belle-clair soccer league (bcsl) rule book · rule book this booklet contains information about...

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BelleClairSoccerLeague

Belle-ClairSoccerLeague(BCSL)

RuleBook

ThisbookletcontainsinformationaboutBCSLandthe"LawsoftheGame"forourin-houseRecreationalLeague.Theinformationcontainedhereinwillgiveyouabetterunderstandingofourorganizationandthegameofsoccer.BCSLisanon-profit,tax-exemptcorporationwiththepurposeoforganizing,promotinganddevelopingyouthsoccerattherecreational(BelleClairSoccerLeague)andclub(MetroEastLegacyFC)levelsinthiscommunity.Ourobjectiveistodevelopprogramstobenefityouthbothphysicallyandmentallybylearningsoccerskills,teamparticipation,leadershipandfairplayinafunyetcompetitiveatmosphere.BCSLisadministeredbyavolunteer,membershipelectedBoardofDirectors,withrotatingtermsofoffice.Othervolunteerssuchascoaches,Leaguedirectorsandcommitteemembersarevitaltoourprogram.Coachesandotherindividualsintherecreationprogramarenon-paidvolunteers.RefereesarepaidbyBCSLtoofficiateLeaguegames.TheserefereesarelicensedbyUSSFandhavecompletedareasofcertification.Soccerisafast-growingsport.Playisfast,spiritedandcontinuous,providingexcitementtoplayers and spectators. We, asparents, spectators, coaches, and referees, have auniqueresponsibilityandobligationtodevelopthebestqualitiesofourLeagueandourplayers.Pleaseabbeytotheserulesandhelpusaccomplishourobjective.Thankyou,BoardofDirectors

BCSL–2019RuleBook Page2of18

HistoryBelleClairSoccerhasbeeninexistencesince1967andproducesaveryactiveyouthsoccerprogram.Ourprogramservesapproximately1,700boysandgirlsages3to18onover130teamsintheSt.ClairCountyareaeachyear.Theleagueisrunbyhundredsofvolunteersandasmallstaffwhoarededicatedtoprovidingthebestsoccerexperience.VisionBecometheNo.1stopshop!Adestinationlocationtodevelopthewholechildwithapositivesoccerexperience.MissionProvide a best-in-class soccer experience through a multi-tier skill level platform whilebecomingtheexampleforotherorganizationonhowtodobusiness.KeyObjectives

● FocusontheTotalPlayerDevelopmentthroughaCoreCurriculumandavarietyofprogramsthatfosterscriticalskillsinabroadrangeofdisciplines

● Provideamulti-tier skill levelplatform(Rec,Developmental, Select,Premier) thatprovidesopportunitiesforallchildrenyear-round

● SeekstrategicpartnershipsthatsupportourVisionandMission ● ProvideaCollegePlacementProgram(CPP) ● Growtoand/orsustainto~2Kkidsacrosstheorganization


ThefollowingstatementsandregulationswereissuedasaguidelineforsituationsthatmayoccurduringLeagueplay.ThesestatementsandregulationsmayberevisedatthediscretionoftheBoardofDirectors.AnyrulenotmentionedoramendedbytheBoardofDirectorswillfallbacktoUSFFGuidelines.GENERALRULESA. SoccerParkRules

● BelleClair/LegacySoccerParkisasmokefreeenvironment. ● Nopetsallowed,unlesstheyareserviceanimals. ● ParkinglotisaONEWAYstreet. ● Speedlimitis5mph. ● Parkata45degreeanglefacingin. ● Demonstratesportsmanship,courtesy,andrespectatalltimes. ● Obeythesoccerrulesatalltimes.

B.WEATHER

1. BCSLwill govern conditions ofweather up to the time of the game, and then therefereewillgovernconditionsduringthegame.Therefereeisauthorizedtoshortenperiodsor,inseverecases,tocallthegame.

2. Ifagameiscalled,playwillresumeatalaterdate(atthediscretionoftheBCSLboard)

fromthatpointunlessthesecondhalfkickoffhasbeenproperlyexecuted;inwhichcasethegamewillberuledascomplete.

3. Allweatherrelatedinformationwillbepostedon:

a. Leaguewebsite(http://belleclairsoccer.org/),b. FaceBookpage(www.facebook.com/belleclairsoccer/)

C.POSTPONING,RESCHEDULINGANDCANCELLATIONOFGAMES

1. ThePresident,VicePresident,DOC,ordesignatedFieldMarshall,maypostponeorcancelLeaguegames(exceptasprovidedinB.1.aboveandLaw#8subparagraph11).

