Soccer Regulations

2011 BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS

NOTE: The following regulations apply to all levels of tournament competition unless otherwise specified. They were adopted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors on June 9, 2011. The Commissioner is authorized to modify these regulations when deemed necessary by the Commissioner, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors.

1. ORGANIZATION OF TOURNAMENTS
 
A. The District Athletic Boards (DAB) organize and conduct Sectional and District Tournaments in their respective districts, subject to the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors. Sectional / District site managers will receive additional information from respective District Athletic Boards. Site selection and play dates are at the discretion of each District Athletic Board.
B. The Regional and State Tournaments are under the control of the Commissioner’s office.
C. There will be three divisions (I, II, and III) for both the boys and girls.  Site selection for Regional Tournaments is at the discretion of the Commissioner’s office.
D. There is no restriction/requirement at any level of play regarding artificial or natural surfaces. Sites must meet minimum requirements of the NFHS.

2. ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS

A. All participants must be eligible under the Bylaws and Sports Regulations of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Only one school team sponsored by a member school is eligible to participate. An eligibility certificate must be submitted to the tournament manager.
B. A student who uses anabolic steroids or other performance enhancing drugs is ineligible for interscholastic competition until such time as medical evidence can be presented that the student’s system is free of anabolic steroids or other performance enhancing drugs.

3. TOURNAMENT ENTRY AND PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS
 
A. Tournament Entry/Withdraw
1. Member schools wanting to participate in the 2011 OHSAA Soccer Tournaments must indicate their intent to participate on their 2011-12 OHSAA Sports Participation Card in myOHSAA. Tournament entry confirmation begins September 26, 2011 and ends October 3, 2011. Schools that change their tournament participation after October 3, 2011 will be subject to a $150 penalty per sport.
B. Tournament Paperwork Requirements
1. Participating schools must provide the tournament entry form and OHSAA eligibility certificate to their sectional site manager per their instruction.

4. TOURNAMENT DRAW AND SEEDING PROCEDURE

NOTE: The established date for all seeding and drawing meetings in Ohio is Sunday, October 9, 2011.
A. All teams assigned to the first round of the tournament shall be seeded. For purposes of seeding, the last matches to be counted will be those played on the date established by the District Athletic Board.
B. THE SEEDING METHOD FOR ALL OHSAA SPONSORED SOCCER TOURNAMENTS is attached at the end of this document. 
C. OHSAA sample brackets are at:  http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/brackets.xls 
D. The tournament manager will distribute brackets to representatives of participating teams. All brackets shall designate date and time of match with the home team being listed on the top of the bracket.

5. TOURNAMENT DATES

A. Sectional Tournaments - shall be scheduled to be completed by October 22, 2011.
B. District Tournaments – shall be scheduled to be completed by October 29 2011.
C. Regional Tournaments – shall be November 1, 2 and 5, 2011
D. State Tournaments – shall be November 8, 9, 11 and 12, 2011

Note: Regional tournament dates will not be moved due to schedule changes at the District level. Room should be built into tournaments at the District level

6. REPORTING BRACKETS and TOURNAMENT CONTEST RESULTS – ELECTRONICALLY

A. All tournament managers are required to report tournament brackets, including date, time and location of contest(s), immediately following your tournament seed meeting to local media outlets as well as the NEDAB.

B. Contest results, with scores, are to be reported no later than 9:00am the morning following the contest to the NEDAB.  If your result is posted to the state website, MyOHSAA, then you do not need to inform the NEDAB.  If results are not on MyOHSAA you are to e-mail the NEDAB webmaster Genne Zimmerly at nrcn_gennez@tccsa.net

C. Managers should obtain media outlet information from teams at their seed meetings with regard to who should be contacted with brackets, results and other pertinent tournament information

7. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE
 
A. No team will be permitted to compete in a tournament contest unless accompanied by the coach or a person authorized by the Board of Education. The school representative shall be present throughout the tournament contest. Teams unaccompanied by such school representative will be disqualified.
B. If a girl’s team coach is male, it is recommended that a female (non-high school student) accompany the team.

