UNION COUNTY SOCCER LEAGUE, INC. (UCSL) Rules & Regulations
Revised: March 2008
ALL UCSL PLAY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY F.I.F.A. LAWS OF THE GAME (EXCERPTS INCLUDED) WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS:
LAW 1: THE FIELD OF PLAY
FIFA LAW: "The field of play shall be rectangular ... marked with distinctive lines... (To designate) the goal area. The penalty area... the corner area ... (with) goals placed on the center of each goal-line..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. Field Sizes:
Under 12 and up 45 to 60 yards wide by 90 to 110 yards long
Center circle's radius is 10 yards
Penalty mark is 12 yards from goal line in centered on the goal
Under 9 & 10 & 11 40 to 50 yards wide by 60 to 80 yards long
Center circle's radius is 8 yds
Penalty mark is 10 yards from goal line in centered on the goal
Under 7 & 8 40 yards wide by 60 yards long
Center circle's radius is 6 yds
There is no penalty mark for this field
B. Goal sizes (inside dimensions)
Under 12 and up 24 feet wide by 8 feet high
Under 9 & 10 & 11 18 feet wide by 6 feet high (21 feet by 7 feet is also acceptable)
Under 7 & 8 12 feet wide by 6 ft high (18 feet by 6 feet is also acceptable)
C. See attached diagrams for measurements of distinctive lines to designated goal areas, penalty areas, corner areas, and half line with a center circle.
D. Soccer fields must be marked with a special "Spectator Line" located a minimum of one yard from the touch-line on the spectators' side of the field; spectators must be encouraged to stay behind the “Spectator Line” to avoid accidentally interfering with play or impede the function of the referees and/or linesmen.
E. For these rules, the designations U8G, U9G, U10G, U11G, U12G, U13G, U14G, U15G and U16G refer to the age grouping for the all girls' teams; absence of the ‘G’ after the age, for example U10, refers to the age grouping for co-ed teams.
LAW 2: THE BALL
FIFA LAW: "The ball shall be spherical..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. Ball sizes:
Under 13 and up Size 5
Under 9, 10, 11 and 12 Size 4
Under 7 and 8 Size 3
LAW 3: NUMBER OF PLAYERS
FIFA LAW: "A match shall be played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. Teams shall be grouped in accordance with age groupings employed by the NCYSA; the following represents the grouping currently in effect and apply to both all girls’ teams and co-ed teams.
TEAMS CHILDREN ELIGIBLE IF:
Under 19 Age 16, 17 or 18 on July 31st of current year
Under 16 Age 15 on July 31st of current year
Under 15 Age 14 on July 31st of current year
Under 14 Age 13 on July 31st of current year
Under 13 Age 12 on July 31st of current year
Under 12 Age 11 on July 31st of current year
Under 11 Age 10 on July 31st of current year
Under 10 Age 9 on July 31st of current year
Under 9 Age 8 on July 31st of current year
Under 8 Age 7 on July 31st of current year
Under 7 Age 6 on July 31st of current year
B. Players may play in an age group intended for older children without special permission from the UCSL Board. However, players who wish to play in an age group intended for younger players must have a written appeal, comprised of the child's name, actual birth date, and the reason for the request being filed by their sponsoring association. Playdown requests are discouraged but may be approved only for physically or mentally challenged players. The appeal must be approved unanimously by the UCSL Board of Directors. Furthermore, the Board has the right to rescind its approval of any playdown appeal after review by a committee appointed by the President and to move the children to the proper age group prior to, but no later than the fourth game of the regular season. The official roster will be noted for the player playing down so all referees and opposing teams can easily distinguish the player playing down.
C. Players may only be placed on one roster. Double rostering is prohibited.
D. UCSL reserves the right to require participants to provide proof of birth date such as birth certificates or other ID stated as acceptable by NCYSA.
E. Number of players on the field:
Under 12 and up 10 players plus 1 goalkeeper
Under 9 and 10 and 11 7 players plus 1 goalkeeper
Under 7and 8 6 players plus 1 goalkeeper
F. Team roster sizes:
Under 12 and up Minimum 11, Maximum 18
Under 9 and 10 and 11 Minimum 8, Maximum 14
Under 7 and 8 Minimum 7, Maximum 12
G. No currently rostered challenge or higher level players allowed.
TEAM ROSTERS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE UCSL BOARD NO LATER THAN THE THIRD WEEKEND OF THE REGULAR SEASON. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH TEAM ROSTER REGISTRATION REQUMEMENTS SHALL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF ALL MATCHES BY THE OFFENDING TEAM UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE TEAM IS PROPERLY REGISTERED. TEAMS NOT PROPERLY REGISTERED BY THE MIDPOINT OF THE REGULAR SEASON SHALL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE UCSL END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT.
