Rules and Procedures
Halifax Soccer Club Rules of Competition pertain to all Members of Halifax Soccer Club and Parents. Along with HSC Rules and Procedures all Members and Parents will follow ALL Rules and Procedures in accordance to the Blue Ridge Classic League (BRCL), FIFA Laws and the Universal Guide for Referees with USSF.
Rules of Competition:
A). Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Director’s of HSC, the following table reflects:
1. The ball size required for a match
2. The Number of players on the field, maximum and minimum, required for a match
|
League |
Max |
Min |
Goal Keeper |
Ball |
Duration |
Breaks |
|
U5/U6 Academy |
4 |
3 |
No |
3 |
8 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
|
U7/U8 Academy |
5 |
4 |
No |
3 |
12 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
|
U9/U10 Academy |
7 |
4 |
Yes |
4 |
25 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
|
U12 |
8 |
6 |
Yes |
4 |
30 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
|
U14 |
11 |
7 |
Yes |
5 |
40 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
|
U16 |
11 |
7 |
Yes |
5 |
40 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
|
U18 |
11 |
7 |
Yes |
5 |
45 min qtrs |
5 min @ half |
B). All eligible players shall play a minimum (or the equivalent) of one half of the match; However, no player shall play more than three-fourth (3/4) of the match; unless all other players will have played at least three-fourth (3/4) of the match; unless there is an injury, disciplinary issue, or a request from a player or a parent to play less.
C). In the Academy Program Teams, there will be no goalkeepers. Players may be designated as defenders, but may not remain in the penalty area when the ball is in the opponents’ half of the field.
D). All Teams:
1. No coaches, spectators or players on the sidelines will be allowed goal side or the 18 yard line.
2. During Match Play, everyone, including coaches, substitutes and spectators, shall not be closer than one yard from the touchline.
Modifications/ Exceptions:
Law I – The Field of Play
A) All matches shall be played on the fields assigned by the HSC Board of Director.
B) Each team must occupy opposite touchlines; the Hone Team has the choice of side.
C) All Goals Must be secured to the ground
Law II – The Ball
See HSC Rules of Competition
Law III – The Number of Players
A) See HSC Rule of Competition
B) Even when players are officially disqualified, all matches will be played with an equal number of players per team on the field, i.e., a coach with a red carded player may substitute for that player (for a full sided game U12, the game will continue as 11v11, even if a player is disqualified – U14 and up are governed by SFL)
C) The number of players listed in the Maximum and Minimum Table includes the goalkeeper, except in the Academy Program Teams where there are no goalkeepers.
D) The Home Team is required to furnish 2 game balls ready to play.
E) Substitutions shall be done in accordance with the following:
a. Substitutions must be made at midfield and with the consent of the referee. Substitutions will be unlimited for all age groups and shall be done in accordance with the following
i. Prior to a throw-in, the team in possession may substitute.
ii. Prior to a goal kick, either team may substitute
iii. After a goal, either team may substitute.
iv. Injury – if the referee stops play for an injury, the injured player may be substituted. If the substitution occurs, the other team may also substitute one player.
v. At half time
vi. When a player receives a caution (yellow card), the coach may substitute for that player. (See Law XII Fouls and Misconduct) The other team may also substitute for one player. The cautioned player may return at the teams’s next substitution.
Law IV – The Players’ Equipment
A) A player’s uniform shall consist of a jersey, shorts, stockings, soccer cleats or turf shoes, and shinguards. Shinguards are MANDATORY and shall be worn inside of the stockings.
B) It is recommended that all players wear legal, molded-sole soccer shoes or turf shoes. Metal or metal-tipped cleats are not allowed.
C) Illegal equipment is not to be worn. If an article of equipment is considered dangerous or confusing by the referee, that article must be removed or covered before play can start or continue.
D) Jewelry of any type is NOT ALLOWED to be worn (including earrings). Medical bracelets or necklaces may be worn, but must be taped to the body.
E) No metal, plastic, wood or other hard pins, barrettes or ponytail holders may be worn. Hair bands with hard plastic balls are also illegal. The use of elastic bands and soft headbands is allowed.
Law V – The Referee
A) Once a Referee arrives at the Field His/Her Authority begins and will continue until they leave the Field.
B) The Referees are responsible for conducting the games in accordance with FIFA Laws of the game and BRCL rules and procedures.
