Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
Revised: December 2005
SOP III. YOUTH PROGRAM
GENERAL GUIDELINES
SOP V. HIGH COMPETITION
PROGRAM
SOP I. ADMINSTRATION
SOP
I.1 League Goals
SOP
I.2 General Conduct
SOP I.2 (a)
Each team shall
be responsible for the conduct of its players, coach, manager, tam assistants
and parents and it is the responsibility of each team to ensure that its
actions, on or off the field, do not bring disrespect upon this league.
SOP
I.3 Board Authority on the
Field
SOP I.3 (a)
LYSL Executive
Board members, HC Representatives (HC Reps) and Age Group Coordinators (AGCs) have
the authority to address issues that violate league rules as they arise on the
field. As little impact as possible should be made to the game in play. Such
interjections shall not interfere with or supersede the registered referee’s
authority on or around the field of play.
SOP
I.4 Rules of Governance
SOP I.4 (a)
LYSL acknowledges
and shall adhere to the most current version of the governing hierarchy rules
of soccer in the order of authority listed below. LYSL policies shall not supersede
or minimize the rules of these bodies of authority.
SOP I.4 (b)
“Bylaws of USSF,
Inc” (FIFA)
SOP I.4 (c)
“Policy on
Players and Playing Rules” (USYSA)
SOP I.4 (d)
”Rules of Play”
(USSA)
SOP I.4 (e)
”Team Manual”
(CYSA-North)
SOP
I.5 S.O.P. Modifications
SOP I.5 (a)
The LYSL Standard
Operating Procedures “SOP.” may be modified at any time, according to the SOP
Committee guidelines listed in the Subcommittee section SOP VII.5.
SOP II. LEAGUE STRUCTURE
SOP
II.1 House
Program
SOP II.1 (a)
The House program is open to all registered U5-U19 LYSL players from
that wish to participate. The main focus of this program is for the players to
learn basic soccer skills appropriate to their age group and have fun.
SOP
II.2 High Competition Program
SOP II.2 (a)
The High
Competition “High Comp” program is open to registered U9-U19 LYSL players that
wish to participate after participating in a “tryout” and receiving an
invitation from the Director of High Comp. The main focus of this program is
for the players to learn soccer skills appropriate to their age group and
participate in games against other highly competitive teams and have fun.
SOP
II.3 Program Subcommittees
SOP II.3 (a)
There are several
subcommittees in LYSL that support the functionality of the player programs.
Subcommittees are created to help facilitate the smooth operation of the player
programs and the league.
SOP III. YOUTH PROGRAM GENERAL
GUIDELINES
SOP
III.1 Team Rosters
SOP III.1 (a)
All LYSL team
rosters are comprised of players that have been officially assigned to a
particular team. For the House Program, only the Age Group Coordinator shall be
the authority to set player and team assignments. In the High Comp Program, the
HC Reps shall be the authority to set player and team assignments.
SOP III.1 (b)
No player shall
be permitted to practice or play without being first officially registered by
the appropriate authority.
SOP III.2 Players
SOP
III.3 Coaches
SOP III.3 (a)
All LYSL coaches
shall be responsible individuals and must be twenty (21) years or older to be
assigned as the Head Coach of a team.
SOP III.3 (b)
All LYSL House
Head coaching assignments are nominated by the Age Group Coordinator. The Director
of House has the final approval. In the High Comp Program, coaching assignments
are approved by the High Comp Committee the HCC or designee shall be the
authority to set coaching assignments.
SOP III.3 (c)
Coaches may pick
their own assistant coach and/or team manager. These selections must be
approved by the appropriate AGC or HCC or designee as to their selection. Assistant
coaches and team managers must be responsible individuals that are at least 18
years of age and have completed the necessary forms and approved by the league.
All coach staff positions are subject to final approval of the Director of
House for House teams; Director of High Comp for High Comp teams.
