A.A.Y.S.L. Rules:  Fall 2002 - Spring 2003

FOR REFERENCE ONLY - NOT OFFICIAL

An Official Document Must be Obtained from A.A.Y.S.L.

Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks AND Anne Arundel Youth Soccer League

Rules of Play and Guidelines Fall 2002 - Spring 2003

Table of Contents

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A.A.Y.S.L. RULES OF PLAY AND GUIDELINES
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Anne Arundel Youth Soccer League Rules of Play and Regulations Adopted Jun 1996

Sections that appear in this kind of type represent changes to the 2002 rules and regulations.

The Anne Arundel Youth Soccer League (AAYSL) conducts league competition in soccer under sanction 
from the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation. AAYSL play is the fall of each year, with 
informal competition in the spring.

I. PURPOSE
AAYSL, a non-profit incorporated entity, has the following objectives:

A. To provide the youth of Anne Arundel County the opportunity to participate in an organized soccer 
program and to foster the development of:

1. Character
2. Good citizenship and patriotism
3. Sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play

B. To provide a balanced, competitive program for youngsters who would not otherwise have an 
opportunity to learn, develop, and master the basic skills and fundamentals of soccer .

C. To maintain among its members the highest ideals and standards of conduct on and off the field 
play.

D. To work in cooperation with the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation to implement the 
best overall soccer program in the county.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

A. LEAGUE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE: They AAYSL is managed by a ruling body called the Commissioners 
Association which consists as follows:

1. The BOARD OF DIRECTORS, which consists of:
a) The EXECUTIVE Committee (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer)
b) Three members at large, to be elected by the General Membership
c) Committee Chairpersons
d) League Past Presidents

2. The GENERAL MEMBERSHIP, which consists of a representative or commissioner from each of the 
participating clubs or organizations.

B. LEAGUE MEETINGS

General Membership meetings are normally held the first Wednesday of each month, except January, 
March and May. Special Spring Soccer meetings will be held in March and May. All meetings are open 
to the public and all interested coaches and parents are welcome to attend.
Election of EXECUTIVE officers is conducted at the December meeting. Members at Large will be 
elected to the Board of Directors at the July meeting. All meetings are held at the Anne Arundel 
County Recreation Department offices, unless otherwise specified. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. or 
as otherwise published.

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Board of Directors' meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month in which the General 
Membership does not meet. The league President as needed may convene additional Directors' meetings. 
These will generally be held the Wednesday prior to a General Membership meeting.

III. PARTICIPATION

A. AGE AND SEX: Fall competition is divided into boys and girls' programs. AAYSL has adopted the 
Department of Recreation policy that girls may play in the boys' program, but boys may not compete 
in the girls' program. AAYSL competition begins at ages eight (8), as determined by the age of each 
participant on August 1. The following dates are in effect for the 2002-2003 soccer year, as 
determined by FIFA.

  

THESE AGE GROUPINGS WILL BE USED IN F ALL (2002) AS. WELL AS SPRING SOCCER (2003).

*Note: Any player born in 1993 may be eligible to play AAYSL U9 during the fall 2002 season. The 
child must be 8 years of age before being eligible to play in a county sanctioned game and being 
added to the roster. The addition of players as they turn 8 will continue until the last official 
fall 2002 game is played.

**Note: AAYSL "Under 16" will include Under 15 as well. U-16 will be a double age group.

B. LEVELS OF PLAY: Divisions will be established, by skill level, to accommodate all teams 
participating. Ideally, each Division will be composed of six teams, which allows for a balanced 
season of ten games, five at home and five at an away site. This balance of home and away games is 
usually possible, but is not guaranteed.

1. DIVISION I is highly competitive, composed of experienced and skilled players. Teams are usually 
selected by tryout or skill comparisons by the sponsoring Community organization. Each team member 
must play at least one-fourth (1/4) of each AAYSL league game. There should be only one Division I 
in each age/sex group, and no organization will have more than one Division I team in an age/sex 
group.

