Elk City Soccer Club Policies

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. Name, Purpose, and Affiliations

CHAPTER 2: BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I. Members
ARTICLE II. Officers
ARTICLE III. Elections
ARTICLE IV. Meetings
ARTICLE V. Discipline
ARTICLE VI. Amendments
ARTICLE VII. Disallowments and Conflicts
ARTICLE VIII. Reorganization and Dissolution
ARTICLE IX. Fiscal Year
ARTICLE X. League Organization and Rules
ARTICLE XI Expenditures
ARTICLE XII. By-laws
ARTICLE XIII Parliamentary Authority

CHAPTER 3: RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Clubs
B. Teams
C. Players
D. Coaches
E. Officials

RULES OF PLAY

A. General Statement
B. Fields and Equipment
C. Games

INSURANCE COVERAGE AND PROVISIONS


CHAPTER 4: SENIOR (19 AND OVER) COMPETITIONS

A. Registrations B. Administration
C. Games against teams not within the same league
D. Insurance


CHAPTER 5: USYSA RULES OF PLAY



CHAPTER I

ELK CITY SOCCER CLUB
CONSTITUTION


ARTICLE I


NAME, PURPOSE, AND AFFILIATION


SECTION 1. The name of this organization will be Elk City Soccer Club (ECSC). Mail will be received at PO Box 1291, Elk City, Oklahoma.

SECTION 2. Purpose: To promote and develop the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, and courage through youth and adult soccer activities. The ECSC is formed as a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to the support, education, and propagation of the game of soccer.

SECTION 3. The ECSC agrees to abide by the rules and regulation of administration and play, established by the United State Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and sanctions of violations thereof and to pay the appropriate fees established by the board of directors of the Oklahoma Soccer Association (OSA).

SECTION 4. It is our fundamental idea and purpose, that each child, in uniform and present at the playing field, and a registered player of the teams playing, shall play at least one-half
(50%) of the time of play scheduled for that age group; except in case of illness or injury, with the referee notified prior to the game, or because of a child being ejected from play by the referee.





CHAPTER 2

ELK CITY SOCCER CLUB
BY-LAWS
Revised April 26, 2005

ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. ECSC membership shall encompass all of Elk City plus players from small
surrounding communities that do not have soccer clubs of their own.

SECTION 2. Each soccer team sanctioned by ECSC shall be entitled to one vote at all General Membership Meetings. The voting representative shall be a coach, parent, or other representative named by the coach prior to the meeting.

SECTION 3. This Club shall pay all fees prescribed by the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and the Oklahoma Soccer Association (OSA), and the Great Plain Soccer Association (GPSA).


ARTICLE II
OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The board of Directors of the ECSC shall consist of the following voting officers:
(A) President, (B) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Vice Presidents, (C) Treasurer,
(D) Secretary,

SECTION 2. The President Pro-Tem shall be the outgoing president and serve as a voting advisor for one year.

SECTION 3. The Board of Directors shall serve for a period of two years beginning June 1st. President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected on even years. 1st Vice President, 3rd Vice President, and 4th Vice President shall be elected on odd years.

SECTION 4. Any member of the Board except the club President that miss more than two consecutive regular meetings shall be declared inactive if due to their lack of interest or performance per their job description. They shall have their office declared vacant upon majority vote of the entire board. The President of the Board shall then appoint a person to fill this vacancy.

A. For absences of club President the club shall be asked to consider appointing or electing another person who will demonstrate more interest by attending ECSC meetings.
B. In the event a vacancy occurs in any position on the ECSC Board of Directors, the President shall appoint a successor to the office until the next annual General Membership meeting.


SECTION 5. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote.


