QUANTICO YOUTH SOCCER

Enjoyment of the game is what is important to the children. When the game ceases to be fun it ceases to be a game. In this league, undue stress MUST NOT be placed on winning but on participation. We urge parents and we insist that coaches not put pressure on the children but attempt to teach them to play the game to the best of their ability while they enjoy it.

We ask adults to make every effort to set a proper example by their own actions; to applaud all players or teams, never yell against any player or any team; to show sportsmanship by enjoying victory without "rubbing it in" to the loser and accepting defeat without excuses and remember that THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A CHILDREN'S GAME OF SOCCER.

The National Federation for a High School Rules of Soccer will apply with the following modifications/changes.

I. LEAGUE DIVISIONS:

 Freshman: 5-6 years old

Juniors: 7-9 years old

Majors: 10-12 years old

BALLS

Freshman: #3 size ball

Juniors: #4 size ball

Majors: #5 size ball

II. PLAYERS:

Freshman: Will play with 6 players, one of whom is defending the goal. Hands may not be used (unless it is to protect the goalkeeper)

Juniors: Will play with 7 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

Majors: Will play with 9 (11 when possible) players, one of who is the goalkeeper.

III. FIELD LAYOUT:

A. The Freshman and Junior Divisions will play on a reduced size field.

Freshmen goals will be 8 ft. across; Junior goals 12 ft across.

B. The Major Division will play on a regulation size soccer field.

IV. PLAYING TIME:

A. All team members in all Divisions will play at least one half or two quarters of each game. A game may be started with a team at less than full strength; however, the opposing team will be obligated to start with the same compliment of players on the field when this situation arises. When teams start "short", players may be introduced onto the field of play at any stoppage of play until a full team is fielded.

B. A team may begin a valid league game with 7 players for a 9-player division or 9 with 11. No team will continue to play with less than 7 players. In the event a team has less than 7 players, regardless of the reason, the game will be immediately forfeited.

C. Teams must be ready to play at game time. If a team is not fielded within 10 minutes of the scheduled game time (or the time the official signals that the field is ready, whichever is the later) the game will be forfeited.

V. SUBSTITUTIONS:

A. Except for injury, in the Freshman and Junior Divisions, substitutions will only be made at the end of the quarters. In the case of the Freshmen Division, a child that refuses to play any more will be considered an injury. For the Older Divisions, substitutions can be made at all appropriate times.

B. A player substitution will be made in the event the game has to be stopped for an injury, and the injured player is removed from the field of play. The opposing team will be given the option to substitute a like number of players. The injured player may not return to the field until the next authorized substitutions situation.

C. If an injury occurs during or just before a penalty kick, only a substitution for the injured player may be made. The substituted player will not be allowed to take the penalty kick. Further, the team receiving the penalty kick may substitute the goalkeeper from any player on the field; a substitute from the bench will not be allowed to substitute for the goalkeeper.

 D. The game will not be stopped when an attacking player falls to the ground if there is an obvious attack on the goal and the player is not endangered by the play on the field. Play will be stopped immediately upon the decision of the official that the attack on the goal has been terminated.

VI. PLAYER EQUIPMENT

 A. No player may participate without wearing the complete uniform of his/her team.

B. Uniforms will include league approved jersey and socks (provided) and shoes. The goalkeeper will wear a contrasting shirt (provided)

C. SHOES

     1. Players in all divisions must wear a molded fixed cleat shoe or shoes with replaceable cleats. They will not be able to participate in a league game if any metal or the metal stud within the cleat is showing.

    2. Shoes with a single toe cleat (baseball) are not allowed unless the toe cleat is removed.

    3. Only shorts without pockets can be worn.

D. Shin guards are mandatory in practices and games and are to be worn under the socks.

 E. Jewelry of any kind (rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings) MAY NOT be worn during league play.

      1. Medic Alert, Religious jewelry or starter earrings must be taped to the body. Starter earrings must be removed as soon as possible.

F. Long hair should be secured with rubber band type or fabric headbands. Plastic headbands, bubble ponytail holders and barrettes are illegal to wear during league play.

G. For safety concerns, wearing of personal accessories of any kind is strongly discouraged. If removal of a disputed item is not an option, then said item must be thoroughly secured so as not to present a hazard.

H. No player will be permitted to participate while wearing a full arm cast (or splint of any type) regardless of how it is padded or covered. Short arm casts (those that stop well before the elbow) will be allowed under the following conditions:

     1. The cast must be fully and adequately padded. Not only should the cast be covered by thick foam-the hand should be covered too.

