Kansas City Futbol League Rules  


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 November 22, 2017

KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

 1.01  Name of the league

1.02  Mission

1.03  Management of the league

1.04  Affiliation

1.05  Contact information and communication

1.06  League Office

1.07  League Website

1.08  Matters Not provided for

SECTION II: TEAM APPLICATION & ADMISSION

2.01 Team and Coach eligibility

2.02 Registering players & teams with US Soccer

2.02 League Structure

2.03 Good Standing

2.04 Application deadlines

2.05 Application Process

2.06 Acceptance & Placement of teams

2.07 Seeding meetings

2.08 Acceptance of the Champions League Rules

2.09 League Fees

2.10 Returned checks

SECTION III: TEAM ROSTER & FORMATS

3.01 Team roster

3.02 Roster Size

3.03 Player eligibility

3.04 Guest players, Multiple roster players & Club passes

3.05 Player & coaches passes

3.06 Age Divisions

3.07 Playing on multiple teams

3.08 Player transfers

3.09 Formats

3.10 Promotion/Relegation

SECTION IV: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

4.01 Reporting of scores

4.02 Gameday line up cards

4.03 Weather Hotline

4.04 Schedule requests

4.05 Rescheduling Policy

4.06 Forfeits

4.07 Rain-outs and forfeited games

SECTION V: Rules of Play

5.01 The Ball

5.02 Player Equipment

5.03 Duration of the Game

5.04 Substitution

5.05 Point system

5.06 Tie-breakers

5.07 Delay of kick off

5.08 Players and Spectators

5.09 Heading Restrictions at U11

SECTION VI: Rules of play for 7v7

6.01 Field dimensions

6.02 Fouls

6.03 Punts and Build Out Line

SECTION VI: DISCIPLINE & CODE OF CONDUCT

7.01 Responsible parties

7.02 Profanity

7.03 Compensation

7.04 Smoking & Alcohol

7.05 Referee authority

7.06 Park rules

7.07 Red Cards & Suspensions

SECTION VII: PROTESTS

8.01 Definition

8.02 Who can file a protest?

8.03 Filing Procedure

KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION

1.01 Name of the League

The league shall be named Kansas City Futbol League (KCFL).

1.02 Mission

To ensure the best possible competitive play between the equally matched teams to aid in the development of the Kansas City area premier soccer teams.

1.03 Management of the League

The League shall be managed and supervised by the staff of Kansas City Futbol League .

1.04 Affiliation

The Kansas City Futbol League is affiliated with the Member clubs of Kansas City Futbol League, a member of the Missouri Youth Soccer Association

1.05 Contact Information and Communication

All members of the Kansas City Futbol League shall have contact information on file with the Kansas City Futbol League. Contact information must include team administration and coach information. The information must include valid e-mail addresses for each party.

1.06 League office

The league office is located at 6124 Blue Ridge Blvd., Suite 117, Raytown, Missouri 64133

Phone # 816-313-7721

1.07 League Website

The league website can be found at www.kcfl.us 

1.08 Matters Not provided for

The KCFL staff and board shall have the final authority in all matters not specifically provided for by these rules and policies.

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE SECTION

II: TEAM APPLICATION & ADMISSION

2.01 Team and Coach eligibility

All competitive carded teams affiliated with US Youth Soccer are eligible to apply for registration into the Kansas City Futbol League through their State Association. All player and team registrations shall be in accordance with the current US Soccer and MYSA  regulations unless otherwise specified.

Spring season of 2018 the KCFL will accept teams that are carded through USSSA, but to ensure consistency within the league, we require the coach of the USSSA team to be carded through MYSA as well.  This rule guarantees that all coaches have participated in the same background check and concussion awareness training.  

 **Beginning Fall season of 2018, all teams participating in the KC Futbol League will only accept teams carded through MYSA** 

KCFL reserves the right to refuse admittance or acceptance into any KCFL hosted event.

All coaches and trainers must have a minimum of a Missouri Youth Coaching Certificate to coach teams in the Kansas City Futbol League or the equivalent by their own State Association as required. All coaches, managers and any other individuals that will interact with youth participants must pass a background check administered by their USYS State Association prior to being eligible to coach in the Kansas City Futbol League.

2.02 Registering Players and teams with USSF/USYS

Each club or team is responsible for registering their team with their USYS State Association and for obtaining a State Approved Roster and Player Identification Cards. 

