EGSC: Game Rules

1.      ALL COACHES are to remain in the technical area (between the “18 yard line” and the center line on YOUR bench’s end of the field) for the duration of the match.
 · Each team is allowed ONE HEAD COACH and TWO ASSISTANT COACHES on game day.
 · The only exceptions are: to place players in proper starting line up.
 · If the Referee calls you out onto the field for an injury.
 · DIVISION 7 Coaches ONLY, may place themselves along the touchlines (ONE on each side) and ONE coach may be behind the goal line with YOUR Goalkeeper.
 · NO ONE IS ALLOWED ON THE FIELD ONCE PLAY BEGINS EXCEPT THE PLAYERS AND THE REFEREES!
 · SAFETY FIRST!!!
 · Field set up and take down: the first teams of the day are to set up the nets and flags, the last teams of the day are to remove the nets and flags and place them in the boxes.
 · Make sure that the goals are properly anchored.
 · Be respectful of our outdoor spaces and have EVERYONE pick up their garbage.

2.      ALL Spectators are to be on the opposite side of the field as the players’ bench. They may not sit behind either goal line.

3.      If an injury occurs, let the Referee stop play. The Referee will go to the child and call the HEAD COACH onto the field, the coach will determine if the child should be removed or if an emergency call should be made. NO PARENTS should be entering the field of play. They may walk AROUND the field and come over to the bench.
 · The injured child who leaves the field may be substituted for
 · Many injuries are not serious and the child may wish to re-enter the game at the next approved stoppage in play.
 · Have the other children stay away from the injured child on the field, give them space.
 · Play should resume as quickly as possible. Attend to the child OFF the field.

1.      IN CASE OF SERIOUS INJURY, DO NOT MOVE THE CHILD. CALL 911. TALK TO THE CHILD; KEEP THEM AWAKE AND WARM UNTIL PROPER AUTHORITIES ARRIVE.

2.      In case of inclement weather:
 · LIGHTENING - IMMEDIATELY take cover. Practice is over, Games are over, if any lightening is spotted. Do not take chances.
 · Other dangerous weather, do not take chances, and call off practice or games.
 · RAIN - usually we will still play in rainy weather. If the rain is excessive and may cause permanent field damage, the VP Fields may call off games. Recreational League games will NOT be made up. Travel games will follow league guidelines for reschedule.

1.      It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position.

2.      A player IS in an offside position if:
 · He is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than BOTH the ball and the second to last opponent.

3.      A player IS NOT in an offside position if:
 · He is in his own half of the field of play OR
 · He is level with the second last opponent OR
 · He is level with the last two opponents OR
 · He is BEHIND the ball
 · During a goal kick
 · During a throw-in
 · During a corner kick
 · During a drop ball
4.      A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the REFEREE, involved in active play by
 · Interfering with play OR
 · Interfering with an opponent OR
 · Gaining an advantage by being in that position

In other words, the player must show participation in the game by playing the ball, playing the player or by having an effect on how the play runs. A player who clearly retreats from the play and takes no active participation in the play may not be called for offside.

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offenses (mandatory cautions are shown in bold print):

