2004 WSYSA State Cup Rules

State Championships and Fred Meyers Commissioners' Cup Rules 2004

SECTION 3- RULES OF COMPETITION -OUTDOOR

Rule 300 OUTDOOR/FIELD

INTRODUCTION

All competitions shall be governed by the RULES as stated herein in all cases where they are applicable and where they are not in conflict with the WSYSA Bylaws. All affiliated members of WSYSA shall be governed by these Rules of Competition.

Rule 301 RULES OF PLAY

All games and competitions under the jurisdiction of the WSYSA shall be conducted subject to the "Laws of the Game" as published or authorized for publication by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), with those modifications published by WSYSA. In all cases where a game has been postponed or abandoned by a referee due to inclement weather, league and tournament directors shall determine whether the game is to be replayed in its entirety or whether the score at the time of postponement or abandonment shall stand and the game be counted as a completed game.

301.1 Field of Play

(a) The following specifications are applicable to all competitions administered by the WSYSA. These WSYSA standards are recommended for league play administered by Member Associations; they are not mandatory.

Recommended field dimensions

(a) Under-11 and below: 50 yards wide x 90 yards long minimum
Under-12 and above: 50 yards wide x l00 yards long minimum

(b) Acceptable deviations from Law l of the "Laws of the Game" (FIFA) for goal posts shall be: plus/minus 6-inches in width; plus/minus 3-inches in height from inside measurements.

301.2 Game Duration, Overtime Periods, and Ball Size

Age Group Game Duration Ball Size Circumference Weight

    Under-19    Two 45 min. halves     #5        27" – 28"           14-16 oz
    Under-17    Two 45 min. halves     #5        27" – 28"           14-16 oz
    Under-16    Two 40 min. halves     #5        27" – 28"           14-16 oz
    Under-15    Two 40 min. halves     #5        27" – 28"           14-16 oz
    Under-14    Two 35 min. halves     #5        27" – 28"           14-16 oz
    Under-13    Two 35 min. halves     #5        27" – 28"           14-16 oz
    Under-12    Two 30 min. halves     #4        25" – 26"           11-13 oz
    Under-11    Two 30 min. halves     #4        25" – 26"           11-13 oz

A size #4 ball may be used if the home team cannot provide a size #3 ball.

Overtime periods

    U-19 two 15 min. halves         U-17 two 15 min. halves
    U-16 two 15 min. halves         U-15 two 15 min. halves
    U-14 two 10 min. halves         U-13 two 10 min. halves
    U-12 two 10 min. halves         U-11 two 10 min. halves

301.3 Number of Players

(a) Each team will have a limit of eighteen (18) registered players. No team shall be allowed to have fewer than eleven (11) registered players. (Exception: General Procedures, Rule 204.9).

(b) Any coach, manager or official found guilty by a WSYSA Ethics Committee of knowingly using an ineligible player(s) (over-age, improperly registered, or under disciplinary suspension) will be suspended from participation in all WSYSA activities not to exceed the current and subsequent seasonal year.

301.4 Substitutions

(a) Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee:

        (1) Prior to a throw-in, in your favor;
        (2) Prior to a goal kick, by either team;
        (3) After a goal, by either team;
        (4) After an injury, when the referee stops play, by either team;
        (5) At half-time;
        (6) When the referee stops play to caution player, only the cautioned player may be substituted, prior to the restart of the game.

(b) The number of substitutes shall be unlimited unless a competition superseding the jurisdiction of this Association determines otherwise; special competitions may be more restrictive.

(c) Players not on the field of play must remain two (2) yards behind the touch line and not within 18 yards from the corner of the field.\

(d) "A cautioned player shall be substituted for immediately and not return until the next legal substitution."

301.5 Player's Equipment

(a) All player equipment shall conform to the requirements of Law 4 of the Laws of the Game, as amended from time to time, and the WSYSA Rules of Competition.

(b) It is the duty of the referee, pursuant to Law 5 of the Laws of the Game, as amended from time to time, to enforce the Laws of the Game and the WSYSA Rules of Competition concerning player equipment.

