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ROXBURY SOCCER CLUB P.O. BOX 207 SUCCASUNNA, NJ 07876 (973) 784-0621 www.roxburysoccer.com TO: In-Town Coaches FROM: RSC Executive Board RE: RECREATION COACHES’ RULES Thank you for volunteering to coach in the Recreation Soccer program. Below for your reference is a list of duties, responsibilities, and "local" rules. Please do not hesitate to call upon your Division Coordinator or any Executive Board member should clarification of any item be necessary.
General Information and Guidelines 1.
All teams are required to have a head coach as well as an assistant coach listed on their roster.
2.
It is strongly suggested that all head & assistant coaches attend a safety orientation & training program (to meet the "Little League Coach's Liability Law"). This is for the protection of the coach and from any legal action being taken against you. The Roxbury Recreation Department offers the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (Sports Awareness for Educating Today's Youth) free of charge to all volunteer coaches. Please contact the Recreation Department @ 973-448-2015 to find out when the next class will be held and to register. NOTE: Completion of the NJYS "F" License course satisfies the Liability Law requirements.
3.
The following are mandatory for all assistant and head coaches and must be fulfilled prior to the start of the season, or you will not be permitted to coach:
Background checks: Details regarding the process can be found on the Roxbury Township website (www.roxburynj.us) in the recreation department section.
Kid Safe form: completed and handed in to the Coordinator.
Online Concussion training: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html
4.
All head coaches are expected to attend the Division team distribution (rate the talent, pick the teams), help out, and arrange Division duties.
5.
Coaches must call all team members and settle any conflicts within 10 days of the Division draft (or roster distribution).
6.
Coaches need to distribute the practice & game schedules as soon as possible (to allow families to resolve or prepare for conflicts quickly and avoid last minute surprises). Include a roster and necessary information concerning mandatory/optional equipment and time requirements.
7.
Practice only on your assigned fields and at your designated times to avoid conflicts (refer problems/changes to your Division Coordinator). Practicing on a field that is closed or is not assigned to you will result in losing a practice.
8.
Teams should report to the assigned field for games at least 20 minutes early for stretching, warm-ups, and equipment inspection. Referees are charged with keeping the schedule and starting the games on time, so please cooperate.
9.
Keep the kids off of the nets and goal posts (this is a safety issue; furthermore, we are responsible for, and in the end pay for, damaged equipment).
10. Behave in a manner that will not bring discredit to the Club, the players or you.
1
11. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team's parents, spectators, and fans that violate the Club’s Code of Ethics. Referees will be responsible for reporting any ethics violations by coaches to the Referee Coordinator. 12. Zero Tolerance towards referees. Referees are the officials of all of Roxbury’s games. In order to encourage Referee participation, Roxbury encourages the use of youth referees. As a coach, you need to recognize that youth referees need time to develop and from time to time they may make mistakes. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game being played. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments. Under no circumstances are you to discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting or even accepting your own players’ overly aggressive behavior. Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules or you’re overly concerned about results, or if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will notice. Punishment for Violating Zero Tolerance: st 1 offense = 1 game suspension nd 2 offense = 2 game suspension rd 3 offense = removal as coach Suspensions will be taken into consideration when selecting coaches in future seasons. Note: The Executive Board will review each offense and administer the required penalty. Failure to follow the Code of Ethics, especially in cases involving youth referees, will be dealt with by the Executive Board, and could lead to expulsion from the Club. 13. Coaches, parents, and fans are not permitted on the field at any time during or between quarters (except for player injury), unless given specific permission by the referee. 14. All players must sit on one side of the field and the spectators are to sit between the18 yard lines (penalty box) on the opposite side of the field. Coaches, assistants, parents and fans are not allowed near the goals and end lines to avoid interference, distractions, and coaching. 15. Coaches should refrain from over-coaching during games and should never single out a player for criticism in front of players and/or spectators (even if it's your child), regardless of the circumstances. 