Purpose and Scope

To establish a formal standardized system of rules for Regional teams participating in inter-regional play within AYSO Area 8J. Revisions shall be made to this document as needed and will be noted in the Revisions section.

LINK: AYSO Area 8J Interplay Guidelines

Each week coaches need to communicate with their opposing coach to verify that they will be in the same place at the same time for their game.

To find coach contact information visit the Area Schedule Site, www.ayso8j.org/schedule, find the team you are looking for, click the team's name, click Staff at the top of the page. 

Area 8J Interplay Guidelines

Purpose and Scope

To establish a formal standardized system of rules for Regional teams participating in inter-regional play within Area 8J. Revisions shall be made to this document as needed and will be noted in the Revisions section.

1. Team Definition

   1. Teams shall be composed of registered AYSO players in the Region represented. Official AYSO age divisions shall apply. Mixed age divisions (e.g. 16U/19U) shall play in the oldest division represented.

   2. Teams playing within a girl’s division will be composed entirely of female players. Coed teams will play in the boy’s division.

2. Player Registration 14U Division

   1. Area 8J recognizes that due to the nature of calendar year registration there are players that according to the AYSO Age Determination Chart are too old to participate in the 14U Division but have no other soccer teams available to them for participation. For example, a player that is in 8th Grade, thus not able to play on their High School team, and there is no Middle School team available, but is also too old for AYSO 14U.

   2. In order for these players to have an opportunity to participate, Area 8J will allow players born in the months of August, September, October, November, and December of the 15U birth year to register and play in the 14U Division for the purposes of Area 8J inter-regional play.

   3. This provision will be reviewed for revisions or removal if the AYSO system of registration changes from calendar year registration.

3. The Field

   1. Regions shall provide an appropriately sized field for interplay games according to the following:

2. Field Markings

   1. Field and area markings as noted in the Laws of the Game or adjusted for small-sided games.

3. Technical Area

   1. Unless otherwise marked by lines, the team (Technical Area) shall be ten (10) yards from either side of the halfway line and one (1) yard back from the touch line. Coaches shall remain in the Technical Area.

   2. Regions are highly encouraged to paint the Technical Area on their fields. Having the area painted  promotes the coaching style that is true to the game.

4. Spectator Area

   1. All spectators are to remain on the side opposite the teams, between the penalty areas and a minimum of one (1) yard from the touchline. No spectator is allowed behind the goal line unless approved by the referee.

4. The Ball

   1. The standard size ball for each division shall be according to the table below:

2. The home team shall provide the match ball for each game.

3. The Referee shall determine the suitability and safety of the match ball.

5. Number of Players

   1. Maximum Number of Players

      1. The standard maximum number of players on the field, including goalkeepers, during games shall be according to the below table:

2. Minimum Number of Players

   1. The minimum number of players on the field for a legal match shall be according to the below table:

3. Reduce to Equate

   1. When either team has less than the standard maximum number, reducing from one team to equate or sharing players is required for all interplay games within Area J. If the full team decides to share players, for instance, whoever is sitting out could play with the other team for that quarter or half. Coaches should carry extra jerseys, pennies, or t-shirts of their team’s colors to accommodate this process. All kids get more playing time this way and should not affect the full team coach’s plan.

   2. If the full team’s players would prefer not to play with the other team, it is required  that the coach of the full team would then reduce their on field players to be equal with the other team. The team playing with a reduced number of players on the field must attempt to give each player the guaranteed 50% playing time. If this is not possible, players shall be given an equal amount of playing time.

   3. Both head coaches and the referee will determine the number of players by agreement before the coin toss.

6. Substitutions

   1. Matches shall be played using the AYSO system of substitution. The referee will call a break approximately midway through each half; allowing only enough time to complete the substitution process.

   2. If a player is injured, the coach has two options. They can replace the player with another and not put the injured player back in until the next normal substitution time, or they can play short until the injury has been dealt with and send the player back in at a proper stoppage in play with the referee’s permission. 

   3. Monitored Substitution

      1. Under no circumstances will monitored substitution be allowed in matches involving teams younger than 14U.

      2. Monitored substitution will be allowed in the 14U and 16U/19U divisions.

      3. An independent monitor from each team is required to track each player’s time in and out of each match. If one or both teams cannot provide an independent monitor for the match, all parties must play with the AYSO system of substitution.

         1. An independent monitor is any person that is not a Match Official or Coach representing either team playing.

      4. The Referee will be the sole decision maker for whether the match will have monitored substitution or follow the AYSO system of substitution. This decision will be made before the coin toss.

      5. Each region is responsible for keeping records of each match that is conducted with monitored substitution. These records shall be reviewed, approved by the RC or RCA, and kept until the end of the current Membership Year.

      6. At the conclusion of the Membership Year and at any time of the ADs discretion the Region will submit their Monitored Substitution to the AD.

      7. Regions may use paper forms, an app, or other method of records keeping so long as it provides clear documents as to the playing time for all players for all matches.

         1. Recommended record keeping methods include; SubTime Game Management app, and Area 8J Monitored Substitution Time Form.

7. Duration of the Game

   1. The match shall consist of two (2) halves equally divided for substitution opportunities as noted in paragraph 5, Substitution, above. The length of each half for each division shall be governed according to the following table below:

8. Match Schedules

   1. Communication

      1. To avoid confusion and/or miscommunication, the Visiting Team Coach will contact the Home Team Coach to confirm the match time and location no later than the Wednesday prior to the scheduled match.