2. CoachesmaynotofficiallyplayorschedulemakeupgameswithoutapprovalfromtheLeague.Pleasecontactscheduling@belleclairsoccer.orgtocancelorreschedulegames.

3. TheLeagueSchedulerwillreschedulegames,withpropernoticegiventotheLeague.ALeaguerepresentativewillnotifycoachesofnewgamedates,whichwillbefinalandbinding.


4. ItispolicythatnogameswillberescheduledafterthefirstgameofLeagueplayexcept

forrainandBCSLrescheduling.Wheneverpossible,aminimumof2weekswillbeprovidedbetweenthecanceledandrescheduledgame.

D.COACHINGANDSPECTATORAREA

1. Allcoachesandplayerswillremainwithin1-3yardsfromthetouchlineand10yardsofthecenterlineand/orintheclosevicinitytotheirassignedbench.Spectatorsaretostayontheoppositesideofthefieldastheplayersandcoaches.

2. Abusesofthisregulation,asdeterminedbythereferee,canleadtoejectionfromthefield/area.

3. Two(2)coachesperteamwillbeallowedinthecoachingarea.

E.GOALKEEPER

1. Thegoalkeeper,wheninpossessionoftheball,shallnotbecontactedbyanopposingplayeratanytime.Possessionwillbedeterminedbythereferee(possessionisfirmcontroloftheballbetweenhis/herhandsandthebodyorground).Adirectfreekickshallbeawardedforthisoffense.Therefereemayalsoissueayelloworredcard,asappropriate.

2. Agoalkeeper,notinpossessionoftheball,whoobstructsanopponentinsidethegoal

area,shallcauseanindirectkicktobeawardedtotheopposingsidefromthepartofthegoalareawhichrunsparalleltothegoalline,atthepointnearesttowheretheoffensewascommitted.

3. Oncethegoalkeeperobtainspossessionof theballandgainscontrolhe/shehas6

secondstoreleasetheballbackintoplay.Theamountofstepsisnolongerafactornorwilltherefereebeaskedtocountoutloudormakecountinggestureswiththeirhands.

F.CONDUCTTheprinciplesofgoodsportsmanshipwillgoverncompetition.Allparticipantsareaskedtorealize,acceptandpracticetheprinciplethatareputationisbuiltnotonlyonplayingskillsbut also good sportsmanship. If in the opinion of the referee, all is not being done toaccomplishthis,hemayyellowcardtheteamforunsportingbehavior.

1. Coachesandplayers:a) Eachcoachwillinsurethattheirconductsetstheproperexampleforteam

membersandspectators.


b) Thecoachesandteamcaptainswillmeetwiththerefereesat thecenterof thefieldatthebeginningofthegameforthecointoss.Atthistimethecoacheswillgivetheircardstothereferee,noexceptions.Ifacoachisgivenayelloworredcard,therefereewillturnthatcoach’scardintotheLeagueofficeforreview.

c) Each player will insure that their playing conduct is that of fair play whilecompetingtothelimitsoftheirability.

d) Eachcoachwillmakeeveryefforttoprevent"runningupthescore"againstanopponent. Referees have the authority to remind the coach not to continue“runningupthescore”andtostopthegameifthissituationcontinues.SeesectionF,numeral4foradditionaldetails.

e) Bothwillknowtherulesandabidebythematalltimes.Coachesaretoinstructtheteamsinsuchawayastomotivateeachplayertocompeteaccordingtotherulesatalltimes.

f) Bothwillshowrespectfortheofficials.Coachesaretorefrainfromquestioningofficial’sdecisions inadisrespectfulorabusivemanner. Playersare torefrainfromaddressingofficialsorcommentingontheirdecisionsduringtheplayofthegame. The game captainsmay address the officials during the game but onlywithintheprovisionsoftherulesandinacourteous,respectfulmanner.

g) Both will show respect for coaches and players of the opposing team anddemonstrateappropriategesturesofsportsmanshipattheconclusionofagame.

h) Both will maintain control of emotions; avoid the use of abusive language orprofanity,humiliatingremarks,and/orgesturesofilltemper,andphysicalassaultuponanotherplayeratanytime.

i) Both will follow all facility rules and regulations, respecting at all times thepropertyofothers.

j) Coaches are to insure that team spectators conduct themselves withsportsmanshipandmaturityatall timeswhile inattendanceatgamesitesandassistthegameofficialsinmaintainingcontrolofspectatorsduringgames.

k) A BCSL coach cannot officiate games in the same division of the team theycurrentlycoach.Exception:TheycanbeparticipatinginA/Rpositiononly.