SECTION 6. DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT:

A. Responsible for the overall administration and executive functions of
ECSC.
B. Appoint committees to carry out these functions.
C. Assign duties to all officers as required.
D. Takes prudent and reasonable action in cases not covered in the By-laws.
E. Appoints an auditing committee to certify the Treasurer’s annual report.
F. May co-sign ECSC checks.
G. Calls the Annual General Membership meeting of the club and provides proper written notice of this meeting.
H. Conducts the election of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Membership meeting.
I. Calls Emergency Committee meetings as necessary.
J. Calls additional General Membership as necessary upon written request of at least 1/3 (one-third) of the members of the Board of Directors, or 1/2 (one half of the membership.
K. Conducts regular meetings of the Board of Directors, and has authority to call additional Board meetings as necessary.
L. Provides two week written notice of a General Membership Meeting that requires resolution of amendments to the Constitution.
M. Attends the GPSA meetings and makes a report to ECSC Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. DUTIES OF FIRST VICE PRESIDENT:

A. Chair the Planning Committee
1. Schedule games for U-6 Teams.
2. Plan all play-offs.
3. Plan and coordinate with GPSA and OSA all Coaching Clinics.
4. Plan and coordinate with State Instructor of State Youth Referee Administrator all Referees training clinics.
5. Plan all other activities of the ECSC as approved and directed by the ECSC Board of Directors.
B. Assume all powers and responsibilities of the President in his absence.
C. May co-sign ECSC checks.

SECTION 8. DUTIES OF THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT:

A. Chair Playing Committee
1. Assure that all games are played in accordance with the rules of competition established by the ECSC, GPSA, FCSA, OSA, USYSA, USSF, and FIFA.
2. Shall have the power to call witnesses and to review records of game to assure compliance.
B. Chair the Games Committee
1. Schedule all team competition.
2. Keep team records and standings.
C. Chair the Appeals Committee
1. Shall hear appeals of all ECSC governed games and all player or
coach ejection for games during any ECSC or GPSA governed competition.
D. May co-sign ECSC checks.


SECTION 9. DUTIES OF THE THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT:

A. Chair the Fields, Equipment, and Purchasing Committee
1. Establish playing fields.
2. Establish standard field maintenance procedures.
3. Obtain, maintain, and account for all ECSC equipment and supplies, and present a written report at the General Meeting.
4. Distribute the club the equipment and supplies in accordance with the ECSC policy.
B. Chair the Awards Committee.

SECTION 10. DUTIES OF THE FOURTH VICE-PRESIDENT:

A. Chair the Credentials Committee
1. Determine who is entitled to vote at membership meetings.
2. Record the registration of all players, coaches, referees, and team within the ECSC.
B. Provide all records required by GPSA, FCSA, OSA, and USYSA for team registration.
C. Act as Parliamentarian at all ECSC membership and board meetings.
D. May co-sign ECSC checks.

SECTION 11. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER:

A. Collects all money of this Club.
B. Keeps a detailed account of income and expenses.
C. May co-sign ECSC checks.
D. Pays all bills approved by the board.
E. Submits a verbal report of finances at all General meetings and board meetings.
F. Submits a written report of finances at the Annual General Membership meeting.

SECTION 12. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY:

A. Records the minutes of all meetings.
B. Attends to all correspondence; collects all ECSC mail from the President and disseminates information if necessary.
C. Keeps a current list of all ECSC teams.
D. Keep all current and permanent ECSC records.
E. Assumes all powers and responsibilities of the President and 1st Vice President in their absence.
F. Attends all emergency meetings.
G. Accepts player release from the club coaches.
H. Keeps current registration of coaches with coach’s name, team name, and address and phone number.
I. Receives boundary release request from coaches, assures each has a proper hearing by the board and keeps a current file of said releases.



SECTION 13. DUTIES OF THE COACH COORDINATOR:

A. Recruiting and selecting coaches assistant coaches.
B. Actively recruiting boys and girls as players and providing teams where player enrollment permits.
C. Working with coaches to provide practice and playing fields.
D. Encouraging all coaches to quality as USYSA registered coaches.


SECTION 14: DUTIES OF COMPETITIVE COMMISSIONER:

A. Directs the formation and advertisement of try-outs for competitive teams,
subject to FCSA guidelines.
B. Ensures that Competitive Head Coaches, Competitive Assistant Coaches, and Team Trainers are properly trained and certified by OSA.


