CGSA Outdoor Rules

Please reach out to a CGSA representative for a paper copy or email info@cgsa.ca for a pdf copy of these rules. Due to formatting these rules may not read perfectly on this website.

Please note any time a CGSA team enters a tournament or outside event, those rules will trump CGSA rules and will need to be followed by all players.

In the event of an unlisted rule, or a debate over a rule, our referees will have final say and may default to ASA/FIFA soccer rules

CGSA OUTDOOR RULES:

Rule 1: The Field of Play

Official soccer fields are always rectangular and marked with boundaries called goal lines, touch lines, halfway lines, a center mark (circle), and a corner mark.

Touch lines: the longer boundaries (length-wise) or "sides" of the field
· Goal lines: the shorter boundaries along the goal-line or "end" of the field
· Halfway line: divides the middle of the field in half
· Center mark: a circle that intersects the halfway line in the middle of the field.
· Corner arc: arcs in the right angle formed from the intersecting touch lines and goal lines, corners are marked with flag posts.
· The goal area and penalty area: lines extend from the goal posts to form a rectangular goal area, and a larger penalty area is created around the goal box. This is where goal kicks are taken and it is the area in which the goalkeeper can use their hands.
· The goal: Goals are made of a crossbar and goal posts. Goal posts must sit on the white lines.

Rule 2: The Ball

For a ball to be considered official, it is required to be spherical, made of leather or other suitable material and it is of proper size. The ball circumference cannot be more than 70 cm (28 inches) and not less than 58 cm (23 inches).

Soccer balls come in 3 different sizes: 3, 4, & 5. The ball size is shown on the ball.

U5: Size 3
U7: Size 3
U9: Size 4
U11: Size 4
U13: Size 5
U15: Size 5
U17: Size 5

Rule 3: Number of Players

If a u9 or older team has less than 5 players present, the game is considered a loss for that team, and at that point both teams are encouraged to divide up players and enter into a fun scrimmage or team practices.
· Any players arriving after the halftime of the game, will not be permitted to enter the field of play or participate in the game.
· All players including trialists must be listed on the game sheet. First and last name, as well as jersey number are required on all gamesheets for insurance purposes.
· Unlimited substitutions.
· Trialist is defined as a player who can play on another team at the same age group or higher for up to 5 games. A team may use up to a maximum of 5 trialists per game, so long as they do not exceed their original roster size per team ramp registration(IE/ if a team has 12 players and 2 are ill, they may use 2 trialists, however if 7 are ill they may only use 5 trialists.) Any coach using trialists during a game must email their soccer director the name of the trialist used, and their original team. If player cards are in use, a coach must present a trialists player card in order for them to participate.
· Coaches are encouraged to only use trialists in the event of a short bench(defined as 0-3 subs available) and to not use trialists in order to maximize their roster.
· Referees have final approval over trialists at the beginning of the games.
· Substitutions may only enter at the halfway line, upon the referee’s approval, and after the player being subbed out has left the pitch. The goalkeeper may be substituted with anyone on the pitch or any eligible substitute on the bench during a game stoppage.
· No team roster shall exceed 18 players at any game during the season, without special dispensation from the presiding board(EIYSA). If players cards are in use, no player may participate in a game without their player card present.

Modified 2026 Outdoor Season Age Groups and Players on field:

U5: 4 players on each team
U7: 5 players on each team
U9: 7 players on each team*
U11: 9 players on each team*
U13: 8 players on each team*
U15: 8 players on each team*
U17: 8 players on each team*
* Minimum 5 players to start or continue a game, other team does not have to match player numbers, they can play up to their allowed number of players on field.

Rule 4: The Players Equipment

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous
· Undershirts must not have a hood which interferes with the jersey, and all zip up hoodies must be removed prior to game play.
· All strings, zippers, buttons etc must be securely fastened and pose no risk prior to gameplay
· All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. MedAlert Jewelry is the only exception to this rule and all coaches and referees must be made aware before the game begins and the MedAlert bracelet must be taped down and secured.
· Small stud nose piercings will be allowed. However players and parents are asked to NOT get a player's nose pierced during an active soccer season.
· Using tape to cover Jewelry is not permitted except in the instance of covering one small stud earring per ear, however hoops are not allowed in any circumstance and must be removed*.

