Besa Playing Rules.doc

QUICK FIND

FIELD OF PLAY / BALL / PLAYERS / UNIFORMS / REFEREES / LINESMAN / LENGTH OF GAMES / TEAMS AND SPECTATORS / POSTPONEMENT OF GAMES / FOUL WEATHER PROCEDURES / FORFEITS / FOULS AND MISCONDUCT / STANDINGS / SCORES / PRACTICES / FIELD EQUIPMENT / CLEAN-UP / MODIFIED RULES FOR UNDER 6 LEAGUE / MODIFIED RULES FOR UNDER 8 LEAGUE / MODIFIED RULES FOR UNDER 10 LEAGUE

CHANGES TO PLAYING RULES

All games shall be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game except as modified by the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), the North
Texas State Soccer Association (NTSSA), and these Playing Rules of the
Bedford Euless Soccer Association.

1. FIELD OF PLAY

1.1 Locations of game fields as well as field sizes, markings and goal sizes will be as determined by the Fields Director subject to Board approval and conformance to USYSA guidelines.

Back to Top

2. BALL

2.1 Ball sizes for the various age groups will be as follows:

2.2 To provide uniformity, only stitched balls will be used as game balls.

2.3 Prior to a game, each team shall present the referee with a suitable ball and the referee will choose which shall be used as the game ball.

Back to Top

3.PLAYERS

3.1 Maximum and minimum number of players permitted on the field for a team during games in the various age groups will be as follows:

**One of which must be a goalkeeper

3.2 SUBSTITUTIONS - Substitutions shall be unlimited and may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times (Exception: see special "quarter substitution" Rule 18.5 for Under 6 league):

A. By the team in possession, prior to a throw-in.

B. By either team, prior to a goal kick.

C. By either team, after a goal is scored.

D. By either team, after an injury when referee stops play.

E. By either team, between quarters or at half-time.

F. When a caution (yellow card) is given, only that player may be substituted for before play is restarted.

G. The referee must be notified of a goalkeeper change.

H. No substitution will be allowed for a player sent off from the field of play (red card) by the referee (i.e. team plays short for remainder of game).

I. No player shall leave the field of play without the consent of the referee.

3.3 PLAYING TIME - Each team member will play at least one-half of every game he/she attends. Violation of this rule will subject coach to Board review.

3.3.1 Exceptions to Rule 3.3 are limited to:

A. Injury to a player whereby he/she cannot play.

B. Illness or injury limiting his/her playing time.

C. Being withheld for disciplinary reasons:

1. Failure to, without valid reason, meet established practice or game requirements which have been previously communicated to the team either verbally or in writing.

2. Unsportsman like conduct towards another player, a coach or a game official.

3.3.2 Disciplinary actions, as outlined in exception C above, must be reported in writing in a meeting with the opposing coach and the referee before the start of the game. The referee will forward the written exceptions to the respective League Commissioner. 

Back to Top

4. PLAYER'S UNIFORMS

4.1 All players are required to wear proper uniforms as provided by BESA, including numbered jerseys, during league games.

4.2 If both teams wear similar colors, the designated Home team will be required to change to an alternate color jersey. Tee shirts without numbers are acceptable provided players have with them their regular numbered jersey.

4.3 Goalkeepers will wear a jersey of contrasting color to both teams.

4.4 The referee is the final judge of color conflict.

4.5 Shin guards must be worn during all practices and games by all players in all age groups. Socks must cover the shin guards during game play.

4.6 Bicycle (sliding) pants may be worn underneath a player's shorts but must be the same color as the predominant color of the shorts of the team of the player wearing them and not extend beyond the top of the knee.

Back to Top

5.  REFEREES

5.1 Licensed USSF officials will be assigned to work as center referee for Under 10 and older league games.

5.2 If a licensed referee is not present ten minutes after the scheduled game time in the Under 10 and older leagues, that game may be postponed and rescheduled for a later date.

5.3 If the Association receives three written complaints against a referee about three separate incidents within one soccer year, he/she shall be subject review by the Board. Complaints must be submitted to the Board within 48 hours of the incident.

Back to Top

6. LINESMEN

6.1 Licensed USSF officials will be assigned to work as linesmen for Under 10 and older league games.

6.2 If no official linesmen are available to work a game, each team shall provide a club linesman to assist the referee. The club linesman's duties shall be limited to calling ball in or out. Judgment of the referee is always final.

There shall be a 2 minute break between Quarters 1 and 2 and another 2 minute break between Quarters 3 and 4.

Back to Top

8. TEAMS AND SPECTATORS

8.1 Team players, coach, assistant coach, and/or team manager will occupy the North or East side of the field

The parents, families, and other spectators will occupy the South or West side of the field, unless the field layout prevents that placement.

