League Operations Manual 2015

Maryland Elite Soccer League

www.marylandelitesoccer.com

Table of Contents

Section 1

Coaches Responsibilities 3

Section 2

Games/Rules of Play 8 v 8 4

Section 3

Games/Rules of Play 11 v 11 5

Section 4

Game Conduct 6

Section 5

Field Procedures 7

Section 6

Protest and Appeals 8

Section 7

Game Day Procedures 9

Section 8

Reporting and Team Standings 10

Section 9

Age groups 11

MARYLAND ELITE SOCCER LEAGUE (MESL)

ALL TEAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE, THROUGH THEIR COACHES AND MANAGERS, FOR KNOWING THESE MESL

RULES AND REGULATIONS AND ALSO THE US CLUB PASSCARD AND ROSTER RULES AND COLLECTIVELY

ARE PART OF THE MESL PLAYING RULES AND REGULATIONS. ALL TEAMS MUST HAVE A COPY OF THE

ROSTER AND PLAYER CARDS AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE AT ALL MESL GAMES. IT IS THE RESPONSIBIITY

OF THE COACH TO DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF THESE RULES TO ALL ASSISTANT COACHES, PARENTS AND

PLAYERS. COACHES: PLEASE VERIFY GAME DATES AND TIMES WITH THE OPPOSING COACH SEVERAL

DAYS BEFORE SCHEDULED MATCHES. WE HAVE TEAMS THAT TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO PARTICIPATE

IN OUR LEAGUE. PLEASE SHOW SOME COURTESY AND VERIFY FIELD CONDITIONS WHEN THE

POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THE FIELD MAY BE UNPLAYABLE AND NOTIFY LEAGUE COMMISIONER

IMMEDIATELY. ONLY THE LEAGUE COMMISIONER IS ALLOWE TO CANCEL GAMES DUE TO FORECAST.

WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT THE PLAYING CONDITIONS, BOTH TEAMS MUST SHOW UP AND WAIT FOR THE

REFEREE TO MAKE THE DECISION.

MESL Games/Rules of Play U8-U12 (8V8)

I. Coaching is to take place from the sidelines between the center line and the penalty area line.

Both the home team and visiting team have to be on the same sideline occupying their half of

the field. Parents have to be on the opposite side. Infraction of this rule constitutes

unsportsmanlike conduct and is subject to disciplinary action.

II. Giving one’s own team points of strategy and position is permitted

III. No mechanical or electronic devices are used

IV. Tone of voice is informative and not a harangue

V. Only carded officials on the roster are allowed in the coach’s box during the game

VI. All family, friends, relatives must remain on the opposite teams side and the coach is

responsible for their unacceptable behavior.

VII. U8-U12 (8v8) Rules and Regulations MESL will use a small-sided format for our younger age

groups.

VIII. The home team and/or club will be responsible for the condition of the grounds, the proper

field markings and proper equipment. Nets and corner flags are required. It will be the

responsibility of the home team to have a game ball and to see that their fans behave in a

proper and respectful manner. All fields should be policed for litter before and after every game

by both teams.

IX. The game may be cancelled at the discretion of the Referee.

X. Colors: Home team has first choice on the uniform color. Visiting team shall change jersey

colors if there is a conflict.

XI. In the event of nonappearance of the appointed Referee, the opposing coaches/managers

should agree to a solution, written on the back of the game report and signed by both coaches

which needs to be submitted to the league within 24 hours by both teams. In that case, the

game is to be played and will be official.

XII. FIFA Rules (e.g., throw-ins by either team, free kicks, corners, etc.) are modified to allow

unlimited substitution with the referee’s permission, at every stoppage in play. Free

substitution is allowed for all age groups.

XIII. Players must be clearly standing and waiting AT THE MID-FIELD LINE to be substituted.

MESL Games/Rules of Play – U-12 through U-15 (11v11)

I. Coaching is to take place from the sidelines between the center line and the penalty area line.

Both the home team and visiting team have to be on the same sideline occupying their half of

the field. Parents have to be on the opposite side. Infraction of this rule constitutes

unsportsmanlike conduct and is subject to disciplinary action.

II. Giving one’s own team points of strategy and position is permitted.

III. No mechanical or electronic devices are used.

IV. Tone of voice is informative and not a harangue.

V. Only carded officials on the roster are allowed in the coach’s box during the game.

VI. All family, friends, relatives must remain on the teams opposite side of the field, and the coach

is responsible for their unacceptable behavior.

VII. All fields should be policed for litter before and after every game by both teams. The game may

be cancelled at the discretion of the Referee.

Colors: Home team has first choice on the uniform color. Visiting team shall change jersey

colors if there is a conflict.

VIII. In the event of nonappearance of the appointed Referee, the opposing coaches/managers

should agree to a solution, written on the back of the game report and signed by both coaches

which needs to be submitted to the league within 24 hours by both teams. In that case, the

game is to be played and will be official.

XIV. FIFA Rules (e.g., throw-ins by either team, free kicks, corners, etc.) are modified to allow

unlimited substitution with the referee’s permission, at every stoppage in play. Free

substitution is allowed for all age groups.

