Hillcrest Village Soccer Club Inc

Hillcrest Village Soccer Club Inc. Division Rules * 2015

Under-05 &06 Divisions

Players and coaches will set up their “bench” area in the middle of the Zion field and spectators will be on the outside of the fieldtwo yards from the touch line. Referees are to move spectators back from the touch line. Spectators are not allowed to watch the game from the player area OR behind the goal line. Referees are to remove spectators in prohibited areas. If spectators refuse to move, coaches are to be informed that the game is on hold until the spectators move and coaches are to move the offending spectators. The referee will then wait at mid-field for either the spectator(s) to move, or for time in the half to expire.

Games are 25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break. The official game time starts at 7:00 pm NOT when the game actually kicks off.

Coaches are allowed on the field during the game to help the players. No coach can stand beside the goalkeeper or net. It distracts the goalkeeper and intimidates the opposition. In August the coaches are no longer allowed on the field.

In lieu of a yellow card, Referees may send players off for the balance of their shift for slide tackles, sliding feet first into a goalkeeper or other rough play. The player may be substituted for. All fouls are to be considered unintentional and will be indirect kicks. There are no direct kicks or penalty kicks whatsoever during a game.

Corner kicks are to be taken halfway between the corner flag and the goal. All goal kicks are taken from a spot along the five yard line. (Five yards out from the goal). Opposing players must be five yards away from the ball on all goal and indirect kicks. Kick-ins are used instead of throw–ins. Opposing players must be two yards away on all kick-ins.

The ball is dead if the goalkeepers have the ball securely in their hands (not juggling it).

Play does not resume until the goalkeeper puts the ball back into play by kicking or throwing the ball. If the goalkeeper picks up a live ball, the play is then dead. If the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground, it is to be treated as a goal kick. Goalkeepers can not score on themselves. A goal is not awarded if a ball is dropped or thrown into the goal by the goalkeeper or if a goalkeeper backs into the net with the ball. A goal is awarded if a shot slips through the goalkeepers hands or deflects off the body.

Coaches are reminded that these players are four, five and six year olds playing for fun.

This is NOT the FIFA World Cup. Relax and enjoy the players participating and having fun. Do NOT take the game seriously, it is for the kids. Coaches who criticize or talk sternly to the children have no place in our league. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t “following the coaches instructions” or “not playing their position”. The game is for them. You may gently guide them, but it is their game and they will ultimately decide how they will play, NOT coaches.

Coaches who argue with the referees over calls and quote rules are only making a spectacle of themselves. Please don’t be one of those coaches. The referees we use are twelve and thirteen year olds for the most part in their first year. They need experience and a positive environment from the coaches. You won’t get any sympathy from the league if you are complaining about the referees.

U-07/08 Mixed, U-09/10 Mixed, Girls U-07/08and Girls U-09/10

Games are 30 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break. The official game time starts when the referee is at mid-field ready for the kickoff, NOT when the game actually kicks off.

Player substitution is to be equal for all players. Your weakest player is to substitute the same amount of time as your strongest player. No one may substitute twice until everyone substitutes once. No one substitutes three times until everyone substitutes twice. Field convenors have the authority to stop the games and order players on/off the field to comply with the substitution rule.

Corner kicks are to be taken from the corner flag. All penalty kicks are taken from eight yards out, directly in front of the goal. Kick-ins are used in the U-07/08 divisions instead of throw–ins. Throw-ins are used in the U-09/10 divisions. Opposing players must be two yards away on kick-ins/throw-ins.

Teams will set up their “bench” on the inside of the fields. On Zion #2 and #3 it is between the fields Zion #2 and #3. These directives are non-negotiable. Spectators are NOT allowed to stand behind the goals or in the team areas. They must be on the opposite side of the field as the teams.

U-12 Mixed & U-14 Girls

Games are 35 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break. The official game time starts when the referee is at mid-field ready for the kickoff, NOT when the game actually kicks off.

Corner kicks are to be taken from the corner flag. All penalty kicks are taken from twelve yards out, directly in front of the goal.

Teams will set up their “bench” on the south sideline of Highland, the north sideline of Cliffwood. These directives are non-negotiable. Spectators are NOT allowed to stand behind the goals or in the team areas. They must be on the opposite side of the field as the teams.

Under-18 Girls & Under-18 Mixed

Games are 40 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break. The official game time starts when the referee is at mid-field ready for the kickoff, NOT when the game actually kicks off.

Teams will set up on the south sideline of Highland, thenorth sideline of Cliffwood. These directives are non-negotiable. Spectators are NOT allowed behind the goals or in the team areas. They must be on the opposite side of the field as the teams.

General guidelines:

No abuse of officials is to be tolerated. Players or coaches who are showing disrespect towards their opposition or the officials ARE TO BE CARDED. No warnings, they should know better. If they don’t, they soon will. Coaches and players DO NOT have the right to question a referee’s call involving judgment and it will not be permitted. If there is a question on rule interpretation, the coach or player may put it in writing and send it to the league. It is NOTto be debated at the field. If a coach feels there has been an incorrect call that affects the outcome of the game, they have the option of lodging a protest.

Players are to be played equally. This is a recreational league and we expect coaches to behave honestly and with integrity. Except for illness or injury, each substitution must include ALL players on the sidelines. Coaches are NOT to substitute one or two players at a time.

Goalkeepers may be substituted at any time as long as it is not done to delay the game or gain an unsportsmanlike advantage over the other team. A goalkeeper is exempt from the substitution rule as long as they stay in goal. If they come out of goal, they must immediately substitute for at least five minutes. A goalkeeper can not come out of goal and immediately take a position on the field. They MUST come off and substitute first.

Players do NOT have to have matching socks, shorts or numbers on their jerseys. Any protests on this issue will be dismissed.

Except in the Under-05 & 06 divisions where Referees can send players off for the balance of their shifts, yellow cards are to be issued to players who: slide tackle (deliberately leave their feet to separate an opponent from the ball), slide feet first into a goalkeeper or to a goalkeeper who slides feet first into an opposing player and “unsportsmanlike rough play”. We are a recreational league stressing fun and participation and players are expected to behave as such.

No offsides are called in any of the micro or mini-divisions.

Coaches, PLEASE ensure your team picks up their garbage after your game and disposes of it. We are not a league of “pigs” and are not to behave as such.