RECREATIONAL PROGRAM
Player Participation
1) Teams and coaches sit on one side of the field
2) Spectators (all non-players, non-coaches) sit on opposite side of the field across from their team and at least three
(3) feet behind the touchline. No one is allowed to view the game from behind the goal
3) Coaches and teams remain on their half of the field during the game and three (3) feet behind the touchline
1) Players and coaches occupy the east side of the field
2) Spectators occupy the west side of the field across from their team and at least three (3) feet behind the touchline. No one is allowed to view the game from behind the goal
Substitution procedure
Referee is informed a Substitution is requested and with the permission of the referee the player being substituted may leave the field of play. The substitute enters the field of play from the halfway line only after the player being replaced has left the field of play.
Water Breaks on Hot Days
Game days with water breaks will be determined at the discretion of the league or club official (s).
Scottsdale Rules of Competition Recreational Progam FINAL 9-14-16.docx Page 1
Check-In Procedures
Each team must check in with the Referee prior to the start of the match and must identify one (1) person who will be the primary coach for the match. All players must be dressed to play at the time of check in and Equipment Check.
1) Shin guards are required
2) All field players must wear similar colored shorts, and similar colored socks. The color of the jerseys may differ from the color of the shorts and/or socks. Likewise, the color of the shorts may differ from the color of the jerseys and/or socks. Both socks must be of the same color, but the color may differ from that of the jerseys and/or shorts
3) Socks MUST cover shin guards completely
4) No toe cleats or metal cleats/spikes allowed
5) Players will not be allowed to wear jewelry of any kind, including wrist bands, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings). Bracelets are defined as any object encircling the wrist or arm. Exception: Medical Alert bracelets or necklace. These must be taped down. Taping of earrings/studs is NOT considered an exception. These must be removed.
6) Hair control pieces made of metal, plastic or other hard material are not allowed
7) Players with splints, casts, braces or other such devices may participate, if, in the opinion of the Referee, these devices do not present an inherent danger to any players
Roster check
1) Printed rosters will be used and are supplied to the referee
2) Players will line up in single file, each facing the referee. The referee/administrator will:
- Inspect the equipment and uniform of each player
- Read the players’ names, one by one, from the roster noted on the scorecard
- Upon hearing his/her name, the player will raise his/her hand to allow the Referee to identify the player
- The player will then turn around to allow the Referee to read his/her jersey number. The Referee will then check off the player on the game roster/scorecard as being present and ready to play. Players listed on the game roster but not present at check-in, will be crossed off the game roster if not participating or noted as coming late
- Players not on the roster will not be allowed to play
Specific Rules / Six and Seven Year Olds (U8)
1) Teams will use a size three (3) ball
2) Teams play four (4) per side. There are no goalkeepers, and as such players may not stand and block the mouth of the goal during play; rather they should be encouraged to guard players on the other team. Defending players are not allowed to stand waiting within the goal area
3) Teams can play with a minimum of three players
4) Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
5) Games will be divided into four (4) 10 minute quarters with no more than a five (5) minute break between quarters. Teams change ends at the end of the second quarter and attack the opposite goals
6) On a goal kick all players for the opposing team need to be beyond the halfway line before the kick is taken. Once the ball is kicked and moves the opposing team may cross the halfway line and play resumes
7) Slide tackling is not permitted.
8) Deliberately heading the ball is not permitted. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
9) No offside
10) No penalty kicks
11) All free kicks are indirect and opponents should be ten (10) feet away from the ball on all restarts
12) Kick-ins will be used instead of throw-ins. The ball will be placed on the touch line with opponents ten (10) feet from the ball. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick in
Specific Rules / Eight and Nine Year Olds (U10)
1) Teams will use a size four (4) ball
2) Teams play seven (7) per side (6 field players and 1 goalkeeper). Teams can play with a minimum of five players.
3) Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
4) Games will be divided into two (2) 25 minute halves with a five (5) minute halftime. For the second half teams change ends and attack opposite goals
5) Slide tackling is not permitted
6) Deliberately heading the ball is not permitted. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
Scottsdale Rules of Competition Recreational Progam FINAL 9-14-16.docx Page 2
Build out line
1) Should be equidistant between the penalty area line and halfway line
2) When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must
move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play. Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punting is not allowed). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal
3) The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line
4) If a goalkeeper punts the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred
Specific Rules / Ten and Eleven Year Olds (U12)
1) Teams will use a size four (4) ball
2) Teams play nine (9) per side (8 field players and 1 goalkeeper). Teams can play with a minimum of six (6) players. 3) Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
4) Games will be divided into two (2) thirty minute halves with a five (5) minute halftime. For the second half teams change ends and attack opposite goals
5) Deliberately heading the ball is not permitted. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
6) Offside is enforced
Specific Rules / Twelve and Thirteen Year Olds (U14)
1) Teams will use a size five (5) ball
2) Teams play nine (9) per side (8 field players and 1 goalkeeper). Teams can play with a minimum of six (6) players.
3) Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
4) Games will be divided into two (2) thirty-five minute halves with a five (5) minute halftime. For the second half teams change ends and attack opposite goal
5) Offside is enforced
Specific Rules / High School Divisions
1) Teams will use a size five (5) ball
2) Teams play nine per side (8 field players and 1 goalkeeper). Teams can play with a minimum of six (6) players
3) Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
4) Games will be divided into two (2) thirty-five minute halves with a five (5) minute halftime. For the second half teams change ends and attack opposite goals
5) Offside is enforced
Scottsdale Rules of Competition Recreational Progam FINAL 9-14-16.docx Page 3
Code of Conduct “Exhibit A”
Scottsdale Soccer
Arcadia Scottsdale United Soccer Club
Code of Conduct
Please review each paragraph. Registering your player indicates that you have read this Code of Conduct and agree to abide by its contents.
1. Children play their game. Just as I do not yell and scream, curse, create a public disturbance, threaten officials in the office, at the Motor Vehicle Department, at my child's class play, or during other public activities, I understand that such behavior is not to be tolerated on the sidelines while my child plays soccer.
2. I understand that constant coaching from the sidelines by a variety of people is not only unacceptable conduct, but it is also counterproductive, since it distracts the players from their decision making on the field and their enjoyment of the game. Scottsdale Soccer enjoys the participation of many positive and supportive parents. Cheering and positive encouragement from parents, siblings, and other spectators is a natural part of the game of soccer. Negative comments and constant coaching directed at players on the field from either team, substitute players, or coaches will be subject to discipline by the Center Referee, coach, director of the program, or the Board of Directors.
3. I understand that my role on the sidelines is to be a role model of sportsmanship for these kids. I agree to be positive with my comments regardless of the outcome of the game. I agree to remind other parents, coaches, etc, who may get out of hand from time to time, why they are at the game. I understand that I must remain at least three yards outside of the sideline during the game.
4. I agree to be tolerant of the officials calls, whether I agree with them or not, and encourage my child/player to do the same. I understand that a large number of the officials are children themselves and are learning as they go, and I will encourage them to do the best they can. I agree that I will not berate them, threaten them, curse at them, or in any way physically or verbally abuse an official of any age. Should I have a complaint about the Referee, I understand that there is a system in place to report the complaint and I will follow those procedures.
5. I understand that at no time during the course of a game will anyone enter the field of play without the express permission of the Center Referee. I realize that all persons on the sideline must be at least three yards back from the sideline to allow the linesman unobstructed access and view of the sideline. I understand that the Referee is not obligated to delay the progress of a game to explain their calls to anyone, including me.
6. I understand that the coaches, parents, substitute players, and spectators from opposing teams will occupy opposite sides of the playing field and will remain on their respective sides during the entire course of each game. At no time during the course of the game will anyone be allowed to stand behind either goal line.
7. I understand that the enjoyment of the kids playing the sport they love is much more important than the outcome of the game. I will encourage my children to play hard, play fair, respect the Referees and other officials, and congratulate their opponent at each and every game. I agree to try my best to make each and every soccer game, practice, scrimmage, and tournament a positive experience for my child and all those around me.
8. I understand that the Head Coach is responsible for the behavior of the parents, substitute players, and spectators on their sidelines. If the Referees detect unacceptable behavior on a particular sideline they will caution the head coach on that sideline to deal with the individuals involved. Failure to do so may result in discipline of the coach in addition to discipline of the individual involved.
9. I understand that profanity, fighting, and the consumption of alcohol are all expressly prohibited at all Scottsdale Soccer and Arizona Youth Soccer Association activities. AYSA is a parent organization of Scottsdale Soccer.
10. As a parent, coach, assistant coach, team parent, business manager, or other affiliate of my child's soccer team, I understand that according to Scottsdale Soccer and AYSA, I am a member of their Associations. As a member I understand that I am responsible for complying with all the rules and regulations in the bylaws and can be held accountable for my actions.
11. I understand that violation of any of these principles may result in punishment of the individuals responsible by the Board of Directors of Scottsdale Soccer or the league in which the player participates. Such punishment may include suspension from participation in Scottsdale Soccer activities (including attendance at games). Scottsdale Soccer is the named lessee of the facilities where its activities occur and, as such, has the legal right to exclude persons whose conduct is disruptive from those facilities during Scottsdale Soccer activities, up to and including having those persons removed by police as trespassers. All rules and regulations are provided to each coach within Scottsdale Soccer and will be made available to any other parent, player sibling or other spectator upon request.
12. I agree that if I act in a way that interferes with game play, which will be decided at the sole discretion of the game officials, that I will be asked to vacate the field area immediately, and I will do so quickly and without delay. Furthermore, I understand that I may also be subject to filing of criminal charges should my actions endanger or threaten the safety of players, spectators or Game Officials. Scottsdale Soccer will enforce a Zero Tolerance Policy relative to abusive or threatening behavior at any Scottsdale Soccer sponsored event. The Field Officials can and will call upon Law Enforcement to ensure the safety of everyone.
Registering your player indicates that you have read this Code of Conduct and agree to abide by its contents.
I understand that youth soccer is a kid's game and that it is a privilege to stand along the sidelines and watch
Scottsdale Rules of Competition Recreational Progam FINAL 9-14-16.docx Page 4