Remember, to be certified as having played your league games for state cup qualifying, game scores must be reported. USYSA affiliates will look at the public list of games to be sure games have been played.  The league expects both CJYSA and USCL games to be played as scheduled.

BEFORE SEASON BEGINS:

League registration, packet fees and bond payments are made through online, electronic registration.  Go to Team Annual Registration Information from the website main menu (left side of home page).  Fee and carding information will be posted.

Teams must send their age group coordinator the home phone, cells, and e-mail for coaches and managers of team. An updated contact sheet will be emailed to everyone in age group by coordinator upon completion.

LEAGUE REQUIREMENTS:

NJ Teams MUST show CJYSA (#01) as their registered league on the NJYS roster, even if they participate in another NJYS league. We do not encourage participating in other leagues, as it severely limits a team’s availability for league scheduling, with all the other events-both soccer & family-that occur in any given season (state cup, tournaments etc).  Talk to the league administrator and scheduler if you are planning to play in two leagues.

BEFORE THE SEASON BEGINS: Copies of ALL (both US Club and US Youth Soccer) NJ & out of state team rosters MUST be sent in for league records!  Email, fax or snail-mail. Send To:                               

jan@mssl.org

Season Planning:

Schedules will be set up through the league central scheduler, with the input of age group coordinators.  Age groups set schedules considering individual team and field availability.   Age group coordinators help determine what works best for their age group.  League meeting or age group meeting will be held prior to the start of the season to go over the league rules, procedures and score reporting with all the team contacts. 

Schedules will be published on the website prior to the start of the season. 

Certificates of Insurance:

Many towns/counties or private complexes require proof of insurance for teams to play on the fields.  You can obtain proof of insurance through a certificate of insurance.  These may be obtained from either NJYS or USCLUB - depending on what affiliation you are using for the games.  If you will be hosting games under both affiliations, then GET CERTIFICATES FROM BOTH ORGANIZATIONS! 

Season Dates:

Fall season will begin by the second week of September, with no league matches set by league any later than the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. This does not mean games cannot be played any later; only that the league stops scheduling regular match-ups as of that time.  Games may continue to be played throughout the winter.  Spring season will begin in February/March (date to be set by the league board) and run through June 19th, 2011, even though league scheduled matches will end in May. The season closes one week to 10 days prior to regionals. 

The league administrator will work with the age group coordinators and respective age groups to set up schedules and any site games.  Games may be played earlier, i.e., January or February, if weather permitting and teams agree.

For U15-U19 teams, we have a single season that beings as early as November (after high school season ends for most) for those teams who wish to get games in early.  New this year for U15’s only, we are offering a fall season beginning September for those teams who do not have high school programs at that age. The offer is in the single season and can be fall only or full year; or keeping the late fall and/or spring programming.

Teams do not have to start early; they can opt to start in the spring and even pre-play games in January and February (schedule published by beginning of February for spring start; but MSSL games can be played earlier). The league will not schedule any league match-ups after the end of May-and may choose to end earlier. This does not mean teams cannot play or make up matches after that date. It just means the league will not set dates after that date. Teams may continue to play through June, but must finish their schedule one week prior to USYSA Regionals-the last week of June. For those not concerned with Regionals, matches may continue through the end of June.

PASSES

Teams must have passes in order to play league games. All NJ players must be carded under NJYS as per the league rules. Teams playing CJYSA games (often referred to as "state cup qualifying games"), MUST use USYSA affiliate passes (NJYS, ENYYSA, EPYSA, DYSA, MYSA, etc) for those games. Any team using passes other than the USYSA affiliate passes for these games will be automatically charged a forfeit on the official game report once the league is notified by the game official in his/her report and/or opposing team.

Games played under USCL should be played with both teams using US Club passes. US Club does not discriminate against other USSF member affiliations, so if a team does not have US Club passes, barring any prohibition by the other USSF member affiliation, other passes may be used for USCL games under the US Club jurisdiction.

NJYS, for 2010-11, will be moving to an online electronic rostering that requires teams to have GOT SOCCER accounts and to enter their league as the event. This will require the league to approve the team as a registered member (meaning you have been approved and are paid), complete the team roster and get assigned pass numbers; have your district commissioner approve your passes -electronically - and then you print your passes on the paper that is provided in your pass packet the league sends to you (instructions for the process are in the packet as well). Teams will not be permitted to play league games until the team’s roster is approved and passes issued.

