LAKE HIGHLANDS GIRLS CLASSIC LEAGUE
LEAGUE RULES
A. LHGCL play is governed by FIFA Laws of
the Game, as modified for youth play.
B. Age Division Placement: Teams will be
placed in divisions according the age of their oldest player. Each team is
required to play in its proper age division in the soccer year except as
provided in these rules, or unless special scheduling of the age group is
approved by the LHGCL Executive Board.
1. Schedules: The Executive Director shall
establish his/her own method of scheduling games, subject to LHGCL Executive
Board approval, among teams in all age divisions each season and shall
establish the schedule with the intent of having teams play the most
competitive schedule possible.
2. Spring scheduling will allow for State
Cup play.
3. Incomplete Games: Regular season league
games that are stopped short for any reason, other than acts on the part of one
of the teams, will be rescheduled and played in their entirety.
D. Players and Spectators: At Moss, both teams
will occupy the Greenville Avenue side of the field. At UTD and Chinn Chapel, both teams sit on the same side of the field where designated. The team side may vary from field to
field. All spectators sit on the
opposite side of the field from the teams. The team side of the field is off limits to all spectators
except for coaches, managers, and players of the teams currently playing and
any other personnel authorized by LHGCL. All coaches, spectators and players will stay within 10 yards of the
halfway line and 5 feet back of the touch line.
E. The duration of season games and specific
ball sizes are as follows:
U11
& 12 Two
30-minute halves 4
U13
& 14 Two
35-minute halves 5
U15
& 16 Two
40-minute halves 5
U17
& 19 Two
45-minute halves 5
1. Minimum Number: A team must have a
minimum of eight (8) properly equipped and uniformed players to start a game
and seven (7) eligible players to continue a game. If both teams have at least
eight (8) players properly equipped and uniformed for the game, the game shall
begin at the start time, and not wait for more players to arrive.
2. Unequal Number Between Teams: If one team
has less than eleven (11), but at least eight (8) players ready to play at the
start time of any game and the opposing team has eleven (11) or more players,
the game will begin, and the opposing team is not required to play with less
than eleven (11) players.
G. League Standing Points: Points will be
calculated on the following point system:
WIN THREE (3)
POINTS
TIE ONE
(1) POINT
LOSS ZERO (0) POINTS
1. The “Grand Champion” in each Division I
age division shall be determined by adding together the Fall and Spring Season
standings points. The teams with
the most Grand Champion Points will finish in the higher position. No allowance
in points will be made for teams entering the League after the beginning of the
Fall Season for any reason.
2. The “Division Champion” in each Division
II and III age division shall be determined by adding together the Fall and
Spring Season standings points. The teams with the most Division Champion
Points will finish in the higher position. No allowance in points will be made
for teams entering the League after the beginning of the Fall Season for any
reason.
3. “Bye Teams”: The highest totals of the
Fall and Spring Season standings points are the Grand Champion Points (for
Division I teams) and Division Champion Points (for Division II & III
teams) and will be used to determine the teams that receive an invitation (“Bye”)
into the league the next soccer year.
4. End of Season Tie Breakers: If two (2) or
more teams are tied in the number of points, the tie will be broken as follows
(except as stated in 6 below):
a. Winner of head-to-head competition.
b. Team with most number of wins.
c. Fewest goals allowed in season games.
d. Most goals scored in season games.
e. Goal differential (goals scored all
season minus goals allowed all season.
Team with highest
differential wins higher position in standings.
Maximum of 3 goals for or
against allowed per game).
f. Best record against common
opponents.
g. The team with the fewest yellow and/or
red cards will finish in the higher position. NOTE: Only points accumulated in
LHGCL play (regular season) will be used for this calculation.
h. Elimination game(s) if time permits.
Opponents determined by random draw if more than two teams are tied for one
position.
i. Coin toss.
j. In the event a game or games have
been forfeited, if any other of the tied teams played the opponent that
forfeited to the other tied team(s), then all the games against that opponent
will be omitted before calculating the points and/or standings.
5. Grand Champion (and Division Champion)
Tie Breakers: If two teams are tied for Grand Champion Points or Division
Champion Points, the tie breaker rules above will be used using all LHGCL
regular season games for the entire soccer year in the calculation (except as
stated in 6 below).
6. Ties Between Teams to Determine a Bye:
For all ages, points
earned in head-to-head play over the entire soccer year will apply. Playoff
games will be played between any teams who cannot be eliminated in the
head-to-head tiebreaker. The number of games and nature of the playoff will be
determined by the LHGCL board. Playoff games must have a winner, i.e., if the
game ends in a tie, two 10 minute overtimes will be played, then if still tied,
FIFA kicks from the penalty mark will be taken to determine the winner.
a. Teams Tied in Grand Champion Points in Division
I:
(1) If two teams are tied
in points to determine who shall receive a Bye(s) into Division I and who will
be relegated to Division II, only head-to-head competition will be used to
break the tie. If the two teams are tied in head-to-head competition, a playoff
game will be played between the two teams to determine who will receive the Bye
into Division I.
