GRANITE
STATE YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
Youth Development through the Sport of Soccer
(6/09)
Bylaws
Fees
and Registration
A. Deadlines
The
Executive Committee will establish fees and registration deadlines for the
League in advance of each season. Teams wishing to compete
must, by the date set by the Executive Committee, have paid all their fees and
submitted the appropriate team application properly completed, and supplied a
map of their fields in order to be considered duly registered for scheduling
purposes. All Fees are due at time of team registration
will be required to be paid to the GSYSL Treasurer or designee.
C. Failure to Pay Fees
In
the event a team fails to pay its full registration fee by the deadline date
(usually designated as the Season Kick Off Meeting),
the Executive Committee may rescind that Team or Club’s registration and remove
the Team or Club from the schedule for that upcoming season. Any Club/Team
whose registration fee balance is not paid by the scheduled first game of that
season will have their games declared forfeits for as long as said balance
remains unpaid.
Program Structure and Administration
A.
Age Groups
GSYSL
will provide competition, with sufficient registration, in the following age
groups: U - 10 through U – 19. All
teams in those age groups must conform to age specific designations as
specified by the NHSA, USYS, and USSF. . U10 teams shall play small-sided 6v6
games and U11 & U12 teams shall play small-sided 8v8 games – both U10 & U11 age
groups will be considered developmental divisions under modified rules as
established by the Executive Committee.
B.
Standings
The
GSYSL Executive Committee will appoint an individual or individuals who will
have the responsibility of monitoring the week-to-week play in specific age
groups, receiving the scores from teams and establishing the standings. In
accordance with NHSA policy, no standings shall be kept for U10 & U11 age
divisions, which are identified as “developmental” and for which competitive standings
may not be kept.
Rosters, Birth Certificates, Player Registration and USYSA
Player Forms
A. Rosters
All
rosters submitted by member clubs must meet NHSA, USSF and USYS requirements.
Approved rosters shall be stamped by a League Registrar and returned to the
coach of each team prior to the start of the relevant seasonal year or season.
At any time during the seasonal year, the maximum number of players which may
be rostered on any team (11v11) in age groups U – 14 and under shall be
eighteen players. The maximum number of players which 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 match. The maximum number of
players which may be rostered for 6 v 6 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. Club Pass Rule: ( SPRING ONLY League in the competitive
division ) Allows for up to 5 players to be written onto a team roster prior to
the game as long as each player has a current and valid player pass and are a
member of the same club. For each guest player participating in the game, all
player data (matching the player pass) including name, address, date of birth,
and player identification number will be written onto the game roster provided
to the referee prior to the start of the game. Teams shall not be allowed to
have more than 18 players participating in any single game (including guest
players). Players must meet age requirement of team and may not play up more
than 2 age groups listed on their player pass. Each coach should have in their
possession copies of the completed USYSA member form for all players (including
guests) prior to the start of the game.
B.
Birth Certificates
A
copy of a Certificate of Live Birth issued by a local, state or Federal entity
shall be accepted as proof of age for all registered players. Additional
documentation that may be accepted in lieu of such a document is a passport
issued by a recognized sovereign body, driver’s license, or similar which, at
the discretion of a League registrar, is sufficient to prove date of birth of
the individual player. A previously issued New Hampshire Player Pass card is
also acceptable.
C.
USYSA Player Forms or GSYSL Registration Forms
All
players rostered on teams registered to GSYSL must have a completed USYS/GSYSL
Player Registration form on file with the League prior to the beginning of any
seasonal play, which includes practices, indoor skill clinics, etc. This is in
accordance with NHSA policy for insurance purposes.
D. KidSafe Forms
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 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.
E. Transfer/Double Roster Forms
Transfer
and Double Roster forms are NHSA forms and require payment of a fee to the NHSA
for processing. GSYSL, as a convenience to its corporate membership, acts as
intermediary for NHSA by providing the forms , but is
not responsible for policies governing their use. (See Player
Transfer and Release).
Player Transfer and Release
A.
