Handbook02

The BSA Recreation League also provides a coed Kindergarten league. Children entering the program for the fall session must be 5 years of age before September 30. Those entering for the spring session must be 5 years of age before March 30.

A player can only play in an older league if the parent or legal guardian is the head coach and both Commissioner and League Director approve of the move after the player's skills are evaluated and reviewed. This is not encouraged and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis only.

A player may play in a younger league if the parent or legal guardian gets permission from the Commissioner and League Director. This is only allowed when it is in the child's best interest due to mental or physical limitations.

PLAYER TRANSFER OR RELEASE
Under no circumstances may a player play on more than one team within the BSA. Any registered player assigned to a team is bound to that team for the entire seasonal year (2 sessions) unless:

All requests for transfers shall be submitted in writing to the League Director stating the reason for the request of transfer. Any player assigned to a team who elects not to play will be dropped from the roster with loss of registration fee unless said player or parent notifies the League Director prior to the refund deadline. No refunds will be given after the completion of the first week of practice.

The purpose of the above rules is to prevent tampering with teams during the seasonal year.

TEAM SIZE
K, A, E Leagues - 7 v 7
Teams are normally allowed no more than eleven (11) or less than eight (8) registered players.. Each team will consist of seven players on the field one of whom must be a goalkeeper. A minimum of six players will be required in order for a team to take the field.

B, F Leagues - 8 v 8
Teams are normally allowed no more than twelve (12) or less than nine (9) registered players.. Each team will consist of eight players on the field one of whom must be a goalkeeper. A minimum of seven players will be required in order for a team to take the field.

C, D, G, H Leagues - 11 v 11
Teams will normally be limited to sixteen (16) players. For D and H Leagues, additional players may be added especially in the spring to account for participation in other sporting and school activities. Each team will consist of eleven players on the field one must be a goalkeeper. A minimum of eight players will be required in order for a team to take the field.

J League - 11 v 11
The number of registered players will determine team size.

SHORTAGES
The Recreation League does not acknowledge "forfeits". If a team is short for a game, then the other team is asked to reduce players to the same number present. Teams can also agree to loan players. The object is to have fun and play the game.

LENGTH OF GAMES AND BALL SPECIFICATIONS

There will be a 3 minute break between quarters and 5-8 minutes between halves. For inclement weather or impending darkness, the length of each quarter may be shortened by mutual agreement of the referee(s) and the coaches.

FIELD OF PLAY
C, D, G, H and J Leagues play on a standard field of 70 yds. x 110 yds.

The following leagues play on a downsized field as decided by the league.

Other field dimensions will be scaled accordingly.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The referee has the authority to postpone a game after its start because of weather conditions. Players should wait in their cars at least 10 minutes to see if the weather clears. DO NOT LEAVE right away.

RESCHEDULING OF GAMES
League games cancelled due to weather will only be rescheduled if time and space permit. In cases of extreme seasonal weather, the League Director will organize all rescheduled games. The League Director will coordinate with the Master Scheduler and Referee Director and then contact the coaches of the rescheduled game. Under no circumstances do coaches undertake the rescheduling/cancellation of a game by themselves.

THE COACH
The coach is one of the most important individuals in the BSA. In keeping with the BSA philosophy and by undertaking the role as coach, your duties are:

A good coach is someone a child will remember long after the last game has ended and the season is over.

COACH TRAINING
Coaches must have a working knowledge of the game or aggressively pursuing an understanding of the game in order to effectively coach.

The BSA is committed to providing training and licensing opportunities for our volunteer coaches. Through these classes coaches will receive instruction on basic skills, knowledge of the game, basic care and prevention of injuries and other relevant information.

NYSCA (National Youth Sports Coaches Association) Training
Beginning with the 1999-00 season it is mandatory that all BSA Head Coaches have a current NYSCA membership. Membership is acquired by attending training, and must be renewed annually. All certification classes are held at the City of Beavercreek offices on Research Blvd. Contact your League Director for specific dates and times. The BSA pays the fee for the head coach of each team to attend. Upon completion of the class, each coach will be covered with $2 million excess liability insurance and $250,000 excess accident/medical insurance.

BSA BASIC (Beginner's Assistance to Soccer-Introductory Coaching) Training
This class is for the first year coach who is joining the BSA program for the first time. The class will give the novice coach a look at the BSA program, coaching theories, guidelines/objectives for running your practices and how to manage and organize your team. There is no fee for the class.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

· Attend the coach's meeting with your League Director
Prior to the start of the soccer season, your League Director will contact you to attend a meeting. Attendance at this initial coach's meeting is extremely important. You will receive your team roster, schedule, equipment and supplies. The League Director will also update you on the various activities that will be occurring throughout the season that deal directly with all players. Be informed.

· After obtaining the roster from your league director
Call your team members and parents. Set up the first practice time and work on a parent's orientation meeting. You will generally have 2-3 weeks to practice and get to know the team before your first game.

