PAL SOCCER LEAGUE, INC. OF NICEVILLE, FL

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR RECREATION SOCCER

 

ARTICLE I - GENERAL RULES, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

 

The rules and procedures herein govern all PAL players, coaches, parents and spectators during all PAL activities, unless the rules or procedures of a specific competition specify otherwise.

 

PAL Soccer League is a member of Soccer Association for Youth (SAY), which is affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation.  PAL abides by SAY rules and regulations, unless exempted.

 

PAL Soccer League is not associated with any area, state or national Police Athletic League organizations and receives no assistance, support or funding from them.

 

The purpose of the PAL Soccer League recreation program is to have fun while learning soccer, sportsmanship and teamwork and to provide a safe, wholesome environment for children’s development.

 

RULE I - REGISTRATION:

 

Part 1:  All PAL players and coaches must have accurately completed PAL registration forms on file with PAL’s registrar to be eligible to participate in games, practices or related activities.

 

Part 2:  Player registration shall include authentic verification of date and place of birth.  Parents must provide PAL a copy of the player’s state birth certificate to be kept on file.  Hospital, baptismal or religious birth certificates may be accepted, at the discretion of the registrar.  Acceptable alternatives are copies of a player’s passport, military dependent ID (front and back), state driver’s license, birth registration or certificate of an American citizen born abroad issued by an appropriate government agency, board of health record, alien registration card issued by the US Government, or certificate of naturalization issued by Immigration and Naturalization Service.  Copies of foreign passports and birth certificates are acceptable if accompanied by a certified translation.

 

Part 3:  Unless waived, payment for player registration fees must accompany registration forms.  Fees cover cost of uniforms, SAY registration and referee fees.

 

Part 4:  A player who resigns after registration will be refunded the registration fee minus a $15 withdrawal fee and the cost of the player’s uniform (if already ordered).  Player’s parent must complete and turn in a PAL withdrawal form before a refund will be provided.

 

Part 5:  A player is assigned to a PAL recreation team until the end of the PAL recreation season, to include the end-of-season tournament.

 

Part 6:  PAL registration is required each year for all persons who coach, assist or participate in practices on a frequent or recurring basis or who are in the technical areas during games.

 

Part 7:  A person must be at least 18 years of age prior to the first scheduled practice to be a head coach.  A person younger than 18 may be a co-head coach if his/her parent or another adult registers to be the other co-coach.  At least one coach at all practices and at least one coach in the technical area during any game must be at least 18 years old

 

Part 8:  The maximum number of coaches per team will be three for VIP, U6 through U14 and one for U16B, U19G and U19B.  PAL will provide official coach’s shirts.

 

Part 9:  PAL reserves the right to accept or reject a coach’s application, with or without cause.

 

Part 10: All PAL coaches, team coordinators or those who assist and/or participate in practices on a frequent or recurring basis must have a completed SAY Volunteer Application for the current year on file with the PAL Volunteer Administrator.  This includes those individuals who volunteer to be “Team Parent.”

 

RULE II - AGE GROUPS FOR THE 2007 SEASON (“U” abbreviation for “under”):

Age Group	Aug 1 - Dec 31	Jan 1 - Dec 31	Jan 1 - Jul 31
U19B	1988	1989-1990	1991
U-19G	1988	1989 through 1992	1993
U16	1991	1992	1993
U14	1993	1994	1995
U12	1995	1996	1997
U10	1997	1998	1999
U8	1999	2000	2001
U6	2001	2002 (See note below)	-----
VIP	1988	1989 through 2001	2002

Note:  For Sep. 2 - Dec. 31, 2002, one parent must register as a coach for the team.

 

RULE III - MAKE-UP OF TEAMS:

 

Part 1:  Teams will be balanced as much as possible.  The foremost criterion is equitable distribution of experienced players, based on years played plus school and travel team participation, if known.  Next, each team will have an equivalent share of players of each age.  Each team should also contain equal numbers of players with above-average, average and below-average soccer skills.  Unknown players will be assumed to be average in skills, with experience and age used as the determinants in assignment to teams.  Players’ heights and weights will also be taken into consideration.

 

Part 2:  Every attempt will be made to place on teams all children who desire to participate, regardless of mental or physical abilities.

 

Part 3:  A player may “play up” in a higher age division only if it is in the child’s best interests, as determined by the PAL Board or designee(s).  Space must be available in the higher group and the player’s parent must sign a PAL special request.  A player may not play up more than one age group.