*Please note CGSA rules may not be the same as other entities and if your player enters a tournament or is representing CGSA at an outside event they are expected to follow all piercing rules of said event.
*Please be advised the referee will have final say over the allowance of small stud earrings and stud nose rings and if a referee does not allow the wearing of jewelry it must be removed

Compulsory Equipment

Stockings (socks)
· Shin guards (covered entirely by stockings, rubber/plastic, provide reasonable protection)
· Suitable outdoor footwear (cleats/boots cannot be metal)
· Goalkeeper must wear different color jersey than all other players and referees
· If player leaves field to correct equipment, they must be checked by the referee before re-entering the field of play
· If cautioned during play, free kick to opposing team at spot of ball when play was stopped
· Suitable pants for the sport of soccer(NO jeans, no pyjama pants, no skirts without the use of safety shorts, no overly baggy sweatpants or leggings)
· Hair below shoulder length must be fastened away from the face(ponytail, braid, sports sweatband/headband)

·Coaches and/or referees must provide a team check to ensure all players have met CGSA standard of play(jewelry, safety, compulsory equipment) If a player arrives late, they must be checked for the same prior to entering the field

Hard Cast Policy
Rigid/Hard Casts are not allowed to be worn in any game
· Soft (Neoprene) Casts are allowed

All rulings are at the discretion of the referee as to whether or not the cast, brace or equipment is potentially injurious to another player

Rule 5: The Referee & Assistant Referees

The referee is in charge of the match and enforces the Rules of the Game, they may be assisted by two assistant referees(ARs) who run along the touch line; the assistant referees help to indicate fouls, off sides and assists in indicating and monitoring substitutions
· Allows play to continue when the team against which an offense has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not materialize at that time
· The referee's decision is final. The referee may not change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect if play has restarted, e.g. Restart after goal scored, signaled end of 1st or 2nd half.
· Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of technical offenses, cautionable and sending-off offenses. The referee does not have to take action immediately but can wait until the ball next goes out of play
· Within reason provide direction and clarification to players as needed during the game
· Is permitted to caution or send off coaches and spectators that are showing dissent or bad behaviour. May stop game and not continue the game until the sent off coach or spectator has removed themself from the play area.

ZERO TOLERANCE

Any level of Harassment or Abuse will not be tolerated at referees, officials or players, any incident will be recorded on the game sheet and submitted for CGSA committee to review for possible further sanctions and disciplinary actions

In-game action can include verbal warning, yellow card or red card as determined necessary by the Referee

Rule 6: The Duration of the Match

2 halves specified by the age group times below (unless mutually agreed upon by both teams and referee)
· Halftime interval must not exceed 5 minutes
· The extra time generally corresponds with the referee’s determination of how much time was taken up due to substitutions and injuries.
· During particularly hot, or smoky days, the coaches, upon agreement and/or with the referee's direction, can take extra water breaks during each half time.
· If the game is called before it has finished for any reason(ie: weather) and 66% or more of the game has elapsed the game will be considered played, if less than 66% of the game has elapsed the game will be considered unplayed, and will be rescheduled.

Age Groups Times:

U5: 25 minute practice, 30 minute game: 2 X 15 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
U7: 25 minute practice, 40 minute game: 2 X 20 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
U9: 2 X 30 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
U11: 2 X 35 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
U13: 2 X 40 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
U15: 2 X 40 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
U17: 2 X 40 minute halves, 5 minute halftime

Rule 7: Start and Restart of Play

Kick-off:

Occurs at the start of a match, after a goal is scored, and at the start of 2nd half of match.
· Home team must decide if they want the ball or to choose their side to start game:
- If the Home team chooses the ball they will kick off the 1st half, the Visitor team chooses the side to start.
- If the Home team chooses a side, the Visitor team will kick off 1st half.
· Teams change sides and attack the opposite goals in the 2nd half of the match with the opposite team kicking off with the ball in the 2nd half.
· After a team scores a goal, a kick-off is taken by the team who did not score.

