CROSS TOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL LEAGUE SOCCER GUIDELINES (2011)

Standard rules of soccer (FIFA) apply except for the following adjustments:

1. Field needs to be of standard length (100 yards.) and width with goals firmly secured to ground and have nets covering entire goal.

2. Players- the standard 11 per side-minimum 9 to play. Please let the opposing AD know when you are short handed, and either combine teams or ask coaches to play even strength.

3. Officials- The home team is responsible for scheduling and payment-if no official is present then a qualified adult may officiate however, the home school assumes risk when a non-certified adult officiates.

4. Players must wear required equipment: shin guards, jersey with number, cleats must be allowable soccer shoes. Home team must wear pinnies if both teams arrive in the same color uniform. The Goalie uniform must be distinctly different from their team.

5. Game Time will be 60 minutes long. 30 minutes per and a half time of 5 min.  No overtime or shootouts. Games may end in a tie.

6. NO slide tackling allowed by field players. If a slide tackle occurs that would not have been otherwise called as a foul, then the referee shall award an indirect free kick from where the slide tackle occurred.

7. Substitutions are allowed during your own team’s throw-in but not on your own corners. Either team can sub on a goal kick. The head coach must notify official on goalie substitution.

8. 2 yellow cards or 1 red card will result in ejection from game. An ejected player or coach must sit out the next game or 1st game of next season-THIS IS CONSIDERED A LEAGUE VIOLATION---WRITTEN RESPONSE TO INCIDENT BY COACH MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE NEXT ATHLETIC DIRECTORS MEETING FOR REVIEW.

9. No criticism of officials or opponents by fans, players, or coaches will be tolerated and any incidents will be handled by the league. Coaches must maintain a standard of good sportsmanship; they must teach athletes how to interact with officials and opponent properly. If fans are out of line the coach and athletic director must address the situation.

10. Coaches should change their strategy when a lead exceeds 5 goals. In such a case, the winning coach should 1.) Play less skilled players. 2.) Should have his/her team make six or eight passes before attempting a goal.  3.) Explain good sportsmanship is more important than winning. A team should never score 10 goals unless it is a close game. The athletic director is responsible for making sure that all of their coaches understand the blow out rule.

Please distribute these rules to coaches, officials before the game, students and parents.

CTMSL Soccer Coordinator: Mike Mullen, Northwest School MS AD