(c) All players must be attired in matching uniforms to the satisfaction of the referee. A proper uniform consists of shorts, jersey, socks, shin guards, and legal soccer shoes. In case of a color clash, the designated home team will change jerseys. Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from other players.

(d) All or any member(s) of a team are permitted to wear extra protective clothing against the cold, including gloves without dangerous, protruding or hard objects, provided that:

(1) The proper team uniform is worn outermost; and

(2) Any hat should be without peak, bill or dangling or protruding object of any kind; however, the goalkeeper may wear a soft billed hat; and

(3) Referee discretion may be used to determine if an item of protective clothing is considered to go beyond the purpose of providing a means of retaining body heat.

(e) No player wearing a cast or splint shall be permitted to play in any regularly scheduled game.

(f) No player shall be allowed to play in any regularly scheduled game with an injury or a known medical condition which can be aggravated by playing.

(g) Protective orthopedic devises, prosthetic devices and any equipment, gear, appliance or apparatus that is protective for a known medical condition may be worn during a regularly scheduled game provided that:

(1) The player is in compliance with WSYSA Operating Procedures, Chapter 2, "Protective Equipment;" and

(2) The referee determines that the device conforms to Law 4 of the Laws of the Game

301.6 Officiating

(a) A referee shall be appointed to officiate each game with the authority assigned to him as specified in the "Laws of the Game" (FIFA). Officiating of all games will be governed by the Rules of Play and the Rules of Competition.

(b) Failure of a scheduled referee to show up will not be the cause for canceling the match. A substitute official must be chosen upon agreement by both coaches and his decisions will be final.

301.7 Charging the Goalkeeper

(a) The following Rule applies to all competitions under the jurisdiction of the WSYSA:

(b) In all Under-11 age groups and below: No player shall make physical contact with the goalkeeper, or attempt to play the ball once the goalkeeper has control of the ball in any manner and to any degree whatsoever.

(c) In all Under-12 age groups and above: No player shall make physical contact with the goalkeeper WITHIN THE GOAL AREA, harass the goalkeeper, or attempt to play the ball once the goalkeeper has control of the ball in any manner and to any degree whatsoever. For infringement of this special Rule, an indirect kick shall be awarded.

(d) Note: Also included in "having control of the ball" is, if the goalkeeper holds the ball on the ground with one or both hands.

301.8 Coaching

(a) Coaching from the sidelines - giving direction to one's own team on points of strategy and position - is permitted, provided:

(1) Neither mechanical nor electronic devices are used;
(2) The tone of voice is informative and not a harangue;

(b) Each coach, substitute, or player is to remain within the "coaching area" (2 yards behind the touch line, and not within 18 yards from the corner of the field).

(c) No coach, substitute, or player is to make derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other players, substitutes or spectators.

(d) No coach, substitute, or player is to use profanity.

(e) No coach, substitute, or player is to incite, in any manner, disruptive behavior of any kind.

(f) If the above rules are violated, the referee shall ask the offending party for compliance with the rules. The referee may file a written report with the Board of Directors responsible for the match.

(g) In the event that compliance is not received from the offending party, the referee shall ask the offending party to leave the playing area. If this request is made, the referee must file a written report with the Board of Directors responsible for the match. If the offending party refuses to leave the playing area, or returns after leaving, the referee shall abandon the match and file a written report of the game abandonment with the Board of Directors responsible for the match.

(h) It shall be the responsibility of each team to maintain proper spectator conduct. Each coach, manager and team, club or league official shall be held primarily accountable for the conduct of the spectators for or from their respective teams. At no time shall foul or abusive language be permitted at any field.

301.9 Restarting Play After An Injury

In the case of a temporary suspension due to an injury or any unusual situation, if one team is clearly in possession of the ball, the game shall be restarted by an indirect free kick by the team in possession of the ball at the point where the ball was when play was suspended. Should there not be clear possession at the time play is suspended due to an injury or any unusual situation, there will be a drop ball at the spot where the ball was declared dead.