 

Part 4:  A player may not “play down” in a younger age group, unless the player has a verified disability or developmental problem justifying such placement.  At the time of registration, the parent must submit a written request plus a signed document from a doctor attesting that the child’s needs would best be served by being in a younger age group.  The request will need the PAL President’s approval.  A player may not play down more than one age group.

 

Part 5:  Team sizes:

     

 

 

ARTICLE II - RULES FOR TEAM ASSIGNMENT

 

Part 1:  Players will be assigned to achieve the best possible balance among teams. Placement will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Part 2:  Assignment of players to teams will be done by PAL.  Except for approved special requests in accordance with Article II, Part 4 and 5 (below), the assigning of players to teams is done randomly (via computer program).  Coaches will not be allowed to select or request team members, other than their own children.

 

Part 3:  Siblings in the same age group will normally be assigned to the same team.

 

Part 4:  PAL will honor a special request signed by a parent NOT to have a specific coach.

 

Part 5:  PAL will accept only one pairing request (sponsor - head coach or head coach - assistant) per team if the requestors will have children on the team.  The pairing request must be filled out at one of PAL’s registration sessions and must be signed by both requestors.

 

Part 6:  Except for those on a pairing request approved by the PAL Board, persons signing up to be assistant coaches do so with the understanding they are volunteering to serve with any coach in that age group.  They will be allowed to request not being paired with a specific coach.

 

ARTICLE III - RULES FOR PLAYER PARTICIPATION

 

RULE I - 50% RULE:

 

Part 1:  All players SHALL be provided the opportunity to participate in at least 50% of every game or as closely as possible, except for reasons of injury, illness, absence, discipline or lack of required equipment (e.g., shinguards).  Any player arriving after the start of the game MUST be allowed to play not less than one-half of the game or the remainder of the game if less than one-half remains.  (NOTE: This is a requirement in regular season as well as during any PAL-sanctioned tournaments)

 

Part 2:  Should a coach feel that it is in the best interest of the player to discipline a player by denying participation in a game, the coach must submit a written request to the PAL president describing the reason(s) for such action and how this will benefit the player.  The coach must receive written approval from the PAL president to implement it.  (NOTE: This is a requirement in regular season as well as during any PAL sanctioned tournaments)

 

Part 3:  U8 and U10, coaches are required to change goalkeepers so that no one player plays more than 50% of a game as goalkeeper.  (This is NOT required during any PAL-sanctioned tournaments.)

 

RULE II - PLAYER REMOVAL:

 

Part 1:  Players may be removed from participation in PAL Soccer for conduct that is disruptive to their team during practices or games, for missing more than 50% of practices without cause or for being uncooperative with their coaches or other PAL participants.

 

Part 2:  The coach must submit a written recommendation for the player’s removal to the PAL president, who will present it to the PAL Board.

 

RULE III - END-OF-SEASON TOURNAMENT:

 

Part 1:  Optional for U8, U10, U12 and U14 teams, with separate brackets for boys and girls.

 

Part 2:  A coach from each entering team must complete a tournament application and pay the entry fee and performance bond on or before the stated deadline.  Failure to do so will result in the team not being entered.  Coaches may ask parents of participating players to chip in a prorated share of the entry fee.

 

Part 3:  Coaches, parents and players may not solicit the entry fee from the sponsor.  If the sponsor offers on his/her own to underwrite this cost, teams may accept.

 

Part 4:  All coaches, players and spectators must comply with tournament and PAL recreation rules.

 

Part 5:  Part 1 and Part 2 of the 50% Rule (above) applies, except to overtime periods.

 

Part 6:  During tournament play, U8 and U10 goalkeepers may play that position more than 50% of the game.

 

Part 7:  The current PAL or Destin Recreation roster for the team will be used to determine eligibility.  No transfers to or between teams will be allowed for any team entering the tournament.  No guest players are allowed.

 

Part 8:  PAL teams are still limited to three events (practices and games) per week (Sunday through Saturday) as established in Rule IV (below).  This limitation does not apply to semi-final and championship matches.

 

Part 9:  A random drawing to determine team placement on a pre-established “dummy” schedule will be announced in advance so that registered coaches may attend and observe.

RULE IV - LENGTH AND NUMBER OF PRACTICES PER WEEK:

Age Group	Normal Duration	Maximum Length	Maximum # of Events *
VIP	1 Hour	1 Hour	two
U6	1 hour	1 hour	two
U8	1 hour	1 hour 15 minutes	three
U10	1 hour	1 hour 15 minutes	three
U12	1 hour 15 minutes	1 hour 30 minutes	three
U14	1 hour 15 minutes	1 hour 30 minutes	three

* The maximum number of events (practices and games) that can be held Sunday through Saturday.  Make-up games may be excluded from the maximum number of events.  There are no fields or times available for formal U-16 or U-19 scheduled practices.