8. OFFICIALS

A. Sectional and District – officials shall be assigned by the District Athletic Boards from pools provided by the OHSAA
B. Regional and State – officials will be assigned by the Commissioner’s office according to the procedure adopted by the Board of Directors. Only OHSAA Soccer Class I officials shall be used.
C. Alternate Officials
1. During regional and state tournament play, site managers are encouraged to provide one alternate official where both teams are on the same side of the field and two alternate officials where the teams are on opposite sides of the field. Regardless of your chosen set-up, please ensure that both teams are treated equitably.
2. The alternate official(s) shall be responsible for signaling substitutions and each be provided with an air horn and an adequate supply of propellant.
3. The alternate official(s) may not use a whistle to signal for substitutions.
4. Per OHSAA Bylaw 8-3-1, the decisions and interpretations of the rules by officials are final.

9. FAILURE TO APPEAR

A. When national playing rules do not address failure to appear, the following regulations will apply. If a team fails to appear or is not ready to play within 30 minutes of the scheduled starting time of a tournament game, the space on the bracket may be declared vacant. A “no contest” will be declared, and the opposing team will advance into the next round of competition. See No Contest under Section 32 of the General Sports regulations. All decisions relative to this regulation shall be made by a representative of the respective district athletic board or the OHSAA Commissioner’s office.

10. GAME REGULATIONS

A. Coin Toss – a coin toss shall be held as in Rule 5-2-2 (d-3)
B. Rules – National Federation 2011-12 Soccer Rules shall be used in all games.
C. Tournament Tie Procedures –ADOPTED IN 2004
1. When the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team benches. There will be five minutes during which both teams may confer with their coaches and the head referee will instruct both teams as to proper procedures.
2. Teams will play one 15-minute sudden victory overtime period. If the score remains tied after the first overtime period, teams will play a second 15-minute sudden victory overtime period.
3. Prior to the first overtime period, a coin toss shall be held as in Rule 5-2-2 (e).
4. If still tied at the end of the first 15-minute overtime period, teams shall change ends for the second overtime period.
5. There shall be a two-minute interval between periods.
6. If the score still remains tied, all coaches, officials and team captains following a two minute interval shall assemble at the halfway line to review the procedures for a penalty kick shootout as outlined below:
D. Game Management Procedures
1. The head referee shall choose the goal at which all of the penalty kicks shall be taken based upon field and weather conditions.
2. Per Rule 1-6-1, spectators shall be confined to areas at least 10 feet from the touch line, team/official area and goal line. No one shall be permitted directly behind either goal unless seated in bleachers,
3. The coin toss shall be held as in Rule 5-2-2 (e) and the team winning the coin toss will have the choice of kicking first or second.
4. Prior to commencement of each set of penalty kicks, each coach will submit a list of five kickers by name, number, and sequence (i.e. first through the fifth) to the head referee. Substitution for a kicker is only permitted for injury or as provided for in II(C), “Misconduct Procedures,” and must be coordinated through the head referee.
5. Teams will alternate kickers.
6. The ball may not played by anyone after it has been kicked. There is no follow-up.
7. During all tie-breaker penalty kicks, the ball remains alive until its momentum is spent, it goes out of bounds, or it is retouched by the kicker.
8. The defending team may change the goalkeeper prior to each kick.
9. The tie-breaker procedure initially requires a maximum of five kicks per team. The team scoring the greater number of goals from their kicks shall be declared the winner. Where a team has taken fewer than five kicks and has already scored a greater number of goals than their opponent can score if that opponent is permitted to take all five of its kicks, the tie-breaker procedure is terminated and the winner is declared to be the team which has already scored the greater number of goals.
10. Sudden victory begins with the second set of kicks, wherein if one team scores and the other teams does not score, the game is ended without more kicks being taken.

