GSYSL Operating Rules
The following information is provided as a brief overview of
the structure and procedures of the GSYSL. The definitive sources for specific
information are the Constitution and Bylaws of the League, which may also be
found on this web site. Questions may be addressed to the appropriate Board
member or staff at any time; contact information is provided elsewhere on the
web site.
In keeping with policy mandated by USSF, USYS and
NHSA, GSYSL requires that all adults interacting with players under the age of
18 complete a volunteer disclosure form i.e. “KidSafe Form” at such time as
they begin their position whether it be as coach, asst. coach, team ‘mom’, team
manager, club officer, etc. and for each subsequent season (EVERY TWO YEARS) as
they continue such interaction. A designee of the Executive Committee, who
shall be the only individual allowed access to the forms, will keep all such
forms on file in strictest confidence. (See contact list).
1. AFFILIATION:
THE LEAGUE OPERATES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NEW
HAMPSHIRE SOCCER ASSOCIATION, YOUTH DIVISION, AND THROUGH THIS ASSOCIATION
COMPLIES WITH AND ABIDES BY NHSA RULES AND REGULATIONS, FOLLOWING USSF AND
USYSL PROTOCOLS.
2. TEAM COMPETITION:
THE LEAGUE SHALL CONSIST OF TEAMS FORMED OF PLAYERS
WITHIN A CITY OR TOWN, OR A COLLECTION OF SMALL TOWNS. THERE SHALL BE NO
RESTRICTIONS PREVENTING A COLLECTION OF TOWNS OR CITIES FROM FORMING A COMBINED
TEAM IN ORDER TO SEEK A COMPETITIVE LEVEL.
AT ANY TIME DURING THE SEASONAL YEAR,
(AUGUST 1
–
JULY 31)
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS THAT CAN BE ROSTERED ON ANY TEAM (11V11) IN AGE
GROUPS U-14 AND UNDER
SHALL BE EIGHTEEN PLAYERS. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS THAT MAY BE ROSTERED
FOR U-15 THROUGH U-19 TEAMS SHALL BE TWENTY TWO (22) PLAYERS, OF WHOM ONLY
EIGHTEEN (18) ALL OF WHOM MAY PLAY IN ANY SCHEDULED LEAGUE MATCH. THE MAXIMUM
NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHICH MAY BE ROSTERED FOR 6V6 TEAMS SHALL BE TWELVE (12)
PLAYERS AND FOR 8V8 A MAXIMUM OF SIXTEEN (16) PLAYERS, IN THE INTERESTS OF
ADEQUATE INSTRUCTIONAL PLAYING TIME AND TO COMPLY WITH NHSA POLICY. THE STAMPED
LEAGUE ROSTER SHALL BE THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ROSTER PRESENTED BY ANY TEAM TO THE
REFEREE PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY GAME.
THE ORIGINAL ROSTER IS THAT ROSTER WHICH IS APPROVED
BY THE REGISTRAR AND USED FOR THAT TEAM’S FIRST GAME OF THAT SEASONAL YEAR. THE SEASONAL YEAR STARTS IN LATE AUGUST OR EARLY
SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR WITH U-14 AND UNDER PLAY, AND ENDS IN JULY OF THE
FOLLOWING YEAR WITH U-15 AND ABOVE GAMES STARTING IN
APRIL. IF A TEAM DID NOT PLAY (OR EXIST) IN THE FALL, THEN THEIR ORIGINAL
ROSTER IS THE ONE APPROVED BY THE REGISTRAR AND USED FOR THAT TEAM’S FIRST
GAME.
Roster changes may be made up to 2 weeks before the
end of the season
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3. REGISTRATION:
TEAMS MUST REGISTER WITH THE LEAGUE REGISTRAR BY THE
DEADLINE ESTABLISHED EACH SEASON (Spring January 31 /
Fall July 31) . IF YOU ARE PRACTICING, YOU
SHOULD BE REGISTERED FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST PRACTICE.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES: A TEAM ROSTER FORM, INDIVIDUAL PLAYER ROSTER FORMS,
PLAYER ID CARDS WITH A SMALL PICTURE AND A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR NEW PLAYERS
(SPRING EXCEPTION: PLAYERS ALREADY ROSTERED IN THE FALL SEASON CAN USE THE SAME
ID CARD IF STILL ON THE SAME TEAM.).
ONCE THE SEASON STARTS AND YOUR ROSTER DOES NOT HAVE A FULL COMPLIMENT OF PLAYERS, YOU MAY REGISTER
ADDITIONAL PLAYERS UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF 18 (22 for
Senior Teams spring only) FOLLOWING THE ABOVE RULES.
ANY PLAYER BEING REGISTERED DURING THE SEASON MUST
WAIT 7 DAYS BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR FIRST MATCH.