The Kansas City Futbol League will offer competition for Boys and Girls teams from U7s through U15s.

2.03 Good Standing

Each participating team must be in “good standing” with the league and with US Soccer.

2.04 Application deadlines

All applications to participate in the Kansas City Futbol League must be received along with full payment on or before the registration deadlines established by the Kansas City Futbol League and the Kansas City Futbol League member clubs.

2.05 Application Process

All teams must register directly by submitting an online registration form on the Kansas City Futbol League website.

2.06 Acceptance & Placement of teams

Decisions concerning a team’s admittance into the Kansas City Futbol League will be as objective as possible. The decision will be based on facts such as previous league records, state cup records, and tournament records. If all else is equal then a subjective point of view will be considered.

2.07 Seeding Procedure

The Kansas City Futbol League Seeding Committee will pre-seed all teams and provide up to 1 week for coaches challenges to the seeding presented. Once the final seeding is posted, there will be no changes.

2.08 Acceptance of the Kansas City Futbol League Rules

All teams applying to participate in the Kansas City Futbol League agrees to accept and abide by the Kansas City Futbol League rules and policies and any decisions made by the league administrators. Lack of knowledge of these Kansas City Futbol League rules will not relieve any coach, team official, parent or player of a team participating in the league or seeking entry into the league, from the responsibilities and possible penalties herein. All clubs, team officials, parents, and players by participating in the Kansas City Futbol League agree that they are bound by these rules.

2.09 League fees

All league fees will be due by the announced due date for all divisions. If fees are not paid by the announced due date, the offending team/club may not be eligible to play in the league and may forfeit all games until all fees are paid in full, unless arrangements have been made and approved by the Kansas City Futbol League.

Once accepted the application fee is non-refundable.

Any team dropping out of the league will not be reimbursed for games missed nor will they be allowed back the following season.

2.10 Returned Checks

The Kansas City Futbol League shall charge a $100 service fee for all returned checks

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

SECTION III: TEAM ROSTER & FORMATS

3.01 Team roster

An official State roster must be sent to the league office prior to the team’s first game of  the season. Failure to provide the roster prior to the first game will result in an automatic forfeit of the matches until the roster has been completed, unless the delay was caused or has been excused by the League. Any time a roster is changed during the season a new State Roster must be submitted to the league office. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit.

  3.02 Roster Size & Line up sticker

The roster size is determined by the team’s home state. Each team must submit a Lineup sticker to the referee prior to each game. The League will adhere to the following maximum “game-day” roster limits:

        4v4 -    9 players

7v7 – 14 players

9v9 – 18 players

11v11 – 18 players

The purpose of this rule is to allow teams to have the ability to have the same amount of players on game days. (For example, Missouri Youth Soccer currently allows 18 players on their official State roster for U11s and U12s while Kansas only allows 14). Teams may not add players to their official State roster to make-up our maximum “game day” roster limits, but they will now have the option of adding “guest players”. In divisions (usually

U17-U19s) where State Associations allow more than 18 players to be rostered on a team, only 18 players may be dressed for a Kansas City Futbol League game.

3.03 Player eligibility

Eligibility of players shall be in accordance with US Soccer and MYSA regulations, unless otherwise specified and approved by the League.

3.04 Guest, Multiple roster players & Club Passes

A maximum of five guest players are allowed per team per game. Players may only play for one team within a sub division, i.e. they may not dual roster or guest play with another team in the same sub division. Guest players must be a participant within the same club they are guest playing for, and an appropriate level of skill to match the team they are guest playing for. 

Once a player has played a game for their primary roster team, they are not permitted to change their primary status and play for a lower division team within the league for that season. They are also not permitted to play for a second team within that division during that season.

Club pass rules for 11v11 teams will mirror the double roster/guest player rules. There will be no club pass rosters accepted by the league for 9v9 and below. The teams (11v11) using the club pass system must submit all rosters with the players being used on multiple teams, clearly marked as to which is their primary and secondary team. For all club pass teams, the team must carry a laminated, league-approved roster to coincide with their player pass cards to each game clearly indicating the name of each player designated to that team for KCFL league play. All guest player forms must be taken to the game and submitted to the referee. Failure to do so will result in the player being excluded from the game and possibly a forfeit.

