Rules for U10-U12-U14 (last updated August 10, 2008)

Overview

For Divisions U10 through U19, the schedule for our season is divided in two parts --- the Regional Regular Season and Playoffs. Regular Season and Playoff games are separately identified on the Region 76 Game Schedule.

During the Regular Season for Divisions U10 through U14, teams play each other in a pool play format and no standings are kept. At the conclusion of the Regular Season, teams begin competing in a series of playoff games with other teams in their Division.

So that each team has an opportunity to play an equal number of games, these playoff games use a pool play format. All teams participate in this preliminary round. The preliminary round is organized according to the size of the team

Following this preliminary round of playoffs, there are single elimination games which are played during the last one or two weekends of the season in order to determine our 2008 league champions and runners-up.

Volunteer Points Requirement for Elimination Round Play

To participate in the single elimination playoff round, a team must have earned at least 21 Volunteer Points in U12 and U14 and 18 in U10 by Sunday, November 23, 2008 regardless of how well the team performs during the preliminary pool play round. If a team would otherwise qualify for the single elimination playoff round, but doesn't have enough Volunteer Points, the opportunity to participate in the single elimination playoff round will go to the next team in the standings that qualifies. Teams that don't qualify for the single elimination playoff round will participate in friendly games.

If you think that there are any missing or unrecorded points, please contact us at . Please remember that any request to change allocation of Volunteer Points must be in writing and must come from the volunteer who earned them.

More information on the Volunteer Points Program is in the referee section of this website.

Format

Please review the playoff format page for information on how the pool play and elimination rounds are organized in each division.

Regular Season Playoff Rules for Division U10-U14

Applicable Rules

These rules do not supersede AYSO National Rules and Regulations, Section 1 Rules and Regulations, or Area 1-P Rules and Regulations, but are intended to cover those situations not addressed in the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, Section 1 Rules and Regulations, or Area 1-P Rules and Regulations. Region 76 rules shall prevail in case of conflict. Unless noted, these rules will cover U10-U14.

During playoffs (pool play and single elimination games) in all divisions, each player must play a minimum of 2 quarters. As long as this rule is satisfied, there is no other restriction on the length of play for specific positions (i.e. goalie). The 2-quarter limit on goal keepers for U10 and U12 is eliminated. Also note, in accordance with AYSO National rules, there is no free substitution during overtime; substitution is only allowed at the start of overtime or between periods.

For U10, a minimum of 5 players constitutes a team. If a team does not have a minimum of 5 players at the start of the game or if does not maintain a minimum of 5 players, then it will forfeit the game.

For U12 and U14, a minimum of 7 players constitutes a team. If a team does not have a minimum of 7 players at the start of the game or if does not maintain a minimum of 7 players, then it will forfeit the game.

Any player missing a completely filled-out and parent-signed medical emergency release form is ineligible to play. No exceptions. Coaches must show all proper medical release forms at the start of the game when asked by the referees.

Point Scoring System During Pool Playoff Games

An accumulated point system will be used for pool games (preliminary round games) with points awarded as follows:

Win = 6 points
Tie = 3 points (0-0 tie scores 3 points, no shutout point)
Loss = 0 points
Shutout = 1 additional point
Goal scored = 1 additional point each goal scored, up to a maximum of 3 points. (E.g., if a team loses 3-4, it gets 3 points for the three goals scored.)
Forfeit = Scored as 3-0 (10 points)
Maximum points per game = 10
No Show/Forfeit: Minus 1 point for non-appearance at a game.
Red Card/Ejection/Send Off: Minus 2 points for each send off/ejection of a player, coach, or assistant coach.

Tie Breaker, if necessary, to determine ranking after preliminary rounds:

Prior Head to Head [during Pool Play only]
Fewest Goals Allowed
Greatest Goal Differential (will consider only up to 3 goal difference per game
Fewest number of send-offs/ejections of players and coaches
Coin Toss

Note that ties stand in preliminary pool playoff games.

