RULES

The Southside Men’s Program is a recreational program for men aged 16 and older.  It is the intent of the VRSC to administer the Southside Program for competitive recreational play.  Players and coaches joining the VRSC must follow any additional guidelines found within the VRSC Handbook, on the web site, or promulgated by the VRSC Board of Directors from time to time.

#1)       PROGRAM FEES:  Payment is due in full before any team will be scheduled for the season.  Bounced checks will result in forfeit of all games played prior to the date the check bounces and a cash payment, plus a $100.00 return check charge penalty, will be required before any further matches will be played.  A late payment of $100.00 will also apply to the league fees should any team pay after the due date and before the games are scheduled.  Once the schedule has been established and before the second game of the season has been played any team wishing to depart from the schedule will receive a 50 % refund of the league fees.  Any team departing after the second game will not be eligible for a refund.  There are no exceptions.  Entry into the Southside Program is not guaranteed based on payment of the league fees.

#2)       SEASONS:  As established by Program Director.  Nine (9) matches total scheduled, weather permitting, including the tournament.

                        Fall:  December through February.

                        Summer:  June through August

            Match times and sites to be determined by Program Director.

#3)       ROSTERS:  A completed roster will be turned into the Program Director/VRSC Administrator before the first game of the season.  Changes to the roster can be made up until the third game of the season but must have the Program Directors or VRSC Administrators signature.  A roster, with the Program Director or VRSC Administrators signature, listing all players must be on hand at all matches throughout the entire season.  Teams are limited to a maximum of 20 players.  The referee will check rosters and players passes/photo ids prior to every match.  Teams found to be using non-rostered players will forfeit the match and are subject to further penalties and possible league expulsion.

#4)       ACCEPTABLE IDS:

·        USSF player pass (provided by the league and preferred)

·        Photo Id 

#5)       CROSSOVERS:  No player in the Southside Program may play in more than one division or on more than one team.  The penalty for the player will be suspension for three (3) games from league play.  The team will forfeit the match on their first infraction.  If there is a second occurrence, the player and the team will face league expulsion.

#6)       PLAYER TRANSFERS:       Players may transfer only once per season to a higher division before the third game of the season.  All transfers must be authorized by the Program Director and a new roster must be submitted and signed.

#7)       MAKE-UPS & CANCELLATIONS:  A match is official once the first half of play has been completed.  All teams should call the HRSC Hotline at 518.5176.

#8)       NO SHOWS:  Failure to have 7 team members show up to a scheduled match will result in a forfeit.  If there is a second occurrence, the team will not be eligible for post-season play, subject to review by the Program Director.

#9)       GENERAL: 

A.  FIFA Laws apply, as modified by USSF/VRSC.

B.     All matches will use a one or three-man USSF certified referee crew.

C.     All decisions by the referee are final.  No appeals will be accepted pertaining to decisions by the referee.

D.     Absolutely no fighting will be tolerated.  Any fight, serious foul play or violent conduct may result in the immediate suspension from VRSC.

E.      Absolutely NO Referee abuse, or assault will be tolerated.  Any assault shall result in immediate suspension from VRSC.

F.      No player or spectator is to enter the field of play without the referee’s permission.  If there is a fight on the field, those players, coaches, or spectators entering the field from the bench will receive immediate suspension form VRSC.  If the entire team participates, immediate suspension will result.

G.     Tournament play, format and scheduling is the responsibility of the Program Director and subject to cost effectiveness.

H.     Substitutions.

a.       Possession throws.

b.      Goal kicks.

c.       At the half.

d.      After a goal.

e.       Injuries (injured only). Opposing teams may sub 1 as well.

f.        Cautioned player (for that player only).

I.        Participation within the Southside league is dependent upon the number of cards one receives:

a.       Caution = 2 pts.  3 Cautions = 6 pts.  Player will sit out the following match.  When player returns he will retain 1 pt.  Points retire after 2nd consecutive cardless match.

b.      Red = 5 pts.  Player must sit out next match.  Subject to review by VRSC to determine if player will remain in the league. 

Note:  2nd Red may result in immediate suspension from the VRSC for the season and is subject to review by the VRSC Program Director to determine future participation.

J.       No driving or parking on any playing field.

K.    All matches must be reported to the Program Director by each team captain.  The referees will use the match card located on the web page to report the match results.

