GENERAL RULES
SECTION I.
PLAYING YEAR
The playing year is from September 1 to August 31 of the following calendar
year. One or more playing seasons shall be organized in each playing year. The
duration, rules, and divisions for each season and league shall be governed by
HWSA and may vary between seasons.
SECTION II.
LEAGUE STRUCTURE
A. There may be an unlimited number of competitive leagues, each
with an unlimited number of divisions. Teams may play in the league of their
choice as long as they meet the requirements of that league. Leagues may be
formed and/or disbanded by HWSA to meet specific needs of the membership.
Requirements for additional leagues shall be approved by a majority of HWSA team
representatives.
1. Open Women's League
a. No age restrictions,
2. Masters Women's League
a. Teams must have a core of ten (10) players thirty (30) years or older at
least 15 days prior to the Over 30
Women's State Cup competition during that playing year.
b. Teams may have an unlimited number of players who are twenty-nine as of
January 1 that playing year, but these players will not be eligible for Over 30
State Cup unless they turn 30 before the first day of Over 30 State Cup
competition.
3. Coed League
a. No age restrictions,
b. No more than five (5) men on the field at any time, not including the
goalkeeper,
c. Should any male field player receive a red card, the maximum number of
men allowed on the field shall be reduced by one for each red card received,
d. Women's goals will be scored as two (2) points, including penalty kicks
4. U23 Women's League
a. A team must have a core of ten (10) players under twenty-three
(23) years of age as of August 31 of that playing year,
b. A team may have no more than two players twenty-three (23) years
or older as of August 31 of that playing year.
B. A player may register and play for an unlimited number of HWSA
teams at the same time provided that no two teams are in the same competitive
league.
SECTION III.
DIVISIONS
A. The number of teams making up each division within a league shall be
determined by the League Commissioner with the approval of the Executive Board
based on the total number of teams registered for the current season.
B. The first point of order in scheduling shall be the relegation of the bottom
team of each division to the next lower division, when available. The promotion
of the top team from each division to the next higher division, when available,
shall follow. In the event that there is an imbalance in the divisions after the
relegation and promotion of the teams has taken place, the following order of
importance shall be observed in adjusting the distribution of teams into
divisions: 1) the effects of imbalance to every division, 2) the quality of play
for each division, and 3) the number of games for each division.
C. The placement of new teams entering HWSA shall be determined by:
1. A calculation of the combined individual experience,
2. Caliber of team skills (an exhibition game may be requested by the
Executive Board),
3. Discretion of the Executive Board.
SECTION IV.
STANDINGS
A. Points to determine division standings are to be computed as
follows:
Win three (3) points
Tie one (1) point
Loss zero (0) points
B. Should a comparison of points result in a tie, the League
Commissioner shall determine place by:
1. Comparison of the tied teams' head-to-head goal differential -- total goals minus total goals conceded -- with the maximum goal differential in any game, positive or negative, beging capped at three (3), then
2. Comparison of the teams' cumulative goal differential -- total
goals scored minus total goals conceded -- with the maximum goal differential in
any game, positive or negative, being capped at three (3).
C. Only
those games assigned within a team's division or as scheduled between divisions
will count toward division standings. Each team in a given division will play a
like number of games for division standings.
SECTION V.
REGISTRATION
A. All players and teams officially registered with HWSA shall be
registered with TSSAS, a member of the USSF.
B. PLAYER REGISTRATION
1. A player will be considered officially registered with HWSA upon
completion of all required forms and submission of completed forms and required
playing fee to the Registrar.
2. A player must be officially registered with the Registrar at least
five days prior to playing in any official game.
3. Players may register with a team any time during the season
through the dates listed below. After this time no rosters may be changed except
under special circumstances. (Changes after this time require written approval
of the Executive Board.) The dates below apply to registration for Association
play only:
a. Fall season: November 15
b. Spring season: April 15
c. Summer season: July 15
4. Players on a team which registers its players with HWSA for the
coming playing season and subsequently disbands will be refunded one half of
their registration fee if the Registrar is notified of their disbandment in
writing at least seven (7) days prior to the first Association scheduled
game and if they do not transfer to another team. No refund will be made after
this time. Players transferring to another team within two weeks will be treated
as transfer players rather than receiving the partial refund. The transfer fee
will be waived.
