American Youth Soccer Organization

Section 10

Area 10D - High Desert Communities

Welcome to the Area 10D U10, U12, and U14 Playoffs at the Lancaster National Soccer Center in Lancaster, California.  This event will bring together AYSO teams from Area 10D and we hope you will have an enjoyable tournament. 

These Guidelines have been established to set a standard under which all teams will compete in the Tournament.  Your knowledge of these Guidelines could be the difference between a happy time, or a disappointing experience for you and your team.  All coaches, players, and spectators are urged to read these Guidelines.  In order to provide an atmosphere with a positive and sporting spirit, for the benefit of all of the young people who participate and play soccer in our respective programs – teammates and opponents alike, these Guidelines will be enforced.  These Guidelines do not supersede AYSO National Rules and Regulations, but are intended to cover situations not addressed in the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, which shall prevail in case of conflict.  Should you have any questions after reading these Guidelines, please do not hesitate to call the Area 10D Area Director, at (760) 868-2080. 

Please remember these playoffs are only secondarily a competition.  They first are an opportunity to celebrate your team's success in getting here.  Please do remember to have fun, and to do your best to make sure your team and all the other teams have a fun time, too. 

a.  Each Regional Commissioner is responsible for ensuring the eligibility of each player from their respective programs (See National rule III.F. and Section 10 Article 7). 

b.  Only eligible and registered players may participate in these tournaments.  Teams playing non-eligible players shall be subject to discipline, forfeit of games, or elimination at the discretion of the Area Director or designee. 

c.  In order to be eligible for the Area League and All-Star Tournament, all coaches, teams, and players must have followed the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, Section Guidelines, and Area Guidelines throughout the regular season.

All coaches MUST have completed the Safe Haven for Coaches course. All coaches must have successfully completed the age-specific coach course for their team (or they must be making progress* toward this goal):

U14 - Intermediate Coach Course
U12 - U12 (Youth) Coach Course
U10 - U10 Coach Course

* In Area D "making progress toward this goal" relates to the age specific training only, and is interpreted as follows:

In the case of U14, U16, and U19 teams only, the coach must have taken the prequisite course within the last twelve months.

For example, for a U14 coach, the requirement is to have passed the Intermediate Coach Course. To be eligible the coach, within the last twelve months, must have completed the U12 (Youth) Coach Course.

For a U16 or U19 coach, the requirement is to have passed the Advanced Coach Course. To be eligible the coach, within the last twelve months, must have completed the Intermediate Coach Course.

The coach MUST be Safe Have Certified.

a.  No roster changes or additions may be made except in accordance with Area 10D Guidelines.  The rosters are limited to the following: U14 – 15 players, U12 – 12 players, and U10 – 10 players. 

b.  On League teams, no roster changes or additions may be made after November 1, and on All-Star teams, no roster changes or additions may be made after December 15, except with the approval of the Area Director. 

a.  Coaches must have in their possession at all times a valid Player Registration Form for each player on the team.  Forms without an original signature will not be accepted, and the player or players affected will not be allowed to play. 

b.  At check-in, and if requested by an Area official at any other time, the coach will present the Player Registration Forms of all players shown on the lineup card. 

c. NO FORM, NO PLAY, NO EXCEPTIONS, NO FOOLING! 

a.  Both League and All-Star Tournament teams will play pool games with the first and second place teams in each pool advancing to the next round of play. The format of the subsequent rounds of play will be determined by the Tournament Committee.

b.  All games will be 60 minutes for U14, 50 minutes for U12, and 40 minutes for U10, all with a five-minute half time.  Any non-pool play games tied at the end of regulation play will be decided by two full five minute overtime periods. "Golden Goal" is no longer allowed by FIFA. If the game is still tied at the end of the overtime periods, the game winner will be decided by the Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark.

c.  Points for pool play will be earned as follows:
i. Three points for each win.
ii. One point for a tie.
iii. One point for a shutout (including ties).
iv. Zero points for a loss.
v. A forfeit win is scored as a 1-0 win worth three points.
vi. Sportsmanship – There will be no point deductions for cautions issued to players throughout the tournament. For any incident where a coach or spectator is cautioned, that will result in a one point deduction from the team points. Any Send Off of a player, coach, or spectator will result in a two point deduction from the team points.

