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| The Area R Guidelines have been set before the Area R Executive Board for approval. They were subsequently approved and are the Guidelines by which Area R shall be governed. |
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| All Area R games shall be conducted in accordance with the current FIFA Laws of the Game, the decisions of the International Board, the AYSO National and Section 11 Rules and Regulations, and the Area R Guidelines, as contained herein. |
| The Area R Guidelines are intended to compliment the AYSO National Guidelines and address situations not adequately addressed by other prevailing AYSO rules and regulations, bylaws and guidelines. |
| Any situation or subject not covered by the Area R Guidelines shall be decided upon by the Area Staff and Area Director. |
| Authorities and responsibilities of the Area Director as defined in the Area R Guidelines, may be delegated to a third person at his/her discretion. |
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| The Area R Board of Directors shall consist of voting members and staff members. |
| Executive Members (Area Director and Regional Commissioners) constitute the voting members of the Board. The Area Director shall serve as a tie-breaker in the case of a tie. |
| Area Staff Members include the Area Management Administrator, Referee Administrator, Director of Referee Assessment, Director of Referee Instruction, Coach Administrator, Coach Instructor, Treasurer, Secretary, Spring Coordinator, Scheduler / Statistician, Webmaster and any other staff designated by the Area Director. |
| Area meetings will be held on the Thursday evenings following the third Tuesday of each month, barring any special circumstances. There should be maximum participation in the Area R monthly meetings either by the Regional Commissioners or a region representative. |
| Five of the Regional Commissioners and the Area Director, or his/her designee shall constitute a quorum, however, every effort will be made to include each Region in voting issues. |
- If a region is not represented at the meeting and time is not a factor, an email call for vote will be issued. The Regional Commissioner then has forty-eight hours in which to reply or will lose his/her ability to cast a vote on the particular issue at hand.
- If a situation occurs and a decision is needed as soon as possible, the Area Director can email or call each commissioner and they have 24 hours in which to vote. If every effort was made to contact them, and no contact could be made, they lose the ability to vote as long as five votes are established.
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| Only one vote per region shall count and a simple majority shall carry any vote by the Area R Board of Directors. |
| A designated representative, by the commissioner may cast a substitute vote in the his/her absence. |
| The Regional Commissioners shall have jurisdiction over all games played in his/her region and shall be responsible for the coordination of his/her respective region. |
| In the event a dispute between two or more regions that cannot be resolved through mutual agreement between the respective Regional Commissioners, the Area Director for Area R shall resolve the dispute through arbitration or an executive ruling, should arbitration fail. |
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| Section 3 |
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| Player Eligibility |
| Each region shall be responsible for selection of coaches, formation of its teams and leagues and for insuring eligibility of its players. |
| Ages of players shall be determined as enumerated below. |
- U6 must be five years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
- U8 must be seven years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
- U10 must be nine years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
- U12 must be eleven years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
- U14 must be thirteen years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
- U16 must be fifteen years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
- U19 must be eighteen years of age or younger as of August 1st of a given year.
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| All players must have played in at least one-half of the total number of scheduled games for the AYSO Regular Season Program to be eligible to participate in post-season play barring injury or illness. |
| AYSO Player registration forms, team rosters, and player identification cards (if required) must be in the possession of a team representative at all AYSO sponsored events (games, practices, scrimmages, team parties, etc.) |
| Failure to prove the eligibility of one or more players on a team, or falsification of same, during Area play-offs will result in the expulsion of said player(s), a forfeiture of all games played until the time of the expulsion and further disciplinary action shall be at the discretion of the Executive Members of the Area Staff. |
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| Section 4 |
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| Rosters for Area Play-Offs |
| The Regional Commissioner with teams participating in Area play-offs, shall be responsible for the submittal of certified Team Rosters from each team to the Area Director at least one week prior to play. This is the official eAYSO, one page, tournament roster signed by the Regional Commissioner. |
| No team will be allowed to participate in any Area R play-off games without a properly completed Team Roster in the possession of the coach of said team. |
| No changes to the Team Roster will be allowed once the first scheduled game of the play-offs for that team has commenced. |
| Roster changes in play-off games shall only be with the express approval of the Area Director prior to the teams first game played. |
| A copy of the revised roster shall be forwarded to the Area Director as soon as possible. |
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| Section 5 |
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| Registration and Medical Release Forms |
| No player may participate in any Area R play-off game unless a properly completed and signed (original signature) AYSO Registration Form for the player is in the possession of the team coach or his/her designee. |
| It shall be the responsibility of the Game Official (Field Coordinator) in charge of the play-off location to verify that a proper AYSO Registration Form and Player I.D. card (if required) for each participating player is present. |
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| Section 6 |
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| Field of Play: Regional Responsibilities |