C. TEAM REGISTRATION
1. Each team shall submit a team registration form by the deadline
set by HWSA. Failure to meet this requirement may result in imposition of a late
registration fee or rejection of the teamâs registration for the pending season,
at the Executive Boardâs discretion.
2. A team may have no more than 25 players on its roster per season.
A team may suit up a maximum of 18 players per game.
D. COACHES
All coaches shall be considered members of HWSA and are subject
to all rules.
SECTION VI.
RELEASE AND TRANSFERS
A. All players are bound to their team for one playing year
(September 1 -- August 31), except as provided below.
B. A playerâs registration with a team may be terminated by mutual
consent of the team representative and the player. A player can appeal the
refusal of release to the League Commissioner.
C. A player who obtains a release shall be eligible to play for any
other team after:
1. Proper registration,
2. Eight day waiting period from the date on the
release form, and
3. Payment of TSSAS transfer fee.
SECTION VII.
HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Unless fields
are secured by the Executive Board, all teams must have access to an acceptable
field for home games. Any fees due for the use of a field are the responsibility
of the home team. The home team shall be responsible for nets, stakes, corner
flags, game ball and proper field marking.
B. In leagues using fields secured by the Executive Board, the home team is listed
first on the official schedule.
C. In case of a jersey color conflict, the home team must change
shirts. Teams are expected to wear the jersey color listed on the league roster.
Failure to change when teams do not have contrasting colors, in the judgment of
the Referee, shall result in forfeiture of the game by the home team.
SECTION VIII.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Be
responsible for their playersâ eligibility. Playing an unregistered player shall
result in a forfeit of and $50 fine for all games in which such infractions
occur. Repeated infractions may result in increased fines and/or sanctions
against the team.
B. Be
responsible for the submission of all necessary rosters, fees, fines, etc.,
called for in these General Rules. All fees and fines shall be payable to HWSA
by team or personal check, cashierâs check, or money order. A fine of
twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be assessed for any returned check.
C. Represent their team at all general meetings and communicate the
business conducted to his/her team members. In the event that she or he is
unable to attend, she or he should arrange for a proxy.
D. Notify their team of the date, hour and location of each game.
E. Fill out a game report form with the names of all players and
their jersey numbers prior to the game. After the game, verify the score and
identity of scorers and verify that all information noted on the report (e.g.,
yellow and red cards, injuries) is complete and correct. Team representatives
must notify the appropriate league commissioner of the outcome of each game
within 48 hours of the completion of the game.
F. Be responsible for presenting valid USASA player cards for all
players to referee prior to the start of the game. In the event that the player
card is unavailable, a player may be allowed to take the field at the discretion
of the referee upon presentation of her or his driverâs license or other
official picture ID. Players playing without their player card shall be noted on
the game report for verification by the League Commissioner and/or Registrar.
G. Ensure that team members are familiar with and abide by the HWSA
Rules and FIFA Laws of the Game. Each team representative is responsible for
ensuring that all rules of competition are complied with by his/her players and
spectators and for the conduct and courtesy of his players and spectators.
H. Be responsible for maintaining order and respect for the authority
of the referee during games.
SECTION IX.
UNIFORMS
A. Uniforms for players are mandatory. Normal uniform consists of a
jersey, knee socks, shin guards, and soccer cleats, or training shoes. Soccer
cleats shall conform to the requirements of the USSF. Long pants, knit caps, and
gloves may be worn in cold weather. Final decision regarding the acceptability
of uniforms rests with the referee.
B. Goalkeepers may wear approved goalkeeper gloves. All goalkeepers
must wear a jersey which differs from both teamsâ uniforms and that of the
referee.
C. All jerseys shall be numbered with the exception of the
goalkeeper. Numerals shall be at least eight (8) inches high. Each player shall
wear the same number throughout the game. All players on the same team must wear
substantially matching jerseys.
SECTION X.
POSTPONEMENT OF GAMES.
