Region Rules 2024-2025

Good Sportsmanship - A positive environment based on mutual respect, rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude. Player Development - All players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game. Balanced Teams / Games - It's more fun when teams are of equal ability.

Uniform Requirements:

The uniform for all divisions is as follows: 1 team shirt/jersey, 1 pair of black/dark shorts, and 1 pair of team colored long socks. SHIN GUARDS ARE REQUIRED. Shin guards should be put on first with socks worn over the shin guards. Any extra garments must be worn underneath the uniform. Shorts must be dark/black. Soccer shoes are not required, but are recommended. If a player is not in a complete and proper uniform, he/she will not be allowed to participate. (more here << Restricted Attire Details)

Additional Play Restrictions:

Kinder _{(like 6U)}

Max Team Size:

6

Players On Field:

3

Center Referee:

Division Coach

Asst. Referees:

No

Field Size:

28x18yd. = 84'x54'

Goal Size:

4x6'

Ball Size:

3

Length Of Game:

15 minute halves

Substitutions:

Every 5 Min

Restrictions:

No deliberate headers (IFK).
No deliberate slides (IFK).

Noted Rules:

No throw-in (do dribble-in).
No keeper or goal-hanging.
No offside.
All free kicks are indirect.

1st Grade _{(like 8U)}

Max Team Size:

7

Players On Field:

4

Center Referee:

Division Coach

Asst. Referees:

No

Field Size:

30x20yd. = 90'x60'

Goal Size:

4x6'

Ball Size:

3

Length Of Game:

20 minute halves

Substitutions:

Every 5 Min

Restrictions:

No deliberate headers (IFK).
No deliberate slides (IFK).

Noted Rules:

No throw-in (do dribble-in).
No keeper or goal-hanging.
No offside.
All free kicks are indirect.

2nd Grade _{(like 8U)}

Max Team Size:

9

Players On Field:

5

Center Referee:

Division Coach

Asst. Referees:

No

Field Size:

40x25yd. = 120'x75'

Goal Size:

5x10'

Ball Size:

3

Length Of Game:

20 minute halves

Substitutions:

Every 5 Min

Restrictions:

No deliberate headers (IFK).
No deliberate slides (IFK).

Noted Rules:

No throw-in (do dribble-in).
No keeper or goal-hanging.
No offside.
All free kicks are indirect.

3rd/4th Grade _{(like 10U)}

Max Team Size:

11

Players On Field:

7

Center Referee:

Yes

Asst. Referees:

Optional

Field Size:

55x35yd. = 165'x105'

Goal Size:

6x18'

Ball Size:

4

Length Of Game:

25 minute halves

Substitutions:

Every 5 Min

Restrictions:

No deliberate headers (IFK).
No deliberate slides (DFK).
No keeper drop kick, bounce kick,
or punt (IFK @ build out line).

Noted Rules:

NOTICE Build Out Line Rules

5th/6th Grade _{(like 12U)}

Max Team Size:

13

Players On Field:

9

Center Referee:

Yes

Asst. Referees:

Yes

Field Size:

70x45yd. = 210'x135'

Goal Size:

7x21'

Ball Size:

4

Length Of Game:

30 minute halves

Substitutions:

At any allowed stoppage.

Restrictions:

No deliberate headers (IFK).

No deliberate slides (DFK).

7th/8th Grade _{(like 14U)}

Max Team Size:

18

Players On Field:

11

Center Referee:

Yes

Asst. Referees:

Yes

Field Size:

100x50yd. = 300'x150'

Goal Size:

8x24'

Ball Size:

5

Length Of Game:

35 minute halves

Substitutions:

At any allowed stoppage.

Restrictions:

Standard laws, but see

note about playing up.

Substitution Details

If designated or necessary, game score taker will document goals and track time out on cards that are returned to the referee.

Kinder, 1st, 2nd, & 3/4th Grade will occur every 5 minutes with permission from the center coach or referee, the player on field should leave before the new player goes on.

5th/6th and 7th/8th grades allow for substitutions by the referee at normal stoppages throughout the game and / or on quarter breaks.

Playing Up A Division into 7th/8th

Players 10-year-old or younger, are not allowed to head the ball. Period. If the player is playing in a division that allows heading, the player must be 11. Unsure? the player & coach MUST check in with the referee before the game to confirm the heading restriction for the player. NOTICE: The referee reserves the right to deny the player from playing or to work with both coaches to deny all players in the game from heading the ball.