1.      Is guilty of unsporting behavior (game report abbreviation = UB)
   a. Commits a penal foul in a reckless manner
   b. Commits a penal foul while tackling the ball from behind without endangering the safety of an opponent
   c. Commits a tactical foul designed to interfere with or impede an opposing team’s attacking play (i.e. pushing, holding or pulling an opponent’s uniform, handling the ball deliberately)
   d .Commits an act deemed by the referee as bringing the game into disrepute (i.e. aggressive attitude, inflammatory behavior or taunting)
   e. Handles the ball deliberately to score a goal
   f. Fakes an injury or exaggerates the seriousness of an injury
   g. Fakes a foul (dives) or exaggerates the severity of a foul
   h. Interferes with or prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands into play
   i. Verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart
   j. Unfairly distracts or impedes an opponent performing a throw-in
   k. Changes jersey with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission (both players must be cautioned)
   l. Engages in trickery to circumvent the goalkeeper’s limitation on handling the ball played from a teammate’s foot (the defender who initiates the “trickery” is cautioned, the decision does not require that the goalkeeper actually handles the ball, and the misconduct can occur during dynamic play or at a restart) Shows dissent by word or action (game report abbreviation = DT)
   m. Verbally or through action disputes or shows contempt for an official’s decision
   n. If playing as a goalkeeper, leaves the penalty area (not beckoned by the referee) to engage an official in debate regarding a decision Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game (game report abbreviation = PI)
   o. Repeatedly fouls or participates in a pattern of fouls directed at an opponent
   p. Violates Law 14 again, having been previously warned
   q. If playing as goalkeeper, wastes time, having previously been warned or penalized for this behavior Delays the restart of play (game report abbreviation = DR)
   r. Kicks or throws the ball away or holds the ball to prevent a free kick restart by an opponent
   s. Kicks or throws the ball away or holds the ball to prevent a throw-in or corner kick by an opponent
   t. Fails to restart play after being instructed to do so by the referee or hinders the restart of play
   u. Excessively celebrates a goal
   v. Fails to return to the field upon conclusion of the midgame break, fails to perform a kick-off when signaled to do so by the referee, or fails to be in a correct position for a kick-off Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick (game report abbreviation = FRD)
   w. Does not retire at least ten yards away from an opponent’s free kick
   x. Does not retire at least ten yards away from an opponent’s corner kick Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission (game report abbreviation= E)
   y. Having previously been substituted (unless rules of competition allow such return)
   z. After having previously been instructed to leave the field to correct equipment
   aa. After having previously been given permission by the referee to leave the field due to an injury
   bb. After previously been instructed to leave the field due to bleeding or blood on the uniform
   cc. As a substitute, without having received the signal to do so be the referee
Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission (game report abbreviation = L)
   dd. To place an opponent in an apparent offside position
   ee. Other than through the normal course of play

The action listed above assist in defining the scope of the basis for a caution and can provide a useful guide in identifying the specific behavior, which the Laws of the Game consider unacceptable. It is critical, however, for Referees to distinguish between those relatively few actions for which the Laws of the Game mandate a caution and the remaining actions for which a caution is discretionary.

1.      Is guilty of serious foul play (game report abbreviation = SFP)
2.      Is guilty of violent conduct (game report abbreviation = VC)
3.      Spits at an opponent or any other person (game report abbreviation = S)
4.      Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball [this does not apply to the goalkeeper within his own penalty area] (game report abbreviation = DGH)
5.      Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick (game report abbreviation = DGF)
6.      Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and / or gestures (game report abbreviation = AL)
7.      Receives a second caution in the same match (game report abbreviation = 2CT)

     ALL PLAYERS should have the following:

For Practice:
 · Comfortable clothes for athletic activity
 · SHINGUARDS
 · Athletic shoes, preferably soccer cleats
 · Soccer Ball
 · Water or other sports drink

For GAMES:
 · Club Jersey (Blue or Maroon), worn tucked in
 · Black soccer shorts (if it is cold athletic pants may be worn under shorts)
 · Black Soccer socks (completely covering the shinguards)
 · SHINGUARDS (worn UNDER the socks)
 · Athletic shoes, preferably soccer cleats
 · Proper soccer cleats are rounded and DO NOT have a toe cleat
 · Turf shoes and regular athletic shoes are also acceptable
 · Water or other sports drink
 · ANY additional apparel must be worn underneath the club uniform
 · Goal keeper is to wear contrasting jersey or pinney

NOT ALLOWED:
 · HOODS
 · JEWELRY
 · CASTS OF ANY KIND
 · METAL BARRETTES
 · BASEBALL CAPS
 · BANDANAS
 · METAL CLEATS
 · SHOES WITH A TOE CLEAT

Coaches’ note:
Bring your club provided medical kit with the medical waivers (sign up sheets) to every practice and game. Bring your club provided bag with balls, cones and pinnies to every practice. For games you will need your GAME BALL (not one of the neon green and white practice balls), pinnies or goalkeeper shirt, your medical kit and game reports for the referees.