8.2 No coaching will be allowed on the opposite side of the field by either team.

8.3 Coaches must remain on the sidelines within 10 yards of the midfield line of their end of the field during game play.

8.4 Non-playing team members and spectators shall stay at least 5 feet outside of the touchline and no closer than 20 yards to the goal line.

8.5 No individual shall be allowed to run the length of the field except participants of the game.
8.6 Coaches in all age groups shall carry with them at all games a copy of his/her team's player roster, including any current add/delete sheets. These forms shall be presented to the game referee or opposing coach upon request to verify the eligibility of players registered to said team.

8.7 All coaches must attend the NYSCA clinic in accordance with city contracts. They must also carry with them at all practices and games their MCYAC identification card.

8.8 No alcoholic beverages will be permitted near the playing area.

Back to Top

9. POSTPONEMENT OF GAMES

9.1 Games will not be postponed/rescheduled except for reasons of inclement weather or unplayable field conditions.

9.2 Exceptions to this policy may be made only by the respective League Commissioner and only under extraordinary circumstances.

9.3 League Commissioners must coordinate with the Fields Director and the Officials Assignor regarding all changes in times and dates of games.

Back to Top

10. FOUL WEATHER PROCEDURES

10.1 The Association President, Fields Director or their designee shall have sole authority to postpone any game prior to its start due to inclement weather or unplayable field conditions.

10.2 The following guidelines shall be applied to determine playable weather conditions:
For leagues Under 10 and younger, dry weather above 40 F and wet weather above 55 F shall be considered playable.

For leagues Under 12 and older, weather conditions that do not constitute a hazard to health or safety shall be considered playable.

10.3 Teams must report to the playing field as scheduled and ready to play unless their coaches are instructed not to do so by their respective League Commissioner or his/her designee.

10.4 It is the responsibility of the coach of a team that is traveling to play an "away" game to call the designated "rain-out" telephone number of the game field association and to notify his/her team if their game is postponed.

10.5 From the time the referee enters the field of play for a game, he/she becomes the final authority to postpone or suspend that game based on field conditions and/or prevailing weather conditions.

10.6 If a game is suspended prior to the start of the second half, it shall be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety.

10.7 A game suspended after ten minutes into the second half of play will be considered a complete game and the score at the time of suspension will stand.
10.8 The referee shall promptly notify the Officials Director of any games he/she postpones.

10.9 Rescheduling authority rests with the respective League Commissioner, in coordination with the Fields Director and the Officials Assignor. The Commissioner will in turn notify the coaches of the teams involved.

Back to Top

11. FORFEITS

11.1 If a team cannot field the minimum number of players for a game within ten minutes after the referee has ordered play to begin, or if during the game a team has sufficient players sent off, injured or leave to fall below the minimum, then the game shall be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing team.

11.2 A team will proceed to play a game as long as it is able to field the minimum number of players as listed in Rule 3.1.

11.3 One team having to play short does not require the opposing team to also play short (i.e., they may field a full team).

11.4 Players and/or coaches refusing to play, or continue to play, after having been ordered to do so by the referee, thereby bringing the game into dispute, shall automatically forfeit said game and will be subject to suspension pending a hearing by the Board.

Back to Top

12. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

12.1 No player shall intentionally charge or interfere with the goalkeeper in any manner after the goalkeeper has possession of the ball within the penalty area. The goalkeeper shall be allowed to punt or throw the ball unmolested after he/she gains possession. Possession is defined as having one or two hands on the ball in the judgment of the referee.

12.2 Once the goalkeeper has gained possession of the ball and has regained control of his/her body, he/she will put the ball back into play within 6 seconds.

12.3 It is not an intentional "hand ball" offense for any player to attempt to protect the vital areas of his/her body (i.e., chest, crotch, face) by placing hands or arms across them to protect them from being struck at close range by the ball. The referee shall be the sole judge of whether the hands or arms were used to deliberately propel the ball.

12.4 A referee may call a foul whenever a coach, player or spectator enters onto the field of play without the referee's consent.

12.5 A player sent off (red card) from a game by the referee shall forfeit his/her right to participate in his/her team's next game.

12.6 Any player/ coach/assistant coach receiving three cautions (yellow cards) will be disciplined in accordance with NTSSA rule 3.11.2.

12.7 Any coach/assistant sent off (red card) by the referee shall immediately leave the area of the field of play and shall not interfere with nor take part in the further process of the game. The coach/assistant receiving the red card shall also be suspended from taking part in or be present on the field during his/her team's next game.