H. Substitutions:
This section applies ONLY to Under 9 and up, it does not apply to Under 7 and 8
Substitutions shall be unlimited.
A player who has been replaced may return to the game.
All substiting players must be standing near the center line PRIOR to asking for a substitution and may not enter the field until given permission from the referee.
Substitutions may be made at the following times ONLY with the referee’s consent:
- prior to a throw-in by either team
- prior to a goal-kick by either team
- after a goal by either team
- after an injury for either team when the referee stops play – the team without the injured player may only substitute a number of players equal to or less than the team with the injured player
- after a player has received a yellow card when the referee stops play – the team without the carded player may only substitute a number of players equal to or less than the team with the player receivng a yellow card
- each participant in these age groups shall play in approximately one-half of each match; any coach violating this 'minimum play rule" is subject to a reprimand by the UCSL Board of Directors.
This section applies to Under 7 and 8 ONLY
Substitutions shall be allowed prior to the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters only (except for injuries as allowed by the referee). Each and every player on a team must play at least two full quarters.
Suspended players shall be exempt from this rule. A coach with a suspended player shall notify the opposing team's coach prior to the match. Head coaches shall use their own discretion in determining playing times of children who arrive after the opening kick-off.
NOTE: NCYSA and UCSL recommend the goalkeeper of Under 7 and 8 teams not be the responsibility of just one player, but rather all team members take turns playing at the position of goalkeeper.
NOTE: UCSL recommends under extreme heat conditions, the coaches meet with the referee before the game to discuss “running clock” water breaks in the middle of each quarter to allow the players more water breaks and substitutions if necessary. A “running clock” break means the referee does not stop the clock nor allow for extra time at the end of regulation for the time taken in the additional breaks.
LAW 4: PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT
FIFA LAW: "The basic compulsory equipment of a player shall consist of a jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings, shinguards and footwear. A player shall not wear anything which is dangerous to another player.. the goalkeeper shall wear colors which distinguish him from the other players and from referees..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. The home team shall be responsible for ensuring that no uniforms conflict with the visiting team. Each association should have available sufficient jerseys or pennies of an alternate color to insure compliance with this rule.
B. Audio amplification may be used by only a field announcer.
C. It is recommended first-aid kits be provided to the head coach of each team by the sponsoring association, to insure the safety of children both at practice and at matches. First-aid kits should include ice packs, antiseptic, elastic bandages and sterile gauze. Further supplies may be furnished at the discretion of the sponsoring association.
D. Usage of protective headgear is allowed but only at the discretion of the referee who’s decision is final.
LAW 5: REFEREES and LAW 6: LINESMEN
FIFA LAW: "A referee shall be appointed to officiate in each game. His authority --- (shall) commence as soon as he enters the field of play --- He shall:
(a) enforce the laws
(b) refrain from penalizing in cases that, by doing so, he would be giving an advantage to the offending team
(c) keep record of the game
(d) Stop the game for any infringement of the laws and to suspend or terminate the game (when necessary)
(e) caution (yellow card) any player guilty of misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior
(f) allow no person other than the players and linesmen to enter the field of play without his permission
(g) stop the game if, in his opinion, a player has been seriously injured
(h) send off the field of play (red card) any player who, in his opinion, is quilty of violent conduct, serious foul play, or the use of foul or abusive language.
UCSL Modifications:
A. Volunteer linesmen may be used in any match, in any age group, at any time, provided both head coaches and the referee in charge, if any, agree. Should no referee show up for a match, both head coaches may agree to recruit a volunteer for referee services. Should both head coaches agree to play utilizing a volunteer referee, no appeal will be allowed.
B. The referee has the authority to suspend matches, if conditions warrant. Games suspended at half-time or later due to weather conditions shall be considered as complete with the score at the moment of suspension being recorded as the final score.
C. Substitution for injuries: safety of the players is paramount! Any child injured in such a manner that a stoppage of play is necessary shall be required to leave the field of play if the coach enters the field of play. Substitution for an injured player shall be permitted. Once the injured player has recovered sufficiently to return to play, the player may return under normal substitution conditions and with permission of the referee.