| Each Regional Commissioner hosting Inter-Regional play, shall be responsible for properly preparing the playing fields used in their respective region to ensure the utmost player safety. |
| Each Region participating in Inter-Regional play, shall supply the goals, the nets and the corner flags for their respective field(s). |
| Each coach is responsible for cleaning up the general area after their game(s). |
| Field set-up and take-down shall be the responsibility of the hosting Region, but may in some cases be shared by other regions. Generally, the teams participating in the last game of the day take down the goals. |
| No dogs or pets of any kind are allowed at the fields. Use of any tobacco product, drugs, or alcoholic beverages is prohibited. |
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| Each Region shall determine the number of players in their U6 and U8 divisions. |
| A minimum of five players shall constitute a team in U10. The maximum number of players shall be ten. |
| A minimum of six players shall constitute a team in U12. The maximum number of players shall be twelve. |
| A minimum of seven players shall constitute a team in U14-U19. The maximum number of players shall be fifteen for U14, and eighteen for U16-U19. |
U10 shall play 7 vs. 7
U12 shall play 9 vs. 9
U14 thru U19 shall play 11 vs. 11. |
| The HOME TEAM is the team listed first on the schedules. |
| When a color conflict in uniform exists, the HOME TEAM shall change jerseys or wear bibs. |
| All regions must have a color change of uniforms (bibs) at each field site. |
| All U16 & U19 teams must have player ID cards. |
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| All uniforms shall be in accordance with AYSO National Rules and Regulations as described in Section 400 of the Regional Commissioner's Manual, and may not be exchanged by players during a game (goalkeeper exempt). Uniforms shall be kept neat and presentable during the game, i.e. jerseys tucked in, etc. |
| Shin Guards must be worn by all players at all times during a game, and must be of an acceptable quality and size to offer adequate protection, i.e. the shin guards must cover at least half the leg from the knee down, and must be worn inside and completely covered by the sock. |
| Sliding pants/bicycle shorts may be worn provided they meet the requirements of the Laws of the Game, i.e. they may not extend below the knee and must be of the same color as the dominating color of the team uniform shorts. Goalkeepers may wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and knee pads. No other player shall wear knee pads or elbow pads. Knee braces are allowed only if without metal or hard plastic hinges. No jewelry of any kind. |
| Braces may be worn in accordance with the AYSO National Rules and Regulations and/or AYSO National Board decisions, and if allowed by the Game Official in charge of the game. |
- No hard type of plastic, metal, or anything else considered dangerous to any player may be worn during the game.
- Soft wrap only will be allowed. No metal clips can be used to affix any type of brace or wrap to the player.
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| No player shall be allowed to play in a game with any type of hard cast on either arm(s) or leg(s). A soft foam wrap will not be allowed around any hard cast. |
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| Section 9 |
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| Game Officials: Referees and Assistants |
| Regional Referee Administrators shall assign game officials for Inter-Regional games assigned to his/her region. |
| It is the responsibility of the Regional Referee Administrator to ensure that qualified referees with the appropriate ability and age, i.e. at least two years older than the players in the respective game, are provided for all games. |
| To ensure that this requirement is met, for Division U16 & U19 games primarily, and to ensure an Area-wide game official participation in play-off games is maintained, the Regional Referee Administrator(s) shall work closely with and under the guidance of the Area Referee Administrator. |
| All Play-off games shall be officiated using the Diagonal System of Control, i.e. one Center Referee and two Assistant Referees. |
| The use of "Club Linesmen" is encouraged when an insufficient number of game officials are available. |
| The Game Officials for a particular game shall at all times uphold the FIFA Laws of the Game, the AYSO National, Section 11, and Area R Guidelines. |
| Wherever possible, game officials assigned to Area Playoff games shall not come from region(s) represented by either team. It is recognized that this may not always be possible and/or practical. |
| It is the responsibility of the Center Referee in charge of the game to file a written Misconduct Report on all cautions and send-offs to the Area Referee Administrator within forty-eight hours after the conclusion of the game in which the offense(s) occurred. |
| To assure a proper administration of the disciplinary rules, it is the responsibility of the game official to make a preliminary verbal report by phone of all send-offs (red cards), game suspensions or terminations to the Area Referee Administrator immediately following the game in which the send-off(s) took place. (or same day) |
| It is also the responsibility of the Center Referee to report in written form to the Area Referee Administrator, any behavior by coaches and/or spectators on or off the field that seriously interfered with his/her conduct of the game. |
| It is the responsibility of the Center Referee to assure that information on cautions and send-offs is noted on the game card and in the Misconduct Report. |
| Player I.D. cards (U16 & U19 divisions) of players sent-off shall be retained and forwarded as instructed by the Area Referee Administrator. |
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| Each coach or an approved team representative must check-in on Friday evening (location TBA) prior to the Area League and All-Star playoffs. During the Friday night check-in, the coach must present the number of properly completed game card(s) for each game scheduled in pool play plus one card each for semi-finals and finals; each player's registration form; player ID cards (when required) and the official e-AYSO Team roster signed by the Regional Commissioner. Properly completed game card(s) (listed in jersey number order) bear the first and last name of all players on a team roster (whether present or not with an explanation of all absences). |
- Player I.D. cards (U16 & U19) shall be returned to both coaches upon completion of a game. Game cards are to be forwarded to a designated Area Staff Member.