A. Games may only be postponed for the following reasons:
1. Inclement weather or unplayable field as determined by the referee
or the field owner/lessee,
2. USSF or TSSAS sanctioned tournaments,
B. If a regularly scheduled game has to be postponed for any of the
above reasons, the opposing team representative, League Commissioner, and the
Referee Assignor, as appropriate, shall be notified at the earliest date
possible. Failure to notify the League Commissioner or Referee Assignor may
result in a fine.
C. Once the referee arrives at the field, only the referee or the
field owner/lessee can decide if a game is to be called off because of weather,
dangerous playing conditions, or possible damage to the field.
D. If the game is called off by the referee or the field owner/lessee
at any time prior to having played 60 minutes, the game will be rescheduled and
replayed in its entirety. Each team is responsible for the referee fees for both
the rained out game and the rescheduled game, unless the rainout occurs in the
first twenty (20) minutes of play. In that instance, HWSA will pay the referees.
Any cards or fines incurred during the rained out game will remain on the
record.
E. If the game is called off by the referee or the field
owner/lessee after reaching or passing the 60th minute, the game will stand with
the score as it is at that time.
F. If no referee has arrived after twenty (20) minutes, the game
will be postponed and re-scheduled by the League Commissioner. If the referee
fails to show and both teams agree on a substitute referee, the game may be
played after the change is noted on the game report before play begins.
SECTION XI.
FORFEITS
A. The following situations shall warrant a game forfeiture with a
3-0 score:
1. Fielding an ineligible player or a player under suspension,
2. Failure to field a team with a minimum of seven (7) players within
ten (10) of the scheduled starting time as determined by the refereeâs watch.
For the coed league, the gender rules still apply to the seven-person minimum.
B. In the event of a forfeit with both teams present at the field,
both teams must pay their portion of the referee fee.
C. In the event of a no-show forfeit (fewer than seven players
present), the forfeiting team will be charged the entire referee fee plus a fifty dollar ($50.00) fine.
SECTION XII.
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
A. Types of sanctions
1. Disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed on
teams are:
a. a caution
b. a censure
c. a fine
d. cancellation of a match (requiring a replay, if necessary)
e. deduction or cancellation of points
f. a win by forfeit, in which case a score of 1-0 will be given;
(however, if the goal difference already attained in the match is greater, it
shall be considered valid)
j. a ban from taking part in future competitions
These sanctions may be combined.
2. Disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed on
persons are:
a. a caution
b. a censure
c. a fine
d. suspension for a specified number of matches and/or a specified
period
e. a temporary or lifelong suspension from all official functions
These sanctions may be combined.
B. Implementation of sanctions
1. Principles
a. All the disciplinary sanctions contained in this list represent
minimum penalties. The Disciplinary and Protest Committee shall be empowered to
impose harsher sanctions if the gravity of the offense warrants it. The
Disciplinary and Protest Committee shall in any case ensure that the sanction
imposed be appropriate to the infringement committed.
b. Extenuating or aggravating circumstances shall be taken into
account.
c. Repetition of the offense shall automatically incur a harsher
penalty.
d. Refusal by a player to give his name to the referee shall always
be sanctioned by suspension from one other match (in the case of repetition: two
matches).
e. If any infringement is committed before kick-off or after the
match is over, the same sanctions shall apply as those for a similar
infringement committed during the match
f. Any suspension imposed on a player shall be served immediately.
C. Infringements or incidents at matches
1. Cautions (without expulsion) of a player by the
referee for:
a. foul play
b. dangerous play
c. criticism of the referee's or linesmen's decisions, protests etc.
d. disparaging remarks about referees, linesmen, other players, or
any other person present at the match
e. ill-mannered (incorrect) behavior
f. unethical (ungentlemanly) conduct
g. gamesmanship (time wasting, deliberate hand ball etc.)
h. temporarily leaving the field of play without notifying the
referee
i. other unsporting behavior (feigning, making rude gestures to the
public etc.)
j. for coed only; sliding tackles
Punishment: confirmation of the caution and imposition of a fifteen dollar ($15.00) fine.
Repetition: (even if it is not the same type of infraction): any player who
shall accumulate four cautions in a season will be suspended until the player
has appeared before the D&P Committee to justify further participation in the
league.
