Area 3T Guidelines

I. Overview
Area 3T is a unique entity in AYSO. Although relatively small in area, covering Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York, it contains 18 Regions. It is the responsibility of the Area organization to assist the Regions in training their coaches, referees and staff. Also the area provides the schedule for the inter-regional play. Since the predominant focus of Area 3T is inter-regional activities, these guidelines have been developed to help standardize the application of some of the rules and regulations to promote consistent application in order to facilitate inter-regional play. As a condition for engaging in inter-regional play in Area 3T, each Region agrees to abide by these guidelines and to ensure that the appropriate level of awareness of these guidelines is given to each member of their Region. These Guidelines are in addition to but do not supersede the Standard Regional Guidelines or any individual Regional Guidelines.

II. Area Organization
The Area 3T Board of Directors (Area Board) will be made up of all the Regional Commissioners (RC's) of the AYSO pilot and chartered regions within the Area 3T boundaries and the AD. Each Region shall have one vote, which shall be exercised by the RC for that Region, whether formally appointed by the National Board of Directors or merely an "Acting RC," unless the RC has designated another person to vote in her/his place for a prescribed period of time; however, in order to be effective any such designation must be delivered to the Area Director in writing or by e-mail. The AD will also have one vote which will be exercised by the AD, unless the AD has designated another person to vote in his/her place for a prescribed period of time; however, in order to be effective any such designation must be delivered by the AD to the First Assistant Area Director in writing or by e-mail. No person other than a RC or the AD shall have a vote on the Area Board unless the other person has been designated by a RC or the AD to vote in her/his place. Notwithstanding any provisions in the Area Guidelines to the contrary, the Area Treasurer and Area Secretary, none of whom will be a voting member of the Area Board, shall have all of the powers and responsibilities which are provided in the National By-Laws, National Policy Statements and National Rules and Regulations.

The Area Board shall elect a final candidate for Area Director (AD) with a term beginning on July 1st and terminating on June 30th of the third year following. Elections will be held in March prior to the end of the term. When the Area Board selects the final candidate, the AD candidate sends the document titled "Request for Appointment as Area Director" along with a volunteer appointment request form, to the Section Director (SD) for the SD's approval, and relay to the National Board of Directors (NBOD) for its approval. The candidate does not become the Area Director until she/he is formally appointed by the NBOD.

An AD may be a candidate for the position without limit to the number of terms previously served. If the AD should leave the post for any reason the person previously designated as the First Assistant Area Director will immediately become Acting-AD until a new AD is elected.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Area Director will represent Area 3T at Section meetings and at the NAGM (National Annual General Meeting for those commissioners not attending by obtaining their proxy. The Area Director will conduct the Area Board meetings. The AD is responsible for the Area's compliance with AYSO National Bylaws, National Policy Statements and Rules & Regulations. The AD will assist the Regions in the operations of their programs and act as liaison between the Regions and the Section and National Boards and staff.

If a majority of the Area Board ever votes to take any action that, in the judgment of the AD, violates the AYSO Bylaws, Policy Statements or Rules & Regulations, the AD is required to try to persuade the majority of the Area Board to change the Board's determination so that compliance is achieved. If the Area Board refuses, the Area Director must take appropriate action to make certain there is compliance.

At the inaugural meeting of the term, the Area Director, with the concurrence of the Board, will nominate an Area Treasurer, Area Secretary and as many Assistant Area Directors (AAD) as may be necessary. It is not a requirement that an appointee be a current member of the Board.

The Area Secretary, Area Treasurer and AAD(s) will serve for one-year terms and may be reappointed for an unlimited number of terms. If for any reason these appointees leave their positions before the end of their terms the AD will immediately nominate replacements who will begin to serve as soon as the concurrence of the Board is obtained. Additional AADs may be nominated at any time.

If there is more than one AAD then the AD must designate one as the First Assistant Area Director for reasons referred to in Area Organization above.