Any player legally rostered to a team is bound to that team for the entire
seasonal year unless the player requests a transfer or is released. A request
for a transfer or release shall be submitted to a League Registrar to be
forwarded to the NHSA Registrar in writing on the form provided, stating the
reason for the request. NHSA policies and procedures govern player transfers
and double rosters.
B.
A player may be released from a team by the coach only if the player is
unable to play for one of the following reasons:
Ø The player has violated USYS or
USSF rules or NHSA disciplinary rules.
Ø The player has moved beyond a
reasonable travel distance.
Ø The player is injured in such a
manner that the player will not be able to participate for the remainder of the
season.
Ø The player is deceased.
C.
A player may be allowed to roster on multiple teams, subject to the approval of
the NHSA Registrar or his appointee. The player will declare a primary and a
secondary team on the form provided by NHSA. The player having declared a
primary and a secondary will abide by the following rules unless the primary
and secondary coach has made an alternative agreement:
D.
All double rosters and transfers must be completed prior to the first day of
scheduled match play for any season for all teams registering to play for that
season.
Player and Coach Pass Cards -revised Fall 2009
A.
Pass cards shall be required for all players on all teams and all coaches. Player pass
cards are used for identification of players only and are the property of the
individual player and NHSA/GSYSL, unless such pass is revoked or
retained by the League or NHSA as a result of suspension, expulsion or other
disciplinary ruling. Each pass card must be -processed thru
the GSYSL Online Player Registration Program, showing the player’s
name exactly as it appears on the team roster. The pass card must include an
up-to-date (within one year of player’s current age) photograph and be signed
by the player exactly as the name appears on the player card. Coach’s cards
must be signed as the name appears typed on the coach’s card and the photograph
must reflect a reasonable likeness to the coach’s present appearance. Player
passes & Coach’s Passes are available through the GSYSL web
site online registration program
B.
Pass cards shall be checked by the Referee prior to the start of each game. No
player will be permitted to play without a valid pass card, except at
the discretion of a League Registrar or the Executive Committee, who, with
cause, may provide a written waiver for a single game.
No coach will be allowed to act in his coaching capacity, or be on the same
sideline as the team, if he does not present a valid pass card.
C.
Coach’s cards are issued by the NHSA at the time of licensing certification of
the coach at each coaching level. Coaches should apply directly to the NHSA for
replacement or revision of coaching cards.
Coach’s Passes are available through the GSYSL web site online
registration program and are mandatory for all coaches, assistant
coaches and team managers.
D.
In accordance with USSF and NHSA policies, no more than four (4) individuals
with appropriate documentation i.e. coaches and/or pass cards, may be present
on the players' sideline during match play. The League may issue up to four
“sideline” pass cards to accommodate the legitimate need for a responsible
adult to attend all scheduled matches on the players’ side of the field. These
“sideline” pass cards shall reflect the photograph, name, team affiliation,
season, individual designation i.e. “team manager”, “volunteer”, and signature
of the individual to whom the card is issued. Cards are valid for one seasonal
year. All individuals seeking such "sideline" pass
cards must simultaneously furnish a completed "KidSafe"
form to the appropriate League designee coordinating the KidSafe
program. A League Registrar will not issue a "sideline" pass
card without confirmation from such League designee that a completed "KidSafe" form is on file for that individual.
Scheduling
Process
A.
Scheduling for Conflicts
Following
registration of teams, the League shall set forth the process of scheduling. -
The
Fall/Spring Seasons requires cooperation of all teams and clubs to communicate
conflict information to the league scheduler. Please speak with your players
and parents to determine team availability for the each season.
Teams
requesting all Saturday or
all Sunday games CAN NOT be accommodated mostly due to
the length of the season and the availability of eligible dates. PLEASE LIMIT your
conflict dates to a MAXIMUM OF 2 DATES.
Coaches
must submit a Coach’s Conflict Form prior to the season (Feb 20- spring August
10-fall). The form is available as a
link at the top of the Coach's Page on the GSYSL web site
CONFLICT
INFORMATION WILL BE LIMITED TO THE CATEGORIES BELOW (Spring Season Only)
If
your Club or Team cannot play on a particular date due to tournaments or
special events (Graduations, Proms etc.) you must notify the league scheduler
by 2/15.