(2) If three or more teams
are tied for one or more Bye positions for Division I and therefore who will be
relegated to Division II, the points earned in head-to-head games between all
teams involved in the tie will be used to eliminate one or more teams from the
tie. If teams are still tied after the head-to-head tiebreaker is applied,
playoff game(s) will be played to break the ties.
b. Teams Tied in Division Champion Points in
Division II:
(1) If there is a tie in
Division Champion points that will affect which team participates in the
Division I Challenge or gets promoted to Division I and/or relegated to
Division III, only head-to-head competition will be used to break the tie. If
two teams are tied in head-to-head competition, a playoff game will be played
between the two teams to determine who has earned the right to Challenge or be
promoted into Division I or who has to be relegated into Division III.
(2) If there is a tie in
Division Champion points between three or more teams that will affect which
team participates in the Division I Challenge or gets promoted to Division I and/or
relegated to Division III, the points earned in head-to-head games between all
teams involved in the tie will be used to eliminate one or more teams from the
tie. If teams are still tied after the head-to-head tiebreaker is applied,
playoff game(s) will be played to break the ties.
c. Teams Tied in Division Champion Points in
Division III:
(1) If there is a tie in
Division Champion points that will affect which team gets promoted into
Division II or receives a Bye into Division III, only head-to-head competition
will be used to break the tie. If two teams are tied in head-to-head
competition, a playoff game will be played between the two teams to determine
who has earned the right to be promoted into Division II or who has a Bye into
Division III.
(2) If there is a tie in
Division Champion points between three or more teams that will affect which
team gets promoted into Division II or receives a Bye into Division III, the
points earned in head-to-head games between all teams involved in the tie will
be used to eliminate one or more teams from the tie. If teams are still tied
after the head-to-head tiebreaker is applied, playoff game(s) will be played to
break the ties.
7. Withdrawal from League: Any team that
withdraws from the LHGCL voluntarily during the soccer year to play in another
soccer league will not be allowed to participate in the LHGCL for a period of
not less than one (1) year from the end of the soccer year in which they chose
not to participate.
8. Forfeits:
a. Teams not able to field eight (8)
properly equipped and uniformed players within 10 minutes after the scheduled
starting time of any game shall forfeit that game. Any team forfeiting a League
game shall pay the officials for that game and will not be allowed to play any
subsequent games until the officials of the forfeited game have been paid in
full. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL
FORFEITS BE CONSIDERED FOR RESCHEDULING.
b. Any team that forfeits any games during a season may, at the option of the LHGCL Executive Board, be immediately dropped from the League, and shall be required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the League's Executive Board its ability to field a complete team at each scheduled game before it will be readmitted to the League. In addition, any team that forfeits a game must pay a $250 fine plus 100% of the applicable referee fees. If any team forfeits a second game during the same soccer year, the fine escalates to $350 plus 100% of the applicable referee fees. If any team forfeits three or more games during the same soccer year, the fine for each forfeited game in excess of two (2) will be $450 plus 100% of the applicable referee fees. Any fine levied for a forfeit must be paid prior to the team's next game or within 10 days, whichever is sooner. Any fine not paid by the forfeiting team within 30 days of notification by LHGCL shall become the responsibility of the forfeiting team's club. The club will have 10 days after receiving notification from LHGCL to pay the fine.
c. The team, coach, assistant coach, or
manager of any team that forfeits any games during a soccer year may be subject
to additional sanctions as determined by the LHGCL Executive Board, including,
but not limited to suspension from participation in the league.
H. Yellow/Red Card Report & Score
Requirements:
1. Winning Team to Report Score: The
designated coach, assistant coach or manager of each winning team must inform
the team’s age-group commissioner of the score of that team’s game within
twenty-four (24) hours of the completion of each game. Failure to report the
score within the prescribed time limit will result in the winning team
receiving a $50.00 fine.
2. Tied Games: In the case of a tie, the
designated coach, assistant coach or manager of the home team shall report the
score of the game to the age-group commissioner within twenty-four (24) hours
of the completion of the game. If the home team fails to report the score
within the prescribed time limit, the home team will receive a $50.00 fine.
3. Yellow/Red Card Report: In the event any
cards, send-offs, or cautions occur, both teams are required to send a Yellow/Red
Card Report completely filled out to their age group commissioner with
forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of a game. The only exception to this rule is for Saturday games. Yellow/Red Card Reports for Saturday
games can be turned in by 5:00 PM on the following Monday. If any team fails to send their Yellow/Red
Card Report to the age group commissioner within the designated time period,
that team may receive a $50.00 fine.