The Area Treasurer will be responsible for the collection of player fees as decided by the Area Board and disbursal of funds received by the area. He/She will produce a financial report at least semi-annually and submit it to the Board. The report will provide information about the monies received from the allotment per player to the regions and the budget from the national office to the area. The Treasurer shall distribute at each periodic Area Meeting each financial report that was delivered by the AYSO National Support and Training Center to the Area Treasurer since the previous Area Meeting. The Board must approve all annual budgets. All checks must have at least two signatures on them. The approved signatories shall include but not be limited to the Area Director, Treasurer and Secretary.

The Area Secretary will be responsible for the assignment, collection and distribution of the minutes of all Area meetings and any correspondence. If this position is vacant the AD will ask for the minutes to be taken at each meeting by a volunteer who will submit them in like manner as the Secretary. The Secretary shall maintain copies of all minutes and if no Secretary is active, the AD shall keep the copies.

From time to time the AD may, with the concurrence of the Area Board, appoint additional Area Staff members to carry out the functions and activities of the Area. The AD and the Board will endeavor to have all positions filled to insure the proper and efficient running of the Area and its activities. The Area Staff positions shall not be voting members of the Board and need not be RC's.

The Area Staff positions also may include, but are not limited to each of the following positions: Area Coach Administrator, Area Coach Instructor, Area Referee Administrator, Area Referee Instructor, Area Referee Director of Assessment, Area Management Administrator, Area Scheduler (for inter-regional games), Area CAP Coordinator, Area VIP Coordinator, Area Child & Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA), Area Super Camps Coordinator, Area Webmaster, Area Auditor, Area Developer, and Extra Teams Coordinator.

III. Area 3T Guidelines for Inter-regional-play
The structure for inter-regional standards of play is contained in AYSO's Rules and Regulations (Regional Commissioner's Manual, sec. 400). These guidelines are not intended to supersede or replace those Rules. The purpose of these guidelines is to codify, more explicitly, certain aspects of inter-regional play in the Area.

Guiding Principles
In the context of the game of soccer, we teach children teamwork, fair play and good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is moral behavior in sport. There is more to sportsmanship than simply being nice. We also must keep in mind why some actions are right or wrong. Sportsmanship is learned behavior. It does not happen by itself. Since these behavioral attitudes are most effectively transferred through example, we are committed to promoting their positive application, while strongly discouraging displays of negative behavior. Each region participating in the inter-regional schedule of Area 3T pledges to actively encourage adherence to the principles of teamwork, fair play and good sportsmanship at a minimum through discussion with volunteers at staff meetings, and direct communications with the families of those registered players.

Each region further agrees to take prudent steps to discourage displays of unsportsmanlike behavior by its players, volunteers and spectators and to implement the principles of the AYSO Kids Zone, appoint a Regional CVPA and implement any other similar initiatives promulgated by AYSO National.

A. Cancellation of matches. Area 3T believes that coaches should be primarily concerned that those players who are able to play be given that opportunity and less concerned about those players who cannot attend a game, or its final result because of unavailable players. Coaches should make every possible effort not to cancel a soccer match. However if a cancellation is unavoidable despite these guidelines, prior notification to the opposing coach as well as to the RC's and RCA's involved should be made.

Area 3T encourages opposing coaches to loan players to shorthanded teams (even if it means switching players each quarter), so that teams play at even strength. This is a suggestion, not a rule. However, as the enjoyment of the kids comes first, if you are in a position to play a game with less than a full team, think of those kids that want to play, and PLAY THE GAME! If you are in a position to lend a player or two to the opposing coach, think how much more fun it is to play in a good, competitive game than a runaway one.

Games should not be cancelled because coaches cannot field a full team for a scheduled game. It is not permissible for any team to fail to appear for a scheduled inter-regional soccer match just because the coach believes she or he has inadequate reserve players or may have to play with less than a full team. Games are to proceed as long as teams have sufficient players as described in the following paragraph.

We require that all coaches adhere to the following rule regarding team size and that: All U-10 (7 v 7) games will be played if each team has a minimum of 5 players available at the start of the game. U-12 games scheduled for nine a side will be played with a minimum of 6 players available. Full-sided (11 v 11) games at U-14 and above will be played with a minimum of 7 players available. The opposing team may only field 1 player more than the shorthanded team.

