Area G teams (and Area F teams) play a Fall Winter schedule. This means that teams are formed in late Summer and they play their games in a split season with half of their games in the Fall and half in the spring. Mos regions do not hold spring registrations, though a few do.
Whether a region has Spring registration or not, they will do everything they can to place children who want to play on a team if you contact them. The greatest impediment to placing a player is that once teams get too large, it hampers our ability to give each child adequate playing time.
Most regions are compiling a waiting list at this time while they poll coaches to determine team numbers. If you are interested in signing your child up for soccer at this late date, the best bet is to contact your local region and inquire. There are links to each region's website on the top right hand side of this page.
If you are unable to contact your local region, feel free to contact us on the form below and we will help facilitate that communication.
Purpose
The Area 8G Interplay Guidelines are intended to establish a common set of rules to facilitate an environment in which players, coaches, and officials are provided with opportunities, outside of their own region, to gain experience, resulting in increased levels of competition throughout the Area. These guidelines are intended only for Interplay games.
Definitions
Interplay is defined as two teams competing in a game scheduled by the Area 8G Interplay Scheduler. Interplay allows regions that are not self-sustaining in any division to gain necessary games for their team.
Self-sustaining is defined as more than five (5) teams in a division within a region.
Continuous Improvement
Communication and open constructive criticism of the Interplay program and these guidelines are encouraged. After each season, these guidelines should be reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, by the Area 8G Regional Commissioners.
Player and Coach Responsibility
Players are expected to understand the team concept involved and the commitment needed for a coach to be able to instruct to the best of his/her abilities.
Coaches must be serious and committed to the ideals of AYSO Soccer and also be tuned to the more competitive needs and expectations of the players.
FIFA, AYSO Rules and Regulations, and all area guidelines and directives are to be adhered to during all Area 8G interplay games. For interplay games, these guidelines supersede regional rules.
Any region in Area 8G may elect to participate in Interplay. A region may choose to schedule some or all of a division’s games through the Interplay Scheduler. Examples:
· A region with less than six U-12 girls’ teams may choose to have all their games scheduled by the Interplay Scheduler; or
· A self-sustaining region may choose to request that the Interplay Scheduler schedule one or two games to ensure a full schedule for their teams.
Divisional age breakdown is the standard AYSO format.
Each team will have in its coach’s possession, the players’ registration forms for each player.
Each coach will furnish a line up card to the referee prior to the start of the game.
The Area Interplay Scheduler will set a deadline each season, which will be communicated to the regional commissioners. Interested regions must provide the Area Interplay Scheduler with all necessary information, including number of teams in each division, coach contact information, and any limitations, if applicable (i.e., “no Thursday night games”.) The Area Interplay Scheduler will also require additional information such as field availability and regional board contact information. Regions should, when possible, assign specific days, time blocks, and fields for each division for interplay games, to facilitate easy scheduling.
Regions who do not meet the deadline may have to seek out their own games.
If the Interplay scheduler does attempt to accommodate a “late” team, they will be scheduled subject to:
· Time remaining before the first games are played
· Impact on the existing schedule; any adjustments to the schedule will be made to cause the least disruption to the teams already scheduled.
Between eight and sixteen games will be scheduled, depending upon the age group involved. The season (spring or fall), weather and field conditions will also dictate the game schedule. The number of games requested by each region will also be a factor in scheduling.
Teams should avoid canceling or rescheduling games whenever possible.
If a team must cancel a game, they should notify the opposing coach or other regional representative for that team. Follow-through is required by the canceling team to ensure that the opposing team is aware of the cancellation.
Teams that fail to give at least 5 days’ notice of cancellation may be subject to the Interplay cancellation fee.
Games cancelled due to weather may be rescheduled by the affected regions.
Failure of a team to give 5 days’ notice of cancellation or a “no show” on game day is a violation of these guidelines. Such violation will be addressed by the area’s regional commissioners at the next area meeting and, in the spirit of promoting a positive environment and experience for all concerned, the regional commissioners may deem that the violation is subject to a $50 cancellation fee. The Area Director will immediately notify the team’s regional commissioner of such a decision if the commissioner is not present at the meeting.
During all Interplay games, all teams will utilize one of the following 3 methods to determine the number of players on the field (prior to, and in exception of, any Law-related removals). Remember that the game is for the soccer player and every attempt must be made to play as many players as possible every quarter, up to the specified maximum number allowed on the field. The exchanging of players to facilitate this is highly encouraged.
If each team has enough players to field a complete team and both teams are able to play all players at least half of the game, then the game should be played, as usual, with the maximum number of players on the field. The maximum number of players per team is 7 for U10, 9 for U12, and 11 for U14 and above.
If a team has fewer than the maximum, but at least the minimum number of players, and the other team has no more than double that amount, then the team with fewer players will play them all and the other team will match them player for player. If the teams are willing, then players can be exchanged between the teams so that more can play, up to the maximum allowed. The minimum number of players per team is 4 for U10, 6 for U12, and 7 for U14 and above.