16. The equipment given to each team is expensive to replace. The Club reserves the right to request that coaches sign an inventory record for equipment received for each/ any season. 17. Police the field before and after each practice or game: secure the goals, and use the trash/recycle containers near each field for anything left on the ground. 18. Coaches must turn in equipment & rating forms to their Division Coordinator IMMEDIATELY at the season's end during field shut down or the June (Spring season)/ November (Fall season) General Session Meeting. 19. If a coach cannot resolve complaints or other difficulties arising from players or parents from his/her team, the matter should be discussed first with their Division Coordinator. If it is still not resolved, a formal grievance can be filed. The form can be found on the RSC website. 20. SCORES ARE TO BE KEPT AT REASONABLE LEVELS. Any team ahead by four goals should make every attempt to keep the score at a reasonable level. Once a team goes ahead by 4 goals, a player will be removed from the field. An additional player will be removed for every goal scored over 4 goals. If the opposing team brings down the deficit, the players removed are permitted to re-enter the game. If reducing players is still not sufficient, other methods should be implemented to help keep the scores at a reasonable level. Some suggestions are: repositioning players so that “scorers” are put in more defensive positions, instructing your team to pass more prior to shooting, only allowing players who haven’t scored to shoot, or changing the formation so fewer offensive positions (attackers) are used.
2 7/2016
21. To further your coaching skills, coaches can attend the different licensing levels offered by the New Jersey State Youth Soccer Association (NJSYSA) (i.e., "F", "E", etc.), as well as any in-house clinics. The Club will reimburse the full cost of an F license and $40 towards any higher level license. 22. If no referee is available for your game, teams will be required to provide their own referee coverage. It is the responsibility of both teams’ head coaches to determine coverage during the game; this may be satisfied by the coach, an assistant coach, or a volunteer parent. The Club envisions this as an educational/ developmental tool when referees are unavailable. 23. Coaches should always have the team's medical kit, medical forms and a supply of ice available at all practices and games. 24. Each team should make every attempt to be represented at the monthly general meetings (i.e., head coach, assistant coach, or delegated parent).
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Hierarchical order: Coach --> Division Coordinator --> Executive Board (& vice-versa). A. When distributing the uniforms, please give each child the size that his/her parent(s) ordered on the registration form (and recorded on the roster sheets). B.
Both coaches are required to report the scores online within 48 hours of the game being played. Although scores are not st posted, D division (1 grade) coaches still need to report scores.
C.
Only the Club may cancel scheduled games due to inclement weather or other reasons as deemed necessary by the Club. Coaches are not permitted to cancel or reschedule games without the permission of the Club. GAMES CANCELLED CONTRARY TO THIS ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEIT (they will not be rescheduled, and at the very best, will be recorded as a 0-0 tie game).
D. If during the course of a game there is lightning or thunder, the game is stopped and all players, coaches and fans are to leave the field immediately. See Rule #1 of Local In-Town rules to determine if the game is considered complete E.
Exception to the lightning rule for games: If your game is the last game of the day on the field, the teams can resume the game after waiting 30 minutes since the last lightning sighting or thunder. Should there be another lightning sighting or thunder during the 30 minute waiting period, the game is stopped. If during the course of practice there is lightning or thunder, the practice is stopped and all players, coaches and fans are to leave the field immediately. Teams can resume practice after waiting 30 minutes since the last lightning sighting or thunder. Should there be another lightning sighting or thunder during the 30 minute waiting period, the 30 minute waiting period starts over. Note: Unless an Executive Board member is present, the coaches and referee will convene on the field and agree by majority vote to suspend or end the game in the event of unexpected/worsening inclement weather (refer to LOCAL INTOWN RULE #1 below).
F.
Closed Fields: When the RED Flag is up the fields are closed. When the GREEN FLAG is up the fields are open. Practices & Games are not to be played on closed fields. Call the SOCCER HOT LINE at 973-784-0621 to find out if the fields are open or closed. The flag is located near the Righter Road parking lot at Horseshoe Lake.