Out of state teams will also use the electronic system for completing their rosters, but just enter their current state association pass numbers into the system. Those teams will notify Lindsay Nappi at the NJYS office of the roster, and she will validate the roster.

FORFEITS

Forfeits or no shows will be charged at $250.00 per forfeit to each team.  In addition, the team who doesn’t show will also be charged the FULL referee fees and any field rental fees that the home team may have incurred.  Should a team be charged with a forfeit or no show, the team must replenish the bond to the $250 limit.  TEAMS CANNOT AGREE TO FORFEIT GAMES. Only the League may determine a forfeit based upon all information provided. Teams that are unable to reschedule matches may be charged with a forfeit, and be placed under league probation and possible expulsion.  The league is taking it seriously-if you sign up to play, you have an obligation to play. We are flexible in scheduling, but Games are NOT optional once the schedule is set!

CANCELLING GAMES

Games shall not be cancelled any later than the SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED GAME unless weather/field issues arise the day of the game; or one of the teams has advanced to the next round in state cup competition.  Otherwise, any team cancelling within seven days prior to the scheduled match may find themselves sanctioned.  If a team cancels within 7 days of the scheduled date, the league may impose a forfeit fine of $250., which will be taken from the bond posted. The team will be required to replenish the bond before they can play future games. 

RESCHEDULING GAMES

MSSL - CJYSA or USCL - offers flexibility with regard to game schedules.  Game schedules will indicate weekend dates only.  Game times are usually arranged by the home team through their respective club field assigners.   These dates may be changed by the participating teams ONLY by mutual agreement of the match teams.

If mutually agreed upon by home and away team, the date may be changed. For example, a Sunday game may be played on Saturday, or Friday night, part of a round robin or a week night.  There is no requirement that a scheduled game must be played on a Sunday.  Teams and coordinators should work together and arrange central sites for games and/or round robins for the convenience of traveling teams. 

NO TEAM MAY DROP AN OPPONENT FROM THEIR SCHEDULE and REPLACE WITH ANOTHER!!!!! Once the schedule is set by the league, you are expected to play that opponent.

Cancelled games must have a reschedule date within two weeks of the orginal date. Do not agree to wait to reschedule. Get the game played. Waiting until the end of the season may mean the game never gets played.

League game lengths (CJYSA and USCL) are as below – and apply to single scheduled matches and multiple games on the same day:

• U19/18/17 –  90 minutes (45 minute halves)

• U16/15    –    80 minutes (40 minute halves)

• U14/13    –    70 minutes (35 minute halves)

• U12/11    –    60 minutes (30 minute halves)

• U10/9/8   –    50 minutes (25 minute halves)

GAME TIMES MAY BE LONGER – however, both teams must agree to the extended time before the game begins. 

REFEREE FEES

 REFEREE FEES!

Ref fees are split between both teams on the field.  Referees shall be paid by both teams before the game begins.

The recommended fees for each age group are:

• U19/18/17 - $70 center referee; $35 each lines person

• U16/15    -   $70 center referee; $35 each lines person

• U14/13    -   $60 center referee; $30 each lines person

• U12/11    -   $50 center referee; $25 each lines person

• U10/9/8   -   $45 center referee; $22.50 each lines person

However, teams should pay the prevailing rate for referees in that area, with the above fees being the average or usual fees.  If a club pays a higher fee, please pay the added fee. Advise us if the fee is substantially higher.  

GAME CARDS  - Instructions WILL CHANGE FOR 2010-2011-going electronic. Instructions to follow

Game Cards are available on our website under "Referees". Look to the left menu for CJYSA game cards or USCL game cards.

Remember to use the appropriate game card with the appropriate league – CJYSA or USCL.  Check the website for more information regarding USCL requirements.

·       One game card shall be submitted to the referee by the home team. 

·       The home team will complete the roster information on the card (2 places) or affix labels (3.33^” x 4” – 8164) using a template (download on website). BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT PASS information on game cards – i.e., NJYS pass numbers for CJYSA matches; USCLUB pass numbers for MSSL matches 

·       Home team should fill in the game number (from schedule), home/away teams; age group and date of game, prior to match.

