St.

Martin Soccer Association Bylaws

1.

All participants will play a minimum of 2 quarters of each game, if practice requirements are met
for that week. This mandatory playing time must be granted to all players who meet practice
requirements. If a child misses a practice with an unexcused absence or fails to notify the coach,
he or she will play 0 or 1 quarter at the coachs discretion.

2.

A child will never play less than 2 quarters due to his or her lack of athletic ability.

3.

If a child is disrespectful in any way or fails to cooperate with the coachs practice requests, that
child will be denied the right to play in the next scheduled game. If a child takes part in any type
of physical altercation with another player, he or she is subject to suspension or termination
depending on the severity.

4.

A player who is ejected from a game for any reason shall not be substituted for, and his/her team
shall play short the remainder of the game. This player will also be prohibited from participation
in the next scheduled game. Any player who is ejected from two games in any season shall be
prohibited from participation for the remainder of the season.

5.

Anyone (player, coach, or parent) who receives a red card and is ejected from the game should
immediately leave the PARK and refrain from any further verbal comments. The ejected player
or coach will sit out of the next scheduled game. Anyone (player, coach, or parent) who fails to
follow the above procedure and makes a scene will be automatically considered to be terminated
from the league. Any player or coach who is ejected from 2 games will be dismissed from the
league and The St. Martin Soccer Board will hold a hearing to discuss further participation in the
league. Coaches must remember that warnings and yellow cards are a reminder that their behavior
will not be tolerated and the behavior needs to be toned down.

6.

Length of games:
U6 --- Two 12 minutes halves with substitutions between quarters (6 minute quarters)
U9--Two 16 minutes halves with substitutions between quarters (8 minute quarters)
U12 & UnderTwo 24 minutes halves with free substitutions (12 minute quarters)

All games will be played according to scheduled dates and times regardless of player absences.
(No exceptions) Head coaches should choose assistants who are able to coach the team in their absence.
7.

Any coach who is winning a game by 5 points and is instructed to pull back by the referee will
instruct his team to refrain from scoring. A player, who takes an offensive shot on the goalkeeper
in the above situation and makes a goal, will sit out the remainder of the quarter and the team will
play short for the remainder of the quarter.

8.

Parents must make every effort to get their child to all practices realizing that soccer is a team
sport and that each child is needed at every practice. Parents or players should notify the coach for
a missed practice, game and have reason.

9.

Tie games At the end of a game where the score is tied, the game will go to a Sudden Death.
The goalkeeper that finished the game stays on the field and 5 players are chosen from players
who were on the field. (Each player gets 1 free kick on the goalkeeper). Repeat procedure until
team wins. U12 & Under

10.

Any teams who are tied with identical records at the end of season play will play a playoff game
on the last day of the regular season. A time will be set insuring that the team that played the last
game will have a minimum of one hour rest.

11.

Any parent who has a complaint about a coach, parent, or child must contact and submit a written
complaint within 48 hours of the incident to the age level coordinator: U6 Blake Douet 2886418, and U9 and U12& under Mark Breaux 394-9095. Any complaint filed after 48 hours of
an incident will not be heard or dealt with by the board.

12.

For the end of the year tournament format, the league will draw numbers from a hat to determine
bracket placement.

13.

Parents will sit on the side of the field designated for parents which is opposite of the teams. They
should serve as good role models and refrain from any verbal comments aimed at the coaches,
players, parents, or referees. Parents should refrain from coaching comments and allow the
coaches to perform the job they have volunteered to do. Any parent who violates this will be
given one warning and will be asked to leave the park if it occurs again. Any parent who is
ejected from the park or conducts themselves in an unruly manner will receive written notification
from the board stating that a second offense will result in their children being terminated from the
league.

14.

Coaches should instruct players to pick up trash along their sideline immediately after each game.
We ask parents to help pick up. If everyone pitches in, we can keep the cost down instead of
hiring someone to clean up.

15.

All participants will receive a participation award for their participation in the league. T-shirts
will only be given to those teams of each division that win the league competition. T-shirts will be
given to those teams who win the end of the year tournament.

16.

For registration fee, each child will keep his/her game jersey at the conclusion of the season.
Players must wear solid black shorts & solid black socks over shin guards. Soccer cleat or tennis
shoes are only allowed. No football cleats are allowed! Black shorts may be worn over sweat
pants on cold days. Hats are not allowed. Failure to wear these mandatory items will result in the
inability to play in scheduled games. NO EXCEPTIONS

17.

A player, who does not attend soccer practice and games for two consecutive weeks and fails to
notify the coach of the reason, will be dropped from the team and the league.

18.

Admission will be $2.00 for adults (15 years & up) and $1.00 for school age children.

19.

Ball sizes for the league games are as follows:

U6 & U9 ----- size 3 ball
U12 & Under--- size 4 ball

20.

In an attempt to keep the cost of registration down, we ask that parents help pick up the
grounds and we also ask one parent to volunteer 1 hour of help in the concession stand at
their convenience.

Cut here, keep the bylaws and return the bottom portion to the coach.

We, the parents and child have carefully read the bylaws of the St. Martin Soccer Association and agree to
comply with all bylaws. We also acknowledge that the St. Martin Soccer Association is a non-profit
organization, which is not responsible for any injuries incurred through soccer practices or games. We
realize that the parent is responsible for any injuries through his/her private insurance.
___________________________________
Parent Signature

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Child Signature