G. GAMES SHOULD BE PLAYED AS SCHEDULED! Conflicts for the head coach do not qualify as a reason for cancellation (have assistant or volunteer parent to coach game in your absence). Check the schedules early in the season with the parents and assistants for conflicts. Every effort to complete the schedule as planned should be made. A rescheduling of games ends up being most unfair to those players and their families who arranged to be there for the original date and time and subsequently cannot attend the make-up. GAMES CAN ONLY BE RESCHEDULED THROUGH EXECUTIVE BOARD CONSENT.
3 7/2016
H. In the event of a late-arriving referee, the coaches will mutually agree to an officiating arrangement. If the referee arrives before the game begins (i.e., the whistle has not blown to signal the start of play), he/she may claim the game from the substitute referee. However, once the game has started, the substitute referee is in full control, and the late-arriving referee may only claim the game at the substitute referee’s discretion. I.
Awards will be given as follows: 1st place only (3 or less teams in Division); 1st and 2nd places (4 or 5 teams in Division); 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places (6 or more teams in Division). The intent of this is not to play for the reward, but rather to add another element of fun and excitement for the kids. 3 points are awarded for a win; 1 point is awarded for a tie. Standings are decided by sequentially applying the following: 1) Total number of points 2) Head to head competition (disregard if three-way tie) 3) Total number of bonus points (goal differential per game - maximum of 3 bonus points awarded per game to the winning team) 4) If still tied, then it is declared a tie. Notes: st D Division (1 grade) players will receive participation awards as this division does not keep track of standings. When teams from outside leagues are included in the A Division, the records of those teams will count in the standings. Roxbury teams will be awarded the appropriate award based on the total number of teams in that division and their final standing in the entire division.
LOCAL IN-TOWN RULES Divisions are as follows: A Division: B Division: C Division: D Division:
th
th
th
6 , 7 & 8 Grade. th th 4 & 5 Grade. nd rd 2 & 3 Grade. st 1 Grade.
1.
C and D division games will be comprised of four 15 minute “running” quarters. The quarters may be shortened by agreement of both coaches (and with the referee's permission) under extenuating circumstances (I.E., shortage of players, injuries, heat, darkness, inclement weather, or field problems) or by Club directive. In the event a game is suspended, a game is considered complete if 2 quarters have been played.
2.
B division games will be comprised of two 30 minute “running” halves. A division games will be comprised of two 35 minute st “running” halves. In the event a game is suspended, a game is considered complete if the 1 half has been played.
3.
Typical number of players on the field by division: A Division – will play 11 v 11 (7v7 minimum) B division – will play 9 v 9 (6v6 minimum) C Division – will play 7 v 7 (5v5 minimum) D Division – will play 4 v 4 Please note - both teams will begin play with the same number of players on the field.
4.
It is the Club’s intention that coaches should play all players fairly over the course of the season and that all players should receive a minimum of 2 quarters playing time in each game and they must appear in both halves of a game. A player must average ½ playing time for the season for all games the player attends. Playing time need not be contiguous (i.e., playing
4 7/2016
portions of quarters is allowed, so long as the total playing time equals 2 full quarters). Obvious exceptions would be illness, injury, or late arrival to the game. Additionally, the Club will permit coaches to exercise playing time discretion in situations where there has been chronic and unexcused absenteeism from practices/games. 5.
Coaches are encouraged to give all players the opportunity to play different positions throughout the season to get a better understanding of the game.
6.
Players are required to wear the complete uniform at games. Team shirts MUST be worn over any other clothing, such as sweatshirts (which cannot be “hoodies”). Shirts must be tucked in. Cut-off shorts are not considered acceptable uniform attire. The knee-high uniform socks MUST be worn.
7.
Shin guards are mandatory at practices and games; at games, they MUST be worn under the uniform socks and completely covered.
8.