Procedure:

All players must be in their own half of the field except the player taking the kick-off
· Opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be outside the center circle (30 feet from the ball)
· Ball must be stationary on the center mark
· The referee gives a signal(a blown whistle or hand signal)
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves in any direction
· Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player (double touch)
· The kick-off is retaken for all other infringements at kick-off

Rule 8: The Ball In and Out of Play

Ball out of play

The ball is out of play when:
· it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air
· play has been stopped by the referee.

If the ball touches a match official, remains on the field of play and:
· a team starts a promising attack or
· the ball goes directly into the goal or
· the team in possession of the ball changes

In all these cases, play is restarted with a dropped ball to the team who had possession before the ball touched the match official

Ball in play

The ball is in play at all other times when it touches a match official and when it rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag post and remains on the field of play.

Rule 9: Methods of Scoring

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no offense has been committed by the team scoring the goal.
· If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded.
· The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner. If both teams score no goals or an equal number of goals the match is drawn. There is no overtime in CGSA.

Rule 10: Offside

The Offside rule applies to U11, U13, U15 and U17 age groups. There is NO Offside rule in U9.

Offside position:
It is not an offense to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if:
· any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and
· any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent
· The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered.

A player is not in an offside position if level with the:
· second-last opponent or last two opponents

Offside offense

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate and is only penalized on becoming involved in active play by:
· interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or
· interfering with an opponent by preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or
· challenging an opponent for the ball or
· clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or
· making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

No offense -
There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from:
· a goal kick
· a throw-in
· a corner kick

Offenses and sanctions

If an offside offense occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offense occurred.

The offside rule is one of the trickiest rules of soccer. The basic concept is that a player must have at least one defender (not including the goalie) between them and the goal when the ball is played to them when they are in the opponents half.

In the diagram below, the red player closest to the goal is offside because there are not two defenders between them and the goal when the ball is passed to them.

Rule 11: Fouls and Misconduct

A free kick* is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 7 offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
· Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
· Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
· Jumps at an opponent
· Charges an opponent
· Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
· Pushes an opponent
· Tackles an opponent

A free kick* is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 5 offenses:
· Holds an opponent
· Impedes an opponent with contact
· Bites or spits at an opponent
· Handles the ball deliberately (except goalkeeper within own penalty area)
· Makes contact with a held object or throws an object at the ball, opponent or match official

**A direct kick is awarded at U11, U13, U15 and U17. An indirect free kick is awarded at U9.

An Indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper inside their own penalty area commits one of the following offenses: (free kick taken from spot of offense)

controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it
· touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player
· touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
· it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
· receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
· Controls ball with feet or body in penalty area for longer than 5 seconds to purposely delay game before then touching the ball with hands

A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball with the hand(s) when:

the ball is between the hands or between the hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body) or by touching it with any part of the hands or arms except if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save
· holding the ball in the outstretched open hand
· bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air

A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s).

Disciplinary (Cards)

Careless:

(Accidental, carelessness, or due to player’s incoordination)

Means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making the challenge or that they acted without precaution: no further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless

First and second offense will be a free kick and verbal warning for each offense
· 3rd offense is yellow card (persistent foul ruling)(player number and team noted by referee)
· 4th offense is 2nd yellow and red card. Player is sent off and team plays with 1 player down for

the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume)

Reckless:

(Intentional, extreme carelessness, recklessness)

Means that the player has acted with complete disregard of the danger to, or consequences for their opponent: a player who plays in a reckless manner shall be cautioned

First offense is yellow card(player number and team noted by referee)
· 2nd offense is 2nd yellow and red card. Player is sent off and the team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume)

Using excessive force:

(Extreme aggression, intentional, excessive force and dangerous play)

Means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring an opponent: a player who uses excessive force shall be sent off

First offense is a red card. Player is sent off and the team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume)

