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KSSL Rules THE KENTUCKY SELECT SOCCER LEAGUE Adopted 1/1998, Last Revised 2/10/2010 The Kentucky Select Soccer League (KSSL), a non-profit corporation, is an affiliate of the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (Kentucky YSA). Participation in the KSSL is governed by the rules adopted by USYSA Soccer, US Youth Soccer and FIFA except where modified. 1) Board of Directors A. The Kentucky Select Soccer League will be governed by a five member Board of Directors. These will include a League Director and four Deputy Directors, one each from older and younger girl’s teams, and one each from older and younger boys' teams. B. Elections 1. The League Director shall be elected annually at the end of each spring season. 2. The Deputy Director for Younger Boys and the Deputy Director for Older Girls shall be elected bi-annually at the end of the spring season on years ending with an even number. 3. The Deputy Director for Younger Girls and the Deputy Director for Older Boys shall be elected bi-annually at the end of each spring season on years ending with an odd number. 4. Nominations are to be made to the League Administrator during the spring season. Each Club may nominate one person for one of the five Director positions. No Club may have more than one member elected to the Board. 5. Ballots will be emailed by the end of the spring season to all teams registered with the League. Each Team receives one vote for each position. Write-in ballots will not be accepted. All votes mailed from a single address will count as one (1) vote. 6. The elected League Directors' term will run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. All other elected Board members’ terms will begin on July 1 and end two year’s later on June 30. 7. In the event that a Board member other than the League Director cannot fulfill their term, the League Director shall nominate a successor candidate to fill the remaining term. The Board of Directors must confirm the candidate at the earliest possible date by a majority vote. 8. In the event that the League Director cannot fulfill their term, a new League Director will be elected from the existing members of the Board of Directors by the majority vote of the current Board of Directors to fill the remaining term. 2) League Administrator / Webmaster A. A League Administrator and/or Webmaster may be contracted by the Board of Directors to conduct routine League business, (i.e. mailings, season's standings, etc.). B. The League Administrator and/or Webmaster will report to the Board of Directors. The contract for the League Administrator and/or Webmaster must be reviewed annually and may be renewed by action of the new Board of Directors each July. C. The Board of Directors will maintain a written job description for the League Administrator and/or Webmaster. D. The Board of Directors shall establish the amount to fund the League Administrator’s and/or Webmaster’s contract on an annual basis. 3) League Finances A. The Board of Directors shall oversee all funds received by the League and must approve all League expenditures over $250.00. B. A complete income and expense statement must be completed annually, at the end of each Board's term. The annual financial statement will be made available by the League, by request, to each member club and each team, within thirty (30) days of the end of each Spring season. Any questions or concerns about League finances should be made in writing to the League and will be addressed by the incoming Board of Directors. 4) Application/Admission A. Application for Participation 1. Participation in the Kentucky Select Soccer League is open to any properly registered competitive team in good standing with the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association, or any neighboring affiliated association. 2. All applications for participation in the Kentucky Select Soccer League must be received by January 15 for participation in the Spring League and July 15 for participation in the Fall League. 3. A complete application must include: a. A completed application and team history form. b. A check for the entry fee of $65.00 payable to the Kentucky Select Soccer League (KSSL). U17, U18 and U19 and out of area teams must post a performance bond of $250. 4.Any application received after the deadline will accepted only by vote of the Board, and payment of a $50 late fee. B. Acceptance of Teams 1. Teams are accepted based on team history, sportsmanship, geographic location, early application, previous KSSL participation, and availability of comparable teams to form a division. 2. Teams not located within the geographic area of the league may be admitted with the understanding that they agree to arrange a 'home' field within the geographic area of the league. The League Director has a map of the geographic area. 3. Teams not accepted will receive a full refund of the entry fee with a letter of notification within 30 days of the entry deadline. 4. The League reserves the right to decline to admit any team based upon the team's prior performance (i.e. repeated failure to play matches as scheduled, failure to comply with league rules, failure to pay referees, etc.) 5) Formation of Divisions A. Supervision/Management 1. Each Age Group will be under the supervision and management of the KSSL Age group coordinator who will be responsible for: a. assigning teams to divisions, b. constructing match schedules, c. approving League Rosters, d. recording Division Standings and, e. such other responsibilities as are necessary for the operation of the Age Group. B. Age Groups 1. Age Groups as defined by US Youth Soccer (i.e. Under 14) will be divided into single birth year divisions whenever there are sufficient teams participating in the League to permit the formation of two or more divisions within the Age Group. There will be separate Age Groups for girls and mixed. An exception to the USYSA age guidelines will be to conform with one of our state’s rules (i.e. U14/15 Rule in the Fall season). 