- Game cards and Player I.D. cards (U16 & U19)) for all players sent-off in Area Play-off games shall be retained by the Center Referee or Field Coordinator and shall be forwarded for processing per the instructions of the Area Referee Administrator.
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| All games shall be played as scheduled. Only the Center Referee in charge of the game, the hosting Regional Commissioner (prior to the start of the game), or the Area Director for Area R shall have the authority to cancel scheduled Play-off games in accordance with AYSO National, Section 11, and Area R Rules and Regulations. |
| The HOME TEAM shall supply satisfactory game balls. |
| Home teams and visiting teams shall wherever possible remain on separate sides of the field of play. |
| Coaches are restricted to an area of ten yards on either side of the Center Line and shall stand back at least one yard from the Touchline, wherever possible. A maximum of two coaches shall be allowed to coach the team during the game. Negative coaching will not be permitted. |
| Players and spectators shall stand back at least three yards from the Touchline, wherever possible. |
| Noise making devices, such as but not limited to, air horns, cow bells, drums, megaphones, etc. shall not be allowed. |
| During play, only players are allowed on the field, except as allowed by the Center Referee. |
| No person shall be behind or near goals or beyond the 18 yard penalty area line. |
| Size of game ball: |
- Size 3 ball for U6 & U8
- Size 4 ball for U10 & U12
- Size 5 ball for U14-U19
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| Acceptance of a game ball shall be at the discretion of the Center Referee. |
| Duration of Area Play-off games: |
- U10-two twenty minute halves
- U12-two twenty-five minute halves
- U14-two thirty minute halves
- U16-two thirty-five minute halves
- U19-two forty minute halves
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| Games shall be played as scheduled (no valid excuse exist for late or no show without notification). |
| The Center Referee shall allow a grace period of ten minutes maximum from the scheduled kick-off time before canceling any game. |
| When games previously in progress are running later than ten minutes from scheduled kick-off time, no grace period shall be allowed. |
| In the event games are postponed due to inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, the Area Scheduler shall reschedule the games at the earliest possible date and time with the approval of the Area Director. |
| Only an approved rescheduled game will be sanctioned by the Area. If a game is not sanctioned, it shall be considered a practice game, and will not be counted in the standings. |
| A team shall be subject to forfeit of a game upon review of the Area Director if found in violation of any of the following: |
- Failure to show up for a scheduled game.
- Inability to field the minimum number of players.
- Failure to be on the field of play and ready to play at game time or following a ten minute grace period.
- Leaving the field without the referee's permission, with the intent not to continue the game.
- Failure, or refusal to continue the game.
- Misconduct that causes the termination of the game.
- Use of an ineligible player.
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| If a game is not completed through the regulation game time due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the final resolution of that game shall be as listed below: |
- If less than one-half of the designated game time had been played at the time of game suspension, the game will be rescheduled and played at a later date and time. If the game is not rescheduled for any reason, the game shall stand as a NOT PLAYED game, irrespective of the score at the time of game suspension.
- If one-half or more of the designated game time had been played at time of game suspension, the game score will stand as recorded by the Center Referee in charge of the game.