Soccer shoes (having molded rubber cleats) or sneakers are the only approved footwear allowed at practices and games (multi-purpose shoes are subject to the referee's discretion).In any event, BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL CLEATS ARE PROHIBITED.
9.
Jewelry of any kind is prohibited at practices and games! NO EXCEPTIONS! (I.E., recently pierced body parts)! This includes beads in the hair.
10. Casts (even if padded) and splints are prohibited at practices and games. 11. Hats with brims and berets are prohibited at practices and games for field players (goalies are allowed to wear hats). 12. Eyeglasses must have unbreakable lenses at practices and games. Safety goggles are strongly recommended. 13. One adult is required from each team to do the sideline flags. Anyone running sideline flags is to refrain from coaching while doing so. 14. Slide tackling is NOT permitted in ANY Division. Slide tackling will be ruled a "dangerous play" resulting in a direct free kick or penalty kick if done in the penalty area. Further offenses may result in stricter penalties at the referee's discretion. 15. Any player or coach receiving a "Red Card" must immediately leave the field (players leave without replacement), and in addition, the Club's intention will be to suspend for the next game. ALL RED CARDS WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE REFEREE COORDINATOR. "Yellow Cards" are warnings; however, 2 in 1 game or 2 in consecutive games are considered a "Red Card" with the same penalties given. All cards must be reported to the Division Coordinator and Referee Coordinator. Note: Players, under the age of 18, who have been red carded during a game must leave the “field of play,” but can only leave the recreation facility with a parent or guardian. Any coach or assistant coach red carded during a game must leave the recreation facility immediately! 16. BALL SIZE:
A Division: #5 B & C Division: #4 D Division & Mighty Mites: #3
17. OFFSIDE RULE: All Divisions Note: Offside in D division will be called in more obvious situations and with education in mind (explaining to the children why they were offside and how to deal with the rule/law). Coaches should begin to teach the offside rule in this division. In C division coaches and referees should enforce the offside rule with education in mind and more stringently than in D division. Offside in A and B division should be strictly enforced. 18. PENALTY KICKS: A & B Division: YES C & D Division: NO (put ball on 18 yard line nearest where the infraction occurred). Direct kick, defending team can form a wall.
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19. THROW-INS:
A, B & C Division (1) attempt to perform correctly. D Division (2) attempts to perform correctly.
20. COACHES ON SIDELINE: Two (2) Coaches are permitted on the sideline with the team, the head coach and one (1) assistant coach. Coaches “running flags” are to refrain from coaching while doing so. 21. COACHES ON FIELD: (Instructor role): A, B & C Division: NO D Division: YES (One coach per team) Coaches on the field are encouraged to try to stay along the sideline and between the 18 yard lines. 22. SUBSTITUTION RULE: Both teams may substitute on goal kicks and after a score with the permission of the referee. The team not taking a throw-in can substitute only if the team with possession (making the throw-in) is making a substitution. Substitutes should enter the field of play at the halfway line only after receiving permission from the referee and only after the players they are replacing have left the field. Coaches should have your substitutions well organized in advance at the halfway line and should make every effort to make the substitutions promptly in order to avoid any delay of the game. 23. HEADERS: Heading the ball is not allowed in D, C, & B divisions. Heading is allowed in A division. Penalty is an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul. If a player deliberately heads the ball and the ball immediately goes out of play, the referee will restart in accordance as to how the ball went out of play (throw-in, goal kick, corner kick). If a player is inadvertently struck in the head with the ball, there is no rule infraction.
DIVISION COORDINATORS: Boy’s Division Coordinator: Girl’s Division Coordinator: Mites Coordinator: Referee Coordinator:
Chris Sabella/Matt Jachera Matt Gotimer Gus Contreras Stuart Marcus
973-945-4917/862-432-3681 973-903-2236 973-366-9049 973-945-0618
Jason Gabloff Robert Gramp Melissa Shukis Open Steve Kopp Liz Poskitt
973-876-9142 973-670-4266 862-397-0503
EXECUTIVE BOARD: President 1st Vice-President: Registrar 2nd Vice-President: Scheduling/Training 2nd Vice-President: Fields/Equip Secretary Treasurer
973-769-7536 973-953-1484
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General Information and Guidelines 1.
