21.       Schedule of penalties                                                                                        Page 10 

22.       Protests and appeals                                                                                         Page 10 

23.     Bond                                                                                                                  Page 11

Introduction 

For the purposes of this document the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League shall be known as the “League”. 

Forms mentioned in this document, unless otherwise noted, can be found on the League Web Site – www.HVYSL.ORG.

GENERAL RULES for age groups U12 through U19

1.                  These rules apply only to those competitions authorized or under the auspices of the League (Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League, Inc.)  

2.                  Rules of other competitions other than the League shall be played in accordance with the rules set down for that competition. 

3.                  The game shall  be played in accordance with the most recent edition of F.I.F.A. rules as adopted by the U.S.S.F., Region 1, and ENYYSA with the following amendments:  
a)      All substitutes at the start of a League scheduled game must play.  
b)      Nets are mandatory.  
c)      Period of play and ball size - see Attachment A
d)      Substitutions shall be unlimited.  Because substitutions are unlimited they may be made only at the times set forth as follows, and only with permission of the referee.

            1.                  By the team in possession prior to a throw-in  
2.                  Before a goal kick
3.                  After a goal and prior to the kickoff
4.                  After an injury stoppage
5.                  For a player ordered off the field of play for an injury, or for an equipment violation, and only at the next stoppage.  
6.                  After a yellow card has been given, and only for the player to whom the card is issued.

e)      If a player other than the goalkeeper is injured and the coach is called on the field by the referee, the player MUST be substituted.
 f)        No substitute is allowed for a player shown the red card, and the team of the offending player shall play a man down.  
g)      Minimum number of players for a team on the field of play at any time is seven (7). h)      Maximum number of players on a team roster is eighteen (18) for U11-U15, and twenty-two (22) for U16-U19.  No more than 18 players may be dressed for a game. [Note: More than 18 may disqualify a team from State Cup eligibility.]  
i)        All teams shall be required to have a FIRST AID KIT at the game site.  
j)        Age group eligibility shall be determined from time to time as by ENYYSA, or the then governing body under which HVYSL is then governed.  

4.                  Running up Scores:  One of the purposes of the League is to promote good sportsmanship.  When teams are mismatched, coaches should consider various score limiting techniques.  Running up scores beyond a 7 goal differential will result in disciplinary action by the League as determined by the Games Conduct Committee.  See Attachment F for the Games Conduct Committee Guide Lines on Running Up Scores.  

5.                  Special Rules for U8 Division – see Attachment B.            

6.                  Special Rules for U9 Division – see Attachment C.  

7.         Special Rules for U10 Division – see Attachment D

8.         Special Rules for U11 Division – see Attachment E.

REFEREE 

1.                  A referee shall officiate in all games of this League.  Such referees shall be certified yearly and in possession of an identification card from U.S.S.F. and a current member of the Referee Association. 

2.                  Any PHYSICAL ATTACK ON A REFEREE before, during, or after a game, is an automatic suspension for the player or coach from the League and a possible fine for the Club.  All such incidents are reported directly to ENYYSA.

3.                  Each referee shall report all negative aspects:  (player ejections, cautions, etc.) on forms issued by this League to the Games Conduct Committee.  Such reports are to be post marked no later than midnight of the next business day after the game.  

The Referee Assignor for the League is responsible for assigning a referee for all games.  If a game is cancelled the coach of the canceling team is responsible for contacting the referee.  In addition to notifying the referee the coach should send an email to the League notifying it of the circumstances surrounding the cancellation, the game number, and the referee’s name.  In some cases the Club will still be responsible for paying the referee.

4.                  The referee shall at all times put great emphasis on the welfare of the players and officiate the game in a manner of clean competition and good sportsmanship. 

5.                  Line-up sheet:  The referee shall require that both teams enter all the appropriate information on the HVYSL line-up sheet prior to the game. 

6.                  Player passes:  The referee shall verify that all passes are for the same club and verify the identity of each of the players with the picture on the player pass.  He/she shall collect the passes before the game starts and permit no one to play who does not present a valid pass.  The passes are to be held by the referee until the game is completed.

7.                  Referee:  Any team presenting a pass for an ineligible player MUST be reported to the League.  The referee shall keep any such pass presented and turn over that pass to the League Office together with the game report.  Any team presenting such a pass will face disciplinary action by the League.  

Assistant Referee  

1.                  Each club shall furnish one club linesman per game, provided official Assistant Referees have not been assigned by the League. 

2.                  Failure by a club to provide a linesman will invoke a penalty, plus loss of rights to appeal the game under any circumstances. 

Uniforms

1.                  Teams will appear in uniform attire at all games.  If, in the referee’s opinion the attire of the player may lead to errors in judgment, that is, where the colors of the two teams are the same or similar, the home team must change.  Players who do not comply may be ordered off the field of play. 

2.                  The home team shall not be penalized for the loss of time when colors conflict.

3.                  Each player’s uniform shall have identification by means of a number.  The number shall be as follows:
a)      No jersey number will be duplicated on the same team.  
b)      Number on the back of the uniform will be at least 6” high and of contrasting color of the jersey.
c)      Goalkeeper’s jersey will be of contrasting colors of his own team, the opposing team, and to the referee’s uniform.  No number shall be required on the goalkeeper’s uniform.  

Player Identification and Eligibility  

1.                  Each player, coach, assistant coach, and manager shall have a laminated, signed pass with a recent photo authorized by the League.  

2.                  The player pass is the property of the League.  The player pass shall be surrendered to the League Office upon request for player transfer; player leaving a team; player being dropped from a team; or upon demand of the League Office.  

3.                  A player, coach, assistant coach, or manager without a bonafide pass is not considered eligible and therefore cannot participate in a game. 