D. Any player showing blood of any kind MUST leave the field immediately to receive first aid treatment. The player may not return to the field until the blood is completely cleaned up and no longer visible. Any player with a jersey showing blood must remove it and put on a different jersey to continue playing. Under these circumstances, players are allowed to share jerseys during the game.
LAW 7: DURATION OF PLAY
FIFA LAW: "The duration of the game shall be two equal periods of 45 minutes ... Allowance shall be made in either period for all time lost through substitution, the transport from the field of injured players, time wasting, or other cause, the amount of which shall be a matter for the discretion of the referee..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. Game Length:
Under 17, 18, 19 2 forty five minutes halves
Under 15, 16 2 forty minutes halves
Under 13, 14 2 thirty five minute halves
Under 12 2 thirty minute halves
Under 9, 10, 11 2 twenty five minute halves
Under 7, 8 4 twelve minute quarters
For Under 7 and 8, two minute quarter breaks shall be observed. The team kicking off for the 1st quarter shall again kick-off to start the 3rd quarter; their opponents shall kick-off to start the 2nd and 4th quarters.
B. Only the head coach and two assistant coaches shall be allowed to remain on the bench side of the field while the ball is in play. All coaches must remain on the bench side of the field and are not allowed to pass beyond the half-way line or the top of the penalty box. A team mother shall be allowed to visit the bench during quarter breaks, if any, and at half-time.
C. No parents, coaches or spectators shall be allowed behind either goal line during games.
LAW 8: THE START OF PLAY
FIFA LAW: “At the beginning of the game, choice of ends and the kickoff shall be decided by the toss of a coin ... The referee having given a signal, the game shall be started by a player taking a place-kick (i.e. a kick at the ball while it is stationary on the ground in the center of the field of play) into his opponents half of the field of play, every player shall be in his own half of the field and every player of the team opposing that of the kicker shall remain not less than 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked off; it shall not be deemed in play until it has traveled forward; the kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player...”
UCSL Modifications:
A. Opponents' distance from kick-off (center circle):
Under 12 and up 10 yds
Under 9 and 10 and 11 8 yds
Under 7 and 8 6 yds
B. The minimum number of players required to start a match is as follows:
Under 12 and up 8 players
Under 9 and 10 and 11 6 players
Under 7 and 8 5 players
Each coach is responsible for providing the referee with a typed or computer generated roster when the referee is ready to check the team before the start of the match. Each roster must list the team name and the jersey number, player name and player date of birth for each player on the team. The referee will check the roster against the players and then hand each coach the opposing team’s roster. If a team fails to produce a roster for the opposing coach, the match shall be declared a forfeit with the opposing team being awarded a winning score of 3 to 0. The two head coaches will play the game anyway (merely for the enjoyment of the children), the match results will still be recorded as a forfeit by both coaches on the Match Report. Players that arrive late for the start of the game may enter the game only with the permission of the referee.
If any team reports for a match with less than the minimum number of players specified above, the referee shall delay the start of the game for 15 minutes to allow the team an opportunity for its players to arrive (if somehow delayed). If after the 15 minute delay the team still has fewer than the minimum number of players, the match shall be declared a forfeit with the opposing team being awarded a winning score of 3 to 0. The two head coaches will play the game anyway (merely for the enjoyment of the children), the match results will still be recorded as a forfeit.
LAW 9: BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY
FIFA LAW: "The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal-line or touch-line, whether on the ground or in the air, (or) when the game has been stopped by the referee. The ball is in play at all other times from the start of the match to the finish..."
UCSL Modifications:
None
LAW 10: METHOD OF SCORING
FIFA LAW: “A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal-line between the goal posts and under the cross-bar, provided it has not been thrown. carried, or intentionally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking side..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. Regular season standings shall be determined on a point basis: 3 points awarded for a win, 1 point for a tie, and none for a loss. Additionally, bonus points shall be awarded for each goal scored up to a maximum of three bonus points; this applies to all teams win, lose or tie.
B. Any regular season games ending in a tie at the end of regulation time shall remain a tie.
C. Forfeiture of regular season matches shall be recorded as a 3 to 0 score with the team causing the forfeiture to receive the 0.
LAW 11: OFF SIDE
FIFA LAW: "A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer to his opponents goal-line than the ball, unless (a) he is in his own half of the field of play, or (b) he is not nearer to his opponents goal-line than at least two of his opponents. A player shall only be...penalized for being in an off-side position, if at the moment the ball touches, or is played by one of his team, he is in the opinion of the referee, (a) interfering with play or with an opponent, or (b) seeking to gain an advantage ... A player shall not be declared offside by the referee ... if he receives the ball direct from a goal-kick, a comer-kick, or a throw-in..."