 

RULE V - GAME CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING:

 

Part 1:  Games canceled by PAL or by the referee due to inclement weather or other reasons will be rescheduled at the earliest date possible.  Teams will be notified of the new game dates and times.  If the volume of games to be rescheduled impacts practice field availability, the PAL president may elect to not arrange remake games.  Six-a-side games, canceled for any reason, will not be rescheduled.

 

Part 2:  Cancellation due to other reasons:  Notice of cancellation must be given 48 hours before the game to the PAL president and the referee assignor.  If a make-up game is desired, both coaches involved must agree on a date and time and coordinate it with the field scheduler. The coach responsible for cancellation must notify the president and referee assignor of the new game schedule.

 

Part 3:  Failure to give notice of game cancellation 48 hours prior to the scheduled match will result in coaches’ paying for referee fees.

 

Part 4:  Games terminated by the referee after the first half is complete are considered final.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV - OPERATION

 

RULE I - STANDING RULES OF PLAY:

 

Part 1:  Except where modified herein, rules of play shall be 2006-2007 SAY “Laws/Rules” and 2006/2007 F.I.F.A. “Laws of the Game.”

 

Part 2:  Appendices I - V provide modified rules for U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16/U19 and VIP.

 

Part 3:  The referee will verify the players’ and coaches’ identities, using the rosters provided by PAL, and check the players’ equipment before the game.  A player who arrives after this pre-game procedure may only enter the game after first reporting to the referee, being verified against the roster and having his/her equipment checked.

 

Part 4:  When a goalkeeper has possession of the ball with his/her hands in the penalty area (goal area, for U8, U16 and U19), opponents may not, in any manner, charge into, interfere with or impede the goalkeeper.  Having control of the ball with one hand, including pinning the ball against the ground or goal, constitutes possession of the ball.  Opponents charging a keeper may, at the referee’s discretion, be cautioned or sent off.

 

Part 5:  Injured player:

          A.  Coaches should advise their players, that if they are injured during a game and need assistance, to stay down if seriously hurt or to go down on one knee to signal the referee.

          B.  The referee may or may not stop the game while the ball is in play, depending on the referee’s assessment of the severity of the injury, whether continued play will jeopardize the injured player and which team has possession of the ball.

          C.  Coaches should instruct their players, that if they see a player from either team down on the field, to kick the ball out of play across the touchline (sideline).  When play resumes, the team awarded the throw-in, as a matter of sportsmanship, will intentionally throw the ball in to a player from the other team and allow him/her to establish possession without hindrance.

          D.  Coaches and parents may not come on the field to assist or treat an injured player unless signaled by the referee to do so.  If an injured player needs to be tended to on the field, the injured player must come off the field and may only reenter play from the midfield substitution arc during a game stoppage and with the referee’s permission.

 

Part 6:  Blood Rule: Players who are bleeding, have open wounds, or have blood on their uniforms or person, must leave the game.  They may return during a normal substitution, provided the bleeding has stopped, all blood has been cleaned off and the wound has been covered.  Coaches and parents treating players with a bleeding or open wound are advised to wear protective latex gloves, available at the concession stand, and immediately afterwards to wash their hands and other areas exposed to blood or any bodily fluids.

 

Part 7:  30/30 Rule:  In the event of a storm, the referee will suspend play if 30 seconds or less elapse between the sightings of a lightning flash to the hearing of associated thunder.  Play shall not be resumed prior to 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.  During the stoppage, coaches will get their players under cover and keep them there until the referee signals he/she is ready for the game to restart.  During practices coaches will follow the same 30/30 rule (30 seconds/30 minutes) if the weather becomes inclement.

 

Part 8:  In the event a U14 or younger regular season game becomes obviously lop-sided, coaches on the winning team should make adjustments in personnel and tactics to try to equalize the situation.  For U10 and above regular season matches, the referee will terminate play if the goal differential reaches 10 goals and record the fact on the game report.  In tournaments in which teams accumulate points for goal differential up to a certain margin, coaches should take steps to avoid running up the score if nothing further can be gained. 

