1. Philosophy of BPAA Soccer

1.1 Good Sportsmanship is our number one goal

This document states the philosophy of the BPAA Soccer Committee, and the BPAA in general. The BPAA Soccer Committee believes Good Sportsmanship is the number one goal of our activities. Winning and losing are secondary to the development of good character and love for the game of soccer. Parents and coaches should always be conscious of setting good examples for our players. All participants should be learning soccer skills, teamwork, and respect for all coaches, other players, and referees.

1.2 Coaches set the example

The coaches are responsible for the behavior of their teams, and the parents that are watching the game. It is the responsibility of the coach to enforce compliance with the BPAA rules of conduct (See Rules of Conduct Section 5.13).

1.3 Referees are in charge of calling the game

The referee is in charge of the game, and the referee’s decision is final. The referee can suspend the game due to misconduct (See Rules of Conduct Section 5.13).

2. Rules for player roster assignment for this year’s BPAA Soccer Season

2.1 Team Rosters

All participating soccer players must be registered with the BPAA to play on a BPAA Soccer Team. If a team has any unregistered players, the games played using those players will be forfeited.

Not all player requests can be honored due to the following reasons: (1) Team sizes need to be equal so some players may be switched to another team to equal out team rosters. (2) Players may be moved in order to even out teams when one team is made up of mostly older or more experienced players, and another is made up of mostly younger or inexperienced players.

2.2 Switching Teams

Coaches receive their team rosters at the coaches’ meeting, which is considered the final placement of currently registered players. Re-arrangement of team rosters is not permitted after team rosters have been distributed without permission of the division coordinators.

A player cannot switch teams without approval from the BPAA Soccer committee. If a player does switch teams without the BPAA Soccer Committee’s approval, that player will be suspended from playing until he/she goes back to their assigned team.

If a player will not play on the assigned team, a registration refund can be obtained. The request must be submitted before the first week of the season. The BPAA Soccer Committee will decide all the cases where a parent or player wants to switch teams, and requests a hearing on the matter. The committee's decision will be final.

3. BPAA Divisions and Teams

3.1 General Rule

The overall rule for the BPAA Soccer Program is to teach good sportsmanship, promote teamwork, develop soccer skills, and have fun playing the great game of soccer.

3.2 BPAA Soccer Divisions

Age groups are based on the age of a player prior to August 1st. Divisions are based on the number of registrations. Consecutive age groups may be combined to form a division. The age groups are as follows:

Born on or between the following Dates	Age Groups	Divisions
Aug 1, 2000 to July 31, 2001	U6	U6-U7
Aug 1, 1999 to July 31, 2000	U7	U6-U7
Aug 1, 1998 to July 31, 1999	U8	U8
Aug 1, 1997 to July 31, 1998	U9	U9
Aug 1, 1996 to July 31, 1997	U10	U10
Aug 1, 1995 to July 31, 1996	U11	U11
Aug 1, 1994 to July 31, 1995	U12	U12
Aug 1, 1993 to July 31, 1994	U13	U13
Aug 1, 1992 to July 31, 1993	U14	U14-U15
Aug 1, 1991 to July 31, 1992	U15	U14-U15
Aug 1, 1990 to July 31, 1991	U16	Coed
Aug 1, 1989 to July 31, 1990	U17	Coed
Aug 1, 1988 to July 31, 1989	U18	Coed

Note: U-number means that age and younger

3.3 Team Sizes

U6-U7: Teams are limited to 12 players with 6 players on the field (5 players and a goalkeeper).

U8-U10 and Boys U11: Teams are limited to 14 players with 8 players on the field (7 players and a goalkeeper).

U12 – U15 and Girls U11: Teams are limited to 16 players with 11 players on the field (10 players and a goalkeeper).

U16 – U17 – U18 Coed:

1) Each team must play 6 boys and 5 girls on the field.

2) If a team must play with 1 less gender on the field, they must play one less of the opposite gender as well. For example if only 4 girls are available to play then only 5 boys may be on the field.

3) COED team rosters can have at most 16 players assigned. Excess signups are placed in a pool of players that can be used by teams in need during the season. Coaches must anticipate the need for the use of pool players and make arrangements with pool players at least 1 hour before the match. The coach must report the use of pool players to the division coordinator within one day of the match. A pool player may play for only one team per night. A pool player may play on any particular team only 3 times per season, unless the pool player is subsequently assigned to the team. The registration fee for a pool player is $30 and will be returned if the player does not play a match during the season.

