G. A. A. S. A

GREATER AKRON

AMATEUR SOCCER ASSOCIATION

COACH MANUAL

FALL 2001

REVISED FOR FALL 2001 - by the GAASA Board

August 27, 2001 and September 25, 2001

GAASA’S EMAIL ADDRESS IS: jblazeff@neo.rr.com

DISCLAIMER

"Any and all information contained within the COACHING MANUAL, as well as any information and/or rules distributed verbally or by written flyer, is subject to change, alteration or deletion by the Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association Executive Board at any time, with or without notice."

This Manual is for the use of Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association’s clubs, coaches, referees, players and/or parents. It may be reproduced for distribution.

INTRODUCTION

Modification of FIFA Rules

The Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association COACHING MANUAL is intended to provide information and guidance for club coaches and administrators. The information contained herein recaps the rules under which we play soccer matches in this league. Each item of information is a rule, or group of rules, but this COACHING MANUAL is not the GAASA Rule Book. The wording used here is not always the precise wording of the applicable rule as it appears in the FIFA Laws of the Game, USSF Administrative Handbook, Ohio Youth Soccer-North Constitution and Rules, Ohio Soccer North Constitution and Rules, and/or the GAASA Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions. It is that wording and intent (of the actual rules) which has legal force in matters of dispute. Furthermore, all information and rules in the COACHING MANUAL are subject to change without notice.

The Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association (GAASA) plays matches under the rules of FIFA, the international governing body. The first rule in the FIFA rulebook allows modification of the Laws of the Game for various age groups and to suit local conditions. GAASA has chosen to modify many rules of the game, as outlined in this publication, to suit women's play and play for both younger and older players. Only the rules so modified and published may be changed.

The Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association is affiliated in good standing with the Ohio Youth Soccer Association--North (OYSA-N), and with the Ohio Soccer Assn.--North (OSA-N), the senior’s body. OYSA-N is affiliated with the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and through it, with USSoccer (the USSF), the governing body in North America. OSA-N is directly affiliated with USSoccer. It is the duty and obligation of each member club in this league to follow the rules which will preserve the good standing of GAASA with OYSA-N and OSA-N, and with USSoccer, so that all teams and players in our league will have the right to play in all sanctioned events.

GREATER AKRON DIVISIONS

Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association has many divisions available for teams at all levels of ability. For adults, there is a women's division with two levels, open men, and 2-3 levels of senior men. For youth teams, there are competitive divisions (Classic 1-2-3, etc.) Youth girls may play on youth boy’s teams. However, the girl to boy ration may not exceed 50% of the total players on the team. In the event of an uneven number of players, the ratio is rounded down for the number of girls on the team. This team is considered a youth boys team. Youth girls may play on youth girls-only team and this is considered a girl’s team. Youth boys may only play on a youth boy’s team.

Each classic division is treated separately. All Youth Competitive (Classic) Divisions have playoffs for at least the top four per division.

Each level of play offered increases in difficulty, and/or the level of skill of the players. For example, Classic 1 is the top division, the teams are highly competitive and the players relatively skilled. Classic 2 is still very competitive, but the players are not as experienced or skilled. Classic 3 has some skilled players but most are beginners.

GAASA very carefully examines your request to place a team in a given division, based on your own estimate of the team's ability and our past experience with the team and/or coach. GAASA has the final say on which division a team is placed in, and reserves the right to move any team up or down in order to balance the level of play and number of teams in each division. In general, such factors as past experience with the team or coach, the number of players from which a club draws its teams, the number and ages of the players on the team, and other things which influence the competitiveness of a team are considered by the GAASA Board in placing your team in a division. The decision of the GAASA Board in placing your team is final and may not be appealed or challenged.

Only teams that play in Classic Divisions are eligible for the Ohio Youth Soccer Association--North State Cup Tournament, and/or for travel permits to tournaments held outside OYSA-N jurisdiction. If interested, please contact GAASA for an opinion and help in entering. GAASA conducts Playoffs for Classic Divisions at the end of each season.