ARTICLE III.

ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. Members ARTICLE II. (SECTION 1 A through F) will be elected at the Annual General Membership Meeting.

SECTION 2. A nominating committee appointed in March by the president; shall consist of member coaches. A slate of officers shall be presented at the April Annual General Membership meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor.

SECTION 3. At any General Membership Meeting (annual or called) each team must have a representative present, as described in Article1 Section 2; in order to have one vote.

ARTICLE IV.

MEETINGS

SECTION 1. The Annual General Membership meeting of ECSC shall be held in April of each year. The exact date and location shall be determined and published by the Board of Directors two weeks in advance.

SECTION 2. Regular meetings of the board will be held on the 2nd Tuesday following the 1st Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The ECSC President will decide the place of monthly meetings.

SECTION 3. The ECSC President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary shall constitute an Emergency committee on matters demanding immediate attention where it is impractical to call a complete meeting. A quorum shall consist of at least five (5) of the above named officers.

SECTION 4. The President must call within a week a General Membership Meeting upon the written and signed request of at least ten members and four officers.

SECTION 5. A majority of ECSC members present and in good standing shall constitute a quorum for transacting business at any General Membership Meeting.

SECTION 6. A quorum at board meetings shall be 1 /2 (one half) of those members that constitute the board.


ARTICLE V

DISCIPLINE

SECTION 1. The board shall be responsible for all discipline to all teams, coaches, and players under the jurisdiction of the club. The protest committee of ECSC will adjudicate all protest between teams within this club. This committee shall be appointed by the 2nd Vice-President, and approved by the Board of Directors. Protests may be appealed to the GPSA Board of Directors and further to the Board of Directors of the OSA.

SECTION 2. If the ECSC teams play outside their own jurisdiction, the “home” district of will adjudicate all protest by the next higher authority.

SECTION 3. Any officer may be removed by a 3 /4 (three-fourths) majority vote of the members present at any properly constituted general meeting.


ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. When a constitutional change is to be considered, a copy of the proposed amendment must be sent to all voting members, and notice of the meeting; when the action is to be considered, shall be made in writing two weeks prior to the meeting. The change requires a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority vote of the members present and in good standing to pass.

SECTION 2. The By-laws may be amended at any meeting of the general membership by a majority of 2/3 (two-thirds) of the members present and in good standing.


ARTICLE VII
DISALLOWMENTS AND CONFLICTS

SECTION 1. If any portion of the Constitution and By-laws are disallowed or in conflict with GPSA or OSA, they shall be revised or deleted to abide by GPSA and OSA regulations.


ARTICLE VIII
REORGANIZATION AND DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1. Teams wishing to reorganize into a separate District may do so only upon request and concurrence of a simple majority of the General Membership present and in good standing and sanctioned by the ECSC, GPSA, and OSA.

SECTION 2. Club assets will be divided as proportioned by the ratio of members in the newly reorganized club ECSC assets will only be divided upon GPSA and OSA sanctioning of the newly organized Club.

SECTION 3. The Board of Directors may dissolve the ECSC through a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority vote of the General Membership at a meeting called for that purpose. Upon dissolution the Board of Directors shall, after paying of making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the ECSC, dispose of all of the assets of the ECSC by donating said assets to any surviving soccer organization within this district, or any such organization which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, education, religious, or scientific purpose as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organization under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, as the Board of Directors shall determine.


ARTICLE IX

FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 1. The fiscal year shall be June 1 to May 31.



ARTICLE X

LEAGUE ORGANIZATION AND RULES

SECTION 1. All league play including tournaments, playoffs, and championship games sanctioned by ECSC, GPSA, FCSA, or OSA shall be governed by the rules and regulation of the ECSC.

