AYSO Region 153 Playoff Rules and Regulations

 

1.    All coaches/players/parents should keep it positive and in perspective to allow for a fun game.

2.    The 1st team listed (pool play) or the top team listed (single elimination playoff bracket) is the Home Team unless the schedule specifies “at” before the second team listed. The Home Team will occupy East or North side of the field. The Visiting Team will take the other sideline.  Teams/spectators must remain on their own side during the entire game.

3.    The Home Team will be responsible for putting up the nets and corner flags for the 1st game of the day on the field. For the last game of the day on the field the winning team is responsible for taking down the nets and flags and returning them to the field box.

4.    Coaches must remain within the boundaries of the technical area, whether marked or not.

5.    Spectators must remain within the boundaries of the spectator area (between the 18 yard lines), whether marked or not, and shall not coach (give tactical or technical information to the players).

*** ALL coaches/spectators must remain behind the orange painted line, or two yards from the touchline if no line is present to allow for the AR to see the touchline. Referees and/or field Marshall will enforce

6.    No one is allowed to remain behind the goal or within the goal area boundaries during the game.

7.    No protests will be allowed on judgment calls. If a coach wishes to file a protest under any grounds, the center referee will be notified immediately and the game suspended. The Regional Referee Administrator or the Field Marshall will be consulted and will render a decision. The decision will be final and the center referee will restart the game (if required) and allow it to proceed to its conclusion.

8.    Offensive, insulting, or abusive language will not be tolerated. In the event a player uses such language and is heard by the Field Marshall present or Referee’s (AR or Center) offending player may be given a RED CARD at referee’s discretion. In the case of foul and/or abusive language by a coach or spectator if the referee, asst. referee(s) or Field Marshall hear such language, the referee or Field Marshall may terminate the game at his/her discretion or ask that such person(s) leave the field before play resumes. If the team affiliated with the coach or spectator with the offending behavior forfeits the game they will be credited with a loss (0 points) regardless of the score at the time.

9.    Game cancellation. In the event of a game cancellation due to weather, scheduled playoff game will be re-scheduled at the earliest available date/time. Please check the web site to see if any fields have been closed if weather becomes an issue prior to your scheduled game.

10. Trophies and/or medals will be awarded immediately following a team’s final game (if possible). The awards ceremony can take place at the middle of the field at the center circle, if no following game, or at a location off the field as determined by the Field Marshall. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, both teams should stay for the awards ceremony.

11. Quarter Breaks (between 1st and 2nd and between 3rd and 4th) are for substitution purposes only and the clock will run continuously throughout the substitution break. Only those players substituting out will be allowed to leave the field during these two breaks. All others must remain on the field ready for the restart of play. Should a team take excessive time to ready themselves during a substitution break, the referee may restart play after two minutes have elapsed. This does not mean that the quarter break is two minutes long. Make quick substitutions, refrain from using it as “coaching” time, and get the game restarted.

12. The Half-Time Break will be five (5) minutes long. During the Half-Time Break, all players may leave the field. Substitutions can also be made at this break.

13. Those players substituting out for a quarter must report to the Assistant Referee on the team’s own sideline, by standing at the half line with the player’s back to the referee until that referee has recorded the situation.

14. Player playing time. Playing time per game shall be ½ game min. (two quarters) per player during playoffs, unless a player is injured, comes late to the playoff game, or the player/parent has specifically requested a lesser playing time. Playing time is also subject to any disciplinary action taken during the playoff games (red cards). Same player is allowed to play as the keeper for the entire game.

15. Playing short. If a team cannot field a full team the opposing team (at their discretion) can play down (short) if they want, not mandatory.  If a team cannot field the minimum amount of players, that team will forfeit the game.  The referees will allow 15 minutes after the start of game time before the forfeit is called.  The clock will start at the scheduled game time, and time elapsed will count if the team is able to field a team within the 15 minute window.

16. Pool Play U10: There is no overtime in pool play; the match can end in a draw

A.    Points will determine standings for pool play. Qualified teams will advance to the single elimination round of the playoffs as per the schedule posted for each division.

B.    Point System:

1.    Six (6) points for a win; three (3) points for a tie; zero (0) points for a loss.

2.    One (1) bonus point will be awarded for each goal, up to a maximum of three (3) points, regardless of whether or not the scoring team wins, loses, or ties.

3.    One (1) bonus point will be awarded for a shutout (both teams if 0-0 tie).

4.    Should any team forfeit, the opposing team shall be awarded a 3-0 win. Team forfeiting gets zero (0) points.

5.    Yellow/Red cards and cautions/ejections:

a.   Minus (1) point for each yellow card or Minus (2) points for each red card issued to players.  A red card issued to a player results in a one game suspension.  For serious misconduct, the RC may remove the player from the remainder of the playoffs.

b.   Minus (1) point for each caution or Minus (2) points for each ejection of a coach or spectator.

