SSC
Stow Soccer ClubYouth soccer in Stow, Massachusetts · a community archive

League Rules & Bylaws

Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League rules of play, age grouping, referees and competition bylaws.

Nashoba Valley

Youth Soccer League Bylaws

Play

Structure

in Good Standing

Committee

Placement

Commitment

Process

Documentation

Eligibility

Eligibility

and Equipment

Assignment - Residence

Assignment - Responsibility

No-Shows

Payment

Competition

Ineligible Players

Reporting

Rules of Play

Current FIFA international rules shall govern

play with exceptions as noted.

Age

Grouping

For the fall 1999 and the spring 2000 1999

playing seasons, players shall be grouped as follows:

Under 19 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1980

Under 18 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1981

Under 16 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1983

Under 15 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1984

Under 14 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1985

Under 12 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1987

Under 11 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1988

Under 10 years of age

Born on or after 1-Aug.-1989

League

Structure

NVYSL will offer three categories of play. MTOC

Group will be for teams that want to compete to represent NVYSL at the

MTOC in the spring season. Nashoba Cup Group will be for teams that want

to compete for the Nashoba Cup in the spring season. Recreational Group

will be Non-Outcome based play for U10 and Outcome based for U12 and

older.

A minimum of four teams will be required to have regular

competition in each Group unless the Board makes a specific exception.

U18 and U19 teams may be combined by the League into a

single Group to provide viable play. In this combined Group there must be

at least two teams entered in a given gender/age group to have a NVYSL

champion eligible for the MTOC.

Clubs

in Good Standing

A NV YSL member club is in

good standing with the League if (1) it has satisfied all its financial

obligations to NVYSL and MYSA and (2) it is not under suspension by NVYSL.

If a club is not in good standing at the date of COMPLETION of the

scheduled spring season, then teams from that club are not eligible to

represent NVYSL in the MTOC or other tournament. The NVYSL replacement

team shall be selected from the other teams in the division in accordance

with League Standings Bylaw.

Competition

Committee

Purpose: The purpose of the Competition

Committee is to attempt to provide evenness of competition.

Membership: The Competition Committee will be

composed of the President, Team Registrar, Roster Registrar, and the

Division Directors. Division Directors will make recommendations

regarding team placement decisions. The President

will serve as chairperson.

Team

Placement

Clubs may submit teams in any Group that is

offered. U10 teams will be placed in flights by the U10 Directors based on

previous records in order to provide equal competition. U12-UI9 teams will

be placed in flights within Groups by random draw. In Nashoba Cup Group

and Recreational Group consideration will be given to a club request to

place multiple club teams in separate flights.

Team

Commitment

Any team refusing to play in a playoff, or

refusing to represent NVYSL in a post season Tournament either MTOC or the

Nashoba Cup will forfeit its right to the section championship and to all

trophies.

If NVYSL suffers a monetary loss for

such default by an MTOC-qualifying team, the team's town or club

organization will be required to make good for the loss. This will include

any fines levied on NVYSL plus the original MTOC entry fee.

The Competition Committee may impose

additional sanctions after review.

Roster

Size

For 11v11 play the maximum size for a

team is 18.

For 6v6 play the maximum size for a team

is 11.

For MTOC teams in the spring season, there are no exceptions to the

maximum roster size of 18. For MTOC teams in the spring season, three

roster deletions (dropping a player from the roster) may be made during

the playing season, up to the roster freeze date established by the MYSA

Competition Committee for play in the Massachusetts Tournament of

Champions (MTOC). If a roster has less than 18 players on it, players may

be added at any time up to the roster freeze date. After a MTOC team's

first scheduled League game, a copy of the MYSA Player/Team Status form,

approved by MYSA, must be provided with any roster change that contains a

player transfer to/from or player drop from a MTOC team.

For Nashoba Cup Group teams in the

spring season, players may be added, dropped, or transferred in accordance

with the League Bylaws at any time up to the MTOC roster freeze date.

For Recreational Group teams, players

may be added, dropped, or transferred in accordance with the League Bylaws

at any time during the season.

For U12 and older, all roster changes

must be validated by the NVYSL Roster Registrar.

For U10, all normal roster changes must

be validated by the town/club Registrar. U10 roster changes involving

extra player, over age player, or non-resident player must still be

validated by the NVYSL Roster Registrar. The roster must conform to League

registration documentation requirements. Only players on the roster at the

time of validation are permitted to play.

Pass

Cards

For the SPRING playing season, a pass

card is required for each player, each coach, and each assistant coach in

MTOC Group. Pass cards are not required for players or coaches in Nashoba

Cup Group or Recreational Group.

