MCYS RULES AND POLICIES

MARION COUNTY
YOUTH SOCCER
RULES AND POLICIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. Purpose:
A. Purpose defined.
B. Affiliation
II. Levels of Competition:
A. Recreational internal (records)
B. Recreational travel
C. Select
III. Registration:
A. Seasonal year
B. Birth year
C. Frequency of registration
D. Registration fee
E. Multiple registration
IV. Team Formation
A. Age groupings
B. Team sizes/ players on pitch/ roster size (recommendations)
C. Combined age groups/Modified Rules
D. Placement
E. Travel teams
V. Scheduling
A. General
B. Practices
C. Games
D. Tournaments
VI. Player participation
A. General
B. Exceptions
VII. Rules
A. FIFA Rules
B. Modified rules
VIII.`Refereeing
A. Referee Director responsibilities
B. Certification requirements
C. Internal training
D. Reimbursement.
E. Pay Rates for Referees
IX. Fund raising
A. General fund raising policies
B. Sponsors
X. Concessions

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 MCYS RULES AND POLICIES

I. PURPOSE (As stated in MCYSA Bylaws)

A. DEFINED:
The mission of MCYSA is to promote the game of soccer in local community(ies) by encouraging its growth and
appreciation. This is done through leagues set up and operated in a manner to: develop soccer players' skills,
improve the education of the game, teaching individual and team tactics, promoting health and physical fitness,
developing self confidence in the youth, and training in the concepts of sportsmanship and team play.

B. AFFILIATION:
MCYSA is affiliated with Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA). All bylaws, rules, regulations and policies
must be in compliance with those of KYSA.

II. LEVELS OF COMPETITION:

A. RECREATIONAL (INTERNAL)
MCYSA's first function in terms of competition is in internal recreational leagues. This infers that players are
registered as recreational players in KYSA and games are conducted in Marion County. The purpose is to provide
an opportunity to develop soccer knowledge and skills regardless of athletic ability or long term objectives of the
player. Teams are formed in a random manner. Records and league championships are not kept or rewarded by
MCYSA.

B. RECREATIONAL (TRAVEL)
Travel teams are permissible by MCYSA and may be a result of scheduling games outside of Marion County with
other organizations and/or making membership in a 'league' in which schedules are made by an organization
other than MCYSA. Any and all games for MCYSA teams must be with teams/organizations that are registered
or recognized by KYSA.

C. SELECT
Any decision to form select teams representing the MCYSA must be preceded by rules, regulations or policies
proposed to and approved by the MCYSA Board of Directors. If/when select team(s) are formed in MCYSA, they
are expected to be competitive in the games, leagues, or tournaments in which they are joined.

III. REGISTRATION:
A. SEASONAL YEAR
The seasonal year is in conjunction with KYSA/USYSA and means the twelve month period between September
1st and August 31st.

B. BIRTH YEAR
The birth year is in compliant with KYSA/USYSA and means the period between August 1st of the beginning
year and July 31st of the ending year. (The year age is the players age as of July 31st of the beginning year.)

C. FREQUENCY OF REGISTRATION
Registration is to be held before the beginning of the fall AND the before the beginning of the spring seasons.
Timing should allow for the formation of teams and practice of at least 2 weeks prior to the first games of the
season. Registration forms should include adequate information for the records to be made for KYSA documents
and contact methods for MCYSA and the coaches. Documents required by KYSA including but not limited to
medical releases and proof of age are to be received during registration. Registration for the FALL period
covers playing time in Fall of the beginning year AND Spring of the ending year. Registration for the Spring
period is ONLY for the Spring season. After date of 'final registration' (number to be included in determining
number of teams and team sizes (per chart below), a waiting list may be kept. These players may be added later
in the case of filling rosters or vacancies.