Please note that GAASA is permitted to make rules governing its age groups, divisions and team eligibility, which may differ substantially from those of either Ohio-North (the seniors body) or OYSA-North, the youth State Association. Most of these differences govern levels of play and player movement between teams. Before sending money or entering any tournament, you should consult GAASA to make sure your team would be considered eligible.

LIST OF DIVISIONS OFFERED BY GAASA

ADULT PLAYERS

OPEN MEN ANY AGE

OPEN WOMEN ANY AGE

SENIOR WOMEN 30 as of season start*

SENIOR WOMEN Over 40 30 as of season start

SENIOR MEN I (very competitive) 30 as of season start

SENIOR MEN II (competitive) 30 as of season start

SENIOR MEN III (recreational) 30 as of season start

SENIOR MEN Over 40 40 as of season start**

*Exception: Women’s Over 30 teams are allowed up to 4 players 25 or older

**Exception: No new players can added to an over 40 Senior Men team that are less than 40 years of age.

YOUTH DIVISIONS (Under 19 years of age)

U18 CLASSIC BOYS (Spring Season Only)

U18 CLASSIC GIRLS (Spring Season Only)

U17 CLASSIC BOYS (Spring Season Only)

U17 CLASSIC GIRLS (Spring Season Only)

U16 CLASSIC BOYS (Spring Season Only)

U16 CLASSIC GIRLS (Spring Season Only)

U15 CLASSIC BOYS (Spring Season Only)

U15 CLASSIC GIRLS (Spring Season Only)

U14 CLASSIC BOYS

U14 CLASSIC GIRLS

U13 CLASSIC BOYS

U13 CLASSIC GIRLS

U12 CLASSIC BOYS

U12 CLASSIC GIRLS

U11 CLASSIC BOYS

U11 CLASSIC GIRLS

U10 CLASSIC BOYS

U10 CLASSIC GIRLS

U9 CLASSIC BOYS

U9 CLASSIC GIRLS

· Age groups may be combined in the event of an insufficient number of teams per age group.

· Based on the number of teams registered, as many as 4 divisions per age group, per gender may be created.

COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

(Alphabetical order)

CLUB LINESMEN

GAASA furnishes a 3-man referee system only for selected divisions and playoffs. Each team for all other games must supply volunteer club linesmen, unless the referee indicates he prefers to work without any linesmen. This choice is at the discretion of the referee alone.

Each team should be prepared to furnish a mature individual who is able to keep up with play.

Club linesmen will assist the referee by indicating when the entire ball is over the entire touch line (sideline), and will have no other duties including indicating the direction of the throw, unless previously instructed by the referee. The judgment of the club linesman on any matter, including whether the ball is over the touchline, may be overruled at any time by the referee, but any spectator, player or coach may not challenge it.

Coaching, or shouting instructions or encouragement, at any time, by the club linesmen is strictly prohibited. No one is permitted to coach outside the coaching box that extends 10 yards in either direction from the centerline.

CONDUCT

Coaches are responsible for the behavior of the players, spectators, and themselves. Each coach is responsible for the conduct of every person, including guests on their side of the field. A coach is recognized by GAASA as a participant in the match and may receive yellow and red cards from the referee. The referee is not required to warn coaches before issuing either yellow or red cards.

Coaching is restricted to the team area only, which should be marked by the home team during field preparation, and which extends 10 yards to either side of the of the mid-field line.

No person may move up and down the length of the touchline for the purpose of coaching, instructing players or shouting encouragement.

Except for the referee(s) and players in a game, no other person is allowed on the field unless, and until, authorized by the referee.

Spectators, coaches and substitute players are required to remain at least 5 feet back from the touchline on their side of the field to allow the linesman a clear view down the field.