2. DIVISION 2 is not as competitive as Division I, yet participants are skilled and experienced. 
Each team member dressed and present for a game must play at least one-half (1/2) of that game.

3. DIVISION 3,4,5, etc. is designed for recreational players and should be less competitive in 
nature. Most teams are fielded by random drafting of players rather than by a grading process.
Each player dressed for a game should play a minimum of one-half (1/2) of that game. In the event 
that an organization fields more than one team per age/sex group in these levels, it is recommended 
that the organizations attempt to level teams by skill and avoid placement of two teams in the same 
division.

4. The designations of "A" and "B " within a numbered division will no longer be used.

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C. PLACEMENT OF TEAMS: Placement is based on the standings from the previous Fall. In Division I, 
the two lowest placing teams are relegated to Division 2. The two highest Division 2 teams must move 
up to Division I. All other leagues will be handled in the same manner, i.e. the bottom two teams of 
Division 2 will be assigned to Division 3, etc. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be 
justified in writing at the time of Fall Registration. The Placement Committee will use the written 
request to decide where a team will be placed.

NOTE: The yearly addition or loss of teams in an age group can affect placement in such away as to 
make it unreasonable and contradictory to the intent of the rule to place certain teams according to 
the above procedures. The division placement Committee will make reasonable placements where the 
former league structure has changed.

D. ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to any organization, team, Community, or individual that meets 
the following requirements.

1. Sponsoring organizations must be located within Anne Arundel County, and have paid the $50.00 
annual membership fee (to be rebated based on General Membership meeting attendance).
2. All teams must be sponsored by an eligible organization.
3. It is expected that players live within the sponsoring Community, and are not recruited from 
distant areas.

4. Each player must:
a) be within the age limit specified for the bracket in which his/her team will be registered;
b) be duly registered with the AASLY through the sponsoring Community organization, sign a 
Recreation Department contract for that organization, and have his/her name and appropriate data 
included on the AAYSL team roster;
c) be a resident of Anne Arundel County or adjacent neighborhoods which meet all eligibility 
requirements;
d) not be a member of two (or more) AAYSL teams during the same season;
e) be free of pending suspensions.

E. INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS: AAYSL will abide by Anne Arundel County rules, which only applies to High 
School players.

F. PLAYER DOCUMENTATION: All players must be properly contracted and rostered before participating 
in any AAYSL game.

1. ROSTERS: Each coach must have a copy of the official team roster available for inspection by the 
other coach. A player who is not on the official roster, (submitted to AAYSL), may not
play in AAYSL league game. A team, which permits a non-rostered individual
to participate in a game, will forfeit that game. (MOVED from Section VI.)

2. ROSTER CHANGES: Additions to a team or transfers from one team to another within a given 
Community will be allowed for the purpose of balancing team strengths and realigning team imbalances 
for other good and valid reasons, prior to the fourth game of the season. The player's name must be 
included on the appropriate new team roster and stricken from the old roster before that player is 
eligible for game competition. An updated copy of the altered roster must be submitted to a member 
of the Executive Committee, who is not a member of the same organization, before the added player 
will be allowed to compete in AAYSL games. It is the responsibility of the head coach of each team 
to have a current validated roster with him/her at each game and to make it available for review by 
the opposing head coach.

A roster may be challenged on the field, but the continuation of the game is not dependent on the 
removal of an ineligible player. Referees are not involved in player eligibility unless the player 
in question has been disqualified and the official is aware of such disqualification. In such a 
case, the referee will ask the player, (or disqualified coach), to leave before continuing play. 
(Moved from Section IV).

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PLAYER CONTRACTS: The Department of Recreation requires a standard Player Contract for each player. 
These will be provided by the League, and the completed contracts must be submitted by the 
Commissioner to the League Secretary at the September General Membership meeting. For players added 
to a roster which has already been submitted, the Player Contract must be delivered to the Sports 
Supervisor at the Department of Recreation before the player is allowed to compete in AAYSL.

