Metro Community League

Handbook/Rulebook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEAGUE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS        3

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY        3

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT        3

PARENTS/SPECTATORS CODE OF CONDUCT        4

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT        4

TEAM PLACEMENT & SCHEDULING        4

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT        4

WEATHER POLICY AND HOTLINE        5

GENERAL LEAGUE RULES        5

LAWS OF THE GAME (IMPORTANT AND APPLICABLE FIFA RULES)        6

THIRD/FOURTH GRADE GAME DAY RULES        8

FIFTH/SIXTH GRADE GAME DAY RULES        9

LEAGUE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

1. The MCL was created to be a developmental league to help players improve their skill level.  Respect and sportsmanship should be the guiding principles at all times.  
2. No scores or standings will be officially recorded or kept, so that winning a game is never more important than developing players in the MCL.
3. No player, coach or spectator is to challenge a referee or league official at any time.
4. Each age group has rules and game formats that are modified in order to safely and competitively progress within the game up to the FIFA Rules.

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY

1. Any club wishing to join the MCL must abide by the following:

1. Be a registered member of their local state association (VYSA or MSYSA)
2. Have a league director/point of contact on file with MCL Staff
3. Have all coaches registered with their state association
4. Submit coaches names and team rosters to MCL by the assigned deadline

2. Participants must meet the following to participate in the Metro Community League:

1. Academy or Travel players are eligible to participate in MCL competition though MCL asks that each club, team and coach maintain the best competitive intentions
2. Players must be in 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th grade

COACHES

1. ALL Coaches must complete a background check and a SafeSport Certification as required by their club’s respective state association.
2. COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Coaches should encourage and motivate players at games and practices
2. Coaches must demonstrate good sportsmanship to referees, other coaches and opposing players
3. Coaches should remind their players to show good sportsmanship to referees, coaches and players
4. Coaches will remain near their team bench. Pacing up and down the sideline is not allowed.
5. Coaches are not allowed to coach from behind the goal

PARENTS/SPECTATORS CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Parent(s) or Caregiver(s) and spectators are not permitted on the team bench side of the field during game days
2. Parent(s) or Caregiver(s) and spectators must be on the sideline, opposite side from the team bench side
3. Parent(s) or Caregiver(s) and spectators are not permitted to watch games from the goal line (i.e., behind or near the soccer goals).
4. Parent(s) or Caregiver(s) and spectators are not to comment on or engage with referees or players from the opposing team

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Players will strive to adhere to the highest standards of sportsmanship
2. Players will obey the laws of the game and not resort to any violence or foul and abusive language or conduct due to disagreements with players, coaches, or officials
3. Players will respect my coaches, officials, parents, and all players regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical limitations, or athletic ability.
4. Players understand that the final decision lies with match officials and agree to respect and abide by decisions made.
5. Players should inform an adult, coach, or the league about any inappropriate action, language and comments that have been made. Please report these incidents through our Accountability Form

TEAM PLACEMENT & SCHEDULING

1. Metro Community League staff will match teams with like level competition based on the age of players and advice of participating directors.
2. League staff aim to accommodate all scheduling requests made, up to a specific date, listed on the registration form.

1. Not all requests can be fulfilled; for example not enough roster space on a specific team requested or not enough players registered from the same school to be placed together

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT 

1. A light/white and dark colored kit are required for every team

1. The dark color will serve as the HOME shirt and should be worn when a team is denoted as the HOME team on the league schedule
2. The light/white color will serve as the AWAY shirt and should be worn when a team is denoted as the AWAY team on the league schedule
3. In the event of a uniform color conflict, the HOME team is responsible for changing shirts

2. Shin guards are mandatory and required

3. Balls are not provided by the league. Teams are expected to provide two game balls for each match

1. TWO Game Balls must be the appropriate size (Size 4) and fully inflated

4. A player must not use equipment or wear anything dangerous to themself or another player.  Jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, must not be worn, (see Law 4 under Laws of the Game).

1. US Soccer does NOT allow ANY hard jewelry, or earrings at ANY time. Players will NOT be allowed to play games with earrings in (even if just pierced). TAPING over is NOT adequate; players with taped/band aids over earrings will not be permitted to play. Soft bracelets may be worn ONLY if taped over or covered with a soft wristband.

