RULES OF PLAY AND REGULATIONS
1.
FIFA RULES
GOVERN
1.1
The laws of
the game as promulgated by FIFA control except as provided hereafter by this
Association.
1.2
The affiliate
stepladder of rules is:
1.
Federation
International de Football Association (FIFA)
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
SEASONAL
YEAR
2.1
The seasonal
year shall begin on August 1st and end on July 31st of
the following year
2.2
CISA shall
have two (2) soccer seasons per soccer year: Fall (September through December)
and Spring (February through June).
3.
DEFINITION
OF “RECREATIONAL”, “ACADEMY”, AND “SELECT” SOCCER
TEAMS
3.1
CISA forms
teams that are recreational in nature who participate in recreational leagues
administered by CISA, or other associations who are members of NTSSA. It is the intent of CISA to insure that the
recreational program is not abused by the formation of illegal recreational
teams that may in fact be “select” teams.
3.2
Teams are
classified as “recreational”, “academy”, or “select” (select teams are also
called “tryout” or “competitive” teams) based on these criteria:
3.2.1 Recreational
team
3.2.1.1 A team is
classified as a recreational team if it is made up of players who are placed on
teams based upon factors other than athletic ability. CISA permits teams to remain together from
season to season; therefore, a player on such a team’s roster for the immediate
preceding season has the right to stay on the team for the next season (so long
as they register prior to the prescribed deadline). The exception would be a returning fall
player who did not play in the spring, would be eligible to return to his/her
team if an opening on the roster was available.
This abides with a
3.2.1.2 New
recreational teams and returning teams that need players are filled by the Team
Formation Committee on a territorial basis (e.g., neighborhood school, zip
code, etc.). Only players in the Under 6
age group may request a specific coach.
3.2.1.3 Player’s names must not be identified to the coach
until the player is placed on the team.
New and/or non-returning players shall not be considered as placed on
any team until the team’s roster is delivered to the coach of record at each
pre-season coaches meeting. Only the
head coach may request her or his child to be placed on to the team he or she
is coaching. Each team’s coach,
assistant coach, team manager or other team representative shall not have
authority to place any other player on a recreational team and has no authority
to advise any other player that they are on a special team’s roster.
3.2.1.4 For Under 11, 12, 13,14,15,16, and 19 playing age
groups, players are assigned by the method described in paragraph 3.2.1.2 above
when players are available in the player pool.
If no players are available in the player pool, coaches of record may
actively seek players of the proper age group within CISA to be added to the
team as long as no methods are used to assess the ability of the player, and 1) the player is not presently
registered on an existing team and 2)
the player did not play for a returning recreational team during the previous
season.
3.2.2 Academy
team
3.2.2.1 A “
3.2.2.2 Players may
join any
3.2.2.3 For
the purpose of this rule, all players participating in a
3.2.3
Select team
3.2.3.1 A team not formed of players assigned as defined in
the above paragraphs is considered a select/competitive team.
4. BOUNDARIES
4.1
The boundary
of CISA is the boundary of
4.2
A player must
register with the association within whose boundaries that she/he resides with
her/his parent(s) or guardians (s).
4.3
Players
residing outside the CISA boundaries wishing to play on a CISA team must obtain
a release from their home association to play on a CISA team if their home
association offers play within the age group that concerns the player.
5.
DEFINITION
OF YOUTH REGISTRANTS
5.1
Youth
registration for soccer players under these CISA rules shall include all those
registrants defined as youth by USSF, being male and female registrants under
the age of nineteen years.
5.2
Age grouping
for CISA play shall be :
Under
19 Under10
Under
16 Under 8
Under
14 Under 6
Under12 ** Age four (4) is the minimum age
to play soccer
5.3
The age of a
player for the purpose of league play shall be the player’s age on July 31st
of the immediately preceding soccer year.
The current soccer year begins on August 1st and ends July 31st
of the following year. Exception: Players who are 4 years of age before January
1st of the current soccer year will be permitted to participate in
the Under 6 age division in the spring season.