Should a player or players from a short-handed team arrive late, they may be inserted into the field of play immediately upon notification to the referee and the opposing team may, but is not required to, also insert a player to maintain a 1 player advantage up to the number of players for which the game was originally scheduled.

A game should not be played with more players than the number for which it is originally scheduled. Coaches may not negotiate the number of players that will be on the field except when fewer players than scheduled are available as described above.

Failure to adhere to the above rule shall be addressed according to the procedures described in "Game Cancellations" under the "Disputes and Dispute Resolution" section below.

B. Certification and Training. In order to insure the safe, fair, fun environment that AYSO supports, and to maintain the highest possible level of instruction, competition and sportsmanship, regions should adhere to AYSO National job descriptions and Safe Haven requirements stating that only coaches and referees trained and certified for the appropriate age level are to coach in inter-regional games.

It has been our experience that the coaches involved in disputes with referees and other coaches almost always lack proper certification and training. Adherence to this guideline by the regions will most likely lead to fewer disputes and fewer mismatched games ("blowouts"). [See "Coaching Responsibilities" below for more regarding "blowouts"]

C. Fields. As AYSO stresses age-appropriate activity, all regions shall endeavor to play on fields and use goals that are the appropriate size for the age and number of number of players on the field. Those sizes are found in the National Guidelines. No games scheduled for teams of less than 11 a side should be played on a full sized soccer field. If a game is scheduled for a field that is inappropriately large, the coaches and referees are encouraged to use markers to create an appropriate field and of course, move the goals accordingly.

It is understood that at this time some regions do not have the smaller goals that are appropriate below U12.

Responsibilities
A. Referees. Certified Referees assigned to a game must be in uniform when officiating a match and should report to the field location at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. In the absence of a general cancellation of games at a site at least two hours prior to game time, the referee shall make the final decision about the game being started and as well as its being continued. Prior to the start of the match, the referee will verify that all players are properly uniformed (see below), and inform the players, coaches, assistant coaches, assistant referees and club linesmen of the match particulars, including the duration of the game, the breakpoint for substitution and the substitution procedure, as well as any other AYSO accommodations to the particular division. Referees are responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game and these area guidelines and may take any appropriate action authorized by the Laws of the Game or AYSO National Rules and Regulations. Referees and linespersons are to remain neutral and not coach while officiating.

Referees are reminded to keep player safety and welfare paramount. The referee may stop play if necessary to attend to an injured player and should take steps to ensure that goalkeepers are protected from dangerous play or harassment while attempting to put the ball into play.

It is the referee's responsibility to enforce the Area rules concerning the appropriate number of players on the field, as described in "Cancellation of Matches" above.

As soccer is played in halves, in accordance with AYSO guidelines the breakpoint for substitutions during each half is to occur as closely as possible to the mid-point of the half, at a natural stoppage of play. The game is restarted after the substitutions with the appropriate re-start. It shall not restart with a kick-off unless the stoppage for substitutions occurs after the scoring of a goal. The start of each half is to begin with a kick-off.

"These substitution stoppages are intended only to be a time for the quick substitution of a few players and are not intended as mini half-time periods or opportunities for coaching or any other purpose that would unduly extend the time taken for the game. The only individuals entitled to leave the field are those being substituted for, and the only individuals entitled to enter the field are the new players. This entire process should take only about a minute." [from AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches - AYSO Interpretations, Instructions and Advice on the Laws of the Game]

The referee should, prior to the start of the game, establish spectator and coaching boundaries. If necessary, the referee may delay a throw-in, or another restart in the vicinity, in order to reestablish this boundary.

It is the responsibility of the home team to provide an appropriately trained and certified referee for each interregional game. If a home team knows in advance that it will not have a certified referee available, it should promptly notify the visiting team and ask that they try to bring a referee. However it is suggested that the visiting team arrive at every game with a referee who is uniformed and prepared to participate, assuming that the visiting team has such a referee available, for example as the parent or sibling of a player.

The referee is solely responsible for the conduct of the game; all decisions are final.