         1. Coach contact information shall be entered on the Area Schedule Game Sheets provided to each Region Scheduler.

   2. Cancellations

      1. Cancellation of a match for any reason requires notification by the cancelling team’s Regional Commissioner to the opposing team’s Regional Commissioner, Referee Administrator, and the coach/team contact for the opposing team.

   3. Schedule Changes

      1. Notification of a change to a scheduled match shall be made to the Area Scheduler immediately once a change is deemed necessary.

      2. The hosting team shall notify the RC, Coaches, and Referee Admin of both teams/Regions at least 48 hours before a scheduled match.

9. Coaching

   1. All Coaches must be fully compliant AYSO volunteers, including but not limited to having a valid background check, SafeSport, AYSO’s Safe Haven, Concussion Training, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Stewards of the Game, AYSO’s Summary of The Laws of the Game, and division specific Coaching License.

   2. A maximum of three team personnel will be allowed per team.

      1. Team personnel consists of Coaches and Independent Monitors in the case of a match in the 14U-19U divisions.

   3. All coaches must remain in the technical area.

   4. Following the Stewards of the Game, it is expected that Coaches will respect, support and encourage the Referee staff in such a manner that follows Stewards of the Game and Kid Zone pledge. The Referee staff calls are final on the field, and any concerns should be brought up to the Referee Administrator.

   5. The AYSO philosophies of Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship should be followed at all times.

      1. Positive Coaching (following PIE - Positive, Instructional, and Encouraging), Good Sportsmanship, Player Development, and Everyone Plays

10. Rosters and Required Paperwork

    1. Coaches shall have in their possession at all games the following documents:

       1. An official team roster, listing all players currently rostered to the team.

       2. Player medical release forms for every player on their roster.

       3. For any match with Monitored Substitution a completed lineup card, or monitoring form or app to be retained by the team independent monitor during the game.

11. Officiating

    1. It is always recommended that the diagonal system of control be used at all times with three referees. 

    2. If a region is unable to meet these recommendations, they should attempt to contact the visiting Region Referee Administrator or Area Referee Administrator for assistance in fulfilling the recommendation.

    3. A Referee may appoint a Club Linesman for any match that does not have the proper number of Assistant Referees available. A Club Linesman is not an official.

       1. Regions shall refer to AYSO’s guidelines for appointment of Club Linesman and their duties for the match.

    4. Officials will wear proper attire, including a jersey with patch, shorts, socks, and shoes.

    5. All officials shall have obtained the appropriate AYSO Referee Grade for the match they are officiating. 

    6. All adult Referees must be fully compliant AYSO Volunteers, including but not limited to having a valid background check, SafeSport, AYSO’s Safe Haven, Concussion Training, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

    7. All youth Referees must be fully compliant AYSO Youth Volunteers, having completed AYSO’s Safe Haven, Concussion Training, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

    8. For any inter-regional match within the area or section, all rules and regulations from AYSO’s National Referee Council as well as the International Football Association Board will be followed by the referees.

    9. It is understood that slide tackling is allowed in any age division as it is a legal soccer move. Should a player decide to conduct this move, they must do so in a manner as defined in “IFAB” or the Laws Of The Game.

12. Misconduct and Discipline Standards

    1. General

       1. Misconduct shall be issued at the discretion of the Center Referee for violations of Fair Play in accordance with the home Regional Referee Administrator. Misconducts shall be forwarded to the Area Referee Administrator.

       2. A caution (yellow card) shall not/cannot warrant that the player cautioned be substituted for a “time out” period.

       3. When a player is sent-off (red card) during a match, that team shall play short the rest of the game. The Center Referee shall file a report of the send-off with the Regional Referee Administrator and the Area Referee Administrator within 24 hours of the match.

    2. Sanctions & Suspension

       1. Players receiving three (3) yellow cards during a season - fall or spring - shall be suspended for one (1) future match. Players or coaches who receive a red card will serve a suspension of at least one future match, pending review by the Regional Commissioner, Area Director, and Area Referee Administrator. Date(s) of suspension shall be determined by AYSO Executive Members, not by the team coach, and shall be the next available opportunity in the team’s schedule after review and decision. Red cards received in the last game of the season will carry over to Area and Section tournaments.

13. Concussion Protocol

    1. Removal from Play

       1. If the referee stops play for an apparent head injury, the injured player must be removed from play and cannot return to practice or play that day. The injured player shall be monitored for signs and/or symptoms of a concussion by the team coach. If concussion signs and/or symptoms are observed, the team coach shall notify the player’s parents or guardians.

       2. It is essential to err on the side of caution regarding possible head injuries. Refer to the CDC Concussion manual if you suspect a player has received a head injury.

    2. Return to Play

       1. Any player removed from play for a head injury who has displayed signs or symptoms of a concussion may not return to practices or matches until they are cleared by a health professional. To document the player’s release to play, the injured player must submit a completed AYSO Participation (Return to Play) Release form signed by the player’s parent or guardian as well as a completed AYSO Concussion Release form signed by the health care professional.

    3. The concussion protocol shall be followed if a player suffers an apparent head injury during practice.

14. Weather and Field Conditions

    1. If a region cancels a match due to poor weather or field conditions that could create unsafe playing conditions, the Regional Commissioner, or their designee, of the hosting region must contact the visiting Regional Commissioner and communicate the cancellation as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary travel.

15. Revisions