GSYSL Operating Rules
The following information is provided as a brief overview of the structure and procedures of the GSYSL. The definitive sources for specific information are the Constitution and Bylaws of the League, which may also be found on this web site. Questions may be addressed to the appropriate Board member or staff at any time; contact information is provided elsewhere on the web site.
In keeping with policy mandated by USSF, USYS and NHSA, GSYSL requires that all adults interacting with players under the age of 18 complete a volunteer disclosure form i.e. “KidSafe Form” at such time as they begin their position whether it be as coach, asst. coach, team ‘mom’, team manager, club officer, etc. and for each subsequent season (EVERY TWO YEARS) as they continue such interaction. A designee of the Executive Committee, who shall be the only individual allowed access to the forms, will keep all such forms on file in strictest confidence. (See contact list).
1. AFFILIATION:
THE LEAGUE OPERATES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SOCCER ASSOCIATION, YOUTH DIVISION, AND THROUGH THIS ASSOCIATION COMPLIES WITH AND ABIDES BY NHSA RULES AND REGULATIONS, FOLLOWING USSF AND USYSL PROTOCOLS.
2. TEAM COMPETITION:
THE LEAGUE SHALL CONSIST OF TEAMS FORMED OF PLAYERS WITHIN A CITY OR TOWN, OR A COLLECTION OF SMALL TOWNS. THERE SHALL BE NO RESTRICTIONS PREVENTING A COLLECTION OF TOWNS OR CITIES FROM FORMING A COMBINED TEAM IN ORDER TO SEEK A COMPETITIVE LEVEL.
AT ANY TIME DURING THE SEASONAL YEAR, (AUGUST 1 – JUNE 30) THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS THAT CAN BE ROSTERED ON ANY TEAM (11V11) IN AGE GROUPS U-14 AND UNDER SHALL BE EIGHTEEN PLAYERS. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS THAT MAY BE ROSTERED FOR U-15 THROUGH U-19 TEAMS SHALL BE TWENTY TWO (22) PLAYERS, OF WHOM ONLY EIGHTEEN (18) ALL OF WHOM MAY PLAY IN ANY SCHEDULED LEAGUE MATCH. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHICH MAY BE ROSTERED FOR 6V6 TEAMS SHALL BE TWELVE (12) PLAYERS AND FOR 8V8 A MAXIMUM OF SIXTEEN (16) PLAYERS (NOTE: U12 8v8 teams participating in NHSA State Cup must adhere to a 14 player roster per USYS Region 1 rules), IN THE INTERESTS OF ADEQUATE INSTRUCTIONAL PLAYING TIME AND TO COMPLY WITH NHSA POLICY. THE STAMPED LEAGUE ROSTER SHALL BE THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ROSTER PRESENTED BY ANY TEAM TO THE REFEREE PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY GAME.
THE ORIGINAL ROSTER IS THAT ROSTER WHICH IS APPROVED BY THE REGISTRAR AND USED FOR THAT TEAM’S FIRST GAME OF THAT SEASONAL YEAR. THE SEASONAL YEAR STARTS IN LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR WITH U-14 AND UNDER PLAY, AND ENDS IN JULY OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR WITH U-15 AND ABOVE GAMES STARTING IN APRIL. IF A TEAM DID NOT PLAY (OR EXIST) IN THE FALL, THEN THEIR ORIGINAL ROSTER IS THE ONE APPROVED BY THE REGISTRAR AND USED FOR THAT TEAM’S FIRST GAME. Roster changes may be made up to 2 weeks before the end of the season
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3. REGISTRATION:
TEAMS MUST REGISTER WITH THE LEAGUE REGISTRAR BY THE DEADLINE ESTABLISHED EACH SEASON (Spring January 31 / Fall July 31) . IF YOU ARE PRACTICING, YOU SHOULD BE REGISTERED FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST PRACTICE. REGISTRATION INCLUDES: A TEAM ROSTER FORM, INDIVIDUAL PLAYER ROSTER FORMS, PLAYER ID CARDS WITH A SMALL PICTURE AND A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR NEW PLAYERS (SPRING EXCEPTION: PLAYERS ALREADY ROSTERED IN THE FALL SEASON CAN USE THE SAME ID CARD IF STILL ON THE SAME TEAM.).
ONCE THE SEASON STARTS AND YOUR ROSTER DOES NOT HAVE A FULL COMPLIMENT OF PLAYERS, YOU MAY REGISTER ADDITIONAL PLAYERS UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF 18 (22 for Senior Teams spring only) FOLLOWING THE ABOVE RULES.
