Austin Men's Soccer Association Rules 1.0 - 4.2
1. COMPETITIONS AND DIVISIONS
1.1 SEASON(S)
The Association season will run from early Fall of one year until the late Spring of the next, except as follows: The lowest division shall play two short seasons, designated “Fall” and “Spring,” to allow for adjustment of competitive levels and to allow new teams to enter the League. Additionally, there shall be a Summer Season that shall extend from June to August. Teams that enter the Summer Season shall play in the highest division for which they qualify based on the regular season standings. All schedules shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
1.2 COMPETITIONS
The Association shall sponsor league play in two competitions, an Open competition and an Age Restricted competition. Any team meeting the general requirements of the Association may enter the Open competition. Teams in the Age Restricted competition must be composed entirely of players who meet the age requirements for that division, subject to the Age Restricted Rules of Competition (Article 7).
1.3 CLASSIFICATION
1. The number of teams in a division shall normally be ten, except when necessary to accommodate a workable schedule among all registered teams.
2. Except as provided in Rules 1.1-1 (lowest division), 1.3-5 (adjustments to classification), and 7.5 (age-restricted divisions), teams who finish first, and second, in each division at the end of the annual season shall be promoted to the next higher division. Teams finishing last and next to last shall be relegated to the next lower division.
Divisions subject to 1-1.1 above shall follow the same promotion and relegation rules except it shall happen for each short season with the exception that there shall be no mid season promotion from the lowest division, unless a team from the next-to-lowest division requests to move down, or vacancies occur through team attrition. Teams that are moved to a higher division at the mid point of the season to complete a division in the place of a team that has folded or been thrown out, shall not be subject to the relegation rule for the remainder of that season.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, teams in the Open competition shall not be relegated to an Age-Restricted competition, and teams in an Age-Restricted Competition shall not be promoted to the Open competition. Nor shall teams in one Age-Restricted competition be subject to promotion or relegation to a chronologically-different Age-Restricted competition (for example, from Over-30 to Over-40).
3. A new team wishing to join the open or the age-restricted competition shall submit their application to the Competition Committee, who shall place them in a division appropriate to their competitive level, taking into consideration the factors set out in 1.3-5 below.
4. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any team may appeal their classification prior to the start of the next season. An appeal may be taken as to promotion, relegation, or any decision affecting classification other than initial placement of a new team. Appeal shall lie to the Competition Committee and the Commissioners of the affected divisions, in consultation with the President and Administrator (hereinafter referred to as the “Competition Committee”).
The Competition Committee shall have the power to adjust the classification of an appealing team. In determining whether to make adjustments, the Committee shall seek to promote parity of competition in any divisions affected by the proposed adjustment. The Committee shall consider the following specific matters:
a. The competitive level of the appealing team, as evidenced by (1) their won-loss and goals-for-versus-goals-against record in the preceding season; (2) the loss or addition of players; and (3) any relevant information as to the competitive level of the team.
b. The impact on other teams in any division affected by the proposed adjustment; and
c. The wishes of other teams in any division affected by the proposed adjustment.
If the considerations for-and-against an appeal are evenly balanced, the appeal shall be resolved in favor of placing the appealing team in a division having an odd-number of teams, in preference to one having an even-number of teams.
1.4 STANDINGS AND CHAMPIONS
The standings for each division shall include only those teams active in that division. They shall not include teams that left the division during the course of the year, either to change divisions (such teams will be listed in their new division) or because the team folded in mid-season. Standings shall be based on all games played in the division since the beginning of the season. The teams shall be ordered by the following measures:
1. Three points for a win, one point for a tie.
2. Goal difference, that is, goals scored minus goals conceded, with the limitation that no more than plus or minus three goals shall be credited for any one game.
3. Number of wins.
4. Goals scored.
5. Coin toss.
• Each measure shall be divided by the number of games in which it was accumulated. Forfeits shall count as wins or losses with the team awarded the forfeit winning by 2 goals. In addition, in the first half of the season or in the case of teams that are subject to playing short seasons (RULE 1.1, COMPETITIONS AND DIVISIONS), should any team drop out or be suspended from further play by the League in the second half of the season, then all remaining games for that team shall count as a forfeit with a 2-0 score awarded to the opponents.