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| Failure of a team to be ready to play at the scheduled kick-off time shall constitute a forfeiture on the part of that team, and that team shall lose by a score of 0-1. The Center Referee shall allow a grace period of ten minutes maximum from the scheduled kick-off time before canceling the game. |
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| Section 12 |
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| Scoring of All Play-Off Games |
| For standings in pool play, point(s) shall be awarded as enumerated below: |
- 6 points for a win
- 3 points for a tie
- 0 points for a loss
- l point for a goal with a 3 point maximum
- 1 point for a shut-out, a 0-0 tie is not considered a shut-out
- A maximum of 10 points is possible in any one game
- A 2 point deduction will be assessed for each red card (send-off) received by a player, coach, or parent (before, during, or after the match)
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| Tie breakers for play-off standings will be as follows: |
- (1) Head to Head competition
- (2) Least goals scored against
- (3) Greatest number of shutouts
- (4) Goal differential (maximum 3 per game)
- (5) Fewest red cards
- (6) Fewest yellow cards
- (7) Coin toss
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| A tie is an acceptable result in pool play and shall be recorded as such. No overtime is required. |
| Game scores shall be recorded on the game cards that each team provides to the Center Referee prior to the game. The Center Referee shall be responsible for reporting game result to the Field Coordinator or Area representative. |
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| Section 13 |
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| Substitution of Players |
| Substitution of players in all U10, U12, & U14 games shall be in accordance with the AYSO National Rules and Regulations. |
| Free substitution shall be allowed for all U16 & U19 games. Each coach is responsible for insuring that each player on the team roster plays a minimum of one-half of every game he/she is present for. Failure to adhere to and comply with this requirement may result in the expulsion of the team from further Area play, as well as the forfeiture of all games played. |
| Substitutions may be made at the following game stoppages: |
- Prior to throw-in on possession of the ball, if the team with possession chooses to Substitute, the opposing team may substitute at that time
- Prior to a goal kick by either team
- Kick-off after a goal, half time, between overtime periods, by either team
- During an injury, the injured player(s) may be substituted
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| Substitute player(s) may not enter the field of play until permission to do so has been given by the Center Referee and all player(s) to be substituted have left the field. All substitutions must take place at the Center Line on the team's side of the field. |
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| Section 14 |
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| Semifinal and Final Games Ending in a Tie |
| If a tie exists at the end of a semi-final or final game, non-sudden victory overtime periods shall be played to determine a winner. The length of overtime play shall be: |
- Two eleven minute periods for U16 & U19
- Two nine minute periods for U14
- Two seven minute periods for U12
- Two five minute periods for U10
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| Teams playing short in regulation time play as a result of a send-off(s), shall continue to do so in overtime. |
| Free substitutions shall be allowed for all divisions during overtime play only. Free substitution rules apply. |
| The teams shall change ends of the field after the completion of the first overtime period. No half-time break will be permitted, i.e. play in the second overtime period must begin immediately. |
| Should a tie remain after the completion of overtime play, the winner shall be determined by a shoot-out, i.e. taking of kicks on goal from the penalty mark in accordance with FIDA. |
| Only players on the field at the end of the second overtime period may take part in the shoot-out, and none of these players may be exempted from the taking of a kick, should the number of kicks required to determine a winner, warrant their participation. |
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| Section 15 |
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| Misconduct: Sendoffs and Cautions |
| Any player sent-off from the field must immediately leave the field of play. In the event a sent-off individual refuses to leave the field, the Center Referee shall suspend the game. |
| Any coach, and/or spectator sent-off from the field, must immediately leave the game site area so as not to be within sight or sound of the field. In the event a sent-off individual refuses to leave the field, the Center Referee shall suspend the game. |
| All players sent-off (red card) or cautioned (yellow card) for infringement of the Laws of the Game, and all disciplinary action resulting from misconduct by players, coaches and/or spectators, must be reported to the Area Referee Administrator in writing within twenty-four hours after the termination of the game by the Center Referee in charge of the game. |
- In addition to a written report, all ejections must be reported by phone to the Area Referee Administrator immediately following the game in which the ejection occurred or in the same day.
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| The penalty for a player or coach sent-off (non violent red card) from the field shall be a suspension from his/her next played game. |
| The penalty for a player or coach sent-off for violent conduct from the field shall be a three game suspension of his/her next consecutive games played plus subject to an Area review panel (Disciplinary Action Review Board). |
| The penalty for a player or coach receiving three cautions in different games shall be a one game suspension of his/her next game played. |
| The penalty for a player or coach receiving a second send-off is a two game suspension, a third send-of will be a three game suspension, etc. |
| Depending on the circumstances surrounding a particular incident, stronger penalties my be imposed as deemed appropriate by the Disciplinary Action Review Board (DARB). |
| A coach may submit a written request to the Area Referee Administrator to review a send-off and/or caution within twenty-four hours of the termination of the game in question. The written request must state the reason and facts known for the review. |
| In the event a player and/or a coach is in attendance at the team's next scheduled game while on suspension, the Center Referee shall not allow the game to start until the player/coach in question has left the field site area. |
- If the game has already started, the Center Referee in charge of the game shall stop the game and not allow the game to continue until the player/coach in question has left the field site area.