XV. Players must be clearly standing and waiting AT THE MID-FIELD LINE to be substituted.

MESL Game Conduct, Violations and Disciplinary Rulings

A. Players guilty of fighting before, during or after games shall receive a minimum two (2) game

suspension for the first offense. For a second offense, the player will appear before the

Disciplinary Board and may be suspended for a period up to one (1) year.

B. Player guilty of using profanity, either by word or sign, against other players, coaches,

spectators, Referees or any League official shall receive a minimum two (2) game suspension.

C. Players guilty of making threatening gestures against other players, coaches, spectators,

Referees, or any League official shall receive a minimum one (1) game suspension.

D. Players guilty of pushing or striking any coach or official shall receive a one (1) year

suspension.

E. Any player or team official sent off the field by the Referee shall receive a minimum one (1)

game suspension.

F. Coaches or team officials who make threatening gestures or use threatening language will be

disciplined according to the following:

i. First offense: The offender shall appear before the League Disciplinary Panel and shall

be suspended for a minimum of two (2) games and a maximum of four (4) game if found

guilty.

ii. Second offense (within the year): The offender may be suspended for a period no less

than one (1) year.

G. Coaches or team officials who fight at any time shall be disciplined according to the

following schedule:

i. First offense: The offender shall be suspended for 4 games

ii. Second offense: The offender shall be suspended from participating in the league

H. Any player or team official who has been suspended shall not be on, or in the vicinity of, the

field during games from which he/she is suspended.

I. Any club or club official/coach/trainer/manager guilty of violating MESL Rules and

Regulations or the laws of the game may be fined or otherwise dealt with by the Commissioner

or the Disciplinary Panel

Field Procedures

A. Our purpose is to promote, teach and play soccer; to be flexible; to develop the abilities of

our players; and above all, to advance good sportsmanship. Enjoy the game and leave it on the

field. MESL teams compete outdoors over two seasons. Fall and Spring season — combined

they make up a seasonal year.

B. All teams are expected to play their complete schedule unless extenuating circumstances

cause a cancellation. In the case of a cancellation, the League commissioner should be

informed, and unless approved by the League commissioner, the teams should reschedule.

C. Coaches will be responsible for Referee fees if the League and Referee schedulers are not

notified of a cancellation.

D. Referees shall be paid one-half of their fee for matches that are cancelled due to weather or

if the field is determined to be unplayable by the Referee prior to the start of the game.

E. Once a game has been started, the officials receive their full fees. If the first half has been

completed, the score will stand. If the match is called prior to the completion of the first half, it

must be rescheduled.

F. Coaches must make every effort to work with MESL and reschedule the game within seven

(7) days of the cancellation.

G. Forfeits will be awarded after a review of the facts, and then only by the League. The game

will be recorded as 3-0 for the losing team

Protests and Appeals

A. Should any person, team or club want to protest or appeal any decision, the line of authority

shall be: To the League Commissioner, then to the League Disciplinary Panel.

B. The league shall deal with all protests and appeals arising out of any league games. Protests

and appeals are to be written or typed and sent to the Commissioner, in triplicate and by

express mail within three (3) calendar days following the date of the match or the disciplinary

decision being protested. The protest fee (a $100.00 check made payable to MESL) must be

enclosed with all protests.

C. The protest fee will be returned if the protest is upheld. The fee to file an appeal will be

returned if the League is overruled and so on down the line.

D. The referee’s judgment with regard to the physical condition of the field and its playability,

with regard to the actual happenings and occurrences on and off the field from the time he or

she arrives until he or she leaves the field, and with regard to those prerogatives granted to him

or her.

Game Day Procedures

Check-in should begin approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff and every effort

should be made to start the game on time.

A. It is the responsibility of team officials to have all player cards and fees available for referee

to check in prior to the start of each game. Players who arrive late must check in with the

referee and present their player card prior to playing in the match.

B. It is the responsibility of the home team to print the game card from the got soccer website

and have the referee sign the card at the end of the game. The game card needs to be

emailed to the League Commissioner within 24 hours.

C. If the designated coach and/or assistant is not present, the referee may inquire as to their

whereabouts and take appropriate action to demand their cooperation, where necessary, if

either is in the vicinity of the field. It shall be the responsibility of the manager/coach to

notify the referee, prior to the game, whether any players or coaches are not in possession

of their player cards.

D. Referee calls for captains: allows home team to call heads or tails in toss of the coin; asks

whether winner of toss wants to have the first kickoff OR wants to choose which end of

field to attack in the first half. In second half, teams swap ends and other team has kickoff.

E. The game will be consider a forfeit 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time unless the

game before head was delayed. For 8 v 8 a team is required to start the game with if five (5)

players are present. For 11 v 11 games, a team is required to start the game if seven (7)

players are present.

FIFA Walkout Pregame

The home team is responsible for ensuring that the FIFA walkout is performed prior to each game and that the referees are aware of this requirement. The referee(s) lead the way.

The visiting team remains in line at center of the field and the home team greets the visiting team by shaking hands by each home team player down the line of the visiting team.