All teams are required to have a head coach as well as an assistant coach listed on their roster.
2.
It is strongly suggested that all head & assistant coaches attend a safety orientation & training program (to meet the "Little League Coach's Liability Law"). This is for the protection of the coach and from any legal action being taken against you. The Roxbury Recreation Department offers the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (Sports Awareness for Educating Today's Youth) free of charge to all volunteer coaches. Please contact the Recreation Department @ 973-448-2015 to find out when the next class will be held and to register. NOTE: Completion of the NJYS "F" License course satisfies the Liability Law requirements.
3.
The following are mandatory for all assistant and head coaches and must be fulfilled prior to the start of the season, or you will not be permitted to coach:
Background checks: Details regarding the process can be found on the Roxbury Township website (www.roxburynj.us) in the recreation department section.
Kid Safe form: completed and handed in to the Coordinator.
Online Concussion training: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html
4.
All head coaches are expected to attend the Division team distribution (rate the talent, pick the teams), help out, and arrange Division duties.
5.
Coaches must call all team members and settle any conflicts within 10 days of the Division draft (or roster distribution).
6.
Coaches need to distribute the practice & game schedules as soon as possible (to allow families to resolve or prepare for conflicts quickly and avoid last minute surprises). Include a roster and necessary information concerning mandatory/optional equipment and time requirements.
7.
Practice only on your assigned fields and at your designated times to avoid conflicts (refer problems/changes to your Division Coordinator). Practicing on a field that is closed or is not assigned to you will result in losing a practice.
8.
Teams should report to the assigned field for games at least 20 minutes early for stretching, warm-ups, and equipment inspection. Referees are charged with keeping the schedule and starting the games on time, so please cooperate.
9.
Keep the kids off of the nets and goal posts (this is a safety issue; furthermore, we are responsible for, and in the end pay for, damaged equipment).
10. Behave in a manner that will not bring discredit to the Club, the players or you.
1
11. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team's parents, spectators, and fans that violate the Club’s Code of Ethics. Referees will be responsible for reporting any ethics violations by coaches to the Referee Coordinator. 12. Zero Tolerance towards referees. Referees are the officials of all of Roxbury’s games. In order to encourage Referee participation, Roxbury encourages the use of youth referees. As a coach, you need to recognize that youth referees need time to develop and from time to time they may make mistakes. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game being played. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments. Under no circumstances are you to discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting or even accepting your own players’ overly aggressive behavior. Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules or you’re overly concerned about results, or if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will notice. Punishment for Violating Zero Tolerance: st 1 offense = 1 game suspension nd 2 offense = 2 game suspension rd 3 offense = removal as coach Suspensions will be taken into consideration when selecting coaches in future seasons. Note: The Executive Board will review each offense and administer the required penalty. Failure to follow the Code of Ethics, especially in cases involving youth referees, will be dealt with by the Executive Board, and could lead to expulsion from the Club. 13. Coaches, parents, and fans are not permitted on the field at any time during or between quarters (except for player injury), unless given specific permission by the referee. 14. All players must sit on one side of the field and the spectators are to sit between the18 yard lines (penalty box) on the opposite side of the field. Coaches, assistants, parents and fans are not allowed near the goals and end lines to avoid interference, distractions, and coaching. 15. Coaches should refrain from over-coaching during games and should never single out a player for criticism in front of players and/or spectators (even if it's your child), regardless of the circumstances. 16. The equipment given to each team is expensive to replace. The Club reserves the right to request that coaches sign an inventory record for equipment received for each/ any season. 17. Police the field before and after each practice or game: secure the goals, and use the trash/recycle containers near each field for anything left on the ground. 18. Coaches must turn in equipment & rating forms to their Division Coordinator IMMEDIATELY at the season's end during field shut down or the June (Spring season)/ November (Fall season) General Session Meeting. 19. If a coach cannot resolve complaints or other difficulties arising from players or parents from his/her team, the matter should be discussed first with their Division Coordinator. If it is still not resolved, a formal grievance can be filed. The form can be found on the RSC website. 20. SCORES ARE TO BE KEPT AT REASONABLE LEVELS. Any team ahead by four goals should make every attempt to keep the score at a reasonable level. Once a team goes ahead by 4 goals, a player will be removed from the field. An additional player will be removed for every goal scored over 4 goals. If the opposing team brings down the deficit, the players removed are permitted to re-enter the game. If reducing players is still not sufficient, other methods should be implemented to help keep the scores at a reasonable level. Some suggestions are: repositioning players so that “scorers” are put in more defensive positions, instructing your team to pass more prior to shooting, only allowing players who haven’t scored to shoot, or changing the formation so fewer offensive positions (attackers) are used.