IV. REGISTRATION, FEES, and MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

A. REGISTRATION : It is essential that all registrations of players, teams, and sponsors be handled 
in a timely, complete, and totally honest fashion. Verification by an official of each sponsoring 
organization of proof of a player's age is absolutely mandatory. Any falsification, intentional or 
unintentional, will result in sanctions against the individual player(s), coaches, and/or the 
sponsoring organizations.

B. FEES: Fees for each season will be published separately, and will be based on the contribution 
from the Recreation Department, and the amount in the AAYSL treasury. Specific instructions for 
registration and current fee schedules are distributed to each Commissioner. All fees must be paid 
(including the AAYSL membership fee) before registrations can be accepted. Sponsoring organizations, 
which have not paid all registration fees run the risk of having all affected teams forfeit all 
games until the registrations are complete.

V. STANDINGS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS

A. STANDINGS: Each regular season game is worth two points, awarded to the winning team or one point 
per team in case of a tie. Divisional standings and placements will be determined by the number of 
points earned, except when an unequal number of games have been played. In that case, percentage of 
points earned out of points. which could have been earned will determine final placement. At the end 
of the Fall season, all postponed games should be played (or forfeited) to determine final 
placement. In the event that a game is not played, it may be declared a double forfeit. Upon special 
consideration by the Board of Directors or General Membership, an un-played game may be counted as a 
non-game if there appears to be no fault on the part of either team or organization. Total of points 
shall determine standings, not head to head or wins.

B. TIES AND TIE BREAKERS: In the event of a tie between two or more teams (as determined by with 
points or percentage above) the teams will be declared co-champions or co-runners up, as the case 
may be. In no case will the number of goals scored or allowed be used to determine any placement. 
AAYSL does not condone "running up" the score.

C. AWARDS: Within each League/Division, the first place team will receive up to 18 individual 
trophies and a team trophy. The second place team will receive a team trophy. In case of ties (see 
above), duplicate trophies will be awarded. If there is a tie for first place, no second place 
trophy will be awarded.

VI. GAMES

A. PRE-GAME REQUIREMENTS: The HOME coach is responsible for calling the visiting team coach at least 
two days prior to the game to confirm the game schedule, opponent, team uniform colors, and 
directions to the field. If unable to contact the visiting coach, the home coach should contact the 
opposing team's commissioner. If there is a change in the schedule. the Home Team has the 
responsibility to notify both the Head Coach and Commissioner of the visiting team prior to the day 
of the game, as well as the League President or designee.

B. FIELD REQUIREMENTS: The HOME TEAM is responsible for marking the field with an approved athletic 
field marking material. placing corner and midfield markers, installing nets, and insuring the field 
is properly mowed and ready for safe play. Any field on the AAYSL Master

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Schedule is by definition acceptable for play unless weather or other factors make play unsafe, as 
determined by the referee(s).

C. FIELD AND WEATHER DELAYS: If the field is deemed unsafe for play by the game officials, 
alternate arrangements may be made at the discretion of the two coaches. Unless the entire schedule 
is canceled by the AAYSL, the game officials have full powers to play or postpone games. In general, 
rain is not a reason for canceling games, unless field conditions become unsuitable or unless there 
is lightning present. If a field has been canceled due to weather, teams MAY NOT play the game 
without the designated officials. Rescheduling must be conducted by the league.

D. PRE-GAME MEETING: Coaches should meet with the referee(s) to verify length and number of periods, 
ball size, as well as age group and local ground rules. Coaches will be reminded of their 
responsibility to control their players, all coaches, and spectators before, during, and after the 
game.