4. BPAA Soccer Fields, Field Dimensions, Time Periods, Game Reports

4.1 BPAA Soccer Fields

BPAA Soccer uses the following fields, but can be taken off-line by the city Parks & Recreation Department for maintenance purposes:

· Zane Sports Park Soccer fields ZSP1, ZSP2, ZSP3, ZSP4, ZSP5, ZSP6, ZSP7, ZSP8, and ZSP9.

· Noble Sports Park Soccer fields NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4, NSP5, and NSP6.

· Evergreen Park Soccer Field in Brooklyn Center.

· Northwoods Soccer Field in Brooklyn Park

4.2 Field Dimensions

U6-U7: Use fields with the following dimensions: 65 X 40 yards.

U8-U10 and Boys U11: Use mid-size fields with the approximate dimensions: 80 X 50 yards.

U12 to U18 and Girls U11: Use regular soccer field dimensions that fall within the FIFA guidelines, which is approximately 110 X 70 yards.

4.3 Time Periods for Games

U6-U7, U8-U10: The length of the game will be two 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.

U11 through U18: The length of game will be two 30-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.

4.4 Team Game Reports

Each team is responsible for preparing a written game report which lists:

· Regular team players and which half they started this game

· Names of guest players and their regular teams.

This report must be presented to the referee before the start of each half and retained by the coach for possible review by the committee.

5. BPAA Soccer Playing Rules

5.1 BPAA Soccer rules, and FIFA rules

All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA rules, except as modified herein by the BPAA

5.2 Soccer equipment

Only soccer shoes with molded rubber, plastic cleats, or general athletic shoes are to be worn (softball shoes with center cleats cannot be worn). Soccer shin guards made of hard plastic are mandatory. Shin guards must be covered with socks. No jewelry, wristwatches, hats, or visors, or other articles that the referee deems unsafe during play are to be worn. Earrings that cannot be removed must be taped and approved by referee. Exceptions include medical bracelets and necklaces. Medical bracelets and necklaces must be taped so as to decrease them as a source of injury.

All players must wear the soccer jerseys furnished by the BPAA. The goalies must wear jerseys that are contrasting colors.

The U6 to U11 teams will use a number 4 sized soccer ball. The U12 to U18 teams will use a number 5 sized soccer ball.

Mouth guards are highly recommended especially for players with braces. Sports glasses are highly recommended especially for players who wear wire-rim glasses.

5.3 Slide Tackles

Slide tackles are illegal in all levels of BPAA soccer. A slide tackle is defined as a maneuver in which one or both feet slide on the ground in an attempt to tackle the ball that is in possession of an opponent. Slide tackles results in a direct free kick. Persistent slide tackles by a player or team can and should result in yellow cards to the offending players. For malicious slide tackles the referee is required to immediately give the player a red card.

5.4 Using players that are not on a team’s roster (Guest Players)

Players shall play only for their assigned team within their division, except where noted below:

1. U10-U15 BPAA registered players may be a guest player for any team above their assigned division if that team has less than 13 roster players available at game time. U11-U15 teams can choose to add guest players to match the number of players on the opposition team.

2. U8-U9 BPAA registered players may be a guest player for any team above their assigned division if that team has less than 11 roster players available at game time. U8-U9 teams can choose to add guest players to match the number of players on the opposition team.

3. U8 BPAA registered players may fill into teams from other parks within their division with less than eleven (11) players since only U6-U7 players with little soccer experience are below them.

4. U6-U7 BPAA registered players may fill into teams from other parks within their division with less than eleven (11). U6-U7 teams can choose to add guest players to match the number of player on the opposition team.

5. For the U16-U18 COED division; teams may draw from the player pool (see 3.3) or from the divisions below for guest players. U16-U18 teams can choose to add guest players to match the number of player on the opposition team.

6. As a courtesy, coaches should notify the opposing coach of your team’s intention of using guest players. Guest players must be included in the game report as described in section 4.4.

7. Single gender divisions exclude players of the opposite gender.

5.5. U6-U7 Exceptions to general rules

No penalty kicks will be called for U6-U7. Referees are to use direct and indirect kicks instead of penalty kicks.

5.6 Calling a Game off, or shortening a game’s playing time

Teams and referees must show up for scheduled games unless announced as cancelled. Games will be played rain or shine unless dangerous or extremely severe weather exists, as determined by the referees, the BPAA Soccer committee member, or the city. A game cannot be called until 10 minutes after scheduled start of games. In case the game is called off or declared abandoned (could not play more than half of the second half) then the coaches may agree on a make up date and time and notify the BPAA Referee Coordinator so that referees may be scheduled. Make up games are started over from the beginning.