1. Nets and Corner Flags: At Moss, each team
is responsible for providing one (1) net (if nets are not already installed) and
two (2) corner flags for each game. Each team will put up and take down one net
and two corner flags. The home team will put up the net on the end of the field
closest to the parking lot. At UTD and Chinn Chapel, both teams shall supply 2
corner flags each.
2. Uniform Colors: Coaches are responsible
for making sure that jersey colors do not conflict. The home team (team listed
first on schedule) must wear white and the visiting team will wear a
contrasting color.
3. Uniform Numbers: All players are required
to have proper uniforms including numbers on the back of their jersey that
corresponds to the number on the roster. Players without numbers will not be allowed on the playing field. A team
with less than eight (8) players in numbered uniforms shall forfeit the game.
4. Protective Equipment: Players cannot wear
anything that is dangerous to themselves or the other players. Shin guards that
provide adequate protection are required for all players. Shin guards must be
covered by the player’s socks. Braces that have exposed metal and/or hard plastic must be covered with
a soft protective covering. The referee shall make the final decision whether
or not the player can play.
5. Game Roster: A Game Roster Form containing
a minimum of the names of the team, coaches, managers, and players (including
jersey numbers) must be given to the referee prior to the start of each LHGCL
game. The team roster of names, addresses, and phone numbers cannot be used in
this case. The roster given to the referee must not contain the addresses and
phone numbers of the players.
J. Referee Fees: Prior to the start of each
season, the Executive Board will establish and inform the coaches of the fees
to be paid to the referees and linesmen for each game and each age group.
AGE GROUP Middle Asst.
Referee
U11/12 $30 $20
U13/14 $34 $23
U15/16 $40 $26
U17/19 $52 $33
K. Payment of Referees: Each team is
responsible for the payment of the referees
PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME. Failure to do so may result in a
forfeit for the non-paying team in addition to a fine levied by LHGCL equal to
the referee fee. Each team must
pay ½ of the middle referee fee and all of the fee for one referee’s
assistant.
L. Returned Checks: Should a check be
returned, for any reason, written either by or for a team, to the LHGCL for
league fees, or to referees for games played in LHGCL, a returned check fee of
TWENTY-FIVE AND NO/100THS DOLLARS ($25.00) will be assessed to the team in
addition to the amount of the check, to be paid either by cashier’s check
(payable to LHGCL) or cash only. For the second, and subsequent returned check
in the same season, a fee of FIFTY AND NO/100THS DOLLARS ($50.00) will be
assessed in addition to the amount of the check to the team and the coach of
the team will be subject to disciplinary action.
M. Schedule Changes and Rescheduling
All special requests (following the guidelines below) must be made in
writing and turned in to the Age Division Commissioner when specified by the
league, usually at the coaches’/managers’ meeting prior to the fall season.
1. Teams may not request any weekends off
except to attend LHGCL APPROVED TOURNAMENTS.
2. We will do our best to schedule around
coaching conflicts for two teams only.
Coaches who coach more
than two teams may have conflicts.
3. U17 and U19 teams only are given Saturday
mornings off for SAT and ACT.
4. STANDARD SCHEDULING GUIDELINES USED BY
THE LEAGUE:
a. We do not schedule games at the following
times:
(1) Labor
Day Weekend
(2) Thanksgiving
Weekend (Wednesday - Sunday)
(3) Easter
Weekend (Wednesday - Sunday)
(4) During
State Cup (except teams eliminated from state cup the first weekend could have
a make-up game scheduled on the second weekend of State Cup if absolutely
necessary).
7. Reschedules: After the schedules have
been prepared, no schedule changes will be allowed except in the case of
inclement weather. Exceptions to this policy may be made only by the
scheduling coordinator and only under very rare and extraordinary circumstances.
The scheduling coordinator will post the rescheduled game on the website at
least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the rescheduled game.
8. Any
team initiating a reschedule shall be charged a $50.00 fee. Any
team initiating a reschedule less than 72 hours prior to the start of the game
to be rescheduled will be charged a $100.00 fee. Payment must be received by the age division
commissioner before the rescheduled game is played. If payment is not received
and the game cannot be played because of this non-payment prior to the end of
the current season, the game will not be played and the team requesting the
reschedule will forfeit the game. [NOTE:
This rule is in no way intended to insinuate that reschedules are permissible.
Reschedules must be for a valid, very rare, extraordinary reason and must be
granted by the scheduling coordinator.]