E. PLAYER SAFETY: All players will be inspected by game officials prior to the start of play for 
adherence to safety and uniform rules. No jewelry (watches, neck chains, bracelets, earrings) may be 
worn. All team members, except the goalkeeper, must wear shirts, shorts, and socks, which are 
uniform and distinct from the opponents' uniforms. Shin guards are required for all players. A soft 
cap may be worn during cold weather. Players wearing braces or other oral appliances must wear 
protective, commercially available mouthpieces specifically designed for such purposes to cover 
those appliances. Appliances on the bottom teeth must also be covered. Only soft hair control 
devices are allowed. A referee has the duty to exclude a player from participation until he or she 
conforms to the safety standards.

A player must be removed from the field if he/she is bleeding. Any wound must be adequately bandaged 
in order to prevent further exposure of blood before the player may return to a game.
Any clothing or equipment contaminated with blood must be replaced.

F. GAME SCHEDULES: Games are normally held on Saturdays and begin at 9:30 a.m. and subsequent games 
are started at either 60, 70 or 75 minute intervals depending on the age bracket involved. Warm-ups 
maybe held adjacent to the field of play to insure games begin when scheduled. Under 9 will be 
played on Sunday's beginning at 1:00 p.m.

G. IF REFEREES DO NOT ARRIVE: If assigned referees do not arrive at game time, the coaches are 
encouraged to use volunteer officials. This, in itself, is not grounds for protesting a game.
However, coaches must notify their respective commissioners and division score reporter that the 
appropriate number of referees did not show up If game officials arrive after play has commenced, 
the game will be turned over to them at a stoppage of play. Elapsed time will NOT be repeated or 
replayed. The game will be restarted.

H. GAME REPORTS: Referees will report in accordance with agreements negotiated by AAYSL, the 
Recreation Department, and the referee association. Coaches must report their home game results, 
WIN, LOSE, DRAW, to their commissioner. If fewer than the required number of official referees 
officiated the game, this must also be reported your commissioner. The commissioner will notify the 
scheduler of the results of all home games. Failure to do so within 10 days will result in a 1-0 
loss for all team scores not reported.

I. POSTPONEMENTS: All Fall season games will be played as scheduled, unless postponed for such 
reasons as adverse weather, darkness, or unplayable fields. Conflicts with a religious holiday or 
with school or scout sponsored events are possible grounds for postponements of games.
Affected teams must notify an AAYSL Executive Committee member (at least 72 hours prior to the 
scheduled contest) through the Community commissioner of that organization for approval to postpone 
the contest.

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1. The AAYSL or Department of Recreation may postpone the entire schedule based on inclement weather 
up to two hours before the first game. Under normal circumstances, rain alone is not reason for such 
postponements. Any AAYSL postponement is automatically rescheduled on the same field the week after 
the end of the regularly scheduled season. Organizations must be aware of this contingency and be 
prepared to move other activities that are scheduled on those fields.

If an alternate field must be used, it is up to the home team to advise the visitors of any changes, 
and to adequately prepare the field for play in accordance with AAYSL and Recreation Department 
standards.

2. If the entire schedule is NOT postponed by AAYSL, the referees have authority, based on their 
judgment, to postpone any games. Single games or location postponements will be rescheduled by 
the AAYSL Executive committee upon agreement between affected coaches and commissioners, and 
approval by AAYSL. Teams are not to play games on canceled fields in the absence of the officially 
scheduled referees.

J. FORFEITS: Any team which forfeits two consecutive games without notifying AAYSL officials of any 
extenuating circumstances will be dropped from the league/division for the remainder of the season. 
The team registration fee will not be refunded. The results of all games played by the dropped team 
will be nullified, and standings of that division will reflect bytes for games that were originally 
scheduled for the dropped team.

A game shall be forfeited whenever fewer than seven players are fielded by one team or fewer than 
five for seven vs. seven. The game will be recorded as a 1-0 decision. In the event that a game is 
terminated by the officials as a consequence of disruptive behavior, the League may declare a 
forfeit loss to one or both teams, regardless of whether the first half has been completed.

