ILLOWA

LAWS OF THE GAME

All matches will be administered according to the current USSF Laws of the Game except for the changes listed within this rulebook.

GAME LENGTHS

U9, U-10, and U-11: 25 min. halves, 5-min. half time;

U-12, U-13, U-14: 30 min. halves, 5-min. half time;

U15/16: 30 min halves, 5 min half time;

U17/18: 35 min. halves, 10-min. half time. The clock runs continuously except for major injury or other extreme situation.

GAME BALLS

U-9 through U-12 games will use #4 balls, all others use #5. The game ball will be supplied by the Home Team. If that ball is not acceptable to the Referee, a ball may be accepted from another source.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

COLOR CONFLICTS - In the event of a uniform color conflict, the Home Team will wear a white or light color and the Visitors will wear a dark color jersey. If only one team has an alternate, that team will change.

HAIR CONTROL - Headbands may only be worn for hair control. If worn, a headband must be a single color, continuous band with no knots or ties.  Barrettes are not allowed to be worn.

JEWELRY - No jewelry is allowed except Medical Alert necklaces/bracelets that must be taped to the skin. Taping over earrings, bracelets, etc. is not acceptable.

CASTS - No player will be allowed to participate if he/she is wearing a hard (unyielding) cast or splint even if covered with padding.

UNIFORMS - All players (except the goalie) are required to WEAR A NUMBERED SHIRT.  Referee may require shirts to be tucked in the shorts.

PLAYER REGISTRATION

Players must be registered in the state of their residence. If a player on your team roster resides in a state other than the state that your team is sanctioned, contact the your league or team registrar for rules for the state the player resides.

PLAYER PASSES

Player passes must be at the game field for each match. Only players with a valid LAMINATED Player Pass with photo will be allowed to participate in an IYSL league match.

If a player with a Player Pass from another team participates, the game will be played as a "Friendly Match" and considered a forfeit, the score will be recorded as 3-0.  The opposing coach must be notified prior to the start of the match and has the option of not playing.

If the player passes for the team are not present at the beginning of the match, the team will have until the end of the first half to produce the cards so that the players can be checked at half time. The coach must assure the officials that all players are properly registered and the opposing coach must be notified of the situation before the beginning of the match. If the passes do no arrive before the end of the first half, the game will be considered a forfeit and the score will be recorded as 3-0.  If the opposing team wishes to continue, the match may be completed as a "Friendly Match".

No unregistered player(s) may be used at any time.  Any coach that knowingly uses an ineligible player without notifying the referee will be suspended for 1 game for the first offense. The second offense will be referred to the Board of Directors for action.

ROSTERS

A player may only play on one team in the Illowa League each season.  Coaches must bring their State approved roster to each game. 

PLAYER AGES

Teams will participate in divisions established by IYSL based on the age of the oldest player(s) on a team, as determined by USYSA rules. The following exception will be allowed, and up to 3 players may be rostered with a team for league play under the following guidelines:

1. U15 female players may play on a U14 Girls' team in the spring season if they are still in 8th grade.
2. U19 female players may play on a U18 Girls' team in the fall season if they are still in high school.
3. Iowa U15 male players may play on a U14 Boys' team in the spring season if they are still in 8th grade.
4. Illinois U15 male players may play on a U14 Boys' team in the fall season if they are still in 8th grade.
5. Iowa U19 male players may play on a U18 Boys' team in the fall season if they are still in high school.
6. Illinois U19 male players may play on a U18 Boys' team in the spring season if they are still in high school.

The league must be notified and provided with proof (high school ID with photo or most recent report card and past USYSA player pass with photo) in advance of any inclusion of a player to the roster.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Unlimited substitutions will be allowed. All substitutes must be at the halfway line when the ball goes out of play and wait for permission from the referee to enter the field. The substitutes are considered players of record and the departing players are no longer considered the player’s at the time the referee motions the subs to enter the field.

Teams may substitute on their own throw-in, either teams' goal kick, following a goal or at any stoppage at the referee's discretion. If a player(s) is injured and must be attended by a coach or trainer, that player(s) must be substituted. The opposing team will be allowed to substitute a like number of players.  Players being substituted must exit the field at the half line unless unwise directed by the referee.  The Assistant Referee does NOT have the power to permit a substitute to enter the field.  Permission can ONLY be granted by the Referee.  

LANGUAGE

Derogatory conversation during a match is not allowed.  Vulgar, obscene or foul language will not be tolerated. If in the opinion of the referee, a player "taunts" an opponent, that player may be cautioned or ejected depending on the severity of the situation in the opinion of the referee.  Any coach taunting an opponent shall be dismissed.

DISSENTION

All participants and spectators should keep in mind that IYSL is not only a place for soccer players to practice skills; it is also a place for referee to practice and learn. With that in mind the following rule will be in effect:

No player, coach or spectator may dissent to or otherwise verbally abuse any other player, coach, spectator or referee. Abuse includes any complaints or derogatory comments made directly or indirectly to another person. PENALTY: Violator may be cautioned or ejected depending on the severity of the situation in the opinion of the referee.