UCSL Modifications:
NOTE: Positioning an offsides player to 'Cherrypick" shall be considered unsportsmanlike conduct by the coach and result in an indirect free kick for the other team.
LAW 12: FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
FIFA LAW: "A player who intentionally commits any of the following nine offenses shall be penalized by the award of a direct free-kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the offense occurred.
1. Kicks or attempts to kick opponent
2. Trips an opponent
3. Jumps at an opponent
4. Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
5. Charges an opponent from behind unless the latter is obstructing
6. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent or spits at him
7. Holds an opponent
8. Pushes an opponent
9. Handles the ball (except the goalkeeper in his own penalty area)
A player committing any of the five following offenses shall be penalized by the award of an indirect free-kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place the offense occurred...
1. Playing in a manner considered by the referee to be dangerous...
2. Charging ... when the ball is not within playing distance...
3. Intentionally obstructing an opponent…
4. Charging the goalkeeper...
5. When playing as goalkeeper ... from the moment he takes control of the ball with his hands, he holds the ball for more than 6 seconds.
UCSL Modifications:
Should a suspended player play in a match before satisfying the UCSL suspension, his/her team shall be required to forfeit the match upon appeal to the UCSL Executive Board. Suspensions are to be reported to the UCSL President or other designated officer by the referee as soon as possible.
B. Players receiving a yellow card shall be removed from the game and either team can substitute. The yellow carded player may return to the field of play only under normal substitution circumstances (See Law 3: UCSL Modification).
C. For under 7 and 8, all fouls shall result in the award of an indirect free-kick. Direct free-kicks and penalty kicks shall not be employed. All rule infractions should be explained by the referee to the offending player(s).
LAW 13: FREE-KICK
FIFA LAW: “Free-kicks shall be classified under two headings: "Direct" (from which a goal can be scored direct against the offending side) and "Indirect" (from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before passing through the goal)..."
UCSL Modifications:
For under 7 and 8, all free-kicks shall be indirect free-kicks.
LAW 14: PENALTY-KICK
FIFA LAW: "A penalty-kick shall be taken from the penalty mark and, when it is taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick, properly identified, and the opposing goalkeeper, shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area...”
UCSL Modifications:
A. For under 7 and 8, penalty kicks shall not be employed-- instead, an indirect kick shall be awarded (see Law 12- for placement of the ball if a foul occurs within the goal area).
B. Refer to UCSL Modifications under Law 1 for placement of the penalty mark for the various age groups.
LAW 15: THROW-IN
FIFA LAW: "When the whole of the ball passes over a touch-line, either on the ground or in the air, it shall be thrown in from where it crossed the line, in any direction, by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it..."
UCSL Modifications:
A. For Under 7 and 8, a second throw-in shall be allowed if the player commits a foul on the initial attempt and the referee will explain the proper method before allowing the re-throw.
LAW 16: GOAL-KICK
FIFA LAW: "When the whole of the ball passes over the goal-line, excluding that portion between the goal-posts, either in the air or on the ground, having been last played by one of the attacking team, it shall be kicked direct into play beyond the penalty area (from any point within the goal area) by a player of the defending team.”
UCSL Modifications:
None
LAW 17: CORNER-KICK
FIFA LAW: “When the whole of the ball passes over the goal-line, excluding that portion between the goal-posts, either in the air or on the ground, having been last played by one of the defending team, a member of the attacking team shall take a corner kick..."
UCSL Modifications:
None
The excerpts from the FIFA Laws of the game contained herein have been condensed in order to conserve space; all associations should obtain an unabridged copy of the FIFA Laws to insure complete understanding of the rules as employed by the UCSL Soccer League, Inc. Additionally, FIFA Laws are supplemented by FIFA International Board decisions and by UCSL special rules, including but not limited to the following:
International Board Decisions
IBD #14: If, in the opinion of the referee, a player intentionally uses his feet to play the ball back to the goalkeeper who then uses his hands to play the ball, the player shall be penalized by the award to the opposing team of an indirect free-kick from the spot where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands, provided that spot is not nearer than 6 yards from the goal-line. (Note: This decision will also be enforced if, in the opinion of the referee, the player uses obvious trickery to avoid using the feet to play the ball back to his goalkeeper.)