VII. RULES OF PLAY

All AAYSL games shall be governed by the current edition of the OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER RULES, 
published by the National Federation of State High School Associations, as modified and supplemented 
by the AAYSL indicated below.

A. FIELD OF PLAY : Reasonable variations in field dimensions are permitted. If possible, teams and 
supporters shall be located on OPPOSITE sides of the field. The home team has the choice of side. 
Team members and coaches are restricted to ten (10) yards on either side of the midfield marker. No 
parent or coach may be positioned behind either end line. All spectators and players must stay THREE 
YARDS from the touchline and may not interfere with any replay or re-start.
Coaches are expected to help in the enforcement of this margin.

Clubs will be required to designate by paint the 10 YARDS each side of the half and THREE YARDS from 
the touch line.

B. THE BALL: The HOME TEAM must provide one suitable game ball of the appropriate size.
Ages up to and including Under-12 will use a size four (4) ball while older age groups will use a 
size five (5).

C. PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTIONS: No team may start play with fewer than seven players, or 5 for 7 vs. 7, 
but must start the game on time if the minimum number of players are available. Any player who 
receives a yellow card (caution) must be removed from the game, but may be reinstated at the next 
legal opportunity. Any player in an age group up to and including Under-13, who receives a red card 
(disqualified), may be replaced in the lineup, but may not return to the game. Any player in an 
older age bracket who receives a red card may not return to the game and may not be replaced. 
His/her team must play "short" for the remainder of the game.

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Receipt of a DIRECT Red card is an automatic TWO game suspension from AAYSL play (the next two games 
his/her team plays), and further penalties may be levied based on the referee's report and the 
ruling of the AAYSL Executive Committee (Board of Directors). A suspended player is forbidden to 
participate in any other AAYSL competition until the suspension has been served.

D. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT: Each team must have like shirts, shorts, and socks for all players except 
the goalkeeper. If sweat pants/shirts are worn, they will be worn under the standard uniform. 
Referees are urged to use common sense and discretion in determining possible uniform and equipment 
violations. No metal tipped shoes will be worn. Shoes with a single to cleat at the front, (baseball 
cleats), are prohibited. Shin guards are required for all players. A soft cap may be worn in the 
event of cold weather. Protective mouthpieces are required for players who wear braces or other 
non-removable oral appliances. Upper and lower braces must all be protected.

E. GAME OFFICIALS: At least one referee will be scheduled for all U-9 and U-10 games. Two referees 
will be scheduled for all the games. If only one referee shows for a game, the game will be played 
and volunteer line judges may be used. The referee will assign other duties, as he/she deems 
necessary. The referee will declare the game forfeit if a team does not appear for a scheduled game 
within 15 minutes after the official starting time.

If a game official determines that a coach unreasonably prolongs a discussion with the referees, or 
refuses to leave the field when requested by the official, the game may then be forfeited. A referee 
may terminate the game in the event of a grave disorder. However, the game will not be ruled a 
forfeit until the referee's written report is reviewed by the AAYSL Executive Committee. Any 
affected party may request an open hearing.

F. DURATION OF THE GAME: The official game clock will be kept by the referee. Duration of games and 
lengths of periods are as follows. These may be different for Spring Soccer.

Games are considered complete if half the game has been completed. The clock will be stopped for 
cautions, disqualification, for on-field medical treatment, or when otherwise ordered by a referee. 
No coach may call time out to "coach" the team.

VIII. SPECIAL RULES FOR U-9 (First year of AAYSL play)

A. GOALKEEPING: Once gaining possession of the ball, the goalkeeper may carry the ball approximately 
four (4) steps staying in the penalty area and put the ball in play.

B. DEFENSIVE FREE KICKS: When the defending team is awarded a free kick from anywhere in the penalty 
area, it may be taken from any spot between the normal placement of the ball and the front edge of 
the penalty area. It may not be moved across the field. When a goal kick is taken, it is taken from 
anywhere in that half of the penalty area, including the front edge of the penalty area. The free 
kick may not be played back to the goalkeeper. Opposing players must remain at least ten yards from 
where the ball is spotted.

