DCUSA CHALLENGE RULES AND REGULATIONS - 7/31/2007

Davidson County United Soccer Association (DCUSA) Rules and Regulations

Rules of Play

DCUSA will abide by the rules of play as stated per FIFA/USSF/USYSA/NCYSA as modified for challenge level youth play.  Teams will begin play under above organizational rules beginning with play in August 2007.

Proof of Age

All players will have a copy of a birth certificate on file at the DCUSA offices that ensures they are of proper age for the division that they are playing under. The deadline for any division will be August 1st of that current year. Coaches will be responsible for making sure this paperwork is on file and the registrar will confirm the data before signing off on the player’s NCYSA card.

Uniforms

DCUSA has chosen to adopt the colors navy blue, yellow/gold, and white as their primary colors to wear during challenge and classic matches. All teams will dress in these colors, and each uniform will bear the DCUSA logo. All uniforms will be of the same make in order to be more recognizable as we travel throughout the region. 

Coach Selection

Coaches for   challenge teams will be selected by the director(s) of coaching. Coaches for recreation teams will come from parents and other interested individuals and will be chosen by each booster club’s director of soccer with assistance from the DCUSA director(s) of coaching. Training will be provided for all recreation coaches.

Coaching From the Sidelines

All DCUSA coaches will be expected to be positive role models for both the parents and fans during contests and practices. During games, the coaching staff will be responsible for making substitutions, player positioning, player discipline, tending to injuries when needed, and player safety. Coaches will have their discretion to play an athlete based on performances at practice, attendance, and attitude. Coaches are strongly encouraged to play an athlete as much as the athlete has earned through hard work and dedication. Coaches will refrain from profanity and poor sportsmanship regardless of the situation.


Player Safety

Player safety is a priority for the DCUSA. Weather-related issues, such as thunderstorms and unplayable field conditions, will fall under the direct control of the field supervisor. If the field supervisor is out of contact for any reason, the head coach of that team has full discretion to make weather-based calls in order to protect all athletes. Players will be required to wear shin guards at practices and games. Jewelry will be removed for safety reasons while the athlete is playing. A player who has an injury that requires a cast will have the cast properly cushioned to prevent injury to another player and will have to be cleared by the supervising referee before entering the field of play. Cleats will conform to existing rules of length and make.
In case of a rainout- “One (1) full half must be played before it can be counted as
an official game.

Age Requirements, tryouts and team formations

Challenge  teams will be single-year age groups. The accepted date of August 1 is employed. The age division cutoffs are based on NCYSA standard.
Age Divisions will be: Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 16, Under 17, Under 18 and Under 19. Players may play up in age based on skill or lack of team at their appropriate age.
Player will try out for challenge and classic teams each spring. Players not making challenge will be eligible to play recreation.

Seasonal Year

The Fall Season will begin official practice no earlier than August 1st. Challenge teams may participate in pre-season tournaments leading up to the opening weekend of TCL play, normally the second weekend in September. Teams may elect to play in as many tournaments as they can afford and desire. Teams may elect to go to a summer camp together. The Fall Season will end at the conclusion of the last game, regular season or tournament, played. Teams may elect to participate in an Indoor Winter Season. Guidelines for this league would be dependant on the location that the team chooses to play. The Spring Season will begin no earlier than the last weekend in January. Challenge teams may participate in pre-season tournaments leading up to the start of the TCL season which normally begins around the last weekend in February. Teams can compete in as many tournaments in the Spring Season as they can afford and desire. Teams may also play in a Summer Tournament if they can find one that they would like to play.
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Game rules

Each game for Under 10 and above will consist of two equal halves:
Under 10: 25-minute halves
Under 11: 30-minute halves
Under 12: 30-minute halves
Under 13: 35-minute halves
Under 14: 35-minute halves
Under 15: 40-minute halves
Under 16: 40-minute halves
Under 17: 45-minute halves
Under 18: 45-minute halves
Under 19: 45-minute halves
U-10 to U-14 matches will have a five-minute halftime. U-15 and higher will have a 10-minute halftime.
All games are considered official at halftime if weather-related issues occur. 

 
Number of players

Games Under 13 and above will be played between two teams, each consisting of not more than 11 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. Minimum Players required for a game to start shall be 9.