COACHES

Only three non-players are allowed in the team bench area during the game.  The referee will verbally warn the Head Coach for a violation, a caution will be issued to the Head Coach if the violation continues, and the Head Coach will be dismissed if the violation persists.

Each team U-15 and above must have one adult (21 years or older) coach present in the coaching box that is responsible for the conduct of the players.

Mercy rule

• Mercy Rule for U-9 and U-10 matches:
• When there are 6 goal differentials at any time during the first half, the referee will blow the whistle to end the first half of the match.
• The second half of the match will have a 20 minute time limit.
• The second half will end immediately if the goal differential reaches 10.
• Emphasis must be placed on learning and playing for the love of the game. Coaches must encourage and support the play of both teams.

SCHEDULE

Schedule changes after the start of season play: requested changes with a minimum of 14 days notice prior to a game---$25; requested schedule change with less than 14 days left prior to game---$50.

NO SHOW/FORFEIT

Failure to field a full roster for a game) results in a forfeit and the following penalty.  

Minimum number of players to avoid a forfeit:

U-9-4 players; U-10/12-6 players; U-12 and above-8 players

Game day forfeit—if game is played as a friendly due to lack of a full foster--$50.

Game day no show---no game played---$100---additionally, team will be required to post a performance bond of $150 in order to play in further sessions.

RED & YELLOW CARDS

A player who receives a caution and is shown the Yellow Card must immediately be substituted out of the game and may not re-enter until the next legal opportunity to substitute.  A player who is sent off and shown a Red Card must leave the field.  This player may remain on the team bench under the supervision of the coach.  A coach who is dismissed must leave the area - out of sight and sound of the field.  The game will not be resumed until the coach is out of sight and sound of the field.  Any player sent off, or coach dismissed, will, as a minimum penalty, be disqualified from the next match. The penalty will carry over to the next season scheduled by IYSL (indoor or outdoor). 

WARM-UP

Teams are not permitted to warm-up inside the 14/18 year penalty area at any time.  PENALTY: After warning, the Head Coach will be cautioned.  If team persists, the Head Coach will be dismissed.  Repeat violations may cause fine to team.

RECRUITING

Parents and coaches should be aware of the policy so that they (1) do not cause a child to violate it, and (2) in the event of harassment by potential offenders they have recourse. Parents and coaches should be encouraged to report any such incidents to the league authorities.

Any player desiring to be free of registration obligations before the end of a seasonal year must obtain a written release from the team with which the player is currently registered. Such release may only be withheld if a violation of this policy has occurred.

No officer, director, coach, player, booster, employee or representative of any such person or of a club or team shall, within the Registration Period (from date player signs a registration form until the team has played the last match of the seasonal year - August 1- July 31), without the written permission from that player's team: a)interfere or attempt to interfere with the registration of an IYSL player presently registered with another club or team, or b) discuss future registration (beyond the current season) with an IYSL player presently registered, or c) practice any soccer related activity with any IYSL player of another team or club for the purpose of  recruiting or evaluation.

OPEN TRYOUTS 

It is the right of every player to be free to choose which team that player want to play on without fear of intimidation or repercussion from any source.  It is in this spirit that the IYSL permits an exception to the policy by not requiring a player, registered with another team or club, to have written permission to participate in an open tryout for the following seasonal year.  Such tryouts for the current seasonal year will still require written permission for the players of their registered teams to participate.

INDUCEMENTS

No officer, director, coach, player, booster, employee or representative of any such person or club or team, may offer any player, IYSL registered or not, at any time, any inducement in an attempt to recruit a player to play on any team, for any purpose or reason. Inducements that would be considered unethical, and therefore a violation of this policy, would include, but are not necessarily limited to: Free or discounted travel costs, cash, bonuses, high school or college scholarships, equipment, etc.

For copy of complete policy adopted from Illinois Youth Soccer Association including detailed guidelines for advertising Open Tryouts, IYSA

FIELD RENTAL

The Illowa Youth Soccer League will pay up to $20 per match to the host facility. Additional charges will be the responsibility of the host club.

For this fee, the host club will provide a "Field Marshall" (for no more than 2 fields at a time) to provide a game report, collect game report forms from the referees, assist in sideline control and to electronically transmit game results to Illowa OR send all game information to the league office on MONDAY following the match.

RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY

Illowa endorses the Illinois Youth Soccer Association and Iowa Soccer Association Risk Management Policy, as mandated by USYSA.  Iowa registered teams shall comply with the Iowa Soccer Association Risk Management Policy, and Illinois registered team shall comply with the Illinois Youth Soccer Association Risk Management Policy.  The league shall designate a Risk Management Coordinator for the league to supervise the implementation and compliance with these policies.