· At your team orientation meeting
Introduce yourself, your philosophies, and your objectives for the season. Pass out the roster, schedule, newsletter, picture info and relay any other information given by your League Director. (This information is given to you at the Coach's meeting.) Discuss player and parent responsibilities. Ask for volunteers or appoint an organized team representative to assist you.

TEAM REPRESENTATIVE (REP)
The coach has a lot of responsibility within the BSA. In order to remove some of the more administrative tasks from the coach, a team representative shall be identified. The team REP will be the point of contact for things like establishing a calling roster, passing out materials, like newsletters, and serve as a team focal point for any BSA fundraising activities.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT
Player equipment consists of shirt, shorts, socks, shin guards, and shoes. Each player is required to have an appropriate size soccer ball and water bottle. It is better to have a stitched ball rather than a molded ball.

Shoes must be either soft sole gym shoes or soft rubber molded cleat soccer shoes. Cleated baseball or football shoes with toe cleats are not permitted. Players are also responsible for wearing shin guards, which are mandatory equipment for participating in soccer. The socks must cover the shin guards at all times and must not have any exposed hard edges.

UNIFORM POLICY
The primary concern is safety with respect to wearing the uniform. Items that present a hazard to the player or the opponent are not permitted.

JEWELRY-MALE OR FEMALE
Jewelry of any sort is not normally permitted, including but not limited to: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, chains, chokers, rings, pendants, pins, buttons, watches, hard plastic and metal hair combs and barrettes. Medical notification tags or bracelets are permitted. Earrings may be covered with tape.

BLOOD AND BLEEDING
The BSA is concerned that all those in the league take appropriate precautions to prevent the transmission of blood borne and infectious diseases. A Player, Coach, Referee who is bleeding, has an open wound or has blood on the uniform or body shall be prohibited from participating until appropriate treatment is administered. Injured player rules apply.

Precautions for reducing the potential for transmission of infectious agents should include, but not be limited to, the following:

PRACTICES
Coaches should have a season long plan for player development. Practices are essential learning times for players to learn the basics of the game by creative drills and exercises. Practice sessions should be conducted at least once per week and should be maintained throughout the season.

Suggested length of practice:

GAME EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Before the fall season begins, each coach will be provided team jerseys and socks and a game ball. Goalie shirts may be distributed in some leagues.

At the end of the spring season the goalie shirt, the game ball, and other equipment distributed during the season must be returned to the League Director.

GAME MANAGEMENT
Inspect field, insure nets and flags are present, bring game ball. Make sure players are properly attired. Goalkeepers must wear colors that distinguish them from other players and referees on the field. Develop line-up Sign the referee's game card after the game.

Players not in the game and spectators should remain at least three (3) feet back from the touchlines, (sidelines) and within the area from the goal line to the goal line. No one is permitted behind the end lines.

FIELD PREPARATION
The team listed first in the schedule is the home team. The designated home team is responsible for insuring that the field is in playable condition. Playable condition is defined as nets and flags properly installed. The home team shall provide a properly inflated and playable game ball to the referee prior to the beginning of the match. In case of team colors conflicting, the home team shall obtain contrasting pennies from the concession stand. All field sites will be cleaned up prior to both teams leaving the playing field

PLAYING TIME
All players should play at least one-half of each game. Possible exceptions include injury, illness, ejection, or an obligation requiring a player to leave early or arriving late. Playing time may be limited as a result of disciplinary action of the player approved by the League Director in consultation with Commissioner or representative.

SUBSTITUTIONS
All leagues allow substitution

Subs should wait at mid-field. This makes it easier for the referees and helps get the players on the field quicker.

Timekeeper
It is the responsibility of the home team coach to provide a timekeeper, if requested by the referee. However, only the referee will signal when time has expired.

Assistant Referees
If only one referee is available, each team may be asked to provide one person who will call the line at the referee's instruction. They assist the referee by indicating when the ball is out of play, and which team is entitled to a corner kick or a throw-in. The referee's decision in all cases is final.

In keeping with BSA Recreation League philosophy, running up the score against an opposing team is strongly discouraged. Coaches of a dominating team should take the opportunity to adjust player and team positions to equal out the competition. This will enrich the player's experience and exhibit consideration toward the opponents without compromising the team's desire to win.

Following the Game
Good sportsmanship includes post-game congratulations and thanking the opposing teams for playing well and to their best abilities. Coaches and players should line up in an orderly fashion and offer handshakes and/or expressions of gratitude to the other team for a "good game". Absolutely no uncomplimentary remarks, whether joking or not, will be tolerated. No slapping, hitting, spitting, or other unsportsmanslike conduct will be tolerated.

PLAYER DISCIPLINE
Disciplinary action for players, who violate team rules, concerning missing practices, games etc. is the responsibility of the coach after consultation with the League Director. Prior to taking any action the coach must first discuss it with the parents and player. Difficult situations shall be referred to the Board of Directors through the appropriate League Director.