Fighting by any persons, either in the game or on the sidelines, and/or loud verbal abuse or physical/verbal assault of the referee, shall be grounds to immediately suspend the match if the referee chooses. Such a decision is that of the referee alone. The coach will be held responsible by the league. The league also has the right to begin disciplinary proceedings in the event league officers witness such actions, even when the referee does not choose to take action. If a referee suspends play, or if a match is interrupted for any reason, the outcome of suspended matches will be decided solely by GAASA disciplinary committee based on the referee's report and game reports.

Poor conduct by a team, leading to suspension of a match, will be grounds for forfeiting a match by a score of 0-6 (or the score at the time of suspension) at a minimum, and GAASA has the right to impose harsher penalties.

FAILURE TO REPORT TO A GAME

Failure of a team to show up (field a minimum of 7 players for U12 teams and up or a minimum of 6 players for U9, U10, U11 teams, one of whom must play as a goalkeeper) at a scheduled or rescheduled game by the expiration of the 15-minute grace period will result in the no-show team forfeiting by a score of 0-6 and paying the total referee fee. These games will not be rescheduled. The commissioner must be notified and a Game Report submitted to GAASA by the team that does appear.

FIELD PREPARATION

It is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to have the field in proper condition for regular season and post-season games. The field must be properly marked to the satisfaction of the referee. This includes nets. In the absence of nets or a properly prepared field, the referee has the right to suspend the game with the home team forfeiting by a score of 0-6.

Plastic traffic cones, regulation corner flags (on posts with a minimum height of 5 feet, with rounded tops), or spring loaded corner flags must be positioned at the corners of the field for games. Corner arcs must be marked.

It is the responsibility of the VISITING TEAM to arrive on time at the field, early enough to allow the referee to check in the players before the scheduled start of the game. GAASA allows a 15-minute grace period only to allow teams to correct field preparation problems and for late arrival of teams and officials.

The Home team coach/players will choose their side of the field; the Opposing team coach/players will take the same side of the field as the home team coach/players (tournament format). All parents are to take the opposite side of the field from the players.

The referee shall decide the playability of a field due to weather conditions or line marking only.

FORFEITS

A team which has forfeited three (3) games in any given season, will, upon the fourth forfeit, loose their club bond and the coach of said team will be suspended for a minimum of one year (12 months) per team occurrence effective with the date of the letter of suspension. Forfeits are by a score of 0-6.

Any club, which has a team suspended after registration, forfeits its bond money, and must bring its bond account back to current requirements at the next registration.

In the opinion of the Executive Board, any team that forfeits any of its last three games, or commits any other action prior to the Playoffs, in order to gain a competitive advantage, automatically forfeits its right to compete in the Playoffs for that season.

GAME REPORTS

It is the responsibility of the coach to complete the GAASA Game Report, and submit it in a timely fashion, for all exceptional situations, good or bad. Game reports should be submitted for referee no-shows if you expect a refund or payment to a volunteer referee. This Game Report Form is located on the www.gaasa.org website. See the appeals and protests policy as outlined.

GAME ROSTERS AND PASSES

Each coach must be ready to present the referee with the official G.A.A.S.A. GAME ROSTER and validated player passes for each player planning to participate in the match. Each coach must co-operate with the referee at player check-in, and have the team ready to check-in whenever the referee desires. The referee will keep each team's passes and game roster, and will return the passes at the conclusion of the game. At least one validated coach pass is REQUIRED for each team.

The referee is responsible for starting each match as close to the scheduled time as possible.

After the game is over, please remember to secure the passes back from the referee and check them carefully to make sure all passes are returned.

Passes of players/coaches (anyone receiving a Red Card or sent off) will be retained by the referee for review and disciplinary action by GAASA. Coaches will be notified as to the disposition of the pass as well as when and how it will be returned by GAASA. Generally, yellow and red cards will be shown when given, but it is not necessary for the referee to show a yellow or red card, or to verbally warn any person before taking stronger action, or to directly notify any person that he has been sent off from a match. It is not necessary for the referee to obtain or retain the passes of sent off players in order for disciplinary action to proceed. Upon written notification through a game report that a person has been sent off by the referee, disciplinary action will proceed. If you have questions about red cards or disciplinary action, contact the Youth or Senior Vice President immediately. The Executive Vice President of GAASA heads the disciplinary committee.