Call the Brooklyn Park Hotline telephone number (763-488-6304) for program cancellation information. Hotline information will be updated by 3PM on game days.

The referee has the option of shortening the game time to accommodate a late start or darkness with notification to coaches before the game starts.

If a referee does not show up for a game, the game will be called off. The referee coordinator has to be notified to reschedule the game.

5.7 Weather Rules

BPAA Soccer will follow the MYSA Heat Index rules concerning play during hot weather. The MYSA Heat Index Rules are:

Heat Index	Recommended Guidelines
Up to 89 Degrees Fahrenheit	Normal Play
90 - 99 Degrees Fahrenheit	Mandatory 2 minute water breaks per half with running time.
100 - 105 Degrees Fahrenheit	Mandatory 2 minute water breaks per half with running time. Each half shortened by 5 minutes.
105 Degrees Fahrenheit	Suspend Play

If there is a National Weather Service Heat Advisory for a particular day, all soccer games will be canceled for that day. The BPAA Soccer Committee will post the status of games on the BPAA website, and on the Brooklyn Park Hotline (Tel. 763-488-6304), by 3PM on game days. Also, refer to Section 5.4 regarding “Calling a Game Off.”

Severe Weather guidelines are:

Storms	Recommended Guidelines
Lightning Seen by Referee	Suspend Play
Tornado Watch	Referee to monitor weather situation
Tornado Warning	Suspend Play
Heavy Rain	Suspend play if fields are so rain soaked that the field is being damaged by play .

Also see http://www.bpaasports.org/Soccer/home-page/weather_guidelines.htm for Heat and Severe Weather guidelines.

5.8 Forfeiting Games

A forfeit shall be declared if a team is not ready to begin play within ten minutes of the scheduled game time. A team may play a game with no less than seven players; less than seven players will constitute a forfeit. Teams of U10 and below may play with a minimum of five (5) players. A forfeit is scored a 3-0 game.

5.9 Regular Season – Points awarded per game

BPAA Soccer uses a points system for determining standings and is designed to reduce ties for the standings and to promote continued competitive play even in the event one team has a decided lead. The losing team can earn up to 3 points for goals and prevent the winning team from all 10 points by scoring a goal.

6 points are awarded for a win

3 points are awarded for a tie

1 point is awarded for each goal, up to 3 goals per game

1 point is awarded for a shutout (except for 0-0 ties)

During the regular season, tie games at the end of regulation play will remain a tie.

In case of ties at the end of the season, final standings are determined by which tied teams have:

1) The most wins

2) The most wins against each other

3) The most wins against common opponents played 2 or more games during the season.

4) The most wins against common opponents played once during the season.

5) By a coin flip.

5.10 Minimum playing times

Each player must play a minimum of one-half of each half except for disciplinary action, injury, or health reasons. Each player on the team must start at least one-half of the games played.

It is also important to point out that the main purpose of this league is for all players to participate and that coaches strive to insure that all players get the maximum number of minutes possible to play.

5.11 Substitutions during the game

Substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee when a team is ready for a substitution (that is, players are standing by the midfield line) at the following times:

1. Prior to a throw in by the team with possession of the ball - If the team in possession is substituting, both teams may substitute as long as the opposing team’s players are ready.

2. Prior to a goal kick, by either team.

3. After a goal, by either team.

4. After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play - substitution is unlimited.

5. At half time.

6. U6 –U10 - Substitution is allowed at any stoppage of play.

5.12 Referees per game

The BPAA will furnish at least one referee per game. Each team, at the official's request, may be required to furnish at least one line judge for the game. The referee will supervise the line judge. Line judges are not allowed to coach.

5.13 Rules of conduct

1. Referees shall not be subject to abuse, criticism, or baiting by coaches, players or parents. It is the coach's responsibility to control the sideline comments and attitude of his or her team and its followers. The referee may stop the game and eject the offending player, coach or parent. In the most severe cases, the referee may terminate the game if the referee decides the situation is out of control. This decision is not subject to review; the referee’s decision is final.

2. Referees can discipline a player for abusing players and coaches of an opposing team.

3. Any problems with referees should be reported to the BPAA Referee Coordinator. We welcome positive comments also.

4. Protests relative to a referee's decision will not alter the results of the game.

5. No one can go out onto the field to argue with the referee or anyone else on the field during the game.

6. A red card constitutes a dismissal from the game in which the violation occurred, plus suspension from the next scheduled league or tournament game. A player cannot be replaced during the game in which the dismissal occurred. The team will play short for the rest of that game.