5.4
Proof of age
shall consist of a birth certificate, or birth registration issued by an
appropriate government agency, board of health records, passport, alien
registration card issued by the United States Government, a certificate issued
by the Immigration and Naturalization Service attesting to age, a Uniformed
Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 1173) issued by the
Uniformed Services of the
6.
PLAYER
REGISTRATION
6.1
Registered Players
6.1.1
Only players
registered shall be permitted to play in competitions under the auspices of
this association. A coach, assistant coach,
or administrator found to have knowingly allowed the use of an unregistered
player(s) shall be suspended from all soccer activities for a minimum of one
(1) year, and the team shall forfeit all games in which the unregistered
player(s) participated.
6.1.2
Player
registration and/or sign up form must come through the Registrar of CISA. The registration forms will go to the Team
Formation Committee for team assignment.
6.1.3
No player may
appear on a roster that has not been placed on the team by the Team Formation
Committee.
6.1.4
Youth players
may only be registered with one team at any given time during the soccer
year. The exception will be that a
recreational player may play with an academy.
In the case of conflicting games, the recreational game will take precedent
over the academy game.
6.1.5
Classification
by age: A player’s age group is decided
by the player’s age on July 31st of the immediately preceding seasonal year.
6.1.6
An individual
player wishing to play up an age division (maximum 1 year up)may do so only
upon the approval of CISA’s Team Formation Committee
after receiving the player’s written request and acknowledgement that the
player will be placed in the player pool for assignment by the Team Formation Committee. Such player may not request to be placed on a
particular team. A player may not
request to play in a younger division than their age dictates except by
approval of the NTSSA State Executive Committee (NTSSA 3.9). Failure to comply with this rule shall result
in the offending team forfeiting all the games in which the older player
participated. Also, the coach, assistant
coach, and/or manger of the offending team may be suspended for a period of not
less than one (1) year.
6.1.7
A team
wishing to play up out of their age division may do so if parents/guardians of
all players on such team provide written notice to CISA of their desire to do
so. Such team may not request the
addition of any specific players to their roster; to the extent necessary to
have the appropriate roster size in the older division, players may be added to
such team’s roster from those available within the player pool according to
player placement criteria contained herein, without regard to keeping the team
which is playing up age pure in nature.
Any such team which chooses to play up an age group must play in the
older division in all league games, tournaments, or other events under the
auspices of CISA.
6.2
Definition of Registered Player
6.2.1
Player’s name
must appear on NTSSA approved roster form, properly signed by the CISA
registrar. Players not on such roster or
otherwise eligible to play with that team in a tournament through the proper
use of guest player release forms are considered unregistered players. Any
person forging the registrar’s signature will be suspended from soccer activities
for a period of not less than a year by the Board of Directors.
6.2.2
Must have
furnished required proof of age.
6.2.3
Paid
appropriate fees. Fees must be paid
prior to participation in any practice, scrimmage, or league game.
6.3
Special Considerations and Financial Hardships
6.3.1
On a case by
case basis, the Board of CISA will review application for financial
assistance. Applications must be in
writing by the parent/guardian. Absolute
confidentiality and compassion shall be maintained.
6.3.2
Provisions
for handicapped players playing in lower age groups must be approved by the
NTSSA Youth Commissioner as well as the Board of CISA.
6.3.3
If a player
was not rostered in the previous soccer season and
then returns to play soccer, he/she with the Board of Directors approval, and
with the roster availability, may be placed on the team which he/she last
played. An example would be a player
plays in the fall but not in the spring; he/she may be placed on the team they
last played on in the previous fall season.
6.4
Player Placement
6.4.1
Players are
placed on CISA teams based on the following:
6.4.1.1 The Team Formation Committee will place players on
teams after giving consideration to the following factors: age, gender, school,
neighborhood, and zip code.
6.4.1.2 Siblings may request same team placement if within one
(1) age group higher.