C.   Tie Breaker: If a tie exists after all games in the pool are completed, the following methods, in the order listed, will be used to resolve the tie:

1.    Head-to-head competition.

2.    The team with the fewest number of goals scored against them.

3.    The team with the most goals, scored, up to three (3) per game.

4.    Total goal differential (all goals based on the previous two items.

5.    Kicks from the penalty mark.  Kicks will be taken in accordance with FIFA rules until a winner is declared.  Date and time for kicks will be scheduled prior to advancing to the next round of playoffs.

17. Single Elimination Round: Semi-Final Games

A.    The winner of each game in the single elimination round will advance to the next game of the tournament. The losing team is eliminated from further play. The winning team will be the team with the most goals scored in the game.

B.    In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, overtime rules apply.

 

18. Round Robin Play (U12):

A.    There is no overtime in round robin play.  The match can end in a draw.

B.    Same point system as in pool play applies.

C.   Winner/placement is determined by total points and the tie breaker rules with the following exception:

a.    If the top two teams are tied in points at the end of RR play, a championship game will be played to determine first and second place.

D.   In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, overtime rules apply.

19. U14:

A.    Best of three games; game three will be canceled if not necessary.

B.    Each game must have a winner.

C.   Overtime rules apply to determine the game winner.

20. Overtime Procedures:

A.    Two (5) five minute overtime periods will be played regardless of score at the end of the first five minute period. Team with the most goals scored at the end of the second overtime period will be declared the winner. If tied after two overtimes, PK’s will take place per FIFA rules until a winner is declared.

B.    Once play has begun in an overtime period, substitutions are not allowed, except for injured players. Substitutions may occur prior to the overtime period starting.

C.   If a team is playing short during regulation time due to player(s) having been sent off (red carded), the team must play short during the overtime period(s).

D.   There will be a coin toss prior to the 1st overtime period. Home team makes the call. The winner of the coin toss shall select which goal to attack. The other team will take the kickoff.

E.    Each overtime period will begin with a kickoff, alternating which team takes the kickoff at the       start of subsequent overtime periods.

F.    At the end of each overtime period, two minutes will be allowed for substitutions, get water and for the teams to change ends of the field to start the next overtime period. Players may leave the field between overtimes.

G.   Penalty kicks can be awarded during an overtime period. The penalty kick will be taken as it would in kicks from the penalty mark.

21. COACHES:  Be sure to have your game card completed prior to getting to the field, so you are ready when the referee requests it. Complete the top portion, list your players in numerical order, and list all players on your roster, whether or not they are in attendance at that particular game. If a player is absent or unable to play, indicate why. Indicate your captain and asst. captain. Make no other marks on the card, especially as to who is a substitute for a particular quarter. This is the referee’s job. Following the game, meet with the referee crew to verify the game score and sign your name that you accept their record of the score and who won. (This is regardless of whether or not you like what it says).

22. REFEREES: Keep accurate records of the goals scored, substitutions, and any disciplinary actions taken. Following the game, meet with the referee crew to verify you all have the same results. Print and sign your name on the back of the game card. Have each coach sign the front of the game cards. Deliver the game cards to the Field Marshall. If no Field Marshall is present, keep the cards and turn in to RRA or the RC.

23. Reporting Results of Playoff Games:
Field Marshall:  The Field Marshall will be responsible for reporting the game score when the game is concluded.  This also includes any yellow/red cards issued or any disciplinary situations (coach/fan removal, etc).  The Field Marshall should report the score to the RC at 990-3581 immediately following the game.   Hold onto the game cards until the conclusion of playoffs.

Referees: Once you have completed the game cards, acquire the necessary signatures, and deliver the cards to the Field Marshall, no further reporting is required unless problems or disciplinary actions occurred during the game. In the unlikely event that there is no Field Marshall at the game, the Center Referee is to keep the game cards and report the score to the RC’s cell phone. Arrangements will be made to get the cards from you

24. Closing Statement

We hope that you have enjoyed the season as we culminate another season of AYSO Region 153 soccer. The play-offs are always a very exciting and busy time. Please remember that the AYSO Team is comprised of Coaches, Spectators, and Referees and the job of the AYSO Team is to provide a good and positive environment for all the kids. Let’s do our very best job to control our sideline behavior so the kids can have fun, demonstrate what they have learned all season, and end up feeling successful in their endeavors. Sideline behavior will be monitored by the Field Marshall present so please remind all spectators to act properly and keep the games in perspective. Games can and will be suspended and or terminated in the event that this behavior becomes out of line or cannot be corrected as deemed by the center referee and/or Field Marshall.