For the FALL playing season, pass

cards are not required.

Process

The NVYSL registration process consists of the

following series of events.

Preliminary Team Registration Date:

Each member club submits its preliminary list of teams along with any

requests for exceptions to the League placement rules. This provides both

the League and the member clubs a clear picture of what competition is

viable and any exceptions to the placement the League must consider. The

League will review all waiver requests and inform the clubs of their

decisions prior to the final team registration.

Final Team Registration Date:

Each member club submits its final list of teams and field assignments.

The total registration payment is also due at this time. If a team is

withdrawn after this date, then the total registration payment shall be

forfeited. A team may only be added after this date with League approval.

If another team is added after the final registration date, then a $50

late registration fee shall be assessed.

League Team Freeze Date: This the

date on which the League freezes all teams and team placements. The League

game schedule is based on the teams and field assignments of record on

this date. No new teams will be accepted after this date. If a club

withdraws a team after this date, then a $250 late withdrawal fee shall be

assessed for each withdrawn team. In addition, the club shall be placed on

League probation for the next two seasons. If a second offense occurs in

either of the next two seasons during the probation period, then the

Sportsmanship Review Committee will determine an appropriate action.

Initial Roster/Pass Card Submission

Date: This is the date on which teams are required to submit their

initial team rosters and pass cards (if required) to the League for

certification. If a valid initial team roster and set of team pass cards

(if required) are not received by the League Roster Registrar by this

date, then a $25 late roster submission fee shall be assessed for each

team roster and set of team pass cards (if required) that are late. A

valid roster must have (1) the minimum number of players (each with

passcard, if required) for a match and (2) a coach (with passcard, if

required).

Club Affiliation Date: Each club

must be affiliated by MYSA before any of its teams are permitted to

participate in NVYSL matches. If a club is not affiliated on or before the

Club Affiliation Date, then that club shall be assessed a $100 fine. If a

club is not affiliated before its first scheduled League game, then that

club shall be assessed an additional $200 fine. In addition, the club

shall be placed on League probation for the next two seasons of League

competition. If a second offense occurs in either of the next two seasons

during the probation period, then the Sportsmanship Review Committee will

determine an appropriate action.

Final Fee Payment Date: Each club

must be have all its registration fees and past fines paid in total before

they will be permitted to participate in NVYSL matches. If a club has not

paid its registration fees and past fines in total on or before the Final

Fee Payment Date, then that club shall be assessed a $100 late payment

fee. If a club has not paid its registration fees and past fines in total

before its first scheduled League game, then that club shall be assessed

an additional $200 fine. In addition, the club shall be placed on League

probation for the next two seasons of League competition.

Documentation

All registration documentation shall be typed,

in alphabetical order where applicable.

The coach must provide 2 validated copies of his team

roster and passcards (if required) to the referee prior to each NVYSL

match.

If a team shows up without a valid roster, then they

must provide a written list of all participating players along with their

date of birth, and jersey number to the referee before the match so he can

check them in and the match can be played. The referee must submit this

substitute roster with his paycard to the referee paymaster. The coach

must also send by US mail no later than the next day a copy of his

official roster and a $25 check payable to NVYSL to the referee paymaster.

The paymaster will check the roster from the coach against the written

list provided by the referee and give a summary report to the League

President. For each case the paymaster will be paid a $10 processing fee.

If the coach does not comply with this, then the game will be a forfeit

and the team will be assessed the $25 forfeit fee.

If a team forgets the passcards, then the referee shall

note this in his report to the paymaster. The coach must also send by US

mail the next day his passcards and a $25 check payable to NVYSL to the

referee paymaster. The paymaster will check the passcards from the coach

against the roster provided by the referee (or the coach), give a summary

report to the League President, and mail the passcards back to the coach.

For each case the paymaster will be paid a $10 processing fee. If the

coach does not comply with this, then the game will be a forfeit and the

team will be assessed the $25 forfeit fee.

For U12 and older, rosters must be validated by the

League Roster Registrar

For U10, normal rosters must be validated by the

town/club Registrar. U10 rosters involving extra player, over age player,

or non-resident player must still be validated by the NVYSL Roster

Registrar. The rosters validated by the town/club Registrar must conform

to the registration documentation requirements described above. The

validation must include (1) the Registrar's signature, (2) the official

title, and (3) the date of the validation, Blank lines for additional

players shall be crossed out. A copy of the validated roster shall be

mailed to the League Roster Registrar before the roster can be used in a

League match.

