General Rules of the RSC
1.) Basic Rules The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the Federation International Football
Association (FIFA), and OYSAN’s Suggested Modified Playing Rules For Small-Sided Games rules of play will be used except for those which differ from the written local rules of the Rootstown Soccer Club (RSC).
2.) Conduct Every coach, player, parent, and spectator, will conduct themselves in a perfect manner.
3.) Uniforms All players must be in the uniform as issued by the RSC. Shoes and shin guards are required and must be provided by the player. Mouth guards are recommended and must be worn by the Goalie. Coats may not be worn over a jersey during play, unless pennies are used.
4.) Equipment Only equipment supplied by the RSC will be permitted except for gloves. The RSC will provide game balls for all divisions.
Size #3 for U6
Size #4 for U8 and U10
Size #5 for U12, U13, and U14
5.) Games Games will be played as scheduled. A game can only be canceled by a board member or the referee due to severe weather or other unsafe conditions. If a game is stopped or canceled due to weather conditions or any other unsafe condition, the commissioner must be contacted so that the game may be rescheduled. If the stopped or canceled game has completed three full quarters, the game shall be considered complete and will not be rescheduled.
A.) The rescheduled game will start from the last full quarter played, and the score will remain the same. However, if both coaches agree, the game can be replayed from the beginning with no score to either team.
B.) A weather delay of 30 minutes, maximum, from the scheduled start time, will be allowed only for Sunday or Saturday games.
C.) If, at the start of the game, the referee has not shown up, then one coach from each team will become referees, until a referee shows up.
D.) A cancelled game by a referee, for any reason other than weather or unsafe condition, will be rescheduled at the discretion of the RSC board.
6.) Field The Board of the RSC is responsible for the set-up and breakdown of the fields at the beginning and end of each season. At least one coach from each team should assist in this field work. The Vice President and Commissioner will alternate the duty of weekly field preparation (lining the fields), as written in the RSC’s Constitution.
7.) Team Size The U6 division will play 3v3 with no goalie. They will use the “split game” format as described in OYSAN’s “Suggested Modified Playing Rules For U-6's through U12's Playing Small-Sided Games”. The team roster size should be 8 to 10 players per team. The minimum number of players on the field is 2. The maximum number of players a team can have on the field is 5, and can only take place if rule number 16, the sportsmanship rule, is in effect.
The U8 division will play 4v4 with no goalie. They will use the split game
format. The team roster size should be 10 to 12 players per team. The minimum number of players on the field is 3. The maximum number of players a team can have on the field is 7, and can only take place if rule number 16, the sportsmanship rule, is in effect.
The U10 division will play 6v6, which will include a goalie. The team roster size should be 8 to 10 players per team. The minimum number of players on the field is 4. The maximum number of players a team can have on the field is 10, and can only take place if rule number 16, the sportsmanship rule, is in effect.
The U12 division will play 9v9, which will include a goalie. The team roster size should be 11 to 12 players per team. The minimum number of players on the field is 7. The maximum number of players a team can have on the field is 12, and can only take place if rule number 16, the sportsmanship rule, is in effect.
The U13 division will play 9v9, which will include a goalie. The team roster size should be 11 to 12 players per team. The minimum number of players on the field is 7. The maximum number of players a team can have on the field is 12, and can only take place if rule number 16, the sportsmanship rule, is in effect.
The U14 division will play 11v11, which includes a goalie. The team roster size will be 14 players maximum per team. The minimum number of players on the field is 7. The maximum number of players a team can have on the field is 14, and can only take place if rule number 16, the sportsmanship rule, is in effect .
Late registrations will be accepted for all educational divisions. Players registering late will only be placed on a team if a team’s roster hasn’t reached the maximum number of players. No late registrations will be accepted after the first game is played, or after the uniforms have been ordered. An appeal may be presented to the board in writing. The only exception will be a player moving into Rootstown, and only if there is room for the player on a team.
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Rosters will be filled by late registrations on a first come, first serve basis.
If a team does not have enough players to play a game, or needs a player to have a substitute, then they may use guest players to fill their roster for that day. A guest player must be from the same age division and must be a member of OYSAN. A player can be from another team or community, but can only be a guest player once per season, per team. The coach from the other team has to be notified before the game that you are using a guest player. The RSC commissioner must be notified after the game, that you used a guest player and who that guest player was. A player from the opposing team is also eligible to be a guest player if both coaches agree.
Note: The guest player rule may not apply when traveling outside of the Rootstown area.
8.) Authority The referee and any RSC Board member have the authority to decide if a game should be played based on the field or weather conditions. Once started, only the referee or a board member may stop or cancel a game.
The referee has the authority to eject any player, coach, parent, spectator, or anyone else from the game area. If an ejected person refuses to leave, the team that person is with, will forfeit the game. If a player is ejected, they may stay with his/her team, as long as they do not disrupt the game.
9.) Playing Time Educational: Every player must play a minimum of 50% of each game unless injured, ill, or being disciplined. The opposing coach and referee must be notified before the game of any players that are being disciplined. The object of educational soccer is for players to learn, play, and have fun. Any coach who withholds playing time to less than 50% in an effort to gain advantage or win a game is subject to review and discipline from the board.
Competitive: Playing time is at the sole discretion of the coaching staff.
All players in all levels should have equal opportunity to participate in practice.