L.      All teams playing must ensure that fields are cleaned up after matches.

M.   VRSC reserves the right to ban participation for any player, coach, parent, or spectator if VRSC  believes that the behavior or actions of said individual(s) may damage the reputation of VRSC.  Each team is responsible for the conduct of said individual.  Suspensions apply to all VRSC Programs.

N.    Any player or team given a league suspension is not eligible for a refund.

#10)     UNIFORMS

A.     Uniforms must have numbers.

B.     No duplicate numbers are allowed.

C.     Numbers must reflect name on roster.

#11)     AGE RESTRICTIONS: 

A.  The entry level age for any division shall be 16.  Players must turn 16 by the end of the regular game season in which they are competing.

#12)     MISCONDUCT TOWARDS GAME OFFICIALS

When:

 

Before, during or after a match, even at later times if it is match related such as at work or at home.


Who:

Misconduct toward a referee, all registered referees, assistant referees, fourth officials or others duly appointed to assist. It also includes any non-licensed, non-registered persons serving in an emergency capacity as a referee under USSF Policy 531-9 and any club assistant referees.


I. Definitions

 

A. Assault: An intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee, includes but is not limited to:

1. Hitting
2. Kicking
3. Punching
4. Spitting at or on
5. Grabbing
6. Running into
7. Kicking or throwing any object that could inflict injury
8. Damage to referee equipment or personal property, cars, equipment, etc.


B. Abuse:

1. A verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact which implies or threatens harm to a referee or the referee's property or equipment.


2. Included, but is not limited to, the following acts:

a. using foul or abusive language
 

b. spewing any beverage on a referee's property of verbally threatening a referee.


3. Verbal threats or remarks that carry implied or direct threats of physical harm (e. g. I'll get you later! or I know where you live!)


C. Serious Injuries: Those injuries that require hospitalization or treatment by a qualified dentist or medical practitioner. Definitions are excerpts from the USSF Administrative Rule Book and the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook. The following penalties for ABUSE and/or ASSAULT on a referee are the MINIMUMS. The Association adjudicating panel may, at its discretion, impose stiffer penalties as warranted by the individual act or incident.
 


II. Penalties

 

A. Assault

1. 1 year minimum

2. 5 years minimum with serious injury
3. 3 years minimum adult defendant with a minor referee (17 years of age or under)


B. Abuse:

3 match minimum

C. Any Player, Coach or Team Official who has been deemed to have ABUSED a referee shall receive as a MINIMUM a three (3) consecutive game suspension from scheduled league or cup play. The adjudicating panel may provide for a longer period of suspension when circumstances warrant (e.g., habitual offenders).

D. Any Player, Coach, or Team Official committing a referee ASSAULT is automatically suspended for one (1) year from the time of the assault. If serious injuries are inflicted then the MINIMUM suspension shall be for five (5) years. The adjudicating panel may not provide a shorter period, but, if circumstances warrant, may provide a longer period of suspension.


Note: These ASSAULT suspensions are to be imposed from the time of the incident and will remain in force until such times as the adjudicating panel takes action.

III. All Affiliated Leagues and Teams: All affiliated leagues, teams,
players, managers and team officials have an affirmative obligation to protect the referees. Teams are responsible for the conduct and actions of its players and their supporters. If two (2) or more players escalate, inflame or abet in a physical assault on a referee OR if no apparent attempt is made by the team, when time permits, to intercede in protecting or preventing an assault upon a referee then the following MINIMUM penalties prevail:

 

A. The team is banned from participating in any CUP match for TWO years.

B. A fine of $250.00 must be paid by the team to the State Association.

C. A bond of $250.00 must be posted by the team to the State Association.

D. The team is placed on probation for a period of two years.

E. Any violation of the probation shall result in the team being suspended forever and the bond, referred to in C. above, forfeited.
 

IV. Referees: Referees (and by definition Assistant Referees, Club Assistant Referees) and others appointed to officiate the match) shall report any and all ABUSE and ASSAULT incidents to the State Association, the Referee Assignor and the State Referee Administrator.

V. The State Association: As matter of policy the State Association shall support and encourage any Referee who is ASSAULTED to file formal charges in a Court of Law.

VI. State Referee Administrator: The State Referee Administrator shall inform all referees under his jurisdiction, of their responsibility to prosecute offending persons and to report any incidents of violence, actual or threatened, to the State Association.

VII. Effective Date: The above policy was adopted in its original form by the State Association Executive Committee on November 30, 1978, and amended on March 31, 2000, and is effective upon publication.