Player

Eligibility

Residency

A player is eligible for a NVYSL team of a member club

if he/she meets any ONE of the following criteria:

served by the NVYSL club.

located in the

town(s)* served by the NVYSL club.

club, or which does not offer play in the player's gender/age group

during the season under consideration, or which does not have an open

roster slot in the player's gender/age group, said player may freely

choose any team in the state.

club for at least the last two consecutive playing seasons of that NVYSL

club, he/she is eligible to continue playing for that club.

In all cases except number one above, supporting

documentation, as stipulated by the NVYSL Board, must be submitted with

the team roster. In particular, if a player resides in a town outside the

NVYSL, then a written release must be obtained from both (1) the President

of the soccer club that serves that town and (2) the President of the

soccer League that serves that town.

* NVYSL clubs serve only the town

in which they are located unless they are defined by NVYSL to be

Multi-Town Clubs. The NVYSL Multi-Town Clubs are:

Athol-Orange

serves

Athol and Orange

Ayer-Shirley

serves

Ayer and Shirley

Groton-Dunstable

serves

Groton and

Dunstable

Nashoba-United

serves

Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow

Oakmont

serves

Ashburnham,

Westminster, and Gardner

Townsend-Ashby

serves

Townsend and Ashby

Single Team Rostering in NVYSL

A player may not be rostered on more than one NVYSL team at any given

time. A player may not be rostered on a NVYSL MTOC Group or Nashoba Cup

Group team and an MTOC eligible team from another League at any given

time.

Dual Rostering on MAPLE teams

A NVYSL player U14 or younger may be dual rostered on a MAPLE team.

NVYSL players U15 and older cannot be dual rostered on a MAPLE team. A

MAPLE player U14 or younger may be rostered on a NVYSL U15 or older team.

Responsibility of Club and Coach for Player

Eligibility

The club and coach of a NVYSL team are responsible for being aware and

making the players aware of all League eligibility rules. The club and

coach are also responsible for verifying that all players on the team are

in compliance with these rules.

Team

Eligibility

Residency

At least 75 percent of the players on a team must reside in towns

served by NVYSL for the team to be eligible for NVYSL play. For the

purpose of team residency, a school choice player is considered to be a

resident of the town where the school choice school is located.

Responsibility of Club and Coach for Team Eligibility

The club and coach of a NVYSL team are responsible for verifying that

the team is in compliance with these team eligibility rules.

Ball

Sizes

Under 19

Size 5

Under 16

Size 5

Under 14

Size 5

Under 12

Size 4

Under 1 0

Size 4

Under 8

Size 3

Uniforms

and Equipment

Players on a team shall wear uniquely numbered

shirts of the same color. Numbers shall be a minimum of 6" high and

clearly visible. In the event of two teams of the same color playing, it

is the responsibility of the AWAY team to bring shirts of a different

color.

Cutoffs, jams, and visible boxer shorts are not allowed.

Sweats, spandex, etc., are only allowed if weather or medical conditions

dictate their use. NO JEWELRY (this also means studs) is permitted and

wrist bands must be removed or taped.

Hard casts or splints on arms, legs, wrists, or fingers

are not allowed. Knee or elbow braces must be covered by protective

padding.

Each player must wear shin guards or he/she will not

be allowed to play.

Referees

Referee quality is an important factor in the

success of our program. It is only through the regular receipt of ratings

that the Board can actively monitor the referees. Each coach is urged to

report the referee's name and rating to the Referee Director and to follow

up at least all below average ratings with a rating sheet. The rating

sheet is not to be used to file a protest.

Either a one-man system or a three-man system shall be

used for League games.

In accordance with FIFA laws of the game the referee may

stop, suspend, or terminate (abandon) a match. The referee may restart a

match after it has been stopped or suspended. The referee may not restart

a match after it has been terminated (abandoned). The referee must report

the circumstances of an abandoned match to the Competition Committee

Chairman (League President).

Referee

Pool

In the spring each club shall provide a list of

referees available for assignment to League games. Each club shall provide

enough referees to cover the level and the number of home games that the

club plays. In the event a club doesn't provide enough referees to cover

their home games, the League may require that the club find neutral

referees for their home games.

Referee

Assignment - Residence

Fall Season: In the FALL playing season, in-town

referees may be assigned.

Spring Season - MTOC Group and Nashoba Cup Group:

In the SPRING playing season, referees from a neutral town shall be

assigned for all MTOC Group and Nashoba Cup Group matches. In the event of

a rescheduling or a referee cancellation for one of these matches, the

town Referee Director shall first try to find a neutral town referee, and

only after failing to find a neutral town referee and receiving approval

from the NVYSL Referee Director or his designated alternate(s), may assign

a referee from a town of one of the competing teams. If approval is not

given, then the match must be rescheduled at a time when a neutral town

referee can be found.

