TRI- County Soccer League By-Laws

I.	General

A.	Purpose

The Tri-County Soccer League (TCSL) is a non-profit organization whose interest is to foster, promote, and advance the cause of soccer.  The objective of Tri-County Soccer League is a sincere effort to promote good sportsmanship, respect for rules, and discipline among the players.

B.	Membership 

Teams participating in the TCSL program will represent organizations which meet approval of the board. An organization, when accepted as a member, will appoint two or three league representatives as board members to attend meetings and to vote on decisions made at the meetings. 

Any organization missing three consecutive meetings could suffer a loss of membership. This is subject to a decision by the board.

C.	Officers and Duties

Officers will consist of a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. These positions are elected by the board.

1.	The president shall be the chief executive office of the association and will preside at all meetings, shall see that all resolutions of the board are carried out, and shall assume general and active management of the organization. When applicable, the president, without prior board approval, may act in the best interest of the league.
2.	The vice-president shall perform all functions of the president in the absence of the president, maintain all official team rosters, and actively assist the president whenever requested to do so.
3.	The secretary shall keep active records of meetings, business transactions, memberships, and attendance, and shall report the business of previous meetings when requested to do so. It is the responsibility of the secretary to see that the minutes are complete when passed on to their successor.
4.	The treasurer shall develop an annual operating budget for the league, collect and record all dues and funds, pay all bills, and report the financial status of the organization at each regular meeting.

D.	Committees

The president shall appointment all committee chairmen. Committee chairmen shall select the members of their committee, call meetings, and supervise the operations of the committee. 

1.	A standing committee will be appointed for the purpose of training referees, receiving protests, investigating laws of soccer, and presenting a written proposal to the board to resolve a protest. 
2.	A standing committee will be appointed for the purpose of defining the make-up of the leagues and divisions, establishing the TCSL playing schedule, and rescheduling games as necessary.
3.	A standing committee will be appointed for the purpose of managing the trophy order and distribution.

E.	Finances

For each team entered in the program, the sponsoring organization will be charged an entry fee. The amount and due date to be set by the board each season, after a review of the proposed budget. The league may assess a fee against an organization to cover a shortage of game slots provided by the organization. By majority vote, the TCSL can assess members to cover any deficit incurred by the TCSL and any surplus realized will be retained in the treasury. Any outstanding amount due at the end of the season will be added to the organization’s fees the following year.  If there is any amount due to TCSL from the previous season not paid at the team placement meeting for the current season, a 25% penalty will be assessed. If not paid, the organization will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming season.

F.	Meetings

The president shall call meetings when deemed necessary. Non-TCSL representatives may address the board only if sponsored by the majority of the league representatives from their organization. 

The president of the TCSL shall have emergency powers on matters deeming immediate attention where it is not possible to call an executive committee meeting. His/her actions must be supported by two or more TCSL officers and must be reviewed as soon as possible in an executive committee meeting.

G.	Voting

No member organization shall have more than two voting representatives. Each board member has one vote. Any matter brought before the meeting will be decided by majority vote of the quorum, excluding the president. A quorum shall be defined as at least one-half of the member organizations eligible to vote. In the case of a tie vote, the president shall cast the deciding ballot. No member organization may vote on matters in which it is directly involved. In the event a representative is unable to attend a meeting, he/she is allowed to cast their vote in writing/text or grant proxy to another board member by notifying the president or vice president at least 24 hours prior to said board meeting.

H.	Amendments of By-laws, Operational Procedures or Playing Rules

An amendment to the by-laws, operational procedures, or playing rules can be made only at a board meeting. A majority vote of the quorum shall be required, as defined in Article G above. Any amendment of by-laws or operational procedures will take effect upon approval by the board following a vote. The amendment will remain in effect for a minimum of one year. However, no changes may be made to the by-laws or operational procedures once games have begun and the playing season is underway.