Cancellations Policy

What is the criteria for canceling training sessions? or What is the policy for cancellations? or Do we have makeup games? (Primary AYSO Program Only)

We do not normally have makeup games and you most likely cannot have makeup training sessions since you are only allowed to train 3 hours per week, when a game day is canceled it is canceled. The current policy for the primary AYSO program is that if a majority of the Corvallis 509j fields are closed all training sessions should be canceled.

What are some options if my training field is closed?

If you are one of the unlucky few that have a field that is closed, you have a few options. Best option is to find another green space that you are allowed to play on, remember to be safe and scout the area first. Another option is to remember that player development does not require grass, but be safe, especially if you are doing something on unfamiliar terrain (We do not recommend that you have training sessions on wet concrete. Non-Soccer related physical activities can be good for team building or general physical fitness, ask them what they do for P.E.).

What are some options if we are not allowed to do training sessions?

If AYSO has canceled training sessions or games for the week, you can always communicate with the parents to try a more social gathering. Some locations in town can provide physical activity, or just team building/familiarity. Remember that these would not be AYSO authorized events, meaning you and everyone else should be notified of this fact ahead of time. (Please do not bend the rules on this, if a bunch of coaches want to have a recreational game with their kids and friends that can be ok, but remember to be sure everyone is informed it is voluntary and not part of AYSO.)

Air Quality Policy

Take a look at this flier for Oregon Health Authority (here). If a training is done in orange weather, please make it light P.E. like activities. No training sessions shall take place in the red category.

"Athletes with asthma should have rescue inhalers readily available and pretreat before exercise or as directed by their healthcare provider. All athletes with respiratory illness, asthma, lung or heart disease should monitor symptoms and reduce/cease activity if symptoms arise. Increase rest periods as needed."-OSAA

Thunder/Lightning Policy

If you hear it, clear it. If you see it, flee it. Keep the field clear until you have at least 30 minutes with no thunder or visible lightning.

Each year, about 400 children and adults in the U.S. are struck by lightning while working outside, at sports events, on the beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities. About 80 people are killed and several hundred more are left to cope with permanent disabilities. Many of these tragedies can be avoided. Finishing the game, getting a tan, or completing a work shift aren't worth death or crippling injury.

The AYSO National Referee Commission position regarding severe weather states: "It is said that lightning can strike from a clear blue sky that is within a ten mile radius of a storm. It is therefore strongly recommended that practices and games be terminated immediately upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning."

In view of the above, the following is the position of AYSO Region 149 regarding severe weather and is to be instituted by coaches and referees at all practices, games and other AYSO sponsored events.

AYSO 149 will not cancel entire days or all remaining games due to active thunderstorms in our area as these storms usually pass through quickly. Regardless of the weather overhead, when thunder is heard and/or lightning is seen, suspend play and direct participants to a safe area by following the guidelines below. Play may resume 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard, or lightning seen.

Areas considered safe

• Inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle with windows up
• Inside a substantial building (roof and four walls)

Unsafe Areas

• Small buildings including picnic shelters and the open area of a concession stand
• Anywhere near metallic objects like flagpoles, antennas, towers, underground watering systems, soccer goals, metal bleachers, electric equipment
• Open fields, trees and water

Open area without shelter

• Avoid standing in groups
• Spread out to reduce risk
• Crouch on your feet, keep your head low
• Avoid being the tallest object
• Avoid lying on the ground

If a strike occurs to an individual

• Call 911
• If you are qualified to do so, apply First Aid or CPR immediately
• People struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch

Restarting after the All-Clear (30 minutes after the last boom is heard or strike is seen)

• Games which have completed the first half will be considered finished and the score at the time play was suspended shall be the final score.
• Games which have completed less than one half; the referee will resume by starting the second half, reducing the remaining time if necessary so that the match ends at the scheduled time.

Discipline Guidelines

For players or substitutes

Any discipline issued by another AYSO entity or an organization other than AYSO when a region player is representing AYSO will be honored without any further consideration by the region commissioner as long as said organization provides the region commissioner with a written report of the incident for which discipline was administered. (e.g. if player is issued a red card and given a 3 game suspension during a tournament but only “sits out” one game the player will be ineligible for the first two eligible games of the regions fall and/or spring season or the next tournament their team plays on). If said discipline is a result of on the field conduct then a referee report is also required before said discipline can be administered.  Reports will be considered confidential but may be shared with a disciplinary committee if appointed.  The reports will not be disputed but may be used to decide if further discipline is warranted by the region. 

For Game fouls or misconduct (as determined by the game Referee which is not eligible for dispute resolution since all decisions by the referee during a match are final).