2. Expulsion by the referee for:
a. serious foul play
b. very dangerous play
d. persistent protests against decisions by the referee and linesmen
e. leaving the field of play in protest without notifying the
referee
f. repeated misconduct despite a previous caution by the referee
g. extremely unethical (ungentlemanly) conduct
h. repeated gamesmanship
i. insulting players, team officials or any other person present at
the match
j. other serious acts of unsporting behavior
Punishment: suspension for at least one match and a thirty dollar ($30) fine.
Repetition: (even if it is not the same type of infraction): suspension until
the player has appeared before the D&P Committee to justify further
participation in the league.
3. Expulsion of a player by the referee for insulting the referee
and/or linesmen
Punishment: suspension for at least two matches and a thirty dollar ($30) fine.
Repetition: suspension for at least four matches
and a fine.
4. Expulsion of a player by the referee for violence conduct.
Punishment: suspension for at least three matches a thirty dollar ($30) fine,
additionally the player is suspended until the player has appeared before the
D&P Committee to justify further participation in the league.
Repetition: suspension for at least four matches
and a fine.
5. Expulsion of a player by the referee for serious violence against
another player, team official or any other person present at the match (brawl,
serious incident)
Punishment: suspension for at least seven matches and a twenty-five dollar fine,
additionally the player is suspended until the player has appeared before the
HWSA executive board to justify further participation in the league. A report
may be filed with TSSAS and USSF for possible further disciplinary action.
Repetition: suspension for a specified period (at least 12 months) and a fine.
6. Expulsion of a player by the referee for verbal abuse against the
referee and/or assistant referee
Punishment: suspension for at least seven matches and a fifty dollar fine,
additionally the player is suspended until the player has appeared before the
D&P Committee to justify further participation in the league.
Repetition: lifelong ban.
7. Expulsion of a player by the referee for threatening behavior
toward the referee and/or assistant referee
Punishment: suspension for at least fifteen matches and a fifty dollar fine,
additionally the player is suspended until the player has appeared before the
HWSA executive board to justify further participation in the league.
Repetition: lifelong ban.
8. Expulsion of a player by the referee for assault against the
referee and/or assistant referee
Punishment: lifelong suspension and a seventy-five dollar fine.
9. Fines must be paid to the treasurer by the next league meeting.
Failure to pay these fines shall result in the teamâs forfeiture of all matches
scheduled until the fines have been paid.
10. In addition to HWSA measures, players and coaches are subject to
disciplinary measures of TSSAS. Any of the sanctions listed above or other violations of HWSA’s Constitution, By-Laws, or General Rules may be accompanied by a report, complaint or grievance to TSSAS and/or to USSF. If such reports, complaints or grievances concern individual players, the player will be suspended from HWSA activities until such time as TSSAS and/or USSF have made a final determination.
11. The DPC will address a history of persistent serious offenses by a team, club or player. The team, club or players will be counseled regarding HWSA's standards regarding sportsmanship and advised that continued unsporting behavior may result in fines, suspension or banishment from league play.
SECTION XIII.
PLAYING RULES
The rules of competition for HWSA shall be the latest edition of the Laws of the
Game and Universal Guide for Referees with USSF Supplement published by the
Federation Internationale de Football Association with the exceptions noted in
this and previous sections:
A. Substitutions
Free substitution with the consent of the referee:
By the team controlling the ball on a throw-in, or by either team on a goal
kick, at the start of the half, after a goal has been scored, and after play has
been stopped for injury. No substitutions may be made on a corner kick or
penalty kick, although a field player may change places with the goalkeeper with
the permission of the referee.
B. Slide Tackling (coed games only)
Slide tackling is not permitted at any time in coed league games, except for a
goalkeeper playing the ball within her/his box. Additionally, coed league
players may slide to control the ball (e.g., to keep it from going out of
bounds) as long as no other players are nearby and endangered in the judgment of
the referee.
C. Fair Play
A player should use skill, not physical size, to win the ball from another
player. To do so otherwise may be considered a cautionable offense (yellow
card).
SECTION XIV.
AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL RULES.
Amendments to the General Rules may be made at any general or special meeting of
HWSA by a majority vote of team representatives present.
|