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B. CORNER KICKS: Corner kicks will be taken from the spot where the end line intersects the penalty 
area line rather than the actual corner of the field.

IX. RULE CHANGES 2001 AND 2002

A. The team in possession of the ball for a throw-in may substitute. If the team in possession of 
the ball chooses to substitute, the opposing team may also substitute at that time. (3-3-4)

B. A team which elects or is required to play shorthanded for reasons other than misconduct may have 
the player(s) re-enter the game during a stoppage of play. (3-3-7)

C. Teams that start with fewer than 11 players but at least 7 or 5 (depending whether playing 11 v 
11 or 7v7) players, may have their additional player(s) enter the game during a stoppage of play. 
(3-3-8)

D. All participants in a game must wear shoes. Shoes must NOT contain metal studs or any thing which 
in the referees' opinion will be considered dangerous to players. Shoes shall not be altered in any 
way that makes them unsafe.

E. Types of equipment which is illegal: Knee braces made of hard, unyielding material, unless hinges 
are covered on all sides, and all of its edges are overlapped. Any covering (sleeve) recommended by 
the manufacturer may be worn. (4-2-1g)

F. From the moment the goalkeeper takes control of the ball with the hands while playing as a 
goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area, he/she has six seconds in which to release the ball into 
play. During that interval, he/she may hold the ball, bounce it, or throw it into the air and catch 
it. Once the ball has been released into play, the goalkeeper may not touch it again with the hands 
until it has been played or touched by another player of the same team outside of the penalty area 
or by a player of the opposing team either inside or outside the penalty area. (12-7-1)

G. A player who is facing the field or play and has both feet on the ground on or behind the 
touchline shall throw the ball in any direction from the point where it crossed the touchline. The 
thrower shall use both hands and shall deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one 
continuous movement.
(15-1-2)

X. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

A. Coaches may be cautioned or disqualified for failure to maintain reasonable and proper control 
over behavior and actions of his/her team completes, as well as all other AAYSL competition during 
that period. (See Section XL.) Individual spectators may also be ordered by the referee to leave the 
area in the event of disruptive behavior.

B. Girls are permitted, (not enough), to move their arms to a stationary position against their 
chest to prevent the ball from striking them in the chest. However, the arms may not be used to 
direct the ball to an advantage. This exclusion is intended for the purpose of protection, and the 
referee may disallow the exclusion if he/she feels the player was using the arms for tactical 
purposes. This is a judgment call.

C. Placement of the hands or arms in an unnatural position is considered intentional handling, even 
if the hands may have been stationary when struck. This is an infraction which will be penalized.
An example is a defensive player holding his/her arms above the head, as it unfairly and unnaturally 
extends the player's height. The ball striking an outstretched (but stationary) hand warrants a 
"hand ball" call. Using one's stationary hands to protect the genital area is a natural position, 
not subject to penalty if the hands do not move, relative to the body.

D. An opponent may not move to position himself directly in front of the goalkeeper or move with the 
keeper in such a fashion as to prevent the keeper from promptly putting the ball back into play.

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The referee may instruct the player to move. The keeper will be allowed to make an unobstructed 
distribution of the ball. If a caution is awarded, the defensive team will take the indirect free 
kick.

E. If a player, in the judgment of the referee, intentionally handles a ball to prevent a score, 
the following special age rules will be observed:

1. For U-9 and U-10, the official shall issue a yellow card.
2. For U-11, U-12, and U-13, a yellow/red combination shall be issued.
3. For all older age groups, the player shall be issued a red card and will be disqualified for the 
remainder of that game and in addition, be suspended from TWO additional games.
4. Second yellow card, (yellow/red combination) The player is ejected for the remainder of the game 
but the team shall be allowed to field eleven players.