Spring Season - Recreational Group: In the SPRING

playing season, in-town referees may be assigned to all Recreational Group

matches.

Referee

Assignment - Responsibility

In the FALL season, the home club Referee

Director assigns referees to all scheduled games, TBA games, and makeup

games.

In the SPRING season, the League Referee Assignor

assigns referees to U12 - U19 scheduled games. The home club Referee

Director assigns referees in case of referee cancellation, to TBA games,

to makeup games, and to all U10 games.

Referee

No-Shows

If the scheduled referee does not show up at

the field for the match, the opposing coaches have the following options.

match and the match counts.

If the match is played with a substitute referee, then

no protests will be heard on the judgment of the substitute referee.

Referee

Payment

I f a registered

referee shows up at the field for a match that referee has been assigned

to do, then that referee shall be paid whether or not the match is played.

NVYSL will not pay non-registered referees.

NVYSL will not pay referees who do friendly matches

between two NVYSL teams. The referee(s) for friendly matches must be

arranged by the participating clubs and paid by one of the participating

clubs. In particular, if a NVYSL match is forfeited by one of the teams,

then that NVYSL match has been "played" and a "makeup"

match is deemed a friendly match.

Referee pay sheets are prepared by the League Referee

Paymaster for U12-U19 matches based on pay cards submitted by the referee.

Referee payment for U10 matches is provided by the home team club in

accordance with the pay scale established by the NVYSL Board.

Referee Support

The coaches shall provide support to the referees at all

times.

who does not comply with a referee's request to deal with a fan

shall be issued a misconduct as deemed appropriate by the referee.

referee prior to, during, or following a game will be subject to a

review by the Sportsmanship Committee and may be prohibited from

viewing games for a period deemed appropriate. The enforcement of

this prohibition will be the responsibility of the town.

address of a fan who verbally or physically assaulted the referee

will be subject to review of the Sportsmanship Committee and may be

denied play in NVYSL as a result of that review.

NVYSL Zero Tolerance

Bylaw

Every coach and all spectators shall support the referee.

Failure to do so undermines the referee's authority and has the potential

to create a hostile environment for players, the referee, and all the

other participants and spectators. Consequently, NVYSL has adopted the

following rule:

No coach or spectator is to address the referee during

the game!

Coaches - Allowable Exceptions:

During the game:

At half time or at the end of the game:

polite and constructive way.

referee.

intimidation.

Penalties:

on seriousness of infraction per FIFA

Spectators - Allowable Exceptions:

During the game:

Penalties:

the coach to quiet the offending spectator.

the game and ask the coach to warn the spectator that the next

infraction will be an ejection or the referee will abandon the game.

to direct the spectator to leave the field. The referee should abandon

the game if the spectator does not leave the field. If the referee

abandons the game, the referee shall file a report, and NVYSL may

impose a forfeit on the spectator's team.

Communications among players and referees are governed

by the FIFA Laws of the Game.

Unplayable Fields

It shall be up to the referee to determine if the field is

unplayable.

Game Time Changes

Games must be played as scheduled except as provided in the

following paragraphs.

Game time may be changed by mutual agreement of coaches, but only

after the change has been approved by the Division Director. Game time

may not be changed by mutual agreement of the coaches for U16, U17,

U18, and U19 scheduled games in the spring season.

Situations - This will be allowed within 24 hours and up to 2

hours before the scheduled time of the game. The host town/club shall

notify the Referee Director, the Division Director, and the visiting

coach of any such changes.

week in advance of the scheduled time of the game. The team requesting

the change shall notify the Referee Director, the Division Director,

and the opposing team coach prior to this time or the game must be

played as scheduled.

allowed as a matter of right to allow teams to participate in the

3-day 6v6 Columbus Day tournament in Pepperell. This will be allowed

up to one week in advance of the scheduled time of the game.

to 1 week in advance of the rescheduled time of the game. The team

requesting the change shall notify the Referee Director, the Division

Director, and the opposing team coach prior to this time or the game

must be played as scheduled.

A team will be permitted to reschedule a match due to a conflict with

either an academic or religious event provided that the town/team

involved completes the necessary schedule and game time changes by the

start of season play. The team requesting the change shall notify the

Referee Director, the Division Director and the opposing team coach

prior to the start of the season, or the match must be played as

scheduled. Examples include required and planned school functions

outside of normal school hours (e.g. graduation, prom night, class

trip, class play, school academic competition), academic-related

events (e.g. college board testing, National Merit Scholarship

testing), and religious classes or events (e.g. C.C.D.). In the event

of a late decision by school, religious, or other authorities to add

or change the time of an event, the Division Director will decide how

to resolve the schedule conflict.

