EKYSA MATCH PROTOCOL
SPRING 2004
In addition to EKYSA standards, the following document contains some provisions from applicable FIFA Laws and KYSA rules that are included for ready reference. Otherwise State and National rules, FIFA Laws, and common sense apply:
THE FIELD
Teams will occupy one touchline and spectators will occupy
the other. Spectators are not permitted
on the goal lines or behind the goals. Coaches will stay within their technical areas, on either side
of the halfway line. Alcoholic beverages
are not permitted at any EKYSA soccer facility.
Other than sanctioned tournaments, EKYSA teams shall not play on any
venue against any teams that are not members of KYSA.
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY
Players may not wear anything that the referee considers dangerous to themselves, their teammates, or opponents. Shin guards, worn under the socks, are mandatory. Molded round rubber cleats are recommended for most conditions. Shoes with a single toe cleat are not allowed. Shoes with metal/hard plastic cleats specifically designed for soccer, such as the screw-in type, are allowed at U14 and above. All items of jewelry are normally considered dangerous. An item of clothing or jewelry that is clearly religious or medical in nature should be permitted to be worn if the referee determines it is not dangerous and not likely to provide the player with an unfair advantage. Except for the keepers, players must tuck their jerseys inside their shorts. Only keepers are allowed to wear caps, pads, or other special items clearly related to the goal keeping function.
THE PLAYERS
The referee is only obligated to insure that the number of
players per side on the field is at least the minimum and no more than the
maximum. Short sides may add only
younger or same age-group players from other teams but no more than required
for a full side. Players may only play
up one division. Substitutions can only
be made with the referee’s permission.
Referee must receive prior notification of any keeper changes made during
the match or at halftime. Substitutions
in and out shall be made where the halfway line meets the touchline on the team
side of the field. Players from either
team will wait off the field at this location until the above conditions are
met and the center referee allows the substitution. The playing time for all recreational players
is a minimum of one-half the game and all attempts shall be made to comply with
the same. A coach may bench a player for
misconduct regardless of the amount of time played in the match.
THE REFEREE
In cases where no assigned referee shows up for a match,
coaches will attempt to obtain a neutral party to act as referee. If no neutral party can be obtained for the
entire match, coaches, assistants, or spectators from each team can alternate
officiating the halves. Under no
circumstances will any match have more than one center referee on the field at
a time. If requested by the referee,
each team shall provide a club linesman, usually a parent. Club linesmen shall ONLY call in and out and
signal the direction of the throw-in.
Out is when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the line. Club linesmen may cheer their team but should
do no coaching. Certified referees will
notify the center referee if their children are in the match or they otherwise
have a conflict of interest. Unless
otherwise instructed by the center referee, they shall act as club linesmen and
not as Assistant Referees for that match.
THE MATCH
Duration:
U19 – two 45 minute halves
U16 – two 40 minute halves
U14 – two 35 minute halves
U12 – two 30 minute halves
U10 – two 25 minute halves
U08 – four 10 minute quarters
Halftime shall be 10 minutes. Quarterly breaks shall be 2minutes. Under no circumstances will the coaches or
referee shorten these breaks below the minimum without the consent of the
players. Teams will change ends and possession of the ball for the second half
kick-off. If the referee has decided to
suspend, terminate, or abandon a match for reasons covered under Law 5, coaches
shall not override that decision.
Coaches are not obligated to resume a suspended match if they believe
their players are in imminent serious danger.
If another match is scheduled that day for that field, the suspended
match will be terminated or abandoned if it will delay the start time of the
following match by more than 15 minutes.
In any case, a match will be terminated
or abandoned if it cannot be completed within 1 hour from the original
finishing time. When lightning or
thunder are first noticed, the referee will temporarily suspend the match. Players will get inside of cars or a suitable
building. The primary responsibility to
insure that players wait in a safe manner lies with the coaches. The match will not restart earlier than 20
minutes from the most recent sign of thunder or lightning.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
Slide tackling is not allowed at U12 and younger age groups
and referees shall, as a minimum, apply the Law 12 criteria for playing in a
dangerous manner. Law 12 otherwise
applies and certain factors may dictate a more severe penalty. Ejected players will sit out the next
scheduled game that their team plays and the player attends. This will carry over to the following season
where applicable. Misconduct of
spectators or coaches that affects the game should be handled early. EKYSA official personnel witnessing such
misconduct or unruly behavior should actively support referees and others. Where it is safe to do so, they should
tactfully approach the offender before the situation gets out of hand. Serious misconduct shall be reported to the
Board. Should a spectator(s) become
unruly, abusive, or unsporting to the extent that it affects the match, the referee
may stop the match and confer with opposing coaches. If deemed necessary by the referee, the
coaches will ask the offending spectator(s) to leave the field. If the offender fails to leave, the referee
will terminate the match. Sarcasm,
harassment, intimidation, or other unsporting behavior directed at the referee
by coaches or players may result in the referee asking the offending person(s)
to leave the field. If no responsible
adult can assume coaching responsibilities, the referee shall suspend the
match. At the referee’s discretion,
coaches may politely and constructively ask at halftime or after the match for
an explanation of a ruling. Negative
criticism of a youth referee expressed publicly by coaches, referees, or other
league officials will not be tolerated.
In addition to counseling the offender, EKYSA official personnel
witnessing such conduct shall report it to the EKYSA board in a timely
manner.