E. Selection of Kickers
1. Eligible Players – player’s eligible to participate in the penalty kick shootout include the goalkeeper and any players on or off the field, except those who may have been disqualified or ejected.
2. Each coach will select five players per set of kicks based upon the following guidelines:
Step Set of Kicks Available Players     Status
   1 1st set of 5 All eligible players     All 10 players kick (5 per team)
   2 2nd set of 5 All eligible players     SUDDEN VICTORY
   Except those from 1st set
   3 3rd set of 5 All eligible players     SUDDEN VICTORY
   4 4th set of 5 All eligible players     SUDDEN VICTORY
   Except those from
   Immediately preceding set
 
F. Misconduct Procedures
1. Cautioned Players
a. One of the five players listed to take a kick is cautioned after he/she takes the kick. That player is not eligible to kick again until one complete set of five kicks has been completed beyond the set of kicks in which the caution was issued.
i. Player “X” is one of the first five kickers, and is cautioned after taking his/her kick. Player “X” is not eligible to kick again until the set beginning with the 11th kick. ii.
ii. Player “Y” is one of the second set of five kickers and is cautioned after taking his/her kick. Player “Y” is not eligible to kick again until the set beginning with the 16th kick.
b. One of the five players listed to take a kick is cautioned before he/she takes the kick. That player is not eligible to kick until the next set of five kicks. Another eligible player not listed in that set of kicks must take the cautioned player’s original turn.
c. When a goalkeeper is issued a caution during any set of five kicks, he/she cannot re-enter until the next opponent completes his/her kick. A substitution is permitted for the cautioned goalkeeper.
2. Disqualified Players
a. Any player, including the goalkeeper, who is disqualified, may not participate any further. If his/her kick is not already completed, a substitute is permitted.

G. Interrupted Tournament Games
1. Tournament games interrupted because of events beyond the control of the responsible administrative authority shall be continued from the point of interruption.
2. Any ejected player or coach cannot participate in the resumed game.
3. Teams, playing short, will continue to play short.
4. Rule 7-1-3 is not in effect for tournament games.

H. Warm-Up Time and Timing of the Pre-Match Sportsmanship Conference
1. Both teams are guaranteed a minimum of 30 minutes of uninterrupted warm-up time.
2. Both teams may be permitted access to the field one (1) hour prior to kickoff (presuming there is not another match immediately prior).
3. The 30 minute clock will begin 40 minutes prior to kickoff, thereby guaranteeing the minimum 30 minute warm-up.
4. The remaining 10 minutes prior to kickoff will be utilized for the sportsmanship conference, coin toss, pre-game introductions, and the national anthem.
5. A sample pre-game schedule is as follows for a 7:00 pm kickoff:

Time          Item
6:00 pm   Teams permitted to take the field (if available)
6:20 pm   30 minute clock starts
6:20 pm   Guaranteed 30 minutes of uninterrupted warm-up time begins
6:50 pm   Uninterrupted warm-up time is concluded
6:50 pm   Pre-Match Sportsmanship Conference, Coin Toss, Pre-Game Introductions, National Anthem
7:00 pm   Kickoff

11. TEAM REGULATIONS

A. Game Ball / Ball Persons – Each team will provide three ball persons during all tournament contests, including regional and state tournament play. In addition, each participating team will provide three balls for use in each contest during sectional and district tournaments. Per our agreement with Nike, the OHSAA adopted ball for regional and state play, six game balls will be provided for each contest at regional and state sites, and each participating team will receive three at the conclusion of the contest.
B. Practice Sessions – There will be no practice sessions permitted at any tournament site other than pre-game practice.
C. Size of Squads –It is the responsibility of the coaches, tournament manager to insure that the number of players does not exceed 22 in uniform each game. If either team is over the limit, it must be corrected at once. Failure to comply with the regulation at any time after the request of the head officials shall result in the forfeiture of the game.
D. Uniforms
1. The home team shall wear white or light shirts and socks, and the visiting team shall wear dark shirts and socks.
2. Both socks shall be the same dominant color, but not necessarily the color of the shirt.
3. If other visible apparel is worn under the uniform, it shall conform to NFHS Rule 4-1-1. All team members do not have to wear the additional apparel.
4. Shin guards are mandatory and shall be fully covered by the socks. They must meet NOCSAE specifications.
5. All aspects of the uniform must conform to NFHS Rule 4-1-1.
E. Unsporting Conduct Penalty
1. During participation in OHSAA Tournaments, any student or coach ejected for unsporting conduct or flagrant foul shall be ineligible for contests for the remainder of that day as well as for all contests in that sport until two regular season /tournament contests are played at the same level as the ejection.
2. Individuals ejected for unsporting conduct shall be reported to the OHSAA Commissioner by the tournament manager. The Commissioner will investigate the situation and may impose additional penalties in accordance with Bylaw 12 if the situation warrants.
3. Participation in athletic contests is a privilege. Each individual is expected to conduct him / herself in an exemplary manner while participating.

