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To Team Coaches, Team Managers, and Referees:
The BAYS rulebook provides team officials and referees with the information you are most likely to need out on the pitch. Please keep this book for use this fall and next spring. The BAYS website (www.bays.org) is the place to look for team schedules, field maps, contact information for coaches and league officials, and rules changes adopted after the publication of this book.
Coaches and referees are reminded that the Laws of the Game, as adopted by the International Football Association Board, are to be followed in all BAYS games unless otherwise specified in these playing rules. The Laws of the Game can be downloaded from the US Soccer website (www.ussoccer.com).
If you have any comments or suggestions regarding either the substance of the rules or the format of this rulebook, please forward them to your town's representative on the BAYS Board of Directors, and we will be glad to discuss them.
Age group
Grade 12 D1&D2
Grade 10 D1&D2
Grade 8
Number of players
Minimum # to start game
Minimum # to continue play
Length of half (minutes)
Ball size
Offside rule?
Penalty kick distance (yds)
Prior to game day
Referee pre-game check-in – Prior to the game, the referee will check the following items:
During the game– We want our BAYS games to be positive and enjoyable experiences for everyone. The example you set, with respect to sportsmanship, fair play, observance of our zero tolerance rule, and enjoyment of the game, will greatly influence your players and their families.
After the game – Coaches must report the game score to their section captain, who will post the scores to the BAYS website.
Questions and problems – All questions and problems regarding game postponements and rescheduling; validity of rosters; forfeits and abandoned matches; and interpretation of the BAYS bylaws and playing rules should be referred to the BAYS division director assigned to your team's section. Division director assignments and contact information are listed on the BAYS website. Please note that section captains have NO responsibility or authority in any of these matters; section captains are responsible ONLY for posting reported scores.
The BAYS Board of Directors has voted to prohibit nine and younger players to play on a BAYS team unless they are in the third grade. Eight and younger may not play in BAYS.
BAYS endorses MYSA policy 2.10 on grade 4 or younger players playing up into results oriented competitions (BAYS Grade 5 and up is results oriented). The policy allows three exemptions (one does not apply any more) for placing grade and younger players on teams playing in results oriented competitions:
1. the club does not have enough players to field a team in the older age group without the participation of the player;
- or -
2. the player's skills justify the placement.
The policy requires the club to notify the parent league. This requirement is met by notifying the BAYS Registrar and the appropriate division director for the team where the player is placed. Notification consists of the player's name, birthdate and which exemption the club believes applies.
No waiver is required.
From time to time, the BAYS spring or fall game schedule is in conflict with the observance of a religious holiday. Longstanding BAYS policy is to allow any coach the option of postponing a game where such a religious conflict may exist.
All BAYS coaches, and BAYS member towns, are expected to cooperate in assuring that children and their families are able to choose freely, and without pressure, between religious observances and participation in BAYS activities.
It is expected that a child who chooses to observe a religious holiday in lieu of playing soccer will not jeopardize his or her playing time or position on the team in future games as a result of such choice.
In requesting a postponement, the opposing coach and the Division Director must be notified as soon as possible before the scheduled game date. Referee schedulers and town field schedulers should also be notified where necessary and appropriate.
The process and time frames for rescheduling and playing the postponed game are set out in BAYS by-law 9.A.6
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to: [email protected]
For the purposes of registration on gender-based teams, a player may register with the gender team with which the player identifies, and confirmation sufficient for guaranteeing access shall be satisfied by documentation or evidence that shows the stated gender is sincerely held, and part of a person's core identity.
Documentation satisfying the herein stated standard includes, but is not limited to, government-issued documentation or documentation prepared by a health care provider, counselor, or other qualified professional not related to the player.
Should the player/parent or guardian disagree with the determination of the club as to the gender of the team the player is assigned to, the matter may be appealed to the BAYS Competition Committee through the First Vice President by sending an email asking for review.
If a referee observes or is informed a drone is operating near the field, the referee shall halt play until the drone is removed from the area. It is the responsibility of the home coach to address the operator of the drone. Should the drone operator decline to remove the drone from the area of the field the match will be abandoned.
BAYS now requires that all coaches complete mandatory concussion training prior to coaching in BAYS. This training can be done in the home on any computer. It will take 20 to 30 minutes to complete and there is no charge to take the course.
At the end of the training session there will be a list of questions you need to answer and when you are done a certificate will pop up. Type in your name and save the pdf file on your computer or you can print it. It is probably wise to do both. Note: once you log out your information will NOT be saved.
Club registrars are expected to have these certificates in hand before allowing a coach or assistant coach to work with their team, and may not issue a coach's card or current season BAYS sticker to any coach who has not submitted a copy of the certificate to the club Registrar. The certificate must be not older than three years prior to the start of the season
Coaches may submit certificates from either of the following sources:
Further information and downloadable materials (in PDF format) may be found at the CDC's web page on concussions in youth sports:
"Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports"
The CDC also provides free hard copies of their materials, which may be ordered in bulk at:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) – Publications Hard Copy Order Form
The BAYS playing Rules are excerpted from the International Football Association Board's Laws of the Game,
with modifications by US Youth Soccer, Mass. Youth Soccer, and BAYS.
The field shall be a clearly marked rectangle between 100 - 130 yards long and 50 – 100 yards wide. The field should have corner posts and a halfway line with a 10-yard radius circle in its center. The goal areas (6 x 20 yards), penalty areas (18 x 44 yards), and the corner areas (1 yard quarter arc) should be marked. The goals should be 8 yards long and 8 feet high. The penalty mark is 12 yards away from the goal line and centered on the goal mouth, while a 10 yard arc extends from the penalty mark outside the penalty area toward the halfway line. Goal nets are required, and should be properly secured to the goalposts, crossbar, and the ground. Referees must not allow the game to begin until both goals are securely anchored to the ground.
BAYS regular season and post-season games may be played indoors provided that: (a) the field dimensions conform to the recommended dimensions set forth in these by-laws; (b) the playing surface is synthetic turf; and (c) the playing surface is not enclosed by boards or other physical obstructions. For regular season games, the home team shall be responsible for any rental costs.
The referee shall have the authority to designate where each team's coaches and substitutes shall be located and where spectators shall be located. A maximum of three team officials, each with their valid BAYS passcard in their possession may be on the team sideline at any game.
Any FIFA approved ball in good condition and properly inflated is allowed; size 5 must be used for any Grade 7 and older matches, size 4 for Grade 6 and younger matches.
Each team consists of 11 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A minimum of eight qualified players must be on the field to start a game. (Exception: for age groups Grade 12 and older, a minimum of seven qualified players is sufficient to begin a game.) If there are fewer than seven players on the field for a team, the game ends. (See exception for yellow-carded player.)
Unlimited substitutions can be made with the referee's consent prior to a throw-in, on a goal kick, after a goal, and at half time. Both teams may substitute prior to goal kicks, after a goal and at half time. As to throw-ins, however, only the team in possession has the initial option of so substituting, but if it does, the other team may also substitute as well. If the game is stopped to allow a substitution for an injured player, the other team may also substitute, on a one-for-one basis. No substitution is allowed prior to a corner kick. Note: no substitution can be made without the referee's consent.
A cautioned (yellow-carded) player must leave the field immediately, and a substitute may enter with the referee's consent. If that player's team has no substitutes, his/her team will play short-handed until its next substitution opportunity. If the yellow-carded team's player strength falls below seven, the game will still continue. Note: This BAYS rule for temporarily removing cautioned players is not intended to cause a game forfeit.
No sent off (red carded) player may re-enter the game nor may the player have a substitute.
All injuries that result in bleeding will be substituted for immediately. No bloodied player will return to the game unless bandaged, and blood-soaked uniforms cannot be worn.
Equipment consists of a jersey (each with a unique number at least six inches high), shorts, shin guards, stockings, and shoes. Shin guards must be worn (properly covered with stockings) when a player is on the playing field. In a case where the visiting team and the home team have similar colored jerseys, the home team must change to a markedly different jersey color. Pinnies worn over a numbered uniform shirt are acceptable; otherwise, substitute uniform shirts must conform to requirements for numbering.
Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from other players, from each other, and from the referee. Articles that may constitute a danger to the wearer or any other player must be removed, i.e. jewelry, earrings, watches, barrettes, chains, belts, head coverings with any visor or protrusions, etc.
A goalkeeper may wear a soft billed cap or soft headgear with the approval of the referee.
Players will have shirts tucked in. Players who enter the field but fail to have proper equipment or who have duplicate jersey numbers will be sent to the touchline until the next stoppage in play (while their team plays short-handed) and may rejoin their team after being inspected by the referee.