MVP Awards

At the end of each game the coaches select one player from the opposite team as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). MVP cards will be emailed to coaches at the beginning of the season in a pdf file and need to be printed before each game and completed at the end of the game. The players truly deserve this commitment from the coaches.

Reporting and Team Standings

A. The WINNING TEAM must report the game score within 24 hours of completion of the

game. HOME teams will report the score for tied games. Scores should be submitted by

accessing the GotSoccer web site – under Schedules section. Access is granted through the

MESL number assigned to each team. Include game number, age division, winning team

name and score, losing team name and score.

B. Points will be awarded for games played to determine team standings.

C. Three (3) points will be awarded for the winning team.

D. One (1) point will be awarded for a tied game. No overtime.

E. Zero (0) points will be awarded to the losing team.

F. The following criteria will be used to resolve first and second place ties:

i. Head-to-head competition in League play.

ii. Goal differential in head-to-head competition (goals for vs. goals against)

iii. Most wins

iv. Goal differential in League play (goals for vs. goals against)

v. Maximum three (3) per game

vi. Total goals scored

vii. Division Winners will receive trophy

Age Groups

A. Prior to each fall and spring season, by dates established by the Executive Board, each team

must submit properly completed affiliation, registration and roster form to the League, along

with the established fees. Only those properly registered players appearing on the roster form

are eligible to play that season. No player may be added to the roster after roster deadlines

have passed, unless granted a hardship ruling by the Executive Board.

B. Each team official (i.e., coach, assistant coach, manager) shall be listed on the team affiliation

form and roster.

C. No player shall be registered to play for more than one team within this League.

D. The registration and MESL league has only affiliation with US Club player cards and roster.

Roster size also follows the rules of US Club Soccer registration.

U8 – U12 8 V 8

Age Group U8 U9 U10 U11 U12

Registration Cost

$425 $475 $475 $475 $475

Ball Size 4 4 4 4 4

Recommended Field Size

60-45 yards

60-45 yards

60-45 yards

70-50 yards

70-50 yards

Recommended Goal Size

6 x 12 feet wide

6 x 12 feet wide

6 x 12 feet wide

7 x 21 feet wide

7 x 21 feet wide

Recommended Penalty Area

10 x 24 yards

10 x 24 yards

10 x 24 yards

14 x 35 yards

14 x 35 yards

Penalty Mark 10 yards 10 yards 10 yards 10 yards 10 yards

Duration of Game

25 Minute halves

30 Minute halves

30 Minute halves

30 Minute halves

30 Minute halves

Referee(1) 1 Referee 1 Referee 1 Referee 1 Ref 2 ARS

1 Ref 2 ARS

Referee Fees Per team/game

$30 in cash Per team a game

$30 in cash per team a game

$30 in cash per team a game

$55 in cash per team ( Ref $50, ARS $30 each)

$55 in cash per team (Ref $50 ARS $30 each)

U12 – U16 11 v 11

Age Group U12 U13 U14 U15

Registration Cost

$500 $500 $525 $525

Ball Size 4 5 5 5

Recommended Field Size

100-60 yards

100-60 yards

100-60 yards

110-75 yards

Recommended Goal Size

8 x 24 feet wide

8 x 24 feet wide

8 x 24 feet wide

8 x 24 feet wide

Recommended Penalty Area

18 x 44 yards

18 x 44 yards

18 x 44 yards

18 x 44 yards

Penalty Mark 12 yards 12 yards 12 yards 12 yards

Duration of Game

30 Minute halves

35 Minute halves

35 Minute halves

40 Minute halves

Referees 1 Referee 2 ARS

1 Referee 2 ARS

1 Referee 2 ARS

1 Referee 2 ARS

Referee Fees Per team/game

$70 in cash per team ( Ref $70, ARS $35 each)

$70 in cash per team ( Ref $70, ARS $35 each)

$80 in cash per team (Ref $80 ARS $40 each)

$80 in cash per team (Ref $80 ARS $40 each)

Pete Sarioglou

League Commissioner

MESL Referee Fees Per-Team

Game Time Age Group Referee Position Center/Line/Line

One Referee Alone

50 Minutes U-8 $30(Center Only) $30

60 Minutes U-9 $30(Center Only) $30

60 Minutes U-10 $30(Center Only) $30

60 Minutes U-11 $25/$15/$15 $45

60 Minutes U-12 8 v8 $25/$15/$15 $45

60 Minutes U-12 11 v 11 $30/$20/$20 $50

70 Minutes U-13 $30/$20/$20 $55

80 Minutes U-14 $35/$25/$25 $60

80 Minutes U15 $35/$25/$25 $60

80 Minutes U16 $35/$25/$25 $60

Player Equipment

A. Shin guards are mandatory

B. A player cannot wear jewelry, eye glasses, taped jewelry and tapped earrings at the game. Hard

casts are only permitted if the cast is wrapped safely and permitted by the referee. Sports

goggles are permitted

MESL League Game Cancellations

Field closings by club of field coordinators are to be reported to the league through the online system in

timely manner

Field is declared unplayable by the referee on site

No field closures or game cancellations will take place without a communication and approval of the

league