3M

3M stands for Mercer, Monmouth and Middlesex counties, however we have grown from our beginning and now our program includes many towns within the Central Jersey Area. We provide a multi-town, recreation (no try-outs) soccer league. This league gives older child players an opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy the game of soccer, whether new to the game or experienced. Board Members, Town Coordinators, and Coaches operate on a volunteer basis. Our rules are fueled by the idea of creating an environment of fairness and fun for all involved. 3M remains current with NJ youth soccer guidelines as well as considering the needs of its participants. Adjustments to 3M rules and practices are implemented accordingly.

We encourage everyone to refer to this rule page often, including the 3M Principles Section at bottom for guidance in particular situations and unique details. Please reach out to the following 3M board members for any questions, suggestions or clarification at any time. We appreciate your passion and your input!

3M Board Members: Howard Gessner, Marc Josephson, Shannon Masterson Yarida Bogash, Jessica Chamberlain

Disciplinary Committee: Howard Gessner, Jeff Wurmbrand  and Jayson Lemberg

Pre Season

Each Town is Responsible for providing their Coordinator's name and contact information, coaches information, and team count by the dates outline and presented by 3M board.

Coordinators are responsible in providing support to their coaches, as well as ensuring all league rules/policies are understood and followed.

Coordinators and Coaches are expected to be present for group meetings, prior and throughout the season.

Coordinators are required to submit their town's HOME game schedules to 3M board by the deadline provided.

Rosters will be submitted by Coordinators, Approved by Board and then Returned to Coordinators. All Coordinators should keep the approved rosters to supply to coaches through season if needed. Rosters require a minimum of 15 players listed. Only registered players on a club's roster may participate in the games. If a player has an active travel card or elite training they must be identified with an * by their name. Each roster can have no more than two * players. Any questions regarding * players can be directed to the 3M board members for discussion.

EACH SOCCER CLUB MUST SUBMIT A ROSTER FOR EACH TEAM TO THE 3M SOCCER LEAGUE PRIOR TO THE FIRST GAME OF EACH SEASON. The submitted roster will then be approved by 3M and returned to all coordinators/coaches. All teams must have the signed/approved roster from 3M for each game that the referee crew will use to checkin the players prior to the match. Any player not listed on that specific teams roster is not eligible to play in the match.

3M RULES

 The season will consist of eight to ten (8-10) games, split even between home and away. Games maybe scheduled for Saturday or Sunday with weeknights only being used in the event of a make-up game previously approved by both teams. Each division will have a playoff tournament in addition to the regular season games. Playoff Details and Rules Below

 Junior division is 7th Grade - 9th Grade (max age of 16). Senior division is 10th Grade - 12th Grade (max age of 18). Players can play up to an ‘older’ division, however cannot play down to a ‘younger’ division.

 Coaches can request 3M director approval to add players to the roster until October 1^st (fall season) and April 1^st (spring season). Roster changes are decided by the 3M board, to be approved/non at their discretion. Any new version of a team roster will be distributed to corresponding division participants.

Coach Requirements

 Coaches are to remain professional and a positive example to their players at all times. Coaches are to follow protocol in regards to questions/concerns about referee calls and decisions. Report grievances/issues during SCORE REPORTING. Any Cards issued will also be reported within the score report sheet. 2 yellows cards equal a red card.

Head Coaches (or assistant/representative) are required to participate in all coaches meetings. Coaches must review 3M rules prior to the season. All coach contact information is posted on the website to facilitate communication throughout the season. Coaches should encourage 3M participants to review rules, contacts, and schedules.

Coaches are to carry safe sport & medical release forms (provided by league & filled out by player guardian), with attached player photo, at every day game to be reviewed by the referee during pre-game check in.

Coaches will communicate with opposing coaches and confirm upcoming games 6 days prior to the game (some towns have specific guidelines regarding time specifics).

MATCH RULES:

League games are played and officiated according to the Laws of the Game published by FIFA/IFAB and as recommended by US Youth Soccer, with the below modifications. Substitutions can be made at ANY stoppage and at the discretion of the referee. All substitutions will occur at the midfield mark.

NO JEWELERY IS PERMITTED. A medical alert or religious bracelet may be worn only if taped down and secured to the body. Tape over earrings is not permitted. All facial jewelry, watches, bracelets, necklaces, hairbands around wrists, etc. must be removed or the player will not be permitted to play.

Junior level games run as 2 - 40 minute halves. Senior level games run as 2 - 45 minute halves. There will be NO stoppage time added to regular game time for injuries, it will be the referee discretion to add time should a team delay the game. A game is considered "official" if, and only if, the Second Half of the game is started.  Any game stopped before this point will be replayed from the point where it stopped previously. If game is stopped note reason, time left in half, score, and any cards issued. 