I.	Required Coach Information

All coaches in the Tri-County Soccer League are required to receive a copy of the TCSL by-laws. It is the responsibility of each member organization to distribute the by-laws in conjunction with the schedule each year. The by-laws will also be posted to the website.

All coaches and bench personnel must have a completed background check before the start of practices.  It is the responsibility of each member organization to enforce all background checks for their coaches and bench personnel. 

II.	Operational Procedures

A.	Team Registration

A league representative from each organization must complete a roster containing all required information for each team to be entered and submitted to the vice-president via email prior to the August board meeting. At that time the rosters will be received and stamped electronically by the vice-president. The vice-president will return the stamped rosters to the league representative via email. If any additions, deletions, or corrections need to be made thereafter, a revised roster must be emailed or mailed to the vice-president. No changes will be made over the phone. Rosters must be received by Wednesday in order for an added player to participate in that upcoming weekend’s game(s). The revised roster will be electronically stamped as the current official roster and will be emailed to the league representative. No roster changes may be made after the 2nd week of games have been played for the current season. After the initial filing of rosters for a season, any change to a roster that involved a player moving from one team to another team must be approved by the president.

Every organization will be required to submit to the treasurer the prescribed, non-refundable entry fee for all teams within their organization. That fee will be based on the information submitted on the team placement form. The board will discuss a due date for this fee at the beginning of each year. Any changes forwarded to the chairman of the scheduling committee prior to August 1 causing a reduction in the number of teams filed by an organization will result in a refund of the appropriate fee. Any organization not submitting teams will automatically be withdrawn from the league.

No player may participate in a league game prior to being on an electronically stamped TCSL roster.

The president may designate teams at random for roster checks to be conducted by the league.

No player may be on more than one TCSL roster in the same age division.

There shall not be any male players on a female team. Female players are allowed to play on male teams. Female and male is defined by what God created them to be. 

At its discretion, the executive committee may forfeit any game or games in which a team used players not officially registered in accordance with the by-laws, or for any other just reason they may deem necessary to carry out the spirit of the organization.

For player(s) playing down without prior board approval or ineligible player(s) on the roster, will be forfeiture of all games from the point of discovery to the beginning of that team’s season. The offending organization will be put on one year probation, subject to board approval.

B.	Team Classification, Placement and Scheduling Guidelines

1.	Organization Designation:

Organization:	Code:
Pacific	P
St. Clair	SC
Union	U
Gerald	G
Sullivan	S

2.	Grade and Division Classification:

Grade	Boys Division Code	Girls Division Code
1	B1	G1
2	B2	G2
3	B3	G3
4	B4	G4
5	B5	G5
6	B6	G6
7	B7	G7
8	B8	G8
9-12	B9	G9

3.	Placement of Teams

Team placement forms are due upon or before the closing of the team placement meeting. Any organization failing to submit their form on time will be given seven days to submit their form along with a $250.00 penalty. Any organization not submitting their form by the due date or with the seven-day grace period will not be scheduled for the season.

When preparing the team placement form, each organization is allowed to declare one day when the organization is unable to play games. 

4.	Scheduling Committee Guidelines

The scheduling committee will consist of the chairperson and at least one assistant. The committee, along with board representatives, will place all teams into an appropriate league based on the request of the submitting organization and the previous season’s record. The scheduling committee chairperson will schedule or re-schedule league games. Originally scheduled games will only be rescheduled for rainouts, with seven days’ notice, or per the league president’s permission. When necessary, the chairperson of the committee can act for the whole committee.

The league will have an independent contractual agreement for the purpose of administering schedules. The agreement will include the duties of providing placement of team forms, collection of forms, and the actual scheduling of original and make-up games. The scheduler will be paid $25/team registered.

Any team/organization requesting a game change/reschedule will be required to pay a rescheduling fee of $50. The fee will be paid to the scheduler. 

C.	Field Representative, Rainout Procedure, Rescheduling and Forfeiture

1.	Field Representative 

It is the duty of the field representative and/or the head referee to make the decision prior to the start of the games if games will be played due to field conditions.