WEATHER POLICY AND HOTLINE

1. If weather conditions impact our game day experience, the league will make the call by Saturday night or Sunday morning depending on the severity; the league will send out an email

GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

1. FIELD/PARK RULES

1. No pets, smoking or alcohol will be allowed at the field(s)
2. All trash must be disposed of in trash containers

2. TEAM BENCH AND SPECTATOR AREAS

1. All coaches and players will remain within 1 - 3 yards from the touchline and 10 yards of the centerline or in close vicinity to their assigned bench
2. Spectators are to stay on the opposite side of the field as the players and coaches
3. Abuses of this regulation, as determined by the referee, can lead to a caution or ejection from the field/area

3. GAME DURATION

1. All MCL Games for 3rd-6th grade will play 25 minute halves

4. GAME DAY ROSTER

1. Each MCL Coach is responsible for having a printed copy of their APPROVED MCL Roster.

1. An approved MCL Roster is defined as a roster submitted by the coach or director to MCL Staff AND Signed/Stamped by MCL Staff

2. Roster checks will not be performed before each match but may be performed at any time within the season at the referees’ discretion. Rosters may be produced in hard copy OR digitally, but must be the signed/approved roster.

1. Players MAY guest play from another MCL team, but must be listed on another MCL Roster. If a roster check is performed, please show both rosters to the referee (including the roster where the guest player is listed)
2. Failure to produce a roster in either print or electronic form will result in a $50 fine

5. Forfeits

1. Teams who need to forfeit a match are asked to communicate with the league administrator no later than 2pm on the THURSDAY prior to a match
2. Teams MUST communicate MORE THAN 24 hours prior to a match if they plan to forfeit a match in order for the opposing team to be notified with ample time.

1. Teams who forfeit a match within 24 hours of their scheduled kickoff will receive a $50 fine

3. Teams MAY use guest players from another MCL team in order to avoid the need to forfeit

LAWS OF THE GAME (IMPORTANT AND APPLICABLE FIFA RULES)

1. LAW 1 | THE FIELD

1. Fields will be sized for small-sided games using small-sided (18ft goals)

1. Cones may be used to modify the field to proper sizes for MCL league purposes

2. Corner Flags should be at each field, games will still be played if corner flags are missing
3. Goals Must be weighted down with sand bags

2. LAW 3 | THE PLAYERS

1. Team Roster Size

1. Teams playing in the 7v7 game format (3rd/4th grades) may have NO MORE than 15 players on their game-day roster
2. Teams playing in the 9v9 game format (5th/6th grades) may have NO MORE than 20 players on their game-day roster
3. Teams MUST have a minimum of 5 players (7v7) or 6 players (9v9) present as a minimum. Having less players on a match day may result in a forfeit.

2. Substitutions

1. Substitutions may be made on any stoppage with Referee Discretion. Stoppages are, but not limited to:

1. Kick off
2. Goal Kicks
3. Throw Ins
4. Direct Free Kicks
5. Indirect Free Kicks
6. Corner Kicks

3. LAW 4 | THE PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT

1. A player must not use equipment or wear anything dangerous.
2. All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewelry is NOT permitted. 
3. The players will be inspected by referees before the start of the match and substitutes before they enter the field of play. If a player is wearing or using unauthorized, dangerous equipment or jewelry, the referee must order the player to:

1. Remove the item
2. Leave the field of play at the next stoppage if the player is unable or unwilling to comply

4. No time will be added to the game for delays due to equipment related issues

4. LAW 5 | THE REFEREE

1. THE AUTHORITY OF THE REFEREE:

1. Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match.  
2. The referee:

1. enforces the Laws of the Game
2. controls the match in cooperation with the other match officials
3. Acts as a timekeeper, keeps a record of the match and provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, including information on disciplinary action and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match
4. supervises and/or indicates the restart of play; and
5. Cautions (yellow card) or sends off (red card) players, coaches, or spectators where appropriate under the Laws of the Game.

V.        LAW 10 | DETERMINING THE OUTCOME OF A MATCH

1. Mercy Rule

1. Teams should strive to not let the match have more than a 6  goal differential
2. Teams may pull a player off or allow the opponent to add a player to help maintain this.  Teams should also strive to pass more to not allow the score to be run up.  The governing principle is sportsmanship and respect.

VI. LAW 12 | FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

1. Fouls

1. Slide Tackling will not be allowed. It will be deemed tripping or attempting to trip and will be a Direct Free Kick. Repeated offenses can result in a Caution or Dismissal.  Players may slide to save or kick a ball.  It is at the referee’s discretion, if this impacts another player.
2. All other fouls will be called by USSF standards, by USSF certified referees.

1. Misconduct

1. Red Card - A player receiving a red card, or two yellow cards in the same match, must come off the field without substitution
2. If issued a yellow or red card, player should state his name for referee’s notes which should also be confirmed by the coach
3. Players receiving Red cards will be suspended for the teams next game.  The player may not play on any other team inside the MCL until they have sat for their one game.
4. All RED cards (Including Two Yellows) must immediately be reported to leagues Official Assignor.  Both Head coaches must submit a report by email within 24 hrs of the incident.

VII.  FULL LAWS OF THE GAME

1.  https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/xx3byxqgodqtl1h15865/file/972760101681

THIRD & FOURTH GRADE GAME DAY RULES

FIFTH & SIXTH GRADE GAME DAY RULES