301.10 Procedures to Determine the Winner of a Match

Where WSYSA, District or Member Association administered competition rules require there be a winning team after a match has ended in a draw, during the overtime periods the team which scores the first goal is declared the winner (the “Golden Goal”). If no goal is scored during the overtime periods, the match is then to be decided according to the FIFA “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” procedure.

Rule 303 WASHINGTON STATE SNICKERS CHAMPIONSHIP CUP AND FRED MEYER COMMISSIONERS’ CUP

303.1 Administration Fred Meyer Commissioners' Cup

(a) The Fred Meyer Washington State Commissioners’ Cup will consist of one tournament. It will be open to all Boys and Girls Teams Under 11 through under 19, comprised of properly registered youth players affiliated with Member Associations, provided such teams entering, and its Association, are in good standing with WSYSA and the team is in compliance with and has not violated the rules of the WSYSA, EXCEPT those teams that have entered the President’s Cup, State Championships or have played in the WSYL Division I or Division II during the season.

(b) All Classic Division teams who enter the Fred Meyer Commissioners' Cup will be seeded. (See Seeding Format).

(c) This will not be a single elimination tournament. There will be a public draw held that will determine team position.

(d) Players can only participate in one of the state tournaments (Commissioners' Cup, State Championships or President’s Cup) per season.

303.2 Administration Snickers® US Youth Soccer Washington State Championships

(a) The Snickers® US Youth Soccer Washington State Championships – hereafter referred to as “State Championships” - will consist of one tournament. It will be open to all Boys and Girls Teams Under 12 through Under 19, comprised of properly registered youth players affiliated with Member Associations, provided such teams entering, and its Association, are in good standing with WSYSA and the team is in compliance with and has not violated the rules of the WSYSA, EXCEPT those teams that have entered the Commissioners' Cup or the President’s Cup tournament. Any team using an ineligible player(s) will forfeit all of its tournament games.

(b) All Washington State Youth League Division I and Division II teams may only participate in the State Championships. All Division I teams will be seeded. (See seeding format.)

(c) This will not be a single elimination tournament. There will be a public draw held that will determine team position (after the division I teams are seeded.)

(d) Teams entering the State Championships are ineligible to enter the Commissioners' Cup or President’s Cup Tournaments.

(e) Players can only participate in one of the state tournaments (Championship – Commissioners' or President’s) per season.

303.3 Commissioners' Cup and State Championships

(a) The Fred Meyer Commissioners’ Cup and the State Championships will have one tournament director appointed by the WSYSA Vice-President of Competition and approved by the WSYSA Executive Board. Each tournament will have its own administrator appointed by the WSYSA Vice-President of Competition.

(b) The WSYSA Vice-President of Competition will select a finals venue for each tournament.

(c) Each participating Member Association shall designate a representative to form the “Tournament Committee.” Once the committee meets in early fall to cover rule changes, the Committee will be considered formed. Teams are to direct any questions or concerns to their association’s tournament representative.

(d) Applications for each tournament must be accompanied with the proper entry fee established by the WSYSA Board of Directors and the current team roster before the application is accepted.

(e) (1) All Member Association Registrars will send a list of teams that they verified have entered the WSYSA state tournament(s) to the WSYSA Office one day after the entry deadline.

(2) Rosters and any revisions will be processed by the local Association Registrar. All rosters will be verified before the first scheduled game in the tournament.

(f) All teams entering the State Championships and the Fred Meyer Commissioners' Cup must have a minimum of seven players registered to the team from the time of initial team registration. Any team using ineligible players will forfeit all of its tournament games.

(g) All players in the State Championships and the Fred Meyer Commissioners' Cup must possess a valid US Youth Soccer player pass issued by WSYSA. These passes are to be surrendered to the referee prior to each game. In the event a player does not receive a pass, they cannot play. The referee will return all cards to the coach at the conclusion of the game. The cards will be used to copy accurate information for the referee's misconduct report.