If one team has fewer than the minimum number of players, or fewer than half the players on the other team, but if split up evenly there would be enough players to meet the minimum number that is allowed to play the game, then one of the following must happen:
Regions are encouraged to form full roster teams appropriate for age division. For example: a U10 roster may consist of 10 players in order to field the 7v7 format.
Regardless of the format played, the girls and boys teams play under a gentlemen’s agreement of sportsmanship and fair play.
If a team loses a player to injury during a game, and has no substitutes, then the other team will also remove a player so that the two teams continue to match player for player. We highly encourage the lending of players from one team to another to provide our children with more playing time.
U16 and U19 boys’ normal playing season is spring.
U16 and U19 girls’ normal playing season is fall.
Based on the number and size of teams interested in Interplay each season, the Interplay Scheduler may coordinate small sided or full sided games.
Since Area Interplay does not keep or post standings, there are no forfeit situations.
The game referee may elect to wait a reasonable amount of time (i.e., 15 minutes) to see if any other team members arrive for a team that is short of players. After this time, the game should be played pursuant to the guidelines in the “Game/Team Format” section above.
There will be fewer Interplay game issues if parents, players, coaches, and referees abide by the AYSO philosophies. However, if issues do arise, they should be addressed as follows:
· If a parent, coach, or referee wishes to address an Interplay related game issue, he/she must submit, in writing, documentation (via standard or electronic mail) to his or her own Regional Commissioner (RC) with 72 hours of the incident.
· The RC will investigate and communicate the issue, including any relevant information, findings, and action plans to the other team’s RC within 3 days of receipt of the documented issue. The 2nd RC should advise the 1st RC of his/her action(s) to be taken, if required. Copies of all correspondence must be forwarded to the Area Director (AD).
· In the event that resolution is not reached between the RCs, either RC may request, in writing, that Area Director address the issue. Upon receipt of such a request, the AD will make a decision regarding the issue within two days and communicate such decision to the RCs of both regions. The AD’s decision is final, in accordance with AYSO National Rules and Regulations.
Red Card and Yellow Card procedures are enforced by the Area.
See the Officiating section of these guidelines.
There is no procedure for an appeal. The decision of the AD is final.
All rules for coaches will be according to the FIFA Laws of the Game, AYSO National Rules and Regulations, and these area guidelines.
If a coach removes his/her team from the playing field during a game: the same day the coach performs this action the coach must:
All rules for officiating will be from the FIFA Laws of the Game, AYSO National Rules and Regulations, and these area guidelines.
The following disciplinary actions will be taken when a player or substitute is sent off (given a red card) immediately before, during, or immediately following an interplay game:
First Time....... Suspended one (1) game
Second Time... Suspended two (2) games
Third Time...... Suspended indefinitely until reinstated by the Area Director (AD)
If the player is sent off during the player’s final game of the season, the suspension is carried over to that player’s first game during his/her next season.
Suspended players must server their suspensions by being present at their teams games, but not in uniform.
The following disciplinary actions will be taken when a coach is given a formal warning immediately before, during, or immediately following an interplay game:
Within the next two (2) weeks the coach will be assessed by the Area Coach Administrator (ACA) or any other person designated by the ACA or the AD.
The following disciplinary actions will be taken when a coach is ejected immediately before, during, or immediately following an interplay game:
First Time....... Suspended one (1) game
Following the one game suspension, the coach will be assessed by the ACA or any other person designated by the ACA or the AD.
Second Time... Suspended indefinitely until reinstated by the AD
If the ejection occurs during the coach’s final game of the season, the suspension is carried over to that coach’s first game during his/her next season.
For the above disciplinary situations:
In the event of an appeal, the process documented in the AYSO National Rules and Regulations shall be followed.
For U16 and U19 games, the traditional AYSO quarter substitution policy is not followed. Instead, a U16 or U19 coach may make substitutions, when approved by the referee, at any of the following stoppage times:
....................... At the half (referee approval not required)
....................... At the taking of a goal kick by either team
....................... At the taking of a throw-in by his/her own team, or at the taking of a throw-in by the
....................... other team if they also choose to make a substitution
....................... After a goal is scored by either team
....................... During a stoppage in play due to an injury on either team
It is not in the spirit of the game for coaches to use these substitution times as an opportunity to waste time, especially near the end of the game.
Coaches must ensure that each player plays at least half of the game.
Heading the ball in inter-play
At U-12 and above heading the ball is allowed. At U-8 and below heading is not coached and should not be allowed. At U-10 each region can set its own policy. However, for any inter-play game at the U-10 level the regions should reach an agreement. If there is no agreement then the coaches and referees should make a decision before the starting of the game. If the coaches cannot not agree then the game referee will make the decision before allowing the game to start.
AYSO's philosophies are living tenets that separate it from other sports organizations.
Our program's goal is for kids to play soccer so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least 50% of every game. It’s no fun to spend the game on the bench…and that’s no way to learn soccer!
Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible because it’s more fun and a better learning experience when teams of similar ability play. It allows for each player to gain the experience of a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels.
Our program is open to all children between 4 and 19 years of age who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing. There are no elimination try-outs and nobody gets cut.
We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment for the players and leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players. A coach can be one of the most influential people in a child’s life, so AYSO requires they create a positive experience for every boy and girl.
We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.