2. Age Groups of the same team type may be combined where necessary to provide sufficient teams to form a six team (6) division in the merged Age Groups. Girls and mixed teams may not play in the same division. Small sided age groups will not be combined with an age group which mandates a different number of players. 3. Age Groups with more than eight teams may be divided into two or more divisions. C. Seeding/Placement of Teams 1. Seeding of each Division is the responsibility of the KSSL Age Group Coordinator for the formation of divisions as provided in these rules under the direction of the Boys or Girls Director(s). 2. Placement of teams within divisions and subgroups will be based on the playing record of each team with the intent of creating divisions of comparable strength. 3. Consideration may be given to geographic dispersion of the teams to minimize travel distances for games. 4. Teams placing first or second in their division in a season will be eligible for promotion to the next higher division and teams finishing last or next to last will be eligible for relegation to the next lower division in the next season. 5. All requests to "play up" one age group must be made in writing and submitted with the team's KSSL application. All requests will be considered by the Board of Directors and their decision is final. Note: U9-10 teams are considered non-competitive and may not play up in a competitive age group. 6) Operational Procedures A. Scheduling 1. Division schedules, match dates, times and other league information will be prepared and distributed to all participants by the Age Group Coordinator or League Administrator. 2. As a part of their registration information, teams may identify up to six (6) days that they are unavailable for League Play. 'Blocking Out' more than 4 total days is not allowed. Such dates will be considered where possible in preparing the divisional match schedule. 3. Dates of Kentucky YSA sponsored competition (i.e. State Open Cup), the Memorial and Labor Day weekends will be automatically 'blocked out' by the KSSL in scheduling matches-note this does not include any tems participating in ODP. Teams not participating in State Cup may play league games on those dates. 4. Teams must be available to play all other weekend dates. B. Reporting of Scores 1. The 'home' team is responsible for reporting match results to the Age Group Coordinator within forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of the match. 2. Scores not reported within the required time can be recorded as a 3 to 0 forfeit for the away team. In the event of a no-show forfeit, the team that is present shall advise the Age Group Commissioner of the forfeit within the required time period. C. Awards/Standings 1. Trophies or other awards will be given to the first and second place teams in each division based upon the results of league play, for all divisions of four or more teams. In three team divisions, only the winner will receive post-season awards. U9-10 teams are non-competitive, and all players will receive participation awards. 2. Season Standings: the final standings will be determined by the following point system: (Note U9-10 is considered non-competitive - no standings). a. Three (3) points per win b. One (1) point per tie c. No points per loss d. Minus three points (-3) for a forfeit 3. Tie Breaker System: a. Results of match(s) played between the two teams within the division b. Goal differential +3/-3 maximum per game (+3 differential for a forfeit). All games played are counted, including across flights in multi-flighted divisions c. Least number of goals allowed in games played with teams in the division (including games across flights in multiple flighted divisions.) d. If teams are tied after all tie breakers, all will receive awards. D. Team Rosters 1. Teams must have an official state roster at all league games. A copy of this roster should be made available to the referee or opposing team manager if requested. 2. Changes to the Official State Roster must be reported in writing to the KSSL Office prior to any new players participating in a KSSL league game. 7) Matches A. Dates/Times 1. Match dates shall be Saturdays and Sundays unless the teams are located within the same county or adjacent counties. 2, Matches may not be played with less than four hours between the beginning of one match and the beginning of another. 3. The Board of Directors will determine beginning and end play dates for each season. B. Failure to Play as Scheduled / Rescheduling 1. All match schedules must be followed as published. 2. Failure to play a match as scheduled will result in forfeiture of the match for league standings. 3. A team that fails to play a match as scheduled or forfeits a match, within 72 hours of the game time, shall be responsible for the payment of referee fees incurred for referees assigned to the match. 4. All games rescheduled after the date one week prior to the first play date must be approved by the Deputy Director responsible for that age group. The AGC does not have the authority to change games after the first League play date. Note: moving a game after the 1st play date may result in a forfeited game, loss of your end-of-season award, or removal from the league. Each team may make 1(one) request/season. A $50 change fee is required. The change fee must be made payable to KSSL and mailed to the Deputy Director responsible for that age group within three (3) days of the change being approved. Note: Once League play begins, games may not be moved for any reason without a League deputy director's approval. This specifically includes home field coordinators. 