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D. REGISTRATION FEES
1. Fees are to be collected at the time of registration form reception.
2. Fees are to be set each season by the Board of Directors.
3. Fees should not be used as a fund raiser, but should be calculated/estimated to significantly fund the
basic operation of the leagues (including registration and insurance through KYSA, practice materials,
referee fees).
4. Travel team fees may differ from internal registration fees due to costs of affiliation with a scheduling
organization/league and other costs.
5. Consideration will be made for households with more than one player for reduced fees for the 2nd or 3rd
players.
6. For players of families with financial hardship, a fee waiver may be made by agreement of Registrar,
Coaching Director and Vice-President (or President). This is not to be formally publicized.
E. MULTIPLE REGISTRATION
1. Any MCYSA rule for Multiple Regisrtation is required to be compliant with KYSA rules and regulations.
2. No player may be registered on more than 2 teams.
3. If a player is double registered, then additional fees shall be collected to cover the extra costs and in an
effort of equality.
4. Double registration may only apply on a player 'playing up' ONE AGE DIVISION only or in the case of
a Travel Team and an Internal League team. (The primary team will be of the age group of the player's
actual age, when internal teams only. The primary team will be the Travel Team if the player is registered
to an internal and a travel team.) The primary team is where the player is required to play in cases of
game conflict.
5. Players involved in MCYSA league play must NOT be registered simultaneously with another organization
in the same level of play. (Examples: high school participation and MCYSA are not the same level. Neither
are playing travel or compet in another league while playing internal rec at MCYSA. Playing on another
rec travel team AND MCYSA travel rec team would be a conflict) In any case, the player is responsible to
inform MCYSA of the intention and establish the primary team. (This informing should be to the coach of
the MCYSA team and/or the Coaching Director.)

IV. TEAM FORMATION

A. AGE GROUPINGS
Teams may be formed based on the KYSA recommended groups and the availability of players:
U-6
U-8
U-10
U-12
U-14
U-16
U-19
Spring classification of age is the same as the previous Fall.
B. Recommended team sizes, players on pitch and roster size:
Recommended Recommended
Age Group Players on Pitch
Minimum Roster Size Maximum Roster Size
U6 3 4 6 No Goalkeeper
U-8 4 6 8
U-10 7 10 13
U-12 9 12 15
U-14 11 14 18
U-16 11 14 18
U-18 11 14 18
The MCYSA Board of Directors may alter this chart at the beginning of each season for actual play.
[Field sizes shall be adjusted accordingly to maximize player development.]

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C. COMBINED AGE GROUPS / MODIFIED RULES

In the case of small numbers of players in an age group, MCYSA may make adjustments to the guidelines
listed in 'B' above. The target is to have an even number of teams and a minimum of 4 teams in the league.
(This is in the situation that the 'league' is all 'internal' play only.) Options recommended, but not limited to:

1. Combining leagues (ie: U-12 and U-14 together). In this case, there are 2 guidelines:
a. There should be NO players 'playing up' from U-10 as there will be a 4 year age differential.
b. Rules of play will be of the older age group.
2. In the case of older age groups (ie: U-10 and up), rules may be modified by Board decision to play on
reduced sized pitch with reduced players on pitch.
D. PLACEMENT:
Team placement takes place under the direction of the Registrar with assistance from the Coaching Director(s).
For recreational teams, random placement is required for each team in terms of skill level or experience. It is
recommended that other Board members are present along with the coaches of the respective teams. The
method recommended for placement is:
1. Separate the piles into groups of male and female (for each age group).
2. Separate the new piles into groups by age (by birth quarters if practical, but a minimum of birth year).
3. Randomly select from piles in an arranged order (ie: oldest quarter boy, then oldest quarter girl, then 2nd
oldest quarter boy , etc) until all players are distributed.
4. The teams should be even of total players within one (1).
5. Following KYSA rules: Child(ren) of the Coach and one assistant coach are automatic to the team. (However,
they must 'skip' their 'draw' for the respective age/sex of their children.)
6. NO criteria for placement by Skill level is permitted.
7. The Board reserves the right to totally reform teams within an age group before the beginning of the spring
season if circumstances indicate it would be in the best interest of the program and the individuals involved.
Doing so would NOT result in additional fees for those players effected. ( This may be the result of multiple
reasons, one of which could be the formation of a travel team within an age group.)
[Other methods of placement must have prior approval of the Board.]
E. TRAVEL TEAMS:
1. AGE:
Travel teams of ages U-10 and above are permissible. Players and their parent(s)/guardian are to be informed of
the travel intent prior to final registration with KYSA.
2. TEAM FORMATION:
Travel teams are formed based on the desire of the players and parent(s)/guardian prior to the random placement of
internal teams.
3. MULTIPLE TEAMS of An AGE GROUP:
If more than one team can be formed in an age group, placement must be random (similar to Placement of interanl
teams in 'D' above.
4. Based on distribution of players and interest, teams may be formed as long as they do NOT interfere with
Recreational teams and a predetermined 'league' must be identified for participation. The 'league' must be
sanctioned by KYSA.

V. SCHEDULING
A. GENERAL:
Schedules of games intenal is the responsibility of the Scheduling Director. Games shall be scheduled that are most
accommodating to the development of the league, availability of facilities, availability of referees or other requirements.