SECTION 2. All teams will be divided into three categories of teams:

A. Girls only
B. Boys only
C. Girls and Boys (mixed teams)


SECTION 3. The age determination for all teams shall be the child's actual age before August 1, preceding the ECSC seasonal year. The age groups shall be as follows:

A. Under 6 years of age
B. Under 8 years of age
C. Under 10 years of age
D. Under 12 years of age
E. Under 14 years of age
F. Under 16 years of age
G. Under 19 years of age





ARTICLE XI

EXPENDITURES

SECTION 1. No representative of the ECSC or member of the Board of Directors may make any expenditures of commitment of expenditures except through permission granted by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII

BY-LAWS

SECTION 1. By-laws for this organization may be established by a majority vote of the general membership present at the General Membership Meeting or by a majority vote of the members of the board present at a board meeting.


ARTICLE XIII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly
Revised shall govern the ECSC in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution and any special rules of order the ECSC may adopt.





CHAPTER 3

RESPONSIBILITIES


A. CLUBS: The responsibilities of each club will include:

1. Promoting and developing youth soccer within its area of jurisdiction.
2. Recruiting, selecting, and educating coaches, assistant coaches, managers, and referees
where needed.
3. Actively recruiting both boys and girls as players and providing or organizing both boys
and girls team where player enrollment permits.
4. Working with coaches to provide practice and playing fields for the teams within the club.
5. Assuring that all teams of all age levels are balanced in terms of numbers of members
and they’re playing skills insofar as possible.
6. Assuring that only FCSA registered coaches shall coach the association teams, thereby
assuring a consistency of standards throughout the Association.
7. FOR NEW CLUBS: Working with the Fields, Equipment, and Purchasing Committee in providing ECSC equipment for the teams. This equipment normally will include practice and game balls, corner flags, nets, marking equipment, rule books, coaching manuals, visual aids, etc.


B. TEAMS

1. All recreational teams will be divided into three categories of teams:
A. All-Girls teams
B. All-Boys teams
C. Co-ed Teams
D. Co-ed teams can play only in boy’s league
2. Membership:
A. All players must register with OSA, GPSA, (and or), FCSA through their local club. Each
team must be classified as either a recreational team or a competitive team and must be formed in accordance with appropriate rules. No team that is formed by tryouts or selection may be classified as a recreational team.
B. Each team will actively participate in recruiting and other needed volunteer work including
special GPSA or local projects. No team will discourage or deny participation to any person who is physically able to play soccer.
C. Once a team is organized, its roster shall be maintained, if possible, without change during
each seasonal year, (September 1 -- August 31). Any additions to the original roster must be reported to the proper ECSC Board members by established deadlines.
D. Teams may be organized, consolidated, or reorganized by the clubs as required for maximum
player participation. No player may play on more than one GPSA team.
E. No team that has been selected and classified as a competitive team may be reclassified as a recreational team. Such a team must be disbanded and its team members must go through general registration in order to play in the recreational league. No recreational team may be required to play a competitive team during the regular season.
F. A youth player shall be permitted to register as a player for a senior (adult) team without losing their youth classification. Also, a youth player may have three (3) trial games for a senior team without affecting their registered youth team standing. Upon playing a fourth (4th) trial game the youth team standing, shall be registered as a player on that senior team and cannot return to play on his registered youth team until the following new season, but retains his youth classification.
G. If any senior team wishes to give a trial game to a youth player, application on the approved form must be made to the Senior State Association’s Registrar. Any youth player playing for a senior team without the approval of the affiliated Senior State Association shall be declared ineligible for youth games. Any youth team using such ineligible player shall forfeit all games in which that player took part.