5. Requests to reschedule, prior to the 1st play date (no game may be moved within 7 days of its plav date)- Written or emailed requests, with new play dates and times listed, with both team managers approval, must be received by the AGC prior to the date set each season by the Board of Directors. No limits or costs apply to games moved prior to this date. 6. Matches may be rescheduled after the scheduled date only if required due to: a. Rain out, in which case the teams involved are mutually responsible for rescheduling. i. The home team must notify the Age Group Coordinator of the rain out on the day it occurs. ii. If the teams involved have not notified the Age Group Coordinator of the rescheduled time and location within five days of the rain out, the Age Group Coordinator shall, without regard to the preferences from either team, establish a time and location for the match (a neutral field may be used) and it shall be played within the following nine days. iii. If the manager of one of the teams is the Age Group Coordinator, the League Director shall set the date and time. b. State Cup conflicts C. Inclement Weather 1. Each club's home team is responsible for notifying their opponents as soon as possible if their fields are closed due to inclement weather. 2. A period of 15 minutes should be allowed at the start of or during a rain or lightning delay before cancellation is ordered by the referee. 3. The 'home' team coach shall report the cancellation to the Age Group Coordinator. 4. See Match Rules below for determination of completed game when terminated by weather. 5. All games are subject to the lightning rule. No team shall take the field until 30 minutes has elapsed since the last lightning bolt or thunder. 8) Rules of Play Games will be played under the applicable rules of US Youth Soccer. Teams are responsible for obtaining and being familiar with the US Soccer Federation Official Administrative Handbook and the FIFA Laws as they govern League play with the modifications noted below. Note concerning U9/10: Note that U9/10 play by all USSF rules unless otherwise noted. These include, smaller field size, reduced players on the field, and reduced field markings, ie free kicks are to recieve 8 yards distance. A. Match Rules 1. Unlimited substitutions are permitted (unless otherwise stated) at the following times with the consent of the Referee. a. Prior to a throw-in in your favor. If a team with the the throw-in substitutes, both teams may substitute without limit. b. Prior to a goal kick by either team. c. After a goal, by either team. d. After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play. e. At halftime. f. For a cautioned player. 2. Match Length/Ball Size/Recommended Field Size Age Group/Length of Half/#of players/Ball Size
3. Teams will use their age group as defined by US Youth soccer for the current seasonal year in determining length of match and ball size, except for teams playing up, which shall use the length of match and ball size for the group that they have advanced to. U12 and younger teams must play as defined by USYSA, and KYSA. U9-10's will play 6v6, andU11-12's will play 8v8. Note: U12 teams are grandfathered for the 2005-2006 year, and may choose to play 8v8 or 11v11. U10 and U12 teams may not play up to an older age group in KSSL due to the difference in team and roster size. 4. Official Match a. A match shall be considered official after one full half of play (the second half does not have to start) and the final score shall be the score at the time the match is terminated. b. If less than one half is completed and the match is called, the entire match must be replayed. c. If a match is called because of gross misconduct, the disposition of the match score will be decided by the League Director. A referee report will be required. d. Teams must wait 15 minutes for their opponents to arrive. e. Failure to appear will result in a forfeit. B. Player Passes/Rosters 1. Each team must bring their US Youth Soccer player and coach’s passes signed by an official of their National State Association and a copy of their Official State Roster to every match. 2. Only players listed on their Official State Roster may play in League matches. (No guest players are allowed.) 3. Playing of an ineligible Player will result in automatic forfeiture of the match and possible suspension of the coach or expulsion of the team from the League. 4. US Youth Soccer player and coaches passes shall be presented to the referee prior to the start of the match. The passes shall remain in the referee's possession until the completion of the match 5. Official State Rosters must be made available to the referee or opposing team coach/manager upon request. 6.KSSL support all KYSA dual rostering rules. C. Other 1. Uniform color conflict a. When there is a conflict in uniform color, the home team must change. b. Should the home team not have a uniform of a different color, unnumbered shirts may be used. c. The referee's judgment is final. 2. Coaching from Sidelines a. Limited coaching is permitted only from one touchline, and coaches must remain in the technical area as defined by USYSA. b. Coaches may not enter the field without permission from the referee. 9) Match Control A. Three Man System 1. Matches must be officiated by the three-man FIFA/USSF Referee System. Exceptions may be made in U9/10. However, 1 certified official must be used. 2. In case the assigned referee fails to appear (within 10 minutes of the match time) a certified referee will be appointed by mutual agreement of both teams. 