21 players are allowed to be dressed and prepared to play in each game and must have a minimum of 8 rostered players to begin/play a game. If injury or red card exclusion applies, then the minimum is 7 players.

Goal Keeper 8 second rule is in effect. Keepers will have 8 seconds to release the ball after gaining possession of the ball. Referee will show a 5 second countdown to signal the players to get the ball in play. If the referee calls a penalty for exceeding the 8 seconds a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

Coaches and teams shall gather on one side of the field, with parents/spectators on the opposite side. Sportsmanship is mandated by the 3M league and any unsportsmanlike conduct will be carded by referees based on the offense. (Example: foul language, disrespect of officials, unruly sideline)

There is a 6-goal differential rule for this league. A team that scores more than 6 goals over their opponent will be met with discipline action from the league unless the additional goals are direct result of a defensive fouls in the penalty area (penalty kicks). See coaching suggestions for ways to prevent running up the score. (See 3M Principles and Guidelines Below)

Point System  Win = 3 points, Loss = 0 points, and a Tie awards each team 1 point.

REFEREES

MUST BE CURRENT US SOCCER CERTIFIED REFEREE. The ideal team is a 3-person crew (center with two assistant referees) with the center referee being 2+ years older than the division they are refereeing. Juniors are considered U15 (center being 17+) and Seniors are U18 (center should be 20+). We understand that a 3-person crew is not always possible so 3M gives the following guidance for other crew make ups. When a 2-person crew is being used they will implement a center referee with the assistant referee on the parent’s sideline (AR2). 3M will not allow a NJSIAA two referee center crew. Solo referee is highly discouraged and if there is only a single referee a coach from each team MUST take the AR1 & AR2 positions raising their hand for out of bounds ball and offsides ONLY. The center referee will have full control/discretion over direction of ball and making the call suggested by the coaches.

Reschedules

 Same-Day Cancellations/Field Closures (typically weather) are to be communicated by hosting town coach to visiting town coach asap. Coach contact/all team’s schedule information displayed on 3M website. Host Coach is responsible for providing 3 options to opposing coach (not during regular season scheduled game for opposing team) for makeup game with-in 7 days of canceled game date. Opposing coach has 3 days to choose/confirm make-up game day/time. Forfeit will be applied to hosting/home team if 3 options are not provided in time restraints.  Forfeit will be applied to visiting team if any 3 options provided cannot be attended

.....For Fall 2025 PlayOffs....

Depending on number of divisions and number of teams, playoff eligibility will be decided before the start of each season.

3M Principles and Guidelines

The mission of our unique league is to create a healthy, fun, and competitive environment. 3M is technically a recreational division level soccer, hence no tryout to participate. Unlike school or travel, this league allows older children players to explore/experience soccer, without any needed previous experience. This means many players are new to 11 v 11, and often some are new to soccer entirely. We strive to create an atmosphere of learning the game of soccer, especially for those who are new. At the same time, we are encouraging our more experienced players to practice and advance their own individual skills, while also perhaps, taking on a role that displays leadership and sportsmanship to their fellow teammates. We strongly discourage a game outcome like the one reported. It can discourage the "losing team" as well as be unfun for the "winning team".

3M members and volunteer coaches have brainstormed and shared ideas over the years to prevent such outcomes. Again, our goal is to create a fun, competitive, educational environment that provides a positive experience to all players, on varying skill levels. If you find yourself with a very skilled set of players, it is the coaches responsibility to adjust strategy accordingly. As a coach, it is a nice problem to have, and can, if dealt with correctly, allow for some further skill/character building techniques.

Some ideas have been, once your team is up by a few...

--Rearrange players. Take this time of 'being ahead in goals' to put players in new positions. Push players' comfort and adaptability. Maybe test out new goalie options. Use the comfortable position as a learning space to experiment with new formations and positions.

--Drop from 11 to 10. Although its not always ideal, because we want to give players as much playing time as possible. But sometimes 3Ms schedule requires 2 games within a few days. So maybe having certain players sit in order to be rested for a future game can be appropriate.

--Challenge your players.. Give them tasks. For example, "every player must touch the ball once (including goalie) before working up towards a goal attempt"... perhaps you need to take it further at times (if you find yourself with a super experienced set of players).. example: "only make passes or shots with a non dominant foot"...

Sometimes coaches find themselves with very skilled, experienced players and we understand the challenge that can bring when trying to promote restraint to children, especially teenagers. If the collective skill level is high among players, 3M still encourages a mission of learning and growth. We hope some of these tactics, or variations of, can continue to serve players by introducing a new set of achievements, while promoting an atmosphere of sportsmanship.

3M's values are upheld by dedicated parent volunteers. We are always grateful to those who contribute their passion and time to help ensure the continued success of this league.