Players with plaster casts or hard splints, even if padded, cannot play -- even with the permission of a parent, or medical approval. Players with orthopedic braces that have exposed or uncapped metal parts are also not allowed to play.
All referees shall be USSF certified, and should be older than the age group playing the game. Referees are assigned by the local referee assignor. The referee is responsible for control of the game. The referee's decisions are final and his/her judgments are not protestable.
Two different officiating systems will operate for BAYS games, as follows:
For all 11 v 11 games the local referee assignor will assign one referee and two assistant referees. For all spring season playoff and tournament final games, the playoff committee will assign three-official crews.
In all small sided regular-season games, both spring and fall, the local referee assignor will assign one referee, and each team may be asked to provide a CORI cleared volunteer club linesman (see Law 6).
Some towns at their option and cost may assign more officials than required by i or ii above to support ongoing referee training programs or for other reasons. It is allowable for the local referee assignor to add properly qualified officials to a match.
The BAYS on-line referee reporting system shall be used for all games. All assigned officials shall report the score; any cautions or ejections; and any other pertinent information. The referee should also fill out a USSF referee report when any serious unusual incident occurs, including when any player is seriously injured.
In games requiring passcards, the referee must keep the passcard(s) for the person(s) ejected, and must send the passcards to the BAYS ejection secretary.
No Show or Incapacitation of a match official.
Three person crew. If an official is delayed or becomes unable to continue, standard FIFA rules apply with no coach interaction required
Single person crew.
In the event the referee does not arrive within fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled kickoff, both coaches should make every effort to agree on an acting referee so that the match is played and counted as an official game. If a scheduled referee does not arrive by 15 minutes past the stated game start time, he/she is not entitled to any fee, unless the acting referee, already selected and agreed upon by both coaches, relinquishes his/her whistle. The referee assignor must be notified by the home coach if a referee is either a no-show or tardy, so that corrective action can be taken.
If the referee or acting referee of a match with only one game official becomes injured and is forced to withdraw from the match, both teams' coaches should make every effort to agree on a replacement referee, who meets the requirements of this section, so that the match is played and counted as an official game.
An acting referee may be a USSF certified referee with an active CORI with a current badge or a adult with a valid BAYS coaches card. In the younger Grade Groups, it is also possible to have a youth (under the age of 18) referee the game if that youth has referee experience. A CORI check is not required for minors.
Spectators and parent volunteers who are not registered with BAYS may not serve as an acting referee.
In the event that both coaches cannot agree on an acting referee the game shall be postponed as if the field were unplayable. The BAYS Division Director will be notified by the coaches that the game was not able to be played due to a no-show referee and no suitable replacement being available.
The home coach is responsible for notifying the home referee assignor with the contact information of the substitute referee as well as sufficient information for the referee assignor to create a game report in the BAYS system
Whenever a BAYS game is begun but not completed for any reason, the referee does not have the authority to determine the result of the game. Instead, the referee must include in the referee report the circumstances which caused the game to be stopped (abandoned, terminated, or suspended), including the score at that time and the amount of playing time not completed. Except in the case of excess red cards awarded to both teams, which must be referred to the sportsmanship review committee (see Law 12 below), the division director will make a determination as to the outcome of the game – the choices available are:
• The results will stand as final
• The game will be completely replayed during the normal make up time window
• Double Forfeit
• Single Forfeit
• No Game (the game will not be made up nor scored nor forfeited).
Decision by the Division Director may be reviewed by the VP that is the executive director of the section in question upon request of one of the involved clubs. The VP decision/confirmation is final..
If a scheduled referee does not arrive by 15 minutes past the stated game start time, he/she is not entitled to any fee, unless the acting referee, already selected and agreed upon by both coaches, relinquishes his/her whistle. The referee assignor must be notified by the home coach if a referee is either a no-show or tardy, so that corrective attention can be taken.
Note: Some towns have ongoing referee training programs and at times, non-tournament small sided games could be officiated using a referee and two assistant referees.
When assistant referees are not available, each team may provide a CORI cleared club linesman at the request of the referee. The club linesmen's participation in the game, unless requested by the referee to do more, is to signal the ball "out of play" when it crosses the touchline.
Grade 12 and older play 45-minute halves; Grade 10 play 40-minute halves; Grade 8 play 35-minute halves; Grade 6 and younger play 30-minute halves.
The referee is the official timekeeper, and he/she may add time to compensate for obvious time-wasting, prolonged injury, or time lost by excessive substitution.
The referee and the coaches must recognize that every field is tightly scheduled and that all games must start on time. Youth referees are typically assigned to more than one game, sometimes at different locations. However, if a delayed start time is beyond the control of both teams, all efforts should be made to play a complete game, without disrupting the subsequent games at the same site.
The following obligations must be taken care of before a game may begin. These are mandatory procedures for the referee, and may not be omitted even with the consent of the coaches.
The referee or substitute referee shall inspect the field, flags or markers, and goals to determine that conditions are safe for the game. A referee's decision to declare a field unsafe for play is final and is NOT protestable.
The referee shall check all players for proper, non-dangerous equipment and required equipment. At this time the problem of players with identical jersey numbers must be corrected by the coach.
Coaches must provide two paper copies of their BAYS roster/game form exactly as it was submitted to and approved by their division director, to the referee for all games in both fall and spring seasons. Any players not participating in that game must be crossed off the roster. Unique uniform numbers are required and must be filled in or corrected on the roster/game form. The referee must verify that the BAYS roster/game forms accurately list the players and their uniform numbers. Players not listed on the roster may not play.
The eligibility of players listed on the roster is not subject to review by the referee. Questions concerning player eligibility (age, residency, dual rostering, etc.) should be referred by the opposing coach to the division director or BAYS registrar.
If within fifteen minutes of the scheduled start a team does not have a roster the game can not be played. The division director should assign a forfeit. Each coach shall each be given a copy of the opponents' roster. If a team only brings one copy of its roster, the opposing coach is given the option of reviewing and recording the referee's roster, and may either require that the game be delayed (up to 15 minutes) until a copy is provided or may waive this requirement.
In both seasons, the referee will submit his/her game report on the BAYS website. The referee should retain his/her copies of the team rosters until the end of the season.All adults on the team sideline during the game must present a BAYS or a US Youth Soccer coach's passcard to the referee prior to the game. Such person must be at least 18 years old and older than the age limit of the team. If at any time during the game a team does not have a responsible person with a passcard, the referee shall abandon the game and that team shall forfeit the game.
Player passcards are required in the spring season for the following age groups and divisions: all Grade 12 and older; all first and second division Grade 10, Grade 8, and Grade 6 . For games where player passcards are required, each player will present his/her passcard to the referee as the player's name is read off the roster/game form. Players without required passcards cannot play.
All coaches' and players' passcards must have a current photograph, and coaches' passcards must also have a validation sticker for the current year. The referee shall return the passcards at the conclusion of the game, except for any player or coach who has been sent off, in which case the referee shall send that passcard to the BAYS ejections secretary. If a team does not have its passcards by the end of the 15 minute grace period the game can not be played. The division director should assign a forfeit.
If a team has not arrived and taken the field ready to begin play by fifteen minutes after the scheduled time, the late team, the division director should assign a forfeit. However, if the referee is willing and both coaches agree without reservation, a game for the standings can be played, provided that valid pass cards (where required) and team rosters are presented to the referee. The coach of the team which is ready to play may alternatively accept the forfeit but offer to play a "scrimmage" game for the enjoyment of the teams. (In this situation, the referee need not stay, but will still be paid.) In either case, the understanding must be made prior to the game and shall be clearly recorded in the game report; and that game must end before the next game on that field is scheduled to start. If there is no game scheduled next on the field or if it is the last game on the field for the day, the length of the game will be entirely at the referee's discretion. The referee's decision is final. No replay for the game is allowed.
The winner of the coin flip chooses the end they wish to attack; the other team kicks off first half. The game starts with each team in its own half of the field and the defending players at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked-off forward.
A dropped ball will restart the game after a temporary suspension of play from a cause not otherwise covered by the rules, at the place where the ball was when play was suspended. The only exception occurs when play is suspended in the goal area. In this case the ball is dropped on the six-yard boundary line of the goal area nearest the spot where the play was stopped.
The ball is out of play when (a) it has completely crossed the goal line or touchline, whether on the ground or in the air, or (b) the game has been stopped by the referee. The ball continues to be in play even though it comes in contact with the field outlines, the goal structure in the field of play, the flags or the referee. On fields that use football goalposts or other devices to support soccer goals, the referee shall declare the ball out of play when it contacts the additional structure.