SOP
III.4 Field Placement
SOP III.4 (a)
On the field
during a game, the team area is designated for the coach, assistant coach, team
manager and players only. All other observers are to be located on the opposite
side of the field.
SOP III.4 (b)
Players and
coaches shall be on the side of the field that is considered the most
inaccessible in order to make it easier for the spectators to observe the game.
SOP III.4 (c)
There may not be
more than one (1) Head Coach, two (2) Assistant Coaches, and one (1) team manager
in the team area at any given time during game play.
SOP III.4 (d)
No coach,
substitute or player is to be anywhere but in the team area or playing field
(as appropriate) during the game.
SOP III.4 (e)
The home team
shall pick which side of the half way mark to occupy.
SOP III.4 (f)
All players and coaches
in the team area (technical area), and spectators shall be a minimum of three
(3) feet away from the touchline/sideline.
SOP
III.5 During A Game
SOP
III.5 (a)
Once a game
begins, the referee or game monitor is in full charge of the game, in
accordance with CYSA-N "Team Manual", 3:08:12.
SOP III.5 (b)
During any game,
no one (Player, Spectator or Coach) may enter the field at any time without the
permission of the referee or game monitor in charge of the game.
SOP
III.6 Injuries
SOP III.6 (a)
Should any
substantial injury on the field occur during a practice or a game, a CYSA Youth
Soccer CASE Report must be filed within 48 hours after the incident with CYSA
and the LYSL Insurance Coordinator.
SOP III.6 (b)
Should an injury
on the field occur during a practice or a game that requires a doctor’s
attention, the player must have a written release from his doctor before
returning to practice or game play. The release should be given to the coach to
pass along to the Insurance Coordinator and the appropriate HC Rep and AGC
informed of the player’s return to active status.
SOP III.6 (c)
Each coach must
carry a signed medical release form (CYSA Form 1601) with a parent or legal
guardian’s “wet” signature to all league games, tournaments, jamborees, and
practice sessions for every player on the team roster.
SOP III.7 Safety
SOP III.7 (a)
Player equipment
shall adhere to all current requirements of LYSL and higher authorities to be
permitted to participate in games. In the end, the referee’s determination is
final.
SOP III.7 (b)
LARPD deems
whether fields are open or closed for play, including those on school property.
Upon the fields being open for play, the
referee shall be the sole judge to determine whether the playing field is
usable and playable prior to and during the game, in accordance with CYSA-N
"Team Manual", 3:08:12.
SOP
III.8 General Conduct
SOP III.8 (a)
All coaches,
assistant coaches, and players will conduct themselves in a manner that
displays good sportsmanship and fair play, both on and off the field at all
times.
SOP III.8 (b)
Observers present at LYSL practices and games are subject to the same
rules of conduct as the players and coaches.
SOP III.8 (c)
“Coaching” from the sidelines is permitted ONLY under the following
conditions:
SOP III.8 (d)
No mechanical or electronic devices of any kind may be used.
SOP III.8 (e)
The tone of the voice is informative and positive and not a harangue.
SOP III.8 (f)
The remarks or gestures are not to be derogatory toward any referee,
coach, player or observer; even if was not heard by that person.
SOP III.8 (g)
No word, comment, or gesture made by anyone to incite a referee, coach,
player or observer will be tolerated. Disruptive behavior of any kind will not
be tolerated.
SOP III.8 (h)
All LYSL activities on and off the field are to remain alcohol, tobacco
product and drug free.
SOP III.8 (i)
Violations of LYSL policies are cause for immediate ejection from the
game and field and are subject to review by the LYSL Disciplinary Committee.
SOP III.8 (j)
Ejection from Game –
SOP III.8.j.(i)
Coaches, Assistant Coaches or Team Manager - In the event a coach,
assistant coach, or team manager is ejected for misconduct; the referee shall
report the incident to the league, tournament or district. Additional
disciplinary action(s) may be taken at the discretion of the League, District or Tournament Disciplinary
Committee.