d.  Pool Play Tie Breakers:
i. Winner of head-to-head play.
ii. Number of shutouts.
iii. Least goals allowed.
iv. Least number of Send Offs.
v. Least number of Cautions.
vi. Coin toss.

e.  For League and All-Star Playoffs: U14 will play 11 v 11.  U12 will play 9 v 9.  U10 will play 7 v 7.

f. Teams placing first through fourth will receive medals, which are presented on the field after the final match, unless otherwise instructed by the field monitor.

a.  The teams will check-in adjacent to the Tournament administration area. 

b. ALL TEAMS MUST CHECK IN AT LEAST FORTY-FIVE (45) MINUTES BEFORE THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE DAY.

c.  Player Registration/Emergency Release Form.  PLEASE have your team ready to check in at the appropriate time.  Coaches must have in their possession a Player Registration/Emergency Medical Release Form for each player, containing: 

d.  An ORIGINAL signature of the parent or guardian. 

e.  Photocopies of registration forms are acceptable only if the parent/guardian re-signs the copy in colored ink. 

f.  The player’s uniform number, printed by the coach, should appear in the upper right hand corner of each form. 

g.  Each team should be lined up at their designated check-in area, on time, dressed, and ready for play.

h.  Each player should be lined up, in uniform number order, holding his or her own emergency release form for check-in.  Please remember not to interfere with games in progress.

i.  During the team check-in, the coaches will receive instructions about the handling of the line-up cards.

j. Game cards must include all players on the official team roster in Number Order with BOTH First and Last Names.  For any players not present, the reason for their absence must be noted on the lineup card. 

k.  NO CARDS, NO PLAY. 

a.  The minimum number of players for a team is:  U14 – seven (11 v 11), U12 – six (9 v 9), and U10 – five (7 v 7). 

b.  A scheduled match shall not begin, nor be continued, if one or both teams cannot field a team. 

c.  All matches shall start on time, except in the case of field unavailability due to prior game delay. 

d.  There will be no grace period.  All matches must end prior to the scheduled start of the next match.  Referees will be instructed to shorten games or end games early, if necessary, to keep the Tournament on schedule. 

e.  Matches canceled due to weather or other natural causes will be rescheduled, if possible, at the discretion of the Area Director or designee. 

f. All other questions regarding rescheduling, including all decisions regarding forfeits will be at the discretion of the Area Director or designee, whose decision will be final.

a.  Every player shall wear a team uniform consisting of matching jersey, shorts, and socks as provided by the Regions in accordance with AYSO Rules and Regulations. 

b.  In accordance with FIFA Laws, metal braces, studs, earrings, hair ornaments and any other hard or metal jewelry or other objects are not allowed. 

c.  No hard-brimmed caps, headbands, or bandannas are allowed.  In the case of cold or inclement weather, soft, knit headwear will be allowed. 

d.  Commercially manufactured shin guards of the appropriate size are MANDATORY and must, in the judgment of the referee, afford a player a reasonable amount of protection. 

e.  Bicycle shorts must be of the same color as the team's uniform shorts. 

f.  Uniform tops must be tucked in at the waist at all times beginning at team check-in and through out the game.  Uniform shorts must be worn with the waistband at waist level. 

g.  No face or hair painting or other body decorations of any kind are allowed, except that soft hair ribbons, rubber bands, or “scrunchies” for hair grooming are allowed and may be colored. 

h.  Excessively long fingernails of any kind are not allowed unless the player wears knit gloves during the match. 

i.   In case of inclement weather, gloves, mittens, sweat pants and sweatshirts (including turtlenecks) may be worn at the discretion of the referee.  Sweatshirts with hoods must have the hood tucked into the shirt at all times during the game.  Such additional garments shall be of the same color and general style for all teammates who choose to wear them.  Pants shall be worn over the shorts and shirts shall be worn under the jersey. 

j.  Goalkeeper jerseys shall not have advertisements for alcohol, cigarettes, etc. nor have obscene, suggestive, insulting, or profane language or artwork on them.

a.  The Home team is the first team listed on the schedule. 

b.  All coaches, substitutes, parents, and spectators for each team shall occupy the opposite side of the field from the other team.  The Home Team shall occupy the west side of the field.  Some fields are laid out North-South.  For these fields, the Home Team will occupy the north side. 