     2. Parents must give their permission for their child to play in a cast with the understanding that even with the cast padded there is always a possibility for further injury.

     3. Parents must be present during the entire game. The Senior referee on the field that day must approve the child for play after examining the way the cast is padded.

     4. Coaches, parents and players must understand the very instant that the casted arm is lifted shoulder height or higher-or if the referee calling the game feels that the cast is being used to the players advantage, play will be stopped and that player will not be allowed to play the rest of the game.

I. No player will be permitted to participate if wearing a leg brace that has any metal (such as hinges) showing and such metal is not properly and adequately covered.

J. Players wearing glasses must have them secured with a SAFETY STRAP to keep them in place.

K. Players who wear external hearing aids need to have them securely fastened with tape if necessary so that they cannot be jarred off.

L. When it is deemed necessary, due to a medical condition, a player may wear a helmet. This player may not head the ball.

M. Coaches are responsible for assuring that his/her players have proper equipment. Players and coaches should not wait for the official to declare items illegal. However if there is a question of legality of equipment or apparel, the question should be brought to the head referee's attention for a ruling. In addition to this rule, the head referee's pre game procedure will include a request for coaches to verify the legality of apparel and equipment.

 VII. REFEREES:

 NOTE: referees are currently contracted through MCCS. With any season this may change and then each team would have to provide one person each to act as referee. There may also be times when a referee is unable to make it to the game or will be late. In this case each team should also be able to provide one person each to act as a referee so that the game will start on time. In this situation 5 mins. Will be allotted to get volunteer referees and then playing time starts whether the game has an official or not. If/when the contracted official makes it to the game, he/she will then take over from that point in the game.

A. In the Freshman Division, coaches will referee the games.

B. There will be one referee for each game in the Junior Divisions.

C. There will be two referees for each game in the Major Division. The referee will be the sole judge of the interpretation and enforcement of the rules of soccer. The referee can only correct a decision so long as the game has not been restarted.

D. The Youth Sports Director or Youth Sports Representative, whichever is in attendance at the time, has final authority on all matters excluding rulings on the laws of soccer.

E. The referee shall enforce the rules, but shall refrain from penalizing, in cases when the offending team would be receiving an advantage.

F. The referee shall keep a record of the game, act as timekeeper, and may extend the playing time to allow for time lost due to injuries or other valid reasons.

G. The referee has the discretionary authority to stop the game for any infringement of the rules and to suspend or terminate the game by reason of weather, spectator interference, coach interference, repeated dissent, misconduct by the coach, bench personnel, spectators, or for other good cause deemed necessary.

H. The referee has the discretionary authority to caution any player for misconduct or ungentlemanly like conduct, and if such conduct persists, may suspend the player from further participation in the game.

I. The referee shall allow no person to enter the field without his/her permission. Only players acting as substitutes, or the coach when a player is injured may come onto the field with the referee's permission/concurrence.

J. The referee shall stop the game, if in his/her opinion; a player has been seriously injured.

K. The referee has the discretionary authority to suspend from further participation in the game, without previous caution, any player guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.

L. The referee has the authority to caution or eject a coach for abusive or discrediting conduct.

M. The referee has the authority to caution a coach for abusive or discrediting behavior of the spectators on his side of the field. If the coach cannot control the spectators, the referee has the authority to terminate the game and register it as a, forfeiture by cause, in favor of the other team.

N. In the event enough referees cannot be assigned Juniors/Majors, each team shall provide one linesman. Subject to the discretion of the referee, linesmen will indicate when the ball is out of play and which side is entitled to possession thereafter. Linesmen may not coach or encourage either team.

O. The referee will be responsible for conducting a pre game inspection of all players to insure that said players are equipped to play.

VIII. DURATION OF THE GAME NOTE:

Timekeeping is a continuously running clock. Referees may adjust playing time to account for delays due to injuries or other unusual circumstances, at his/her own discretion.

 Freshman: Four 10minute quarters

Juniors: Four 12 minute quarters

Majors: Two 25 minute halves

A. Half time intermission for all divisions will be for a period of 5 minutes

B. Quarter intermission for all divisions will be for a period of 1 minute

C. Playing time will not be extended.

IX. START OF PLAY:

A. At the beginning of the game, the choice of goals and kickoff team will be determined by a toss of a coin. At half time, the teams will change goals.