3. Registration:
A. Each team must be registered with the OSA, GPSA (and or) FCSA through its local
club, using prescribed team registration forms. Registration forms must include the player's name, address, and full birth date.
B. Registration of players after the closing date for registration will be left to the decision of the local club.
C. Teams will be formed by random draw of non-assigned registered players. Only siblings
of assigned players and the children of the head coach will be assigned to a team before the draw. In addition the children of one assistant coach may be assigned to a team before the draw, only two (2) undrawn players are allowed on a team at any time. All other request for assignment must be made in writing through the board of the local club and approved by the ECSC Board of Directors.
D. Assignment of players to teams after the draw for the fall or spring season is the sole
responsibility of the 4th Vice-President of ECSC.
E. A current roster of all recreational teams participating in the season shall be provided
to the 3rd Vice President/Registrar of GPSA. The GPSA Board of Directors will determine the form of the roster at the time of registration.
F. A copy of the current team roster will be available for inspection by the referee or
opposing team at all games played under the jurisdiction of the GPSA. For all tournament games and official stamped roster must be provided.
G. All teams roster are frozen three (3) weeks prior to the GPSA Recreational Open
tournament (i.e. new players added or transferred to a team after this date are not eligible for participation in any GPSA Recreational Open Tournament games).
H. Any team using ineligible player(s) in a tournament game will forfeit the game or games
in which the player(s) participated and the coach will be subject to suspension by the GPSA Board of Directors.

4. Consolidation and Dissolution of Teams
A. Consolidation of two or more teams during a playing season because of a lack of player
participation requires approval of the GPSA 3rd Vice President.
B. Each surviving team of a consolidation will complete the schedule of one of the original
teams as determined by the GPSA 1st Vice President.
C. The consolidated teams will be reorganized on the original team basis at any time that
registration of players makes it possible.

5. Practices and Team Activities:
A. All team meetings shall be considered team activities. This includes games, practice
sessions, scrimmages, and instructional meetings.
B. Team activities for recreational teams shall be limited to three (3)during any calendar
week. Under 6, Under 8, and Under10 teams activities shall conform to USYSA modified rules. Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 team activities shall not exceed 90 minutes and the Under 19 team activities shall not exceed 100 minutes. Excluding make-up games and tournaments, this governs all GPSA sanctioned games.
C. The Calendar Week shall begin with Sunday.


6. Suspension:
A. The GPSA Board or the ECSC Board may suspend a team and forbid future
participation of the team in the GPSA league play. If, in the opinion of the Board, the team(s), its players, coaches, or supporters is acting contrary to the best interest of the ECSC or GPSA, or is encouraging dangerous playing practices, or is acting in an unsporting manner.

C. PLAYERS:

1. Registration
A. Individual players will be enrolled by the club registrars using the enrollment form prescribed by USYSA.
B. Individual registration fees must be paid at the time of enrollment.

2. Eligibility
A. A player may not participate in a practice or game unless their USYSA Membership Form is on file with the GPSA registration committee and all player fees are paid seventy-two (72) hours before the practice or game.
B. For the purposes of registration, a player's eligibility for an age division is in
accordance with USYSA rules, however; all players must have reached the age of four (4) years before August 1 in order to participate in any practice or game during the immediately following time period of August 1 through January 31, and all players must have reached the age of four (4) years before February 1 in order to participate in any practice or game during the immediately following time period of February 1 through July 31.
C. A player may play in an older division but not in a younger division than his age allows.

The age groups shall be as follows:
A. Under 6 years of age.
B. Under 8 years of age.
C. Under 10 years of age.
D. Under 12 years of age.
E. Under 14 years of age.
F. Under 16 years of age.
G. Under 19 years of age.

D. A player who elects to play on an older team will not be eligible to return to the younger team during that seasonal year, unless there were no teams available to play on.
E. A player who loses his eligibility as a youth player by playing for a senior (adult) team may not play on any youth team for the remainder of that seasonal year.

3. Transfers:
A. Transfers are to be discouraged except those resulting from a change of
residence.
B. The consent of the ECSC Board members will be required for all recreational
transfers. Consent of the Competitive League Commission will be required for all Competitive transfers.
C. A player must transfer with written permission by all concerned.
D. A team shall be limited to a total of three transferred players per seasonal year
(September 1st through August 31st ).