(h) CREDENTIALS - The following items will be required for State Cup Games:

(1) Credentials for play must be in order before the beginning of the preliminary rounds. Any non-credentialed or improperly credentialed player, or coach shall have their passes pulled and they may not play or participate in the remainder of the tournament.

(2) US Youth Soccer player passes shall be issued to every player in the Commissioners’ Cup and State Championships. They will be required to have a current picture, signature and team ID number. They shall be physically separated (individual cards), laminated and be present at every game.

(3) A current coach’s pass must accompany every adult who is working with the players. The coach’s pass must have a current picture and signature in order to be valid.

(4) Referees will check all coaches and players' passes at the beginning of each game. If an individual does not possess a valid pass, they will not be allowed to participate.

(5) Teams going into the Finals of the Snickers Championship Game will bring with them, to the final game, a certified birth certificate and a current small picture. (A copy of club registration, medical form, and certified birth certificate must be available for every player.)

(i) The entry fee and all team “additions, releases, and transfers” must be received in the WSYSA office by November 15th of the current seasonal year or be postmarked by November 15th. If the applicant desires a receipt to verify that the application was received by WSYSA, the applications should either be mailed using certified mail return receipt requested, a recognized national overnight carrier delivery service or personal delivery to the WSYSA Office. Effective date of any adds or transfers will be December 31st.

(j) Teams submitting entries after the deadline will be accepted on a space-available basis. Late entries will be put on a waiting list in the order received and will be charged a $50.00 late fee if accepted before the draw.

(k) NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON AFTER THE DRAW. NO PLAYER MOVEMENT WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER NOVEMBER 15th.

(l) (1) If a team drops out after the draw but before the first game, the team's Member Association will be fined $200.00.

(2) If a team drops out during the preliminary round, the team's Member Association will be fined $300.00. However, if a team drops out of the tournament immediately prior to their last scheduled preliminary game and hereafter, the team's Member Association will be fined $400.00 and the coach or coaches will be reported to the WSYSA Ethics Committee. A portion of the fines may be used to defray reasonable documented expenses of the home team. Referees and field rental only, at the approval of the Tournament Committee.

(m) If a team withdraws after the Quarterfinals, the team shall be suspended for one (1) full year from entering all WSYSA sanctioned tournaments.

(n) There will be no refund of the entry fee unless the tournament, for a certain age group, is canceled due to a single entry. That team can be given the option of playing "up," or in the State Championships, if it applied for the Commissioners' Cup.

(o) A copy of the tournament rules will be mailed to the coach of record entering the tournament upon receipt of the entry form by the WSYSA office. Rules for both tournaments appear under Governing Documents, Section 606. A listing of all teams that entered into the two tournaments will be posted on the WSYSA website by the 25th of November.

(p) Upon finishing the quarterfinals of the tournaments, teams advancing shall submit a team photo with all members identified to the Finals Host Committee.

303.4 Disciplinary

(a) The WSYSA Disciplinary Committee will rule on all player and coach misconduct. Disputes or questions involving tournament rules will be resolved by the Tournament Committee.

(b) Unserved suspensions awarded by the State, District, or Association Disciplinary Board against a player, coach, or team in the tournament must be sent to the Disciplinary Director by January 1st of the current seasonal year by that Disciplinary Body. A copy of this report will be given to the Tournament Director.

(c) Any player or coach receiving their third or subsequent (yellow card) of the current seasonal year beginning September 1st, will be required to sit out their next game, unless they appear in person and their appeal is upheld at the next immediate Disciplinary Meeting. Proof of sit out must be sent to the Disciplinary Committee. If the player or coach receives one (1) send off (red card) in the tournament competition they may be required to attend the next immediate Disciplinary Meeting at the WSYSA office. No notification will be sent to the carded people involved.

(d) The referee must send a written report for any carded player(s), coach, or team to the WSYSA office; 500 S. 336th Street, Suite #100, Federal Way, WA 98003, within forty-eight (48) hours following the completion of the game in question.

