AYSO REGION 418 LOCAL POLICIES

Start and End of Games

Games are intended to start at the scheduled time and must end no more than five minutes before the scheduled time of the following game, regardless
of when the game started.

Length of Games

U8 – 20 minutes per half
U10 – 25 minutes per half
U12 – 25 minutes per half
U14 – 32 minutes per half
Half time intervals are to last approximately five minutes. Timing of all games is under the control of the referee.

Locations on fields for Players, Coaches, and Spectators

Players and coaches are to be on one side of the field with spectators on the other side.
Only registered coaches and assistant coaches can be on the teams' side of the field.
Coaches must stay within ten yards of the halfway line.
Everyone must remain at least three feet from the touchlines to provide safety for the players and adequate viewing for the referees.
Spectators aren't allowed behind or near the goal lines since this would be distracting to goalkeepers, players and referees.

Game day uniform and equipment

Players MUST wear:

a) team jersey, shorts and socks;
b) shin guards with all parts fully covered by socks. Shin guards go on first, then the socks completely over them.
c) regulation soccer shoes, gym shoes or sneakers; football, baseball shoes are not permitted

Players MAY NOT wear:
a) earrings or metal ear studs. Taped or bandaged earrings or studs are not acceptable.
b) jewelry, hard billed caps or any similar accessories. Hair beads are allowed in accordance with AYSO National policies.
c) anything deemed dangerous to the player or other players as determined by the referee.
d) Items are allowed for medical or religious purposes. Medical bracelets are acceptable if taped down.
e) A goalkeeper can wear a soft-billed cap if necessary because of the sun.
f) Prescription eyeglasses should be secured; sunglasses are not permitted.

Player Substitutions

General

Other than for injuries, substitutions occur only at halftime and at breaks near the middle of each half. There is no free subsitution.
Every player who shows up for the game no later than during the first quarter must play at least two quarters. Players showing up during the second quarter must playat least one quarter.
Other than the above exceptions and in the case of injuries, no player can play four quarters unless all players on the team have played at least three quarters. It is not acceptable to field teams in excess of the maximum player counts as published on the regional website.

Substitution Process / Duration of “Quarter” Breaks

Quarter break substitutions are intended only to be a time for a quick substitution of a few players and are not meant to be coaching opportunities or other purposes that would unduly delay the re-start of the game.
However, the referee has the discretion to allow additional time during the break for rehydration. This should be discussed with the coaches before the start of the game.

Injury Substitution

If a player cannot continue with active play, the coach can substitute another player until the original player is ready to continue. The substituted player may not re-enter the game until the beginning of the next quarter.
The player who started the quarter will be credited for playing that quarter.
A coach can choose to play short until the injured player is ready to continue. That player can re-enter play only with the permission of the referee.
See "Concussion Policy" below.

Goalkeeper Substitution Policy

In all divisions 14U and lower, no player can play as a goalkeeper for more than one half of the game; violation of this rule will result in a forfeit.
Upon permission of the referee, a goalkeeper can switch positions with a field player during a stoppage in play. Such a change will not be permitted if used as a time wasting tactic or to slow anattacking team's progress. The new goalkeeper must already be in the game except in the case of an injury to the original goalkeeper.

Concussion Policy

This policy is based on AYSO’s National Policy and is meant to provide as much protection for our youth soccer players as possible.
If a coach, referee, or parent suspects a player has received a concussion or is exhibiting concussion symptoms, that player may not participate in AYSO games or practices for the remainder of the day.
Coaches must notify the Regional Safety Director that a player has been so removed. The Safety Director will advise the Regional Referee Administrator (RRA) of the player’s name and team number.
Removed players may only resume participation in AYSO games or practices once theyhave provided their coach with a completed AYSO Participation Release and Concussion Release Forms. No other
form, note, or verbal message will be acceptable. The forms can be found Here.
Game referees will be advised by the RRA of any players not eligible to play due to concussion injury or symptoms. The player will only be allowed to play if their coach has a completed Participation Release Form or if the referee is advised by the Regional Commissioner, Safety Director, or RRA that the form has already been properly completed.
The Safety Director will collect and hold all completed Participation Release Forms. TheSafety Director will keep written record of names of all players ineligible due to concussion injury or symptoms.