1. Red Card for any reason other than Violent Conduct or Serious Foul Play including red cards issued as described above
   1. First red card within the same season, the player will be ineligible to play in the next game.
   2. Second red card within same season, including red cards issued for serious foul play or violent conduct, the player will be ineligible for the next three games.
   3. Third red card within same season, including red cards issued for serious foul play or violent conduct, the player shall be suspended for the next five eligible games.
   4. Forth red card within the same season, including red cards issued for serious foul play or violent conduct, the player and legal guardian will have to appear before a disciplinary panel that will determine whether the player will be suspended from activity in the region for a period of 12 months.
2. Red Card for Serious Foul Play including red cards issued as described above
   1. First red card within the same season, the player will be ineligible to play in the next game.
   2. Second red card within same season, the player will be ineligible for the next three games.
   3. Third red card within same season, the player shall be suspended for the next five eligible games including intervening practices.
   4. Forth red card within the same season, the player and legal guardian will have to appear before a disciplinary panel that will determine whether the player will be suspended for a period of 12 months. The most likely outcome of the panel will be that suspension will occur as the player has demonstrated that they are unwilling to adhere to AYSO philosophies particularly good sportsmanship.
3. Red Card for violent conduct including red cards issued as described above
   1. First red card within 12 months, the player will be ineligible to play in the next three games.
   2. Second red card within 12 months, the player will be ineligible for the next seven games including intervening practices.
   3. Third red card within the same season, the player and legal guardian will have to appear before a disciplinary panel that will determine whether the player will be allowed continued membership in the region. The most likely outcome of the panel will be that continued membership will not be allowed as the player has demonstrated that they are unwilling to adhere to AYSO philosophies particularly good sportsmanship.  

Note: After recite of written notification from the region commissioner, coaches not enforcing above discipline will be required to serving a one game suspension for the first offense and a three game suspension in addition to repeating all training (e.g. coaches, safe haven) in addition to.  The suspension would apply to all AYSO associated teams (e.g. if a coach receives a suspension while coaching team A but also coaches team B, they will not be able to serve in the coaching role of either team until suspension is complete).  Additional offenses will require the coach to appear before a disciplinary committee appointed by the regional commissioner for further discipline.  Failure to appear before the disciplinary in a timely manner will be suspended from region fields for at least 12 months.

Pre or post game misconduct

• Any attempt to seek another player, referee, official, spectators and all other participants for the purpose of taunting, fighting, or threatening the well-being of a player, spectator, referee or official either before, during or after a match either on or in the vicinity of the playing fields or parking areas, including adjacent streets, will be suspended from all further play for a period of 12 months.

Adults volunteers and other adults

• Any adult asked to leave a field for any reason other than violent conduct will be suspended from region fields for at least one game and required to agree to the Kid Zone pledge. Based upon the incident, the offending adult may also be required to appear before a disciplinary committee appointed by the regional commissioner for further discipline.  If a youth referee is involved then the adult will have to appear before a disciplinary committee appointed by the region commissioner and the volunteer must write an apology letter to that referee and submit it to the referee administrator for approval and delivery.  The youth’s identity will remain anonymous.  Failure to appear before the disciplinary in a timely manner will be suspended from region fields for at least 12 months and volunteer certifications could be revoked.
• Any adult volunteer that commits an act of violence, including any inappropriate direct or indirect (e.g. thrown objects) physical contact or attempt to, threat to person or property, or taunting against a player, spectator, referee or official either before, during or after a match either on or in the vicinity of the playing fields or parking areas, including adjacent streets, will be suspended from region fields for a period of 12 months and their certifications would likely be revoked. The offending adult may also be required to appear before a disciplinary committee appointed by the regional commissioner for further discipline.

Note:  any adult will be considered trespassing if on region fields during region activities (e.g. games and practices) while on suspension

For youth non-players

• any youth asked to leave the fields for any reason other than violent conduct will not be allowed on region fields during AYSO activities for the period of one week.
• any youth that commits an act of violence, including any inappropriate direct or indirect (e.g. thrown objects) physical contact or attempt to, threat to person or property, or taunting against a player, spectator, referee or official either before, during or after a match either on or in the vicinity of the playing fields or parking areas, including adjacent streets, will be suspended from region fields for a period of 6 months. If they are volunteers their certifications would likely be revoked. The offending youth and legal guardian may also be required to appear before a disciplinary committee appointed by the regional commissioner for further discipline. 

Note:  Any suspended youth or adult will be considered trespassing if on region fields during region activities (e.g. games and practices) while on suspension