Spring Season For the teams that play on Sunday, any schedule

change requests due to the reasons in paragraphs c, d, e, or f above

must be submitted to the League prior to a date established by the

NVYSL Board. Game time change of a scheduled game by mutual agreement

of coaches (paragraph a) is not permitted. The game must be played as

scheduled unless the field is unplayable. If a game is not played and

the field is playable, then a forfeit shall be assessed to the team or

teams that cannot field a team for that game.

Minimum

Number of Players for 11v11 Competition

In eleven versus eleven (11v11) competition, a

team shall have at least seven (7) players including the goalie on the

field at all times or forfeit the game.

Make-up

Games

All missed games shall be rescheduled within one

week of their scheduled date. A rescheduled game shall be played within

two weeks of the originally scheduled date unless otherwise approved by

the Division Director.

Each age group will have a designated day of the week to

make up its games. These days are as follows:

If the coaches can mutually agree on a different day, it

will be acceptable as long as the game is played within the two weeks of

the originally scheduled date. Any conflicts shall be discussed with the

Division Director.

TBAs will be assigned throughout the regular schedule. A

TBA should be played within two weeks of its scheduled date. A TBA can be

played prior to its scheduled date if agreeable to both coaches.

The Division Directors and Board (if necessary) will

address exceptions to this rule and make appropriate adjustments if

necessary.

Replay

of Abandoned Games

If a game is abandoned before it has been

completed due to sudden inclement or dangerous weather, that game shall be

re-scheduled as a make-up game and replayed in its entirety unless BOTH

coaches agree to accept the result of the partially played game as final.

If a game is abandoned due to fracas or other inappropriate conduct by

players, coaches, or spectators, the Chairman of the Competition Committee

(League President) will decide whether or not the game is to be replayed.

Late

Arrivals

Each team should arrive at the field at least 30

minutes prior to the scheduled time for the game. If either team is not

prepared to take the field by 5 minutes after the scheduled start time or

the availability of the field, that team shall forfeit with a 4-0 loss. If

the team does arrive before the referee leaves the area, then the referee

may conduct a shortened game (which will not count toward competitive

standings, i.e., the forfeit stands), utilizing the time until the next

scheduled game.

Forfeits

A team that forfeits a game shall be fined $25

for each occurrence. The fine is due at the end of the season.

A team that does not play at least 70 percent of its

games shall be fined $100. A team that does not play at least 60 percent

of its games shall be fined $250 and its club shall be placed on probation

for the next two seasons. If a second offense occurs in either of the next

two seasons during the probation period, then an appropriate action will

be determined by the Sportsmanship Review Committee.

Teams

Playing Unregistered or Ineligible Players

If a team is determined to have played an

unregistered player or registered player not eligible to play on that team

for any game, the minimum "penalty/sanction" to be assessed by

the League shall be the following:

ineligible player shall be forfeited and the League forfeit fine shall

be assessed for each game;

following notification by the Board, if it is determined that the

player "knowingly" played as an unregistered or ineligible

player;

following notification by the Board.

In the SPRING: In addition to the provisions above

applicable to the fall, 3 points shall be deducted from the teams point

count used to determined League standings and division champions.

The Board may assess a more severe penalty or impose

sanctions against the player, coach, team, and/or club as the Board deems

appropriate after investigating the facts of the situation.

Playing

Periods

U19, U18, and U17

Two 45 minute

halves

U16 and U15

Two 40 minute halves

U14 and U13

Two 35 minute

halves

U12, U11, and U10

Two 30 minute halves

The half-time interval shall be 5 minutes.

Game

Times

Team

Saturday

Sunday

G-U10

9:00 am

B-U10

10:15 am

G-U12

11:30 am

B-U12

1:00 pm

G-U14

2:30 pm

B-U14

4:00 pm

U16,

U17, U18, U19

1:00 pm

3:00 pm

5:00 pm

Substitutions

Substitutions shall be unlimited except where

specified otherwise in the Rules and Regulations for a special

competition. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee,

at the following times:

stops play.

Yellow

Cards/Red Cards/Ejections

If a player receives a YELLOW

CARD, then that player must come off the field and be

substituted for before play is restarted. The player may return to the

field at the next substitution opportunity.

If a RED CARD is

given to a player in a game, he/she will be ejected from the game and must

leave the field of play. His/her team will play minus one player for the

remainder of the game. In addition, the player will not be allowed to play

in the next game played by his/her team.