12. SCHOOL REGULATIONS

A. Cheerleaders & Mascots
1. Eight (8) cheerleaders in uniform, one student mascot and one sponsor will be admitted free provided a certified list is filed at the pass gate by the high school principal.
2. Only cheerleaders in uniform are permitted to lead cheers at field level.
3. Mascots will not be permitted on the playing field or near the team benches.

B. Property Damage
1. There is no insurance covering property damage.
2. If property is damaged at a tournament site by competing school teams, student body or spectators, the school from which the students and/or spectators come shall be liable and pay the cost of repair or replacement. The tournament manager is authorized to deduct from the school’s share the cost of any damages caused by competing schools.
3. Other damages to facilities not attributed to a competing school could be a legitimate tournament expense and may be deducted from tournament receipts.
4. If damage is extensive, the District Athletic Board or Board of Directors will become involved.
5. Student crowd control at state sponsored tournaments is the responsibility of the Principals of the competing schools.
 
C. Videotaping by Schools
1. Filming or videotaping of tournament games by one or both of the schools playing the game is permitted provide the permission of the tournament manager is secured and it is done at the expense of the school involved and a maximum of one individual per school is permitted.
2. Videotaping of a potential opponent’s tournament game is PROHIBITED.

13. SITE REGULATIONS

A. Admission Prices – There will be no pre-sale tickets. Tickets at the gate will be $4.00 for students and $6.00 for adults for Sectionals and Districts.  Senior Citizens are to pay the adult fee, $6.00.
B. Team Passes – Tournament Packets will include a PASS LIST which is to be used at all sessions. The official PASS LIST is to be certified by the administrative head of the school and will include typewritten names of all players, head coach, assistant coaches, manager(s) and the driver(s) transporting players.
C. Scouting Passes – MUST be previously arranged with the Tournament Manager. NO SCOUTING PASSES WILL BE ISSUED AT THE GATE.
D. Parking – NEDAB does not support parking fees assessed at Sectional and District tournament sites. If sites choose to provide fundraising opportunities to organizations a maximum charge of $2.00 should be charged and it should be clearly posted who the benefactor is for fees collected. Where a parking fee is required by municipal agreement (and exceeds $2.00) the NEDAB must be notified in writing of the arrangement prior to the start of the tournament.

E. Banners and Signs
1. Banners and signs will be permitted provided they are not personal, negative, unsportsmanlike or vulgar.
2. All signs must be coordinated with site managers according to facility policies. If signs are permitted by the site manager, the visiting school representatives who hung the signs are responsible for removing them, and all evidence of them, following the contest.

F. Noisemakers
1. Noisemakers are permitted provided they do not interfere with the game as determined by the site manager.
2. Air Horns/noisemaker prohibited Air horns are not permitted in the stadium. Noisemakers that require electric or power of other sorts are prohibited.

G. Videotaping by Spectators
1. Shall be for personal use.
2. Shall not be for the purpose of scouting or coaching.
3. Shall not interfere with the view of the athletic contest by other spectators.
4. The tournament site shall not permit the use of more than the seating space for which the spectator has paid when seating is needed for paying fans.
5. The tournament site accepts no liability for damage or theft of spectator equipment or injury as a result of privately owned equipment.
6. Equipment shall not be permitted in any playing area – only in the spectator seating area.
7. The tournament site shall not provide power sources for video equipment.
8. Violation of this regulation may result in the removal of the offender from the premises.