A goal is scored when there have been no infractions of the rules to disallow it and when, in the referee's judgment, the entire ball has passed beyond the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar.
A player is in an offside position if he/she is ahead of the ball, unless:
The player is in his/her own half of the field of play, or
He/she is not nearer to the opponents' goal-line than the second-to-last defender.
A player shall not be declared offside and penalized:
Merely for being in an offside position, or
If he/she receives the ball directly from a goal-kick, corner-kick, throw-in, or dropped by the referee.
A player shall only be declared offside and penalized for being in an offside position if, at the moment the ball is played by one of his/her team, he/she in the opinion of the referee, is:
Interfering with play or with an opponent, or
Gaining an advantage by being in that position.
If a player is declared offside, the referee shall award an indirect free kick, which shall be taken by any player of the opposing team from the approximate place where the offside player was standing; or from anywhere within the goal area, if the infringement occurred within the goal area.
A player who carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force (a) kicks or attempts to kick, (b) trips or attempts to trip, (c) jumps at, (d) charges, (e) strikes or attempts to strike, or (f) pushes an opponent; or who g) tackles without first touching the ball, (h) holds, or (i) spits at an opponent, or (j) handles the ball deliberately; shall be penalized by a direct free kick.
In a match designated as no heading (currently 6th grade and younger), if in the opinion of the referee, a player deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Any one of these ten offenses committed by a player in his own penalty area while the ball is in play will result in the awarding of a penalty kick to the opposing team.
Use of hands or arms primarily to protect the body (for girls, this includes protecting the upper torso) should not be penalized as handling the ball, unless the referee judges these moves were also used to trap or direct the ball.
A player committing lesser offenses such as dangerous play, impeding an opponent's progress, preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball back into general play; or while playing as goalkeeper, exceeding the limitations specified under goalkeeper privileges; or who commits technical violations such as offside, or making a second consecutive touch of the ball after taking a restart; will be penalized by an indirect free kick.
A player committing unsporting behavior, dissent against the referee's decision, or unfairly delaying a restart, or entering or leaving the field without the referee's permission, may be cautioned and shown a yellow card.
A player guilty of participating in violent conduct or serious foul play, or who uses offensive, insulting or abusive language, or who spits at any person, or receives two cautions (yellow cards) in the same game, will be sent off and shown a red card.
When awarding a second caution, the approved technique is to show the player the yellow card, then immediately show the red card. The referee may send off a player without a prior warning or caution if the offense committed calls for an immediate send off.
Rules now require the immediate sending off of a defender who by illegal tactics deprives an attacker of an obvious goal scoring opportunity on a breakaway (e.g., shirt pull, illegal tackle, dangerous play, etc.). The same penalty applies to a defender who deprives an attacker of a goal, or an obvious goal scoring opportunity, by illegal and deliberate handling of the ball as it approaches the goal.
Coaches or other persons responsible for a team may be cautioned (and optionally shown a yellow card) or dismissed (optional red card) by the referee. Such dismissed person must leave the bench area, and is not allowed to take part in the remainder of the game.
If a team is left without a responsible adult in charge with a valid coach's passcard, or if a team has more than two people ejected (sent off or dismissed) from a game, the referee will terminate the game and that team will forfeit. If both teams have more than two ejections, the outcome of the game will be determined by the Sportsmanship Review Committee.
Free kicks are classified into two categories: Indirect and direct. "Direct" means that a goal can be scored directly against the defending team; "Indirect" means that a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been touched by any player in addition to the kicker before entering the goal.
For all free kicks the defending team must get and remain at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. The exceptions are (1) if the attacking team decides to "quick" kick before the defenders can position themselves; or (2) if there is an indirect free kick given to the attacking team in the penalty area with the ball placed less than 10 yards from the goal line, the defenders may stand on the goal line, between the goal posts.
An indirect free kick infraction by a defender within the goal area will cause the ball to be placed on the six-yard line of the goal area nearest the spot of infraction.
Note: A defensive player who delays the taking of a free kick should be cautioned (yellow carded). Any trickery by the team awarded a free kick to get the ball into the hands of the goalkeeper should be disciplined with a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behavior.
A penalty kick is a direct kick taken from the penalty mark, 12 yards in front of the center of the goal. All players except the one taking the penalty kick and the defending goalkeeper must stand outside the penalty area, at least 10 yards from the ball, and behind the ball, until it is kicked. (The arc at the top edge of the penalty area indicates 10 yards from the penalty mark.) The kicker must be identified before the kick is taken and should be inside the penalty area or the restraining arc. The referee's whistle must initiate the act of a penalty kick.
At the end of the half or at the end of the game, time will be extended to take (or retake if necessary) a penalty kick.
When a penalty kick has been legally taken or retaken at the end of either half or during a tie-breaking procedure, play is over as soon as a goal is scored (directly, or indirectly off the goalkeeper, the goal post, the crossbar, or any combination thereof); when any player other than the defending goalkeeper touches the ball; or when the referee has decided that a goal has not been scored.
When the ball has completely crossed the touchline (sideline), it is put back into play by a throw-in from the spot, indicated by the referee, where it went out, by a player from the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it. The throw-in must be taken with both feet on the ground and off the field or on the touchline using both hands delivering the ball from behind and over the thrower's head.
All opponents must remain at least two yards from the thrower until the throw-in is taken.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. A player who receives the ball directly from a throw-in is not offside. If the throw-in goes directly to the thrower's goalkeeper, that goalkeeper cannot play the ball with his/her hands.
If the ball is not put into play from the spot indicated by the referee, the throwing team loses the throw to the other team, who must restart the game with a throw-in from the indicated spot.
When the ball has completely crossed the goal line, but does not score a goal, after being last touched by a player from the attacking team, it is put back into play with a direct kick taken by a player of the defending team from any point within the goal area. The ball is in play when it leaves the penalty area.
When the ball has completely crossed the goal line, but does not score a goal, after being last touched by a player from the defending team, it is put back into play with a direct kick taken by a player of the attacking team from the corner of the field nearest to where the ball went out of play. The corner markers may not be moved. The ball must be placed on or within the corner arc. Defenders must remain at least 10 yards from the ball until the corner kick is taken.
1. Participants
New members -- In addition to the membership criteria imposed by the BAYS constitution, organizations that desire to register teams for the first time in BAYS competition must register a minimum of three teams.
EXCEPTION: This three-team minimum shall not be required for youth soccer organizations resident in the City of Boston.
When a completed registration packet is received from an organization applying for new membership, it will be reviewed by the Scheduling Manager, and then referred to the Competition Committee. The Competition Committee will consider the application on its merits, and will then submit the matter to the Board of Directors at their next meeting, along with the Committee's recommendation to accept or reject the application.
Present members -- Organizations which are members of BAYS but whose team strength declines below three for two successive seasons (i.e. Fall and Spring, or Spring and Fall) will have their continuing membership privileges reviewed by the BAYS board. This three-team minimum shall not be required for youth soccer organizations resident in the City of Boston.
Exclusions -- The BAYS league shall not accept, nor allow participation by, any player, team, or person responsible for a team, who is under suspension by Mass. Youth Soccer or by any other Massachusetts soccer league or organization affiliated with Mass. Youth Soccer or US Youth Soccer.
2. Residency / Waiver
The primary intent of the BAYS league is to provide inter-town competition; the primary requirement for team play at all levels is town residency.
For all divisions – There are two types of waivers that may be requested: (1) automatic waivers and (2) discretionary waivers.
Automatic Waivers: Waivers that satisfy any of the following guidelines will automatically be granted.
A player who lives in town A and attends school in town B may play for either town. Players who live in town A and attend school in town B may continue to play for town B indefinitely, provided that: i) the player played for town B for at least two of three consecutive soccer years by virtue of attending school in town B; and ii) the player continues to play for town B. Once the player plays for a town soccer program other than town B, he or she may no longer play for town B under this waiver provision.
A player who moves from town A to town B and has played as a resident for town A for at least two of the previous three soccer years may play for either town. Such previous play need not have been in BAYS. If a player who has moved from town A to town B meets the initial requirements of this waiver provision, he or she may continue to play for town A indefinitely, provided that he or she does not play for any other town soccer program. Once the player plays for a town other than town A, that player may no longer play for town A under this waiver provision.
A player who has parents living in different towns may play for either town.
A player whose family is a member of a bona fide cultural organization may play for teams sponsored by that organization, provided that the organization was a member of BAYS on or before January 1, 2010.
A player residing in a town but having a mailing address in another town must play for the town of residence while listing the mailing address/town on the roster, unless covered by another by-law.