INTER-DIVISION PLAY

"Playing Up"

It is permissible in any Youth Division for a maximum of three "guest" players from a younger team to move up to a higher age division for any one game. This is called "playing up", and any younger player can "play up" a maximum of three games per season, but older players may never play down and same-age players may not cross divisions (for example, a U10 Classic 3 player may play U11 Classic 1, 2, 3; a U10 Classic 2 player may play U11 Classic 2 or 1 only; a U10 Classic 1 player may play U11 Classic 1 only.) All players must come from within the same club. Playing up is not permitted in the Playoffs...teams must play with their registered league rosters in Playoffs. Once a guest player has played the fourth game (up), the participation automatically makes that player a member of the older team (by an involuntary transfer). This counts against the total transfer count for the team during the seasonal year.

Only U-9’s may cross divisions.

LINES OF COMMUNICATION

During the season, it is important that coaches, parents and club officials honor the lines of communication established by the GAASA Executive Board for efficient handling of concerns.

Disciplinary problems will always be handled between the person being disciplined and the Executive Vice President of GAASA. The Executive Vice President may notify the Club Representative and/or Club President at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.

PLAYER PASSES

ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE A VALID PLAYER PASS to play in any match during the regular season or a post-season game. To get a valid player pass, all players and coaches must be properly registered with their club, GAASA, the state association and the national association by following our standard registration procedures and paying their fees. All coaches must have a valid coach pass in addition to completing a Coach Registration Form and a Kid’s Safe Form. Both the Coach Registration Form and the Kid’s Safe Form must be filed with OYSA-N prior to coaching a game.

Player and coach registration is the act of signing up to participate and paying fees to a member club of GAASA. Team registration is the act of turning in Team Registration Forms and Waivers, Team Rosters, and paying fees to GAASA each fall or spring at GAASA registration. Player and coach rostering is the act of placing a player or coach on a specific team.

Team registration can only occur at GAASA registration--no late registration of teams is permitted. After GAASA registration, late registration of any player must be performed by the GAASA Registrar ONLY, and must be accomplished by mail. Mail the new player pass, proof of age (birth certificate or other, if required), proper registration form for new players, and the officially stamped (pink) copy of the team roster to the GAASA Registrar. Fees must be enclosed. The player's pass cannot be validated if any of the required material is missing.

PLAYERS REGISTER once a year, with initial registration in the fall season. New player passes are required of ALL youth players each fall, or for new players in the spring. New players in the spring are defined as those who did not play on a carded (USSF/USYSA-affiliated) team in the fall. Players belong to one team for the full seasonal year, which is defined as both the fall and spring seasons, and may be transferred only by following state and/or national rules. A player's date of rostering with a team is defined by national rule as the date on which he plays his first match with that team.

TEAMS ARE REQUIRED by GAASA to register each time for both fall and spring seasons. Coaches register with teams and must be updated immediately if changed at any time.

PLAYOFF BOND FORFEITURE

Participating in the Playoffs is an obligation of belonging to GAASA. Nevertheless, the league recognizes the right of teams to also participate in other tournaments.

A team may forfeit its right to participate in GAASA Playoffs (in which event the next qualified team will take its place) so long as the GAASA Board Member is notified in writing at least two (2) weeks in advance. Any team that qualifies for the Playoffs that does not take part nor notify a GAASA Board Member at least two (2) weeks in advance will cause its club to forfeit its total bond, and the bond must be brought back to current requirements at the next registration.

REFEREE AUTHORITY

Every referee, including volunteers in no-show cases, has complete and total authority for the conduct of the match and to enforce discipline from the moment he arrives at the field until he leaves. This includes all pre-game and post-game activities.