B. The game will be started by kickoff at the beginning of the game and at half time, alternating kicking and receiving teams. Upon conclusion of a quarter, the referee will note which team is in possession of the ball and will restart the next quarter by the same means the game was stopped at the end of the previous quarter.

C. A kickoff is an indirect free kick from center field taken at the referee's whistle. The ball is in play only after it has traveled it's own circumference into the opposing half of the field, otherwise the ball will be re-kicked. The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has been played by another player. Otherwise and indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the point of the infraction. All players must remain in their half of the field and all opposing players must remain 10 yards or more from the ball until after it has been put into play, otherwise the ball will be re-kicked.

D. After a goal is scored, the game will be restarted by a kickoff by the team that was scored upon.

E. Restarting the game following any temporary suspension of play other than for fouls, penalties, goal kicks, throw-ins, or corner kicks, shall be by a drop ball. The referee will drop the ball at the point of the suspension of play, except that a drop ball will never be executed inside the penalty area. The ball is not in play and may not be touched by any player until it touches the ground; otherwise the ball will be re-dropped.

X. BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY:

A. The ball is out of play, when it has wholly crossed the goal or touchline, whether in the air or on the ground.

B. The ball is out of play, when play has been stopped by the referee.

C. The ball is in play at all other times from the start of the game until the end of the period, unless sooner interrupted by the referee.

XI. SCORING:

A. In this League "OFFICAL" scores are not kept.

B. Except as otherwise provided by these rules, a goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal posts and crossbar, provided that it has not been thrown, carried, propelled by hand or arm by any player of the attacking side, other than the goalkeeper who is within his/her penalty area.

XII. OFFSIDE:

A. A player is offside if he/she is closer to the opponent's goal line than the ball at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, unless:

   1. He/she is on his/her own half of the field.

   2. There are two opposing players, one of whom may be the goalkeeper) nearer their own goal line than he/she.

   3. The ball was last touched by an opponent.

   4. He/she receives that ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, and throw-in or drop ball administered by the referee.

B. A violation of this rule will result in an indirect free kick being awarded to the opposing team at the place of violation.

C. A player in an off-sides position shall not be penalized, unless in the opinion of the referee, he/she is interfering with the play or with an opponent or is seeking to gain an advantage by being in the off-sides position.

D. In the freshman/junior divisions, the offsides rule is waived. In the Junior division, blatant or repeated offsides could result in a sportsmanship caution to the coach.

E. An attacking player who is eve with a defender but is not nearer the goal line is not considered to be offsides. "Even" is not an offside position.

XIII. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:

A. A direct free kick at the point of violation shall be awarded to the opposing team against any player intentionally committing any of the following:

   1. Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.

   2. Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent.

   3. Jumping at an opponent.

   4. Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner. A fair charge is allowed if it is incidental contact.

   5. Charging an opponent from behind unless the opponent is obstructing.

   6. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.

   7. Holding or attempting to hold an opponent.

   8. Pushing or attempting to push an opponent.

   9. Handling the ball. That includes carrying, striking or propelling the ball with the hand or arm except to defend his/her self. Handling the ball includes striking the ball with the point of the shoulder. Female players may protect their chest and male players may protect their groin area, with their hands or arms provided that their hands or arms are in place and stationary prior to the ball being played, and their hands and/or arms must remain in constant contact with the area of the body they are protection throughout contact with the ball.

B. Any player of the defending team intentionally committing any of the above offenses within their own penalty area shall be penalized kick awarded to the opposing team.

C. A penalty kick may be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, so long as it is in play for an offense committed within the penalty area.

D. A player committing any of the following may be penalized, by awarding the indirect free kick to the opposing side at the point of violation.

   1. Playing in a manner considered by the referee to be dangerous to any player (such as attempting to kick the ball when held by the goalie)

   2. Attempting to kick the ball when his/her foot is higher than the opponent's waist.

   3. Attempting to head the ball when his/her head is below an opponent's waist and the opponent is attempting to play the ball.

   4. A dangerous display of cleats.

   5. Attempting to play the ball while laying prone on the ground and an opponent in an upright position is attempting to play the ball at the same time.

   6. Charging unfairly, that is to touch or attempting to touch an opponent when the ball is not within playing distance and they are clearly not trying to play the ball.

   7. Intentionally obstructing an opponent rather than playing the ball.

   8. Charging the goalie, except when he/she: a. Does not have possession of the ball (having possession of the ball is defined as having control of the ball with both hands, having trapped the ball with any part of his/her body, or having trapped the ball with one finger on the ground) in his/her own goal area. b. Is obstructing an opponent. c. Has passed outside of his/her penalty area and is acting as a field player.

