Policy Statement 2010/2011

Click here to download the 2010/2011 Policy Statement (.pdf)

Revised 09/08/10

The following policies on player attire shall apply in addition to Article 7, Section 18 of the Regional Guidelines:

1. Teams playing in the Area Program or those advancing to Area and Section playoffs will be covered by the policies determined by Area or Section.
2. Cleats are not required, but if used, they must adhere to the following:
   1. Cleats must be either molded into the sole of the shoe, or of the screw in type.
   2. Toe cleats of any kind are prohibited.
   3. Metal cleats are allowed.
   4. The referee may require that cleats with sharp edges be filed down before the player may participate in the match.
During games, shin guards must be covered completely by the uniform socks. This means that shin guards must be worn under the sock, not on top of it with the sock top pulled down over the shin guards. Shin guards must cover approximately 2/3 of the shin. The referee will be the sole judge of the safety of the shin guards.
3. Sweatshirts (or other long sleeved) garments may be worn underneath the uniform jersey under the
   Following conditions:
   1. If, in the opinion of the referee the wearing of long-sleeved garments creates a color conflict (i.e. uniforms of the two opposing teams become difficult to distinguish) the referee has the discretion to prohibit a team from wearing them.
   2. Short-sleeved garments, which do not show below the sleeve of the uniform jersey, may be worn even if they do show at the neckline.
   3. Sweatshirts with hoods shall not be worn during games.
4. Thermo pants/cycling shorts may be worn if they are black or white or the same color as the predominant color of the uniform shorts, and if they do not extend beyond the top of the knee. (Teams advancing to Area and Section playoffs will be covered by policies that may require that thermo pants/cycling shorts be the same color as the uniform shorts.
5. While playing as a goalkeeper, sweatshirts (without hoods), sweatpants, and non-AYSO issued goalkeeper shirts are permitted (as well as gloves, knee and elbow pads, and the goalkeeperÕs headgear). The Goalkeeper must wear the uniform socks issued to the team.
6. Knee Braces: Players may wear braces provided the brace is adequately covered and padded so as to eliminate the possibility of it causing injury to the other players on the field of play. This includes braces with hard parts. The referee will be the sole judge of the safety of the brace.
7. Players will not be allowed to wear face paint in games.
8. Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to either themselves or other player.
9. The uniform is the property of AYSO Region 32. Modification of the uniform is not allowed. Replacement of a modified or lost uniform is the responsibility of the player or parent.

Teams should be prepared to play even if it is raining or threatening to rain. Because of the difficulty of rescheduling matches during the week, cancellations may occur on a game-by-game basis. For example, we may cancel some morning games if it is raining hard, but resume the regular schedule in the afternoon if it stops raining or is only raining lightly.

Coaches are required to be certified at the age level they will coach. This is the last step in the implementation of the Volunteer Protection Act. If a coach plans to coach U6 through U10, they should attend the U10 Clinic. If a coach plans to coach U12 or higher, and have not attended the Youth U12 Clinic, they must start with the Youth Clinic. The Youth Clinic is a prerequisite for the Intermediate Clinic. All coaches must be certified in order to coach a team. Coaches not certified before the first game of the Fall/Spring Seasons, will not be allowed to coach their team. Regional coaching staff will designate a certified staff member to head the team until the coach is properly certified.

Post-season playoffs are invitational. All teams in divisions U14, U12 and U10, who are in good standing at the end of the regular season games, will be invited to post-season playoffs. A team in good standing is defined as one that has completed all of its assigned duties (i.e. snack bar, trash, picture day, team check in, bathroom duty, etc.) In divisions Under 8 and Under 10, the team has sent a new parent representative to a regional referee training course and fulfilled the referee requirements below. U8 and U10 teams who have a candidate successfully complete the Regional Referee course will receive two referee credits. A referee slot is defined as having a certified Regional referee or Higher at a scheduled game. A referee may only give credit to a team on which he/she has a child, grandchild, or sibling, or a team on which the referee plays or is the head coach or assistant coach. The Region 32 Board approves Head coaches. Assistant coaches must be listed on the roster.

All U8 and U10 teams must earn at least 16 referee points to fulfill their Referee Credit requirement. U12 and U14 teams must earn at least 20 referee points to fulfill their Referee Credit requirement. U16 and U19 must earn at least 10 points to fulfill their Referee Credit requirement. To get credit for refereeing a game, you must be a certified referee by AYSO (Regional or higher), you must sign the game card, and you must sign the game sign-in sheet located on the wall of the field house and provide the team division and number you wish the points to go towards.

U8 games are worth 1 Referee Point, whether you Referee or Assistant Referee.
U10 games and above are worth 2 Referee Points, whether you Referee or Assistant Referee.
No points will be awarded for refereeing in divisions below U8 or for referees not certified as Regional or higher.

New Referee Requirement
U8 and U10 teams are required to send a person 12 years or older who has never taken/passed the referee class to take the regional referee class and referee at least one game. Teams that do not fulfill this requirement will not be allowed to participate in post-season play.

U8 Teams
All U8 teams will assistant referee their own g ames with the home team supplying one assistant referee and the visitors supplying the other assistant referee. A referee from our pool of youth/adult referees will then be assigned to the game; giving any points to his/her own team.