C) U11 – U18 there will be three (3) USSF certified referees. U9 – U10 there will be one (1) certified Center Referee.
D) Referees shall arrive at the field of play no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time for the game they are to officiate.
E) Referees are paid per their contract agreement with HSC
Law VI – The Duration of the Match
A) See the HSC Rules of Competition
B) The Referee shall keep the time and the score of the match
C) The match shall consist of two equal halves or four equal quarters.
Law VII – The Start of Play
A) A coin toss at the beginning of the match shall determine who defends which goal. The visiting team shall call the coin toss. The team winning the coin toss chooses which goal to defend in the first half. The team losing the coin toss shall kick-off. At the start of the second half, the opposite team shall kick-off.
B) All Teams shall change ends of the field at the start of the second half.
C) In the Academy Program; the beginning of the game and the second half (1st and 3rd quarters) will start with a kick-off, with the teams alternating kick-offs. The beginning of the 2nd and 4th quarters will re-start with a continuation after normal stoppage of play at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. If the ball was in play as the 1st and 3rd quarters ended, a drop ball shall be used as the restart.
D) In the U10 – U18 Teams; each half will start with a kick-off, with the teams alternating the kick-offs.
E) NO GAME WILL START if the Goals are not secured to the ground.
Law VIII – The Ball in and Out of Play – (see FIFA Laws)
Law IX – The Method of Scoring (see FIFA Laws)
Law X – Pre-Game Requirements
A) The Field Coordinator is responsible for the condition of the fields and will maintain that they are all in playing condition.
B) Each Team Manager must make personal contact with the visiting team no later than Wednesday of the week prior to a game to confirm the date, time, field location of the game, and to check on possible uniform color conflict.
C) Coaches and Team Managers NOT making contact with opposing team prior to game day can be subject to Penalties brought upon by BRCL by a forfeit . A MESSAGE ON A VOICE MACHINE DOES NOT COUNT AS PERSONAL CONTACT.
Law XI – Game Day Requirements
A) Field Coordinator will assure that fields are in playing condition day of game play, assuring lines are marked, and corner flags are in place.
B) Coach of the Home team will check the field and make sure it is properly lined, nets and corner flags are in place
C) Team Manager will assure that ALL Player Cards are on site; Each team must have their Official VYSA Roster prior to each game for the Referee Inspections.
a. Prior to the start of the game, the referee or assistant referees are required to check player cards. This requirement is NOT optional and a referee’s refusal to check player’s cards shall be immediately reported to the League Administrator and League Registrar following the game.
D) It will be the Coaches and Team Managers responsibility to remind the referees of this BRCL Rule, if the referee’s fail to check player cards.
E) Coach’s and or Team Managers will supply the Referee with a list of names and jersey numbers of all players on their VYSA Roster.
F) Teams not having the proper number of players at game time, will be given fifteen (15) for those players to arrive. Should they not arrive after the allotted time. The scheduled game will be forfeited.
a. The Team causing the Forfeit will pay referees their full payment and pay the BRCL forfeit fine.
G) If a game is stopped because one coach pulls their team from the field, a forfeit will be given to that coach’s team. There is no forfeit fee applied if the game is ended during the second half.
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
A) Red Cards: A player receiving a red card will not be eligible to participate in the next league game immediately following the red card, regardless of when that league match is to be played. The Red card will carry-over to the next season of play if it occurred in the last game of the season.
B) Yellow Cards: A player receiving three (3) yellow cards any time during a single season will result in a one-game suspension. Player will not be eligible to participate in the next league game. This suspension will carry-over to next season of play if received in last game of the season.
C) Two Yellow Cards: in one game equals a Red card. Player will serve the suspension as a Red Card suspension.
D) Send-Off for Fighting: HSC will not tolerate any FIGHTING and further action will be taken. BRCL insists upon enforcement of The Laws of the Game regarding the automatic send-off of a player for fighting.
E) Caution for Profanity: The Referee will have sole discretion, a caution may be administered for any profanity or inappropriate gestures.
F) Referee’s are instructed to deal with spectator problems. Spectators considered to be causing a problem will be asked to leave the area.
G) Coaches and Spectators who are ejected must leave the vicinity of the playing fields immediately. If the person refuses to leave the field, the referee may suspend the match and a loss will be recorded for the offending team.
H) ****** More to come in near future******