The authority and judgment of a referee shall not be challenged, nor may his judgment be appealed.

REFEREE NO-SHOWS

The referee has 15 minutes after the start of the game time to show up to the field of play. Both teams must remain at the field during this 15-minute grace period.

At the Classic and Open levels, all teams should play with a registered referee assigned by GAASA. If a referee fails to show:

· A reschedule will be generated if the teams contact the division commissioner and file a game report, or

· If the two head coaches agree to play a match at which the assigned referee does not show up, all effort must be made to use a registered referee, a trained referee or a mature former player. In such cases, both head coaches must agree to the volunteer in advance. If the head coaches agree to use a volunteer official, the final score of said match must be reported and will be considered valid and recorded by the league to determine standings for playoffs. In the event that a volunteer is used to referee a game, the volunteer is to collect both game reports; complete with his/her name, address, and social security number, and mail to the PO Box address as directed on the game report. This volunteer will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

· In no case may a scrimmage match be played.

· The HOME TEAM must report all referee no-shows to their Division Commissioner, whether the game is played or not. The Commissioner will report all referee no-shows to the Administrative Assistant, Jeff Blazeff at 330-773-4634.

· In addition, a Game Report showing the referee no-show and whether the game was played must be filed in writing with GAASA at P.O. Box 1512, Akron, OH 44309-1512. A copy of this form is also located on www.gaasa.org that can be submitted from the website.

REPORTING SCORES

All scores are to be called into the Divisional Commissioner assigned to your level of play. A club official may report scores, but someone, physically at the game, must report any other matters. Scores must be reported for all games played within 48 hours of the conclusion of the match, or the score will automatically revert to a 0-0 tie. In any event, all scores for the preceding week must be reported to the commissioner no later than 8:00 p.m. Sunday night so the commissioner can report it to the Executive Administrator by the deadline. The winning team is responsible for reporting the score to the Commissioner. In case of a tie, the Home team is responsible. Reporting scores is an obligation of the team coach.

ROSTER

Players may be registered and added to a team's roster up through the deadline set and announced each season by the Executive Board. A team may never exceed the maximum number of players on its roster.

The roster limit to register teams for Youth Division U9, U10 and U11 is as follows:

Minimum: 8 players

Maximum: 14 players

The roster limit to register teams for Youth Division U12 to U18 is as follows:

Minimum: 11 players

Maximum: 18 players

The roster limit to register teams for Senior Division is as follows:

Minimum: 11 players

Maximum: 22 players

PLAYERS CAN BE ROSTERED ON ONLY ONE GREATER AKRON TEAM AT A TIME PER SEASON.

An accurate listing of names and addresses of all coaches (head coach and up to 2 alternates) must be registered and updated throughout the season as needed.

RUNNING UP SCORES

Soccer is a game. It is intended to be fun for all participants, not just the winning team. Without a worthy opponent, no purpose is served in playing any competitive game; running up a score either by accident or to embarrass an opponent, is pointless.

Greater Akron enforces a 6-goal maximum margin of victory policy. No matter what the actual score, no more than a 6-goal margin will be recorded or published. Both the actual score and the 6-goal scores are to be reported to the Divisional Commissioner in order to enforce GAASA's disciplinary policy. Since forfeits are by a minimum score (0-4), no competitive advantage is gained by winning by more than a 4-0 count.

The following rule will apply for all youth division of U14 and under.

· A win by a margin of 6 goals is acceptable to GAASA, with the 6-goal differential being recorded, or published.

· A win by a margin of 7 or 8 goals will count as only 1 point, rather than 3 points for the win, with only a 6-goal differential being recorded and published.

· A win by a margin of 9 goals or greater will result in a forfeit of the match by a 0 – 6 score, as well as the loss of the club’s bond.