· If a red card is shown by a Referee, a report including player #, team and details of the incident are to be recorded and provided to the league committee
· Straight or repeated red cards will be reviewed by the league disciplinary committee for potential further suspensions or disciplinary action
· Red cards will be presumed to dictate a one game suspension unless otherwise decided by the review committee. A player, coach or spectator receiving a red card may not attend in any capacity to their next game.
· A red card will be issued upon review of the gamesheets if a player was awarded a yellow card in two consecutive games. The parent/guardian, coach and soccer director as well as complaints will be notified of the red card suspension as soon as the gamesheet has been reviewed.
· Any player awarded two yellow cards for any reason during a game will automatically receive a red card and a send off for the duration of that game, as well as a minimum one game suspension.

*Red cards at U9. The offending team does not play with 1 player down for the rest of the game, the red carded player can be replaced. At the Referees discretion, if an offending U9 team and its players are abusing this rule, the Referee can remove a player from the offending team if a 2nd player is red carded.

*Red cards at U9 and U11: If a red carded player does not have a parent or adult present at the game during the red card, they will remain on the bench, seated and uninvolved in the game until an adult can retrieve them or the game ends.

Spitting

Spitting at or on another player, team official or referee is an automatic Red Card. Player is sent off and the team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume)
· Spitting downwards (ruled as not intentionally at a player, team official or referee) is a Yellow Card (player number and team noted by referee)

Blue Card

Referees may issue a Blue Card to any player on the field who is heated and after a verbal warning is still not following the instruction of the referee, but who has not committed a cautionable or send-off offense.
· Blue Card offenses will require the player receiving the card to exit the field and remain "benched" for a period of 2-5 minutes depending on the division and offense.
· Coaches may replace the benched player with a new player.
· At the end of the time, the benched player may re-enter the game.
· Blue Cards are intended to lessen the amount of yellow and red cards issued during a game, and to give players a chance to calm down.

Handling the Ball

For the purposes of determining handball offenses, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit

It is an offense if a player:

Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/arm towards the ball
· After the ball has touched their or a team-mate’s hand/arm, even if accidental, and immediately leads to a goal or creates a creates a goal-scoring opportunity

It is an offense if a player touches the ball with their hand/arm when:

The hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger
· The hand/arm is above/beyond their shoulder level (unless the player deliberately plays the ball which then touches their hand/arm
· The above offenses apply even if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close

Except for the above offenses, it is not an offense if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm:
· If the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally bigger
· Directly from the player’s own head or body (including the foot)
· Directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close
· When a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body

In determining whether or not a player deliberately handled the ball, the referee has several considerations:

Movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
· Distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
· Position of the hand ('natural' position versus 'unnatural' position) does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement

All handball offenses will be at the Referee’s discretion based on these rules.

Rule 12: Free Kicks

A direct free kick means that the kick can be taken as a direct shot on goal.

See Rule 12 for when to award a direct free kick.

A direct kick can be awarded at U11, U13, U15 and U17. An indirect free kick is awarded at U9, there are no direct kicks in this age.

An indirect free kick means that someone else has to touch the ball before it can be taken as a shot on goal.

Indirect Free Kicks are awarded to the opposing team if in the opinion of the referee, a player:
· Plays in a dangerous manner
· Impedes the progress of an opponent
· is guilty of dissent, using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures or other verbal offenses
· Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands

Procedure:
· A free kick is taken from the place the offense occurred.
· If a free kick is kicked into the players own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
· Ball must be stationary
· Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player (double touch)
· All opponents must at least 30 ft from the ball (unless they stand on their own goal line between the goal posts)
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves

Retake free kick if:
· opponent is closer than 30 ft and no advantage

Rule 13: Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the 12 direct free kick offenses in Rule 12 are committed by a player inside their own penalty area irrespective of the position of the ball.
· Penalty kick is taken from the Penalty Mark
· Player taking penalty kick must be clearly identified
· Goalkeeper only required to have one foot on the line, facing kicker, between goalposts until ball has been kicked
· All other players must remain behind the ball and outside of the penalty area/arc by a minimum of 15 feet.