F. PASSBACK RULE: A goalkeeper may not use the hands on a ball which has been intentionally passed 
to him/her off the foot of a teammate. This does not include passes off the head or chest.
It also does not include the fielding of a ball which was touched by a player in an obvious attempt 
to defend against an attacker. The purpose of the rule is to prevent deliberate delays of the game.
The penalty will be assessed as follows: In U-9 through U-13, the indirect kick will be placed at 
the near post point on the BORDER OF THE PENALTY AREA. For older age groups, it will be placed at the 
point of the foul.

XI. CONDUCT EXPECTED IN A.A.Y.S.L.

A. As stated in Section II, (PURPOSE), the AAYSL is based on the objectives of providing our youth 
with the opportunity to acquire and develop not only soccer skills, but also values such as 
sportsmanship and team play through organized competition. These skills and values as well as the 
individual growth of the players, cannot be nurtured in an environment which permits confrontation, 
poor sportsmanship, and verbal or physical abuse among spectators, game participants, team staff, 
and game officials.

B. Not only is this type of behavior contrary to the spirit and example which we are trying to set 
for our participating youth, it also creates situations which endanger the continuing existence of 
the League. While the AAYSL cannot dictate the internal administrative rules and regulations of 
member clubs and Communities, the League must provide a framework for governing undesirable behavior 
within which all member clubs must operate to successfully administer their teams.

C. Players are expected to perform in a manner co11~istent with the principles of good sportsmanship 
just as coaches and spectators must act in a maflL1er, which reinforces the concepts of good 
sportsmanship. While clean, aggressive play should not be discouraged, physical or verbal abuse of 
opponents cannot be tolerated. Verbal or gesturing dissent with referee decisions cannot be allowed. 
If carded, a player or coach is expected to observe the presentation of the card without comment, 
and the player or the coach should be determined not to repeat the behavior which drew the card. If 
ejected from the game, a player, coach, or spectator must leave the field immediately and without 
comment. If the referee sees or hears that person any time, during or after the game, anywhere 
within the facility, (including the parking lot), the league may take further disciplinary action. 
The referee may also terminate the game.

The following action on the part of a player, spectator, or coach, may result in that person being 
banned from all AAYSL competition for an entire season, year, or longer: racial insults, verbal 
threats of physical violence, hostile physical contact with the official, or stalking of the 
official outside of the game facility. These sanctions do not in any way pre-empt the official's 
right to prefer civil or criminal charges, if warranted.

D. Coaches, parents, and spectators must also show respect in disagreeing with referee decisions. No 
one can expect all referee calls to be accepted without reservation. Different people will have 
different angles on all plays which may give rise to honest, mature differences of opinion as to the

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facts and circumstances of any play. In any case, loud or abusive dissent is unwarranted and 
reprehensible. Under no circumstances should a player, coach, parent, or spectator come onto the 
field unless invited to do so by the referee.

E. The same level of restraint should be observed after the game is over. Parents and spectators 
must be made aware that the coach is responsible for their actions on the sideline, BEFORE, DURING, 
and AFTER THE GAME, and that the coach can be cautioned (yellow card), ejected and banished from the 
field (red card), or even banned from future games because of misbehavior of others. It should be 
understood that it is entirely inappropriate from team staff, parents, or spectators to make loud, 
abusive, derogatory, or threatening comments to members of the opposing team, their team staff, or 
their spectators.

F. COACHES YELLOW/RED CARDS - No soft yellow cards will be given to any coach. If a coach receives a 
yellow card, the next cards will be a DIRECT Red card. The coach is removed from that game and 
suspended for the next TWO (2) games. The coach will not participate in any game. The coach needs to 
be out of sight of the field. This means, he/she will not be on the sidelines at any time, the 
parking lot or have any communications with the team at any time. If caught at the field by either 
officials or opposing coaches, the Executive Board will enforce stricter penalties.

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE COACHES AND COMMISSIONERS OF A.A.Y.S.L.

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