· The club bond must be replenished within 5 days from the time the club is notified. Failure to replenish the club bond within the 5 days will result in all scheduled games, of all teams, within said club, being recorded as a forfeit from the time of notification until such time as the club bond is replenished.

· Any own-goals scored by either team to circumvent these rules, will result in a forfeit.

Coaches abusing the intent of these rules will be subject to suspension.

Greater Akron Amateur Soccer Association tries to ensure that teams are put in the correct division at the time of registration. However, it may appear that a team is in the wrong division due to players being dropped from a team or new players being added to a team after the original registration date. This is no excuse for teams who consistently run up the score on their opponent and GAASA will no longer tolerate this action.

TRANSFERS

No more than 4 players can be replaced on a team roster from fall to spring, from one club to another, but new players can always be added to the spring team roster up to the roster limit. Replacing registered players with new players is known as making a transfer. Moving a registered player from one team to another within the same club is also a transfer but has no limit in GAASA.

OYSA-N AND USYSA LIMIT THE NUMBER OF YOUTH TRANSFERS TO THREE PER TEAM IN ONE SEASONAL YEAR (from fall season to spring season). GAASA allows up to four per roster movement from outside the club. The effect of this difference is that a team may be legal for GAASA play, but illegal for State Cup/Tournament/National events. Consult the GAASA board before sending money to enter any tournament if you have questions about this rule.

*****

IN ALL OTHER MATTERS:

1 -- All communications should be presented ONLY to the Divisional Commissioner for your division.

2 -- The Commissioner will then contact the Youth VP or the Senior VP as appropriate for your division.

3 -- The VP will then contact the appropriate person to resolve the problem or question at hand.

4 -- The communication/response will then be passed back down to you through the Commissioner so that everyone knows and is informed about the outcome/answer.

5 -- In the event this procedure is followed without receiving a response within two weeks, you should write the GASSA Board a complete report and mail it to: P.O. Box 1512, Akron, OH 44309-1512. Please do not call board members.

POLICY ON FAIR PLAY, SPORTMANSHIP AND REFEREE ABUSE/DISRESPECT

This policy adopted to assure all persons involved in GAASA soccer matches understand the manner in which the league will address such incidents, and understand that their participation in the league subjects them to the rules contained in the policy. By taking these steps, we are not trying to find ways to punish the great people involved in our soccer programs, we are simply trying to maintain the sense of fair play that has always been present in our games.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is defined by GAASA as unwelcome touching, striking or the verbal threat to do so. The league will not tolerate this conduct. Any physical abuse of a referee by any coach, player or spectator, or by a referee against any coach, player or spectator, whether occurring preceding, during or following a game, will result in an immediate ban of the offending person from future GAASA games and the incident will be referred to Ohio Youth Soccer Association-North for consideration of further disciplinary action.

Verbal Abuse

Verbal abuse is defined by GAASA as a verbal attack of a sustained, excessive, obscene or offensive nature. It is not intended to include mere dialogue or questions by or among coaches and/or referees.

Spectators:

Upon any initial incident of verbal abuse directed toward a referee, any player, any coach or any other spectator, the referee will stop the match (if it is ongoing) to warn the coach and allow the coach to advise his spectator(s) of the warning and counsel the spectator(s) to cease immediately. If such incident occurs before a match, the referee will similarly warn the coach and instruct the coach to warn his spectator(s). If such incident occurs following a match, the referee will notify the league and the incident will be considered an initial incident for purposes of the offending team’s next game.

A repeat offense occurring during the same match will be cause for stoppage of the match, at the sole discretion of the referee, and thereupon the team associated with the offending spectator(s) will forfeit the match. Such team must immediately provide the name(s) of the abusive spectator(s) to the referee. If the team refuses to do so, it will be suspended immediately from all GAASA matches until the offending person(s) is identified in writing to the President of GAASA.

A second incident of abuse occurring at a future match by the same offender during the same season will result in suspension of the player associated with such person for the remainder of the season, or for the entire next season if the incident occurs during the last match of the season. An automatic fine of $100 will be imposed on that team’s parent club.