Slide tackling in Region 418

Slide Tackling is taking a ball from an opponent while sliding on the ground, taking control of the ball by contacting the ball before contacting the opponent.
Proper slide tackling is legal per the Laws of the Game as defined by FIFA, the governing body for international soccer.
Because of the condition of our fields, our region has determined that slide tackling inherently puts our players in danger. Therefore, Region 418 has determined that slide tackling should be considered as ‘dangerous play’ and should be treated as such by our referees.
If the slide tackle results in contact normally associated with a direct free kick offense, the referee will give a direct free kick or, if appropriate, a penalty kick.
If there was no otherwise illegal conduct, an indirect free kick should be awarded for dangerous play.
As always, should a tackle endanger the safety of an opponent, such as a slide tackle from behind, this must be sanctioned as serious foul play (a red card offense for older players).

Guest Player Policy

Coaches should encourage all their players to show up to as many games as possible.
When a coach is faced with having fewer players than are allowed on the field, they may
either play short or use a guest player.
All guest players are be fully registered AYSO players of an equal or lower division
(same gender) and are to wear their own team's uniform as well as a pinnie to
differentiate them from the other players.
Guest players should not be positioned as goalkeepers or forwards, though they should
not be discouraged from contributing to the offense.
No player should play more than two games in one day, AYSO primary and travel
games combined. Coaches are responsible to ask players about this; violations will
result in a forfeited game.
For all divisions below 14U, no guest player should be on the field when a rostered
player is sitting out, except in case of injury or when that rostered player arrives during
the quarter in which the guest player is playing. In the latter case, the guest player can
finish the quarter and the rostered player should take over the next quarter.
In 14U and above, no more than one rostered player may sit out while a guest player is in the game.
The opposing coach and referee are to be advised of the use of guest players prior to the start of the game.
SELECTION OF GUEST PLAYERS - First, check with the other coach to see if they
have any players willing to play for the other team. Try to rotate players so that no player
plays more than one half for an opposing team. Next, check with players just finishing a
game or other AYSO registered players in uniform and in the vicinity.
Pre-arrangement of the use of guest players is prohibited; violations will result in a
forfeited game.

7U and 8U Goalkeeping / Defensive Positioning

Some of the most obvious differences between 7U and 8U rules and those of standard soccer are that there are no goalkeepers or penalty kicks, the goal sizes are greatly reduced, and there are no offside infractions. Since 7U and 8U are considered to be early instructional divisions, these more advanced concepts start being taught at the 10U level.
The question has come up as to what extent are defenses allowed to defend their own goals. Defense is a critical part of soccer at all levels of play and it
should certainly be stressed in 7U and 8U. Therefore, there are no limits to the extent the goals can be defended, though there are no players that are allowed to use their hands in the penalty area.
Region 418 guidelines limit defensive players from being in the penalty area when the ball is on the opposite half of the field. The spirit of this rule is to encourage players on the attacking team to be more involved in active play rather than being camped in front of the goal when the ball is not in the vicinity. Coaches are asked to teach this to their players. Should a player remain their goal area while their team is attacking on the other side of the field, the player's coach or referee should gently request they move forward. However, there is no infraction or penalty for remaining in this position.

Trees overhanging Region 418 fields

All trees overhanging fields in our region are considered to be in play unless the referee determines that play is unduly affected. Referees officiating
games that have overhanging trees are asked to remind coaches and players of this policy, as necessary.

Youth Referee Abuse Zero Tolerance Policy

Although we expect the best behavior from everyone toward all referees, it is simply forbidden
to criticize a youth referee, even if you are another referee. There is ZERO TOLERANCE FOR
NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO OR ABOUT YOUTH REFEREES at any time before, during, or
after games. Anyone who does so will be asked to leave the game vicinity by the center referee,
and the Regional Board may also choose to enact further sanctions. These Youth Referees are
well-trained, and many are also experienced players; however they are still youngsters without
the life experience to handle negative remarks. Please give each your full support and help
model good behavior for others to follow.

Last updated Sept. 25, 2024

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AYSO Region 418 Chicago Lakefront

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