 

RULE II - PLAYER UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:

 

Part 1:  Players are required to wear protective shinguards under and fully covered by socks while actively participating in a game, scrimmage or practice.  If a player wants to wear a sock next to the skin and then wear a shinguard, a separate sock must then be worn to cover the shinguard.  Shinguards need to be made of a suitable material and provide a reasonable degree of protection.

 

Part 2:  Team members will wear uniforms of matching design and color with non-duplicated numbers on the back.  (U16 and U19 uniforms consist of shirts only.)  The goalkeeper’s jersey must be distinctly different from the jerseys of either team or the referee and does not require a number on it.  Goalkeepers in the same game may wear the same color/style jersey.  (Teams at their own expense may have players’ and/or coaches’ names added to the back of the team shirts but all shirts must be done uniformly.)  If the colors of opposing teams are too close in appearance for the referee to distinguish, the designated home team will be required to don pinnies, available at the concession stand.

 

Part 3:  Cold weather gear (such as sweat suits) may be worn under the uniform shirt, shorts and socks at the referee’s discretion.  Bicycle shorts (compression/thermos pants) worn under the shorts must match the color of the shorts, if visible, and not extend below the top of the knee.

 

Part 4:  Watches and jewelry, including hard items in the hair or yarn bracelets and necklaces, may not be worn during games or practices.  Earrings and body piercing are not allowed, even when taped over.  Medical bracelets and necklaces may be worn if taped down.

 

Part 5:  Colored hair paint, colored hair spray or face/body paint must be removed for a player to participate in a game.

 

Part 6:  No casts or splints are allowed (other than so-called inflated “air” casts or splints) even though covered with soft padding.

 

Part 7:  Knee braces shall not be worn, unless wrapped and covered with soft padding and then approved by the referee.

 

Part 8:  Knee, thigh or hip pads containing sole leather, fiber, metal or other dangerous material shall not be worn, even when covered with soft padding.

 

Part 9:  Ace bandages may be worn, even when visible and protruding from the uniform; however, no metal clips or other hard objects are allowed on or in ace bandages.

 

Part 10:  Helmets made of hard material shall not be worn; however, soft headwear such as knit caps is allowed.  Goalkeepers may wear a soft-billed cap or a properly fitted and fastened helmet that is made of foam or other soft material.

 

Part 11:  Face or spectacle guards shall not be worn; eyeglasses with or without restraining strap are permitted.  Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn during a match or practice.  Contact lenses are allowed.

 

Part 12:  Players during games shall not have foreign objects (such as gum or ice) in the mouth. Players may wear internal orthodontic braces in a game or practice but are encouraged to simultaneously wear protective mouthpieces.

 

Part 13:  Hearing aids are allowed to be worn during games.

 

Part 14:  Players are required to wear shoes during practices and games.  Flip-flops and footwear that does not cover the foot are not allowed.  Cleated shoes provide better traction, especially on wet surfaces, but non-cleated shoes may be worn.  Shoes with metal cleats are not allowed.  Shoes with plastic cleats are allowed but individual cleats must be in good condition and not have edges that are sharp or can injure other players.  Removable cleats must be the “screw-in” type rather than the “screw-on” variety.  Shoes with non-metal toe cleats may be worn.  Final decision as to safety and wearing of cleated shoes rests with the referee.

 

RULE III - FIELD EQUIPMENT AND PLAYING/PRACTICE FIELDS:

 

Part 1:  City of Niceville workers reline our playing fields each week in exchange for our keeping the fields and parks clean.  Coaches need to ensure their areas are picked up.

 

Part 2:  Our teams are guests on the game and practice fields they use.  Parents, coaches and players need to ensure they do not leave any trash or litter on these sites.

 

Part 3:  Orange and banana peels pose a problem because they attract bees, in addition to being unsightly and slow in decomposing.  Parents and coaches who provide these refreshments are responsible for cleaning them up and placing them in a trash can.

 

Part 4:  Coaches who find the field or their technical area a mess or littered when they arrive will report it to a PAL Board member before the game, if possible.

 

Part 5:  Home team for the first game of the day will set up goals, corner flags and team benches.  Setting up the goals includes making sure they are anchored.

 

Part 6:  Home team for the last game will collect and store corner flags.  Visiting team for the last game will collect trash left on and near the field.  For night games, visiting team will turn off the field lights.

 

Part 7:  Coaches must warn their players not to climb on, swing on or hang from the crossbars and immediately correct any violations.  Goals must be anchored before and during practices or games and properly secured with anchors after being moved.

 

Part 8:  Everyone who drives must park in designated parking areas.