4. Player Equipment

A. All Players must provide and wear shirts, shorts, and socks during team competition. Uniforms need to be nothing more than a pair of tube type socks, a pair of gym shorts, and a white or dyed T shirt (warmer clothing may be worn under the uniform as weather requires). All Shirts are to be numbered. Numbers must be placed on the back and be at least eight (8) inches in height. Team colors or uniform styles will be determined by each team, subject to approval of the local club's committee to avoid repetition of colors between teams.
Players other than the goalkeeper must wear alike uniforms to distinguish them from the opposition.
B. Shoes are required. They may be sneakers, athletic shoes, or cleated soccer shoes of either
the molded plastic sole type or the screw in soccer type that leaves a flat surface when lost. When cleats are used, the minimum diameter of any cleat, bar, or stud is one-half inch for the screw in type shoe and three-eighths inch for the molded cleat type shoe. Cleated shoes for the Junior Division are not recommended. In no event can the equipment create a hazard to any player. In cleated shoes, there may not be a single cleat located near the front tip of the shoe.
C. Shin guards are mandatory; however, it is important that they be of the soft, flexible type and
not those, which have a rigid shell covering which tends to, cause injury to other players.
D. ECSC club patches may be worn on the left chest or shoulder of either the jacket or
uniform.
E. All emblems or insignias, or logos worn on player uniforms are subject to approval by the
ECSC Playing Committee.
F. In the event that two teams with similar colors compete, the home team will change to
uniforms of distinguishing colors.
G. The goalkeeper must wear a target jersey or a shirt of a contrasting color to those jerseys of
their team, the jerseys of the opposing team, and the uniforms of the game officials.
H. All equipment is subject to the approval of the ECSC Playing Committee and shall be
inspected before each game by the game officials.

5. Caution, Ejection and Suspension

A. Players are subject to a caution and/or ejection by the referee of a game for various types of
misconduct.
B. A player who is ejected shall leave the immediate area of the playing field before recommencement of the game.
C. Refusal by a player to leave the area of the playing field within the time specified by the
referee shall result in immediate termination of the game. The referee shall file a written report of all circumstances involved with the ECSC Board. Upon acceptance of the game report the game shall be declared forfeiture and shall not be replayed.
D. No substitution is allowed for a player ordered from the field of play by a referee. No player shall leave the field of play, except by accident, without the consent of the referee.
E. A player who is ejected shall not participate in the remainder of the game from which he was
ejected nor in the next regularly scheduled game in which that player would normally have participated. Furthermore, additional punishment, subject to appeal to the ECSC Board of Directors, may be required by the Appeals Subcommittee of the ECSC Playing Committee.
F. Players may appeal ejection’s by filing a written appeal accompanied by a cashiers check or money
order in the amount specified by ECSC Rules of Play. All appeals must be post marked no later than 72 hours following the scheduled post-marked no later than 72 hours following the scheduled contest and must be received by the 1st Vice President no later than 72 hours prior to the next scheduled contest for the players team.


D. COACHES

1. Registration
A. All coaches’ assistance coaches and team management shall be registered with the ECSC and GPSA
and shall be required to meet the registration requirements as specified by ECSC and GPSA.
B. The registration of any coach may be suspended or revoked by the ECSC Board for conduct deemed not in the best interest of soccer, the players within ECSC. Such suspension is subject to appeal to the OSA.

2. Responsibilities and Duties

A. Coaches are responsible for the proper training and conditioning of players on their team.
B. Coaches are responsible for maintaining order and respect for the authority of the referees
and linesmen during the game.
C. Coaches are required to discourage discourtesy by the spectators toward officials and players.
D. Coaches must remain in the coaching area (five yards either side of the halfway line and five
yards from the touch line thereby forming rectangular area ten yards long by five yards deep backing onto the spectator restraining line). Neither coaches nor spectators are permitted along the goal line or behind the goal area. Spectators must remain ten yards from the touchline, behind the spectator restraining line.
E. No coach shall endeavor to run up a high score against any team and shall take action to ensure
that this does not occur. This action should be made in such a way as to make the game more equal without demeaning the effort of the opposing team.
F. Coaches will allow only players who are properly registered with the local club and GPSA to
participate in practices or games.
G. Coaches will play each player on their team at least one-half (1/2) of every game except for
health reasons. The Referee and opposing Coach must be notified prior to commencement of the match when a player is not playing a full half game if this applies.