Schedule
accommodations will not be made for coaches who coach multiple teams. The
League requires that you have an Assistant Coach to handle your conflicts
NO
CHANGES in the schedule will be made during the season.
B. Final Schedule
The League shall, prepare a final schedule to be distributed at the League Kick—Off Meeting that may be held jointly with other youth soccer leagues or via the league web site. The schedule shall be final and no changes shall be made by any Club/Team without the consent of the appropriate GSYSL -League Chair or designee. The schedule will accommodate as much as possible, all foreseeable conflicts with scheduled NHSA, USYS and ODP events, provided the information has been provided to the league in a timely manner.
C. Field Coordinator System (Location Manager)
For
scheduling purposes, each Club/Team shall designate a Field Coordinator
(Location Manager) who will interface with GSYSL regarding scheduling matters. -.
In addition, during the slotting process, the Field Coordinator is responsible
for communicating with other Clubs/Teams on requested -conflicts
regarding the scheduling process
Field
Coordinators must submit a Location Manager
Blackout Date Submission
Form
All Location
Managers must submit this form for potential conflicts for the upcoming spring
/ fall regarding field availability.
The Season requires cooperation of clubs to communicate Field Availability
Issues and Blackout date information to the league scheduler
Click on Calendar Link for important dates.
The scheduling process begins on 2/25 (spring season) 8/10 (fall season)
During the
season, the Field Coordinator will be the primary point of contact between his
or her Club/Team and GSYSL or other Clubs/Teams regarding changes, cancellations
and rescheduling. Only the Field Coordinator may cancel games for unplayable
conditions or unexpected field emergencies. At that time the Field Coordinator
will notify the Home Team coaches, responsible parties of the visiting
Club/Team (or may request the Home Team coaches to so notify), the Referee
Assignor and the League Chair or designee such as the League
Scheduler. The Field Coordinator will facilitate the rescheduling of
such cancelled games and is responsible for notifying these same individuals,
either personally or through delegation, of the new date/time of the matche(s).
D. GSYSL Geographic Concerns/Scheduling
When
formulating the schedule in any particular season, the appropriate Vice Chair
of Competition or designee may assign a lesser number of home games than the
average team if, in the discretion of the appropriate Vice Chair or said
designee, such team is unable to provide adequate fields or for which referees
are not easily assigned due to geographic limitations. There may be other
circumstances which effect the distribution of home games. The league
reserves the right to make the final determination.
E.
Changes.
Once
the schedule is posted NO Changes will be considered (except under extenuating
circumstances). Requests must be submitted to the -League Chair
for consideration and approval after consultation with the league scheduler. In
the event a team does not play a game as scheduled, for other than weather or
field reasons, or cancellation by the Field Coordinator, it shall incur a fine
of $100 plus any Referee fees incurred by the League. In the event the team
and/or costs are not paid forthwith, the League shall be authorized to place
the offending Club in bad standing and notify the NHSA accordingly. Only the
“home team” Field Coordinator may cancel games for unplayable conditions or
unexpected field emergencies, always excepting the determination by Referees on
the field of play that field conditions are unsafe and the scheduled game
therefore cancelled.
F.
Forfeits.
Unless
an authorized change to the schedule has been made, any team that fails to
appear for or play a game shall forfeit. The opposing team (11v.11) will be
credited with a 1—0 win for standings purposes. Fines for forfeited games are
as follows: League notified 7 days prior to game day will incur a $100.00 fine
(to be distributed to opposing team that lost the opportunity to play). League
notified within 7 days of game day and prior to 24 hours of game time will
incur a $250.00 fine (of which $100.00 will be distributed to the opposing team
that lost the opportunity to play). No League notification and failure to play
a scheduled game the forfeiting team shall pay any Referee fees incurred by the
League as well as the $250 fine to be distributed as stated above. . In
addition, the forfeiting team shall pay any Referee fees incurred by the League
as well as a $250 fine as required by Paragraph C. The opposing team (11v.11)
will be credited with a 1—0 win for standings purposes.