l) NoBCSLcoachcanwearapparelwhilecoachingagamethatdesignateshimorheraseitheragameofficialorBoardMember.

m) Ifaplayer/coachreceivesaredcardheorshemaynotattendthenextgame.Inadditiontothenormalonegamesuspensionforaplayer/coachwhoisejected,any player/coachwho receives a second red card (for any reason) during theseasonwill be suspended for the remainderof that season. Furthermore, anyplayer/coach guilty of fighting or of physical contact with a referee will besuspended immediately for theremainderof thecurrentseasonandplacedonprobation for the following season. Additional penalties may be imposed asdeemedappropriate.

n) A PLAYER/COACHWHO RECEIVES THREE (3) YELLOW CARDS DURING THESEASONWILLRECEIVEANAUTOMATICONEGAMESUSPENSION.

o) NoBCSLcoachcanwearapparelwhilecoachingagamethatdesignateshimorheraseitheragameofficialorBoardMember.


2. Spectatorsa) Will insure that conduct while in attendance at games shall reflect courtesy,

sportsmanship, good citizenship and a positive example for the players at alltimes.

b) Willshowrespectfortherulesofthegame.c) Will show respect for officials and refrain from questioning decisions or from

addressingtheminaloud,disrespectfulorabusivemanner.d) Willcheerfortheirteaminapositive,supportivemannerrefrainingatalltimes

frommakinghostile,negative,orabusiveremarksabouttheopposingteam.e) Will refrain at all times from coming onto the playing area or from throwing

foreignobjectsorothermaterialontotheplayingfield.f) Willfollowallfacilityrulesandregulations,respectingatalltimesthepropertyof

others.g) Willberesponsibleforensuringthattheirchildrendonotviolatethesecodes.h) Coaches canbe yellow carded for failure of their teams' spectators to conduct

themselvesproperly.Ifnecessary,theycanberedcarded.

3. Officialsa) Knowstherules.b) Isfairandfirminalldecisions.Callsthemastheyseethem.c) Officials shall blow theirwhistle loudly andmake the proper signal to ensure

players/coachesunderstandthecall.d) Treatsplayersandcoachescourteouslyanddemandsthesametreatment.e) Knowsthegameisforathletesandletsthemhavethespotlight.f) Refereeswillbeof13yearsofageorhaveenteredtheeighthgrade.g) Arefereecannotofficiategamesinwhichtheyhavefamilymembersparticipating.

Exception:TheycanbeparticipatinginA/Rpositiononly.G.DEVELOPMENTALPLAYERPROGRAMBCSLhasinstitutedaDevelopmentalPlayerProgramforalldivisions.Underthisprogram,emphasiswillbeplacedupondevelopingand improving thesoccer skillsofouryoungerplayers.Fewerplayerswillbeonthefieldduringgamestoalloweachplayermorecontactwiththeball.Specificdifferencesareidentifiedwitheach"LAW".

1. Therewillberecordofgoals,finalscores,andLeaguestandings.

2. Thisprogramwasestablishedtoprovideafun,safe,andinstructionalatmospherefortheyoungerchildrentolearnsoccerandgoodsportsmanship.Supportfromcoachesandparentsareessentialtoachievethesegoals.


3. RunningupthescoreisNOTallowed.Teamsdownby5goalsmustplayaplayerup.Coachesnotcomplyingwiththisrulecanbeexpelledfromthegameandsuspendedforupto2games.

4. Relative to age divisions, a playermay play up nomore than two age groups, no

exceptions.H.BLOODRULEANYBLOODONAPLAYERORTHEIRUNIFORMWILLBETAKENCAREOFIMMEDIATELY.THISMEANSTHEPLAYSTOPSNOW.IFATEAMISINCLEARPOSSESSIONOFTHEBALLTHEYWILLBEAWARDEDANINDIRECTFREEKICKAFTERTHEPLAYERWITHBLOODISREMOVED FROM THE FIELD AND THE COACH IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THECOACHTAKESCORRECTIVEACTION.THEWOUNDONTHEPLAYERWILLBEBANDAGEDANDWRAPPEDTOTHESATISFACTIONTHECENTERREFEREEANDNOONEELSE. ANYBLOODONTHEUNIFORMWILLHAVETOBERINSEDOUTORACLEANJERSEYMAYBEWORN.NOEXCEPTIONS.USSF/BCSLLAWSOFTHEGAMECommonsenseshouldbethebasisforapplyingtheLawsoftheGameandmakingadditionalinterpretations.USSFrulesshallbefollowedatalltimesexceptwherehereinprovidedasBCSLrules.Table1:FieldDimensionsandGeneralRules


Law1:FIELDOFPLAY

1) Aproperfieldofplayisrectangularandconsistsofanouterboundary,twogoalsatopposite ends of the field, a penalty area, a halfway line, and a few other morespecializedmarkings. Corner flagsand clearmarkingsarenecessary toassist theplayersandtherefereeduringtheconductofthegame.Theouterboundarylinesarepartof the fieldofplay. Regulationgoalsareeightyardswideandeight feethigh(insidedimensions).Note:NoteamwillbeallowedtopracticeontheBCSLfields.