7
TEAM
REGISTRATION AND FORMATION
7.1
Registration Format
7.1.1
Registration
dates shall be determined by the Registrar with approval from CISA Board.
7.1.2
Player fees
shall be received on or before the deadline date specified for each playing
season unless specific arrangements have been made and confirmed.
7.1.3
Player fees
shall not be refundable unless the player leaves before the first game of the
season. The parent/guardian must request
the refund from the CISA Registrar prior to the third game of the season. An administration fee to cover the uniform
and other associated costs may be charged.
7.1.4
Registration
requirements will include any documentation required by USYSA, NTSSA, and
CISA. No uniform will be issued to a
player unless the association has received his/her birth certificate, all fees
have been paid (unless a payment arrangement was made by the Registrar), and/or
returned checks have been cleared and paid.
7.1.5
Registration
will end on the date as approved by the Board of Directors. The date should be closely followed by the
player team assignment by the Team Formation Committee. Players may not register after registration
ends unless approved by the Board of Directors.
Returning players that have not registered by the last published
registration date, give up their right to remain on their returning team. The Board of Directors, at its discretion,
may re-assign the returning player to their returning team or place the player
in the player pool for team assignment.
Players that register after the team assignments will be placed on teams
that need additional players, by the Team Formation Committee. If space is not available, the registration
form along with fees paid will be returned.
7.2
Player Pool
7.2.1
Experience
players moving up individually, players left behind by a team moving up, and/or
players not having a coach/team will go into the player pool for that age
group. In the event that team vacancies
cannot cover both new and experienced players, the assignments of previous CISA
players for the most recent soccer season will have priority.
7.2.2
If necessary,
established teams (without a returning coach or less than ½ of the team
returning) may be dissolved to increase the player pool.
7.2.3
If requested by
parents, siblings may be assigned to the same team, if the playing ages are
within one (1) year.
7.2.4
The player
pools will be age based, gender based (except Under 6 may be coed),
school/neighborhood, and/or zip code.
7.3
Roster and Number of Players
7.3.1 No
team shall be allowed more than eighteen (18) registered players at any given
time. Teams within the same age group
will have balanced rosters, within 1-2 players.
An exception to this will be if a team has a larger number than the rest
due to returning players.
7.3.2 No team roster shall contain more than
twice the number of players on the field in league play.
7.3.3 No team
shall be allowed more than the limits as set forth by CISA for teams playing
small sided soccer unless approved by the Board of Directors. Those limits are: The Under
10 age group will have a maximum of twelve (12) and a minimum of eight (8)
players. The number on the field during
a game shall normally be six (6), one of whom is a goalkeeper, unless the Metroplex Soccer Alliance (of which CISA is a member) plays
7 verses 7, with one of whom is a goalkeeper.
7.3.3.1 The Under 8 age group will have a maximum of nine (9)
and a minimum of six (6) players for those playing with five (5) on the field
or a maximum of ten (10) and a minimum of (7) for those playing with six (6) on
the field. There will not be a
goalkeeper in the Under 8 age group.
7.3.3.2 The Under 6 age group will have a maximum of eight (8)
and a minimum of five (5) players. The
number on the field shall normally be four (4) without a goalkeeper.
7.3.4
A coach
cannot refuse to accept an assigned player even if the player has not had
previous playing experience.
7.4
Improper Registration
7.4.1
Any team
playing an ineligible player shall forfeit the game(s) in which that player
takes part.
7.4.2
Any coach, assistant
coach or team manager who may be responsible for playing ineligible players or
carrying “ghost” players on the roster shall be subject to suspension and/or
other penalty as stipulated by the Board of Directors. When ghost players are discovered and single
responsibility cannot be determined, the coach of record shall be deemed
responsible.
7.4.3
A “ghost”
player is defined as any player being carried on a team roster, prior to the
deadline for deleting players, but who has not actively participated in practice
or games, for the purpose of keeping the Team Formation Committee from adding
players from the player pool.