Discretionary Waivers: Waivers that satisfy either of the following guidelines will be granted at the discretion of the Competition Committee.
A player who lives in a town that has no team or no opening on a team at the player's age level may play on an appropriate team in an adjacent town provided that the player has made a timely, good faith effort to try out for such an opening on his own town's team.
Adjacent towns which have an insufficient number of players to form two full teams at an age level may combine players to form a team, which would be placed in an appropriately competitive division.
Residency hardship discretionary waiver. In the event of unusual player hardship to play in the town of residence, the competition committee may, in its sole discretion with a two-thirds vote in the affirmative, grant a seasonal year waiver that allows a player residing in a BAYS town to play with a team in another BAYS program in order to avoid or diminish that hardship. The waiver is only valid for play in divisions 3 or 4. The waiver application needs to include:
The nature and extent of the hardship if the player were to be required to play with his town of residence;
The efforts made by the player to avoid or reduce that hardship so the player could play on a team from the town of residence;
How the hardship would be avoided or diminished if the player is allowed to play with a team from the requesting town;
Why this option was chosen and what other options within BAYS were available and not chosen;
Review of the player's recent playing history an assessment of the player's affect on team competitiveness; and
Town of residence response to the waiver request.
Any subsequent renewal of the waiver will require a three-quarters vote of the competition committee.
Division 1, like all BAYS divisions, should be evenly competitive and in the spirit of inter-town competition.
Each player has a right to competition at the highest level his or her capabilities will allow. Premier League (e.g. MAPLE) play will generally be considered to satisfy this requirement.
A player who has access to division 1 play in his or her town of residency should not be considered for such play in another town (except as already provided in Section A of this bylaw).
Requests for all residency waivers must be submitted by a club official in accordance with instructions posted each season on the BAYS website. Players for whom a residency waiver is requested may not be rostered nor play until the club receives notification of the waiver approval.
Determinations of the Committee under this by-law are appealable to the BAYS Board of Directors.
Organizations which represent two adjacent towns associated in a regional school district shall be considered as town organizations for purposes of these bylaws and shall have the same rights as organizations representing a single town.
Any waiver granted for the Fall season shall also be valid for the next Spring season provided that the conditions justifying the waiver have not changed. All waivers expire at the end of each spring season.
Additional requirements may apply to players who live outside of BAYS geographic area, who lives outside of Massachusetts, or who were born in a foreign country. These requirements are established by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association and the United States Youth Soccer Association. Towns should consult the information posted on the BAYS website or contact the BAYS Registrar for assistance before rostering any players in these categories.
3. Americans with Disabilities Act Waiver
This portion of the by-laws establishes a procedure for considering requests from persons with disabilities recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"):
A request to BAYS for a waiver of BAYS rules or other accommodation under the ADA from a town soccer organization, or where the town has failed to act or has denied the request, from the individual, shall be sent to the Third Vice-President of BAYS and contain the following information:
A statement of the nature of the disability, certified by a physician.
A statement of the accommodation requested by the soccer player.
A summary of the actions taken by the town soccer organization to accommodate the player, along with an explanation of why those attempts have been deemed unsatisfactory by the town or the player, or why the attempted accommodation requires BAYS action.
A recommendation from the town as to the specific action requested by BAYS. This requirement shall not apply where the town has failed to act.
Upon receipt of a request for a waiver of BAYS rules or other accommodation, the Third Vice-President shall review it for completeness and, if it is complete, shall forward the request to the BAYS Competition Committee, which shall evaluate the request and respond in writing to the town, or where the town has declined to act or its has rejected the request, the Committee shall respond to the individual with a copy to the town, subject to the following conditions:
The committee shall have the authority to seek further information from the player's family, the town, and competent experts to help evaluate the request. The Committee shall consider whether it seems more likely than not that the request bears a logical relationship to the disability, that it does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program being offered by BAYS, and that it does not present any undue risk of harm to any participant. Any request involving an MTOC eligible team must also be approved by the Mass. Youth Soccer Leagues Committee.
If the Third Vice-President determines that a request is incomplete, he shall return it to the appropriate town official or to the individual where the town has failed to act or has rejected the request to be amended or revised as necessary for resubmission.
Waivers granted under this procedure shall, if appropriate, be noted on the roster of the player's team and otherwise publicized under normal BAYS procedures.
Determinations of the Committee under this by-law shall be appealable to the BAYS Board of Directors.
4. League Makeup
The league shall be subdivided into playing sections according to sex, age, and divisional levels of competition as provided for in these bylaws.
Within each age group, teams will be assigned to divisions that reflect differing team strength/ability characteristics in order to provide competitive games, with first division (or any other division established by the board as the highest) for the strongest teams, and higher numbered divisions for progressively less-skilled teams.
The BAYS board of directors will establish annually which playing divisions will be offered in each age group and will provide this information in the registration materials for the upcoming season.
The Competition Committee will be responsible for placing all teams in the appropriate competitive divisions, for each age and sex group. All divisions shall be re-formed prior to each playing season. At registration time, each town/club shall be allowed to identify the divisions in which it would like to have its teams play; these requests will be given due consideration, along with the teams' recent playing records and other pertinent factors. Ultimately, the Competition Committee has the discretion to place a team in a higher or lower division than requested.
The relative strength of a town's/club's teams in an age/sex group shall be listed in descending order on the registration form -- unless some of them are identified as being of equal strength.
Following placement into the applicable playing strength divisions by the Competition Committee, the committee shall assign each team into playing sections, duly taking into account geographical considerations. The priority for creating playing sections will be: 1) Six-team sections (wherever possible); 2) Double four-team sections; 3) Paired five-team sections with crossover games; 4) Other schedules as necessitated by the number of teams available.
If towns indicate special field-sharing or time change requirements on their registration packets, every effort will be made to accommodate these needs in the printed BAYS schedule.
5. Age Groups
The BAYS age groups shall be as follows;
12th Grade - Those players that are 19 and younger AND in the 12th grade and lower - plays 11v11
10th Grade - Those players that are 17 and younger AND in the 10th grade and lower -plays 11v11.
8th Grade - Those players that are 15 and younger AND in the 8th grade and lower - plays 11v11.
6th Grade - Those players that are 13 and younger AND in the 6th grade and lower - plays 9v9.
5th Grade - Those players that are 12 and younger AND in the 5th grade and lower - plays 9v9.
4th Grade - Those players that are 11 and younger AND in the 4th grade and lower - plays 7v7.
3rd Grade - Those players that are 10 and younger AND in the 3rd grade - plays 7v7.
As defined by USSF and age group denoted by a number and the phrase and younger is any child born during the calendar year that many years from the year of the end of the competition. For example for a competition that ends in Spring of 2017 an 11 and younger eligible player would be born during calendar year 2006 (2017 -11). Mass Youth Soccer Association requires that the player both be born during the calendar year specified (or later years) and be in the maximum grade or lower.
Home schooled children may play in the correct birth year without a grade restriction.
In compliance with US Youth Soccer and Massachusetts Youth Soccer requirements no exceptions will be approved to permit players older than the specified age to play in any age group except that:
An age exception may be granted under bylaw 3 (ADA waivers);
Players who chose to play within their current calendar year peers but are in a higher grade may play in the age group that includes their calendar year birth year with an automatic grade waiver in all divisions. Application through the BAYS website is required.
Older Player Playing with Classmates: Players who are born on a date that would typically place them in a higher grade may play with their actual grade on any division team. If they were born the year previous to the age group limit, they may apply for a discretionary waiver from the Competition Committee.
Nine and younger players are not permitted on BAYS teams unless in the third grade. They may play in Grade 3 (or Grade 4 if the club does not offer Grade 3) only.
6. Registration
All teams: The following applies to all BAYS teams for Spring and Fall:
Affiliation: All players and all persons who may be designated as responsible for a team, including coaches and anyone substituting for them, must be currently affiliated with Mass. Youth Soccer. This complete affiliation must be done before a team may play in BAYS. By no later than the Monday before the season begins, the BAYS secretary will determine from Mass. Youth Soccer which, if any, BAYS clubs are not affiliated with Mass. Youth Soccer and will immediately so notify the club(s) that have not affiliated. That notification will be by email or phone and will include an explicit warning that no team of that club may play until the club is affiliated, and all scheduled games of that club will be deemed forfeited until the club is affiliated. BAYS will impose on the club a $25 fine for each game so forfeited. Sponsoring organizations must have copies of forms for all of their players with signatures confirming liability waiver and permission for medical treatment. Coaches should have copies of these forms for their players with them at games.