• For teams that play a long season (RULE 1.1, COMPETITIONS AND DIVISIONS), should any team drop out or be suspended from further play by the League in the first half of the season, then all games for that team shall not count towards the standings. Should any team drop out or be suspended from further play by the League in the second half of the season, then all remaining games for that team shall count as a forfeit with a 2-0 score awarded to the opponents.
2.0 TEAMS AND CLUBS
2.1 TEAM REGISTRATION
1. All teams shall be registered with the Association. Teams may become affiliated with the Texas State Soccer Association South (TSSAS), USSSA Soccer, the United States Soccer Federation and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), along with the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA), and other soccer-related organizations. Teams will be responsible for registering on or before such deadlines as are set for league, tournament and State or National Cup play.
2. Team Fees must be paid in full by the first game unless prior arrangements have been made with both the Registrar and the Treasurer and approved by the President or Vice President. Failure to pay in full within the given time limits will result in an additional $50.00 per week added to the team fees up to two (2) weeks beyond the original deadline (First Game). After three (3) games or three (3) weeks whichever is the shorter, teams that are not paid in full, shall be suspended from participating in further games until such fees are paid. These suspended games shall NOT be replayed and shall count as a forfeit to the other team. Two (2) such forfeits and the team shall no longer participate in the league with no refunds of any money already paid.
3. Team fees must be paid in full by no more than three (3) checks or money orders. Individual player checks will NOT be accepted as a collective amount towards team registration fees. Team Captains and Managers are responsible for presenting the correct amount of fees.
4. Cash will NOT be accepted under any circumstances
2.2 CLUBS
Any bona fide organization with written By-Laws and a unified governing body may register with the Association as a club. A club may register one or more teams in each competition. All such teams must play under the club name with qualifying suffixes to distinguish the teams. A club need not enter more than one team. [The amendment removing the restriction against a club having more than one team in the same division shall become effective with the start of the 2009-10 season.]
3.1 PLAYER REGISTRATION
Every player must be registered and obtain from the Association a player registration card. A player may register with any other team or teams in any other division as long as the player meets the division requirements, and regardless whether said divisions are affiliated with USASA or USSSA. The registration card must reflect whether said divisions are affiliated with USASA or USSSA. See Rule 4.2-3 for limitations on the number of multiple players who may play for any one team in any one match.
• Player(s) are not considered to be registered until all the following requirements have been completed: Registrations must be submitted to the Registrar one week prior to the game in question Registrations will not be processed if they are incomplete including but not limited to incomplete or missing information, wrong forms, missing forms, missing player cards and/or pictures, no check or money order, cash in lieu f a check or money order.
• A player who turns 30, 40, 50 or any of the Age Restrictions as set by AMSA during the course of a season may register with the Amateur competition and any Age Restricted Team that he qualifies for under AMSA rules without penalty or delay. Refer to 7.7.1
3.2 YOUTH PLAYERS
A youth player may register and play provided he follows the rules and procedures set out by the Youth Association and other sanctioning bodies for such registration.
3.3 PLAYER RELEASE RULES (TRANSFERS)
1. For the purposes of clarification, players no longer “transfer”. Each player must be released by the manager of the team that he is leaving and then as a free agent, sign for the team he wishes to join.
2. A registered player may move from one team or club to another by submitting the player release form completed by the team manager of the team the player is leaving , his old player registration card, a new player roster form with the information of the team he is joining. and a fee to the Association registrar, who will issue an updated card registrations will not be processed if received by the Registrar less than 7 days before the next game. The Registration is considered effective when the new card is issued or revised information placed on the back of the existing card and the player has been added to the team’s roster. but the following restrictions apply:
a. From the beginning of the season until the end of February a player may change teams without delay once provided all of the proper procedures have been followed. a player who changes teams a second time during this interval is not eligible to play in the next four games played by the new team.
b. From March 1 until the start of the summer season no transfers will be permitted.
c. The four game sit-out requirement shall be waived for players changing from teams that have folded in mid season. The Executive Committee or its agents may also waive it if the player can show that he did not play in the preceding four games played by the team he is leaving.
d. A player who turns 30 during the course of a season may register with the Amateur competition and any Over 30 Division without penalty or delay.