 

Part 9:  Pets are prohibited at the Niceville Recreation Complex and at Twin Oaks Park.  This is a City of Niceville rule.

 

RULE IV - DURATION OF GAMES, NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND BALL SIZES:

 

Notes:    1. Half-times will be 5 minutes.

            2.  VIP, U6 and U8 have 2-minute breaks between quarters 1&2 and 3&4.

                3.  No overtime periods (tie remains a tie).

                4.  If teams are not ready to play 15 minutes past scheduled time, referee may call off the match.

                5.  Play may be started and/or continued if a team fields the minimum number to start/play.  The

                opposing coach may keep his/her team at full strength on the field or reduce to a lesser number.

                6.  Goalkeeper required for each team, except field players only (no goalkeeper) for VIP or U6.

 

RULE V - SUBSTITUTION:  Players may substitute only during stoppage of the game by the referee:

 

Part 1:  Players may only substitute during stoppage of the game and may enter or exit the field only with permission of the referee.  U16 and U19 players may sub “on the run.”

 

Part 2:  Times that substitutions may be made (A, B and C do not apply to VIP, U6 and U8; F does not apply to VIP, U6, U8 and U10):

          A. Prior to a throw-in (only for substitutes from the team with the throw-in).

          B. Prior to a goal kick, by either team.

          C. After a goal, by either team.

          D. After an injury, on either team, when the referee stops play.

          E. At half-time.  (VIP, U6 and U8 may also substitute at end of each quarter.)

          F. After a caution or send-off of a player from either team.

 

Part 3:  For U10 through U14, substitutes may enter the field only at the midfield substitution arc.  Substitutes must be at the substitution arc before the referee stops play to be eligible to enter the field at the next stoppage.

 

Part 4:  If a goalkeeper is substituted or swapped with another player after play starts, the referee must be notified.  This is not required for changes at half-time (between quarters for U-8).

 

RULE VI - CONDUCT:

 

Part 1:  All persons on and in the vicinity of playing fields and practice areas are expected to show good sportsmanship and proper behavior.

 

Part 2:  Alcohol and drugs not medically prescribed may not be consumed or brought into the vicinity of playing fields or practice areas.  Coaches, players, parents and referees may not use tobacco products or bring them into the vicinity of playing fields or practice areas.

 

Part 3:  During games, parents and spectators must stay in the designated spectator area, behind the spectator line, on the opposite side of the field from the teams.  No one is permitted to stand or sit behind the goals.

 

Part 4:  Parents, spectators and coaches may not enter the playing field during the game for any reason other than to assist in an injury and only then if allowed to do so by the referee.

 

Part 5:  No one may yell at, distract or express disrespect or dissent towards the referee(s).

 

Part 6:  Coaching by spectators/parents confuses and distracts players.  Let the coaches’ coach.

 

Part 7:  Parents and spectators are urged to cheer and provide only positive encouragement to players.  Jeering, taunting, criticizing, heckling or deriding the players will not be tolerated.

 

Part 8:  Artificial noisemakers are not allowed.  This includes, but is not limited to, air horns, whistles and bells.  The best sounds players can hear are their parents’ encouraging voices.

 

Part 9:  Only registered coaches wearing the current year’s official PAL coach’s shirts and players on the team playing on the field are allowed in the technical areas during the game.

 

Part 10:  A properly registered coach assigned to the team on the field (18 years of age or older) must be present for a team to play.  For U16 and U19 matches, one coach may be in charge of both teams.

 

Part 11:  Coaches and player substitutes must remain in their designated area (players on benches and coaches in technical areas) while the game is in progress.  Coaches are not allowed to coach from the spectator area.  (Exception: VIP and U6 coaches may roam the perimeter of the field to coach their players and may enter the field during stoppages.)

 

Part 12:  Head coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, assistants and spectators.

 

Part 13:  Coaches’ actions shall be in the spirit of “good sportsmanship” at all times.  Coaches are expected to set an example of proper conduct and appearance.

 

Part 14:  Only one coach for each team at a time may give directions to their players, provided it is limited and intended to be instructional or informative as to player-positioning or team tactics.  Coaches may not use mechanical devices, such as voice amplifiers or megaphones.

 

Part 15:  Coaches may make positive, encouraging remarks to their team.  They may not make any negative and/or derogatory comments toward any player, coach or official.

 

Part 16:  As a mutual courtesy after the game, players and coaches from both teams will congratulate their opponents for a game well played.

 

Part 17:  Coaches may not pay or monetarily reward players for goals or performance.