7.4.4
All teams are
subject to roster verifications and checks.
Players practicing and/or playing shall be those on the official roster
as filed by the Registrar/Age Group Commissioner to NTSSA. The Registrar/Age Group Commissioner shall be
responsible for maintaining team rosters.
7.5
Processing Time Needed
7.5.1 A
seventy-two (72) hour processing time is mandatory on all requests for changes
and/or copies of rosters, individual forms, add/delete/transfer forms, and any
other documents that might be needed for tournaments or league play. All requests must be made through the CISA
Registrar in writing.
8
RELEASE AND
TRANSFERS
8.1
Releases
NTSSA
player release forms may be picked up through the CISA Registrar or NTSSA
office by coaches, players, or parents. Player releases are subject to approval
and must be completed as required by NTSSA.
8.2 Transfers
8.2.1 All players are limited to one transfer per
soccer year.
8.2.2 A player may seek a transfer from the team currently registered.
Once the player has been released; he/she will be placed in the player pool.
8.2.3 If a player changes from one team to another between the fall and
spring season of any given year an NTSSA official Add/Delete/Transfer
registration form will be forwarded to NTSSA. The form must be accompanied by
the appropriate fees.
8.2.4 No more than three (3) players from any
registered team may transfer to one single team. Even between spring and fall
seasons.
8.2.5 A coach may also request to release a
player by completing a "Request for Player Release" and must be
completed as required by NTSSA.
Acceptable reasons for release/transfers requested by the coach include but are not limited to: player willful
evasion of practice and/or games, or
serious misconduct. Any “Request for Player Release” of a
recreational player must be reviewed by
the Age Group Commissioner and acted upon by the CISA Board of Directors.(CISA)
8.2.6 A player transfer after participation in a
league game, must be approved by the Board of Directors.
8.2.7 Players choosing to attend a competitive tryout, clinic or
other soccer related activity shall abide by NTSSA rules.
8.3 Soccer Related Activities
(NTSSA 3.10.1)
See NTSSA rules
for description of soccer related activities.
8.4 Soccer Camps/Clinics (NTSSA 3.10.2)
See NTSSA rules
concerning soccer camps/clinics.
8.5 Failure to Comply (NTSSA 3.10.3)
Failure to comply with the
paragraphs above may result in the offending coach, assistant coach,
manager/trainer, and/or team representative being suspended from soccer
activities for a period of not less than one (1) year.
9 RECRUITING
9.1 CISA has determined
that "recruiting" as it applies to recreational soccer within our
association, is: ...that action by any individual of one team who induces
and/or entices, and/or causes to be induced and/or enticed, by word or action,
a player of another team to seek release from the team to which said player is
bound and attempt to join another team for any purpose. No coach, assistant
coach, trainer, or team representative may practice any soccer related activity
with any NTSSA registered player that does not appear on his current NTSSA
roster or has a release from their coach of record or
without appropriate guest player release from their coach of record.
9.2 Recruiting
Attempts
Recruiting or
attempting to recruit registered players from any CISA recreational team by
anyone to play on any other recreational team is strictly prohibited. It is the
spirit of recreational soccer which must supersede.
9.3 Offenders
9.3.1 Violators will be dealt with by the
A&D/NTSSA Director of CISA.
9.3.2 Any individual found to be in violation of
rules within the CISA governing "recruiting" shall be firmly dealt
with by the Appeals and Discipline Committee.
Action may include suspension of any soccer related activities.
9.3.3 Repeat offenders will be dealt with by the
Board of Directors based upon a report and recommendations of the A&D/NTSSA
Director.
10 TRYOUTS (NTSSA 4.8)
CISA
does not allow tryouts for recreational teams.
11 UNREGISTERED/NON-SANCTIONED
PLAY
See
NTSSA rules concerning unregistered/non-sanctioned play.
12 PLAYERS AND
PARENTS/GUARDIANS RIGHTS
12.1 Players rights and Parents/Guardians
rights concerning coaches, assistant coaches, team managers or anyone who
offers or who is delegated any team responsibility.
