Zero Tolerance

Game Formats - Brief Description

Playing Formats

Game Times and Ball Size

Safety First

Where To Be During The Game

Zero Tolerance

Please take a look at this Zero Tolerance document. This is a copy of the BAYS Zero Tolerance policy. MHYSA adheres to and supports this policy to the letter.

Remember folks, this is a game played by children who want to have fun and learn the game. Likewise, a lot of game officials, our Referees are also young folks, who play and like the game enough to want to help others by becoming Referees.

Encouragement is the key, not criticism.

Game Formats - Brief Description

There are many different ways soccer leagues can organize their teams. MHYSA fields teams in several categories: 6v6, 8v8, 11v11, girls, boys, Intown and Travel. Age categories can range from Under 6 to Under 18, depending on the season and numbers of players/coaches available.

MHYSA organizes teams into two leagues - Intown and Travel.

The Intown program is centered on our younger players. This is an opportunity to introduce the players to the game, teach them the rules and to have fun. After all, it is a game. Teams are organized and play against other teams within the league.

Intown teams include the Under 6 Instructional (U-6), Under 8 (U-8), Under 10 (U-10)aged players. Teams in this category are coed U-6, and then split into boys and girls teams U-8 and U-10.

The Travel program is affiliated with the Boston Area Youth Soccer League (BAYS). Teams are organized by gender, age and skill level. These teams travel to other towns to play in a more competitive game situation.

Travel teams start at Under 11 (U-11), Under 12 (U-12), and Under 14 (U-13 and 14). Depending on the number of players, older aged teams can sometimes be fielded for the Spring season. Teams play a 10 game season, 5 games are played home and 5 away.

Playing Formats

6v6 format - Small field is generally played by Intown teams as well as U10 Travel teams. This format includes 1 Goal keeper and 5 field players arranged as needed by the coach. Player substitutions can be done at certain times during the game. Players can be "sub'ed" in and out many times during the game. Game timing depends on the player age: U8 Intown play 4 10-minute quarters, U10 Intown play 2 20-minute halves. U10 Travel play 2 30-minute halves. A single Referee is usually assigned to manage the game.

8v8 format - Intermediate field and has been opted for both U11 and U12 Travel teams. This format includes 1 Goal keeper and 7 field players. Player substitution rules are the same as above. Games are played in halves, each half lasting 30 minutes. This format begins to introduce everyone to full field playing tactics. It also introduces the "Offside" rules. Home games played here in Milford-Hopedale will be managed by a Referee team consisting of a Center Referees and 2 Assistant Referees (ARs) (not linesmen). The ARs are also certified referees who are there to assist the center referee in game management.

11v11 - also called full field. This format is played by U14 (U13/14) Travel teams. This includes 1 Goal keeper and 10 field players. Substitutions rules are the same as above. Game run time is generally 2 35 minute halves. This format includes the "Offside" rules. Home games played here in Milford-Hopedale will be managed by a Referee team consisting of a Center Referees and 2 Assistant Referees (ARs) (not linesmen). The ARs are also certified referees who are there to assist the center referee in game management.

Game Times and Ball Size

Times:

• U-8 Intown games are played in 4 quarters, each quarter being 10 minutes long. After 2 quarters, a 5 minute halftime is allowed. Total time: 45 minutes.
• U-10 Intown games are played in 2 halves, each half being 20 minutes long. A 5 minute halftime is allowed. Total time: 45 minutes.
• U-10, U11, U12 Travel games are played in 2 halves, each half being 30 minutes with a 5 minute halftime.
• U-14 Travel games are played in 2 halves, each half being 35 minutes with a 5 minute halftime.

Ball:

• U-8 through U-12 use a #4 Soccer ball, home team responsible for providing, inspect for condition and proper inflation.
• U-14 use a #5 Soccer ball, home team responsible for providing, inspect for condition and proper inflation.

Safety First - Jewelry, Approved Equipment

MHYSA, along with Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS), places player safety as one of the top priorities. This section is going to deal player safety and the rules that are going to be enforced.

Jewelry of any kind is NOT allowed to be worn during a game and should not be worn during practices. This includes necklaces, rings, watches, bracelets and Pierced Earrings. Sorry folks, but taping or putting bandages over the earrings do not count. If your child comes to a game with any kind of jewelry on, they will not be allowed to play until the situation is resolved. (Medic Alert's can be left on as long as they are taped over.)

All players must be wearing Shin pads to play. Shin pads protect the players from injuries. They are required equipment. Properly worn shin pads must be worn underneath the socks, not over them. Socks must be long enough to cover the shin pads too.

Cleats are not required but usually provide the player with better grip on the field. Approved, molded soccer cleats are the only type allowed. Please make sure when you are purchasing cleats you are not getting baseball cleats or football turf shoes. These include a "toe pick" at the front of the sole and can cause injuries to others. We try to discourage their use more for player safety. Depending on their level, a player may not be allowed to play if they are wearing these kinds of shoes - this decision will be referee discretion.

Where To Be During The Game

In an effort to try to minimize the craziness and make it more fun for the players, we have some rules that we would like to share. We ask for your cooperation and that you try to abide by them.

Games are fun for the players and teams. It can also be fun from a spectator stand point - cheering the players on to do their best.

Game time can also be somewhat hectic...coaches trying to round up their players to warm up, last minute tieing of shoes (double knots hopefully), player inspections, etc.

We require that all teams be on the same side of the field during the game.

We also require that all the parents be on the opposite side of the field. This helps during the game with player management and substitutions. (Travel games require only approved coaches can be on the bench. All other should be on the opposite side of the field.)

We also require that no one be behind the goals and goal lines during the game. Its a well intended thing, thinking you are helping a young player who is goalkeeping. But you aren't and its not fair to that player nor his/her team. The Goalkeeper has received instructions from their coaches. The coaches can continue this from their bench during the game. Having someone behind or near the net talking to the goalkeeper is a big distraction. You may also being giving them instructions counter to what the coaches have already passed on.

If you are one of these, please join the rest of the spectators and cheer from there. If you are asked by a game official, or a coach, to move away, please do so.

Again, please remember, this is a game, played by our children. Let's let them have fun.