Games Under 12 and Under 11 will be played between two teams, each consisting of not more than eight players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. Teams may have a maximum of 14 players. Minimum Players required for a game to start shall be 7 .
7 players is the minimum for a team to continue play after injury or ejection from the game, otherwise the team must forfeit.


Games Under 10 will be played between two teams, each consisting of not more than six players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. Teams may have a maximum of 12 players. Minimum Players required for a game to start shall be 5.
5 players is the minimum for a team to continue play after injury or ejection from the game, otherwise the team must forfeit.

Games Under 8 will be played between two teams, each consisting of not more than five players. No goalkeepers will be used. Teams may have a maximum of 10 players.
4 players is the minimum for a team to continue play after injury or ejection from the game, otherwise the team must forfeit.


Games Under 6 will be played between two teams, each consisting of not more than four players. No goalkeepers will be used. Teams may have a maximum of eight players.
3 players is the minimum for a team to continue play after injury or ejection from the game, otherwise the team must forfeit.



Field Recommendations

The field must be rectangular. The length should always exceed the width.
For all teams playing 11v11 (U13 – U19):
Length: minimum 100 yd, maximum 120 yards Width: minimum 50 yd , maximum 100 yards
U11 and U12 Field Dimensions – minimum 70 yd long x 45 wide, Max 80 yards long x 50 yd wide*
U10 Field Dimensions - 50 yd long x 40 yd wide*
 *Field Dimensions are recommended based on USYS. Minimum and Maximum.

Substitutions

DCUSA will follow NCYSA procedures in regards to the substitution of players at different levels. The challenge level will allow in-game substitutions at any time. Players on these teams are not guaranteed playing time and must earn it during practices. Coaches are encouraged to rotate all of their players in an equitable manner.  
Substitutions between teams is not allowed unless a challenge level team wants to use a guest player in a tournament. A Challenge Player may be rostered to two teams but must not play in more than one scheduled Non-Tournament game per day. Players are allowed to play up age divisions where appropriate. No child can play in a division that he/she is too old to play in.

Fields and Equipment

Fields will be under the direction of the Head Field Supervisor appointed by the Board of the DCUSA. Each field will have an appointed Field Supervisor. Coaches and volunteers will be recruited by the Field Supervisors to help with tasks as needed. Fields will conform to the standards at dictated in the rules of play. Each team will also be provided with proper equipment (soccer balls, cones, etc.), and donations of these items will be accepted.
Shin-guards are required for all participants. Goalkeepers are encouraged to use
a mouthpiece.
A number “3” ball will be used for Under 6 - 8; a number “4” ball will be used for Under 10 – 12; a number “5” ball for Under 13 – 19.

Player participation

All Challenge players will be members in good standing with NCYSA.
All Challenge League players must receive a player card from DCUSA PRIOR to participating in any game with a Challenge or Classic team. The card will be delivered to the coach of the player’s team. The coach must have cards for each and every player on his team available for inspection at every game.
No Challenge  player may participate in a game without his card being available to the referee on site, on demand. In no circumstances will a player be allowed to play when unable to produce his card.
A parent or guardian must sign a Parental Participation Agreement for each player to be eligible to participate.
Challenge and Classic playing time will be determined by the coach based on skill, practice attendance and attitude.

Player release and transfer procedure

A player wishing to transfer during the course of a season to another team or association will contact the DCUSA registrar. The registrar will fill out the appropriate form supplied by the NCYSA. When the paperwork is approved by NCYSA, the player will be allowed to leave his current team and transfer to another. After the season concludes, a player can decide to change teams without having to fill out paperwork with the registrar by going through the tryout process.

Forfeiture

Teams that do not have enough players to meet the minimum requirement for a game will forfeit. The team will be subject to a fine by the Triad Challenge League. The team could be subject to disciplinary action by DCUSA. A team that forfeits two or more games in the fall season would not be allowed to compete in the spring season without significant changes to the organization, coaching staff and personnel of the team.
A game is considered official at halftime.
A team could be forced to forfeit if the actions of its coach and fans are deemed objectionable by the referee.

Censure and Suspension

All disciplinary procedures are based on current NCYSA rules and regulations. DCUSA supports the rules of the NCYSA and withholds the right to add additional censures on any party deemed to have acted detrimental to the best interests of the soccer organization. Players, coaches and fans/parents are all subject to the discipline guidelines the NCYSA provides. DCUSA supports good sportsmanship by all parties involved and expects 100 percent compliance.