Games will be played under the applicable rules of US Youth Soccer. Teams are responsible for obtaining and being familiar with the US Soccer Federation Official Administrative Handbook and the FIFA Laws as they govern League play with the modifications noted below.

Note concerning U9/10: Note that U9/10 play by all USSF rules unless otherwise noted.

These include, smaller field size, reduced players on the field, and reduced field markings, ie free kicks are to recieve 8 yards distance.

A. Match Rules

1. Unlimited substitutions are permitted (unless otherwise stated) at the following times with the consent of the Referee.

 a. Prior to a throw-in in your favor.   If a team with the the throw-in substitutes, both teams may substitute without limit.

 b. Prior to a goal kick by either team.

 c. After a goal, by either team.

 d. After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play.

 e. At halftime.

 f. For a cautioned player.

2. Match Length/Ball Size/Field Size

Age Group/Length of Half/#of players/Ball Size   

 

Age	Length of half	# of Players	Ball Size	Field size
U17 & above	45 min	11	5	75 X 110 yds
U15 and 16	40 min	11	5	70 X 110 yds
U13 and 14	35 min	11	5	70 X 110 yds
U11 and 12	30 min	8	4	50 X 80 yds
U9 and 10	25 min	6	4	40 X 60 yds

 

3. Teams will use their age group as defined by US Youth soccer for the current seasonal year in determining length of match and ball size, except for teams playing up, which shall use the length of match and ball size for the group that they have advanced to.  U12 and younger teams must play as defined by USYSA, and KYSA. U9-10's will play 6v6, andU11-12's will play 8v8. Note: U12 teams are grandfathered for the 2005-2006 year, and may choose to play 8v8 or 11v11. U10 and U12 teams may not play up to an older age group in KSSL due to the difference in team and roster size.  

4. Official Match

a. A match shall be considered official after one full half of play (the second half does not have to start) and the final score shall be the score at the time the match is terminated.

b. If less than one half is completed and the match is called, the entire match must be replayed.

c. If a match is called because of gross misconduct, the disposition of the match score will be decided by the League Director. A referee report will be required.

d. Teams must wait 15 minutes for their opponents to arrive.

e. Failure to appear will result in a forfeit.

B. Player Passes/Rosters

1. Each team must bring their US Youth Soccer player and coach’s passes signed by an official of their National State Association and a copy of their Official State Roster to every match.

2. Only players listed on their Official State Roster as submitted to the Age Group Coordinator may play in League matches. (No guest players are allowed.)

3. Playing of an ineligible Player will result in automatic forfeiture of the match and possible suspension of the coach or expulsion of the team from the League.

4.  US Youth Soccer player and coaches passes shall be presented to the referee prior to the start of the match. The passes shall remain in the referee's possession until the completion of the match

5. Official State Rosters must be made available to the referee or opposing team coach/manager upon request.

C. Other

1. Uniform color conflict

a. When there is a conflict in uniform color, the home team must change.

b. Should the home team not have a uniform of a different color, unnumbered shirts may be used.

c.  The referee's judgment is final.

 

2. Coaching from Sidelines
a. Limited coaching is permitted only from one touchline, and coaches must remain in the technical area as defined by USYSA.

b. Coaches may not enter the field without permission from the referee.

9) Match Control

 A. Three Man System

 1.  Matches must be officiated by the three-man FIFA/USSF Referee System. Exceptions may be made in U9/10. However, 1 certified official must be used.

 2.  In case the assigned referee fails to appear (within 10 minutes of the match time) a certified referee will be appointed by mutual agreement of both teams.

 3.  If no certified referee is available within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the home team will forfeit the game.

a. The referee may appoint replacements for linesmen who fail to show up by the match time.

i. In the event certified USSF officials are not available, the referee may appoint club linesmen

ii. Club linesmen shall be limited to decisions only on touchlines and possession as specified by FIFA.

B. Payment of Referees

1. Referees and linesmen appointed under the provisions of these League Rules shall be paid before the start of the match.