2 7/2016
21. To further your coaching skills, coaches can attend the different licensing levels offered by the New Jersey State Youth Soccer Association (NJSYSA) (i.e., "F", "E", etc.), as well as any in-house clinics. The Club will reimburse the full cost of an F license and $40 towards any higher level license. 22. If no referee is available for your game, teams will be required to provide their own referee coverage. It is the responsibility of both teams’ head coaches to determine coverage during the game; this may be satisfied by the coach, an assistant coach, or a volunteer parent. The Club envisions this as an educational/ developmental tool when referees are unavailable. 23. Coaches should always have the team's medical kit, medical forms and a supply of ice available at all practices and games. 24. Each team should make every attempt to be represented at the monthly general meetings (i.e., head coach, assistant coach, or delegated parent).
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Hierarchical order: Coach --> Division Coordinator --> Executive Board (& vice-versa). A. When distributing the uniforms, please give each child the size that his/her parent(s) ordered on the registration form (and recorded on the roster sheets). B.
Both coaches are required to report the scores online within 48 hours of the game being played. Although scores are not st posted, D division (1 grade) coaches still need to report scores.
C.
Only the Club may cancel scheduled games due to inclement weather or other reasons as deemed necessary by the Club. Coaches are not permitted to cancel or reschedule games without the permission of the Club. GAMES CANCELLED CONTRARY TO THIS ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEIT (they will not be rescheduled, and at the very best, will be recorded as a 0-0 tie game).
D. If during the course of a game there is lightning or thunder, the game is stopped and all players, coaches and fans are to leave the field immediately. See Rule #1 of Local In-Town rules to determine if the game is considered complete E.
Exception to the lightning rule for games: If your game is the last game of the day on the field, the teams can resume the game after waiting 30 minutes since the last lightning sighting or thunder. Should there be another lightning sighting or thunder during the 30 minute waiting period, the game is stopped. If during the course of practice there is lightning or thunder, the practice is stopped and all players, coaches and fans are to leave the field immediately. Teams can resume practice after waiting 30 minutes since the last lightning sighting or thunder. Should there be another lightning sighting or thunder during the 30 minute waiting period, the 30 minute waiting period starts over. Note: Unless an Executive Board member is present, the coaches and referee will convene on the field and agree by majority vote to suspend or end the game in the event of unexpected/worsening inclement weather (refer to LOCAL INTOWN RULE #1 below).
F.
Closed Fields: When the RED Flag is up the fields are closed. When the GREEN FLAG is up the fields are open. Practices & Games are not to be played on closed fields. Call the SOCCER HOT LINE at 973-784-0621 to find out if the fields are open or closed. The flag is located near the Righter Road parking lot at Horseshoe Lake.
