Soccer Rules and Bylaws

Appendix 1: CYO SOCCER BYLAWS 2022

Forms:

  • Registration, health, code of conduct forms, and other related materials are available online at www.dorcyo.org
  • All forms must be filled out for all players participating in the soccer program. These forms should be collected by the Athletic Director and copied and distributed to the Coach prior to the first game. One set should be held at the Parish/School office and the other set with the Coach.

Leagues:

  • The CYO Soccer season includes a minimum of five weeks of league play.
  • The CYO Soccer program is divided into the following leagues:
    • 3rd/4th grade co-ed
    • 5th/6th grade boys & girls and co-ed teams will be placed in a Boy’s division.

Player Eligibility:

  • It is the duty of each participating parish to abide by the eligibility rules set forth by the Diocese of Rochester.
  • Any player who, during the current Soccer season, has played or is playing on any public or private school team is ineligible to play CYO Soccer. Boys or Girls playing Modified Soccer are also ineligible.
  • 3rd/4th grade: any player who is 11 years of age on or before July 1st of the current year is eligible.
  • 5th/6th grade: any player who is 13 years of age on or before July 1st of the current year is eligible.
  • Verification of birthdate for all players AT ALL LEVELS is required. Coaches may verify birthdates at the player’s school office or by securing a copy of a birth or baptismal certificate. Individuals are not permitted to change parish or organizational registration for the sole purpose of “electing” to play for a team of their choosing. This rule will be strictly enforced by the CYO Athletic Program.

Team Composition:

  • Rosters are to be filled on a first-come, first-served policy with 66% being the Catholic youth in the parish/school. After that, 34% of the roster can comprise of non-Catholic youth from within the community boundaries. If a parish or school has more than one team, skill levels of each team should be even since there is only one level of play in the league.
  • In order for a team to play, rosters must be submitted by the Athletic Director by September 14, 2023, to or mailed to: Diocese of Rochester Matt Carroll Diocesan Coordinator of Sports 1150 Buffalo Road Rochester, NY 14624
  • Team rosters may have a minimum of 8 players. Players may not be added unless, during the playing season, a member of a team is dropped from the team due to injury or for disciplinary reasons. Written approval from the Diocesan Coordinator of Sports & Scouting must be secured before a replacement may play.
  • Teams are 11 vs. 11; fields should be normal size and smaller for younger ages. 8 vs 8 is acceptable Large Fields both levels should be playing 11 vs. 11. If teams are low on numbers- adjust accordingly with coaches’ pre-game.

Rules Governing Play:

  • The Federation Internationale de Football Association Rules will be the official rules except where inconsistent with CYO rules. FIFA Rules 2022-23
  • Teams will play 25-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime break.

Playing Time:

  • 3rd/4th grade players should be played as close to equal time as possible for all players.
  • 5th/6th grade players must play a minimum of five (5) consecutive minutes upon entering the game in each half of the game and must sit out four (4) consecutive minutes in each half.
  • Coaches have the discretion to remove a player if he/she is physically unable to play.
  • It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the field is ready for play. This shall include, but not be limited to, line preparation and having corner posts or cones.
  • Teams must be ready to play at the scheduled time of their game, or they will forfeit that game.
  • No slide-tackling at any time in CYO games.
  • CYO Substitution Rule: you can sub on your own throw-in, any goal kick, and after any goal. You can also sub one player if the opposing team replaced a player due to injury. You cannot sub on a corner kick (yours or opposition).
  • Sportsmanship on team’s bench is a major issue and Coaches need to control players, themselves, and the fans. Absolutely no harassment allowed by opposing team. No taunting – use of words or acts to incite or degrade an opposing player, coach, referee or individual. Head Coach and captains may be present with referee prior to the game so there isn’t any misunderstanding from the Coach. The referees will enforce rules for use of bad language.
  • NO Jewelry may be worn during the game, not even covered with tape.

EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS:

  • All teams are responsible for providing their own timeclock, soccer balls (Size 4 – 3rd/4th and 5th/6th), horn or whistle, adult timer, scorebook, and adult scorekeeper.
  • Team practice balls must be kept aside until team is ready to practice on the field.
  • The sponsoring parish or organization is responsible for damage of equipment at the game sites caused by its players or spectators.
  • Home teams are responsible for alternate tops in the event of a color clash.
  • The 3rd/4th grade team uniforms can be either t-shirts and shorts, or uniforms if you so desire. If using t-shirts, try and match the shorts as best as possible. Shin guards are needed but cleats are not required.
  • Shin guards must be inside the socks and 2 inches above the ankle. Any metal braces MUST be covered with a manufactured sleeve that fits over the brace. If this is not done, the player will not be allowed to play. An ace bandage is NOT a covering made by a brace manufacturer and therefore does not fit the description as a legal covering.

PROTESTS:

  • Teams may only protest eligibility and interpretation of rules. “Judgment Calls” cannot be a reason for protest.
  • All protests must carry the signature of the parish Pastor or organization Program/Athletic Director and must be submitted in writing to the Diocesan Coordinator of Sports & Scouting as follows:
    • Game protests must be initiated at the time of the infraction by notifying the referee, who will mark both scorebooks.
    • Game protests must be received at the Pastoral Office within two business days of the game being protested.
    • No eligibility protests may be submitted after three weeks of play.
  • The protest letter must contain as much proof as possible pertaining to the alleged infraction of the rules. Score sheets, newspaper clippings or any other pertinent information to clarify the protest should be included.
  • A money order of $40.00 must accompany every protest. The bond will be returned only if the protest is sustained.
  • All protests will be reviewed and ruled upon by the Diocesan Coordinator of Sports & Scouting and the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.

PENALTIES AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS:

  • It is expected that all coaches and players in the CYO Soccer program will adhere to CYO regulations and will be guided by both the letter, and more importantly the spirit of these rules.
  • In all cases of complaints about coaches or teams, the Coach will be notified by the Diocesan Coordinator of Sports & Scouting and invited to respond.
  • Conduct contrary to the purpose and regulations of CYO Soccer will incur disciplinary action as follows:
    • The player will be dropped, and/or
    • All games in which he/she played being forfeited, and/or
    • The team may be barred from any CYO-sponsored tournaments, and/or
    • The team may be refused entry to the next year’s program, and/or
    • The Coach may be placed on probation for the remainder of the current year and the next year.
    • The Coach may be asked to step down, and relieved from his coaching duties.
  • A player shall be disqualified (yellow or red card) for any delayed, excessive or prolonged acts by which a player attempts to focus upon himself/herself or prohibits a timely restart. A player, coach or bench personnel shall be disqualified (red card) for:
    1. Exhibiting violent conduct,
    2. Taunting – use of words or acts to incite or degrade an opposing player, coach, referee or other individual.
  • If a player receives a Yellow Card, he/she is to be immediately removed from the game for the balance of the half, and if a player or coach receives a RED card and is ejected from the game, that player or coach will sit out the next scheduled CYO game. If a player or coach is ejected from a second game, he/she will no longer be allowed to participate in CYO-scheduled games for the remainder of the year and the coach may be placed on probation or dropped from the league, players may be dropped from the league, games may be forfeited, and teams may be barred from tournament.

Tournament Participation:

  • Teams must meet eligibility and conduct criteria to participate in CYO-sponsored tournaments.
  • Tournament rules and schedules communicated separately; adherence to all CYO guidelines mandatory.

Referee Responsibilities:

  • Referees enforce CYO and FIFA rules.
  • Communication with coaches regarding infractions and conduct.
  • Report serious misconduct to the Diocesan Coordinator of Sports & Scouting for further action.

Parental and Spectator Conduct:

  • Parents and spectators expected to uphold sportsmanship values.
  • No harassment or negative comments towards players, coaches, referees, or other spectators.
  • Parents responsible for the conduct of their children.

Amendments:

  • These bylaws may be amended annually. Amendments require approval from the Diocesan Coordinator of Sports & Scouting.

End of Appendix 1