WEST PLAINS SOCCER ASSOCIATION
         RECREATIONAL LEAGUE
             RULES FOR REFEREES

The FIFA "Laws of the Game" with the USYSA modifications will be adhered to with the following exceptions, modifications, clarifications and/or additions:

B. The League will try to lime, paint, or otherwise mark off all of the lines ofthe fields. If for whatever reason this cannot be accomplished, the fields will be deemed to be acceptable and shall be used.

C. The referees will be responsible to put up the corner flags for the first match of the day on any given field and return them to the storage shed after the last match of the day for any given field.

LAW 2- THE BALL

The home team for each match will be responsible to supply the ball for the match. U6 and U8 teams will use a size 3 ball. UIO and UI2 teams will use a size 4 ball. Older teams will use a size 5.

LAW 3 - NUMBER OF PLAY

A. The maximum number of players on the field during matches shall be:

One of whom shall be the goalkeeper except for the U-4 and U-6 matches.

B. The maximum number of players on the field during UIO or older matches shall be three less than the average roster size for each age division. For example, ifthe UlO division has up to 84 players registered on IO teams for an averageof 8.4 players per team, they shall play with a maximum of 5 players on the field. If the division has from 85 to 94 players registered, they shall play with a maximum of 6 players on the field, etc. The coach coordinator for eachdivision will tell the coaches the maximum number of players to have on the field at the beginning of each season. If many players are added or drop out during the season, the coach coordinator has the responsibility to adjust the maximum number of




players on the field during the season according to the above formula. If the actual number of players decided upon by the coach coordinator ends up being 3 or more less than the maximum number allowed in A above, then the teams should play on the next age group lower sized field. For example, if the Ul2 division ends up playing with a maximum of 8 or less per side, they should play on an UIO field.

c. If one or both teams have less than the maximum number of players on the field, they may recruit other players to reachthe maximum number. For Ul2 or younger teams, coaches may only add WPS A registered players from within their own age group or younger. For Ul5 teams, any registered member such as board members, coaches, etc. in additionto other WPSA registered players may be added to reach the maximum player number. Referees will not be allowed to play unless they are also registered with the league. The spirit of this rule is to try to make the game more equal and therefore more enjoyable for both teams. It would be a violation of this rule to add players, especially very strong players, to exceed the maximum number as listed above and then make the regular team players sit on the bench.

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D. For all fields, coaches, players, parents and spectators may not stand, sit or be along or near the goal lines during matches.

E. It is up to the Referees whether or not players being substituted must be completely offthe field before the substituting player enters the field.

F. All players must be given the opportunity by the coach to play at least half of the match. No U8 or UIO players shall play the position of goalkeeper for more than half of the game.

LAW 4 - PLAYERS'  EQUIPMENT

A. All players must wear shin guards completely covered by socks in order to play. Sock type shin guards are acceptable with the team colored socks over them. No "monster" cleated or other unsafe shoes are allowed.

No toe cleats or cleats that are next to the edge ofthe shoe are allowed. The player's jerseys must be tucked into their shorts during matches.

B. Goalies must wear a shirt that is different from their team and the opposing team's jersey.

LAW5 - REFEREES


A. Referees will allow one coach on the field per team during U4 and U6 matches.

                                                                                                  
     The coach from each team will serve as referees during U4 and U6 matches.
B. Referees will allow coaches to "coach" their teams from the boundary lines.

C. The Diagonal System of Control will be used exclusively for all UIO and older League matches. For  U8 matches, the official will consist of one licensed Center Referee. For UIO and older matches, the officialswill consist of one licensed Center Referee -and two licensed Assistant Referees. If there are not three licensed referees available, club linesman will be used. Licensed Referees will be paid $6 per U8 match. Licensed Center Referees will be paid $8 per match for UIO matches, $10 per match for Ul2 matches , $13 per match for U 15 matches, $20 per match for U19 matches.

D. Referees will use and completely fill out the supplied "Referee Report" to record the match. They will get this report sheet from and turn the record of the match into the concession stand at the end of each match or the end of the day. If this is not done, they will not be paid for the match. All protests and carded players must be recorded in this report. Referees and Assistant Referees should make and keep a copy of this report for their own records.

E. Referees must wear an official USSF uniform during each match in order to be paid for the match. This includes three stripped socks and they must be pulled up. Center Referees will be required to supply their own linesmen's flags.

F. If anyone is late for a match, another referee may be asked to take their place. In case of heavy rain, snow, etc. the night before matches are to be played, a league official will check the fields early in the morning. If the fields are in bad condition, the radio stations will be called before 7:00 AM to announce that all the matches are to be cancelled for certain match times. If this happens, you do not.have to show up for the matches announced and you will not be paid for the matches you were to have officiated. If you start a match and then, as referee, cancel the match due to any reason as described in the "Laws of the Game," you will be paid for the match. Ifthe matches were not cancelled before 7:00 AM and you have shown up to officiate a match and it is then cancelled by a league official within 45 minutes of the starting time for the match, you will be paid for the match. Canceling the matches at one match time does not mean they are cancelled for the next match time.



LAW 6 - ASSISTANT REFERRES
A. Licensed Assistant Referres will be paid $5.00 per match for U10,   $6.00 for U12 and $7.00 for U15 

LAW 7 - DURATION OF THE GAME

A The duration of the matches will be as follows:

U4 - Four 5 minute quarters U 6 - Four 10 minute quarters U8 -Four 12 minute quarters UIO - Two 25 minute halves UI2 - Two 30 minute halves U 15 - Two 35 minute halves

Breaks between quarters and halves will be a maximum of 5 minutes.

B. There will be no overtime periods.

LAW 8 - THE START OF PLAY

A The start of play will begin when the matches are scheduled and published by the Match Scheduling Chairman.

B. Referees will be required to arrive at the field at least 15 minutes prior to start of play of their first match.

LAW 9-0FF -SIDE

A Players will not be declared Off-side in U4, U6 and U8 matches.

LAW 10 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

A Referees may warn, caution and/or eject coaches. An ejected coach must assign the responsibility of the team to another adult and tell the referee who that person is. If not, the team must forfeit the match.

B. Coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their teams' parents. Matches may be terminated by the referee due to a parent's misconduct. In this event, the team the parent represents will forfeit the match.

C. If a player or coach is ejected from the game, it will be only for the duration of the game.

D. Goalkeepers cannot be fair charged once they have control ofthe ball with their hands.

E. If anyone uses foul language or acts in a violent manner towards anyone else, they may be sent from the soccer fields by any board member, coach coordinator, coach or referee. If the person refuses to leave, any board member, coach coordinator, coach or referee has the authority to call the police to enforce their decision.

LAW ll-FREEKICK *

A. The distance players of the defending team must be from the ball during a free kick is the same as the radius ofthe center circle of the field where the match is played. There will be no direct free kicks in U4, U6 and U8 matches. During U4, U6 and U8 matches, no indirect free kicks will be taken by an attacking team in the goal area. In this case, the ball must be moved in a perpendicular direction from where the foul was committed and away from the goal line to a distance of the radius of the center circle away from the goal line.

LAW 12 - THROW-IN

A. During U4, U6 and U8 matches, players may be given more than one try to perform a proper throw-in.

LAW 13 - CORNER KICK

A. The distance players of the defending team must be from the ball during a comer kick is the same as the radius of the center circle of the field where the match is played.