2.	Rainout Procedure 

It is the responsibility of the league to notify coaches in the case of a rainout.
Games played on a closed field will result in a double forfeit, and the coaches of the teams involved are automatically suspended for the season, subject to board approval.

3.	Rescheduling  

All rainout games are rescheduled by the league via website updates. It is the responsibility of the coach to check the website frequently for updates to their schedule. When practical, a game canceled for any reason will be rescheduled for the same field as the original game. When possible, games to be rescheduled will be rescheduled for the following week. Notification of a rescheduled game will not be made before 6pm of the day following the cancellation. This is done to allow an organization time to notify the scheduling committee of possible conflicts before the rescheduled game is given to the league representatives. Possible conflicts do not include playing on another soccer team or not playing due to religious beliefs. It is the responsibility of the organization’s league representative to inform their coach of the time and location of a make-up game. If a team fails to appear for a make-up game, it will suffer a forfeit. If both teams fail to appear, it will be a double forfeit.

4.	Declaration of a Forfeit

To declare a forfeit, the forfeiting team notifies their league representative of the forfeit. The league representative will then notify one of the officers of the board. The officer of the board will notify the league representative of the opponent’s organization that their team does not have to show up to win the game by forfeit. The officer of the board will also notify the chairman of the scheduling committee of the forfeiture.

D.	Division Standing Determination and Trophy Awards

The winner of a division is determined by the total points of all played games: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. 

In the case of a tie, the tiebreaker will be determined in the following order:
1.	Head-to-head
2.	Goals against
3.	Goals for
4.	Goal differential 
5.	Shut outs
6.	Coin flip

Trophies will be awarded to teams in the 1st grade – high school divisions.

The league will not award trophies to any teams on probation.

E.	Length of Season

The soccer season shall officially begin on the weekend prior to Labor Day and end prior to November 15th. The weekends in November will only be utilized for rainouts.

F.	Referees Committee

A representative of each field will pay the referees at the designated rate.

Referees will be paid double for refereeing the game alone.

Each town will provide a referee jersey and whistle. Black socks and black shorts or pants must be worn. 

Each organization is required to provide one TCSL trained referee for each game slot provided on a given day. 

Satisfactory referees will be given preference in following years.

The home team will provide an acceptable, appropriately sized ball to the referee prior to the start of the game for use as a game ball.

The head referees and their committee have the power to stop a game if they deem the continuation of the game might result in the injury of players, fans, or the referees. The board will decide the results of a game stopped in this manner.

G.	Tri-County Soccer League Roster Requirements

Organizations must submit rosters containing the following information at a minimum:
1.	Organization Name
2.	Team Code
3.	Player’s Name
4.	Player’s Date of Birth
5.	Player’s Grade in School
6.	Total Number of Players on the Roster
7.	Name & phone number of each coach

H.	Penalties for Disciplinary Action

The following points and resultant accumulations will be reported to the vice president of the league via the game card. The vice president will make notification of penalty limits to the representative of the member organization as soon as possible.

Assessment of points for the following:

Offense	Coaches	Players
Caution (yellow card)	3	1.5
Send off (red card)	6	3
Fighting	15	6
Hitting	15	6
Procedural violation	6	3

Penalties for accumulated points for individuals:
Number of Points	Penalty
5-10	One game suspension
10-12	Two game suspension
12-15	Season suspension
15 or more	Season suspension (player)
Lifetime suspension (coach)

Any team with thirty or more player points per season is forfeited.

The above penalties will be considered minimum penalties, and the board of directors may impose any penalty it deems necessary to maintain the integrity of the game. Points accumulated are for a single season. However, penalties will apply to subsequent seasons when appropriate.

A suspended player or coach may not be within 300 meters of the playing field during their suspension period.

Penalties given after the end of a game will apply to the next game. Points assessed for penalties committed before, during, or after a game will apply at the next game.

Any coach who refuses to sign the referee’s score card after a game is awarded a procedural violation.