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE CAN BE MADE FOR TEAMS WITH A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS
BECAUSE OF PLAYERS SUSTAINING AN INJURY. COACHES MUST GET THE APPROVAL OF THE
APPROPRIATE VICE CHAIR/COMPETITION (BOYS OR GIRLS) TO WAIVE THIS 7-DAY WAITING
RULE.
A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 3 CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO A
FULL 18 PLAYER ROSTER DURING THE FALL/SPRING SEASON. THE NHSA FORM FOR
PLAYER TRANSFER MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR BY THE PLAYER WHO IS LEAVING
STATING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS LEAVING BY THEIR OWN
CHOICE OR BECAUSE OF AN INJURY. THE GSYSL REGISTRAR CAN OFFER GUIDANCE WITH
THESE PROCEDURES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
GSYSL -REQUIRES
THAT EVERY MEMBER CLUB APPOINT A CLUB REGISTRAR TO OVERSEE THE COMPLETION AND
FILING OF ALL NECESSARY PLAYER REGISTRATION FORMS WITH THE LEAGUE. THE CLUB
REGISTRAR (IS) THE
SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE LEAGUE REGISTRAR ON ALL MATTER PERTAINING TO
THEIR CLUB PROVIDES THE MOST EFFECTIVE INTERFACE ON ISSUES SUCH AS PLAYER
REGISTRATION, TRANSFERS, RELEASES AND OTHER ROSTER SUBMISSIONS OR CHANGES. CLUB
REGISTRARS MUST SUBMIT A REGISTRAR’S CODE
OF RESPONSIBILITIES FORM (AVAILABLE ON THE POLICIES PAGE OF THE WEBSITE)
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4. SCHEDULE:
THE LEAGUE PUBLISHES A SCHEDULE FOR PARTICIPATING
TEAMS PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH SEASON, FALL AND SPRING. ONCE THE SCHEDULE IS
FROZEN BY THE LEAGUE SCHEDULER, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES FOR ANY REASON. IN THE
EVENT OF GAME CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER, FIELD CONDITIONS, OR FIELDS OUT OF
PLAY, THE LEAGUE CHAIR HAS THE SOLE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY CHANGE. ANY COACH WHO
VIOLATES THIS POLICY WILL HAVE SANCTIONS AND/OR FINES IMPOSED ON THEIR
CLUB/TEAM PER GSYSL POLICY. (SEE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS).
GAMES MAY BE PLAYED ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, AND/OR
OTHER WEEKDAYS OR NIGHTS AND WILL HAVE A START TIME AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
FIELD COORDINATOR (SUBJECT TO THE RULES FOR FIELD COORDINATORS ESTABLISHED BY
THE LEAGUE). THE LEAGUE RECOMMENDS GAMES BE PLAYED AFTER 12:00 PM ON BOTH
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
IN MOST CASES AN 8 GAME SCHEDULE IS PROVIDED. THE
LEAGUE SCHEDULER WILL DRAFT THE SEASON SCHEDULE BASED ON # OF TEAMS IN EACH
DIVISION, FIELD AVAILABILITY, AND OTHER PERTINENT FACTORS. THERE MAY BE
OCASSIONS WHEN TEAM WILL NOT HAVE EQUAL # OF HOME AND AWAY GAMES.
FIELD COORDINATOR SYSTEM: LOCATION MANAGER
A. For scheduling purposes, each Club shall
designate a Field Coordinator who will interface with GSYSL regarding
scheduling matters. Included among his or her responsibilities will be the
completing, and returning to the League Scheduler, of the Draft Schedule. Once
the Draft Schedule is sent out by GSYSL, each Field Coordinator will be
responsible for filling in field assignments and time slots for each home game.
In addition, during the slotting process, the Field Coordinator will communicate
with other Clubs on requested changes to the draft schedule.
B. During the season, the Field Coordinator will be
the primary point of contact between his or her Club and GSYSL or other Clubs
regarding changes, cancellations and rescheduling.
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5. RULES OF PLAY:
A. Game Length:
U – 10 (6v6) four 12 min.
periods
U – 11 (8v8) – two 25 min. halves
U—12 (11v11 & 8v8) - two 30 min. halves
U—13/14 - two 35 min. halves
Senior Division - two 40 min. halves
B. The Game Ball:
The game ball shall be provided by the Home team
according to the following sizes:
U-9 and under – Size 3 ball.
U-10 – U12 – Size 4 ball.
All other age groups shall use a Size 5 ball, in
accordance with USYSA rules of play.
.
C. Rules of Play
All Small Sided Games shall be governed by the USYSA
rules of play.
All 11 v. 11 games shall be governed by the FIFA
‘Laws of the Game".
D. Point System
The standings of teams in their respective divisions shall be
figured by points.