A third incident of abuse occurring at a future match by any spectator(s) from the same team during the same season will result in suspension of that team for the remainder of the season, or for the entire next season if the incident occurs during the last match of the season. An automatic fine of $200 will also be imposed on that team’s parent club.

The league will maintain records of spectator offenses from season to season.

Coaches and Players

Current rules concerning yellow/red card procedures apply.

Referees

Upon any initial incident of verbal abuse by a referee directed towards any player, coach or other spectator, the coach observing the behavior shall report it to the league using the game report system. The league will notify the referee of the report, and caution the referee against any future similar conduct.

A second incident of abuse occurring at a future match by the same referee during the same season will result in suspension of the referee from officiating league games for the remainder of the season, or for the entire next season if the incident occurs during the last match of the season.

The league will maintain records of referee offenses from season to season.

GAME AND FIELD REGULATIONS

(Alphabetical Order)

GAASA games are played under FIFA Laws of the Game as modified by these local rules.

THE REFEREE IS THE ULTIMATE AND FINAL AUTHORITY AS TO WHO MAY OR MAY NOT PARTICIPATE, SUITABILITY OF A FIELD FOR PLAY, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS OF THE GAME. NEITHER THE REFEREE'S JUDGMENT NOR HIS RULINGS MAY BE CHALLENGED OR APPEALED AT THE FIELD OF PLAY.

EMERGENCY GAME CANCELLATION DUE TO FIELD SHUTDOWN

GAASA recognizes the fact that the majority of clubs do not have the final say over the use of their fields. The Board of Education or the Parks & Recreation Division within their community controls most fields. In the event that a field is shut down by one of the above due to inclement weather the following steps must be taken:

1. NOTIFY:

The GAASA Administrative Assistant (330-773-4634)

RESPONSIBLE PERSON TO CALL THE ABOVE GAASA ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT IS THE:

The Club's President

CALL NO LATER THAN:

6:00 p.m. on the night prior to any scheduled game

2. The Administrative Assistant will notify the appropriate Division Commissioner.

3. After receiving the call from the Administrative Assistant, the Division Commissioner will notify the opposing teams.

4. The Administrative Assistant will notify the referee assignor so that the referee may be

canceled.

5. All reschedules must be handled according to the schedule/reschedule policy as defined.

6. Any club that fails to report by 6:00 p.m. will result in the following:

a) Said club being responsible for any and all referee fees and

b) Said club's rescheduled game will automatically be rescheduled to opposing teams

field.

FIELD PREPARATION

It is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to have the field in proper condition for regular season and post-season games. The field must be properly marked to the satisfaction of the referee. This includes lined, nets and corner flags. In the absence of nets or a properly prepared field, the referee has the right to suspend the game with the home team forfeiting by a score of 0-6.

Plastic traffic cones (minimum of 2 feet tall), regulation corner flags (on posts with a minimum height of 5 feet, with rounded tops), or spring loaded corner flags must be positioned at the corners of the field for games. Corner arcs must be marked.

The Home team coach/players will choose their side of the field; the Opposing team coach/players will take the same side of the field as the home team coach/players (tournament format). All spectators are to take the opposite side of the field from the players.

Only the referee can decide the playability of a field due to weather conditions or line marking only.

GAME REPORTS

Game Reports are to be filed on an EXCEPTION-ONLY basis, i.e., in the event of a situation (notably good or bad) requiring the attention of the league. Referee judgment shall not be challenged in any way. Forms are available on the GAASA Web Site.

Game Reports Forms must be used to report each referee no-show for which the club expects a refund or credit of referee fees. In the event a club official is used to replace a referee, his name, address and phone number must be shown in order for GAASA to reimburse him/her. These forms are available on the GAASA website.