3. If no certified referee is available within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the home team will forfeit the game. a. The referee may appoint replacements for linesmen who fail to show up by the match time. i. In the event certified USSF officials are not available, the referee may appoint club linesmen ii. Club linesmen shall be limited to decisions only on touchlines and possession as specified by FIFA. B. Payment of Referees 1. Referees and linesmen appointed under the provisions of these League Rules shall be paid before the start of the match. 2. The 'home' team is responsible for the payment of the fees to the match officials. C. Complaints Regarding Referees 1. Each coach with a complaint concerning refereeing is to bring this complaint to the attention of his/her club's League Representative or his/her club's Referee Assignor. 2. The club's Representative or Coordinator is to discuss this complaint with the home team's Referee Assignor. 3. If the complaint if not resolved, the coach is to file a written report with the home team's Referee District Administrator and the League. D. Termination of Matches 1. Referees may suspend or terminate matches for lack of crowd control, poor team behavior or other unsportsmanlike behavior. (Note: each coach is responsible for the behavior of his sideline players, parents and fans and can be ejected for their misbehavior). 2. A suspension/termination shall be reported to the League within 24 hours by the Referee. Terminated matches should be reported to KYSA, a copy going to KSSL. 3. The Board of Directors shall ascertain the facts and determine appropriate disciplinary action. 4. Disciplinary action may include: (a) reprimand, (b) forfeiture, (c) suspension from one or more matches, or (d) recommendation to the Kentucky Youth Soccer President of a more severe penalty. 10) Ejections/Discipline A. Ejections 1. Any player or coach ejected from a match will receive a minimum of a one League match suspension. 2. Any player or coach guilty of fighting with another player or coach, on or off the field will be given a minimum of a two match suspension. 3. Any participant or spectator, ejected, or guilty of assaulting a referee, player, coach/ manager or other participant can be subject to a one-year suspension. 4) All ejections of coaches, parents or spectators during any League game will be fined by the League. These fines will be in addition to the game suspensions for that ejection. Fines will be set by the League Director, and start at $250. Further, any ejected coach, parent, or spectator who refuses to immediately leave the game site will be subject to a $500 fine, and the game may be treated as a forfeit for League standings. Although these fines can be appealed by the team, the fines will be payed, prior to any further League participation, while being appealed. If a fine is overturned on appeal, that fine will be returned to the team. All Clubs and teams agree to this rule when they sign their application. B. Discipline 1. The penalty for abusive language toward a referee by a player, coach, assistant coach or manager will be an automatic one match suspension. 2. A USSF Referee report should be filled out by the center official for any action resulting in an ejection or serious incident. The report should be mailed or filed electronically with the KYSA office within 48 hours. The Team Manager or Coach must notify the appropriate Deputy Director and the League Director within 24 hours of the end of the match. Any team failing to notify the league may be subject to match forfeiture, player/coach suspension or removal from the league. 3. All ejections of players, coaches, assistant coaches, spectators or managers shall be reviewed by the League Directors who may impose additional discipline if they believe that a more severe penalty is warranted. 11) Protests A. Filing of Complete Protest 1. Protests can only be filed by the Coach/Manager or Club Administrator of the team as identified on the Kentucky Select Soccer League Application form. (Players and parents may not appeal, only a team OR club may file a protest.) 2. A Complete Protest must be mailed by two-day priority mail to the League Director and all opposing parties within seven (7) days of the match in question and must include: a. A $100.00 check made payable to the League to cover the Protest Fee. b. A written statement describing the specific grounds for the protest, signed by the team or club official, c. A clear and concise statement of the relief or action sought by the protesting party. d. Copies of all documents relevant to the appeal including but not limited to: i. USSF Referee report(s) on the match in question. ii. Copies of Rules that are applicable to the protest. iii. Official State Roster if applicable to the protest. 3. The Opposing (Responding) party will have five (5) days to prepare a response to the protest which must be mailed by two-day priority mail, not requiring signature, by the recipient to the League Director and the protesting party. B. Consideration of Complete Protest 1. The League Board of Directors shall have the right to decline to hear the protest if the protest filed by the protesting party: a. does not deal with the violation of KSA rules and regulations; b. concerns a matter of 'referee judgment', c. is incomplete or does not contain the required information, d. is not filed in a timely or proper manner, or e. the question arising from the protest does not deal with either the application of these rules or the qualifications of the opposing team. 2. The protest may not be withdrawn and the protest fee is not refundable if the protest is accepted by the Board of Directors. 3. The League Board of Directors shall issue a decision within 10 (ten) days of the receipt of the complete protest and the response, if any, of responding party. a. The decisions of the League Directors on all matters of protest shall be final. b. The decision of the League Directors may be appealed as specified in the applicable National State Association and/or USSF procedures which may be obtained from the KYSA Office. |