If a player receives a SECOND RED

CARD in a season, he/she will be ejected from the game and must

leave the field of play. His/her team will play minus one player

for the remainder of the game. In addition, the player will not be allowed

to play in the next two games played by his/her team.

If a player receives a THIRD RED

CARD in a season, he/she will be ejected from the game and must

leave the field of play. His/her team will play minus one player for the

remainder of the game. In addition, the player will not be allowed

to play for the remainder of the season.

If a player accumulates THREE YELLOW

CARDS in games where he/she did not receive a RED

CARD, that will be the equivalent of one RED

CARD and will be considered to apply as one RED

CARD in the above paragraphs. Ejections from a game only occur

in the event of a RED CARD. If the

first YELLOW CARD, given during a

game, is that player's third YELLOW CARD

in the season, he may continue playing in that game. However, that third YELLOW

CARD will be considered to be a RED

CARD for the next game(s) as appropriate.

For example:

Card

Given

Action

Game 1:  1

Yellow

No Action

Game 2:  1 Red

Ejection and One Game Suspension

Game 4:  1

Yellow

No Action

Game 5:  1 Yellow

Two Game Suspensions

Game 8:  1

Yellow, 1 Red

Ejection and

Suspension for the Remainder of the Season

These same rules apply to coaches, and game suspensions

apply to all games including any Championship games.

A team which receives a total of ten (10) card points

within one season shall be penalized three (3) points in its division

standings. A team with fifteen (15) card points shall be penalized an

additional three (3) points in its standings. A team with twenty (20) card

points shall be penalized an additional three (3) points in its standings

and shall be reviewed by the Sportsmanship Review Committee for further

disciplinary action. Card points shall be assessed as follows:

player

player

coach

Fracas

If either a player or a coach is involved in a

fracas, he/she will not be allowed to play/coach in the next game, played

by his/her team. In addition, the Board will hold a special

meeting/hearing to decide if any further action is appropriate. This

applies to all games including any Championship games.

Unbecoming

Conduct

Player, coach, referee, team or club behavior

that is judged unbecoming or inappropriate shall be referred to the

Sportsmanship Review Committee for review and action.

Sportsmanship Review

Committee

Purpose: The

purpose of the Sportsmanship Review Committee (SRC) is to promote good

sportsmanship within NVYSL and to review issues of (1) lack of

sportsmanship; (2) inappropriate conduct; (3) unbecoming conduct; or, (4)

violation of the Constitution, Bylaws or NVYSL rules.

Membership:

The SRC will be chaired by the Sportsmanship Review Officer and shall

consist of three to five impartial members chosen by the Chairperson. The

Chairperson shall vote only in cases where there is a tie. Whenever

possible, one or more members shall be from outside the NVYSL Board.

Procedure: The

Chairperson, when notified of a sportsmanship issue, and after fact

finding, shall have the authority to suspend immediately the individual,

team, or club pending a hearing by the SRC. The Chairperson shall schedule

an SRC hearing after receiving written notification of the sportsmanship

issue. Timely notice shall be communicated (at the same time) to all

individuals and/or clubs involved. All parties involved will be invited to

attend the hearing to present evidence and witnesses. Unless otherwise

specified by the chairman, all documented evidence along with a list of

attendees and witnesses shall be submitted to the Chairperson at least 48

hours prior to the scheduled hearing. A final decision by the SRC shall be

completed within 14 days of the hearing. All SRC actions shall be reported

in writing and sent to the parties involved, the President, the Secretary,

the Referee Director, and the Division Director. The SRC shall report any

activity at the next NVYSL Board meeting.

Conflict of Interest:

A member of the SRC shall be disqualified from deliberating or ruling on a

particular issue if that member: was involved in the issue; is the spouse

of an involved person; has a child playing on an involved team; or is from

a town or association so involved. The Chairperson shall appoint acting

members to serve in place of those disqualified.

Penalties: The SRC

shall have the authority to suspend an individual, a team or a club, to

reduce a team's points, or to take any other actions provided for in the

Bylaws or Constitution.

Appeal: The decision

of the SRC may be appealed to MYSA.

Protests

Protests relating to a specific game may only be lodged by

a coach or manager of a team playing in the game.

Protests must be in writing and must be sent to the

Protest Officer, with the protest fee of $100, within 48 hours following

the playing of the match. The fee will be refunded only if the protest is

upheld. Any protest of a championship match must be initiated by notifying

the referee or a League officer on the field at the end of the match.