2) BCSL has determined Kindergarten teams will play on fields half the size of aregulationfieldandthegoalareawillnotexceedtenfeetwideandfivefeethigh.

3) Thepenaltyareaisarectangularareainfrontofeachgoalwithlines18yardsinfrontand18yardsfromeachgoalpost.The2ndGradefieldswillbesizedsmallerifpossible.Thereisnopenaltyareaforthe2ndGradedivisionandbelow.

4) Thegoalareaisarectangularareainfrontofeachgoalwithlines6yardsinfrontofthegoalandfromeachgoalpost.

5) TheBCSLDOCwilldefinethegoalareafor1stand2ndGradedivisions.


6) Thecornerareaisaquartercircleateachcornerofthefieldhavingaradiusofone

yard.Law2:THEBALL

1. Thesizeandweightoftheballshallcomplywiththefollowingspecifications:

KINDERGARTEN #31ST/2NDGRADEthrough6THGRADE#4 25-26" 11-13oz.7THGRADEand8THGRADE #5 27-28" 14-16oz.

Note:Inflationshouldfollowthemanufacturer'sspecifications.

2. Thematerialandconstructionoftheballmustnotbedangerousfortheplayers.

Law3:NUMBEROFPLAYERS(ANDSUBSTITUTIONS)

1. Afullteamonthefieldconsistsof11players,oneofwhomshallbethegoalkeeper.BothUSSFandtheBCSLrecommendthatagamenotbeconsideredvalidiftherearefewerthansevenplayersonthefieldforeitheroftheteams.BCSLexceptionsareasfollows:

● KINDERGARTEN–4playersonthefield(nogoalie) ● 1ST/2NDGRADE–5playersonthefield(4FieldplayersandaKeeper) ● 3RD/4THGRADE–7playersonthefield(6FieldPlayersandaKeeper) ● 5TH/6TH GRADE division will play with a maximum of 9 players and a

minimumof6players(8FieldPlayerandaKeeper) ● 7TH/8TH GRADE divisionwill playwith amaximum of 11 players and a

minimumof6players

2. Anyofthefieldplayersmaychangeplaceswiththegoalkeeper,withtheconsentofthereferee,providedthechangeismadeduringastoppageofthegame.

3. Anejected(redcarded)playermaynotbereplaced.Aplayerreceivingayellowcardwillbesubstitutedforuponreceivingthecard.

4. BCSLallowsunlimitedsubstitutions.Substitutionsmaybemade,withtheconsentofthereferee,atthefollowingtime:Priortoathrow-in(eitherteam);priortoagoalkick(eitherteam);afteragoal(eitherteam);afteraninjury(eitherteam)whentherefereestopsplay;andathalf-time. Thesubstituteshallnotenterthefieldofplayuntiltheplayertheyarereplacinghasleft,andthenonlyafterhavingreceivedasignalfromthereferee.

Law4:PLAYER'SEQUIPMENT


1. A player shall not wear anything that is dangerous to another player (necklaces,

earrings,watches,rings,unpaddedcasts,etc.arenotallowed).Haircontroldevicesarelimitedtoelastic/flexiblematerials.

2. Shoesmust complywith detailed safety standards. All playersmustwear tennisshoesorofficiallyrecognizedsoccershoes.Neithermetalcleats,norshoeswithtoeorsidestudswillbeallowed.Anyshoedeemedunsafebyanofficialorrefereewillnotbeallowed.

3. Uniformsconsistofashirtthatistuckedintotheshorts,shorts,socksthatarepulledup over their shin guards, shin guards and shoes. The goalkeeper shall wear adifferentcolorshirtthantherefereeandtheotherplayers(bothteams).

4. ShinguardsareREQUIREDatalltimes.

5. Playerswearingglassesarerecommendedtousesafetylensesandstraps.

6. Ifaplayermustwearanyexternalmedicaldeviceorbracelet,thecoachisrequired

toinformtherefereeandtheopposingcoach.Theplayermayplayonlywithconsentoftherefereeandthedevicemustbetappedtothebody.

