FIELD PREPARATION:
It is the responsibility of the home team to have the field in proper condition for each match. The field must be marked according to AASL standards and have all nets and corner flags in place.
Home Community shall ensure that all goal posts are securely anchored to the ground (according to the AASL Goal Policy) and that there are not any dangerous areas or object on the field (such as glass, large holes or other hazards). If the field is determined unplayable by the referee (which determination shall be at his/her sole discretion), the home team must forfeit the match 0 - 4. This forfeiture shall not apply to any weather related field conditions or cancellations. Canceling matches due to weather conditions must be done by the Field Manager or AASL Community Representative, not the coach(es). If a weather-related Field condition cancellation occurs the day of the game, the “home” community representative must contact the “away” community representative and Referee Assignor at least three (3) hours before scheduled start of match. After 3 hours or when both teams have arrived at the field for the match it is the responsibly of the Referee to cancel match. For cases of emergencies or unavailability in such situations, each community representative shall provide the names of three (3) people authorized by his/her club to the AASL and to his/her club’s coaches. If the field is closed, no matches will be played the entire day.
If the weather is determined to be hazardous by the referee (prior to the start of the match or in the first half), the match may be rescheduled, using the 36/72 hour or 24/48 hour reschedule policy, only. If the match is terminated after the start of the second half due to weather conditions, the match will be considered complete and the standings at the time of cancellation shall be official.
PRIOR TO MATCH DAY:
The “away” coach is responsible to make first contact to the “home” coach to confirm match date, time, location and uniform color. The home team must ensure that the away team has been contacted.
AASL REFEREE ASSIGNORS:
All Referee assignors for AASL games must be USSF certified assignors and appointed by the AASL board to assign referee for designated communities or clubs.
GETTING READY FOR THE MATCH:
It is the responsibility of both teams to arrive at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start of match. With the exception of the goalkeeper, all players must wear like-colored jerseys with a permanently attached number for identification. Each goalkeeper must wear a different colored shirt from either team, as determined by the referee.
Each coach must present the referee with a valid Player Pass for each player/coach on the team roster and a properly completed official match card. Each player’s cleats, shin guards, and jersey numbers will be checked by the referee for safety and game purposes. No jewelry is allowed to be worn during play. The referee will hold each team’s Player Passes until the conclusion of the match. Each coach has the right to request that the referee review the Player Passes for accuracy, and has the right to refuse to start the match until such Player Passes have been reviewed.
TEAM OR REFEREE NO-SHOWS (36/72 - 24/48 HOUR RESCHEDULE RULE):
If a team does not show up by the scheduled start of the match, the opposing team and referee must give the team that is not present thirty minutes past the start time to arrive. The non-showing team shall be reported to the AASL Board. If the team intentionally did not arrive to play the match, there shall be no scheduled rematch. NOTE: There is a $50.00 fine for a team that is a ‘no show’ for a scheduled match.
If a referee does not show up fifteen (15) minutes past the scheduled start of the match every effort must be made to play the match, but teams do have the right not to play without a licensed referee. In such a case, the coaches should first attempt to locate a licensed referee. If one is unavailable, then a combination of a volunteer from each team per each half of the field may be substituted. The volunteer referee(s) shall have all the authority of the match as a licensed referee. Both coaches must agree on volunteer referee(s) before the start of the match. The score and the decisions of the referee(s) of the match shall be considered final. The match result must be reported and will be considered valid in determining team standings. The volunteer referee(s) will give the match report to the coaches to send into the league and shall be paid the amount of the normally scheduled licensed referee. If a referee or volunteer referee(s) cannot be agreed upon then the match will be rescheduled using the RESCHEDULE POLICY.
36/72 - 24/48 HOUR RESCHEDULE POLICY:
ALL TIMES REFERRED TO UNDER THIS POLICY ARE FROM STARTING TIME OF ORIGINAL (CANCELLED) MATCH
MATCH CANCELLATION:
Both coaches must notify their Community Representatives if a match is canceled by the referee at the field due to weather/field conditions the day that a match is cancelled. The home team’s Community Representative must contact the AASL Referee Assignor and AASL League Scheduler to inform him/her of such cancellation. If match is canceled due to weather/field conditions by the Community, that Community must contact the other Community and AASL Referee Assignor three (3) hours prior to the start of match.
In situations where matches are cancelled at the field before the conclusion of the first half, the referee should be paid one half of the fee.
WITHIN 36 HOURS:
The home coach must call the away coach with 3 alternative dates to reschedule the match.
The home Community Representative must contact the AASL Referee Assignor and the AASL League Scheduler to inform him/her that 3 reschedule choice dates have been given to the away coach.