·       Away team should bring 2 labels to the game to affix onto card (or be prepared to fill in roster information on game card before game begins). 

·       Give the game card to the referee prior to the start of the match for player check-in, along with referee payment

REPORTING SCORES - changes in reporting scores for 2010-2011-electronic; instructions to follow

Once the season has begun, managers or coaches will log onto their team page and  post their game scores on the leagues’ website.  Only one team must post the score.  If there is a disagreement with the score posted, the coaches will defer to the league administrator, who will wait for the game card to lock the score.  Any questions as to reporting of forfeits is done by the league administrator.

REFEREE ASSIGNING - Will be changing in 2010-2011-electronic & manual; instructions to follow

All games must be assigned by a certified referee assigner!  We have a list of LEAGUE ASSIGNORS that you may use for assigning your MAPS games.  If you do not know an assigner or are unsure of the procedure for your team, contact Bob Mykulak, to coordinate ref assignments to your team. Bob Mykulak can be contacted at: bobm@mssl.org . Do this before the start of the season so Bob can help clarify your situation.

• If a club is assigning the CJYSA or USCL along with games played through another league, the CJYSA or USCL games should be scheduled first or last on a field for the ease of the assigner and coordination with Bob Mykulak.

SECONDARY CARDED PLAYERS

Secondary carded players are permitted-for NJ teams only (sorry, NJYS does not permit out of state teams to have secondary carded players), with a maximum of 3 per team; guest players are NOT permitted in league play. 

Note that US Club Soccer policies permit movement of players onto rosters with a bit greater facility than other organizations, and teams are free to avail themselves of these policies, provided that a player is properly rostered to a team by the team the game-day roster is printed.

This rule is a NJYS rule that requires any transfer player (during a seasonal year fall/spring) to sit 3 games as of the date the DC validates his/her addition to a team.  CJYSA, as part of a member league, is required to enforce this NJYS rule.  That means, any player added to a NJYS roster, must sit three CJYSA games. Once the player has sat out the three games, they can participate in the team’s next scheduled CJYSA games.  Since neither USCL nor Region 1 matches are sanctioned by NJYSA, these games cannot be used to satisfy the NJYSA requirement to sit out three matches before playing again in a NJYSA sanctioned match.

No pass, no play.  There are no acceptable substitute passes. All passes on both teams must be from the same governing body.  The player simply can’t play until either the original pass is found or a replacement pass is obtained.  The same logic applies to a lost US Club pass.

Without getting involved in onerous detail, let it be noted that insurance concerns are involved, besides the issues involved with unrelated soccer governing bodies. JUST DON’T DO IT!

CENTRAL SITE GAMES

League Provided Central Site games: you may request to play certain games/weekends at central sites arranged and provided by the league.  There is a fee associated with central site matches at league arranged sites - usually $25 per game per day. The cost will vary, depending on the site, however the fee does not  usually include referee fees. We will advise you if it is different and the fee includes referee fees for that date or whether you pay those to the referee at site. 

The league will be setting up central registering for site games, so teams will pay the fees in advance. Both teams scheduled to play would be required to register on the website. More information on that process will follow.  Teams would not request or register for central site games until after schedules are published. 

SPIRIT OF THE GAME

In spirit, the league is all about development and not winning.  We want the players to develop a love of the game and grow as a result of the high level of competition that MSSL provides and the grass roots spirit of the community based soccer. Focusing on game results detracts from this objective.  MSSL emphasizes this philosophy at all levels and we should too. While the league is moving to the reporting of scores and standings (primarily to address concerns of teams for tournament record purposes and to comply with NJYS requirements to post schedules and game scores), we shall still continue to request that folks refrain from posting game results or incidents on forum sites and encourage your parents to also refrain.  The game belongs to the kids, let it remain with them.

Call (or e-mail) the league administrator/scheduler anytime with questions or problems.

The rules guiding discipline are league wide rules and thus do not differ for the divisions. 

What that means is that if a player receives a one game suspension the player must serve that suspension in the next league game that the player is otherwise eligible to participate in.