Cecil Soccer League Coach Instructions Page

CECIL SOCCER LEAGUE Coaches Instructions Revised Oct 30, 2009 UNIFORMS Cecil Soccer League (C.S.L.) shirt required. Shin guards must be worn at all games and practices. 3. No jewelry, watches, earrings, etc. 4. No hats (possible keeper exception) or hooded sweatshirts. No metal spikes. Goalies must wear a different colored shirt from the C.S.L. red or yellow. Sweatpants may be worn in cold weather but the legs must be tucked into socks. No jeans. PLAYING TIME Each player must play at least 1/2 of every game. STARTING TIMES In order to keep the games on schedule, it is important to start promptly. Please have your team at the fields at least 15 minutes ahead of time so we can do so. First team on schedule is "home" team. GAME BALL Game balls are supplied by the league. The home team will provide the game ball for each game. NETS The nets will be at the field 30 minutes prior to the start of the first game. Both teams are responsible for putting them up. Please make sure that you arrive at the field early enough so that the game can start on time. After final game please take down nets and corner flags. Instructions for where to put the nets are on each division's schedule. REFEREES EVALUATION Referee evaluations can be made online at www.cecilsoccer.org. Or contact the referee director. PRE-GAME INSPECTION The Referees will inspect the players on each team for proper spikes and shin guards before the start of each game. No child will be allowed to play without shin guards. Board members may randomly request that team rosters be verified prior to each game. Unregistered children (per the official roster) will not be permitted to play. Referees will notify the board of teams found with unregistered players. COIN TOSS The referee will call team captains to the middle of the field for the coin toss to start each game. Please have your captains chosen ahead of time. GAME TIMES U-8 (4) 10 minute quarters. 7 v 7 U-10 (2) 30 minute halves. 8 v 8; U-12 (2) 35 minute halves. 11 v 11 U-15 (2) 35 minute halves. 11 v 11 PLAYER INJURIES Players should be instructed to drop to the ground if they are injured. Coaches must not enter the field until the referee has stopped the game and motioned them on the field. PUBLICITY A short game description can be sent to the Cecil Whig via their e-mail. SOCCEROOS The socceroo program is meant to provide a fun learning experience for our young players. The teams will play one game per week with half of the game time spent learning skills. There is no slide tackling in socceroo's. U-8 SPECIAL RULES Corner kicks are taken at the edge of penalty box & end line not the outside corner. Goal kicks are taken from the 18yd line not the 6yd line. Players must be 10yds from ball. No offsides in U8's Teams play 8v8 No slide tackling. Try to keep players on their feet. SUBSTITUTIONS (REQUIRE REFEREE PERMISSION) Prior to throw in - in your favor. Prior to goal kick - either team. After a goal - either team. At half time. GOAL When whole of the ball crosses completely over the goal line (between goal posts). OFF SIDES No off-sides on throw-in, corner kick, goal kick, drop ball. ADVANTAGE A foul by the defensive team may be ignored by the referee if he feels the foul was committed to thwart an offensive drive (take away advantage). The referee will signal "play-on" to indicate that he has seen the foul but is electing to ignore it. CECIL SOCCER LEAGUE PLAYER ELIGIBILITY POLICY All players must be officially registered with the league and appear on an official team roster to be eligible to play. Players registered on a CSC rep team are eligible to play on an in-house team for one year after their enrollment to the rep team. All other rep players are ineligible to play on an in-house team. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT Any player or coach receiving a red card during a scheduled game will be subject to the Following. They will immediately be removed from the current game. They will also not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. Fouls, which are punishable by a red card, can be viewed in The Laws Of The Game printed by FIFA rule number 12. SPORTSMANSHIP At the completion of each game it is required for all team members, coaches, and assistant coaches to meet on the field and shake hands. The referee will observe the players and coaches during this time. All FIFA rules on conduct are in force during the handshake. We encourage teams to not let the score differential in a game become too large. If a team is trailing their opponent by 4 goals they are permitted to add a player on the field. For each additional goal above 4 the trailing team can add another player. When the trailing team scores a goal to narrow the 4+ goal differential they should pull one of the extra players from the field. The winning team may also pull players from field and play shorthanded in an effort to make the game more even. If the trailing team does not have subs to add extra players the winning team is required to remove a player from the field for each goal above the 4 goal differential. Coaches are encouraged to use their best judgment in trying to keep the score reasonable and should use tactics with their team to prevent the score differential from becoming excessive. LAWS OF THE GAME A complete list of rules, not covered in these local rules, can be viewed on www.FIFA.com. Click on regulations and then Laws Of The Game. If you cannot view these rules please contact the league and we will get you a copy. CSL SOCCER LEAGUE PHILOSOPHY The objective of youth soccer should be for the players to have fun. Coaches and parents should teach good sportsmanship, self-reliance, and teamwork. The emphasis should not be on winning, but on team participation and self-improvement in skills, coordination, and strategy. The goal of every youth soccer coach should be to provide every player with opportunities to reach his maximum potential in the game of soccer. Coaches must balance fun and discipline according to the ages and ability levels of their players. Coaches should evaluate players' strengths and weaknesses in such areas as size, speed, physical strength, endurance, coordination, ball control, and tactical abilities-the ability to read and understand the game of soccer. The league places the game of soccer ahead of any desire to win, regardless of level of play. If any administrator or coach, no mater how capable, fails to control his, or has players who consistently contravene the laws of soccer, the League will act to remedy the situation. Disciplinary action may include the suspension or expulsion of either the coach, the player, or the team. Such discipline should only come when absolutely necessary and only after the other avenues for remedial action have been exhausted. COACHES CONDUCT Coaches are expected to conduct themselves properly at both games and practices. Coaches are a role model for many children and should not be seen smoking or heard using foul language. Keep in mind that your players as well as their parents are watching and forming their opinions of the League and the game of soccer based on your actions. Abusive language and behavior will not be tolerated. Referees have been instructed to take the following actions if there are problems. Call coaches to the center of the field and give a warning and/or a 5 minute "cooling off" period. Present a yellow bench card to the offending team(s). Present a red bench card to the offending team(s). Follow-up action will then be taken by the League. Coaches are also responsible for the behavior of the spectators on their sideline. No player may practice or play in a game without first submitting a signed registration form. If a player leaves your team please mail his registration form to the league together with the refund form supplied in this packet. If necessary, please remind your parents that: Children need example, not criticism. Their child’s experience should be positive and without pressure. We all should applaud good plays by both teams. Coaches will coach from their side of the field only, and coach between the 18 yard lines and not beyond. No coaching or cheering from the end lines. Coaching (by parents or coaches) from both sides of the field is prohibited.