AYSO Region 151 Guidelines for a Safe, Fun & Fair Soccer Environment

 

The purpose of these guidelines is to better educate parents & coaches on safety concerns regarding equipment choices and to aid the referees in providing a safe, fair and fun environment for your players during a soccer match.  As such, we are hoping to avoid typical equipment issues found during pre-game inspection and to outline our expectation of conduct toward referees.

 

Required Equipment: 

Footwear: With a few exceptions, any type of tennis shoe may be worn.  The center referee has the final decision on whether the shoes are safe.  Shoes NOT allowed are:

-          Any shoe with a toe cleat.  Toe cleats are not allowed regardless of whether the manufacturer markets these shoes as soccer cleats.  You may change shoes or cut off the toe cleat to play.

-          Metal cleats, are not allowed.

-          Shoes with zippers are not allowed as the metal zipper and pull can cut the skin of an opposing player.

-          Any shoe deemed unsafe by the center referee.

 

Shin guards:  Shin guards must be worn completely under the socks.  If a child is uncomfortable without socks under the shin guards, the purchase of a thin athletic sock liner like those worn in baseball may solve the problem.  Socks rolled over the top of a shin guard does not meet the standard set by the United States Soccer Federation.

 

Uniform shirts must be tucked into the issued shorts.

 

Weather:  We will post region wide cancellation information on our webpage (www.ayso151.org) and AYSO Hotline (475-8500.)

Rain/Lightning: Region 151’s policy is that games will be played in the rain unless there is lightening or standing water on the field that presents a danger to the players.    AYSO policy states that if you hear thunder or see lightning, you must leave the field immediately and remain off the field in a safe spot. You can resume practice/play 20 minutes after the last thunder/lightning strike.  If an entire Saturday of games is cancelled, an alternate make up weekend may be re-scheduled for the whole region.    If individual games are cancelled, a make-up game may be coordinated between the two coaches.  Friday make-up games are suggested.   If you plan to cancel your game, please contact your opposing coach and the Referee Administrator – listed on the Region Website www.ayso151.org so that the referee scheduled for that game can be notified.

 

Snow:  If there is snow on the ground, Region 151’s policy is that games will not be played due to the increased risk of injury to players due to slipping.

 

Non-Uniform Articles

Jewelry:  No jewelry of any kind is allowed, not limited to, but including:

-          Earrings -  covering the earring with tape or a band-aid is not acceptable according to AYSO National Safety Standards (re-confirmed via phone call to Nationals as of 8/2005)

-          Necklaces, Bracelets (including Live Strong type bracelets), Watches or Hard barrettes.

 

Headgear:  Soft stocking caps or caps without a brim may be allowed if the weather is inclement as long as they do not constitute a danger to the player or the other players on the field.  A soft device to hold back long hair maybe used.  No hard hair clips/barrettes may be used.

 

Sweatshirts/Sweatpants:  Sweatshirts are allowed provided they meet the following:

-          No hood extends from the sweatshirt.  To meet this requirement, the hood may be tucked into the sweatshirt as long as it remains in place.

-          No metal zippers are allowed

-          The sweatshirt must be worn under the uniform jersey.

-          On cold days, players may wear athletic pants as long as they do NOT have pockets or zippers.  The pants can be worn alone or with the team uniform shorts over them.

 

Gloves:  Goalkeepers are traditionally allowed to wear gloves.  Other players may also wear gloves, if the weather is cold enough to warrant it.

 

Casts/Splints: Players will not be allowed to play with any type of cast or splint, regardless of whether it is covered in a soft material.  Soft ace bandages that are used to provide support are allowed. 

 

Playing the Game

Slide Tackling:  A slide tackle is when a defender slides on the ground and attempts to kick the ball away from the ball handler.

  - If the tackle is careless, reckless or uses excessive force and was judged to have kicked, tripped, charged or jumped at the ball handler (even if the ball is touched first) a foul should be called and a direct kick awarded. 

- It is always a direct kick foul if the tackler contacts the ball handler before touching the ball.

- If the Referee believes the tackler played in a "dangerous manner", an indirect kick can be awarded.  In U6 and U8 matches all fouls result in a direct free kick.

- If the tackle is from behind (from an angle that doesn't allow the ball handler to see it coming) a "Red Card" can be given.  For U6 & U8 see “special rules” below.

 Beside the possibility of getting hurt or hurting someone else, you can't play if you are lying on the ground.  Region 151 does not recommend the introduction or use of slide tackling in U6, U8 or U10 age divisions.  It will always be up to the referee to determine what type of foul has been committed. 

 

Heading Policy:  AYSO Nationals does not recommend heading below the age of ten.  Coaches are not encouraged to teach or practice heading at these early ages.

 

Zero Tolerance for Referee/Volunteer Abuse:  AYSO Region 151 maintains a “Zero Tolerance Policy” with respect to Referee and Volunteer Abuse.  According to AYSO Rules and Regulations, “It is the duty of each coach to limit their sideline participation during AYSO games to positive instruction and encouragement.  Negative comments about the refereeing shall not be allowed.”  Any feedback relating to the performance of a volunteer must be directed to the Regional Commissioner and/or Referee Administrator – listed on the Region Website www.ayso151.org.  Uncontrolled behavior of coaches, parents or other spectators will not be tolerated and may result in a verbal warning, a send-ff and/or the game being terminated.

 

Coaching & Spectator Seating:  Coaches are restricted to the area behind their own touchline and to 8 yards on either side of the half-way line.  Coaches must remain a minimum of 1 yard from the field of play at all times in order to not interfere with the Referee or Assistant Referee.  A coach must coach from their team’s sideline only.  Spectators are required to be on their “team” side of the field and at least 1 yard  away from the touchline in order to not interfere with the Referee or Assistant Referees.  Spectators are not allowed behind the goal.

 

Special Rules for U8 Division:

Games will be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws with the following nationally approved AYSO modifications:

-          There is no Offside.

-          Opponents must be 6 yards from the ball on a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.

-          An incorrect throw-in will be re-thrown one additional time by the same player after receiving instruction from the referee regarding the correct procedure.  If the second throw-in is also incorrect, play will proceed without stoppage by the referee.

-          All players will play at least two quarters per game.

-          Yellow and red cards are not used with U8 players.  Only verbal warnings will be used.    A second verbal warning may result in a player being sat out for a period of a few minutes not to exceed the remainder of the quarter.  The player will be substituted.  The player will be escorted to the coach by the Referee so that the coach can provide appropriate instruction to the player before the player returns to the game.