c.  The Home Team also is responsible for supplying the game ball and changing jerseys or wearing overlays in the event of a color conflict.  The referee shall make all decisions regarding color conflicts.  Overlays will be available at the check-in area with the deposit of a driver’s license.

a.  It at all times is the responsibility of all teams, coaches, players and spectators to clean up their trash at the end of each match, and to leave the sideline promptly at the conclusion of each game so the next game can start on time. 

b.  Noisemakers, megaphones, and loud music are not allowed.

a. Coaches at all times are expected to set examples of good sportsmanship and shall be responsible for the conduct of their players, parents and spectators. 

b.  Coaching shall be limited to positive instruction and encouragement only.  Negative comments about referees or opponents, or abusive language, or behavior directed at the players as judged by the referee or tournament officials will not be tolerated and may subject the coach to discipline or expulsion at the discretion of the Area Director or designee. 

c.  Sideline participation shall be limited to two coaches from each team who at all times shall remain in the designated coaches' area which extends ten yards on either side of the half-line and is one yard behind the touchline. 

d.  Coaches and spectators shall not enter the field of play at any time unless requested by the referee.  Once on the field, coaches shall absolutely refrain from providing coaching instruction to the team, except for player replacement for the injury.

a. The tournament will follow the "Equitable Play" policy adopted by the Area Board (Area Director and Regional Commissioners):

During an individual match, no player shall participate in a fourth consecutive quarter of play unless or until all other players from that team have already participated or are participating in their third quarter of play.

Roster sizes may require that some players be substitutes for two (2) quarters. No player may be a substitute for two (2) quarters more than once during the tournament.

Any coach found to have violated this rule will be immediately suspended for a minimum of one game. This penalty will carry over to any additional post-season participation by the coach should the suspension occur during the last game of the tournament. Additional penalties may also apply, such as forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from the tournament.

- If your team wins a match where the players have been improperly scheduled in violation of "Equitable Play" that match will be recorded as a forfeit loss for your team and a forfeit win for your opponent.
- If your team ties a match where the players have been improperly scheduled in violation of "Equitable Play" that match will be recorded as a forfeit loss for your team and a forfeit win for your opponent.
- If your team loses a match where the players have been improperly scheduled in violation of "Equitable Play" you will lose one point toward the final standings in pool play.
- If the coaches of both teams in a match have improperly scheduled their players in violation of "Equitable Play" both teams will received a forfeit loss. If the team lost the match they will lose one point toward the final standings in pool play.

If a player is injured or is unable to play due to a physical limitation, they should be listed on the game card as injured. Any questions or special situations should be brought to the attention of the Tournament Director or designee. 

b.  Regular Substitutions:

                i.   Regular substitutions are to be made at the “quarter” break which shall occur approximately halfway through each half, when the referee team will, at a normal stoppage of play, halt the game and note on the lineup cards the substitutions.  A stoppage of play shall be when the ball is out of play, such as just after an injury or a goal, prior to a penalty kick, throw-in, or a goal kick.

                ii.   Each team may substitute as many players or none during such substitution opportunities, if all players meet the minimum play requirements. 

                iii.   Players substituting in and out at any time must report to the assistant referee. 

                iv.   A goalkeeper may change with another player on the field at any stoppage of play as long as the referee is informed.  The referee should add time lost as a result of this change. 

                v.   If a player is injured, the team may provide a substitute for the player, in which case the injured player may not return until the next substitution opportunity.  The substitute player must be recognized by the referee prior to entering the field.  Only the player who is injured is credited with play for that period, regardless of the actual time played.  The team also may elect not to substitute for the injured player, in which case the injured player may reenter the field of play at any time with the permission of the referee. 

            vi. During overtime play, substitution is at the sole discretion of the coach and can take place only at the break between the two overtime periods.

a.  Violent, abusive, negative, and/or disruptive conduct toward opponents, referees, or officials will not be tolerated.  It is the responsibility of each coach to counsel his or her players and spectators regarding positive and sportsmanlike conduct at all times.

b.  It is not the referee's responsibility to control unruly players and spectators.  IT IS THE JOB OF THE COACH TO DO SO!  And, we expect coaches to do so by setting the best possible example with his or her own behavior.  Any violation of these conduct guidelines may result in discipline, including expulsion from the Tournament, at the discretion of the Area Director or designee. 