3. Ejection and Suspension

A. Coaches shall be subject to a caution and/or ejection by the referee for misconduct.
B. A coach who is ejected shall leave the playing area so that he may not possibly take part in any
further actions during the remainder of the game. Furthermore, the game shall not recommence before the coach has exited the area.
C. Refusal by an ejected coach to leave the area of the playing field within the time specified by
the referee shall result in immediate termination of the game. The game shall be declared forfeiture and shall not be replayed.
D. A coach who is ejected shall leave the immediate area of the playing field before
Recommencement of the game. Refusal by an ejected coach or player to leave within a
reasonable time as specified by the referee shall result in immediate termination of the game and automatic suspension of the ejected person(s). The game shall be declared forfeiture and shall not be replayed. An ejected coach shall be disqualified from further participation at the game from which he is ejected and may not attend at least the next game of the team involved. If he does appear at the following game, the game shall be declared forfeiture. Any ejection for violent conduct involving physical contact shall carry an immediate three (3) game suspension; provided, however, for purposes of clarification an ejection based upon verbal insults and/or abuse shall not result in a three (3) game suspension. The ECSC Playing Committee. (Recreational) or FCSA Competitive League Commission (Competitive) and/or the local club may impose additional penalties.
E. A coach, player, or spectator who intentionally strikes a referee shall be prohibited from
participation in ECSC competition for at least one calendar year. Any action taken by the ECSC under authority of this rule will not limit the prosecution of the offender by the referee and/or the ECSC under the criminal laws of the State of Oklahoma. ECSC shall report the incident to OSA, which shall have jurisdiction in this matter. All such incidents shall be considered Referee Assault (Art.VI, Sec 4).

E. OFFICIALS

1. Referees
A. Referees will be assigned and scheduled by the ECSC Referee Coordinator.
B. All referees must be certified by the USSF. The State Referee Administrator or his Assistant
shall be responsible for certification and training of all referees.
C. The State Referee Administrator or his Assistant appoints the disciplinary board for
Referees. This board shall hear all complaints that are filed against a referee.
D. The State Referee Administrator or his Assistant shall be the liaison between ECSC and all
Referees. Area referees for local clubs shall be the liaison between the club and the State Referee Administrator.
E. Any person who is ejected or suspended by the ECSC or its member clubs shall not act as a
Referee or linesman.
F. The referee will submit within 72 hours to the Appeals Committee of the ECSC Playing
Committee a game report for all games which are canceled or terminated or in which a player or coach is ejected or for which one or both teams fail to appear.
G. If an official referee fails to appear within a fifteen- (15) minutes after the scheduled game
time, a person mutually agreed upon in writing by the coaches of both teams may act as referee. In such case, the referee should keep on his person throughout the game the written agreement for his acting as referee and return it to the winning coach with the final score and the signature of the referee. The winning coach should keep this as a record of the game for the remainder of the season unless his local club directs him to do otherwise.
H. A referee who assaults a coach, player, or spectator shall be reported to the ECSC who will
report in writing to OSA, which shall investigate the matter and render a decision.

2. Assistant Referees (Linesmen)

A. The Referee Schedulers of ECSC Clubs and Associations will assign two assistant referees to
all games in the U11-U19 Traveling Recreational and Competitive League Games.
B. All assigned assistant referees shall be certified referees.
C. Upon request of the Referee, each team will supply one team linesman.
D. Team linesmen shall assist the referee only in determining out of bounds and enforcing the
Ten- (10) yard spectator-restraining line.






RULES OF PLAY

A. LAWS OF THE GAME

1. Except as modified below or by USYSA or in Special Rules of Play approved by GPSA, soccer
competition shall be governed by the FIFA rules and interpretation then current as set forth in FIFA`s Laws of the Game and Universal Guide for Referees.