12.2
If at any time during
the course of the existence of a team that a coach, assistant coach, team
manager or any said responsible individual exhibits irresponsibility or that
character which may be deemed detrimental to the development of a player, that
individual may be required to surrender his/her position.
12.3 Such requested action shall be submitted
in writing to the Age Group Commissioner. If such request is signed by 50% of
team parents (each child's family counting as one signature), the Appeals and
Discipline Committee shall hear the grievance.
12.4 The A&D/NTSSA Director and the Appeals
and Discipline Committee shall rule.
12.5 Offenders may be subject to suspension
from all CISA soccer related activities.
13 CODE OF ETHICS/CONDUCT
13.1 Coaches Code of Ethics (NTSSA 11.1)
All coaches, assistant coaches, managers and team
representatives in CISA shall abide by the NTSSA
Code of Ethics for Coaches:
13.1.1 Responsibility to Players
13.1.1.1 The coach must never place the value
of winning over the safety and welfare of the players. Winning should be the
result of preparation and discipline with emphasis placed on the highest ideals
and character traits.
13.1.1.2 Coaches shall instruct players to
play within the spirit of the game at all times.
13.1.1.3 Coaches shall not seek unfair
advantage by teaching unsportsmanlike behavior to
players.
13.1.1.4 Coaches should not tolerate
inappropriate behavior from players regardless of the situation.
13.1.1.5 Demands on players’ time should
never be so extensive as to interfere with academic goals and progress.
Motivation for excellence should include academics as well as athletics.
13.1.1.6 Coaches must never encourage players
to violate NTSSA recruitment, eligibility, or guest player rules and policies.
13.1.1.7 Under no circumstances should
coaches authorize or encourage the use of medicinal or performance-enhancing
drugs. Players should be directed to seek proper medical attention for injuries
and to follow the physician’s instructions regarding treatment and recovery. At
no time should a player be put at risk by returning from injury prematurely or
by being forced to play while injured.
13.1.2 Responsibility to NTSSA and Member Associations
13.1.2.1 Adherence to all NTSSA and Member Association
rules and policies, especially those regarding eligibility, team formation,
recruiting, and guest players is mandatory and should never be violated. It is
the responsibility of every coach to know and understand these rules.
13.1.2.2
Player development
and the growth of the player through participation is essential to the growth
of the sport. Additionally, the coach must behave in such a manner that the
principles, integrity, and dignity of the sport are maintained.
13.1.2.3 Any problems that cannot be resolved
between coaches should be referred to the appropriate NTSSA Commissioner,
Member Association, or Director of Leagues immediately.
13.1.3 Responsibility to Laws of the Game
13.1.3.1 Coaches should be thoroughly
acquainted with and demonstrate a working knowledge of the laws of the game of
soccer. Coaches are also responsible to ensure that their players understand
the intent as well as the application of the laws.
13.1.3.2 Coaches must adhere to the letter
and spirit of the laws of the game. Those coaches who circumvent the rules to
gain advantage have no place in soccer.
13.1.3.3 Coaches are responsible for their
players' actions on the field and must not permit them to perform with the
intent of injuring opposing players,
13.1.3.4 If coaches permit, encourage, or
condone performance which is not in the letter or spirit of the laws, they are
derelict in their responsibility to players, Member Associations, NTSSA, and
the sport worldwide. The coach must strive constantly to teach good sporting
behavior.
13.1.4 Responsibility to Officials
13.1.4.1 Officials must have the support of
coaches, players, and spectators. Criticism of officials undermines their
purpose in the game. Coaches must always refrain from criticizing officials in
the presence of players.
13.1.4.2 Coaches should strive to develop a
line of communication with officials, giving each an opportunity to better
understand the problems relating to their specific area. This shall not be
taken as encouragement to debate referee decisions during the game.