Boys' and Girls' Divisions: There will be separate boys' and girls' divisions. A team that has both boys and girls on its roster shall play in the boys' division. Refer to the BAYS Policy on Gender Identity for teams with transgendered players.
Roster forms: Whenever a BAYS roster/game form is required, it must be complete with required signatures and all other required information or the roster will not be considered valid for league play. A different (computerized) form may be substituted so long as all of the required information, game and referee reporting blanks, statements with signatures, and so forth are provided in a format similar to the BAYS roster/game form. Note: Coach's signature and uniform numbers are not required on the form until game time.
All player information must be typed. Handwritten insertions are not permitted. Exception: uniform numbers may be added or corrected by hand.
The coaches' signature on the BAYS roster/game form certifies that the coach has read and agrees to follow the rulebook. The name of the club registrar, or of another officer designated by the club, must be printed or typed on the roster, signifying that the club, through birth certificates or other such documentation, has determined that those players are eligible. (Eligibility includes: age, residency, and affiliation issues.)
A complete and accurate BAYS roster form, signed by a club official, must be in the possession of the BAYS division director before the first game. By no later than the Monday before the season begins, the division director will review all rosters in his/her possession, and will identify any team for which he/she does not have a roster, or whose roster is incomplete or defective or has an overage or otherwise ineligible player, and will immediately so notify the coach of any such team of the absence of a roster or any other roster problem. The notification will be by email or phone and will include an explicit warning that the team may not play until the division director has a complete and accurate roster for that team, and that all scheduled games of that team will be deemed forfeited until the proper roster is in the director's possession. BAYS will impose on the club a $25 fine for each game so forfeited. A player may not play in a game unless he/she is on the roster. A team which plays with a player who is not on the roster in the possession of the division director will be subject to forfeiting all such games played and BAYS will impose a fine of $25 on the club for each such forfeit.
Dual rostering: No youth may play on more than one BAYS team at any one time during the season. If a player is detected playing on a second BAYS team, the matter shall be referred to the BAYS Sportsmanship Review Committee. BAYS teams are also subject to any current Mass. Youth Soccer restrictions on playing in more than one league at any one time.
Non-MTOC Teams: The following additional requirements apply to all Fall and Spring teams playing in divisions which are not eligible for the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (collectively referred to as "non-MTOC teams")
Sizes: Non- MTOC eligible teams are limited to 22 players, except for small sided teams – (see appropriate section). Waiver applications to permit rostering more than 22 players should be submitted to the third vice-president for determination by the competition committee.
Submissions: All non-MTOC teams must prepare a BAYS roster/game form and submit the form by mail or email to the appropriate BAYS division director no later than the Monday prior to the start of the season.
Changes: Non-MTOC team roster changes may be made at any time, although the local club may place any restrictions it deems appropriate, such as drops. No added player may play until the division director has an updated roster.
MTOC Teams: The following additional requirements apply to both fall and spring season teams playing in MTOC-eligible divisions ("MTOC Teams").
Eligibility: The age group and divisions within an age group that are eligible for MTOC will be determined annually by the Mass. Youth Soccer Leagues Committee. This information will be included in the Spring BAYS registration materials.
Teams playing in Grade 8 MTOC eligible divisions are limited to 22 players (see bylaw 21 for Grade 6 9v9). Waivers to this requirement for Grade 6 and Grade 8 teams should be submitted prior to March 1st before the spring season in question or August 15th before the fall season in question. If a waiver is granted in spring season, the team will be ineligible for MTOC play, but must still meet all other registration requirements for MTOC teams. The Competition Committee by a 2/3rds vote may consider a request submitted after the deadline. If the club does have other teams in non-MTOC eligible divisions of the same age group where players could be accommodated, the waiver request must state why the oversize roster is a preferred option. Granting a waiver for the fall season does not imply the waiver will continue to the spring season. It must be applied for each season desired.
Teams playing in MTOC eligible divisions in Grade 10 and older are limited to 22 players. Waivers to this requirement may be considered as long as the submittal is done prior to the first game date. If a waiver is granted, the team will be ineligible for MTOC play, but must still meet all other registration requirements for MTOC teams.
Submissions: All MTOC teams must prepare a BAYS roster/game form, which must be submitted to the BAYS registrar or an assistant BAYS registrar for review and stamping. After stamping, the roster shall be submitted by mail or email to the appropriate BAYS division director no later than the Monday prior to the start of the season.
Rosters for MTOC teams must be stamped by a league registrar before being so submitted or being used in a game.
Roster changes: Roster changes for MTOC teams are requested by following the same procedure and satisfying the same requirements as for the original roster. Once a player is removed from the MTOC roster, the player is ineligible to return to that roster without a majority vote of the Competition Committee. No added player may play until a copy of the updated and stamped roster is in the possession of the division director. The BAYS registrar will annually publish the deadline for making roster changes
If BAYS requests a non-MTOC eligible team to move into an MTOC-eligible section during the spring season then:
That team is ineligible for the BAYS post-season playoffs and MTOC.
Any players who received a waiver under Section 5.A may remain on the team.
The team will be subject to the roster size rules applicable to non-MTOC-eligible teams under the by-law 6.B (including players having a waiver granted by the competition committee for additional players) but will not be subject to the team roster size rules for MTOC eligible teams in by-law 6.C.
The team will not be subject to the player pass-card requirements applicable to MTOC-eligible teams under Bylaw 6.C. A Roster will need to be submitted to the BAYS Registrar for validation prior to the first game played in the new section. The validated roster shall indicate that the player pass-cards are not required.
The team will remain eligible for any other BAYS Competition they have entered (e.g. President's Cup) and not be subject to any new restrictions due to the move.
All games against all teams in the new section will count in the standings unless the timing of the move does not permit an equal number of games to be played against all opponents in the new section in which case the Competition Committee will determine (in advance of the move) which games will count in the standings.
Coach CORI and Passcards: For both Spring and Fall seasons, any person who will be responsible for the team at a game, including the coach, or other person acting as a substitute in charge of the team, must have a BAYS or a US Youth Soccer coach's member pass card with a current photograph and a validation sticker for the current year. The person also needs to be on the CORI cleared list, maintained by Mass Youth Soccer, prior to their name being allowed on a Team Roster, or allowed to coach a team..
Player passcards: For the Spring season, BAYS or a US Youth Soccer player member pass cards are required for each player on the following teams: all Grade 12 and older, all first and second division Grade 10, Grade 8 & Grade 6 . Passcards must have a current photograph. Passcards shall be issued and validated by the town registrar or other authorized town official in accordance with procedures published by the BAYS registrar.
Players' rights with respect to roster changes. Once a player has been listed on a roster filed with a BAYS division director, the player is entitled to remain on that roster for the remainder of the current playing season. Clubs may make involuntary transfers or drops only in cases involving poor attendance, disciplinary problems, or safety issues. Players may appeal such actions to the BAYS protest board, which shall review whether the club had a reasonable basis for its decision.
7. Registration Fees
The BAYS board of directors shall establish for each season a schedule of registration fees, which shall cover referee payments, general administration, booklets, trophies, etc.
8. Game Days & Times
The BAYS board of directors will establish annually the playing times for each age group and will provide this information in the registration materials for the upcoming season.
9. Playing the Schedule
All teams must play each game as scheduled or properly rescheduled; or else the team responsible for the match not being timely played will be assessed a forfeit by the division director.
All references to season week numbers refer to the 10-week BAYS schedule – even for grades above Grade 8, which play a different schedule.
Rescheduling Games. Any rescheduling of games requires written notification to the appropriate division director. Such written notification may be made by email, by fax, or by regular mail.
Mutually agreed upon preponements. Any game can be preponed upon mutual consent of both coaches. The section captain and division director will be notified as soon as the preponed game has been played.
Unilateral Preponements
Religious Holidays -- From time to time the BAYS spring or fall game schedule conflicts with the observance of a religious holiday. Longstanding BAYS policy is to allow any coach or member organization the option of preponing or postponing a game where such a religious conflict may exist. All BAYS coaches and BAYS member towns are expected to cooperate in assuring that players and their families are able to choose freely and without pressure between religious observances and participating in BAYS activities. It is expected that a player who chooses to observe a religious holiday in lieu of playing soccer will not jeopardize his or her playing time or position on the team in future games as a result of such choice.
Memorial Day Weekend -- A team may for any reason, unilaterally prepone its regularly scheduled game for Memorial Day weekend. This requires notice (see below) to the opposing team and the division director by May 1.
Columbus Day Weekend -- A team may, if it is planning to play in a tournament that weekend, unilaterally prepone its regularly scheduled game for Columbus Day weekend. This requires notice (see below) to the opposing team and the division director by September 15.