Rules of Play
A.
Game Length
Game
length shall be as follows:
B. The Game Ball
The
game ball shall be provided by the Home team according to the following sizes:
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".
Substitutions
are unlimited. Substitutions can be made on a goal kick, after a goal
is
scored or on the substitute's team throw in.
The Following
rule change has been adopted:
Amended
Substitution Rule: On a throw in
If both teams
have substitutes at the center line, both teams' substitutes may enter the
field of play on either teams throw in.
Players must
be at the center line prior to the stoppage in play.
Under no
circumstance should players enter the field of play directly from the bench as
a substitution
D. Point System
The standings of teams in their respective divisions shall be
figured by points.
Three (3) - Win
One (1) - Tie
Zero (0) - Loss
Zero (0) - Forfeit and $250.00 fine
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 Shutouts;
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
Coaches
and Managers
A.
Teams must have a coach or manager present at each game in the bench area whose
responsibilities shall include maintaining control and discipline over the
team. A team that appears without a coach, or a clearly responsible adult
substitute with positive ID and a pass card, shall forfeit that game.
B.
Coaches and managers are responsible for their own 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 and/or
contrary to the Coaching Code of Ethics as established by NHSA/GSYSL
and included in these By Laws as Addendum, will not be tolerated and
will be cause for a misconduct investigation and subsequent disciplinary
action.
C.
Coaches must remain within three (3) yards of their players' bench 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, excepting paragraph A and
paragraph E under "Player and Coach Pass Cards". Parents and other
spectators must remain on the opposite sideline or in a designated spectator
area.
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 i.e. out of
view of the players, spectators or other coaches. Failure to abide by this rule
may result in additional disciplinary action.
E.
Coach Suspension
Any coach receiving an ejection shall be suspended for his next 3 GSYSL games
and shall not be allowed at the venue. If a coach receives a second
ejection at any time during their GSYSL coaching career the coach shall be
suspended for the current season and shall have to apply to the GSYSL
disciplinary committee for reinstatement to the league.
If an ejection is a result of physical abuse and/or activity
(punching, kicking, biting, spitting or any other infraction deemed
inappropriate by the GSYSL executive board) the coach shall receive a life-time
suspension from GSYSL. The coach shall have the right to appeal the
decision. The appeal must be presented within fourteen (14) days of the
notification from the GSYSL executive board. The appeal shall be presented
to the GSYSL Chair.
Recruiting of Players
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.
Protests
A.
Any team protesting a game must, through its manager or coach initiate such
protest by notifying the coach of the opposing team either verbally or in
writing before leaving the field of play. A verbal or written notification of
the decision to protest the match must be given to the Referee at the same
time. A formal protest in writing stating all known facts and reasons for the
protest shall be sent to the League Chairperson within five (5) days after the
match. As soon as practicable, the Executive Committee shall be convened by the
League Chairperson for the purpose of deciding the protest. A written
notification of the Executive Committee’s decision shall be sent to both teams.
The decision of the Executive Committee may be appealed to the NHSA Appeals
Committee for a de novo review by filing a written request with the NHSA
Administrative office within 30 days of the date the Executive Committee
decision is received and by paying any applicable appeal fee imposed by the
NHSA.
B.
Judgment calls of a Referee may not be the basis for the filing of any protest.
The Executive Committee may decline a protest if, in the consensus of the
Board, the protest is made for the purpose of reviewing a judgement
call made by a Referee.
Referees
A.
Referee Assignor
The
League shall utilize a Referee Assignor system, as approved by the Executive
Committee, for assigning referees. All games under the jurisdiction of the
League shall be officiated by licensed and registered
referees. In a case where a referee or assistant referee fails to appear for a
game, both teams may agree upon a substitute referee, or assistant referee. If
both teams are thus in agreement, the game shall count for standings purposes.
The Referee Assignor will be responsible for submitting a written report to the
Executive Committee on Game coverage and Referee attendance per season.
B.