3.05 Player & Coaches passes

Each player and coach must have a valid (laminated and signed by an official of their home state) US Youth Soccer player pass in order to participate in the League. The player & coaches passes must be brought to every game along with the line up sticker. The match officials will check the teams in prior to kick off. A team has until the end of the game to produce the player/coaches passes should they not have them available prior to the game. Teams not able to produce the passes at that time will forfeit the match.

3.06 Age Divisions

Age limitations shall be in accordance with US Soccer regulations except as modified by the Kansas City Futbol League. Proof-of-birth shall be provided upon request.

3.07 Playing on Multiple teams

Players may not play on more than one team (as a guest player or registered player) in the same sub-division. See rule 3.04 for more details on playing on multiple teams.

3.08 Player Transfers

Players registered to a team are bound to that team for the entire seasonal year unless he/she requests and is granted a transfer/release. All additions and deletions of registered players to the official State roster at any time during the year will be deemed as transfers. A team may add an unregistered player to their roster at any time. A transferred player will not be eligible to play on a team in their original division or a division lower for that season.

3.09 Formats

 U7-U8 teams will play 4v4 with 1 referee scheduled per game.

U9-U10 teams will play 7v7 with 3 referees scheduled per game. With a Build Out Line.

U11-12 teams will play 9v9 utilizing the 3 man referee system.

U13 and above teams will play 11v11 with a 3 man referee system.

3.10 Promotion/relegation

All promotions and relegations are done at the discretion of the seeding committee. There is no automatic promotion or relegation format.

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

SECTION IV: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

4.01 Reporting of scores

 Referees will submit the game cards with the match result. On completion of the game, the referee and ARs will verify the score and sign the game card. Coaches do need to sign the game card post game. Coaches may e-mail send a verification/change request for an “incorrect score” via email to [email protected] 

4.02 Line up sticker cards

 Both teams must complete a line up sticker form and provide it to the referee prior to each game. Line up sticker forms will be included in the coach’s packets. Guest players’ names will be added to lineup sticker in the highlighted fields at the bottom of the sticker. Before the game, guest players and the primary team they play with will be identified and presented to opposing coach, in the spirit of compatible play.   

4.03 Weather Hotline

Every reasonable effort will be made to play all games. However, in cases of inclement weather updates will be available on the Kansas City Futbol League website and by calling the hotline number 913-599-9959.  Use extension for Raytown Soccer Club for  information regarding KCFL games. 

 4.04 Schedule requests

 All scheduling requests must accompany the team registration. We will attempt to schedule around all requests provided on the registration form. Requests made after submitting the registration form are subject to our re-scheduling policies.

RESCHEDULE REQUESTS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN TEN DAYS PRIOR TO GAME TO BE FINALIZED NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY AT 8:00 AM PRIOR TO THE WEEKEND OF GAME PLAY.

4.05 Rescheduling Policy

1.  You must first contact the opposing team manager and/or coach.

2.    Both coaches will need to agree on an available re-schedule date that suit both teams . Do not send in online form until both teams agree on a date.

3.  Once you have agreed on a date , BOTH teams must fill out the on-line reschedule form and submit it.  BOTH teams must agree on a date before sending in the reschedule form.

4.    Upon receiving the re-schedule request, Kansas City Futbol League will confirm the request with both teams by e-mail, giving them the date, time and field

5.    The game will then be posted on our website with the new information

6.    If the opposition will not agree to the reschedule, the game will be played on the original date and location or it will be regarded as a forfeit

RE-SCHEDULE POLICY

1.    We have a flexible re-scheduling policy and will work with teams to the utmost of our abilities.

2.    A valid reason must be provided for a re-schedule. Re-scheduling games causes issues/concerns for both teams, managers and families. Abusing this system will create an adjustment to our flexible re-scheduling policy.

3.    Any changes that need to be made during the season must be received a minimum of

10  days prior to the original game date. Games will not be rescheduled if the request is received less than 10 days prior to the scheduled game date. No Exceptions!

4.    Note, requests may only be submitted by the team manager and coach. Both teams must submit the requests at least 10 days before the originally scheduled game.

4.06 Forfeits

Forfeits shall be recorded with a score of 3-0. In the case of a double forfeit, both teams will record a 0-3 loss to their records.