G. GAMES SHOULD BE PLAYED AS SCHEDULED! Conflicts for the head coach do not qualify as a reason for cancellation (have assistant or volunteer parent to coach game in your absence). Check the schedules early in the season with the parents and assistants for conflicts. Every effort to complete the schedule as planned should be made. A rescheduling of games ends up being most unfair to those players and their families who arranged to be there for the original date and time and subsequently cannot attend the make-up. GAMES CAN ONLY BE RESCHEDULED THROUGH EXECUTIVE BOARD CONSENT.
3 7/2016
H. In the event of a late-arriving referee, the coaches will mutually agree to an officiating arrangement. If the referee arrives before the game begins (i.e., the whistle has not blown to signal the start of play), he/she may claim the game from the substitute referee. However, once the game has started, the substitute referee is in full control, and the late-arriving referee may only claim the game at the substitute referee’s discretion. I.
Awards will be given as follows: 1st place only (3 or less teams in Division); 1st and 2nd places (4 or 5 teams in Division); 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places (6 or more teams in Division). The intent of this is not to play for the reward, but rather to add another element of fun and excitement for the kids. 3 points are awarded for a win; 1 point is awarded for a tie. Standings are decided by sequentially applying the following: 1) Total number of points 2) Head to head competition (disregard if three-way tie) 3) Total number of bonus points (goal differential per game - maximum of 3 bonus points awarded per game to the winning team) 4) If still tied, then it is declared a tie. Notes: st D Division (1 grade) players will receive participation awards as this division does not keep track of standings. When teams from outside leagues are included in the A Division, the records of those teams will count in the standings. Roxbury teams will be awarded the appropriate award based on the total number of teams in that division and their final standing in the entire division.
LOCAL IN-TOWN RULES Divisions are as follows: A Division: B Division: C Division: D Division:
th
th
th
6 , 7 & 8 Grade. th th 4 & 5 Grade. nd rd 2 & 3 Grade. st 1 Grade.
1.
C and D division games will be comprised of four 15 minute “running” quarters. The quarters may be shortened by agreement of both coaches (and with the referee's permission) under extenuating circumstances (I.E., shortage of players, injuries, heat, darkness, inclement weather, or field problems) or by Club directive. In the event a game is suspended, a game is considered complete if 2 quarters have been played.
2.
B division games will be comprised of two 30 minute “running” halves. A division games will be comprised of two 35 minute st “running” halves. In the event a game is suspended, a game is considered complete if the 1 half has been played.
3.
Typical number of players on the field by division: A Division – will play 11 v 11 (7v7 minimum) B division – will play 9 v 9 (6v6 minimum) C Division – will play 7 v 7 (5v5 minimum) D Division – will play 4 v 4 Please note - both teams will begin play with the same number of players on the field.
4.
It is the Club’s intention that coaches should play all players fairly over the course of the season and that all players should receive a minimum of 2 quarters playing time in each game and they must appear in both halves of a game. A player must average ½ playing time for the season for all games the player attends. Playing time need not be contiguous (i.e., playing
4 7/2016
portions of quarters is allowed, so long as the total playing time equals 2 full quarters). Obvious exceptions would be illness, injury, or late arrival to the game. Additionally, the Club will permit coaches to exercise playing time discretion in situations where there has been chronic and unexcused absenteeism from practices/games. 5.
Coaches are encouraged to give all players the opportunity to play different positions throughout the season to get a better understanding of the game.
6.
Players are required to wear the complete uniform at games. Team shirts MUST be worn over any other clothing, such as sweatshirts (which cannot be “hoodies”). Shirts must be tucked in. Cut-off shorts are not considered acceptable uniform attire. The knee-high uniform socks MUST be worn.
7.
Shin guards are mandatory at practices and games; at games, they MUST be worn under the uniform socks and completely covered.
8.
Soccer shoes (having molded rubber cleats) or sneakers are the only approved footwear allowed at practices and games (multi-purpose shoes are subject to the referee's discretion).In any event, BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL CLEATS ARE PROHIBITED.
9.