Law5:REFEREES

1. Therefereehasjurisdictionfromthetimetheyenterthefieldofplayuntilbothteamsleavethefield.Theirdecisionsarefinal.

2. TherefereeshallenforcetheLawsoftheGamebutshallrefrainfromstoppingthegame for an infraction when they are satisfied that doing so would be giving anadvantagetotheoffendingteam.

3. BCSLPROVIDESTHATALLRULEINFRACTIONSSHALLBEBRIEFLYEXPLAINEDTOTHEOFFENDINGPLAYER.

4. Therefereecanstopthegameforinfringementoftherules.

5. Therefereecanstopor terminateagamewhenever theydeemnecessary (severeweather,interferencebyspectatorsorcoaches,runningupthescore,etc.).

6. Therefereewilleject(redcard)anyplayerorcoachguiltyofanyoftheoffenseslistinRule12paragraph5.

7. Therefereeactsasthetimekeeperandkeepsarecordofthegameonthegamecard.


8. Refereesscheduled foragameareexpectedtoreport to the fieldno later than30minutespriortothescheduledstartingtime.

9. Intheeventarefereefailstoappear,theHeadRefereewilldesignateareplacement.AllinvolvedpartieswillabidebytheHeadRefereedecisionandthegamewillbeginpromptly.

10. BCSLwillproviderefereesfor1st/2ndgradethrough7th/8thgrade.Allotherswillbe

refereedbycoaches.Law6:ASSISTREFEREE(AR)

1. Oneortwoassistantrefereesshallbeappointedtoassisttherefereefor5thGradeandabovedivisions.

2. ThedutiesoftheARaretosignalbyuseoftheAR’sflag:Whentheballisoutofplay;

which team is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in; when an offsideinfractionhasoccurred;whensubstitutionsmaybetaken;andwhenaninfractionhasoccurredthattherefereemaynothaveseen.

3. Therefereealwaysmakesthefinaldecisionoftheactiontobetakeneveniftheinitial

AR'ssignalistothecontrary.Onlytherefereecanstopthegame.Law7:DURATIONOFTHEGAME

1. BCSLprovidesthatdurationofthegamewillbeasfollows:KINDERGARTEN Four8minutequarters1st/2ndGrade Four12minutequarters3rd/4thGrade Two25minutehalves 5th/6thand7/8thGrade Two30minutehalves

2. Allowanceshallbemadeineitherperiodforalltimelostthroughsubstitution,thetransportfromthefieldofinjuredplayers,time-wastingorothercauses,theamountoftimeaddedwillbeatthediscretionofthereferee.Timeshallbeextendedtopermitapenaltykickbeingtakenattheendofthehalforattheendofthematch.

3. Playershavearighttoafive-minutebreakathalftime.

4. A2minutequarterabreakisallowedfor2ndGradeandbelow.Law8:STARTOFPLAY


1. Thegamewillbeginwithin10minutesofthescheduledtimeor5minutesfromtheendoftheprecedinggame.

2. Thestartofplayatthebeginningofeachhalfandafteragoalshallproceedwithakickoff.

3. Atthebeginningofthegame,theteamwinningthetossshalldecidewhichgoalitwillattack in the firsthalfof thematch. Theother teamtakes thekickoff tostart thematch.

5. Afterhalftime,theendsshallbechangedandthekickoffshallbetakenbytheteamoppositefromtheteamthattookthekickoffatthebeginningofthegame.

6. Onakickoff,theballmustbestationaryonthegroundatthecenterofthefieldandcanmoveinanydirectiontostartplay.

7. Theplayertakingthekickoffmaynotplaytheballasecondtimeuntil ithasbeentouchedbyanotherplayer.Ifthisruleisviolated,theopposingteamisawardedanindirectfreekick.

8. Everyplayeroneachteammustbeintheirownhalfofthefield,andallplayersoftheteamopposingthekickermustbeatleasttenyardsawayfromtheballwhentheballisputintoplay.Ifthisruleisviolated,thekickoffshallberetaken.THEMINIMUMDISTANCEof6YARDSFOR1st/2ndGrade,AND8YARDSFOR3rd/4thGradeand10YARDSFOR7/8thGrade.

9. Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromakickoff.

10. AfteratemporarysuspensionofplayforanyreasonnototherwisementionedintheLawsoftheGame.Therefereeshallrestartthegamebyadropballwheretheballwaswhenplaywasstopped,unlessitwaswithinthegoalareaatthattime,inwhichcaseitshallbedroppedonthatpartofthegoalarealinewhichrunsparalleltothegoalline,atthepointnearesttowheretheballwaswhenplaywasstopped.Aplayermaynotplaytheballuntilittouchestheground.Ifthisruleisviolated,thedropballshallberetaken.Agoalmaynotbescoreddirectlyfromadropball.