B. Coaches. All teams should be at the field 1/2 hour before game time to insure that teams are properly warmed up and that games begin at the scheduled time. Each coach should call the opposing coach no later than the Wednesday before the scheduled game to verify the time, field, directions and colors of uniforms. In the event of a uniform conflict, it is the responsibility of the home coach to arrange for the accommodation. If a game is not going to be played at the time that appears on the Area Schedule, the coach must contact his/her RC and your Regional Referee Administrator immediately. Coaches must have the current registration form for each player in his/her possession. Coaches must bring their players' registration forms to all games and practices. These forms are the medical release you need in case of injury.

AYSO's guiding principles require that coaches endeavor to minimize mismatches or "blowouts". There are many methods by which this can be accomplished and still create a fun, challenging environment for the superior team while avoiding embarrassment for the lesser team. Coaches are urged to take any action necessary to effectuate this. Coaches should take steps to make certain that they, along with their players, assistant coaches and supporters, do not take any actions that in any way point to the fact that they are taking steps to avert a "blowout".

"Blowouts" are based on the relative strength of the teams and do not necessarily exist solely when the score differential reaches any particular point. However coaches must realize that at some point an uneven score may turn into a "blowout' even though the teams may be fairly matched, as the losing team can become demoralized by the disparity in the score.

Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players and spectators and are required to support the referee at all times. Coaches should exhibit respect for opponents and the referee's decisions and encourage players to do the same. Coaches should also encourage a positive attitude and good sportsmanship among spectators and assistants.

All coaches shall remain within the coaching area, which extends no more than 10 yards from the center of the field and is no closer than 1 yard from the touchline. Coaching is limited to positive instruction and encouragement from no more than two designated coaches.

Coaches need to keep accurate track of their team's won-lost records for the fall schedule for the purpose of balancing the spring schedule but these records are not to be published in any form. They are to be forwarded to their RC or RCA as requested.

C. Players. Players may only play one "core" game a day and must play that day only for the core team on whose roster they were placed at the start of the season. No player will be assigned to or play on more than one "core" team each season. Players naturally can switch teams if teams are added or deleted during a season or Winter break. Subject to Regional rules, a player may play-up one year. Under no circumstances can an overage player ever "play down."

As indicated above all U-10 games will be played if each team has a minimum of 5 players available at the start of the game. U12 games scheduled for nine a side will be played with a minimum of 6 and full-sided (11 v 11) games at U12 and above will be played with a minimum of 7. The opposing team may only field 1 player more than the shorthanded team. If a team does not have the minimum number of eligible players the game is not to be played.

Please refer to the "Cancellation of Matches" section above for additional details regarding players on the field and the efforts that must be taken to get the games played.

D. Uniforms. The players will wear the uniforms issued to them as is with no alterations. Uniforms issued by the regions must comport with AYSO Rules and Regulations. No players' names or sponsors' names shall be put on the uniforms other than what is authorized by AYSO Rules and Regulations. There will be ABSOLUTELY NO JEWELRY OR CASTS of any kind worn by any player. Bandaged-over earrings or padded casts are NOT permitted. Only a medical alert bracelet or necklace may be worn and they must be taped so the alert plates are exposed. In cooler weather long pants or sweats may be worn. A long sleeve shirt may be worn under the uniform jersey. However, any player wearing pants or sweats may be warned or carded if in the Referee's judgment the player is using the pants or sweats to his/her advantage (e.g., slide tackling). Shin guards are required and must be completely covered by the socks. Rubber cleated shoes are strongly recommended.

IV. Disputes and Dispute Resolution
A. Reporting of Complaints. The way to handle a problem or protest is to keep calm. If the players are in danger of getting injured alert the referee at an appropriate stoppage in play. Any significant problem should be reported to your RC and/or Regional Referee Administrator as indicated below, in writing, within a week. COACHES AND REFEREES KEEP YOUR COOL.