Suspended coaches, assistant coaches, or team managers may not attend matches
while serving out a suspension.
SOP III.8.j.(ii)
Player - In the event a player is ejected for misconduct, the referee shall
report the incident to the league, tournament or district. Additional
disciplinary action(s) may be taken at the discretion of the League, District
or Tournament Disciplinary Committee.
SOP III.8.j.(iii)
Spectator – The Coach is responsible for the conduct of spectators
during all games and as such, may be ejected by the referee in the event of an
incident while the game is being played.
In the event a coach is “booked” during a game, the offending
spectator(s) may be brought before the Disciplinary Committee. If the incident occurs after the completion
of the game, the referee or anyone involved may submit a written complaint
against the individual(s) and forward to the appropriate League representative
for dispensation.
SOP
III.9 Violations
SOP III.9 (a)
The League
reserves the right to enact disciplinary action on any individual (Coach,
Parent, Player or Spectator) accused of misconduct involved with LYSL.
SOP III.9 (b)
Any violation of
CYSA or LYSL Guidelines, Policy, PIM, Standard Operating Procedure, or other
published rules is subject to review and potential disciplinary action by the
Disciplinary Committee.
SOP III.9 (c)
Any violation
deemed not to be under the jurisdiction of an LYSL Disciplinary Committees will
be referred to the LYSL Executive Board for dispensation.
SOP IV. HOUSE PROGRAM
SOP IV.1 Definition
SOP IV.1 (a)
All LYSL House
teams are registered with CYSA District III as Division 4 teams.
SOP IV.2 General Philosophy
SOP IV.2 (a)
All players
assignments, team formation, and coach selection should be done with the
welfare of the entire player membership foremost in mind. The good of the
players should not be placed secondary to expediency, “must win at all cost”
philosophies, or false pride on the part of the adults involved.
SOP IV.2 (b)
Team formation
should proceed with the ultimate goal of balanced team play within each age
group.
SOP IV.3 Age Groups
SOP
IV.3 (a)
The age group of
a player is defined as how old that player is on July 31 of the playing year.
Age Brackets are defined as follows:
SOP IV.3.a.(i)
Under 5 - Those
who are 4 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(ii)
Under 6 - Those
who are 5 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(iii)
Under 7 - Those
who are 6 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP
IV.3.a.(iv)
Under 8 - Those
who are 7 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(v)
Under 9 - Those
who are 8 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP
IV.3.a.(vi)
Under 10 - Those
who are 9 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(vii)
Under 12 - Those
who are 10 or 11 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(viii)
Under 14 - Those
who are 12 or 13 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(ix)
Under 16 - Those
who are 14 or 15 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3.a.(x)
Under 19 - Those
who are 16, 17 or 18 years old on July 31st of the playing year.
SOP IV.3 (b)
Players must play
within their own age group. Players may not play below or above their age
group.
SOP IV.3 (c)
Exceptions would
be cases where legal precedence or law overrules the league guidelines. Such
exceptions must be brought up before the Director of House for review and a
final decision.
SOP
IV.4 Age Group Coordinator
Procedures
SOP
IV.4 (a)
Similar
procedures for all age groups are encouraged to promote consistency in process.
SOP
IV.4 (b)
The procedures
for all age groups should indicate the direction and goals to be attained. They
should contain enough flexibility to allow the mechanics to differ from one age
group to another where it makes sense.
SOP IV.5 Team Formation
SOP
IV.5 (a)
Under normal
conditions, the High Comp teams will be formed prior to the house teams. Those members not selected for the High Comp
teams shall be automatically placed in the pool of house players.
SOP
IV.5 (b)
Boys and girls
play on separate teams. Boy and girl teams do not play each other in scheduled
season games.
SOP IV.5 (c)
Teams should be
formed to promote a balanced and fun playing experience. The players should be
allowed the opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy the game.
SOP IV.5 (d) The AGC shall determine the total number of house teams within an age group, under the recommendation of the Director of House.</