c.  Players and substitutes who are sent off from a match for violent conduct or serious foul play, and coaches who engage in violent behavior will be suspended automatically from all participation from ALL SUBSEQUENT MATCHES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TOURNAMENT, INCLUDING LEAGUE AND ALL-STARS.  There will be no appeals. 

d.  Players and substitutes who are sent off from a match for any other reason, and coaches who are asked by any official to leave a game, will be suspended from the remainder of the match and from the entire NEXT match in which they are eligible to play, including league and all-stars. 

e.  Players, substitutes and coaches seeking another player, spectator, referee or official for the purpose of fighting or harassing another player, spectator, referee or official after a match either on or in the vicinity of the playing fields, will be suspended from all further play during the remainder of the Tournament, including league and all-stars. 

f.  Players and substitutes accumulating a total of two send-offs (red cards) during the Tournament, and coaches accumulating a total of two match suspensions will be ineligible for any further participation for the remainder of the Tournament, including league, and all-stars. 

g.  Any player sent off for any reason must immediately leave the vicinity of the playing fields accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, and that player’s team must play short-handed for the remainder of the match. 

h.  Except for an instance of improper goalkeeper change, any player or substitute committing a second cautionable offense (yellow card) in the same match will be sent off for the remainder of the match, and the participant will be ineligible for the next match in which the player otherwise would be eligible to play, including league and all-star. 

i.   If the individual committing a second cautionable offense (yellow card) is a player at the time, the team of that player must play short-handed.  Any player receiving a total of three yellow cards during this tournament will then be ineligible to play in their next scheduled match (league or all-stars). 

j.  Stronger penalties may be imposed depending upon the circumstance of the cautionable offenses as determined by the Tournament Disciplinary Committee (consisting of the Area Director or designee, the Area Tournament Director, Area Coach Administrator, and Area Referee Administrator). 

k.  The Area Tournament Director will keep a tally of all cautions and send-offs.

l.   Any player or coach, suspended under these Guidelines, who is found to have participated in a match from which he or she was suspended, shall be suspended for the next match in which he or she is eligible to play, including league and all-star play, and the game may be forfeit at the discretion of the Area Director or designee. 

m.  Any offending coach may also be suspended for the balance of the Tournament, including league and all-star play at the discretion of the Area Director or designee. 

n.  Any team causing the termination of a match by any demonstration or disruption shall forfeit that match.  Any team causing the termination of two matches for disciplinary reasons will be suspended for the remainder of the Tournament, including league and all-star play.

a.  Referees shall submit a written report in the event of: 

                 i.  All cautions (yellow cards) and send-offs (red cards). 

                ii.  Violent conduct of the players, and any conduct of coaches or spectators interfering with the control of the match. 

                 iii.  Abuse of AYSO minimum play rules which may come to the attention of the referee. 

                  iv.  Any other action, which the referee may determine merits a report. 

b.  Referee reports must be made to the Area Referee Administrator. 

a.  The following procedures shall apply if the taking of kicks from the penalty mark is necessary to decide the winner of a tied match as indicated by the Area Tournament tie-break rules: 

                  i.  The taking of kicks from the penalty mark will be conducted according to the FIFA Laws of the Game. 

                  ii.  Only those players on the field of play at the conclusion of the final overtime period (or regular game period if no overtime period is specified) may participate in the shootout. 

                  iii.  If, due to injury or send-offs, one team has fewer players than the other, the team with the greater number of players shall reduce their numbers so they have the same number of players eligible to participate.  The name and number of each player excluded shall be provided to the referee. 

                  iv.  Team captains shall participate in a coin-toss to determine which team shoots first.  The referee tosses a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss decides whether to take the first or the second kick.

                  v.  Five players from each team shall take alternate shots until one team has scored more goals than the opposing team has players left to kick. The order of those players kicking is determined before the kicks begin.

                  vi.  If the match remains tied after the first five shooters, the taking of kicks shall continue in the same order, until such time as both have taken an equal number of kicks (not necessarily five more kicks) and one team has scored a goal more than the other. 

          vii. If the score remains tied after all players from each team eligible to participate in the shootout have taken their respective shots, the teams shall continue to alternate the taking of kicks and any eligible player can shoot again.  It is not necessary that they follow in the same order in taking their second kicks as they had for the first series of kicks.