The outcome of a match may be protested after it has

been played only if either (a) there was an incorrect application of the

Laws of the Game or Rules of NVYSL for a specific incident which directly

affected the outcome of the match; or, (b) a team plays an ineligible

player. A judgment call by the referee is not protestable.

Protests relating to the grounds, goals or other

appurtenances of the match will not be considered unless an objection has

been lodged with the match referee BEFORE the commencement of the match.

The referee shall require the responsible team to remove the cause of the

objection, if this be possible, without unduly delaying the process of the

match.

Protest Committee

Purpose: The purpose of

the Protest Committee is to rule on all protests and to determine the

disposition of abandoned matches.

Membership: The

Protest Committee will be chaired by the Vice President (who is the NVYSL

Protest Officer) and must have at least two other members chosen by

the chairperson.

Procedure: The

chairperson, when notified of a protest, shall cause the committee to

factfind and, if necessary, hold a hearing. Deliberations and a final

decision will be made in closed session. A decision shall be rendered

within 14 days of receipt of all required written material. All Protest

Committee actions shall be reported in writing and sent to the parties

involved, the President, the Secretary, the Referee Director and the

Division Director. The Protest Committee shall report any activity at the

next NVYSL Board meeting.

Conflict of Interest: A

member of the Protest Committee shall be disqualified from deliberating or

ruling on a particular protest if that member: was involved in the game as

a coach or referee; is the spouse of an involved coach or referee; has a

child playing on one of the teams involved; or is from a town or

association so involved. The President shall appoint acting members to

serve in the place of those disqualified.

Appeal: The decision

of the Protest Committee may be appealed to MYSA.

League Standings and

Game Score Reporting

Spring Season

League standings and game score records will be kept during the spring

season. A team shall receive three (3) points in the standings for a win,

one (1) point for a tie and zero (0) points for a loss. Each Division

Director will have the responsibility of maintaining a record of both game

scores and Division standings. The town (club) has the responsibility of

sending a game report for all games scheduled for the previous week by the

following Thursday to the Division Director.

MTOC Group

NVYSL representatives to MTOC will be selected from MTOC Group teams

based on their MTOC Group rank in accordance with the following Table.

Rank

NVYSL

Representative

to MTOC

Condition(s)

1st

Div 1

None

2nd

Div 1 Wild Card

NVYSL has Div 1 wild card

Div 2

NVYSL does not have Div 1 wild card

3rd

Div 2

NVYSL has Div 1

wild card

Div 2

wild card

NVYSL does not have

Div 1 wild card

NVYSL has Div 2

wild card

4th

Div 2 wild card

NVYSL has Div 1 wild card

NVYSL has Div 2 wild card

The MTOC Group rank

will be determined as follows:

ranked in the order of their finish.

will play off to determine 1st and 2nd rank. If there are more than

two NVYSL representatives to MTOC, then the second place finishing

team in each flight will playoff to determine the 3rd and 4th rank.

Three flights in Group - The top

team in each flight plus a wild card team based on best record among

the second place finishers will playoff.

Four flights in Group - The top team

in each flight will playoff.

will consist of two semifinal games, a final game, and a consolation

game. The winner of the final is 1st and the loser 2nd. The winner of

the consolation game is 3rd and the loser is 4th.

Nashoba Cup Group

Teams in the Nashoba Cup Tournament will be selected from

Nashoba Cup Group teams based on the top finishing teams. The number of

teams will depend on the number of flights. The teams will be selected as

follows:

plus two wild card teams based on best record among the other

finishers.

MTOC Group and Nashoba Cup

Group seeding for Playoffs

The teams will be seeded in playoffs in accordance with their

season records and the tie breaker procedure for seeding, if necessary.

Tie breaking procedure for seeding:

allowed) with a maximum differential of 4 goals per match.

Note that in the above tie breaking procedure, all games

that count in the standings will be used.  In case of a forfeit, the

game score shall be 4-0.

MTOC Group and Nashoba Cup

Group Tiebreakers for Rank or Spot in Playoffs

If two teams are tied for a rank in MTOC Group, or for a spot in the

MTOC Group playoffs or for a spot in the Nashoba Cup Tournament, then the

winner will be determined by a one game playoff held on a neutral field at

a date and time arranged by the Division Director.

If there are more than two teams tied for a rank in MTOC

Group, or for a spot in the MTOC Group playoffs or for a spot in the

Nashoba Cup Tournament, there will be a series of games played to

determine the representative. For example, if three teams were tied, two

of the teams would play each other and the winner of that game would play

the third team. The winner of that second game would be the

representative.