Notice -- In any notice of a unilateral preponement (under 2b and 2c above), the opposing team must be offered three dates (all of them prior to the holiday weekend) on which the game can be played. If the preponement or postponement is due to a religious holiday (2a above), the three dates offered may be before or after the holiday but within the time guidelines provided for unplayable field situations. If agreement on a date cannot be reached, both coaches will notify the division director, and he/she will choose a mutually feasible date, which then becomes the rescheduled date.
Field scheduling conflict -- If it is known in advance that a game cannot be played because of a valid field scheduling conflict the division director must be notified in writing, (delivered by email, fax or by mail), then the game will be rescheduled using these criteria:
The visiting team must be offered a chance to host the game at its own field on the scheduled date, at a different time if needed. The division director must be notified in writing (as above) of any such agreement to change field sites and/or game times. (It is expected that if such a field change occurs, and if the two teams play another game that season, they will try to play the second game at the field of the team that did not play at home in the first game. In other words, each team should play one game at home and one away.)
If a game cannot be played on the visiting team's field on the scheduled date, the game must be rescheduled to be played:
This rescheduling must be agreed to by both coaches and approved by the division director no later than 9:00 PM of the Wednesday before the originally scheduled date.
For Grade 8 and below: no later than three weeks after the original scheduled date (season weeks 1 to 7), or two weeks after week 8, or one week after week 9, or by the Monday after week 10.
For Grade 10 and above: no later than three weeks after the original scheduled date (season weeks 1 to 7), and by the Monday after week 10 for all other games.
If the two coaches cannot agree on a date, time and site certain by the indicated deadline, the division director will select a date, time and site that is feasible for both teams, and that will become the rescheduled date.
Unplayable field
The determination that a field is unplayable is not the decision of the home team coach. A designated official of the home team's sponsoring organization must make the decision.
If a field is declared unplayable, the home team coach shall notify the away team by 7:00 am on the day of the game (for morning games), or by 10:00 am (for afternoon games).
In situations where field conditions continue to deteriorate, the referee has final authority to declare a field unplayable at game time. However, the referee does not have the authority to declare a field playable if the official in charge of fields for the home team's soccer organization has declared the field unplayable.
In case a game cannot be played as scheduled due to an unplayable field, then the game will be rescheduled using these criteria:
This rescheduling must be agreed to by both coaches and approved by the division director no later than 9:00 PM of the Wednesday after (season weeks 1 to 9), or the Sunday of (10th week) the original scheduled weekend. If the two coaches cannot agree on a date, time and site certain by the indicated deadline, the division director will select a date, time and site that is feasible for both teams, and that will become the rescheduled date.
For Grade 8 and below, the game must be rescheduled to be played within three weeks after the original scheduled date (season weeks 1 to 7), within two weeks after week 8, within one week after week 9, or by the Monday after week10.
For Grade 10 and above, the game must be rescheduled to be played within three weeks of the original scheduled date (season weeks 1 to 7), and by the Monday after week 10 for all other games.
Where a game must be rescheduled because of a field scheduling conflict or an unplayable field, if the division director determines that either coach has not made a reasonable effort to reschedule the game, then the division director shall declare a forfeit, or a double forfeit, depending on the circumstances and so notify the coach(es).
Games not played for other reasons.
It is the policy of BAYS that teams should make every effort to play games on or before the scheduled date. Agreements by coaches to postpone a game are strongly discouraged. If a game is not played by its scheduled date for a reason other than a field conflict, an unplayable field, or a religious holiday, the division director shall assess a double forfeit. However, if the division director determines that one of the teams was ready to play on the scheduled date, the director has the discretion to assess a single forfeit instead of a double forfeit.
In the interest of playing as many games as possible, coaches may voluntarily agree to make up an unplayed game for which a single or double forfeit has been assessed. If the game is played within the following criteria, the division director shall remove the forfeit(s) and accept the results of the played game.
For Grade 8 and below, the game must be played within three weeks after the originally scheduled or rescheduled date (during season weeks 1 to 7), within two weeks after week 8, within one week after week 9, or by the Monday after week 10.
For Grade 10 and above, the game must be played within three weeks after the originally scheduled or rescheduled date (during season weeks 1 to 7), and by the Monday after week 10 for all other games.
A section captain has no authority to approve any change in the schedule of games
If BAYS announces time extensions for rescheduling games (which frequently happens for wet Spring seasons), such extensions shall apply to games postponed by mutual agreement, as in paragraph 6. Either the time limits of paragraph 6, or the extensions announced by BAYS may be utilized-but not cumulatively.
Rescheduled Games
Once rescheduled with the agreement of the division director, a makeup game becomes a scheduled game and must be played as rescheduled. Failure to play a makeup game as rescheduled (except for unavailable or unplayable field) will be cause for declaration of forfeit by the division director.
Failure to notify the division director in advance of a rescheduled game which is actually played within the allowable time limit will not be used as grounds for declaring a forfeit.
If a rescheduled game is not played as rescheduled and a dispute arises as to which team is responsible for the games not being played then, the division director may award either a single or double forfeit, depending on the facts available to the division director.
A rescheduled game may be further rescheduled if on the originally rescheduled date there is a field scheduling conflict or unplayable field.
10. Reporting Scores
It is the responsibility of both home and visiting team coaches to email or phone the results of a game to their section captain within 48 hours after the game.
11. Honor System
In all dealings among players, coaches, referees, and administrators, BAYS relies on the honesty and integrity of each participant. The Sportsmanship Review Committee, at its discretion, will review reported breaches of this honor system and is empowered to take appropriate corrective measures.
In particular, the honor system is used in establishing the eligibility of players. It is the final responsibility of the coach or person responsible for the team at a game to insure that all players are qualified according to the BAYS constitution, bylaws, and rules.
12. Responsibility for Teams
At each game, each team must have a qualified responsible person present who can be a coach, or someone designated to substitute for them, and whose responsibilities shall include maintaining control and discipline over the team and its spectators. The responsible person must present his/her passcard to the referee before the game commences.
If at any time during the game the team does not have a person with a valid coach's passcard able to be responsible for the team, the game shall be abandoned and the team shall forfeit the game. In all cases the person responsible for the team must be older than the qualifying age for the team.
It shall be the sponsoring soccer organization's responsibility to ensure that it selects coaches who are not only qualified to coach, but who are also able to promote the highest levels of good sportsmanship and are able to maintain proper control and discipline of the team and its spectators.
13. Support for Referees (Zero Tolerance Policy)
It is expected that every person responsible for a team and each and every spectator and player will support the referee. This support is essential to the proper play of the game and to the development of our players. Failure to support the referees, especially by the person (s) responsible for the team, undermines the authority of the referee, sets a bad example for everyone else, especially the players, and can rapidly lead into a hostile, negative game environment which is entirely inconsistent with the sportsmanship goals BAYS is trying to promote. Therefore, the basic rule is that persons responsible for a team and spectators will not address the referee at all during the play of the game. This prohibition, its exceptions, and the penalties for violating it, are described below.
Persons Responsible for a Team
With the exceptions of responding to a communication initiated by the referee, making a substitution, or pointing out an emergency safety issue, during the play of the game the persons responsible for the team should not say anything to the referee, nor should they do anything which in any way conveys any criticism of the referee. Coaches may ask questions before the start of the game. Coaches may not approach the referee at half time or at the end of the game. Coaches who have concerns about a referee's officiating may express those concerns orally or in writing to the referee assignor and/or the BAYS Referees Representative. They may not express those concerns directly to the referee.
BAYS recommends that the referee deal with infractions of this rule in the following manner:
As to the first infraction, the referee should determine if the conduct involves serious misconduct under the ordinary FIFA rules. If it does, a caution (optionally showing a yellow card) or a dismissal (optionally showing a red card) should be awarded, depending on the nature of the conduct. (For example, a threat of bodily harm or an obscenity directed at the referee should result in a dismissal. A prolonged, significant outburst of dissent should result in a caution.)
On the other hand, the first instance of a short, reasonably low-keyed referee criticism by a person responsible for the team should be ignored. The second instance should result in a warning, the third in a caution, and the fourth in an ejection. In giving the warning, the referee should make clear the next instance of dissent of any sort will result in a caution. Similarly, after a caution, the referee should make clear that the next instance of dissent of any kind will result in an ejection.
BAYS recommends that the referee deal with infractions of this rule in the following manner:
As to the first infraction, the referee should stop the game and ask the person responsible for the team to quiet the offending spectator.