Any coach, player, parent, or spectator refusing to immediately give his/her name when requested by the referee is awarded a procedural violation.

Any coach or spectator striking or physically abusing a player or referee is immediately assessed 15 points and shall subject their team to forfeit the entire season, subject to board approval.

Any player who hits, strikes, or physically assaults another player or any other person shall be guilty of a serious foul play or violent conduct, the punishment for which is a send-off or dismissal.

Any team that forfeits 3 games shall forfeit their entire season.

Any team found using an ineligible player will forfeit all games from that game back to the beginning of the season, or the last roster check, whichever was last. The coach of said team will be suspended for the rest of the season and for the following season, subject board approval.

The penalties for any team found using a non-rostered player during a season are:
1.	First occurrence: $250 fine.
2.	Second occurrence: $500 fine. If the organization is currently on probation, the organization will continue their probation until the end of the season of the following year.
3.	Third occurrence: $750 fine. The organization is put on probation until the end of the season of the following year.
4.	If applicable, subject to board approval, players in such instances will be added to the roster.
5.	Penalties that cannot be completed in the current season will carry over to the following season.

I.	Protest Procedures

Training league games may only be protested for player eligibility. Non-training league games may be protested for the following reasons: 

1.	Misapplication of TCSL playing rules

At half or upon completion of the game prior to signing the game card, the head coach may advise the referee that the game is being played under protest based on the coach’s opinion that a TCSL playing rule has not been properly applied by the referee. The referee will notify the opposing coach of the protest.

2.	Player eligibility

The head coach may protest a game for reasons of player eligibility under either of the following two circumstances:

a.	Ineligible player on the roster

The head coach may protest a game based on their opinion that the opponent’s roster contains an ineligible player by providing a written notice of protest to their league representative prior to the last league meeting of the season.

b.	Participation by a non-rostered player

The head coach may protest a game based on their opinion that the opponent is utilizing a non-rostered player, or a player who is on more than one TCSL roster, by notifying the referee. The notification should be made prior to half time of the game in progress.  At the first stoppage of play, the referee will stop the clock, ask the coach to sign the back of the score card indicating a roster check protest, and notify the opposing coach that a roster check will be taken at half time.

At the conclusion of the first half of play, the coach requesting the roster check will present the referee with a copy of an electronically stamped TCSL roster (inability to provide a roster will result in the protest being denied). The copy of the roster will not be returned. The referee will then inform the players of the protesting team to proceed to the goal they defended during the half.

The referee will then ask the coach of the non-protesting team for a copy of their roster (if a copy of their roster is not available, the back of the protesting team’s roster will be used for the roster check), and inform the players of the non-protesting team to proceed to the goal they defended during the half.

The referee(s) will question each player’s name and date of birth using the Team Sideline Game Day roster. Any discrepancies will be noted on the roster. If only one referee is present, the team requesting the roster check will be checked last, and the other team will be checked first. The rosters and the game card will be turned in to the field representative. The field representative will immediately notify the head referee. Play will resume immediately thereafter. No further time will be taken for half.

The same procedures will apply to games protested during the second half. However, because of the confusion that normally follows the end of a game, and the delay that would be caused in the start of the next game, the TCSL strongly recommends that all such protests be made during the first half of play.

With the exception of protests noted above, protests must be indicated on the score card immediately after the game, and prior to when the protesting coach signs the score card.

The protesting coach is to advise one of their league representatives verbally within 48 hours of the game and provide one of their league representatives with a written notice of protest via email within 72 hours of the game.

Written reports are to be received from the representative(s) before the following weekend of games.

The head referee will notify the organization against which the protest is lodged within 48 hours after receiving the written report.

The board will decide the outcome of the protest.

J.	Referees

The following individuals must complete the TCSL referee training class and successfully complete the current TCSL referee test in order to be eligible to referee TCSL games:

1.	Those individuals who have never refereed in TCSL.
2.	Those individuals who refereed TCSL training league games (1st and 2nd grade) and are now eligible by virtue of age, grade, and/or experience to referee TCSL games in grades 3+ during the current season.