5.14 Team positions on Field

1. Coaches and players will be positioned on the East side of the soccer fields. Each team must be within 10 yards of the Center line on their half of the field. The half-side on which a team is located will be decided on a “first come” basis. The parents and other spectators will have to use the West side of the Soccer fields. The parents and spectators can sit anywhere they desire on the West side of the field. We are doing this to relieve coaches from parental interference, and allow parents and spectators to observe the game without the sun in their eyes.

2. Chairs and equipment must be a least 5 feet away from the side lines. This will give players room for throw-ins without having to deal with obstacles on the sidelines. It also allows assistant referees to see an ‘out of bounds’ ball more clearly.

3. Because the two opposing teams will be on either side of the midfield line during the game, coaches and players should remain in their own areas during the game, and one team should not cross over the midfield line to interact with the opposing team.

U6-U7 teams have the option to be on either side of the field because their small field size.

4. The coach is not permitted on the field of play or out of the team position on the side lines at any time during the game without the referee’s approval. If the coach violates this rule, the referee may caution the coach, or remove the coach from the game.

5. Because soccer spectators may be hit by softballs from a home run when softball games are played at the same time as a soccer game on ZSP#5, spectators should not sit by the softball fence on West Side of ZSP#5. We would recommend that parents and spectators sit toward the north end of the ZSP#5, or some other part of the west side of the field away from the softball home run fence.

6. Injuries

6.1 What to do in case of a serious injury

If a player is knocked unconscious or seriously injured do the following:

1. Remember to keep calm and use your best judgment on what to do in this situation.

2. Notify POLICE at 911. If necessary, a phone is at South-West end of ZSP#7.

3. Do not move an injured player.

4. Do not try to straighten a possible fracture.

5. Cover the player to maintain body heat in the event of shock.

6. Keep crowd back from injured player.

7. Keep the player comfortable and soothe his/her feelings about the injury as much as possible.

6.2 What to do with a player who is bleeding

Any injured player who is bleeding must be removed from the game. The player cannot return to the game until the bleeding is controlled. Any bloodstains on a uniform must be removed or the uniform must be replaced. The player must check with the referee prior to returning to the game.

First Aid kits are furnished to each team. Check with the Equipment Coordinator to replace used First Aid material.

6.3 Report all injuries

Coaches should report all injuries by filling out an injury report with the BPAA Soccer committee. The Injury Report will contain the name of the injured player, the player’s address, telephone number, date, and nature and treatment of the injury.

7. Racial and Sexual Harassment policy.

7.1 Racial Policy

Because the BPAA Soccer Committee is concerned that everyone in our community feels welcome to participate in our community sport program, the BPAA Soccer Committee is instituting a policy concerning racial intolerance. We do not want BPAA Soccer to tolerate inappropriate racially motivated behavior in either speech or in action. First, we expect the referee to maintain order on the playing field, and the referee has the discretion to give a ‘red card’ to anyone who exhibits unwanted speech or behavior with regard to someone’s race. Second, the BPAA Soccer committee is instituting a policy whereby the BPAA Soccer Committee will remove anyone from our program who continues to engage in behavior that is considered racist toward any particular person, a team, or a group of people.

7.2 Sexual Harassment Policy

Because the BPAA Soccer Committee is concerned that everyone in our community feels welcome to participate in our community sport program, the BPAA Soccer Committee is instituting a policy concerning sexual harassment. First, we expect the referee to maintain order on the playing field, and the referee has the discretion to hand out a “red card” to anyone who exhibits unwanted sexual speech or behavior to anyone else during a game. Second, the BPAA Soccer committee is instituting a policy whereby the BPAA Soccer Committee will remove anyone from our program, who continues to engage in unwanted behavior that is considered to be sexual harassment by the BPAA Soccer Committee.

7.3 Implementing this policy

Because this is such a serious offense, and has serious consequences for both sides, the BPAA Soccer Committee needs to substantiate the behavior. The committee will also hold a hearing with the accused, and the accuser before a final judgment is made. However, if a BPAA Soccer Committee member witnesses this behavior while it is taking place, that committee member can take immediate action to prevent any further harassment from taking place. This action could be a reprimand, or removal of the offending person(s) from the game, and the area.

8. Reporting Game Results

All coaches are responsible to report game results, whether a team wins or loses to Dave Gulbrandson (email address: dgulbrand@comcast.net), or as instructed on the BPAA Web site at www.bpaasports.org. Each coach is responsible to review their game scores and standings on the BPAA WEB site especially before the tournament scheduling so that corrections can be made for tournament seating.