4.0 PLAYING RULES
4.1 PREGAME PROCEDURES
4.1.1. GAME ROSTER
Before each game, each team captain shall present the Referee a standard team roster form listing the names and jersey numbers of all players registered with the team. A standard team roster form shall be issued by the Registrar. Teams will be responsible in duplicating the form for game use. Failure to submit the standard team roster form will result in disciplinary action to the team. An exception to the printed roster form is allowed in case of failure of the equipment producing the form. Players arriving late may be added, but once a player is checked in by the referee he may not be removed. It is the responsibility of the team captain to insure that all players listed are registered and eligible to play at the time of the game. An ineligible player on the roster either checked in by the Referee or written in shall be assumed to have played and so shall be grounds for a forfeit and possible further disciplinary action by the Discipline and Procedures Committee.
4.1.2. PLAYER CARDS
Each player should present a properly laminated player registration card with current team and season information, signed by the registrar. If the registrar finds the player to not have been properly registered with the team or the league, the game will be a forfeit and possible further disciplinary action by the Discipline and Procedures Committee.
4.1.3. UNIFORMS
1. All field players must have uniforms comprising of shirts, shorts, socks that are a close match or similar to that teams designated color for each part of the uniform.. The jerseys must be numbered permanently on the back with at least eight inch numerals. Players may not change numbers during the game. "Magic Marker" or similar marking material and taped on numbers are not allowed.
2. Shin guards must be worn at all times. In the event that a player is not wearing them he will be asked to leave the field to put on a pair. Socks must cover shin guards during play.
3. Slide-pants may be worn if they do not extend past the length of the knees and match the primary color of the shorts.
4. No two field players may have the same number.
5. In case of color conflict, the designated home team must change. A color conflict is not an excuse for improper uniforms.
6. A referee may waive any of the uniform rules in particular cases involving minor noncompliance.
4.1.4. STARTING TIMES
If one or both teams are not ready at the scheduled time, the referee shall allow a ten minute grace period. "Ready" means having a roster card ready and at least seven players in uniform, ready for inspection of equipment. If a team is not present and ready after the ten minute grace period and the other is ready, the ready team may choose to allow an additional ten minute grace period, or to require the referee to forfeit the game in their favor immediately. If a team is not ready after the second grace period, the match shall be forfeited against them. After the grace period(s) and the game is played, the delay time will be deducted from game time if necessary to accommodate the ending time. All 8:00 am games will start on time. Referees are instructed to start the time at 8:00 am. Both halves will be shortened accordingly. (does not apply if the referees are not ready).
4.1.5. ENDING TIMES
All games must end at least ten minutes before the next game scheduled on the same field. If necessary, the referee shall hold the half-time to five minutes and shorten both halves equally in order to end on time. If there is no following game, the game should be played full length.
4.2 GAME RULES
All games shall be played under then current FIFA rules with the following exceptions and additions:
1. Games may be scheduled on fields that do not meet FIFA rules regarding size, markings, and equipment such as corner flags.
2. Substitutions shall be permitted in accordance with FIFA rules with the following differences:
a. All players and substitutes must be listed on the roster card.
b. A player removed for a substitute may later reenter the game.
c. There is no limit on the number of substitutions.
d. A team may substitute only with the permission of the referee. Teams may request permission during a stoppage of play for a goal-kick, after a goal, at half-time, or for a throw-in to be taken by the substituting team. The referee should also permit a substitution on the same team for an injured player or a player who has just been cautioned.
3. No more than four (4) multiple players may play in any one match for team other than their primary team. This Rule must be invoked before the start of the match in question, or it shall be considered waived. [This amendment becomes effective beginning in the 2009-2010 season.]