Jewelry of any kind is prohibited at practices and games! NO EXCEPTIONS! (I.E., recently pierced body parts)! This includes beads in the hair.
10. Casts (even if padded) and splints are prohibited at practices and games. 11. Hats with brims and berets are prohibited at practices and games for field players (goalies are allowed to wear hats). 12. Eyeglasses must have unbreakable lenses at practices and games. Safety goggles are strongly recommended. 13. One adult is required from each team to do the sideline flags. Anyone running sideline flags is to refrain from coaching while doing so. 14. Slide tackling is NOT permitted in ANY Division. Slide tackling will be ruled a "dangerous play" resulting in a direct free kick or penalty kick if done in the penalty area. Further offenses may result in stricter penalties at the referee's discretion. 15. Any player or coach receiving a "Red Card" must immediately leave the field (players leave without replacement), and in addition, the Club's intention will be to suspend for the next game. ALL RED CARDS WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE REFEREE COORDINATOR. "Yellow Cards" are warnings; however, 2 in 1 game or 2 in consecutive games are considered a "Red Card" with the same penalties given. All cards must be reported to the Division Coordinator and Referee Coordinator. Note: Players, under the age of 18, who have been red carded during a game must leave the “field of play,” but can only leave the recreation facility with a parent or guardian. Any coach or assistant coach red carded during a game must leave the recreation facility immediately! 16. BALL SIZE:
A Division: #5 B & C Division: #4 D Division & Mighty Mites: #3
17. OFFSIDE RULE: All Divisions Note: Offside in D division will be called in more obvious situations and with education in mind (explaining to the children why they were offside and how to deal with the rule/law). Coaches should begin to teach the offside rule in this division. In C division coaches and referees should enforce the offside rule with education in mind and more stringently than in D division. Offside in A and B division should be strictly enforced. 18. PENALTY KICKS: A & B Division: YES C & D Division: NO (put ball on 18 yard line nearest where the infraction occurred). Direct kick, defending team can form a wall.
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19. THROW-INS:
A, B & C Division (1) attempt to perform correctly. D Division (2) attempts to perform correctly.
20. COACHES ON SIDELINE: Two (2) Coaches are permitted on the sideline with the team, the head coach and one (1) assistant coach. Coaches “running flags” are to refrain from coaching while doing so. 21. COACHES ON FIELD: (Instructor role): A, B & C Division: NO D Division: YES (One coach per team) Coaches on the field are encouraged to try to stay along the sideline and between the 18 yard lines. 22. SUBSTITUTION RULE: Both teams may substitute on goal kicks and after a score with the permission of the referee. The team not taking a throw-in can substitute only if the team with possession (making the throw-in) is making a substitution. Substitutes should enter the field of play at the halfway line only after receiving permission from the referee and only after the players they are replacing have left the field. Coaches should have your substitutions well organized in advance at the halfway line and should make every effort to make the substitutions promptly in order to avoid any delay of the game. 23. HEADERS: Heading the ball is not allowed in D, C, & B divisions. Heading is allowed in A division. Penalty is an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul. If a player deliberately heads the ball and the ball immediately goes out of play, the referee will restart in accordance as to how the ball went out of play (throw-in, goal kick, corner kick). If a player is inadvertently struck in the head with the ball, there is no rule infraction.
DIVISION COORDINATORS: Boy’s Division Coordinator: Girl’s Division Coordinator: Mites Coordinator: Referee Coordinator:
Chris Sabella/Matt Jachera Matt Gotimer Gus Contreras Stuart Marcus
973-945-4917/862-432-3681 973-903-2236 973-366-9049 973-945-0618
Jason Gabloff Robert Gramp Melissa Shukis Open Steve Kopp Liz Poskitt
973-876-9142 973-670-4266 862-397-0503
EXECUTIVE BOARD: President 1st Vice-President: Registrar 2nd Vice-President: Scheduling/Training 2nd Vice-President: Fields/Equip Secretary Treasurer
973-769-7536 973-953-1484
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