B. FIELDS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Fields

A. The size and marking of playing fields shall conform to USYSA and Modified playing gamelines.
B. All fields must be reasonably flat and free of any object or hole that will endanger players.
C. If necessary, fields may be of different dimensions than specified by USYSA and modified rules.
However, in no instances shall the markings for the goal area, penalty area, spectator line, coach's box, or center circle, or the size of the goals be different from those by the USYSA and modified rules.
D. The home team shall be responsible for marking the field, putting up and taking down nets, and
providing corner flags.
E. All fields must be equipped with approved corner flags, which must be of suitable size and
color and attached to poles at least five (5) feet tall with rounded tops.

2. Balls

A. The under 6 and under 8 division will use a size three (3) ball, the under 10 and under 12
divisions will use a size four (4) ball and the Under 14 and up age groups will use a size five (5)
ball.
B. The home team will provide a game ball acceptable to the referee. Balls must be of approved
quality.

C. GAMES

1. Schedules
A. All games will be scheduled and rescheduled by the ECSC Playing Committee or its
representative.

2. Cancellation
A. The assigned referee may cancel games when, in their opinion, at game time, or within two
hours prior to game time the field is not in suitable condition for play and/or is dangerous to players.
B. If the referee suspends or terminates a game for reasons other than misconduct on the part
of players, coaches, or spectators, after the second half is started but before the completion of he full duration of the game, the game will be considered completed.
C. Coaches wishing to cancel or reschedule games must obtain the referee assignor’s consent
three (3) days prior to the scheduled event.
D. A host club, through its president, may cancel a game due to unplayable field conditions at any
time, and must notify the coach of the visiting team, and also notify the assigned referee.


3. Forfeiture

A. If a team fails to appear or to field a team of at least the minimum number of players specified by USYSA and modified guidelines within five (5) minutes of the scheduled kickoff, (a somewhat longer period should be applied when the team is traveling from out-of-town), the referee shall terminate the game and report the occurrence to the GPSA Board, which shall declare the game forfeited in favor of the team that was present. If neither team appears, the referee shall report such occurrence to the ECSC Board, which shall declare a double forfeiture (both teams will be charged with forfeiture).
B. A team that allows an unregistered player, or a player or coach serving a suspension, to
participate shall forfeit that game, if won; if the game is lost, the first victory thereafter shall be forfeited.

4. Appeals

A. Appeals will be heard and decided by the Appeals Committee of ECSC Playing Committee
subject to appeal to the ECSC Board.
B. Appeals must be detailed in writing to the ECSC 1st Vice President within 72 hours and
accompanied by a check for the $50.00 appeal fee (refundable if appeal is upheld).
C. The 1st Vice President shall mail a copy of the protest to all applicable parties.
D. The parties involved will furnish a written response to the Appeal to the 1st Vice President
within 48 hours after receipt of a copy of the protest.
E. The committee will not uphold an Appeal based upon the qualifications of the referee or upon
matters of the referee’s judgement.
F. The committee may uphold or change a game result or schedule a replay of the game when the committee determines that the referee’s interpretation of the game laws is faulty.
G. Decisions on Appeals will be tendered in writing to the coaches of the two teams and where applicable to the referee of the game within seven (7) business day of the receipt of the Appeal.
H. Appeals involving the conditions of the field, equipment, or facilities will be denied unless the referee is notified prior to the start of the game that the game is being played under protest.
.
6. Playing Season

A. There will be two playing seasons in each seasonal year. The fall season will begin each year
not before August 1st.
B. The spring season will begin each year not before February 1st.
C. Only OSA Registered Players may practice.

7. GPSA District Tournaments

A. The GPSA shall hold and Open tournament following the spring season for any GPSA team
wishing to participate with the tournament rules being set up by a committee headed by the 1st Vice President.



SECTION 4

INSURANCE COVERAGE AND PROVISIONS:

A. The ECSC will provide legal liability and secondary accident insurance through OSA for all registered players, managers, coaches, and game officials while engaged in ECSC sponsored soccer activities.
B. The insurance coverage shall provide coinsurance against bodily injuries sustained while participating in or directly going to or returning from a game, practice, or exhibition game sponsored by the GPSA or the local club.
C. The insurance coverage shall be for the calendar year August 1st through July 31st.
D. The required application for insurance shall be filed with the Oklahoma Soccer Association.