The minimum number of players that must be on the field to avoid forfeit are:-

        4 v 4                Minimum  of  3 players

     4.07 Rain-Outs and Forfeited games

All weather cancelled games will be rescheduled to the rain out weekend at the end of the season. Teams have the option to reschedule away from the rain out weekend if time permits. Should any team be unavailable to play on the rain out weekend and have not rescheduled the game, that team will forfeit said game. There is no option to request the rainout weekend as a conflict date.

Teams that cannot make a scheduled game must notify both the opponent and our office. Team contacts are located on the website. If contacting our office after hours, send an email to [email protected]     If a team fails to notify their opponent and they show up for the game, you will be charged a $50 no-show fee.

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

 SECTION V: RULES OF PLAY

5.01 The Ball

U8 and younger divisions will use a size 3 ball. U12 and younger divisions will use a size 4 ball. U13 and older divisions will use a size 5 ball. The home team (listed first in the schedule) shall provide the match ball.

5.02 Player Equipment

The jersey of all players, except for the goalkeeper must contain a visible number, unique from the other members of the same team. No jewelry may be worn. Hard casts must be covered and be deemed safe for opposing players by the match officials.

Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

In case of a color conflict, the home team (listed first in the schedule) shall change colors.

5.03 Duration of the Game

       Under 7 – 4 x10 minute quarters

Under 8 – 4 x 10 minute quarters

Under 9 and Under-10 – 2 x 25 minute halves

Under-11 and Under-12 – 2 x 30 minutes halve

Under - 13 and Under-14 – 2 x 35 minute halves

Under-15 and Under-16 – 2 x 40 minute halves

Under-17, 18 and 19 – 2 x 40 minute halves

All games are considered final if at least half the game is completed. If the game is stopped prior to halftime due to weather conditions, the complete game will be replayed.

5.04 Substitution

Except as noted, substitutions shall be “unlimited”. The team in possession may substitute at any time after any dead ball situation (corner kicks, free-kicks, throw-ins etc). However, teams not in possession of the ball can only substitute after these situations provided that the team in possession is also substituting. Free substituting is allowed for both teams after goals, goal kicks and at halftime.

The substitutes must be at the centerline ready to enter before the referee will allow the substitution to take place.

The referee has the authority not to allow the substitution if he/she believes that the procedure will stop the flow of the game or is being used as tactical time wasting ploy.

It is suggested (but not mandatory) that all substitutes in the U13 and above age groups wear a different color shirt or pinney when not on the field of play.

5.05 Point system

Each team will be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss

5.06 Tie-breakers

If at the conclusion of the league season a tiebreaker is needed the following criteria will be utilized:

A.    Head to head (not used if more than two teams are involved in the tie)

B.    Sudden death Penalty Kicks

C.    Goal difference (i.e. goals scored minus goals allowed)

D.   Most goals scored

E.     Most shut-outs

F.    Fewest goals allowed

5.07 Delay of kick off

If a game is delayed due to the tardiness of a team, players, coach or manager, a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes of “grace” time shall be awarded. After fifteen (15) minutes if the team is still not able to start the game, it shall be declared a forfeit. The grace period might be adapted if the team that is late has a valid reason. See rule 4.06 for minimum number of players necessary to start a game.

5.08 Players and Spectators

Players and coaches will set up on the opposite side of the field from all spectators.

5.09 Heading Restrictions at U11

Per US soccer recommendations there will be no deliberate heading at U11 and below.

When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue.

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

SECTION VI: 7v7 RULES

6.01 Field dimensions

          U7/U8 – no larger than 25 yards x 35 yards

            U9-U10 – no larger than 45 yards x 65 yards

            U11-U12 – no larger than 55 yards x 80 yards

            U13 and older – no larger than 75 yards x 120 yards

6.02 Fouls

Players must retreat 8 yds from any dead ball situations.

6.03 Goalkeeper Punts

Goalkeeper punts may not cross midfield in the air. If it is punted over the midfield line, an in-direct kick is awarded at midfield.

In 7v7 games with the Build Out Line there is NO punting. The goalkeeper can pass, roll, or throw the ball into play.

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE SECTION

VII: DISCIPLINE & CODE OF CONDUCT

7.01 Responsible Parties

All coaches and other team officials shall be subject to all rules pertaining to misconduct. Any other individuals who may be reasonably construed as being associated with a team shall be subject to the jurisdiction and authority of The League. Any coach or team official can be held responsible for any individual associated to their team at any match.