The following individuals must successfully complete the current TCSL referee test:

1.	Those individuals who have successfully completed a prior TCSL training class and test will continue to referee TCSL training league games (1st and 2nd grade) during the current season.
2.	Those individuals who have successfully completed a prior TCSL training class and referee test, have not taken the test in three years, and will continue to referee TCSL games during the current season.

Those individuals who have never refereed in TCSL before but who hold a current USSF referee license are exempt from taking the current referee test. A copy of the individual’s current USSF referee license must be emailed to the head referee from the member organization’s league representative.

Individuals who do not successfully complete the TCSL referee training class and/or the referee test are ineligible to referee TCSL league games during the current season.

Only those individuals who have successfully complied with these operational procedures can be regularly scheduled to referee TCSL games during the current season. TCSL organization(s) that do not comply with these operational procedures will be subject to such disciplinary action as the TCSL board deems appropriate.

If a TCSL member organization has an insufficient number of referees available to referee scheduled TCSL games assigned to the organization’s field(s), the following will apply:

1.	The scheduling committee may move those scheduled games to another member organization(s) field(s) that have a sufficient number of referees available or
2.	The member organization will pay a $5.00 travel fee per game to each referee who must travel to that member organization’s field(s) to referee scheduled TCSL game(s).

An exception to the above procedures can occur if organizations have a prior agreement between themselves, where one organization has regularly scheduled their referees at another organization’s field(s). If such agreements are continued during the current TCSL season, the $5.00 travel fee will not be imposed, but the organizations involved must notify the TCSL board prior to the start of the current season.

III.	Rules of Conduct

To assist the referees in maintaining control of the game and to ensure the proper environment for the TCSL games, the following rules will be enforced:

Parents should be on the same side as their team and the opposite of the opposing team/parents, with the exception of Union.

Spectators will be required to remain a minimum of 5 yards away from the touchlines. 

Unruly spectators will receive a warning from the referee. Any additional misconduct will result in a red card, and the spectator will be asked to leave.

Referees will be instructed to seek the coach’s help, when necessary, to maintain control of the game. If the referee determines that control of the game cannot be maintained, the game will be suspended. The TCSL board will determine the disposition of the game and will enforce any appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary action for irresponsible conduct will range from suspension for one game to permanent disbarment for a player, a team, a coach, a spectator, or an organization.

Responsibilities of all coaches:
1.	Every player will play a minimum of half the game, with exceptions for health or discipline. 
2.	Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators before, during, and after the game. This responsibility includes adherence to the spectator area and the coach’s box area. Coaches are required to make every effort to have their team and spectators conduct themselves in a respectful manner. A coach’s box, twenty yards in length and located one yard off the touchline, will be marked at mid-field. Only coaches and team members will be allowed in the coach’s box. Coaches must remain in this area. 
3.	Coaches are reminded that many TCSL referees are young and can sometimes be easily intimidated by adults. Therefore, harassment of referees by spectators and coaches is not allowed. In case of excessive spectator harassment, referees are instructed to stop the game and request coaches of both teams to quiet spectator(s). A coach’s refusal or inability to control their team’s spectators will result in shutdown of the game.
4.	Once the game has commenced, a coach may only enter the field of play to administer to an injured player, when requested or authorized by the referee. A coach may only talk to the referees to question a call or conduct of the game at normal breaks in playing time, half-time or the end of the game. Any coach who violates the above will receive an automatic red card and be ejected from the game. The referee should issue a caution for illegal field entry and a second caution (red card) for continued misconduct.

IV.	TCSL Division Rules

TCSL follows FIFA rules with the following exceptions:

Law 1 – The Field of Play
•	Video replay or Video Assistant Referee will not be used by TCSL.

Law 2 – The Ball
•	No exceptions

Law 3 – The Players
•	Substitutions can be made on any out of bounds possession. Teams may substitute any number of players if standing at the midfield line. No substitutions will be given from the bench.  Teams may substitute at the start of halves and after a goal has been scored.  It is up to the referee to allow substitutions. 