10.) Unsportsmanlike A.) Coaches will set a good example for the children. Coaches will not
Conduct say or do anything that will demean a child. This includes but is not limited to cursing or other verbal abuse. Coaches will not disrespect the game in any way. Coaches will not question the referee’s calls. Coaches will complete all games started unless the players are in risk of danger. Coaches and players, regardless of wining or losing, will graciously shake hands after the game. Coaches are to educate the children about the game of soccer, which will include skills, rules, general knowledge of the game, and good sportsmanship. If a coach violates these rules, he or she will be reviewed by the RSC board for disciplinary action which may include suspension or expulsion from coaching.
Coaches that have a complaint about another coach, player, parent, a spectator, or the referee, can fill out a complaint form at the concession stand.
B.) Players will respect the coaches and other players. There will be no fighting, cursing, name calling, taunting, or any verbal abuse. Players will not question the referee’s calls. Players will not disrespect the game in any way.
C.) Parents and other spectators are not part of the game. You will not instruct the players or your child during a game. You will not speak to or yell at the referees. You will not make any derogatory statements to any players or other spectators. You are there to watch the game and cheer on your team, PERIOD! Should you have a question about a call, ask your child’s coach.
Parents or spectators that have a complaint about how the game is played, coached, or refereed, or has a complaint about another spectator, can fill out a complaint form at the concession stand.
Any parent or spectator that disrespects the game, the RSC’s Constitution, or the RSC General Rules, can be told to leave the area by the referee or any RSC board member. If any parent or spectator refuses to leave after being asked, they will be evaluated by the RSC board for further disciplinary action. A parent or spectator who continuously disrespects the game, will be banned from the playing area during games, until he or she can be reviewed by the RSC board.
Any player or coach involved in unsportsmanlike behavior, from the playing field or on the side lines, will result in a “Red Card” being issued to that person and an immediate ejection from the playing area. The referee will issue a written report at the end of the game, to the officer on duty at the concession stand, for any player or coach being Red Carded. This does not have to be done if two Yellow Cards were issued. If a player is issued a second Red Card during the season, he or she will not be allowed to play any games, until that player can be reviewed by the RSC board for further disciplinary action. Any player or coach being issued a third Red Card during one season, will get an automatic suspension for the remainder of the season, and will be reviewed by the RSC board for possible further disciplinary action.
The coaches are responsible for the conduct of the players and parents of their team. All players will remain on the bench or designated area during the game.
11.) Alcohol, Drugs Drinking or possession of any intoxicating beverage, or the use or
Tobacco possession of drugs, on or within the vicinity of the playing field before, during, or after a game or practice is strictly prohibited. There will be no smoking by the coaches within the limits of the playing field during practices or the games. Any player in possession of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, may be disciplined by the coach or the RSC board, including suspension from the league.
12.) Fan, Coach, No player, coach, or spectator, will be permitted behind the end lines
Player Location during the play of the game. This does not relate to those just passing by or coaches moving to the opposite side of the field. Coaches are allowed to use the whole length of the sidelines of the field. All players must remain in the confines of their respected bench areas. No spectator, coach or player may enter the field of play once the game has started unless requested by the referee. The field is for the players. Coaches are to stay off the field unless there is an injury.
13.) Sliding and Sliding is not permitted in the U6 and U8 divisions. Players in the U10
Slide Tackling division can legally slide to play the ball if there is no contact with another player and if, in the opinion of the referee, there is no danger to any other player. Slide tackling is not permitted in the U6, U8 and U10 divisions.
A slide tackle in the U6, U8, or U10 divisions, even if done properly, will be considered a minor foul and will result in an indirect free kick (see Law 12 USSF laws of Soccer). If a major foul occurs in the act of slide tackling, the proper penalty will be enforced, i.e., direct free kick or penalty shot if occurring in the penalty box. A slide tackle from behind, anywhere on the field, is a serious foul, and should result in a Red Card and ejection (see Law 12 USSF).
14.) Duration of U6 division 2 mini games
Games Two 8 minute periods per game
5 minute half
5 minutes between games
U8 division 2 mini games
Two 12 minute periods per game
5 minute half
5 minutes between games
U10 division 12 minute quarters
3 minute breaks
5 minute half
U12 division 15 minute quarters {optional}
3 minute breaks {30 minute halves}
5 minutes half {10 minute half}
U13 division 30 minute halves {optional Rootstown vs.
10 minute half Rootstown only}
15 minute quarters
3 minute breaks
5 minute half
U14 division 35 minute halves
10 minute half
15.) Tournaments When the RSC is hosting the tournaments, they will schedule all the games and referees. The RSC will submit their tournament rules to the other communities.
16.) Sportsmanship When a team is leading by 2 goals, the winning team must rearrange their players so that an equal playing field is maintained. When a team is losing by 4 goals, the losing team may add one player to the field for each goal past 3, until the maximum number of players per team allowed on the field has been reached. The losing team will remove a player after they score. They will continue to remove a player each time they score until the score is within 3 goals.
Keep the game fun.
In the U6, U8, and U10 divisions, if all of the kids are having fun, the teams may not have to be rearranged. But as soon as one child is not happy about the score, or not having fun, change the game. Do not let the game get out of control.
The Rootstown Soccer Club is an educational league. The coach’s role is to teach the children all aspects of the game. Your job is not to win every game. Teach the children that it’s okay to win and to lose. Teach them how to be modest winners and gracious losers.
Revised August 11th, 2002