As to the second infraction, the referee should stop the game and ask the person responsible for the team to warn the spectator that the next infraction will result in the spectator leaving the game; otherwise the referee will abandon the game, and file a report with the club and BAYS. BAYS policy will be to generally impose a forfeit on the team with which the spectator is affiliated, and the referee should so inform the person responsible for that team.
As to the third infraction, the referee should instruct the person responsible for the team to direct the spectator to leave the field. If the spectator does not leave, the referee should abandon the game, and file his/her report.
The referee may need the assistance of the responsible persons from both teams if the spectator is not affiliated with either team.
14. Consequences of Unbecoming Conduct
If a member or members of a team, any person responsible for the team, or a team's spectators engage in unbecoming conduct before, during, or after a game, the offenders will be subject to discipline by the Sportsmanship Review Committee.
15. Consequences of Ejection
16. Consequences of Fracas
If a player leaves the bench area to take part in a fracas and is ejected by the referee, he shall be subject to additional discipline, by action of the Sportsmanship Review Committee.
17. Sportsmanship Review
The second vice-president will receive all referrals on sportsmanship issues, other violations of the constitution, bylaws, or rules that arise before, during, or after any BAYS games, and abandoned games requiring disposition. The second vice-president will decide if a particular issue will be reviewed; referrals will also receive a review if requested by five BAYS board members. A quorum to review a particular issue shall consist of any three members of the Sportsmanship Review Committee (SRC). The SRC may request as an advisor a certified USSF referee to be designated by the referees representative. The SRC will inform all parties involved of its decisions.
In addition to penalties specified in the constitution, bylaws, or rules, the SRC may impose such additional penalties as are judged to be appropriate to the severity of the issue, including suspension of participation, determination of forfeits, and decisions to replay games. Decisions and penalties imposed by the SRC will take effect immediately upon notification of the parties involved.
Decisions by the Sportsmanship Review Committee may be appealed only to the BAYS board of directors. Such appeals may be considered at a regular board meeting, or at a special board meeting if called by the president or at the request of five BAYS directors. The president may delay the imposition of penalties until a board meeting has been held to consider the appeal.
18. Protests
All protests prior to the Friday of the tenth scheduled week of the season shall be sent to the BAYS first vice-president, and must be postmarked or accepted within 48 hours of the game in question. Each protest must be accompanied by a protest fee of $50. The protest will be forwarded to the chairperson of the protest board. For teams in MTOC-eligible divisions, all protests starting with the Friday of the tenth scheduled week must be reported by the later of 8:00 PM or one hour following the completion of the game on the day of the protested game. For these final week protests, the protest board will meet the night of the protested game if the allowing of the protest could affect the divisional playoff pairings. The $50 fee will be hand carried to the meeting. The opposing coach and the referee must be notified at the field of the intention to protest. Failure to give this notification could lead to disallowing the protest.
The chairperson for the BAYS protest board shall establish a group of people knowledgeable about the game of soccer who will agree to be available to participate on the protest board. For a particular protest, a quorum will consist of at least three people from the protest board who are assigned by the chairperson. At least one of the assigned members must be a USSF referee. None of the people assigned for a particular protest shall have any direct interest in that protest. The chairperson shall contact all parties involved to solicit information and written materials concerning the protest, notify all parties of the protest board meeting when it is set, and see that a written decision concerning the protest is provided to all parties.
Disposition of all protests will be given within 14 days after the receipt of all required written materials, except for those protests handled under the 10th week rule, in which case disposition will be given the night of the protested game.
All actions of the protest board may be appealed to the Mass. Youth Soccer appeals board by following their procedure. The protest board chairperson will provide information on the appeal procedure to all parties in the written decision.
19. Sources for Rules
Current FIFA, USSF, US Youth Soccer, and Mass. Youth Soccer rules of play shall be in effect, except as specifically stated otherwise in the section titled "Rules for BAYS Soccer Competition" or in these bylaws.
20. Special Rules for BAYS 7v7 Matches
In addition to (or in modification of) the regular playing rules of soccer, the following special rules for BAYS 7v7 boys' and girls' divisions shall apply:
There will be NO OFFSIDE in 7v7 play.
On fields without goal areas marked, goal kicks shall be taken from within six yards of the goal line and within the penalty area (otherwise goal kicks are taken from within the marked goal area). The team not in possession shall withdraw to its defensive half of the field and may not enter its offensive half of the field until the ball is kicked and moved. Should the team in possession put the ball in play before the opposing players have taken position in their defensive half, play will continue.
Indirect kicks awarded to the attacking team within the penalty area will be placed at the spot of the infraction, but no closer than six yards from the goal / goal line.
On goal kicks, or on goalkeeper saves followed by a throw-out, punt, or drop kick, the ball must touch the ground or be touched by any player in the defensive half of the field. Infringement of this rule will result in a turnover of the ball to the other team. Play shall restart with an indirect kick at the midfield line nearest the point of contact.
Penalty kicks will be taken from a point eight yards directly in front of the midpoint of the goal. All other players must stand beyond the midfield line.
Field Dimensions
The ideal field size for 7v7 is forty yards wide by sixty yards long. This will not be a rigid requirement, as some organizations will, because of limited space, have to play their games across the width of regulation fields. An acceptable range for field size is thirty to forty-five yards wide and fifty to seventy yards long.
The penalty area should be 12 yards deep, and extend 12 yards to the outside from each goalpost. A separate goal area may, but need not be marked. Clearly visible dots or dotted lines may be used to mark the penalty areas to avoid excessive lining and confusion on regulation fields.
Downsized goals will be used which should be approximately twelve feet wide by six feet high (for 4th grade and younger), or the next adjustable size larger (for older teams). They must be anchored securely to the ground.
21. Special Rules for BAYS 9v9 Matches
In addition to (or in modification of) the regular playing rules of soccer, the following special rules for BAYS 9v9 boys' and girls' divisions shall apply:
For non-MTOC eligible teams: there is no limit on the number of players allowed on a 9v9 team. BAYS, however, strongly encourages limiting rosters to 14 to 16 players so that a reasonable amount of playing time will be available for each player.
The roster size limit for BAYS 9v9 teams eligible to play at MTOC will be identical to that established for MTOC play: 16 players. This limit is for both Spring and Fall season play.
Rules Modifications from 11 v 11
Instead of the regulation 11 players on the field, there shall be nine players including the goalkeeper. A minimum of seven players must be present to start a game, and a minimum of six qualified players must be available to continue a game.
Goal kicks shall be taken from within six yards of the goal line.
Indirect kicks awarded to the attacking team within the penalty area will be placed at the spot of the infraction, but no closer than six yards from the goal / goal line.
Penalty kicks will be taken from a point ten yards directly in front of the midpoint of the goal.
Note: Although not a modification, the OFFSIDE rule will be in effect.
Field Dimensions
The ideal field size for 9v9 is 70 x 50 yards, with a 14 X 34 yard penalty area. These are not rigid requirements.
Clearly visible dots or dotted lines may be used to mark the penalty areas to avoid excessive lining and confusion on regulation fields.
Intermediate goals of 6 ft x 18 ft are recommended, but again this is not a rigid requirement. The goals must be anchored securely to the ground.
25. Special Rules for Fall High School Small Sided Matches
In addition to (or in modification of) the regular playing rules of soccer, the following special rules for BAYS Fall High School boys' and girls' divisions shall apply:
There is no limit on the number of players allowed on a Fall Only Small Sided High School Team. BAYS, however, strongly encourages limiting rosters to 12 to 14 players so that a reasonable amount of playing time will be available for each player.
There will be a single referee. Clubs at their option and expense may assign A/Rs to these matches
There are several options available for this competition:
Standard 9 v 9
The ideal field size is 70 x 50 yards, with a 14 X 34 yard penalty area. This is not a rigid requirement.
Intermediate goals of 6 ft x 18 ft are recommended, but again this is not a rigid requirement. The goals must be anchored securely to the ground.
Touch Line to Touch Line on full size field with full sized goals
The original 11v11 touch lines become the end lines and a full size 18x44 penalty area shall be indicated. It is recommended that the centerline of the original 11v11 field be one touch line and the top of the penalty area line be extended for the other touch line. Full size goals shall be used.
Penalty Area to Penalty Area on full size field with full size goals.
The full size goals shall be moved to the top of the penalty area and a new 18x44 penalty area shall be indicated.
For All Field Configurations
Clearly visible dots or dotted lines may be used to mark the penalty areas to avoid excessive lining and confusion on regulation fields. While it would be ideal for marked goal areas in all field configurations, if the goal areas are not marked the referee shall have the authority to estimate the distance (and so instruct the players) for any restarts required or prohibited from being taken in the goal area.