13.1.4.3 On games day, officials should be
treated with respect before, during, and after the game. Officials should be
addressed as "Referee" or "Mr./Ms. Referee" and not by
name. Professional respect should be mutual and there should be no demeaning
dialogue or gesture between official, coach, or player. Coaches must not incite
players or spectators or attempt to disrupt the flow of play.
13.1.4.4 Comments regarding an official
should be made in writing to the appropriate organization assigning the
official.
13.1.5 Responsibility Regarding Scouting and Recruiting
13.1.5.1 It is unethical to scout any team,
by any means whatsoever, except in regularly scheduled
games.
13.1.5.2 The use of video tape or motion picture
equipment to scout an opponent's regularly scheduled games for the purpose of
recruiting is unethical.
13.1.5.3 All NTSSA rules pertaining to
recruiting shall be strictly observed by the coach, manager, or any team
representative.
13.1.5.4 It is unethical to recruit player(s)
actively playing for another team.
13.1.5.5 It is unethical for a player to be
recruited or enticed from the Olympic Development Program (ODP) setting, either
by his ODP coach or any other coach, manager, parent, or team representative.
13.1.5.6 When discussing the advantages of
his/her organization, the coach has an ethical obligation to be forthright and
refrain from making derogatory remarks regarding other coaches, teams, and
organizations.
13.1.5.7 It is unethical for any coach to
make a statement to a prospective athlete which cannot be fulfilled; illegal to
promise any kind of compensation or inducement for play; and immoral to deliver
same.
13.1.5.8 Allegations of illegal or unethical
recruiting are very serious and should be based on concrete facts rather than
hearsay and innuendo. While documentation of recruiting violations is
essential, the use of video tape and other electronic equipment is discouraged.
13.1.6 Responsibility of Public Relations
13.1.6.1 Coaches have a responsibility to
promote the game of soccer to the public. Comments and critiques of governing
bodies, teams, coaches, players, parents, or the media should be positive and
constructive, never prejudicial or inflammatory.
13.1.6.2 When asked to give a recommendation
concerning team, camp, coach or organization, it is in the best interest of all
concerned if no less than three referrals are given in order to provide a
professional unbiased source of information.
13.1.6.3 Coaches have the responsibility to
assist their players in. conducting themselves properly when in public while
representing their team, Member Association, and NTSSA.
13.1.6.4 Publicly predicting a win is folly
and serves no useful place in a coach's public image.
13.1.6.5 Comments stressing injuries, team,
personnel conflicts, or disciplinary problems as an excuse for a loss or
unsuccessful endeavor are detrimental and should be avoided.
13.1.6.6 It is unethical for a coach to
solicit alumni, parents, booster club, or managers to pressure organizations,
Member Associations, or NTSSA to alter established rules. The coach must not
attempt to influence these organizations in political or financial dealings
outside the framework of their own rules and bylaws.
13.1.6.7 The media should be allowed access
to the players for comment. Players should be instructed in how to conduct
themselves during an interview.
13.1.7 Game Day and Other Responsibilities
13.1.7.1 A coach's behavior must be such as
to bring credit to himself, his organization, and the sport of soccer. This is
never more evident than on the day of the contest.
13.1.7.2 Rival coaches shall meet prior to
the game and exchange friendly greetings. While the concept of rivalry is
wholly embraced, it cannot take precedence over exemplary professional conduct.
13.1.7.3 During play, coaches have a
responsibility to be as inconspicuous as possible. Coaches shall exhibit a
respectful attitude towards players. The coach must confine her/himself to the
coaching area. The attitude of the coach towards officials, spectators,
opposing players and coaches should be controlled and undemonstrative.
13.1.7.4 It shall be unethical for a coach to
have any verbal altercation with an opposing coach or bench during the game.
Hostile physical contact with a player is considered highly unethical.
13.1.7.5 The coach's foremost post game
responsibility is her/his team.
13.1.7.6 Coaches should use their influence on unfriendly
spectators who demonstrate intimidating behavior towards officials and opposing
teams.