(Red Card instances) Every coach in the BSA is instructed to make all players aware and knowledgeable of unsportsmanlike behavior. Exhibiting the following unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. Players will be immediately expelled from the game and additional disciplinary actions may be imposed after review of the incident with the League Director and the approval of the Commissioner.

TEAM DUTIES

1. CONCESSION STAND DUTY (K, A, B, C, E, F, G Leagues)
The concession stand provides two vital functions to support the BSA. First, it provides food and refreshments for players and spectators. And second, the profits are used to provide for the referee program.

The successful operation of the concession stand is solely dependent on its volunteers. Leagues are assigned concession stand duty on certain days during the week and at specific times on Saturdays. The League Director assigns this duty to the teams when making up the schedule and each team should include concession stand duty as part of the players' schedule. Teams will normally only have concession stand duty once per season and every attempt is made so that only a portion of a game will be missed. The league encourages each team to assign concession stand duty just like the team refreshments are assigned.

The concession stand can be, at times, extremely busy and dangerous for small children underfoot. Volunteers are asked not to bring children into the concession stand and should make arrangements to have them watched while performing concession stand duty.

2. FIELD MAINTENANCE DUTY (D & H Leagues)
The preparation of the fields for play each week involves several activities. These activities include mowing the grass in the goals, trash pickup and dumping, and putting out the field corner flags. At certain times, the trimming of grass along the front of the complex and around the old telephone poles that mark the parking areas, cleaning up debris from storms and other miscellaneous tasks are assigned as well. Each Friday during the season teams from D and H Leagues are assigned to perform field maintenance duty. Four to six people from each assigned team should get the job done in about two hours.

3. FUND RAISERS (All Leagues)
Registration fees are the primary source of funds for operating expenses for the BSA. The Executive Board from time-to-time may determine that fundraisers are needed to supplement the registration fees. Fundraisers can used to cover general operating costs, or for extraordinary items, such as major equipment repair, or for capital improvements.

SPONSORSHIP
BSA code does not permit the teams to be individually sponsored. However, sponsorship of the entire organization is actively pursued. Currently, SHOUT is a proud sponsor of the BSA.

PETS
Pets are NOT PERMITTED in the soccer complex, during scheduled games.  Exception will be made for animals assisting persons with disabilities. When no games are scheduled within the complex, pets are permitted, but must be kept on a leash and under control at all times. Appropriate measures must be taken to clean up after all pets. If the cleanliness of the complex is not maintained, then pets will not be allowed.

SPEED LIMIT
The complex speed limit is 9 MPH.

DISCIPLINE FOR COACHES AND PARENTS
Soccer games belong to the children players and referees, not the parents or coaches. Please remember always that children are very sensitive and are trying their best on the soccer fields. Every child should be given positive support and encouragement even when they don't seem to be on top of their game. The game is where the players and referees test themselves and their training as they strive to play the best game they can. Mistakes, missed calls, missed opportunities are all part of the game and adults must strive to understand these human events in the most positive light. Adults must never place the value of winning over the safety, welfare or fun of the children.

Each coach is responsible for the conduct of his players, the parents, and supporters. Coaches and parents have an obligation to teach good sportsmanship by both word and example. Exhibiting the following unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated.

Referees are instructed to pause the game and call a conference with both coaches to express any concerns about intimidation, harassment, or abusive behavior by parents or coaches. If the coaches are unable to settle the concerns to the referee's satisfaction, the referee may call the game for cause and report immediately to the concession stand to report the incident. All incidents reported to the league will be investigated by the league director and the commissioner, or designated representative. Actions could include game suspensions and possible expulsions for repeated violations. Referees have the right to call the game if at any time they feel uncomfortable continuing because of actions by the coaches and/or parents.

REGISTERING A SUGGESTION
All suggestions should be reported immediately to the team coach even if the suggestion is about the team coach. Reasonable attempts must be made to resolve suggestions through the team coach before filing a suggestion with the League Director. Cordial and cooperative problem resolution is the responsibility of all parties.

Serious violations of BSA rules should be reported immediately to the League Director. Forms for registering a suggestion are available from the coach or at the concession stand. All suggestion forms must bear the names and signatures of the party filing the suggestion as well as the team coach, indicating that all parties have been appropriately informed. The suggestion form should be stapled shut and then placed in the League Director's mailbox in the back of the concession stand.

VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES
It is the League Director's duty to follow-up on any reported violations and report them as necessary to the Commissioner. The League Director has the authority to investigate and take the necessary action required to enforce these rules.

Protocol: Every attempt to handle suggestions discretely with all due respect and consideration to all parties should be exercised. Full disclosure of each suggestion, including but not limited to suggestion statements and names of complainants, accused, and witnesses shall be given to all parties and discussed privately without prejudice or advocacy by the League Director. All parties will be given opportunity to file written statements detailing their observations and attempts to resolve issues and/or take corrective measures.