ANY PLAYER BEING REGISTERED DURING THE SEASON MUST WAIT 7 DAYS BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR FIRST MATCH. EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE CAN BE MADE FOR TEAMS WITH A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS BECAUSE OF PLAYERS SUSTAINING AN INJURY. COACHES MUST GET THE APPROVAL OF THE APPROPRIATE VICE CHAIR/COMPETITION (BOYS OR GIRLS) TO WAIVE THIS 7-DAY WAITING RULE.
A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 3 CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO A FULL 18 PLAYER ROSTER DURING THE FALL/SPRING SEASON. THE NHSA FORM FOR PLAYER TRANSFER MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR BY THE PLAYER WHO IS LEAVING STATING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS LEAVING BY THEIR OWN CHOICE OR BECAUSE OF AN INJURY. THE GSYSL REGISTRAR CAN OFFER GUIDANCE WITH THESE PROCEDURES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
GSYSL -REQUIRES THAT EVERY MEMBER CLUB APPOINT A CLUB REGISTRAR TO OVERSEE THE COMPLETION AND FILING OF ALL NECESSARY PLAYER REGISTRATION FORMS WITH THE LEAGUE. THE CLUB REGISTRAR (IS) THE SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE LEAGUE REGISTRAR ON ALL MATTER PERTAINING TO THEIR CLUB PROVIDES THE MOST EFFECTIVE INTERFACE ON ISSUES SUCH AS PLAYER REGISTRATION, TRANSFERS, RELEASES AND OTHER ROSTER SUBMISSIONS OR CHANGES. CLUB REGISTRARS MUST SUBMIT A REGISTRAR’S CODE OF RESPONSIBILITIES FORM (AVAILABLE ON THE POLICIES PAGE OF THE WEBSITE)
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4. SCHEDULE:
THE LEAGUE PUBLISHES A SCHEDULE FOR PARTICIPATING TEAMS PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH SEASON, FALL AND SPRING. ONCE THE SCHEDULE IS FROZEN BY THE LEAGUE SCHEDULER, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES FOR ANY REASON. IN THE EVENT OF GAME CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER, FIELD CONDITIONS, OR FIELDS OUT OF PLAY, THE LEAGUE CHAIR HAS THE SOLE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY CHANGE. ANY COACH WHO VIOLATES THIS POLICY WILL HAVE SANCTIONS AND/OR FINES IMPOSED ON THEIR CLUB/TEAM PER GSYSL POLICY. (SEE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS).
GAMES MAY BE PLAYED ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, AND/OR OTHER WEEKDAYS OR NIGHTS AND WILL HAVE A START TIME AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FIELD COORDINATOR (SUBJECT TO THE RULES FOR FIELD COORDINATORS ESTABLISHED BY THE LEAGUE). THE LEAGUE RECOMMENDS GAMES BE PLAYED AFTER 12:00 PM ON BOTH SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
IN MOST CASES AN 8 GAME SCHEDULE IS PROVIDED. THE LEAGUE SCHEDULER WILL DRAFT THE SEASON SCHEDULE BASED ON # OF TEAMS IN EACH DIVISION, FIELD AVAILABILITY, AND OTHER PERTINENT FACTORS. THERE MAY BE OCASSIONS WHEN TEAM WILL NOT HAVE EQUAL # OF HOME AND AWAY GAMES.
FIELD COORDINATOR SYSTEM: LOCATION MANAGER
A. For scheduling purposes, each Club shall designate a Field Coordinator who will interface with GSYSL regarding scheduling matters. Included among his or her responsibilities will be the completing, and returning to the League Scheduler, of the Draft Schedule. Once the Draft Schedule is sent out by GSYSL, each Field Coordinator will be responsible for filling in field assignments and time slots for each home game. In addition, during the slotting process, the Field Coordinator will communicate with other Clubs on requested changes to the draft schedule.
B. During the season, the Field Coordinator will be the primary point of contact between his or her Club and GSYSL or other Clubs regarding changes, cancellations and rescheduling.
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5. RULES OF PLAY:
A. Game Length:
U – 10 (6v6) four 12 min. periods
U – 11 (8v8) – two 25 min. halves
U—12 (8v8) - two 30 min. halves
U—13/14 - two 35 min. halves
Senior Division - two 45 min. halves
B. The Game Ball:
The game ball shall be provided by the Home team according to the following sizes:
U-9 and under – Size 3 ball.
U-10 – U12 – Size 4 ball.
All other age groups shall use a Size 5 ball, in accordance with USYSA rules of play.
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C. Rules of Play
All Small Sided Games shall be governed by the USYSA rules of play.
All 11 v. 11 games shall be governed by the FIFA ‘Laws of the Game".
