1. Field Preparation and Maintenance: The Home team is responsible for lining the fields in accordance with the standard measurements. Cones can be used instead of lines. The Home team is also responsible for ensuring that the playing field affords a safe environment. The team should organize a pre-game inspection crew of parents to remove any dangerous objects. In addition, the Home Team is responsible for garbage and litter clean up after the game. Litter has been a major irritant in the past for the Parks and School Boards from whom the fields are leased.

2. Uniforms & Equipment: All players must wear shin pads, regulation soccer boots and full club issue uniforms. The Home team will play in its usual colours unless there is a colour clash with the Visiting team. In that case the Home team will play in its alternate colour. The Club colours are:

• Douglas Park Yellow (blue reversible)
• ICSF Blue (yellow bibs)
• Kerrisdale Red (yellow reversible)
• Killarney Green
• KLM Red (yellow bibs)
• Marpole Blue (white bibs )
• Point Grey Red (yellow reversible)

Goalkeepers must wear a distinguishing colour or jersey from all outfield players.

Scarves and baseball caps are not permitted. Shirts must be tucked inside the shorts. Gloves, long track pants, ski toques and undershirts are permitted. If track pants are worn, they are to be worn under the club shorts and socks.

U8 will play with a size 3 ball. At U9 and U10, the Clubs may choose to issue either size 3 or size 4 balls, with the size of the game ball being decided by the home team.

3. Schedule: A schedule will be forwarded to Coordinators as soon as possible after registration is closed and teams are confirmed.

Games are played on Saturday mornings rain or shine.

If necessary, as the season progresses, the scheduler will group teams in each age group according to their level in an attempt to schedule teams of like abilities against each other. Each Club age group coordinator is responsible for emailing their scores to the scheduler each week.

It is essential that the “Home” team coach call the opposing Coach the day before the game to confirm:

• Both teams have sufficient numbers;
• The kick-off time is as per the schedule;
• The visiting coach knows directions to the field;
• Alternative arrangements are made if necessitated by weather and field conditions;
• Postponement discussions are held if weather conditions are extremely adverse;
• There will not be a uniform colour clash.
• (At U9 and U10) the size of the game ball (see paragraph 2);
• The number of players to be played on the field (see paragraph13);
• Adjustments to be made in the case of uneven teams (see paragraph 10).

4. Parents/Supporters: Each team should establish a base for their supporters on the sidelines (not behind the goal). Ideally (and if space allows) the Home team should occupy either the north or west sidelines; and the Away team should occupy the opposite sideline.

Coaches must continually remind parents that they should be giving positive encouragement to the players, and not criticizing or yelling at them, the referee or making negative comments about the other team. Please also advise your team’s supporters not to approach the referee or any child on the opposing team.

5. Coaches: Coaches should make every effort to coach from the sidelines. Under unusual circumstances, such as the addition of a large number of new players, and with agreement from the opposing team, a coach may stay on the field. However, coaches must stay away from the area of play and not interfere with the game.

6. Excessive Physical Contact: While it is generally accepted that soccer involves physical contact, there have been reports of instances where tackling has been overly zealous. Elbowing and pushing are also becoming commonplace. There have been serious injuries in the past. Coaches have the duty to make players aware that these sorts of tactics are NOT acceptable and that persistence with this type of behaviour will result in the offending player being withdrawn from the field by HIS or HER coach.

All complaints must be fielded by the Coach and dealt with as outlined in the “Disciplinary Action” section below.

Referees are instructed to talk to the coaches if there is any unnecessary rough play or distasteful behaviour.

7. Disciplinary Action: While we do not have any disciplinary measures in place at the Mini Soccer level, complaints are dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the individual clubs involved. Club coordinators are your primary contact for problems of this nature. Any problems should be reported to them in writing, countersigned by at least two witnesses to the incident.

8. Punctuality: Kick off times as per the schedule MUST be adhered to. Failure to do so results in games backing up and possible delays and re-scheduling of later games. It is recommended that players arrive at the field, in full uniform, no later than 30 minutes before kick off.

Regardless of how late a game starts, it must be ended on time so that the next match can start as per the schedule.

9. Duration of Games: All halves are 25 minutes each and all games must be completed in 60 minutes (to enable the next game to start on time). There is a 5-minute half time break.

10. Uneven Teams: Every effort must be taken to avoid discouraging defeats. Consequently, the recording of goals will be stopped once a 4-goal margin is reached and the score will be reported as such. At this point, the winning coach will call a time-out to make suitable arrangements for the remainder of the game with the opposition’s coach. The game can either be concluded or play can continue with some adjustments made to the number of players on each team and/or any other method that will maintain a balance. Any further scoring will not be recorded.

11. Referees: Each Club’s referee scheduler assigns a referee for all HOME GAMES. The referees are instructed to phone the Home team coach on Friday night to confirm the game is to be played and to leave their phone number with the coach. In the event that there is a change of venue or the game is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the Home Coach to advise the referee accordingly.

Young referees will make mistakes. It is very important to be supportive and patient with them, and prevent sideline criticism by supporters. Direct competency or judgment complaints to the Referee Scheduler.

Coaches should make a special effort to thank the referee for his or her work after the game.

12. Start of the Game: The game should start with a player representative from each team and the Referee meeting at the centre of the field. The Referee will toss a coin and the winner decides which end his team will defend. (In practice sometimes the coaches do it with the referee).

13. Number of Players: FIFA Mini Rules and BCSA Mini rules mandate 6 aside (including the goalie) for U8, U9 and U10. An exception can be made to play 7 aside if prior to the beginning of a game both coaches and the referee agree (because of such things as an exceptionally large field, large team rosters or players getting cold on the sidelines). If there isn’t agreement the teams should default to playing 6 aside.

14. Rules of the Game: FIFA Mini Soccer Rules should be kept in the coaching bag for reference should a dispute arise. In the event of a dispute the referee’s decision is final.