GAME ROSTER FORMS

Each coach MUST give the referee a game roster for each match, following the same form as the official GAASA Game Roster Sheet, before the start of the game, and this roster will be checked against player passes. At a minimum, the game roster must show club, team name, and team number for both home and visiting teams; game date and game number from your official schedule; league division; your coach's name, full mailing address including zip code, and home phone number; and for each player:

Jersey Number

USSF/USYSA Pass Number (usually social security #)

First Name & Last Name

Official forms are available from the GAASA SoccerWorks software. A pre-printed form with written information is also acceptable.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

All players except the goalkeeper must wear like-colored jerseys with a permanently attached number for identification. Each goalkeeper must wear a shirt different in color from either team. Goalkeepers do not need permanently affixed numbers. In case of a conflict in the color of team jerseys, it is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to change to an alternate color. If the home team must change colors, the alternate shirts do not need numbers so long as the original numbered jerseys are worn underneath.

Warm-ups, compression shorts (sliders, bicycle pants), or long pants may be worn during a game ONLY if they are the same color as the uniform shorts, and then only with the approval of the referee. This option is not at the discretion of either team coach.

Casts and other support equipment such a braces must be padded and covered in such a way as to not be dangerous to another player. It is at the complete discretion of the referee as to whether or not a player may participate while wearing casts, braces or anything else other than the approved uniform. There is no appeal on each individual decision of each referee; the fact that one referee permitted the item in one game shall not be grounds for approval of the item in a different game.

All players are required to wear SHIN GUARDS in GAASA games at all times. The cleats on soccer shoes and their condition are at the discretion of the referee. Shoes designed for other sports including baseball, football and rugby shoes are not allowed. Referees should not allow cleats that could potentially injure another player. Cleats that are sharp or otherwise dangerous should not be allowed.

PLAYER PASSES

All players must have a validated player pass at the field in order to play. Coaches will be required to have passes. Referees will not permit players to play without a pass, and will not permit teams to start a match unless a coach with a pass is present. A team using, or attempting to use, a player or coach who does not have a valid pass will forfeit the game by a score of 0-6. Any attempt to use another person's pass will be dealt with harshly with a minimum suspension of 1 game or more for the coach, the entire team and/or the club.

REFEREE FEES

Referee fees will be paid by GAASA from the funds that were deposited by each club and/or team at registration. Therefore, no money is to be paid to the referee on the field prior to the start of the game by anyone. In the event of a referee no-show, a game report must be filed and your commissioner must be notified. This will generate either a reschedule (Competitive Divisions ONLY) or a refund or credit of referee fees at next season's registration.

LOCAL MODIFICATIONS

TO THE FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME

(Alphabetical order)

ALL-STAR PROGRAM

GAASA operates a league-wide youth All-Star program. Each youth coach is required to nominate at least three players from their own team or may elect to have his own players elect three players from their team. You must report these nominations to your division commissioner after the sixth game of each season. Any Club’s team(s) that fails to send players to the All-Star Game will be assessed $40.00 per team at the next registration.

AWARDS

Awards, if any, will only be distributed through GAASA Playoffs. The awards offered for any individual season and their rate of distribution will be detailed in the Playoff Handout for the current season. Playoff rules and schedules are posted on the GAASA Web Site at least one month prior to each playoff.

BREAKAWAYS AND "PROFESSIONAL" FOULS

Referees are required by the FIFA Laws to deal harshly with fouls against the game...fouls, which are intended to replace soccer skill with brute force. In particular, referees are required to issue red cards to any players who intentionally commit so-called "professional" defensive fouls, no matter how forcefully, in order to stop play of the game, and/or breakaways, when there is a clear scoring opportunity.

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

Many entities that own or control your fields (park boards, school boards, etc.) may require a certificate of insurance before they will allow you to play or practice. The purpose of this document is to prove that you belong to an organization that carries sufficient liability insurance, and to add the name of the entity that owns your field to the coverage.

Any GAASA club or team may obtain a ce