Law 4 – Equipment
•	Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, hard headbands, hard hair clips, or any other form of jewelry is not allowed and must be removed.
•	Players must wear shin guards under their socks. Metal or toe cleats are not allowed. 
•	A soft cast can be worn. A hard cast can be worn if wrapped.
•	If the uniform colors for a game are identical, the visiting team on the scorecard is required to wear pennies, of such color that does not conflict with the home team. 

Laws 5 & 6 – The Referee and Match Officials
•	The site official or head referee may step into any game at any time to assist game officials.
•	TCSL may use a two man or a three man referee system. 

Law 7 – Duration of the Match
•	Running clocks are used for all divisions, with the exception of serious injury or interference with the game.
•	The table below shows age-appropriate match requirements:

Division	Roster Max	Number of Players	Minimum Players	Field Size	Goal Size	Play Time 	Ball Size
1st Grade	16	7v7	None	90’ x 165’	6’6” x 12’	4 x 10 min	4
2nd Grade	16	7v7	None	90’ x 165’	6’6” x 12’	4 x 10 min	4
3rd Grade	18	9v9	5	150’ x 240’	7’ x 21’	2 x 25 min	4
4th Grade	18	9v9	5	150’ x 240’	7’ x 21’	2 x 25 min	4
5th Grade	22	11v11	9	165’-180’x300-330’	8’ x 24’	2 x 30 min	5
6th Grade	22	11v11	9	165’-180’x300-330’	8’ x 24’	2 x 30 min	5
7th-8thGrade	22	11v11	9	165’-180’x300-330’	8’ x 24’	2 x 30 min	5
High School	22	11v11	9	165’-180’x300-330’	8’ x 24’	2 x 30 min	5

•	In the case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, the match will be considered complete if half the game is completed. If the match is abandoned before halftime, the losing team has the option to concede. If the game is tied and halftime has not been reached, both teams must agree for the game to be considered complete. If there is not a consensus between the coaches of both teams, the match will resume where it was left off on a rescheduled date.

Law 8 – Start and Stop of Play
•	No exceptions

Law 9 – The Ball in and Out of Play
•	No exceptions

Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match
•	No exceptions

Law 11 – Offside
•	No exceptions

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
•	No exceptions

Law 13 – Free Kicks
•	No exceptions

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
•	No exceptions

Law 15 – The Throw-in
•	No exceptions

Law 16 – The Goal Kick
•	No exceptions

Law 17 – The Corner Kick
•	No exceptions

Training League (1st – 2nd Grade) Division Rules and Exceptions

1.	One coach is allowed on the field. Two coaches are allowed on the bench and must remain in the coach’s box. An interference foul will be called if the field coach touches the ball or impedes the process of an opposing player.  Coaches may not physically move players on the field. The result will be a direct free kick from the spot of the interference. At the second offense, the coach must stay on the bench for the duration of the game. It is recommended coaches stay out of the penalty area. 
2.	Only excessive offsides will be called.  This is up to the discretion of the referee. 
3.	Players are allowed 2 attempts for a proper throw-in. If the second attempt is failed, possession turns over to the opposing team for a throw-in.
4.	Coaches can decide not to switch sides at halftime.  Sides will not be switched at quarter.
5.	Intentional offsides will be called.  The result will be an indirect free kick for the other team.
6.	Penalty kicks are taken 9 yards (27’) from the goal line. Only the kicker and goalkeeper are allowed in the penalty area. The goalie must be set before the kick to take place. 
7.	Only obvious handballs will be called. If the player protects themselves from immediate harm, no handball will be called. This is the ref’s discretion.
8.	A goal cannot be scored from kickoff.  A goal scored on a kickoff is deemed a non-goal and the ball is turned over to the other team as a kickoff.
9.	Players are not allowed to slide tackle.  They are encouraged to stay on their feet at all times.