Referee Reports/Game Cards
Every
Referee shall submit
a game report/game card on an official League report form or game
card and forward it to the League Administrator within 24 hours of the game
(Game scores are submitted thru the online game reporting system). This form
shall include: the date and time of the match, teams participating, including
gender and age group, the result of the game, field conditions, referee crew
and the goal scores. All information must be legible. Any misconduct or
violations of FIFA rules by either team or either coach must be included in the
report and a separate USSF Game Report.
C.
Referee Fees
The
Executive Committee shall appoint a Referee Assignor to handle game
assignments. It shall establish appropriate fees for each respective age group
by a system of on-field payments as established by the Executive Committee
prior to the commencement of game play during the season. A three -
official system shall be used for U – 11 through U - 19 games. For U – 10 and
under games, each Home Club or Field Coordinator shall have the responsibility
of assigning the Referee. Referees are paid by the individual clubs and are
therefore not considered sub-contractors of GSYSL or the league’s designated
referee assignor.
D. Failure of Referees to Appear
If
a scheduled Referee does not appear, the opposing coaches may agree on a
substitute Referee or not play and ask the League to reschedule the game. If
the game is played, no protests based on the quality or performance of the
Referee shall he heard by the Executive Committee.
NO SHOW REFEREE -AR
If
a member of the
Referee crew fails to appear or there were no AR’s
assigned due to the unavailability of referees, the referee show request a club
AR from each coach to assist the referee for assisting in the dermination of the ball being in or out of touch ONLY. If a patched referee is available
he or she should be employed, PROVIDING the referee(s) is age appropriate for
the match. In the case of either, the
Referee should be clear in the instructions for the level of assistance
required of either the Club AR or the patched referees.
Red and Yellow Cards
A.
A player who receives a Red Card shall stand suspended automatically for the
player’s next scheduled League game. The Executive Committee may, through a
disciplinary hearing, impose a greater sanction if the circumstances, in the
Committee’s view, warrant the sanction. In the event the player is double
rostered, the player shall stand suspended for the player’s next game
regardless of whether the player’s next game is with the team on which the
player was playing when the Red Card was given. If a Club Pass
Rule player is issued a Red Card, that player is ineligible to play on any
other GSYSL team while
serving a suspension for the team on which the Red Card was issued.
B.
In any given season, upon a player being given a 3rd yellow card, the
player shall stand suspended for the player’s next League game. Any yellow card
count hereunder shall not include yellow cards involved in a Red Card being given
based on two cautions in a single game.
C.
Any game suspension hereunder shall apply only to League games or competitions.
D.
GSYSL players who receive a Red Card in any GSYSL competitions shall
automatically stand suspended for their next League game. If a Club Pass
Rule player is issued a Red Card, that player is ineligible to play on any
other team while serving a suspension for the team on which the Red Card was
issued.
E.
Red Cards received in a player’s last game, or in a GSYSL competition after the
season has ended, shall carry over and be enforced in
the following season.
F. GSYSL New
Policy - Red Cards and Coaches Suspensions
1. Player Red
Cards
Any player receiving a red card shall be suspended for
1 game. He will not be eligible for the player pass rule during this
suspension. No player may compete on another team within the club until
suspension has been served with said team. If a player receives a 2nd red
card during a season, the player shall be suspended for the remainder of the
season, a season is considered fall and spring. If the red card is issued as a
result of physical activity (punching, kicking, biting or any other infraction
deemed inappropriate by the GSYSL executive board) the player shall be
suspended for the rest of the season.
2. Coach Suspension
Any coach receiving an ejection shall be suspended for his next 3 GSYSL games
and shall not be allowed on the venue. If a coach receives a second
ejection at any time during their GSYSL coaching career the coach shall be
suspended for the current season and shall have to apply to the GSYSL
disciplinary committee for reinstatement to the league.
If an ejection is a result of physical abuse and/or activity
(punching, kicking, biting, spitting or any other infraction deemed
inappropriate by the GSYSL executive board) the coach shall receive a life-time
suspension from GSYSL . The coach shall
have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal must be presented
within fourteen (14) days of the notification from the GSYSL executive
board. The appeal shall be presented to the GSYSL Chair.