22. Eligible Teams
23. Playoff Committee
Each spring the President will appoint members to the Playoff Committee, whose obligation it shall be to organize, schedule, and supervise the season-end playoffs designated to select BAYS teams to represent the team at MTOC.
The Chairperson of the Competition Committee will serve as chair of the Playoff Committee, unless the President chooses a different person as chair.
The Playoff Committee will be guided by policies established by the Board of Directors, and may consult the President or other appropriate officers for advice.
24. League Standings and Spring Playoffs
The standing of teams in each section will be determined on points awarded as follows: Win or win by forfeit - 3 points, Tie - 1 point, Loss - no point, Loss by forfeit - minus 1 point. Points are given only for non-crossover games. Games in double 4 team sections between the sections are not crossovers.
Leading teams having the same number of points shall be declared section co-champions.
Divisional playoffs will be arranged by the BAYS playoff committee among MTOC-eligible teams for the week following the last regularly scheduled Spring season game. The divisional playoffs will be used to determine BAYS representative teams to play in the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC).
Playoff and MTOC eligibility shall also depend on the team's not having a losing Spring season record (i.e. the team must have at least a .500 winning percentage record, where ties count as half a win, half a loss). Crossover games are excluded from this calculation.
Selection and placement of MTOC-eligible section representatives in the division playoffs are as follows:
If not all co-champions in a section can be placed, they will participate in a section playoff to determine which team(s) will advance.
If a section champion or co-champion is ineligible, the playoff committee may, but need not, select an eligible runner-up in its place, chosen by section standings and then by tiebreaker rules.
In division 1 sections with four or more teams, all outright second place teams will be placed. In sections with less than four teams, second place teams may be placed at the discretion of the competition committee.
Additional runners-up may, but need not, be selected to fill out a playoff bracket, chosen by section standings and then by tiebreaker rules.
Tie breaking will be according to the following hierarchy:
Points in the standings.
Points awarded in head-to-head games.
Most wins.
Fewest goals allowed.
Most shutouts of opponents.
Cumulative goal differential -- each game differential truncated at -3 or +3 goals.
If a playoff game is tied at the end of the second half as signaled by the referee, two 10-minute overtime periods (two 5-minute overtime periods for small sided) will be played to completion. If the game is tied at the end of the second overtime period, the game will be settled by FIFA's method of kicks from the penalty mark. Notwithstanding the above provisions, at the end of regulation time the referee may decide, due to adverse weather or impending darkness, not to play any overtime and to proceed directly to kicks from the penalty mark.
Any team refusing to play in a playoff, or refusing to represent BAYS at MTOC after having qualified as a BAYS MTOC entry, will forfeit its right to the section championship and to all trophies. If BAYS suffers a monetary loss for such default by an MTOC-qualifying team, the team's town or club organization will be required to make good for the loss.
This priority guide has been issued by the Mass. Youth Soccer Association to assist players who are playing for more than one team in dealing fairly with schedule conflicts.
These "priorities of play" are for players who are multiple rostered. These priorities:
apply to all State Team players – regardless of age - rostered on any other team.
apply to all multiple rostered players aged U14 and younger; but,
do not apply to non-State Team players age U15 and above.
These priorities provide players, coaches and parents with a set of expectations for players rostered to multiple teams. They have been developed to enable players to rise to their highest level of soccer while affording them access to all levels of play. They were developed with input from representatives of all types and levels of play within the state. They have been developed to eliminate such questions as "who do I play for?", "which practice should I attend?", or "what team should I play with on a tournament weekend?" These priorities are to be respected and adhered to by all of the various soccer interests that compete for a player's attention and time.
In general terms, a player's priorities are as follows.
1. Major tournaments:
a. Regional ODP tournament (after Memorial Day)
b. State Cup
c. MTOC and qualifying games
d. On a major national holiday weekend:
i. Memorial Day – priority to Premier (MAPLE & MASC) Teams
ii. Columbus Day – priority to Town Teams
iii. All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of scheduled conflict
2. State team tryouts (except Sunday afternoons during MAPLE & MASC seasons)
3. Regularly scheduled league games
4. Make-up games
5. Practices
However, there exist variations in priority based on the playing season. Please read and understand each category and how they interrelate.
Soccer Activity Priority List
1. Regional ODP tournament
2. State Cup tournament
3. MTOC and qualifying games
4. State Team tryouts in summer, fall (other than on Sunday afternoons), and winter seasons only. Try-out dates must also be established and available through the State Office at least one month in advance.
5. All games:
a. State Team – summer only
b. Premier (MAPLE & MASC) teams – all year for any games scheduled from 11:00 a.m. on Sunday until dusk
c. MTOC eligible town teams – all year for any games scheduled from Friday afternoon to Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
d. State Team
e. Non-MTOC town teams, or any fall teams (other than premier) or winter teams
6. Tournaments:
a. State Team (summer only)
b. Premier (MAPLE & MASC) teams – priority for Memorial Day Weekend only
c. Town teams – priority for Columbus Day weekend only
d. All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of conflicts.
7. Practices:
a. State Team – priority during the spring season. State Team practice dates must be established and available through the State Office by at least March 15.
b. Premier (MAPLE & MASC) teams – Division 1 only
c. All other teams – players are to alternate attendance in event of schedule conflict
Source: Section 342 of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association bylaws.
MTOC MTOC stands for Massachusetts Tournament of Champions, a state-wide tournament held at the end of the spring season for the league champions of Massachusetts. There are 9 town-based leagues in Massachusetts, including BAYS, that send representatives to the tournament, held over three days at the end of June at the Mass. Youth Soccer Association field complex in Lancaster. Currently MTOC competition is held in the following age groups: u18 division 1, u19 division 1, u16 divisions 1 and 2, u14 divisions 1 and 2, and u12 divisions 1 and 2.
The BAYS representatives to MTOC are determined during the BAYS playoffs, held during the week immediately following the end of the spring season under the auspices of the BAYS playoff committee. The winner of each section in each of the MTOC divisions, plus some second place finishers, are seeded into playoff brackets.
PRESIDENTS' CUP The Presidents' Cup is a knock-out style cup competition sponsored by BAYS. It is held during the spring for the following age groups: Grade 5 divisions 2 and 3, Grade 6 division 3, and Grade 8 division 3. Any BAYS team in these divisions may enter. Games are scheduled and played in addition to the regular BAYS season. Further information and application forms are posted on the BAYS website at the start of the spring season. Typically final matches with awards for the two finalists happen on Playoff Saturday (the Saturday after the regular season ends.) Note: There is a Presidents' Cup awarded in Grade 5 division 1. Teams do not sign up for this as placement in this tournament bracket is based on decisions of the Competition Committee as to how Division 1 teams qualify for the bracket slots.
TOWN TOURNAMENTS Many clubs in BAYS and elsewhere in Massachusetts sponsor two or three day tournaments over Columbus Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, or on the weekends before and after the BAYS season. A complete list of sanctioned tournaments is published annually on the Mass Youth Soccer Association website http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/tournaments/tournaments_in_ma/. Contact the sponsoring club for further information and registration instructions.


text:
Air Force prepared for response! Carries out mega exercise at Pokhran near Pakistan border
Indian Air Force today carried out a mega exercise here involving around 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters, in a firepower demonstration close to the border with Pakistan.
Top IAF sources said though the Vayu Shakti was planned in advance, the drill was a demonstration of the force's capability to hit targets with "pinpoint accuracy" and carry out missions at short notice. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said security forces have been given full freedom to retaliate against the attack. India has also said it will ensure "complete isolation" of Pakistan internationally for its support to terror groups.
"While wars are fought few and far between, we have an ever-present sub-conventional threat as the enemy knows it cannot defeat us in a conventional conflict," the IAF chief said, in a clear reference to Pakistan. "So, today we showcase our ability to punish, our ability to insert and extricate troops from hostile territories," Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
In the Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF showcased firepower capability of indigenously-developed platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and efficacy of Akash surface-to-air missile and Astra air-to-air missile. "We are showcasing our ability to hit hard, hit fast and hit with precision, hit during the day, hit during the night and hit under adverse weather conditions," the IAF Chief said.
Fighter jets and helicopters hit targets during day and night. It was for the first time, the ALH and the Akash were deployed in a military exercise. The IAF also deployed the upgraded MiG-29 fighter jet in an air-to-ground role during the exercise. A total of 137 aircraft including Su-30s, Mirage 2000s, Jaguars, Mig-21 Bison, Mig-27, Mig-29, IL78, Hercules, AN-32 aircraft participated.
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, defence attaches of several countries and top officials of defence ministry also witnessed the exercise. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who is an honorary group captain of the IAF, was also present.
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