shall call only in-touch on the side lines and indicate the direction of throw-in. The Referee shall provide a set of linesman’s flags and instruct the parents on their use.

4.3 The Referee shall inspect all players prior to the game for proper uniform, shin guards and dangerous equipment.

4.4 The Referee shall keep the official time. The only time the Referee will stop the clock will be to attend to an injury. A lost ball which cannot be retrieved or replaced quickly will also be grounds for stopping the clock temporarily. Otherwise, the clock is not stopped and no time outs are allowed.

4.5 Should a game become uncontrollable for any reason, the Referee shall abandon the game. He will report the circumstances surrounding the game to the Age Group Coordinator who shall in turn report to the MSC Board.

4.6 The Referee may also abandon a game or refuse to start a game because of the weather or poor field condition. Lightening will result in the immediate suspension of the game.

4.7 The Referees decision is always final.

4.8 The Referee must explain all infractions to the offending player.

4.9 All fouls for U-6 and U-8 result in an in-direct kick. For U-10, fouls shall be in accordance with USYSA rules for direct, in-direct and penalty kicks.

4.10 Off-sides shall not be called U-6.

Off-sides shall not be called for U-8, unless obvious cherry picking is occurring. The Coach shall be informed at the next stoppage of play.

U-10 shall play to USYSA rules.

4.11 Double possession by the Goal Keeper (U-10) shall result in an in-direct free kick.

4.12 Dangerous play – a player who is lying on the ground shall not play the ball, an in-direct kick shall be awarded to the opposing team for any infraction.

ARTICLE 5 – AGE GROUP COORDINATORS:

5.1 The Age Group Coordinator will be the liaison with the Board. During the playing season, the Coordinator shall submit a monthly report out lining any problems which have arisen, league standings where appropriate, suggestions for improvements or modifications to the program.

5.2 Prior to each playing session (Fall and Spring) the Coordinator shall meet with the Coaches and select the teams. The selection process shall be completed one month prior to the start of the session so that Coaches have adequate time to notify the players and schedule practices. The Fall playing session begins the Saturday following Labor Day and the Spring session begins the 2^nd Saturday in April unless it conflicts with Easter in which case it will begine the following weekend.

Each session consist of eight (8) weeks.

5.3 The Coordinator shall submit a written list of the Rosters, Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Names to the Registrar upon completion of the selection process.

5.4 To the maximum extent possible, teams shall be formed by neighborhoods. The Coordinator and Coaches are permitted to make adjustments to the roster where an obvious imbalance in the skill level of the teams exists.

5.5 Except for the EAGLES program, the Coordinator shall establish an even number of teams in his age group. This will ensure that each team will have a game each week of the season. There will be no byes.

5.6 In the event that an age group ends up with an odd number of teams, this group will play two short games equal to two quarters against different opponents each weekend. This way byes can be avoided. All other rules of play shall be adhered to.

5.7 The Coordinator shall develop and publish the game schedule for the session. Copies shall be provided to the Coaches an the MSC Board.

5.8 No standings or game scores will be kept for the U-6, U-8 and U-10 programs.

5.9 The Coordinator shall determine how many games will be played for the entire session and obtain a check from the Treasurer in the appropriate amount to pay the Referees. The U-8 and U-10 Center Referee shall be paid $10 for each game, the U-10 Linesman shall be paid $5.00 each per game. Referees shall be paid in cash at the field on the day of the game.

In the event only two referees show for the game, do not permit a 2-man system to be used. One Referee shall do the center, the other shall do a line, and a parent shall be recruited to do the other line.

If a Referee fails to show for a game, the Coordinator shall notify the Referee Assignor as soon as possible.

Any unused Referee fees shall be returned to the Club at the conclusion of the session.

5.10 An Age Group Coordinator who will be moving up in age with his child is requested to assist in selecting a new coordinator from the Coaches who will be remaining in that age group.

ARTICLE 6 – COACHES

6.1 Coaches for the first game shall set up the goal posts, nets and corner flags. Coaches for the last game shall take them down and return them to the designated storage facility.

6.2 MSC shall provide the following equipment to each new Coach at the beginning

of the Fall session:

1. Game Ball

2. First Aid Kit

3. Cones (6)

A Coach who will not be returning the following session shall return the First Aid Kit and cones to the Club. When additional first aid supplies are needed, the Coach should contact the First Aid Coordinator. At the conclusion of each session the kits should be turned in so that they can be refurbished.

6.2 Both Coaches shall bring their game ball to each game.

6.3 Coaches shall control any unruly players or spectators.

6.4 Keep all players, parents, spectators and equipment a minimum of three (3) feet from the touch line. Players can be out-side the line while playing an in-play ball and linesmen need room to move and observe the play without fear of running into someone or tripping over something.

6.5 Practice: A. Do not allow anyone who is not registered on your team to

participate in practices or games. Particular emphasis is

give to a sibling of a team member, if an injury were to

occur to the non-registered person you may be personally

liable.

B. Do not practice at a field that has not been approved by the Club.

C. Coaches shall contact the Field Coordinator for assignment of practice facilities; request the day of the week, time and location preferred.

6.6 Coaches who are moving up in age group with their child are requested to recommend new coaches from those who will be remaining in the age group.

ARTICLE 7 – PARENTS AND SPECTATORS

7.1 Parents should encourage their children, do not criticize or berate them.

7.2 Parents and spectators should stay three (3) feet back from the out-of-bounds line.

7.3 Do not confuse the players by coaching them during the game, this is the Coach’s responsibility and it weakens his authority.

7.4 No alcoholic beverages will be consumed or allowed near the playing area.

7.5 ENJOY THE GAME AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL ENJOY IT!