N. Foul Weather Procedures: Unless the coach, team
manager or other responsible person for the team is notified specifically by
the Age Division Commissioner or has received updated information on the LHGCL
Hot Line that their game has been canceled for any reason, both teams are
required to appear at the game site on time, ready to play. Any team failing to
appear and who has not been given proper notice that the game has been canceled
will be required to forfeit the game. The LHGCL Hotline shall constitute proper
notice. (Hotline Number: Metro 972/988-4188) Team managers/coaches are
required to check with the LHGCL Hotline for updates on playing conditions.
1. Only LHSA officials (Moss Park only) or a
member of the LHGCL Executive Board may cancel games prior to game time.
2. The referees, a member of the LHGCL
Executive Board, LHSA (Moss Park only), or an official of GLASA (Chinn Chapel
only) may cancel games at the field of play.
In the event of inclement weather during play, the
LHGCL officials on site or the referee (if no LHGCL official is present) will
determine if games are to be suspended. If games are suspended, teams and spectators must seek safe shelter in
their cars. Failure to leave the
soccer fields as directed by a LHGCL official or referee will result in an
immediate dismissal from the game for the offending person(s). DO NOT leave the complex until you have
been informed by a LHGCL official or referee that the games will not be
resumed.
1. Written Protests: Only WRITTEN protests
received by the Age-Group Commissioner or President within five (5) days of the
conclusion of the game will be considered.
2. Protest Fee: A written protest must be
accompanied by a cashier’s check or money order in the amount of ONE HUNDRED
AND NO/100THS DOLLARS ($100.00), made payable to the LHGCL which will be
refunded if the protest is upheld. The protest must follow the guidelines of
the NTSSA.
3. Protest Decisions: Protests will first be
ruled on by the Age-Group Commissioner with the right of appeal to the Girl’s
Classic League Executive Board and thence to NTSSA.
4. Disagreement with Referee Decisions: It
should be emphasized that any disagreement with the referee can only take the
form of a written protest filed in the same manner as GAME PROTESTS.
5. Valid Protests: NTSSA Rules state: “There
are only two acceptable causes for the protesting of a game after it has been
played. They are:
a. A team knowingly plays an unregistered,
ineligible, or suspended player; or
b. There has been an obvious error made in
the application of the Laws of the Game that directly affects the outcome of
the match, and the referee admits it.”
1. All persons (coaches, parents,
spectators, players, etc) attending any game(s) at facilities used by LHGCL for
any purpose are required to follow all rules, guidelines, and policies set
forth by LHGCL for conduct at the facility. Violations and/or refusal to comply with this section can
cause sanctions to be levied upon the coach of the associated team(s) and can
cause serious sanctions to be assessed against the team(s), including, but not
limited to, withdrawal of the team’s invitation to participate in the league.
2. Warm-ups in penalty boxes are prohibited
at UTD, Chinn Chapel or Moss Park. Violation
of this rule may cause a $25 fine (per violation) to be levied against
the offending team. Warm-ups in this case will be defined
as goalkeeper warm-ups and/or any repetitive drill with team players that causes
excessive wear on the pitch.
3. Clean Up: Each team must pick up its
trash after the game. Violation of this rule may cause a fine to be levied.
4. Lights and Gates: At either Moss or UTD,
the home team of the last game on a field on a given night will be responsible
for turning out the lights on their field. A $50.00 fine may be levied against any team not turning off
the lights as required by this Rule.
5. Any unauthorized person (any coach,
parent, spectator, player, etc.) who climbs over any portion of the fences at
UTD or Chinn Chapel, parks in the UTD apartment parking lot, or drives a
vehicle onto the path leading to the fields, the track area, or the grass areas
surrounding the UTD parking lot (except when a confirmed medical emergency
necessitates) are subject to an immediate two-game suspension from LHGCL games.
(He/she will be suspended from attending or observing games played by any
team(s) with which the person is associated.) The persons will be expected to
leave the complex immediately upon being confronted by LHGCL field marshals and
cannot observe any game. If the person refuses to leave the complex and/or if
the person refuses to move his/her vehicle from the restricted area, the
team(s) with which the party is associated may
forfeit that game, and the team
and/or individual may be subject to additional sanctions1 if the
situation warrants, as determined by the LHGCL A&D Committee. If the
suspended party violates a suspension under this section and attends or
observes a game from which he/she is suspended, the team(s) with which the
suspended party is associated may forfeit that game, and the suspended
party, coach, and/or team may be subject to further sanctions as determined by the
LHGCL A&D Committee.
1Additional
sanctions may include but are not limited to: a minimum fine of $100;
additional game suspensions; if a parent or relative of a player is involved,
the player may be suspended; point deductions from the team involved. When determining what sanctions to
apply to a given situation the league will place emphasis on whether or not the
action could materially change the outcome of a game or a team’s participation
in the game. For example, a coach watching his team play from a vantage
point during his/her suspension – and “coaching” by cell phone - may be
deemed to materially effect the conduct of a game and his/her team would
generally be assessed a forfeit for the game.