- Playing a suspended player will result in a forfeit.
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| Violators of the penalties set forth in this section shall be subject to a disciplinary review by the Area Disciplinary Board. Furthermore, should violators of the penalties set forth in this section refuse to immediately leave the field site area, when requested to do so by the Center Referee, the game shall be suspended. |
| In instances where aggravating circumstances prevail, the player, coach, and/or spectator involved shall be subject to review by the Area Disciplinary Board for appropriate disciplinary action. |
| The Disciplinary Action Review Board will be selected by the Area Director, comprised of three members from Area R Regional Commissioners and/or Area Staff who were not directly involved with the alleged incident. They shall review all inter-regional disciplinary issues not resolved at the regional level. |
| The DARB is not required to hold a hearing or request reports from the parties involved unless a written request to do so is received from the individual(s) subject to review. |
- An oral hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Appendix A hereto.
- Hearing attendees under the age of 18 shall be accompanied throughout the proceedings by one adult who is not a member of the DARB.
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| All inappropriate behavior before or after a game, especially verbal abuse directed at game officials, by any player, coach or spectator shall be reported in writing by the Center Referee to the Area Referee Administrator within twenty-four hours after the incident. Any such incident, when documented in writing, may be reviewed at the discretion of the DARB. |
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| Section 16 |
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| Area Play-Off Format |
| U16 & U19 League Play |
- All regions must declare prior to August 1 of a given year how many teams in each age group will participate in Area R Play-off games.
- U16 & U19 Inter-Regional play will be conducted as League Play to determine individual team standings within the age group. Scoring shall be 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss. Once standings of teams are final, the teams will be placed in the Play-off schedules. Once in the play-off format, scoring will be in accordance with play-off scoring guidelines.
- A first and second place award will be given in each division.
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| In the event the Region winning an age group in the Area R Inter-Regional League play, elect not to provide the League Championship Team for the Sectional Play-offs, the option to participate in these games shall be offered to each region in the order dictated by the Play-offs. |
| U10, U12, and U14 League and All-Stars Play-Offs |
- All regions must declare prior to November 1 of a given year, in which age groups they will be sending a Regional League and November 15 for All-Star team(s) to the Area R Play-offs.
- Multiple all-star teams in an age division must be balanced in talent.
- Selection for team placement in each division shall be on a "blind" draw basis by the Regional Commissioners from Area R, and must be completed prior to November 1 of a given year for League teams and November 15 for All-Star teams.
- In the event the Region winning an age group (Area Champions) in the Area R League and All-Star play-offs elect not to provide the Championship Team for the Sectional Play-off games, the option to participate in these games shall be offered to each region in the order dictated by the Play-off standings.
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| Section 17 |
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| All Star Team Determination |
| Each All-Star team in the U10 division must carry a minimum of eight players and a maximum of ten on their roster. |
| Each All-Star team in the U12 division must carry a minimum of ten and a maximum of twelve players on their roster. |
| Each All-Star team in the U14 division must carry a minimum of thirteen and a maximum of fifteen players on their roster. |
| To be eligible for All-Star competition, a player must have demonstrated outstanding soccer skills and ability, displayed an attitude of fair play, show enthusiasm and a cooperative team spirit. Eligibility shall be in accordance with the Player Eligibility section therein, and players must compete in the same age group played in during the regular season. |
| Player selection shall not be made solely on the basis of try-outs. |
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| Section 18 |
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| Spring Select Guidelines |
| The Spring Select Guidelines is a work in progress done through the combined efforts of Areas R, S and V with rules and guidelines revisited on an annual basis. |
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| Any injury to a participant resulting in a claim must be reported to the Area Director. |
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| Appendix A |
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| Disciplinary Hearing Procedures |
| An oral hearing on a disciplinary issue falling under the jurisdiction of and acted upon by the Disciplinary Action Review Board (DARB), can be requested in writing within ten days of the date of notification of the action. |
| The Area Director, or his/her designee shall make arrangements for the hearing at a time and location most suitable to all concerned. Unless special circumstances prevail, the hearing shall be accomplished within ten days of the date of the written request for a hearing. |
| The Area Director will designate a Hearing Chairperson to oversee the DARB. The Hearing Chairperson shall determine: |
- Attendees
- Order in which attendees speak
- Duration of individual testimonies, typically five minutes maximum
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| The Disciplinary Action Review Board shall deliberate and reach a decision on the issue at hand immediately following the hearing. |
| The Area Director, or his/her designee shall notify the concerned parties in writing of the resulting action within five days following the hearing and/or via telephone within twenty-four hours following the hearing. |
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Area Director