Overtime

Except in the preliminary round games or pool play in which ties stand, in the case of a tie at the end of regulation time in a quarter-final, semi-final, or a final game, two overtime periods shall be played in accordance with the chart below. If a team is playing short because of ejections, they will continue to play short during the overtime periods.

U10 = two five-minute overtime periods
U12 = two six-minute overtime periods
U14 = two seven-minute overtime periods

Important Note: There are NO golden or silver goal overtime periods. Overtime periods will be played in full.

Between the end of regulation play and the first overtime period: 3 min. Between each overtime period and between overtime and shoot-out (Kicks from the Penalty Mark): 2 min.

At the discretion of the Regional Commissioner, an Assistant Regional Commissioner or Division Director for the Division in question or the scheduler ("Official"), a single elimination game which ends in a tie at the end of regulation or at the end of the first period of overtime will proceed directly to a shoot-out. A decision to this effect can be made by an Official at any time up to the end of regulation play or the first overtime period in the game in question and the referee will apply the decision of an Official if present or available.

As a general rule, the scheduler anticipates that elimination games before the semifinal round will be scheduled to proceed directly to a shootout. A decision made prior to the start of games in the division and elimination round in question should, in the absence of exigent circumstances as determined by an Official, be applied to all games in the division and elimination round affected.

A decision on the date of the game to proceed directly to a shoot-out in any particular game may be taken by an Official or the referee based on the circumstances, including, for example, maintaining the schedule, field conditions, available light, weather and other relevant factors.

For clarity, no game originally scheduled to proceed directly to a shootout may be rescheduled to include overtimes unless such decision is made by the scheduler or the Regional Commissioner prior to the start of games in the division and elimination round in question.

Substitutions are only allowed prior to the start of the first overtime period and between periods. No free substitution is permitted.

In the case of a tie at the conclusion of the two overtime periods in a quarter-final, semi-final or final game, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark. Note that, in accordance with The Laws of the Game, when a team finishes the match with a greater number of players than their opponents, they shall reduce their numbers to equate with that of their opponents and inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. The coach or team captain has this responsibility.

Only the Head Coach and one assistant coach from each team will be permitted on the field to confer with their teams prior to or during the taking of kicks from the penalty mark. All other assistant coaches must remain behind the crowd control lines. In the spirit of team camaraderie and sportsmanship, players (i.e., substitutes) who are not eligible to participate in kicks from the penalty mark may join their teams in the center of the field but shall remain ineligible to otherwise participate in kicks from the penalty mark.

The Referee shall choose the goal at which all of the kicks shall be taken.

The team winning the coin toss shall take the first kick.

Each team shall alternately take five (5) kicks at the same goal, with each one taken by a different player.

The team that makes the most goals out of five (5) tries shall be declared the winner.

If, after both teams have taken five (5) kicks and both have scored the same number of goals or have not scored any goals, the taking of kicks shall continue, in the same order, until such time as both have taken an equal number of kicks and one has scored a goal more than the other; this team shall be declared the winner.

Each kick shall be taken by a different player and not until all eligible players of any team, including the goalkeeper, may a player of the same team take a second kick.

Other than the player taking the kick, or the two goalkeepers, all other players from each team must remain behind the mid-field line.

The goalkeeper may be changed after any penalty kick, including a kick that is being retaken.

If any playoff game (pool play or elimination) is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled, or is terminated prior to completion, the outcome/standings shall be determined by the Division Director, Assistant Regional Commissioner for older teams, Regional Referee Administrator or designees, subject to a final determination by the Regional Commissioner. NOTE: No such determination shall be made by an official who coaches a team in the division involving a cancelled or terminated game or is a member of the immediate family of a player on such a team if the determination would affect that team however remotely. In any case where the Regional Commissioner would not be permitted to make the final determination because of the rule in the preceding sentence, the final determination shall be made in the following order: (1) by the Assistant Regional Commissioner for older teams; (2) by the Assistant Regional Commissioner for younger teams; (3) by the Regional Referee Administrator.

The winners of the AYSO Region 76 regional regular season playoffs will represent Region 76 in the Area 1-P Regular Season Champions Playoffs.

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