WISL Rules of Play Revised 3/28/08 These rules govern the play of recreational teams participating in the spring 2008 season. All games played will abide by the "Laws of the Game" as established by FIFA and subject to the “Rules of Competition” of the WSYSA. Age and size related modifications for youth have been adopted for this league and are clarified below. Whidbey Island Youth Soccer Association (WIYSA) administrates and organizes this league. l. Divisions. Boys and girls are separated. Players are divided in teams of U-10, U-12, U-14, and U-16. Playing up is allowed but needs to be agreeable to player, parent, coach, and club official. Playing down is not allowed. Proof of age with an official birth certificate is needed for all players prior to participation. ll. Teams. All interested players participate. No form of selection based on skill is allowed in team formation. Team size will vary within each division based on number of enrolled participants. Each team will have several extra players to allow for substitutions. Each club will form teams of equal skill by whatever method is consistent with the club's formation philosophy. Home teams are responsible for the game ball, field safety, and to change jersey color if there is a color conflict. lll. Games. One weekly which will consist of two 35 min halves for U-14, two 30 min halves for U-12, and two 25 min halves for U-10. Halftime is 5 minutes. Referee's are necessary and will be provided by the soccer clubs. If a referee is not available the coaches can agree upon a mutual solution and the game can be played. Draws are allowed and recorded at the end of each game. No overtime. Game starts can be delayed by up to 15 minutes due to team travel difficulties. lV. Fields. Field size will be adjusted by age and number of players on a side. These are generally between 55-80 yards in length and 35-50 yards wide for modified soccer. Fields will be lined. Goals secured at both ends. Goal nets and corner flags are recommended. U-10 field size is no bigger than 35 by 55 yards and a maximum of 6 players on the field including the goalie at one time. Recommended goal is 6' x 18'. Free kick distance and goal area are 6 yards. Center circle 10 yards and penalty area is 12 yards deep. No PK mark, but direct kicks are allowed in U-10. Any direct kick awarded within the penalty box is moved to the nearest point just outside the penalty box and the kick is taken as direct. U-12 and above will use full sized goals and fields may be modified based on the number of players available. V. Players. A medical release must be completed by the parent or guardian of each player and held by the coach during all soccer play. If a player plays in a match when not properly registered and on the team roster or when otherwise ineligible to play, his or her team shall automatically forfeit that match and may face further disciplinary action. Player transfers are allowed with parent, coach, and league official approval. As this is a recreational league all players will play at least 50% of the time. Vl. Goalkeepers. As this is a recreational youth soccer league, no player is allowed to make physical contact , harass the goalkeeper, or attempt to play the ball when in control by the goalkeeper. The goal keeper is judged to have control of the ball whenever his or her hands are on the ball. Vll. Coaches. All coaches are responsible for professional, ethical, and moral behaviors as specified in the WSYSA Code of Ethics. All communications will be instructional and supportive. Any violations will be addressed within the WISL Disciplinary Committee proceedings and may be referred to the WSYSA Ethics Committee for further review. A Washington State Patrol background check is required of all adults who supervise and participate in team activities. U-12 and above coaches will report game scores to the WISL commissioner either by phone or email within 3 days of game completion Vlll. Equipment. Shin guards are mandatory and must be covered by a sock. Shoes must be safe and without sharp cleats. Each team must wear a different color jersey that has a number. Goalkeepers will wear jerseys that contrast with jerseys of teammates and opponents. Jewelry and hard casts are not allowed. Soft casts may be allowed at the discretion of the referee. Extra clothing is allowed in cold weather provided it is worn under the jersey. Ball size is 4 for U-10 and U-12, and size 5 for U-14. lX. Injuries. Players will not be allowed to play with any blood on their body or clothing. The game will be stopped immediately in this situation and the injured player may be substituted with the referee's approval. The player may return to the game at the next appropriate stoppage of play after examination and approval by the referee. Any injury, whether in practice, in the game, or in transit, must be reported to the coach as soon as possible who will report to the League Commissioner. All insurance matters are handled through the players club and Washington State Youth Soccer Association Office. X. U-10 Modified Rules. One repeat throw-ins maybe allowed at the discretion of the referee. Offsides and slide tackles called. No Penalty kicks. Xl. Substitutions. Unlimited substitutions. These may be requested at any stoppage of play. No player may enter the field until signaled on by the referee. Players will enter and exit near the halfway line on their own team’s side of the field. Xll. Standings. Leagues standings will be recorded and posted on this website for U-12 and up age divisions. As this league is about fun and learning it is the responsibility of all coaches, parents, and league officials to use this information is an educational manner. Xlll. Referees. Attempts will be made to use state licensed referees and are the responsibility of the hosting club. The referees judgment and discretionary rulings on the field are final in all cases. Assistant referees will be used whenever possible to assist the referee. Young players or willing adults may also be used. Volunteer linesmen may be used at the discretion of the referee only for the purpose of calling the ball in or out of play. In the absence of a qualified referee, the coaches must agree upon a solution. There is zero tolerance for harassing a youth referee. Club and league officials will review all such reports. Confirmed violations will be dealt with promptly and definitively. It is the discretion of the referee that determines field suitability. All issued yellow and red cards will require the referee to submit an incident report to the disciplinary committee within 3 days of the game. Any complaint about a referee should be reported to the WISL Commissioner and not directly to a referee during or immediately following a game. XlV. Disciplinary Committee. Meets as needed throughout the season to issue rulings on all incident reports, protests, and appeals. This committee will consist of the WIYSA Executive Committee and the WISL commissioner. All protests of game results and appeals for the issuance of a yellow or red card are directed in email or writing to the League Commissioner within 3 days of the game and will require a $20 protest fee. The coach shall have the right to protest the misapplication of the "Laws of the Game" if the game outcome was affected. Any intent to protest or appeal needs to be communicated to the referee before leaving the field of play. XV. Cards and reports. Referee's have been trained to issue clear verbal warning to all individuals that are at risk of receiving a yellow or red card. Dangerous play or disruptive actions and words will not be tolerated and dismissals by referees to warned players are supported. Referees will complete an ‘Incident Report’ for any yellow caution cards or red dismissal cards issued. Players and coaches who receive red cards are then ineligible to play until cleared by league and club officials. Specific penalties for serious violations will be discussed on a case by case basis but will require a minimum of a one game suspension and may require appearance before the WIYSA Executive Board before return to play is allowed. XVl. Spectators. Are to remain 6 feet off the field of play and to not sit behind the goals. Negative comments directed to anybody will not be tolerated within WISL. The referee has been given permission by WIYSA to ask the appropriate coach to deal with any unacceptable spectator behaviors. If they persist despite the coaches intervention then the game will be abandoned and a written incident report will be completed by the referee and turned into the disciplinary committee. Referee assault or abuse will result in automatic suspension from all WIYSA and WSYSA activities pending review by the disciplinary committee. XVll. Protests and Appeals. Please contact your club president or the league commissioner to learn more about how your complaint or concern can be heard and reviewed promptly. | 