Referees representing any U8 teams are not limited to U8 games but are encouraged to officiate at the level to which they are comfortable.

Regional Referee or higher
2 points for officiating a U10 game or higher as either a center or assistant Referee
1 point for officiating a U8 game as either a center or assistant referee.

No points will be awarded for refereeing in divisions below U8, or for referees not certified as Regional or higher.

U8 Post Season Jamboree
U8 teams who are in good standing at the end of the regular season games by completing all assigned duties and met the Regional Referee requirement of one newly certified Regional Referee per team and sixteen referee credits, will be invited to participate in a post season jamboree. The jamboree format will be determined by the Regional Board.

Post Season Playoff Requirement
Double Elimination tournament format
A team making it to play-offs must supply Regional Referees (or above) to fill 2 referee slots (as a Referee or Assistant Referee) during the first 4 play-off rounds. A team that does not fill those slots will forfeit their next scheduled play-off game. During Post-Season play, Referees will not be scheduled to officiate in a division that their child plays in.

Post Season Playoff Requirement
Pool Play jamboree format
A team making it to play-offs must supply Regional Referees (or above) to fill 2 referee slots (as a Referee or Assistant Referee) during Pool Play. A team that does not fill those slots will be ineligible to progress to semi-finals. During Post-Season play, Referees will not be scheduled to officiate in a division that their child plays in.

Team Duties: During December and January, teams participating in Regional Playoffs will be assigned Team duties on a week-by-week basis to avoid game conflicts if at all possible. Teams not providing coverage for their team duties shall perform alternate service as specified by the Regional Commissioner.
TIME CONFLICTS: Head Coaches with two teams in playoffs will have the game schedules adjusted so there are not time conflicts. No such adjustments will be made for Assistant Coaches.

Games shall be conducted 7 v 7 on short-sided fields. Offside shall be called as judged by the Referee team.

Games shall be played 7 v 7 on short-sided fields. Offside will not be called except in blatant or obvious cases, as judged by the Referee team.

Games shall be played 5 v5 on short-sided fields, with modified goals. No referee's will be assigned to the match and coaches are to maintain a safe and fun environment for the players. Offside will not be called and coaches are encouraged not to let players "cherry pick". ***With the modified goal size, keepers are not recommended. ***

Games will be played in Jamboree format, meaning teams will be formed on a weekly basis based on player participation. Each session will consist of warm up, skill activity and game, supervision and Instruction provided by a master coach. Prior to each game, players will be divided into groups of four, and play 3v3 with one sub on short-sided fields.

The head coach of a team shall be responsible for the drafting of a team. In the absence of the head coach, only the coach's designated alternate over 18 years old or a board member may draft a team.

A blind team is a team without an assigned coach at the time of the draft.

There shall be no smoking or consumption of alcoholic beverages by any players, coaches, referees, parents or spectators at any AYSO function. This includes practice, games, or meetings.

No person other than a child's parent or legal guarding shall administer any medication to any AYSO player at a time without written permission of the parent or legal guarding. Medication refers to any prescription or over the counter medication including but not limited to vitamins and food supplements; eye, ear or nose drops, inhalants, or medicated ointments or lotions, aspirins, cough drops or antacids.

If an AYSO player is in need of any administration of medication during practice or games, a written statement from a physician detailing the method, amount and timing of the medication must be obtained.

A written statement from a parent or legal guardian of the player indicating the desire that the player be assisted in a manner set forth in the physician's statement must also be obtained.

For any AYSO player needing to self-administer asthma inhalers during AYSO practice or games, a copy of the guidelines for self-administration of medication form must be in the possession of the coach, or designated assistant coach. This form must include the child's name, type of medication, dosage, frequency of use, and date with the parent or legal guardian signature.

No dogs allowed (except service dogs) at Cabrillo Park Soccer Complex (fields). During any and all scheduled or sanctioned programs (e.g. games, practices, tournaments, an etc).

All teams in Divisions U 6 thru U 14 must verify that they have possession of the Player Release Forms with an original signature for each player listed on the game lineup cards. The game lineup card must be turned into the Commissioner's Check-in Table before their game may begin.

For U10, U 12 and U 14 matches, a certified referee must retrieve the game cards within 10 minutes from the scheduled start of the game to begin the game, or the game will be cancelled. An exception will be made only for a referee scheduling conflict, or a delayed game.

No cross coaching will be permitted.

In Under 12 thru Under 19: Coaches and spectators for the Home Team (team listed first) must stay on the east side of the field. Coaches and spectators for the Visitors (team listed second, or on lower portion of the bracket) must stay on the west side of the field. All spectators will remain behind the spectator line (three yards off the field) and between the 18-yard lines.

In Under 6, Under 8 and Under 10: Spectators for the Home Team will remain on the east side of the sideline and Visitors will remain on the west side of the sideline. Coaches for the Home Team will be on the east side of the field and coaches for the Visitors will be on the west side of the field. When the field usage allows, Coaches and spectators for the Home Team must stay on the north side of the field, and Coaches and spectators for the Visitors must stay on the south side of the field.