2. The 'home' team is responsible for the payment of the fees to the match officials. 

 C. Complaints Regarding Referees

1. Each coach with a complaint concerning refereeing is to bring this complaint to the attention of his/her club's League Representative or his/her club's Referee Assignor.

2. The club's Representative or Coordinator is to discuss this complaint with the home team's Referee Assignor.

3. If the complaint if not resolved, the coach is to file a written report with the home team's Referee District Administrator and the League. 

 

D. Termination of Matches

1. Referees may suspend or terminate matches for lack of crowd control, poor team behavior or other unsportsmanlike behavior. (Note: each coach is responsible for the behavior of his sideline players, parents and fans and can be ejected for their misbehavior).

2. A suspension/termination shall be reported to the League within 24 hours by the Referee. Terminated matches should be reported to KYSA, a copy going to KSSL. 

3. The Board of Directors shall ascertain the facts and determine appropriate disciplinary action.

4. Disciplinary action may include: (a) reprimand, (b) forfeiture, (c) suspension from one or more matches, or (d) recommendation to the Kentucky Youth Soccer President of a more severe penalty.

10) Ejections/Discipline

A. Ejections

1. Any player or coach ejected from a match will receive a minimum of a one League match suspension.

2. Any player or coach guilty of fighting with another player or coach, on or off the field will be given a minimum of a two match suspension.

3. Any participant or spectator, ejected, or guilty of assaulting a referee, player, coach/ manager or other participant can be subject to a one-year suspension.

B. Discipline

1. The penalty for abusive language toward a referee by a player, coach, assistant coach or manager will be an automatic one match suspension.

2. A USSF Referee report should be filled out by the center official for any action resulting in an ejection or serious incident. The report should be mailed or filed electronically with the KYSA office within 48 hours. The Team Manager or Coach must notify the appropriate Deputy Director and the League Director within 24 hours of the end of the match. Any team failing to notify the league may be subject to match forfeiture, player/coach suspension or removal from the league. 

 

3. All ejections of players, coaches, assistant coaches, spectators or managers shall be reviewed by the League Directors who may impose additional discipline if they believe that a more severe penalty is warranted.

11) Protests

A. Filing of Complete Protest

1. Protests can only be filed by the Coach/Manager or Club Administrator of the team as identified on the Kentucky Select Soccer League Application form. (Players and parents may not appeal, only a team OR club may file a protest.)

2.   A Complete Protest must be mailed by two-day priority mail to the League Director and all opposing parties within seven (7) days of the match in question and must include:

a.  A $100.00 check made payable to the League to cover the Protest Fee.

b.  A written statement describing the specific grounds for the protest, signed by the team or club official,

c. A clear and concise statement of the relief or action sought by the protesting party.

d. Copies of all documents relevant to the appeal including but not limited to:

i. USSF Referee report(s) on the match in question.

ii. Copies of Rules that are applicable to the protest.

iii. Official State Roster if applicable to the protest.

3.  The Opposing (Responding) party will have five (5) days to prepare a response to the protest which must be mailed by two-day priority mail, not requiring signature, by the recipient to the League Director and the protesting party.
 

B.  Consideration of Complete Protest

1.  The League Board of Directors shall have the right to decline to hear the protest if the protest filed by the protesting party:

a. does not deal with the violation of KSA rules and regulations;

b. concerns a matter of 'referee judgment',

c. is incomplete or does not contain the required information,

d. is not filed in a timely or proper manner, or

e. the question arising from the protest does not deal with either the application of these rules or the qualifications of the opposing team.

2.  The protest may not be withdrawn and the protest fee is not refundable if the protest is accepted by the Board of Directors.

3.  The League Board of Directors shall issue a decision within 10 (ten) days of the receipt of the complete protest and the response, if any, of responding party.

a. The decisions of the League Directors on all matters of protest shall be final.

b. The decision of the League Directors may be appealed as specified in the applicable National State Association and/or USSF procedures which may be obtained from the KYSA Office.