11. Ifoneofthescheduledteamsisano-showordoesnothavetheminimumnumberofplayers,tenminutespastthescheduledstarttime,thegameshallberecordedasa3-0forfeit.

Law9:BALLINANDOUTOFPLAY

1. The ball is out of play only: when it has crossed the goal line or touchline in itsentirety,whetheronthegroundorintheair,orwhenthegamehasbeenstoppedbythereferee.


2. Theballisinplayatallothertimesduringthegame,evenif:itreboundsfromthegoal

post,crossbar,orcorner flag intothe fieldofplay, itreboundsoff therefereeoralinesmanwhentheyareinthefieldofplay,oranapparentinfractionhasoccurredbuttherefereehasnotstoppedthegame.

Law10:METHODOFSCORING

1. Agoal isscoredwhenthewholeof theballcrossesthegoal linebetweenthegoalpostsandunderthecrossbar,provideditwasnotthrown,carried,orintentionallypropelledbyarmorhandbyanattackingplayer (except theopposinggoalkeeperwhothrowstheballfromhis/herownpenaltyarea).

2. Ifadefendingplayerdeflectstheballwiththeirhandorarmandtheballgoesinthegoal,agoalisscored.

Law11:OFFSIDE

1. Aplayerisinanoffsidepositioniftheyarenearertheopposingteam'sgoallinethantheballatthemomenttheballisplayedunless:Theyareintheirownhalfofthefield;twoopposingplayersarenearertheirgoallinethantheyare(includingtheopposinggoalkeeper);theballislasttouchedbyanopponent;ortheyreceivetheballdirectlyfromagoalkick,cornerkick,throw-in,ordropball.

2. Aplayerinanoffsidepositionisnotoffsideunless,intheopinionofthereferee,theyare interferingwithplayorwithanopponent,actively involved in theplayorareseekingtogainadvantagebybeinginanoffsideposition.

3. Foranoffsideinfraction,thedefendingteamisawardedanindirectfreekickfromtheplacewheretheoffsideoccurred.

4. BCSLPROVIDESTHATTHERESHALLBENOOFFSIDE INTHE4thGradeDIVISIONANDBELOW.

Law12:FOULSANDMISCONDUCT

1. Any player at the age of 10 or younger cannot head the ball during play. Themisconductwillberewardedwithanindirectfreekicktotheopposingteamatthepoint of themisconduct. For applicable purposes thiswill apply to 6th Grade andbelowduringLeagueplay.(only7th/8thgradeteamswillbeallowedtoheadtheball)

2. Awardingfreekickstotheopposingteampenalizesfoulsandmisconduct.Theguilty

playermayalsobecautionedorejected,even ifa freekick isnotawardeddue toapplicationoftheadvantageclause(Law5).


3. Aplayerwhocommitsanyofthefollowingsevenfoulsinamannerconsideredbytherefereetobecareless,recklessorinvolvingdisproportionateforcearepenalizedbyawardingadirectfreekicktotheopposingteam:(a) Kicksorattemptstokickanopponent.(b) Tripsorattemptstotripanopponent.(c) Jumpsatanopponent.(d) Chargesanopponent.(e) Strikesorattemptstostrikeanopponent.(f) Pushesanopponent.(g) Orwhocommitsanyofthefollowingfouroffences:

(i) Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball,making contactwiththeopponentbeforetouchingtheball.

(ii) Holdsanopponent.(iii) Spitsatanopponent(iv) Handles the ball deliberately (except as goalkeeper, inside the goal

area).Apenaltykickisawardedifanyoftheaboveelevenoffencesiscommittedbyaplayerinsidehisownpenaltyarea,irrespectiveofthepositionoftheball,provideditisinplay.

3. BCSLPROVIDESTHATALLFOULSINTHEKINDERGARTENTHROUGH2NDGRADEDIVISIONSWILLRESULTINANINDIRECTFREEKICK.

4. Thefollowingruleinfractionsarepenalizedbyawardinganindirectfreekicktothe

opposingteam:a) Playsinadangerousmanner.b) Impedestheprogressofanopponent.c) Preventsthegoalkeeperfromreleasingtheballfromhishands.d) Anindirectfreekickisalsoawardedtotheopposingteamifagoalkeeper,inside

hisownpenaltyarea,commitsanyofthefollowingfiveoffences:e) Takes more than 6 seconds while controlling the ball with his hands, before

releasingitfromhispossession.f) Touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his

possessionandhasnottouchedanyotherplayer.g) Touchestheballwithhishandsafterithasbeendeliberatelykickedtohimbya

teammate.h) Touchedtheballwithhishandsafterhehasreceiveditdirectlyfromathrow-in

takenbyateammate.i) Wastestime.j) Ifthisinfractionoccurswithinthegoalarea,thefreekickistakenfromthegoal

arealinenearesttotheinfraction.