4.                  Once a player is rostered and certified by the League, that player may only transfer in accordance with ENYYSA rules.  

5.                  Once a player is rostered and certified by the League to a member club team, that player may only play for a different team if the following conditions are met:  
a)         They play for a team within the same club to which they are rostered:  i.e. No guest players from other clubs.
b)                  They must play up at least one age group:  i.e. Playing from a B team to an A team in the same age group is not allowed, nor is playing from one A or B team to another A or B team.  
c)                  Boys are not allowed to play on a team rostered as a “girls” team.
d)                  The team they are playing for will have no more than 14 players rostered for the particular game they are playing including the added guest players(s).  This rule is imposed to avoid giving the team with the guest player(s) [from the same Club] an unfair advantage over the opponents’ team and to avoid unfair treatment of the rostered players of the hosting team.  
e)                  There shall be no more than three (3) guest players rostered to play in any singular game and it must be noted on the Lineup Sheet.  
f)                    The subject guest player shall not have participated in more than three games as a guest player during the then current playing season. 

6.                  A minimum of 7 players must be rostered 30 days before play.  

Before the Game 

1.                  One copy of the line up sheet must be provided to the opposing coach.  Each coach, assistant coach, and manager is to satisfy himself that the players, coach, assistant coach and manager of an opposing team are eligible before the commencement of the game.  

2.                  Player passes and line-up sheets (2 copies) go to the referee before the game. 

3.                  If a player is not at the field or available at the time of checking the passes and line-up sheet, the missing player shall be entered on the line-up sheet.  On arrival at the playing field, the late player must present his pass to the opposing coach for inspection.  The opposing coach may not withhold the pass or slow down the inspection of the pass and player.  Thereupon, prior to entering the field of play, the player shall present his pass to the referee for final determination of eligibility. 

4.                  Every coach must have a copy of these rules at every game.  

After the Game  

1.                  BOTH TEAMS SHOULD LINE UP AND SHAKE HANDS!  

2.                  Notify referee of intent to make any protest prior to referee and opposing coach leaving the field.  

3.                  The coaches of both teams are responsible for reporting the score of the game, to the League Office, prior to 6:00 PM on the Wednesday following the game.  After seven (7) days any game that has not been reported will be treated as a forfeit by both teams. 

4.                 Coaches may report game scores by either fax or email to the league office numbers and addresses assigned for those purposes.  

5.                  The referee must send in line-up sheets for both teams, with the referee’s signature and game results within 72 hours to the League Office.  Line up sheets must be filled out in their entirety. 

6.                  If a team is protesting, a written copy of the protest must be sent to the League Office along with a check for $50.00 within 48 hours of 12 pm of the weekend, the game was played or the day of the game in the event of a week night.  

Playing Field Responsibilities  

1.                  Each club must have a designated home field or fields.  If the home team is unable to use its designated home field, it may, subject to the approval of the League, use another field of play such as the opposing team’s designated home field.  In this instance, if the scheduled team chooses to take such action, the game will be played as if it were a home game.  

2.                  In the event the home team’s scheduled field is being utilized at the scheduled game time, an additional amount of time will be allowed for completion of that game. 

3.                  Each playing field shall meet the prescribed sizes and be clearly marked as required by the F.I.F.A. rules and the rules of this League. 

4.                  When a team feels the above rules have not been met, they may PLAY THE GAME under protest. 

5.                  All fields shall have a spectator line 3 ft from the touchlines. All spectators shall remain behind this line.  

6.                  Both teams are to be on the same side of the field, wherever possible, and all spectators shall be on opposite sides of the field.  Only the players and coaches, with passes, are to be on the official side of the field.  Under no circumstances should anyone else be permitted in the official area.  Referees shall ensure that no spectators are behind the goal lines.  

Postponing or rescheduling games  

1.                  Games shall be played on the scheduled date, time and place. Lack of sufficient players or coach’s availability shall not constitute justification for the postponement of a game. 

2.                  Games may be rescheduled provided all of the following conditions have been met:
a)         Both coaches have signed and submitted a written request
b)         No game shall be rescheduled without the prior written approval of the League
c)         All rescheduled games must be played by the dates listed in the schedule.  All requests must be submitted a minimum of one week before the game is to be played.  

3.                  Teams having 3 or more players on League Select or State ODP may reschedule games if there is a conflict with a scheduled game of that team.

4.                  Any team in State Cup may reschedule their League game if there is a conflict.  

PROCEDURE FOR BAD WEATHER 

1.                  In the event of severe weather or adverse field conditions, a club may decide to postpone all scheduled home games for a particular date.  In this case the individual coaches do not request approval, instead the Club President or Travel Director must notify the League Office and visiting Club Presidents before 10:00 a.m. (unless the first affected game is before 12:00 noon, in which case a minimum of 2 hour notice is required.  

2.                  Games cancelled due to weather or field conditions on the day of a game require the club to notify the opposing team a minimum of two hours, depending on the distance to be traveled, before the scheduled start of the game. 

3.                  The home team must call the referee if the game is cancelled.  Due to the fact that referees are required to travel from field to field, in the event that the assigned referee can not be contacted, the home team will have to pay the referee fee if the referee actually arrives for the scheduled game.  

4.                  Where weather conditions are threatening or inclement, and/or field conditions are uncertain, the visiting team must contact the home team by telephone before traveling to the game.  

5.                  The home team must have a responsible person available to answer the visiting team’s inquiry.  

6.         Thereafter, the referee will determine the field conditions and make the judgment of whether to start and/or continue play bearing in mind the safety of the players and the damage to the playing field.  

7.         If the game is terminated before the half, the game should be replayed from the beginning.  If the game is terminated after halftime, it will be ruled a complete game.  

8.         If there is LIGHTNING, THE GAME WILL BE TERMINATED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE REFEREE.