D. Point System
The standings of teams in their respective divisions shall be figured by points.
Three (3) – WIN
One (1) – TIE (to each team)
Zero (0) – LOSS
Zero (0) -- FORFEIT
E. Tiebreakers
If at the end of the regular season, two or more teams are tied, the winner shall be determined through the following tiebreaker methods:
1 – Head to Head Competition;
2 – Most Wins;
3 – Most Shutout Wins;
4 – Goal Differential, up to a maximum of 3 per game;
5 – Fewest Goals allowed, up to a maximum of 3 per game;
6 – Coin Flip
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6. HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
THE HOME TEAM WILL PROVIDE A SUITABLE SOCCER PITCH THAT IS VISIBLY LINED, HAS ACCEPTABLE GOAL POSTS, NETS, AND FLAGS.
IF ANY CLUB CANNOT, OR HAS NOT PROVIDED SUCH, THEN THAT CLUB WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR ALL AWAY GAMES THE NEXT SEASON, UNLESS GUARANTEES ARE MADE, IN WRITING, THAT SUCH FIELD PROBLEMS WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN.
TEAMS MUST BE PRESENT AT THE PITCH 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED GAME TIME.
7. PLAYER CARDS AND GAME ROSTER SHEETS:
EACH TEAM SHALL PRESENT USYS- REGISTRATION PASSES (CARDS) TO THE REFEREE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE GAME. EACH TEAM WILL PROVIDE THE REFEREE WITH A COPY OF THEIR OFFICIAL LEAGUE STAMPED TEAM ROSTER FORM. NO UNSTAMPED ROSTER WILL BE ACCEPTED.
THE REFEREE WILL CONDUCT A PRE-GAME SAFETY AND CARD/ROSTER CHECK.
ALL PLAYERS, INCLUDING THE GOALKEEPER, SHALL WEAR NUMBERED JERSEYS. SHIN GUARDS MUST BE USED, SHIRTS MUST BE TUCKED IN, AND NO SHORTS HANGING OUT BELOW THE TEAM SHORTS. FULL LENGTH SPANDEX IS ALLOWED PROVIDING THE COLOR IS THE SAME FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS.
COACHES MUST STAY WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE COACHING AREA AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING SPECTATORS AT LEAST 3 FEET BEHIND THE TOUCH LINE AND ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FIELD FROM THE COACH/PLAYER SIDE. COACHING AREA IS THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE TEAM’S BENCH AND 5 FEET TO EITHER SIDE OF THE BENCH. THE BENCH AREA SHALL BE AT LEAST 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE MID FIELD LINE.
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8. RECRUITING:
A. GSYSL does not allow club officers or coaches to recruit players from other clubs/teams during the seasonal year. Recruiting is defined as the active solicitation of players by another coach or club official by direct contact with the player. The solicitation of players for State teams i.e. ODP, by State Coaches or State officials, is specifically exempted from the definition of ‘recruiting’. Players may be recruited during the off season (summer). Players may also be recruited if they are currently not rostered to a team. All recruiting is subject to the following rules:
Ø No coach or club official can contact directly a player not in high school i.e. only high school players may be contacted directly by coaches or club officials.
Ø A coach or club official is not forbidden to talk to parents if the parent calls them directly.
B. Providing a player with information regarding a regularly scheduled group tryout while the player is still rostered with another team, or discussions with a player’s parents, does not constitute illegal recruiting or tampering. Complaints of tampering should be directed to the GSYSL Chairperson. The Team or Club of the team which the Chairperson, through consultation with the Executive Committee, has determined has violated this policy shall be assessed a $250 fine. Until the fine is paid, the Team or Club of such team will be held in bad standing.
9. COACHES AND MANAGERS.
A. Teams must have a responsible coach or manager present at each game whose responsibilities shall include maintaining control and discipline over the team. A team, which appears without a coach, or a clearly responsible adult substitute (with positive ID) if such person is without a pass card, shall forfeit.
B. Coaches and managers are responsible for their conduct and for the conduct of their players and fans at all times. Abusive or obscene language, violent play, violent conduct or other behavior detrimental to the game will not be tolerated.
C. Coaches must remain within the designated coaching area during the course of play. They must refrain from loud, persistent or intrusive coaching of field players from the touchline. Only qualified coaches and managers may be present on the sidelines with the team during a game. Parents and other spectators must remain on the opposite sideline.
D. Coaches or managers who are ejected by the Referee, or who are under suspension, must remain completely away from the playing field or site. Failure to abide by this rule may result in additional disciplinary action.
E. All head coaches are required by the league to be licenced or certified by NHSA or other appoved organization under US Soccer or FIFA. The League recommends that assistants be licensed also.