B. Infractions
Expulsion. Players receiving a red card or any coach receiving an expulsion order from the referee shall, in addition, be suspended, at minimum, from participation in the team's next scheduled game, whether it is regional or in-house. The referee must report all incidents of expulsion within 48 hours to the RC and the Regional Referee Administrator of the expelled person's region. A written summary of the incident shall follow within three (3) days from the RC to the AD, and the Regional Referee Administrator to the Area Referee Administrator. The AD shall then take further action if deemed necessary. The AD may either proceed directly or by asking the Area Referee Administrator and/or Area Coach Administrator to investigate and provide a report and recommendation to the AD. (See "Dispute Resolution" below).

Registration Forms. As noted in "Responsibilities" (above), all coaches are required to bring the registration forms for all the players scheduled to play in the game. It is recommended that Assistant Coaches also have duplicate original registration form in their possession. Any player whose form can not be produced upon request is not eligible to play in the game. If registration forms cannot be produced at the request of the referee, the game is not to be played.

Such an event will be reported by the referee to the AD through the RC, the Regional Referee Administrator and the Area Referee Administrator. The AD will note the name of the coach and team involved and send a letter to the coach and the RC to remind them of the importance of complying with this requirement. If the same coach is involved in another such occurrence, at any time, the AD may take such action is deemed necessary. The AD may either proceed directly or by asking the Area Referee Administrator and/or Area Coach Administrator to investigate and provide a report and recommendation to the AD. (See Dispute Resolution section below) It should be noted that referees are not required to request registration forms at each game but may do so at their discretion or the request of one of the coaches.

Illegal Player. Any player, who is currently on the roster of an AYSO core team other than the one for which he/she is playing or attempting to play for, or whose age exceeds the AYSO regulations for the team on which he/she is playing, or is not registered with AYSO at all, or has been disqualified from play, is an illegal player and may not play in any game. A violation of this section should be reported to the AD through the RC, the Regional Referee Administrator and/or the Area Referee Administrator. The AD shall then take any action deemed necessary. The AD may either proceed directly or by asking the Area Referee Administrator and/or Area Coach Administrator to investigate and provide a report and recommendation to the AD. (See Dispute resolution section below)

Game Cancellations. Any coach whose team is involved in a cancelled match because the opposing coach unilaterally cancels the match shall immediately report the incident to his/her Regional Coach Administrator or RC who shall investigate the circumstances surrounding the cancellation. If the RC or RCA subsequently determines that the match could have been played with the prescribed minimum number of players (discussed above under Cancellation of Matches and Players), then the RC or RCA shall report the incident to the Area Coach Administrator for investigation and possible disciplinary action against the coach who cancelled the match. Such disciplinary action may include proceedings to remove the coach from her or his coaching position.

Abusive Behavior. As noted in "Responsibilities" (above), all coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players as well as that of their parents and spectators. Players guilty of abusive behavior will be shown a red card; coaches will be expelled (without the use of the red card) and parents and spectators engaging in such behavior will cause the game to be terminated if they fail to leave upon request by the referee.

C. Dispute Resolution. The AD has the discretion to attempt to resolve an inter-regional dispute himself/herself or direct a designee to collect the facts, including witness statements and other pertinent information. The AD may conduct any due process hearing that shall take place. In the alternative, the AD, may, but is not required to, appoint members to an Area Dispute Resolution Committee that will gather witness statements and other pertinent information as appropriate.

Because the AD retains the ultimate responsibility to resolve disputes, even if the Area Director appoints persons to an Area Dispute Resolution Committee, and permits the committee to reach a determination; the AD may review the committee's determination and may replace the committee's determination with another determination that, in the judgment of the AD, is appropriate.

D. Appeals. Any individual or region subjected to sanctions by the AD or the Dispute Resolution Committee shall have the right to present a formal appeal before decisions are implemented. The procedures for doing this are found in the AYSO By-laws and such an appeal is to the Section 3 Director. A Region or its RC does not have the right to participate in an Area Dispute Resolution Committee proceeding or to appeal the determination of the AD or the Dispute Resolution Committee unless it is the Region itself, rather than one of its members, that is the subject of the dispute or has been directed to take corrective action.

Adopted June 11, 1996
Revised June 25, 1997
Revised December 3, 2003
Amended March 20, 2004