5. Aplayershallbecautioned(refereeshowsyellowcard)andsubstitutedforifthey:a) Isguiltyofunsportingbehavior.


b) Showsdissentsbywordoraction.c) PersistentlyinfringestheLawsoftheGame.d) Delaystherestartofplay.e) Failstorespecttherequireddistancewhenplayisrestartedwithacornerkickor

freekick.f) Entersorre-entersthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermission.g) Deliberatelyleavesthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermission.

6. Aplayershallbeejectedfromthegame(refereeshowsredcard)iftheyareguiltyof:a) Isguiltyofseriousfoulplay.b) Isguiltyofviolentconduct.c) Spitsatanopponentoranyotherperson.d) Deniesanopponentagoaloranobviousgoal-scoringopportunitybydeliberately

handlingtheball(thisdoesnotapplytoagoalkeeperwithinhisownpenaltyarea).e) Deniesanobviousgoal-scoringopportunitytoanopponentmovingtowardsthe

player’sgoalbyanoffencepunishablebyafreekickorapenaltykick.f) Usesoffensive,insultingorabusivelanguage.g) Receivesasecondcautioninthesamematch.

Anejectedplayermaynotbereplaced.BCSLprovidesthataplayerorcoachwhoisejectedfromagamenormallywillnotbeallowedtoparticipateintheirnextgametobeplayed.Theejectedplayerorcoachmustleavethe“fieldofplay”immediatelybeforethematchistorestart. Thefieldofplayisdefinedas100yardsfromtheouterlinesofthepitchortheparkinglotwhicheverisfurtherawayfromthepitch.ThegamerefereewillreporttheejectiontotheHeadRefereeandfilloutagamereport.whichinturnwillpassitontotheRecDirector,andwillreporttheejectiontotheLeaguePresident.

Law13:FREEKICKS

1. Thetwokindsoffreekicksare:a) Directfreekick(fromwhichagoalmaybescoreddirectlyagainsttheoffending

team.)b) Indirectfreekick(fromwhichagoalcannotbescoredunlesstheballistouched

byaplayerotherthanthekickerbeforegoingintothegoal.)

2. DirectfreekicksareawardedonlyforthedirectfreekickfoulsunderLaw12. Allotheroffensesareawardedanindirectfreekickunlessspecificallystatedotherwiseinthelawthatdescribestheoffense.

3. BCSLPROVIDESTHAT INKINDERGARTENTHROUGH2NDGRADEDIVISIONS,ALLFOULS WILL RESULT IN AN INDIRECT FREE KICK. (No penalty kicks will beawarded.)


4. Afreekickistakenfromtheplacewheretheoffenseoccurred,exceptwhenawardedinthegoalarea:a) Anyfreekickawardedtothedefendingteam,withinitsowngoalarea,maybe

takenfromanywherewithinthegoalarea.b) Anyindirectfreekickawardedtotheattackingteamwithinitsopponent’sgoal

areashallbetakenfromthepartofthegoalarealinewhichrunsparalleltothegoalline,atthepointnearesttowheretheoffensewascommitted.

5. Theballmustbestationaryonthegroundbeforethekickistaken.Theballisinplay

whenitiskickedandmoves,andmaynotbeplayedbythekickerasecondtimebeforebeingtouchedbyanotherplayer.

6. Allopposingplayersmustbeatleasttenyardsawayfromtheballwhentheballisputintoplay.Ifthisruleisviolated,thefreekickisretaken.

7. BCSLPROVIDESTHATTHEMINIMUMDISTANCEIS6YARDSFOR1ST/2NDGRADE,8YARDSFOR3RD/4THGRADEAND10YARDSFOR5/6THGRADEANDABOVE.

8. Iftheoffenseoccurredlessthantenyardsfromtheopponent'sgoalline(5,6and8yardsforabove),theopposingplayersmaystandontheirowngoallinebetweenthegoalposts.

9. Onfreekickstakenwithinitspenaltyareabythedefendingteam,allopposingplayersmustbeoutsidethepenaltyareaandatleast10yards(8yardsfor3rdGradeand4thGrade) away from the ball. The goalkeeper shall not receive the ball into his/herhands,inorderthattheymaykickitintoplay.