12.8 The coach and/or assistant coach is responsible for the conduct and control of their sideline (players and spectators).

12.9 Spectators can be dismissed from the field of play by the referee for unruly behavior and disruption of the game. This would include, but not be limited to, continued dissent. In the event a spectator is so dismissed and refuses to leave, the game may be abandoned by the referee and referred to the Board.

12.10 All referee reports concerning misconduct and send offs shall be submitted in writing to the Association First Vice-President within 48 hours of the incident.

12.11 All disciplinary actions shall be administered to in accordance with North Texas State Soccer Association, Rule 3.11. It is the responsibility of each BESA coach to make the contents of Rule 3.11 known to every player and parent on his/her team.

Back to Top

13.STANDINGS

13.1 Division standings during the regular season, in those age groups where such records are kept, shall be calculated using the following point system:

Win 6 Points
Tie 3 Points
Loss 0 Points
Forfeit 9 Points

Plus one additional point shall be awarded for each goal scored up to a maximum of three such additional points per game. A total of nine points per game is possible. BESA teams playing in another playing league shall have their standings determined based upon the playing rules and/or point policies of that league.

13.2 The Association will not condone any team running up the score. The coach of a team that achieves a goal differential of more than 6 against an opponent during a match will be subject to review by the BESA A&D Committee and may receive a minimum one game suspension.

13.3 All games played during the regular season shall count toward division standing except those which may be designated before the start of the season as non-conference games or scrimmage games.

13.4 The U10 coed division teams finishing the regular season with the most points shall be declared the champion of their division.

13.5 In the event of a tie in points at the end of the regular season, play-off games will be used to determine a division championship.

A. Two team ties will be decided by one play-off game.
B. Three team ties will be decided in the following manner:

Team A vs. Team B
Team A vs. Team C
Team B vs. Team C

A team winning two games will be the champion. If each team wins one game, the team scoring the most goals in regulation play during the play-offs will be the champion. If this still results in a tie, the Board of Directors may declare co-champions or schedule further play-off games at its discretion.

C. Four team ties will be decided in the following manner:

Team A vs. Team B
Team C vs. Team D
The winner of the above two games will play one game for the championship.

13.6 If regulation time ends in a championship play-off game with the score tied, two 10 minute overtime periods will be played with teams exchanging ends of the field between periods.

13.7 If the score is then still tied, each team will be awarded five penalty kicks in accordance with FIFA shoot-out rules. Only those players on the field of play at the end of the second overtime period shall be allowed to take kicks. An injured player cannot be replaced.

13.8 If the score is then still tied, extra kicks shall be taken by other players on the field. Each team will alternate, with the winner of a coin toss going first, until there is a difference in scores after an equal number of kicks per team. All players on the field for a team must have taken a kick before a player can kick a second time.

13.9 The Association will pay the entry fee for the championship team in each division of the Under 10 and older leagues to represent BESA in a Board approved post season tournament.

13.10 For the purpose of determining which team the Association will sponsor in a post season tournament, in cases where there are two or more BESA teams in an age division and those teams do not play common opponents during the season, the championship team shall be determined in either of the following methods decided upon by the respective League Commissioner prior to the start of the season: 1.) The highest number of points accumulated during the regular season as outlined in Rule 13.1, regardless of opponents; or 2.) A play-off as outlined in Rule 13.5.

Back to Top

14. SCORES

14.1 In those age groups in which scores are recorded, each team is required to submit a completed and signed game report, including scores, to its League Commissioner within 72 hours of a game. For those teams playing within the Northern Mid-Cities Soccer League the standings are kept by a statistician, not the BESA Commissioner, and the coach must comply with NMCSL requirements for submitting their reports.

14.2 Each League Commissioner will maintain team standings and provide such information to his/her league's coaches upon request.

Back to Top

15. PRACTICES
15.1 During the regular season, the following weekly (Sunday morning through Saturday evening) practice limitations shall apply (see special rules for Under 6 and Under 8 leagues):

A. Three practices with no games.
B. Two practices with one game.
C. One practice with two games.
D. No practices with three games.

15.2 A scrimmage game constitutes a practice.

15.3 No practice session may exceed two hours in length.

15.4 ALL GAME FIELDS ARE CLOSED TO PRACTICES AND SCRIMMAGES. Coaches will receive a list each season specifically stating which fields will not be available to BESA teams for practice. Use of these fields will be monitored.

15.5 Only with the prior approval of the Fields Director may a team practice or scrimmage on a game field with a maximum of one such session allowed per team per season.

15.6 Violation of any of these practice rules will subject the coach of record to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors up to and including suspension from coaching for the remainder of the season.