WITHIN 72 HOURS:
The away coach must make every effort to agree on a reschedule date provided by the home coach. After a date is agreed upon, the home Community Representative must report this to the AASL Referee Assignor and AASL League Scheduler. If no date can be decided upon within seventy-two (72) hours by both coaches, it will be called a “NO MATCH”. No match = No points in the standings.
PENALTIES:
If there is no contact from the home Community Representative to the AASL Referee Assignor or AASL League Scheduler, or if the home coach does not contact the away coach within thirty-six (36) hours, THE HOME TEAM FORFEITS (0-4) AND IS FINED $50.00. If the away team or away Community Representative does not respond to calls or he/she makes no attempt to return calls back to the home team in an attempt to avoid rescheduling the cancelled match, THE AWAY TEAM FORFEITS (0 - 4) AND WILL BE FINED $50.00 FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE RESCHEDULE POLICY.
Note: After the 6th scheduled match of the season, due to lack of dates left to re-schedule, the 36/72 hour rule becomes the 24/48 hour rule with the same procedures in force.
REFEREE AUTHORITY:
The Assigned Referee, including volunteers in no-show cases, has complete and total authority for the conduct of the match and enforcement of The Laws of the Game from the moment he/she arrives at the field until he/she leaves the field of play. This includes all pre-match and post-match activity.
The referee will determine the condition of the field lines and marking, if goals securely anchored and the playability of a field due to the weather or any dangerous conditions.
The referee has the authority cancel the match if in his/her judgment any of these conditions are unsafe.
The referee is responsible for starting each match as close to the scheduled time as possible. After the match is over, it is the responsibility of the coach to obtain the Player Passes from the referee and then check them carefully to ensure all Player Passes are returned. Player Passes of ejected players or coaches (anyone receiving a red card) will be retained by the referee and sent in to the AASL Referee Assignor along with the match report. Any coach who refuses to surrender the pass of an ejected player or coach will be subject to serious disciplinary procedures (a $100.00 fine and possible suspension for up to six months from the AASL) for failing to support and co-operate with the referee. Punishments of this nature are individually determined as they occur at the sole discretion the AASL Board.
The authority and judgment of a referee shall not be challenged. There shall not be any appeals regarding a referee’s judgment. A Community may appeal misinterpretation of the laws of the game by a certified referee only, Volunteer non certified replacement referee in the case of the absent of licensed referee there shall be no protested games. Any protested game under the AASL guidelines shall be in writing to the respective Community Representative, who will address the AASL Board within thirty-six (36) hours. This appeal shall be furnished with a $100 bond, which shall be returned if the interpretation of the law was incorrect by the referee.
Community protesting game shall pay the referee game fee. Protested game will be played as a new game and does not carry over the score from the prior match.
Note - The referee is the official time keeper during all matches. It is the referee’s discretion whether to add any time to make up for stoppage in play such as an injury or delaying tactics.
CLUB LINESMEN:
Each team for all other games must supply volunteer club linesmen, unless the referee indicates he prefers to work without any linesmen. This choice is at the discretion of the referee alone.
Each team should be prepared to furnish a mature individual who is able to keep up with play.
Club Linesperson will assist the referee by indicating when the entire ball is over the entire touch line (sideline), and will have no other duties including indicating the direction of the throw, unless previously instructed by the referee. Calling of off Sides by Club lines is strictly forbidden unless they are certified referee and ask to assist by the center referee or Volunteer referee in the case of a referee no show. The judgment of the club linesman on any matter, including whether the ball is over the touchline, may be overruled at any time by the referee, but any spectator, player or coach may not challenge it. Coaching and shouting instructions at any time by the club linesperson is strictly prohibited.
REFEREE FEES:
Referee fees will be paid in cash on the field prior to the start of the match by the home team coach. These fees are listed on the score sheet for each age group. For U16 and above, a three person system shall be used. No two person systems are allowed except in the case of a referee “no show” and the High School Summer league.
RULES ON BLOOD:
If a player becomes injured during a match or warm up and there is visible blood, the following must happen before the player can return to the match:
- bleeding must be stopped,
- wound must be covered, and
- Uniform must be changed (if blood is excessive).
CONDUCT:
All players and coaches must be on the opposite side of the field from their spectators. Coaches are not allowed to roam all the way down to the end line. Coaches must remain no further than 20 yards from the centerline on their team bench area side. If at any time you are instructed by the referee to remain within that guideline you shall not challenge his/her interpretation of what is 20 yards. To challenge the referee on this point constitutes dissent. Maximum of 3 AASL registered coaches allowed on Player/Coach side of the field. An exception is when an AASL registered Club Director of Coaching or Trainer(s) is present at a match they are allowed in their Clubs bench area and to exceed the 3 maximum on the sideline rule. He/she must remain silent and maintain good sportsmanship.
Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, spectators, and themselves. A coach is recognized as a participant in the match and may receive yellow and/or red cards from the referee. Except for the referee and players in a game, no other person is allowed on the field unless, and until, authorized by the referee.
Spectators, coaches and substitute players are required to remain at least ONE YARD back from the touchline on their side of the field to allow the Volunteer Club Linespersons a clear view down the field. It is suggested that fields have spectator lines marked in yellow.
Fighting by any persons, either in the game or on the sidelines, and verbal disrespect or physical assault or verbal abuse on the referee/players/coaches/spectators, shall be grounds to immediately suspend the match. Such decision is that of the referee alone, who at his/her discretion may ask for assistance form the coaches.
The coach shall be held responsible for their players and/or spectators’ actions. POOR CONDUCT BY A TEAM, LEADING TO A SUSPENSION OF THE MATCH WILL BE GROUNDS FOR FORFEITING THE MATCH BY A SCORE OF 0 – 4 AND A $200.00 FINE WILL BE IMPOSED UPON THE TEAM. THE COACH WILL BE SUBJECT TO A DISCIPLINARY HEARING AND A POSSIBLE SUSPENSION/AND OR A MAXIMUM LIFETIME BAN COULD BE IMPOSED ON SUCH COACH.
Any physical assault or verbal abuse of a referee by a coach/player will receive an immediate suspension from all AASL and OYSAN activities pending a disciplinary hearing by the OYSAN Disciplinary Board.
A physical assault or verbal abuse of a referee by a spectator will receives an immediate suspension from attending any AASL game pending a disciplinary hearing by the AASL Disciplinary Board.
Any reported verbal disrespect of the referee by coach/player/spectator will result in an immediate suspension from attending any AASL game pending a disciplinary hearing by the AASL Disciplinary Board.
RED CARD POLICY:
Players and coaches can receive red and yellow cards. It is not necessary to receive a yellow card prior to a red card. Two yellow cards equal a red card and an ejection from the match. Ejected players must leave the bench area immediately. Ejected coaches and spectators must leave the field area immediately and not be within 500 feet of the field. Unnecessary delay or refusal to leave the field immediately, arguing with the official or any unsportsmanlike conduct after being red carded or asked to leave by the referee will result in another game suspension plus other disciplinary action by the AASL Board. Any match suspended by the referee for refusal to leave the field of play or bench area by anyone will result in forfeit by team or teams responsible or possible fine of $100. The referee has the authority to issue both red and yellow cards from the time he/she arrives to the time he/she leaves and report any unsportsmanlike conduct or threatening action by anyone on the way to the field site or upon leaving field.
RED CARDS ARE A MINIMUM ONE GAME SUSPENSION FOR A PLAYER AND A MINIMUM TWO GAME SUSPENSION FOR A COACH. THERE MAY ALSO BE A LOSS OF POINTS IN THE FINAL STANDINGS AND THERE SHALL BE MINIMUM TWO GAMES TO MAXIMUM LIFE SUSPENSION AFTER A HEARING BY AASL DISCIPLINARY BOARD FOR VIOLENT CONDUCT AND SERIOUS FOUL PLAY. The suspensions will apply to the next scheduled AASL league games. Two red card suspensions for the same person in the same season may mean ejection for the rest of that season and review by the AASL Disciplinary board.
It is the responsibility of the coach to insure sportsman like conduct of his/her players both on and off the field of play. A coach must also speak to his/her spectators about good conduct and sportsmanship. A coach must intervene between their spectators or players if they are physically or verbally abusing the referees before, during, or after the game. The coach must escort the offender away from the referee when their approach is unwelcome by the referee. THE COMMUNITIES MUST BE RESPONSIBLE TO ENFORCE THESE RULES, THERE WILL BE NO TOLERATION OF VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE OF REFEREES. A COACH WILL RECEIVE A RED CARD AS A RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF HIS TEAM’S SPECTATORS IF THERE IS NO ATTEMPT TO HELP REMEDY THE SITUATION.
OFFICIAL MATCH:
Any game abandoned prior to the start of the second half (example - weather) will not be considered official. You may reschedule this game using the 32/72 or 24/48 hour rule.
Any game abandoned after the start (kickoff) of the second half will be considered official if abandoned due to weather, and the score at that time will be reported as the official score. Any game abandoned by the referee for other reasons such as lack of discipline, no player passes or abuse, will be reported to the AASL Board. The final determination as to the outcome and the final score of the game will be based on the referee’s report as signed by the coaches. (Refer to CONDUCT). Once the game is cancelled by the referee due to unsafe conditions, no player passes or for any other reason shall not be played as a game or as a scrimmage.