H. Pass-Outs – No pass-outs will be provided at any game site.
I. Prohibited Advertising – There shall be no advertising through printed media, billboards, radio or television that includes beer, wine, liquor, tobacco, political parties or candidates or any other advertising contrary to the philosophy of interscholastic athletics.
J. Prohibited Sales – The sale of, the distribution of, or the consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is not permitted at the site of any contest involving OHSAA member schools.
K. Raffles Prohibited – There shall be no raffles or any type of games of chance permitted at the site of tournament contests during the period beginning one hour prior to the tournaments and ending one hour after the conclusion of the tournaments.

14.  MEDIA

A. Radio, Press and Photographers – All requests for space shall be directed to the tournament manager. Proper credentials must be presented for admission at the pass gate.
B. Radio/Webcasting – No fee shall be charged for the radio station or audio webcasting outlet to broadcast any tournament game, Sectional or District, and no more than two (2) persons shall be allowed to enter admission free for any one station for this purpose. The only fee would be if the media outlet requires a phone line or other infrastructure to be installed at the facility prior to the contest which would cause the facility to incur expenses.  These expenses would be the responsibility of the media outlet.  Arrangements for any radio broadcast shall be made with the Tournament Manager and the fee paid to him or to the Site Manager if he so designates
C. Television – All requests for television or cable television rights shall be directed to the District Secretary.
D. Press/Photographers – Shall be granted free admission upon presentation of proper credentials at the pass gate for the purpose of reporting the event

15. AWARDS

A. Only awards furnished by the OHSAA may be presented at the OHSAA tournament site.
1. Sectionals – Sectional trophies will not be awarded.
2. District – Trophies will be presented to the winner and runner-up teams. Awards will be presented to the individual team members and coaches of the teams. Both teams will remain present for the Awards Ceremony.
3. No other awards are to be given at either the Sectional or District Tournament.
4. Regionals – A trophy will be presented to the Regional winner and runner-up.
5. State – Team trophies will be presented to the State Champion and Runner-Up. Individual team members and coaches of both teams will be presented with gold or silver awards. State Tournament Participation Certificates are provided to all players (22) and coaches (3).
B. Additional awards may be ordered by contacting Croton Craft at 1-800-947-5521

15. SPONSORSHIP AND RIGHTS

A. The OHSAA is the sponsoring association for the Sectional, District, Regional and State Boy’s and Girl’s Soccer Tournaments.
B. The OHSAA reserves all rights in regard to the management of these tournaments and the sale of any items or any audio-visual reproductions.
C. Any sale of food, clothing, souvenirs, or any other items is strictly prohibited without permission of the respective District Athletic Boards for Sectional and District tournaments and the OHSAA Commissioner for the Regional and State Tournaments.
 

16. WEATHER (OHSAA Sports Regulation 20)

A. Recognition and Management:

1. Coaches, athletic trainers, athletes, administrators and contest officials should be educated regarding the signs indicating thunderstorm development. Since the average distance between successive lightning flashes is approximately two to three miles ANYTIME that lightning can be seen or heard, the risk is already present.

B. Weather can be monitored using the following methods:

1. Monitor Weather Patterns – Be aware of potential thunderstorms by monitoring local weather forecasts the day before and morning of the competition, and by scanning the sky for signs of potential thunderstorm activity.
2. National Weather Service – Weather can also be monitored using small, portable weather radios from the NWS. The NWS uses a system of severe storm watches and warnings watch indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area; a warning indicates severe weather has been reported in an area, and everyone should take proper precautions. Any thunderstorm poses a risk of injury or death even if it does not meet the criteria for severe weather. Therefore, anytime thunderstorms are in the forecast (even if it is only a 20 percent chance), event organizers should be at a heightened level of awareness to the potential danger of lightning.

C. Management:

1. Evacuation- If lightning is imminent or a thunderstorm is approaching, all personnel, athletes and spectators shall evacuate to available safe structures or shelters. A list of the closest safe structures should be announced and displayed on placards at all athletic venues.

2. Thirty-minute rule- Competition or practice shall be suspended once lightning has been recognized or thunder is heard. It is mandatory to wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming practice or competition. Given the average rates of thunderstorm travel, the storm should move 10-12 miles away from the area. This significantly reduces the risk of local lightning flashes.

3. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count shall reset the clock, and another count shall begin.