   9. When playing as a goalie a. Taking more than 4 steps while holding or clearly controlling the ball without attempting to put it in play. b. Indulging in tactics that, in the opinion of the referee, are clearly designed to delay the game to give his/her own team an unfair advantage. c. Picking up the ball once he/she has given up possession of the ball and placed it into the field of play. That is the ball must, once the goalie has relinquished possession, clear the penalty area and be touched by a member of his/her won team before the goalie can play the ball again with his/her hands. Exception: If touched by an opponent in the penalty box.

E. A player may be cautioned (yellow carded) or ejected (red carded) and an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team if he/she:

   1. Persistently violates the laws of the game.

   2. Shows by word or action dissent from any decision of the referee.

   3. Is guilty of ungentlemanly/unlady like conduct.

F. A player will be immediately ejected from the game and a free kick awarded to the opposing team if:

   1. In the opinion of the referee, he/she is guilty of violent misconduct or other foul play.

   2. He/she uses foul or abusive language.

   3. He/she persists in misconduct after being cautioned

G. Any player receiving either one red card or two yellow cards in a league game will be automatically suspended from play during their next scheduled game.

H. Any coach or asst. coach receiving a red card during a league game will be automatically suspended from their next scheduled game.

I. Slide tackling will not be allowed in the freshman/junior divisions. In addition, slide tackling will not be allowed in any division when the Intermediate and Major divisions are combined.

J. Referees will ensure that scorekeeper's not yellow and red cards awarded on game score sheets. The referees will also submit, within 72 hrs, a report of a red card awarded during a league game, to the Youth Sports Director. This report will contain the player's number or coach's name, the team name, the time of the game in which the card was awarded, the date of the league game and the reason the red card was awarded.

XIV. FREE KICKS:

A. A free kick can be either direct or indirect. A direct kick can score a goal without being played or touched by any other player. An indirect free kick must be played or touched by any other player in addition to the kicker to score a goal.

B. A direct free kick (penalty kick) inside the kicker's own penalty area requires all opposing players to be outside of the penalty area and a minimum of ten yards off the ball when the kick is taken. A free kick outside the kickers own area requires all opposing players to be a minimum of 10 yards from the ball.

C. When an indirect free kick is taken inside the defenders penalty area by the opposing team a minimum of 10 yards must be given unless the ball is within 10 yards of the goal line, then any or all-defending players may stand on the goal line.

D. On all free kicks, direct or indirect, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until any other player has played or touched it; otherwise in indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

E. Freshman/Junior divisions all kicks are indirect. Opposing players must be at least 3 yards from spot of kick.

XV. PENALTY KICKS:

A. A penalty kick is a direct free kick taken from the penalty mark. All players except the kicker and defending goalie will be outside of the penalty area. The goalie must stand, without moving his/her feet, on his/her own goal line between the goal posts until the ball is kicked. The kicker must kick the ball forward and may not play or touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player.

B. If the ball rebounds off the uprights and crossbar without touching the goalie during the kick, the kicker may not touch or play the ball again; otherwise an indirect kick will be awarded to the defending team.

C. If the defending team is guilty of encouragement or the goalie moves his/her feet from the goal line (unless a goal is scored) before the ball is kicked the defending team will be penalized by allowing the kick to be retaken.

D. If the attacking team (other than the kicker) violates this rule by encouragement, any goal scored will be disallowed and an indirect kick will be administered by the defending team at the spot of the foul. If the kicker violates this rule after the ball is in play, the defending team will be awarded an indirect kick from the point of infraction.

E. In the Freshman division no penalty kicks will be taken.

F. In the Junior division any foul committed in their own penalty area will result in a direct kick (not penalty kick) taken at the point of the infraction.

XVI. THROW IN:

A. When the whole of the ball passes outside of the sideline and it was last played by the possessing team, then the opposing team will be awarded a throw-in from the point of exit.

B. At the moment of throwing the ball, the thrower must be facing the field of play, must have all or part of both feet on the ground outside the field of play, must use equal pressure with both hands, throwing the ball from behind and over the head. The ball is in play when the whole of the ball enters the field of play. The thrower may not play or touch the ball until it has been touched or played by another player. A ball thrown that does not enter the field of play will be retaken at the point of exit by the possessing team. A goal my not be scored directly from a throw-in. The opposing team my not interfere with the throw-in in any way, any violation will be cautioned.