B. PRACTICES:
Practices are suggested at 2 per week at 1 hour each. The limit is 3 per week (when no games are scheduled). To
allow for further development 1:30 maximum is required per practice. Coordination of practice schedules and locations
is the responsibility of the Scheduling Director. Practices should begin each season a minimum of 2 weeks before the
first game of the season.

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C. GAMES:
Internal games are scheduled by the Scheduling Director. Travel team games are usually set by the league in which
MCYSA team(s) have 'joined'. Other travel games may be coordinated by the Coach of the respective teams, but they
must inform the Coaching Director (and Referee Director if a home game is added). Make up games due to weather or
other conditions should be decided by the Scheduling Director, who must confirm with the Referee Director.

D. TOURNAMENTS:
1. Approval:
Any tournament in which an MCYSA team participates must be approved by the Board of Directors of MCYSA.
2. Consideration:
Tournaments sponsored by KYSA (season end) are encouraged by MCYSA for participation for expanse of
experience. Application is to be made by the team through the Coaching Director and MCYSA may pay entry
fees if approved by Board of Directors.
3. Internal Tournament:
MCYSA may host an internal tournament (or invitational) for recreational teams of which MCYSA will provide the
entry fees.
4. Other tournaments (ie invitationals to other communities) are permissible, but at the teams' expense. However,
MCYSA Board of Directors must approve before entry.

VI. PLAYER PARTICIPATION

A. GENERAL:
Every eligible player will play at least one half of each game in the Recreational and Travel Teams. (Select teams do
not have this requirement.) In game in which quarters are used, it is recommended players play by quarter. In games
where free substitution is used, it is the coach's responsibility that the equivalency is met.

B. EXCEPTIONS:
If a player is being disciplined for a justifiable reason, the mandatory 1/2 game playing time may be waived for that
player. This must be reviewed / approved by the Coaching Director (or some other Board Member acting in his/her
role). The parent(s)/guardian of the child must be informed as is the opposing coach and the referee. Justifiable
reasons can result from player or parent/guardian behavior(s).

VII. RULES
The FIFA Laws of the Game will be used for all matches with the exception of written modifications of KYSA and/or MCYSA.
MCYSA modifications must not be in contradiction of KYSA acceptability.

VIII. REFEREEING
A. REFEREE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The referee Director is responsible for coordinating all MCYSA referee activities, including but not limited to
scheduling, training, certification, making fee schedule. Those responsibilities are listed in the MCYSA Bylaws.

B. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
All league games will be refereed according to the specifications listed by KYSA / MCYSA. This may be found in the
KYSA website or with USYSA/FIFA. MCYSA must use certification to FIFA laws for referees as level 9 or higher for
games for which this level is prescribed. For modified rules not requiring FIFA certification, MCYSA may use an
internal certification.

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C. INTERNAL TRAINING:
The Referee Director is responsible to assist Referees in gaining additional training during the playing season by
means of referee assignment, referee meetings, mentoring or other types of assessment. When possible, more
experience referees will be assigned to work with the less experienced. The Referee Director may also provide (have
provided) internal training for MCYSA referee 'certification'. These persons certified will have limited responsibility
in keeping with KYSA requirements.

D. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTIFICATION FEES:

It will be MCYSA policy to reimburse members who become FIFA certified referees for their entry level and re-cert
classes -- providing the individual gains his/her certification. This reimbursement will come after 2 games served in
MCYSA leagues following the certification. It is the referee's responsibility to inform the Referee Director of this
timing, and the Referee Director's responsibility to maintain a record.

E. PAY RATES FOR REFEREES:

The Referee Director will maintain a list of the pay scale for referees that has been Board approved. The rates shall
be in accordance to the level of the game (age), the assignment of the referee (lead or assistant), and the level of the
referee's certification.

IX. FUND RAISING

A. GENERAL FUND RAISING POLICIES
1. All fund raising activities are to be coordinated through the Fund Raising Director. He/she may delegate to
others for making contact, but must remain aware and in control of who is being contacted and the request being
made.
2. No person, business or entity shall be contacted for fund-raising (ie donations) more than once per year.
3. All fund raising activities are to be pre-approved by the Board of Directors.

B. SPONSORS
Sponsors may be used for (1) team uniforms, (2) special events, or (3) special projects. In each case, any requests
must come through the Fund Raising Director and have Board approval before a potential sponsor is contacted. The
Fund Raising Director may delegate a specific contact to another MCYSA member.

X. CONCESSIONS
Concessions are to be controlled and monitored by the Concessions Director. It is preferred that concessions are
operated at each location in which more than one game is scheduled. See the Bylaws for the duties/responsibilities of
the Concessions Director. Volunteers are to be recruited from the youths' parents or guardians. All persons are
expected to assist.

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