The ORDER of play will be decided by the tie breaker

procedure for seeding above. For example, in the case of the three-way

tie, if one of the three teams had beaten the other two during the season

(head-to-head), that team would play the winner of a game between the

other two teams. If there was no clear cut head-to-head winner, then the

team with greatest goal differential would-play the winner of a game

between the other two teams. If a tie for highest goal differential

occurred then the team with the least goals allowed would play the winner

of a game between the other two teams. If a tie for least goals allowed

occurred, then a coin toss would be used to decide the order.

Breaking Ties in Playoff or

Tournament Matches

If a playoff or tournament game is tied at the end of

regulation play, then, for U14 and below, two 10 minute overtime periods

shall be played, for U15 and above, two 15 minute overtime periods shall

be played, with the have the responsibility of maintaining a record of

game scores. The town (club) has the responsibility of sending a game

report for all games scheduled for the previous week by the following

Thursday to the Division Director.

Game Score Reporting

The town/club shall send in game reports that are postmarked by

Thursday following the week the games were played or scheduled to be

played. For each week that the game report is not received on time or is

not complete, the town/club shall be fined $25.00 and the games not

reported shall be recorded as a 4-0 losses, until proven otherwise.

If a game report is not received within two weeks of the

scheduled game date, one of the following actions will be taken:

be recorded as the final result.

If neither team has reported a

score, the game will not be recorded and neither team will receive

points in the standings. In addition, each team will be assessed the

forfeiture fee.

Modified

Rules for 6 on 6 Play

Playing Field

The game will be played side to side in half a

normal field. The goal line and halfway line of the normal field will make

the touchlines of the small field. The field dimensions shall be

approximately 50 by 60 yards.

Markings

Penalty area marked by the penalty

line 12 yards from the goal line, one side of the field to the other.

Goals

Approximately 6 feet tall by 4 yards

wide, where available.

If these small goals are

unavailable, standard 8 feet tall by 8 yards wide will be used.

Number of Players

A team will consist of 6 players (including the

goalkeeper) and a minimum of 4 players. The maximum roster size will be 11

players.

The Ball

The ball size is the same as for 11v11.

Duration of Play

All 6v6 games shall consist of two 30 minute

halves with a half-time interval of 5 minutes.

Offside Law

The offside law does not apply.

8 Yard Rule

Opposing players shall be 8 yards from the ball

on the kickoff, comer kicks, direct kicks, and indirect free kicks, rather

than 10 yards as normally required for 11v11 play. On goal kicks opposing

players are only required to be outside the penalty area.

Penalty Kick

The penalty spot will be 9 yards from the center

of the goal where goals 6 feet by 4 yards are used. Where goals 8 feet by

8 yards are used, the penalty spot will be 12 yards from the center of the

goal. All players except the goalie and kicker must be behind the center

of the field until the ball is kicked.

Goalkeeper Save

After a goalkeeper takes possession, the ball must next touch a

player or the field in the defensive half of the field or there is loss of

the ball. Play restarts with an indirect free kick at the halfway line.

This rule applies to throws, punts, and drop kicks.

Goal Kick

The goal kick shall be taken in the penalty area from anywhere at least 6

yards behind the penalty line. On a goal kick, the ball must next touch a

player or the field in the defensive half of the field or there is a loss

of the ball. Play restarts with an indirect free kick at the halfway line.

Indirect Kicks

Indirect kicks by the offensive team due to a foul by the

defense within the penalty area shall be taken from the point on the

"Penalty Line" nearest the spot of the infraction.

Expectations

of Club

Promote good sportsmanship.

Do not tolerate unsportsmanlike

behavior by coaches, players or spectators.

Promote good soccer through the

development of ball and game skills.

Maintain rosters.

Provide a list of potential

candidates for voting and nonvoting members of the Board.

For the FALL playing season, ensure

that all players play at least half of each game. Exceptions shall

only be for injuries, sickness or discipline.

A player shall only play for one

team in the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League.

Team

and Spectator Location

Coaches (maximum of 3) and players of both teams

shall be located on the same touchline. Spectators of both teams shall be

located outside the opposite touchline. The home team shall be allowed to

select the touchline where the teams are to be located. All coaches,

spectators, and players not on the field shall remain at least 3 feet

behind the touchline. This Bylaw shall apply unless physically impossible

(as judged by the referee).

About Us | Club News

& Events

| Coach's

Corner | Field Information | Nashoba

United | Game Room |

Pictures | Referee's Roundup | Registration

| Team Scoreboard | Game Reports | Soccer Links | Weather | Contact Us | Home

2000-2005 Stow Soccer Club