Law14:PENALTYKICK

1. Apenaltykickisawardedifthedefendingteamcommitsoneofthe9directfreekickfoulswithinitsownpenaltyarea.

2. BCSLPROVIDESTHATPENALTYKICKSWILLNOTBETAKENINTHE2NDGRADEANDBELOWDIVISIONS.

3. Thepenaltykickistakenfromthepenaltymark,whichiscentered12yards(10yardsfor3rdand4thGrade)infrontofthegoal.

4. Allplayersexceptthekickerandthegoalkeepermustbeoutsidethepenaltyarea,behindtheballandatleast10yards(8yardsfor3rdand4thGrade)awayfromthepenaltymark.

5. The goalkeepermust standwith both feet touching the goal line until the ball iskicked.Thekeepercanmovetheirfeetalongthegoalline.


6. Theballmustbekickedforwardandisinplaywhenitmoves.Thekickermaynotplayitasecondtimebeforebeingtouchedbyanotherplayer.

7. Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyonapenaltykick.

8. Foranyviolationof3,4or5above:a) Ifbytheattackingteamotherthanthekickerandagoalresults,thepenaltykick

shallberetakenb) If by the defending team and a goal does not result, the penalty kick shall be

retaken.

9. Timeshallbeextendedtoallowapenaltykicktobetaken.Law15:THROW-IN

1. Athrow-inisawardediftheballpassescompletelyoveratouchline,onthegroundorintheair.

2. Theballisthrowninwithinonemeterfromtheplacewhereitcrossedthelinebya

playeroftheteamoppositetothatoftheplayerwholasttouchedit.Athrow-intakenfromanypositionotherthanthepointwheretheballpassedoverthetouchlineshallbeconsideredtohavebeenimproperlythrown.

3. Thethrowermustfacethefieldandpartofeachfootmustbeontheground,eitheronthetouchlineoroutsidethefieldofplay.Theballmustbethrownwithbothhandsandmustbedeliveredfrombehindandovertheirhead.

4. Agoalcannotbescoreddirectlyfromathrow-in.

5. Ifthethrow-inisimproper,athrow-infromthesameplaceshallbeawardedtotheopposingteam.

6. BCSL PROVIDES THAT IN THE 1ST/2ND GRADE DIVISION, A SECOND THROW-IN

MUSTBEALLOWEDIFAPLAYERCOMMITSAFOULONTHEINITIALATTEMPT.THEREFEREESHALLEXPLAINTHEPROPERMETHODBEFOREALLOWINGTHEPLAYERTORE-THROW.

7. Theballisinplayimmediatelyuponenteringthefieldofplay,butmaynotbeplayedbythethrowerbeforebeingtouchedbyanotherplayer.

Law16:GOALKICK

1. Agoalkickisawardedthedefendingteamiftheballpassescompletelyoveritsgoalline,outsidethegoal,afterhavinglastbeentouchedbyaplayeroftheattackingteam.


2. Thegoalkickistakenfromanypointwithinthegoalarea.Andis inplayoncethekeeperkickstheball.

3. Allopposingplayersmustbeoutsidethepenaltyarea.

4. BCSLPROVIDESTHAT1stAND2ndgradeDIVISIONOPPONENTSMUSTBE6YARDSAWAYFROMTHEBALL.

5. Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromagoalkick.

6. Iftheballdoesnottraveloutsidethepenaltyarea,thegoalkickshallberetaken.Law17:CORNERKICK

1. Acornerkick isawardedtheattackingteamif theballpassescompletelyoverthedefendingteam'sgoalline,outsidethegoal,afterhavinglastbeentouchedbyaplayerofthedefendingteam.

2. Thecornerkickistakenfromwithinthequartercirclenearesttheplacewheretheballcrossedthegoalline.Thecornerflagmustnotbemovedwhiletakingthecornerkick.

3. Allopposingplayersmustbeatleast10yardsawayfromtheball(6and8yardsfor1st/2ndGradeand3rd/4thGradedivisionplayersrespectively).

4. Theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandmoves,andmaynotbeplayedbythekickerasecondtimebeforebeingtouchedbyanotherplayer.

5. Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromacornerkick.

6. Ifthekickerplaystheballbeforeanotherplayertouchesit,theopposingteamshallbeawardedanindirectfreekick.Foranyotherviolationofthislaw,thecornerkickshallberetaken.

7. Aplayermaynotbeoffsideiftheyreceivetheballdirectlyfrom the corner kick.

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