Back to Top

16. FIELD EQUIPMENT

16.1 If two BESA teams are to play the first (or only) game of the day on a BESA field, each team will be responsible for obtaining and installing one goal net and two corner flags on said field in time so as to not delay the scheduled start of the game.

16.2 If two BESA teams are to play the last (or only) game of the day on a BESA field, each team will be responsible for taking down one goal net and two corner flags and returning them to the proper storage facility.

16.3 If a BESA team is designated as the Home team on a BESA field to a visiting traveling team, the BESA team will be responsible for obtaining and installing and/or taking down and returning BOTH sets of goal nets and four corner flags.

16.4 Coaches who fail on a repeated basis to perform the duties as outlined above will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.

Back to Top

17. CLEAN-UP

17.1 It shall be the responsibility of all teams, whether at home on a BESA field or as visitors on an away field, to pick-up its trash after every game.

This Association recognizes that the Under 6 and Under 8 leagues are special groups of players and, in order to promote safe recreational fun while learning soccer with the pressures of competition removed, the following special rules have been established.

Back to Top

18. MODIFIED PLAYING RULES FOR UNDER 6 LEAGUE
18.1 Scores will not be recorded and team standings will not be maintained.

18.2 Practices will be limited to one session per week with one game, twice per week with no game and none per week with two games. Practice sessions shall not exceed one hour in length.

18.3 If no qualified referee is available, each coach will referee one half of the game. Home team shall referee the first half.

18.4 No goalkeeper shall be used.

18.5 All players present must be given the opportunity to play at least one-half of each game. Substitutions can be made by either team during any “dead-ball” situation (ie. throw-ins, goal kicks) or prior to the start of each quarter.

18.6 All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player by his/her team's coach on the field.

18.7 There shall be no player cautions or ejections.

18.8 All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick.

18.9 Opponents must be at least 5 yards away from ball for all free kicks, goal kicks, corner kicks and kickoffs.

18.10 No penalty kicks will be taken. Instead, an indirect free kick from outside the goal box shall be awarded.

18.11 Goal kicks may be taken from any point inside the goal box.

18.12 Offsides shall not be called. However, the posting of a player in the opponent's goal area will not be permitted.

18.13 A second throw-in will be allowed if a player commits an infraction on the initial attempt. The player's coach on the field shall explain the proper method before allowing the player to re-throw.

18.14 Slide tackling and other forms of dangerous play will not be permitted.

18.15 Coaches must attend a “G” license clinic in accordance with
NTSSA rule 4.12.

18.16 One coach from each team will be allowed on the field to position players for the start or resumption of play prior to any kickoff, or during a stoppage prior to a free kick (i.e., corner kick, goal kick, or indirect kick due to a foul). The game clock will NOT be stopped while the coaches are on the field. Coaches (and parents) must stay off the field during play.

Back to Top

19. MODIFIED PLAYING RULES FOR UNDER 8 LEAGUE

19.1 Scores will not be recorded and team standings will not be maintained.

19.2 Practices will be limited to two sessions per week with one game, once per week with two games and none per week with three games. Practice sessions shall not exceed one hour in length.

19.3 All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player by the referee.

19.4 All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick.

19.5 Opponents must be at least 6 yards away from ball for all free kicks, goal kicks, corner kicks and kickoffs.

19.6 No penalty kicks will be taken. Instead, an indirect free kick from outside the penalty area shall be awarded.

19.7 Offsides shall not be called unless it is determined by the referee to be a planned strategy by either team. Coaches may be cautioned for continued abuse of this rule.

19.8 A second throw-in will be allowed if a player commits an infraction on the initial attempt. The referee shall explain the proper method before allowing the player to rethrow.

19.9 Slide tackling and other forms of dangerous play will not be permitted.

19.10 If no qualified referee is available, each coach will referee one half of the game. Home team shall referee the first half.

19.11 Coaches must attend a “G” license clinic in accordance with NTSSA rule 4.12.

Back to Top

20. MODIFIED PLAYING RULES FOR UNDER 10 LEAGUE

20.1 Opponents must be at least 8 yards away from ball for all free kicks, goal kicks, corner kicks and kickoff.

Back to Top

21. CHANGES TO PLAYING RULES

21.1 It shall be the duty of the Rules Committee to periodically review these Playing Rules and submit any recommended changes to the Board for approval.

21.2 Changes to these Playing Rules may be approved by a simple majority vote of those voting members present at any regular or emergency meeting of the Board.

21.3 Any changes to these Playing Rules shall become effective the following playing season, unless specifically indicated by the Board to become effective immediately. The Association shall provide all coaches with a copy of the current Playing Rules prior to each season or whenever the Rules are revised.

Back to Top