IBD #15: If, in the opinion of the referee, a player who is moving toward his opponents' goal with an obvious opportunity to score a goal is intentionally impeded by unlawful means, i.e. an offense punishable by a free-kick (or penalty kick), thus denying the aforesaid goal-scoring opportunity, the offending player shall be sent off the field of play (red-carded) for serious foul play in accordance with LAW 12.
IBD #16: If, in the opinion of the referee, a player, other than the goalkeeper within his own penalty area, denies his opponents a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by intentionally handling the ball, he shall be sent off the field of play (red-carded) for serious foul play in accordance with LAW 12.
IBD #17: The IFAB is of the opinion that a goalkeeper ... will be considered in control of the ball when he takes possession of the ball by touching it with any part of his hands or arms. Possession of the ball would include the goalkeeper intentionally parrying the ball, but would not include the circumstance where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example, after he has made a save.
Union County Soccer League, Inc. Special Rules
A. All coaches must fill in a match report for each game, regardless of winning or losing.
B. In cases of inclement weather, coaches should check the website, www.unioncountysoccerleague.org, or call the UCSL weather hotline, also found on the website, 704-841-9401.
C. Coaches will ensure their bench area is completely cleaned following halftime and before leaving the field after a match.
D. NCYSA guidelines on "recruitment" have been adopted by UCSL. An association's coaches and/or team officials are discouraged from contacting another associations’ players for the purpose of recruitment.
E. All coaches are encouraged to play games as they are scheduled. Changing of game date and times is NOT an option.
F. Code of Conduct (excerpt from UCSL Bylaws Article VII) "all players, coaches, parents, and spectators shall be required to conduct themselves properly at all times. Parents and spectators shall refrain from interfering with referees, officials, coaches or players. The use of alcohol on the fields is strictly prohibited. Failure of a coach, player or parent to abide by this Code of Conduct shall be grounds for removal of the coach, player or parent by the UCSL Board of Directors. A majority vote of the Board shall be required for such suspension or termination.
G. All spectators are required to adhere to the local rules of the field locations.
H. For tournament play only, the following addendum to LAW 7 shall be employed:
LAW 7: DURATION OF PLAY (overtime addendum for ages U9 & up ONLY)
If the match is tied at the end of regulation play, two full, non-golden goal 5-minute overtime periods shall then be played with a one-minute break between overtime periods; usual substitution rules shall apply during the overtime periods. If the tie has been broken at the end of the 2nd overtime period, the game is over.
If the match is still tied at the end of the 2nd overtime period, the game shall follow FIFA shootout rules for penalty shots:
1. Any five players who are on the field at the conclusion of the 2nd overtime period may take one of the penalty shots.
2. Any player who is on the field at the conclusion of the 2nd overtime period may be
designated as the goalkeeper for the penatly shots
3. The team scoring the most penalty shots is declared the winner and is awarded one goal to break the tie.
If the match is still tied at the end of five penalty shots, then sudden death penalty shots will ensue, utilizing the remaining players who were on the field at the end of the 2nd over-time period.
1. Teams shall alternate penalty shots, the first team to score during a round without the opposing team scoring during the same round shall be declared the winner and awarded one goal.
2. The players who took the original five penalty shots are not permitted to take shots during this portion of sudden death.
If the match is still tied at the end of this portion of sudden death, alternating penalty shots shall continue until a winner is declared.
1. All players on the field at the end of the 2nd overtime period shall be eligible to take penalty shots in any order.
2. A player may not have a second turn until each of the other eligible players has had a first turn.
Overtime for ages Under 7 and 8 shall be played as follows:
If, at the end of regulation time, the score is tied, there will be a 2-minute break and the teams shall come back on the field minus one player per team, with that player being the goalkeeper for each team. The teams will then play a full 3-minute, non-golden goal overtime period with no goalkeepers. If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, another 2-minute break will be taken and the teams will return to the field with one less player than in the first overtime period. Another full 3-minute, non-golden goal overtime period will be played.
The teams will continue to remove one player from each team for each consecutive non-golden goal overtime period until an overtime period finally ends with a true winner.
I. Game Cancellations – UCSL will schedule a minimum of 10 games per team for the Fall Season and a minimum of 8 games per team for the Spring Season. Each season will be considered complete and no game will be rescheduled if cancelled due to inclement weather as long as teams have no more than 2 games cancelled in any single season. This is non-negotiable.
J. During year end tournament - NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED OR ACCEPTED.
K. A formal discipline and appeals procedure is used for disciplinary situations. This is a separate set of rules for handling discipline rulings and punishments.