C. In Majors Divisions, the ball will be awarded to the opposing team for an improper throw-in.

D. In the Freshmen Division, there will be no throw-ins. A kick-in will be awarded to the team gaining possession at the spot the ball went into touch.

E. In the Junior Division, the thrower will be allowed a second attempt after being corrected by the referee. Failure the second time will result in the change of thrower from the same team.

F. A throw-in will be executed at the point that the ball left the field of play. At no time will the team executing the throw-in be allowed to run from this spot to execute the throw-in, if the thrower violates this rule, the opposing team will be awarded the throw-in.

G. If the thrower plays the ball a second time before any other player plays or touches it, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect kick from the point of violation.

XVII. GOAL KICK:

A. When the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, except when it passes between the goalposts and crossbar, having been last played by the attacking team, the defending team will be awarded an indirect free kick from within the nearest half of it's goal area closest to the point when the ball passed over the goal line.

B. The goalie of the kicking team may not receive the ball either with his/her feet, hands, or any part of his/her body until the ball has moved completely outside of his/her own penalty area.

C. The ball cannot be played again by any player until it has come completely outside the penalty area.

D. The kicker cannot touch or play the ball a second time until another player, outside the penalty area, ahs touched the ball, otherwise the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick from the point of violation.

E. In the Freshmen Division there will be no goal kicks.

F. In the Junior Division opponents must be at least 3 yards from the spot where the kick is taken. No scoring directly from goal kicks.

XVIII. CORNER KICK:

A. A direct free kick taken by the attacking team from the 1-yard arc at the corner or the field after the ball goes over the goal line having been touched by a defending player.

B. In the Freshmen Division there will be no corner kicks.

C. In the Junior Division opponents must be at least 3 yards from the spot where the kick is taken.

XX RAINOUTS:

A. If there is any question about the weather, call the Youth Sports Office at 703-784-9756/5637.

B. For Saturday games the Youth Sports Director will make the call by 0800. There will be voicemail messages on both extensions in the Youth Sports Office.

C. If there is not a specific message pertaining to the GAMES, then everything will go as scheduled. Games will not be made up.

D. COACHES will make the decision to CANCEL TEAM PRACTICES.

XXI. COACHES AND SPECTATORS:

A. Coaches, substitutes, and spectators may be no closer to the goal line than the top of the penalty area. Coaches are responsible for spectators.

B. In the Freshmen division, the coach and asst. coach may be on the field to provide guidance and assistance to their players. Coaches will insure that each child has the opportunity to play in various positions throughout the season.

C. Spectators may encourage and cheer on either team, however, disparaging remarks, foul or abusive language against either team, any player, coach or referee is not tolerated.

D. Any coach, spectator or player on the sidelines guilty of repetitive dissent of a referee's decision and using foul or abusive language my result in the team's coach being cautioned or ejected.

E. Coaches and spectators are primarily responsible for adhering to and enforcing this rule. However, the referee may take any action appropriate where repeated violations threaten the safety of the players or the atmosphere of good sportsmanship.

COACHES DUTIES:

A. To maintain proper conduct among team members, assistants and spectators.

B. To notify all team members of: 1. Rules, regulations and by-laws set forth by the league 2. Schedule of games and practices 3. Cancellations and/or make-ups.

C. To abide by all rules, regulations, and by laws set forth by the league.

D. To ensure that all team members take part in this program in accordance with the by-laws stated herein.

E. Coaches are responsible for insuring that his/her players have proper equipment. This includes coach's verification of legal equipment and apparel in the head referee's pre-game procedure.

F. To be a proper role model. This includes NO smoking, dipping, chewing of tobacco or use of alcohol before, during or after practices and games while still on the fields.

G. To insure that parents/spectators adhere to "F".

H. To insure the safety of all players, those on your team and the other teams.

XXII. PROTESTS OVER A REFEREE'S DECISION:

A. Can only be made directly to the referee by the Head Coach, the Youth Sports Director or Youth Sports Rep. whichever is in attendance.

B. Spectators are not allowed to address the referee directly

C. The Youth Sports Director, Youth Sports Asst. Director or Youth Sports Rep., whichever is in attendance, has FINAL AUTHORITY on all matters excluding the rulings on the laws of soccer.

D. If an equitable decision cannot be made to suit both parties at the time of protest, the inquiry will be referred to the Youth Sports Office for a decision on the next business day.

E. Every attempt should be made to prevent the protest from delaying the game. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE, WHAT REALLY COUNTS IS HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED! GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!