Three (3)
– WIN
One (1) – TIE (to each team)
Zero (0) – LOSS
Zero (0) -- FORFEIT
E. Tiebreakers
If at the end of the regular season, two or more
teams are tied, the winner shall be determined through the following tiebreaker
methods:
1 – Head to Head Competition;
2 – Most Wins;
3 – Most Shutout Wins;
4 – Goal Differential, up to a maximum of 3 per
game;
5 – Fewest Goals allowed, up to a maximum of 3 per
game;
6 – Coin Flip
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6. HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
THE HOME TEAM WILL PROVIDE A SUITABLE SOCCER PITCH
THAT IS VISIBLY LINED, HAS ACCEPTABLE GOAL POSTS, NETS, AND FLAGS.
IF ANY CLUB CANNOT, OR HAS NOT PROVIDED SUCH, THEN
THAT CLUB WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR ALL AWAY GAMES THE NEXT SEASON, UNLESS
GUARANTEES ARE MADE, IN WRITING, THAT SUCH FIELD PROBLEMS WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN.
TEAMS MUST BE PRESENT AT THE PITCH 30 MINUTES PRIOR
TO THE SCHEDULED GAME TIME.
7. PLAYER CARDS AND GAME ROSTER SHEETS:
EACH TEAM SHALL PRESENT USYS- REGISTRATION
PASSES (CARDS) TO THE REFEREE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE GAME. EACH TEAM WILL
PROVIDE THE REFEREE WITH A COPY OF THEIR OFFICIAL LEAGUE STAMPED TEAM ROSTER FORM.
NO UNSTAMPED ROSTER WILL BE ACCEPTED.
THE REFEREE WILL CONDUCT A PRE-GAME SAFETY AND
CARD/ROSTER CHECK.
ALL PLAYERS, INCLUDING THE GOALKEEPER, SHALL WEAR
NUMBERED JERSEYS. SHIN GUARDS MUST BE USED, SHIRTS MUST BE TUCKED IN, AND NO
SHORTS HANGING OUT BELOW THE TEAM SHORTS. FULL LENGTH SPANDEX IS ALLOWED
PROVIDING THE COLOR IS THE SAME FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS.
COACHES MUST STAY WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE COACHING
AREA AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING SPECTATORS AT LEAST 3 FEET BEHIND THE
TOUCH LINE AND ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FIELD FROM THE COACH/PLAYER SIDE.
COACHING AREA IS THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE TEAM’S BENCH AND 5 FEET TO EITHER
SIDE OF THE BENCH. THE BENCH AREA SHALL BE AT LEAST 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE MID
FIELD LINE.
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8. RECRUITING:
A. GSYSL does not allow club officers or coaches to
recruit players from other clubs/teams during the seasonal year. Recruiting is
defined as the active solicitation of players by another coach or club official
by direct contact with the player. The solicitation of players for State teams
i.e. ODP, by State Coaches or State officials, is specifically exempted from
the definition of ‘recruiting’. Players may be recruited during the off season
(summer). Players may also be recruited if they are currently not rostered to a
team. All recruiting is subject to the following rules:
Ø No coach or club official can contact directly a
player not in high school i.e. only high school players may be contacted
directly by coaches or club officials.
Ø A coach or club official is not forbidden to talk
to parents if the parent calls them directly.
B. Providing a player with information regarding a
regularly scheduled group tryout while the player is still rostered with
another team, or discussions with a player’s parents, does not constitute
illegal recruiting or tampering. Complaints of tampering should be directed to
the GSYSL Chairperson. The Team or Club of the team which the Chairperson,
through consultation with the Executive Committee, has determined has violated
this policy shall be assessed a $250 fine. Until the fine is paid, the Team or
Club of such team will be held in bad standing.
9. COACHES AND MANAGERS.
A. Teams must have a responsible coach or manager
present at each game whose responsibilities shall include maintaining control
and discipline over the team. A team, which appears without a coach, or a
clearly responsible adult substitute (with positive ID) if such person is
without a pass card, shall forfeit.
B. Coaches and managers are responsible for their conduct
and for the conduct of their players and fans at all times. Abusive or obscene
language, violent play, violent conduct or other behavior detrimental to the
game will not be tolerated.
C. Coaches must remain within the designated
coaching area during the course of play. They must refrain from loud,
persistent or intrusive coaching of field players from the touchline. Only
qualified coaches and managers may be present on the sidelines with the team
during a game. Parents and other spectators must remain on the opposite
sideline.
D. Coaches or managers who are ejected by the
Referee, or who are under suspension, must remain completely away from the
playing field or site. Failure to abide by this rule may result in additional
disciplinary action.
E. All head coaches are required by the league to be
licenced or certified by NHSA or other appoved organization under US Soccer or
FIFA. The League recommends that assistants be licensed also.