7.02 Profanity

Profanity and unsporting conduct by any individual will not be tolerated either on or off the field.

7.03 Compensation

No player shall receive any compensation for services rendered to a team or receive any promises of compensation.

7.04 Smoking & Alcohol

There will be no drinking of alcoholic beverages or smoking in the soccer parks.

7.05 Referee Authority

The referee(s) are in complete charge of the field and adjacent areas from the time they arrive at the game site until they depart. The referee(s) is empowered to:

i.             Rule on what equipment is considered playable

ii.            Issue Yellow or Red cards to players and coaches during that entire period

The referee may terminate a game for coach, players, or spectator misconduct. Teams causing the termination will forfeit the game. Referees will show red cards to coaches during league games.

7.06 Park Rules

All Park rules where games are played shall be respected and obeyed

7.07 Red Cards & Suspensions

Players or coaches are subject to match suspensions according to the following:

A      Any player or coach that is ejected from any league match due to striking, punching, hitting, kicking, spitting, or any action that reflects harmful

intent shall automatically be suspended for a minimum of two (2)

sanctioned games.

B      Any player, coach or fan verbally abusing a referee during any league match as documented on the Referee’s Report of the match shall automatically be suspended for a minimum of two (2) league matches.

C      Any player receiving a red card or coach being ejected, in any league match other than the circumstances listed above shall automatically be suspended for a minimum of one (1) league match.

D      The Kansas City Futbol League administrators shall have the right to add additional or reduce the number of matches in a suspension without a hearing. This could include but not be limited to any derogatory comments of a racial nature.

Players or coaches that are ejected from a game, for whatever reason, shall serve their suspension at the next sanctioned event(s) for that particular team.

Failure of a coach/player/team official to remain out of sight and out of sound after being ejected may result in a forfeit.

Any coach that is ejected from a game this year is liable to sanctioning at the league and state level. Also, any coach receiving 3 ejections in one calendar year will not be eligible to coach within the KCFL for the next season.

Any player, coach, or manager, who participates in a match while under suspension, shall cause his or her team to forfeit that match and will be subject to additional penalty. During a coach’s suspension he/she must not be within sight nor sound of the game that they are suspended for.

An ejected coach will only be suspended from coaching the team that he/she was coaching when he/she was ejected.

Any parent that is ejected from a game must remain out of sight and sound of the field. Failure to do so could lead to the referee terminating the game and resulting in a forfeit win for the opponent.

THE KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE

SECTION VIII: PROTESTS

8.01 Definition

A protest is a formal written objection of any violation of established rules policies or procedure. Protests will only be accepted in regard to illegal players, there will be no protests in regard to referee decisions.

8.02 Who can file a protest

Only a coach or team-administrator can file protests. Only those teams involved are allowed to file a protest. Third parties, i.e. coaches/administrators from other teams, cannot file a protest on a specific game.

8.03 Filing Procedure

A protest must be filed in writing with the league commissioner and must include:

i)                Details of the complaint

ii)              A listing of the players that are deemed to be illegal.

iii)            A statement of the desired resolution

All protests must be filed within 72 hours of the incident.

No protests will be heard on referee judgment calls.

8.04 Discipline Committee

A. All matters of concern to the KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE Disciplinary Committee must originate from the referee’s game report or from a formal protest submitted in writing by the offended party.

B. Any player, team official or spectator alleged to have been guilty of any violation of the laws of the game, the bylaws, rules and regulations of the association or any misconduct detrimental to the game, shall be subject to appropriate penalty as determined by the Disciplinary Committee.

C. The KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE Disciplinary Committee shall consist of the association Executive Director and a committee of three (3) people.

D. The league administrators shall notify the player/coach of any penalty or suspension determined by the Disciplinary Committee.

E. The decision of the KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE Disciplinary Committee shall be promptly sent via U.S. Mail. Verbal notification may supplement but shall not supplant this responsibility.

F. Any, club, team, or individual not wholly satisfied with any decisions made by KANSAS CITY FUTBOL LEAGUE has the right to appeal to the Missouri Youth Soccer Association. This appeal must be in writing and must be received by the District  Commissioner within ten (10) days of the decision handed down by the League. The appeal must be accompanied by a fee of $75.00.