303.5 Protest of the Tournament Rules

(a) Only protests regarding violations or misapplications of the Laws of the Game may be entertained. No matters regarding any judgment calls by the referee will be considered.

(b) The protesting coach shall advise the opposing coach and the referee of the decision at the game site within fifteen (15) minutes after the end of the game.

(d) The written protest shall be delivered to the WSYSA Tournament Committee on the first Monday after the game was played by the association tournament representative along with the $50.00 fee (money order or cashiers check only).

(e) Referees shall submit their written game reports to the WSYSA office by 4:00pm on the Monday following the game.

303.6 WSYSA Representation to USYSA Regional Tournament

(a) The State Championships will be used to determine Regional entries in age groups U-12 through U-19 where applicable.

(b) Eligibility for Regionals will be according to placement in the State Championships:

(1) A team placing higher in the State Championships will be eligible before a lower placing team in the appropriate age group.
(2) If more than one team is at a placement under consideration, those teams will play off for the right to represent WSYSA.

303.7 Additional Tournament Rules or Changes

(a) Any additional tournament rules, special rules, requirements, procedures, administrative and organizational information necessary for staging the State Championships, Commissioners' Cup and President’s Cup will be published separately as approved by the WSYSA Executive Board.

, and dated by the receiving Association Registrar before that player is considered a rostered team member. The Association Registrar is responsible for seeing that all copies of Registration forms are distributed in a timely manner.

Rule 606 STATE TOURNAMENT RULES

606.A Snickers® State Championships and Fred Meyer Commissioners’ Cup

606.A.1 Cup Format

(a) WSYL Division I teams will be seeded in the State Championships and Classic Division teams will be seeded in the Commissioners’ Cup (see section on "seeding"). All other teams will be positioned by draw to fill out the remaining positions.

(b) For more than six (6) entries, there will be a Division A and a Division B.

(d) For more than twelve (12) entries, there will be four (4) Divisions: Division A, Division B, Division C, Division D.

(e) For more than sixteen (16) entries, there will be five (5) Divisions: Division A, Division B, Division C, Division D, Division E.

(f) For more than twenty (20) entries, there will be six (6) Divisions: Division A, Division B, Division C, Division D, Division E, Division F.

(g) For more than twenty-four (24) entries, there will be seven (7) Divisions: Division A, Division B, Division C, Division D, Division E, Division F, Division G.

(h) For more than twenty-eight (28) entries, there will be eight (8) Divisions: Division A, Division B, Division C, Division D, Division E, Division F, Division G, Division H.

(i) Definition of playing format according to number of team entries. For all single elimination games, the team listed first shall be the "home" team.

TOTAL ENTRIES FORMAT

2 Single championship game; Winner is Champion.

3-6 Each team plays each of the other teams one (1) game. The top two (2) teams will play in the championship game.
Final 1st in points vs 2nd in points

7-8 Each team plays each of the other teams within its Division one (1) game. The top two (2) teams from each Division will advance to a semi-final round:

Semi-final #1 1st Place Division A vs 2nd Place Division B
Semi-final #2 1st Place Division B vs 2nd Place Division A
Final Winner Semi-final #1 vs Winner Semi-final #2

9-12 Each team plays each of the other teams within its Division one (1) game. The top two (2) teams from each of the three (3) Divisions will advance to a single elimination round:

Quarter-final #1 2nd Place Division C vs 2nd Place Division B
Quarter-final #2 1st Place Division C vs 2nd Place Division A

Semi-final #1 1st Place Division A vs Winner Quarter-final #1
Semi-final #2 1st Place Division B vs Winner Quarter-final #2
Final Winner Semi-final #1 vs Winner Semi-final #2

13-16 Each team plays each of the other teams within its Division one (1) game. The top two (2) teams from each Division will advance to a single elimination round:

Quarter-final #1 1st Place Division A vs 2nd Place Division D
Quarter-final #2 1st Place Division B vs 2nd Place Division C
Quarter-final #3 1st Place Division C vs 2nd Place Division B
Quarter-final #4 1st Place Division D vs 2nd Place Division A