These Guidelines have been established to set a standard under which all teams will compete during intra-area play.  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.  Likewise, these Guidelines do not replace the Area Guidelines.  The Intra-Area Guidelines are intended to complement the Area Guidelines.  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 this program is designed to allow regions to play games in divisions when they may not have enough players to field enough teams to make intra-region play practical.  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.

1.  Conduct.  The Regional Commissioner shall be responsible for the conduct of their coaches, who in turn shall be responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators, all of whom shall display the most positive aspects of good sportsmanship and conduct in keeping with the AYSO philosophy.  All of our young people deserve the best examples of sportsmanship, goodwill toward all players and participants (including opponents), and respect at all times for all referees and officials.  Please join us in making this an exceptionally good program for all of our young people – competitively, emotionally, and in all other ways.

2.  Coordination.  The Area Intra-Area Play Coordinator and staff are responsible for contacting the regions to determine the number of teams each region will enter in the program.  They will prepare the game schedules for each division, and coordinate with the regions for game locations.  The regions are responsible for scheduling the fields for their home games with their local park and recreation programs, school districts, or other entities. 

The Area Referee Administrator will assist the regions in scheduling referees, if the region cannot provide referees qualified to manage games of this level, or if qualified referees are not available.  Whenever possible, these games should have an Intermediate referee or higher as the referee.  Referee-coaches are NOT to officiate in the same division that they coach or where their children play.

3. Eligibility.  Each Region will be entitled to enter at least one team for each division (U16B, U16G, U19B, and U19G) in the intra-area play program.  All efforts will be made to accommodate as many teams as is practical within field space available.

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

b. Only eligible and registered players may participate in this program.  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 this program, all coaches, teams, and players must follow the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, Section Guidelines, and Area Guidelines.

4. Roster Changes and Additions.  No roster changes or additions may be made without the approval of the Regional Commissioner, and in accordance with Area 10D Guidelines. Rosters are due on September 15, 2009.

5. Player Registration Forms.

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 the referees 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!

6. Game Cards.

a. Each team will be provided AYSO format game cards.

b. 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.

7. Number of Players, Game Times, Grace Period, and Rescheduling.

a. The minimum number of players for a team is seven.

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

c. All games played during Area U16-19 Mini-Tournament play in August will be 60 minutes for both U16 and U19 with a five-minute half time interval.  There will be no overtime periods. Games played during the balance of the season between regions will be regular times for U16 (80 minutes) and U19 (90 minutes) with a five-minute half time interval.

Referees may abandon matches according to the Laws of the Game in Law 5 - The Referee in Decision 1. "Such decisions may include: ...a decision to abandon a match for whatever reason". This would include the interpretation that a referee may adjust the time of the match so that it may finish before darkness makes the playing of the match dangerous for the players.

d. Due to the travel required to reach some field locations, there will be a maximum grace period of fifteen (15) minutes.  If the game starts late, the referees are to deduct the grace time expired from the total game time.

e. The games during Area U16-19 Mini-Tournament play in August play will be played as specified on the published game schedules.  If Mini-Tournament games are cancelled, all reasonable attempts will be made to re-schedule them.  Games played during the balance of the season between regions will be re-scheduled by decision of the regions' Regional Commissioner or designee.

8. Forfeits.  Any team that is not ready to play at the end of the grace period will forfeit the match.

9. Good Sportsmanship / Mercy Rule.  The Area expects all coaches to display good sportsmanship and many any necessary changes to their lineup to prevent lopsided scores.  For example, if a game finishes with a score of 10-0, the coach will be required to write a letter of explanation to the Area Review Board.

10. Players Under Doctor's Care.  Upon a return to active play after treatment for any injury, all players under a doctor’s care must present a signed release (on the attending physician’s letterhead) with the doctor’s permission to return to active play.  Such releases shall be presented to the Regional Commissioner who has the responsibility of informing and certifying to the Area Director that the child may return to active play with the physician’s permission.

11. Uniforms.

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. Goalkeeper jerseys should include the AYSO logo.

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.  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.

12. Home Team/Uniform Conflicts.

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. 

13. Field Responsibility.

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 and loud music are not allowed.

14. Coaching Limitations.

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.

15. Substitution Opportunities.

a. Except as noted below, all registered players in attendance at the start of a match shall play at least one-half of the game, unless injured or ill.  Substitutions will be made midway through the first half, at the half, and midway through the second half.

b.  Regular Substitutions:

           i. ALL substitutions during play will be done midway through the first half, at the half, midway through the second half, and for injuries. 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. This is NOT a time-out, nor is it a coaching opportunity. It is for substitution ONLY!

           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.  When possible, the referee should add time lost as a result of this change.

           v. For U16-19 players ONLY, if a coach enters the field to attend to a player, the player must leave the field to ensure the player's ability to continue in the match. If the coach choses to play short, and if the player is able to continue, the player may re-enter the match at the next stoppage of play with the permission of the referee.

If the player is injured and not able to continue, 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 re-enter the field of play at any time with the permission of the referee.

16. Area Tournament Teams

Each region will develop its own procedures to determine which teams will be eligible for the Area Tournament

17. Disciplinary Action.

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 program, at the discretion of the Area Review Board.

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 for, at least, one game.  The Area Review Board will review the incident.  Additional sanctions may apply, including suspension for the balance of the season.

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-star tournaments. If the next scheduled match is forfeit for any reason, that match will NOT be considered for the suspension (added October 24, 2009).

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 the entire next match in which they are eligible to play, including league and all-stars tournaments.

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

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. If the next scheduled match is forfeit for any reason, that match will NOT be considered for the suspension (added October 24, 2009).

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 cautions during this program will then be ineligible to play in their next scheduled match, including league or all-star tournaments. If the next scheduled match is forfeit for any reason, that match will NOT be considered for the suspension (added October 24, 2009).

j.  If a player or coach is guilty of two send off offenses or the equivalent, they will be suspended from further AYSO activity pending a hearing of the Area Review Board within seven days.  Three cautions are equal to a send off.

k.  Any player or coach guilty of the equivalent of three send off offenses will be ineligible for further AYSO activities this season, including league or all-star play.

l.   The Area Referee Administrator will keep a record of all cautions and send-offs.

m.  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 Review Board. If the next scheduled match is forfeit for any reason, that match will NOT be considered for the suspension (added October 24, 2009).

n.  Any offending player or coach may also be suspended for the balance of the season, including league and all-star play at the discretion of the Area Review Board.

o.  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 season, including league and all-star play.

18. Referee Reports.

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.

       v. Referee reports must be sent (email or regular mail) to the Area Referee Administrator within twenty-four hours of the game.

19. Protests.  While constructive input is always welcome, THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS WHATSOEVER!!