1. Have fun!
2. Standard soccer rules apply. See the free online resource: “10 Simple Soccer Rules for Baffled Parents” (under our Pages tab) as a quick reference to soccer rules.
3. Encourage fair play and respect for teammates, coaches, referees, and opposing players.
4. Remember that you, as a coach, are a role model for the players. One of the responsibilities of the coach is to ensure a positive experience for all members of your team.
5. The referees have discretion to make calls and enforce their calls. Always respect the referees (including the flags persons) and their calls. Please do not (and ensure that your players and parents do not) argue with the referees or flags persons or criticize their calls. If a problem arises, please bring it up with the TMSA Executive immediately – we will assist in dispute resolution.
6. Players are required to wear soccer cleats, shin guards under socks, and their team jersey. Long hair should be pulled back. Jewelry of any kind, or hats, are not permitted.
7. Details on the number of players on the field are included in the Coaches Manual (under Forms/Handouts). Please use your discretion in this regard – if you have a small team, or a large team, consult with the opposing coach and referee to determine what is the best number of players to field at a time. No player should sit more than 1 rotation in a row (so if you have 6 players on your bench, you should be playing 6 players at a time).
8. Ensure equal playing time for all kids – in all divisions. Note: playing goal does not count as a rest.
9. We do our best to make the teams as even as possible. However, if and when a score becomes lopsided, encourage your players to pass the ball X number of times before shooting, remind players that assists are just as important as goals, move stronger players to defence or goalie, etc.
10. There will be a “3-goal rule” for the Tyke division only. More details on this rule are included below under the Tyke heading. If lopsided scores manifest continually in other divisions, the TSMA Executive may introduce this rule in for other divisions as well.
11. Calling penalties is left to the discretion of the referee. The referee may issue a yellow or red card (in accordance with standard soccer rules). The referee may also chose to enforce escalating penalties against repeat offenders:
· First penalty: the referee will stop the play and the opposing team will be awarded with a penalty kick.
· Second penalty against the same player: the referee will stop the play and the opposing team will be awarded with a penalty kick. The offending player will be asked to immediately leave the field and will benched for a shift.
· Third penalty against the same player: the referee will stop the play and the opposing team will be awarded with a penalty kick. The offending player will be asked to immediately leave the field and will be benched for the remainder of the game.
· Severe penalty: if, in the referee's sole discretion, a penalty is severe, the referee may award the opposing team a penalty shot rather than a penalty kick (regardless as to whether or not it is a first or subsequent penalty). The offending player will be asked to immediately leave the field for, at minimum, one shift. The referee may also, at his/her sole discretion, eject the player for the remainder of the game. Even in the absence of an ejection, the coach may choose to bench the player for a greater period of time, or for the remainder of the game.
12. Subbing:
a. Subbing 1-2 players. Subbing "on the fly" is not generally allowed in soccer. However, we allow it in the TMSA because we have smaller teams (especially once summer starts there may be games where a team only has 1 or 2 subs), or in the younger divisions when a player decides to leave the field in the middle of a play without being called off. Subbing on the fly cannot be used as an offensive advantage, and the ref has full discretion to call a play back if he/she thinks this has occurred. The player leaving the field must exit at the team "bench" and the incoming player is not permitted to enter the field until the player leaving has fully exited the field. The exchange must take place at the team bench - an existing player cannot leave the field on the defensive end of the field in exchange for an incoming player that runs on the field on the offensive side of the field (a good tactic, is for the exiting player to give the incoming player a "high five" at the team bench as a tag in).
b. Subbing more than 2 players. Please note: the subbing on the fly rule is intended only when a team is subbing 1 or 2 players at a time. Coaches, if you are subbing greater than 2 players at a time and especially if you are subbing your entire team at a time, please wait until a whistle and alert the refs to the substitution. Refs, please acknowledge the substitution, and pause the game until the substitution is made.
c. Please discuss your intentions re subbing with the opposing coach and ref before each game - again, the number of players you have each night will dictate how this is handled (if you have a full team and intend to switch entire lines, please tell the coach/ref this, and do not sub the entire team on the fly. However, if you only have a few subs, and will be switching players one at a time, then please tell the coach/ref before the game that you will be subbing on the fly).
d. Subbing on opposing throw-ins, penalty or corner kicks. Generally, soccer rules do not allow a team to make substitutions on the opposing team's offensive throw-ins, penalty kicks or corner kicks. However, because TMSA allows subbing on the fly, we will also allow substitutions during opposing throw-ins, penalty kicks or corners kicks.
13. Remember to encourage kids to bring water.
14. Remind the kids to take their water bottles and other belongings home. Any garbage should be deposited in the bins.
15. First aid kits are available onsite – the referee will have a kit at each field, and additional supplies, such as ice, are available in the shed. Please report any injury to the Exec Member in attendance - if injuries occur, a record must be maintained for insurance purposes.
16. Games will be played rain or shine. Games will be cancelled if there is thunder, lightning or other inclement weather.
17. Parents are not allowed on the field. There is a designated sitting area for parents.
18. There is no smoking or drinking at the soccer fields.
19. If there are any questions or concerns regarding any rule, or its application, please contact a TMSA Executive.