Procedure:
· When all players are in their positions as per above,
· Referee signals for penalty kick to be taken
· The penalty kick must be kicked forward and is in play when it moves forward
· Player taking the penalty kick cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player
· The penalty kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any offense.

*U11 Level and lower - NO Penalty Kicks (New and early developing goalkeepers)

*U13, U15 and U17 - Penalty Kicks are allowed

Rule 14: The Throw In

A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, on the ground or in the air.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in:
· if the ball enters the opponents’ goal - a goal kick is awarded
· if the ball enters the thrower’s goal - a corner kick is awarded

Procedure:

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must:
· stand facing the field of play
· have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline
· throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head from the point where it left the field of play
· All opponents must stand at least 2 m (6ft) from the point on the touchline where the throw-in is to be taken.
· The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
· The ball is in play when it enters the field of play.
o If the ball touches the ground before entering, the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position.
o If the throw-in is not taken correctly it is retaken by the opposing team.

Age Groups Throw-in attempts:
U5/U7: Mini Soccer at Coaches discretion
U9/U11: Up to 3 attempts at referee’s discretion
U13: Up to 2 attempts at referee’s discretion
U15/U17: 1 attempt

Rule 15: The Goal Kick

A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored.

A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team. If the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.

Procedure:
· Ball can be kicked from anywhere within the goal area by a player on the defending team
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly move (does not have to leave the penalty area)
· Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play

Retreat Line: Applies to U9 and U11 age groups only
The Retreat line will be in effect at Goal Kicks.
All players of the opposing team must pass the retreat line at a goal kick.
If the Retreat line is marked on the field that is the retreat line.
If no Retreat line is marked on the field, the retreat line is the center line.
In all age groups, when the Goalkeeper picks up the ball during play, there is no Retreat line but all opposing team players must be outside the penalty box.

An Indirect Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player(double touch).

Rule 16: The Corner Kick

A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.

A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.

Procedure:
· The ball must be placed in the corner area
· The ball must be stationary and is kicked by a player of the attacking team
· The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not need to leave the corner area
· The corner flag post must not be moved
· Opponents must remain at least 9.15 m (30ft) from the corner arc until the ball is in play

An Indirect Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player (double touch)

Appendix:

Player Eligibility

In line with ASA by-laws, players must only be registered for one youth soccer organization at one time during a season, and may therefore not knowingly register within CGSA while registered for any other youth soccer entity whether community or club.

Tournaments
In any division awarding gold, silver and bronze medals based on the points standing of the season, tournament games will require a win or loss. In the event of a drawn game, teams will move to a shootout.

A shootout in CGSA games will follow these steps:

Goalies must be selected and each team must select 5 shooters.

On one net only, teams will take turns sending one shooter to the penalty line to take a free kick on the opposing goalie.

All remaining players and staff must remain behind half.

At the end of the 5 shooters, the winner is determined by highest score.

If a shootout remains tied, each team will take their turn sending out a new shooter against the opposing team's goalie. These rounds will be 1 shot per team until only one team has a successful goal(sudden death) The winner of the game will be determined by the winner of the sudden death round.

*Once a team has had all players and goalie take a shot on the opposing goalie they may begin through their roster again.

Substitutions

Field player substitutions are unlimited at the Referee’s discretion and direction. (U5 and U7: Mini Soccer substitutions are at the Coaches discretion)

To replace a player with a substitute, the following must be observed:
· The referee must be informed before any substitution is made
· Receive the referee’s permission to leave the field of play, unless already off the field, and must leave by the nearest point on the boundary line unless the referee indicates that the player may leave directly and immediately at the halfway line or another point (e.g. for safety/security or injury)

Changing the goalkeeper :
Any of the players may change places with the goalkeeper if:
· the referee is informed before the change is made
· the change is made during a stoppage in play

All substituted players and substitutes are subject to the referee’s authority whether they play or not.

Too many players:
· only stop play if there is interference with play
· have the person removed when play stops
· take appropriate disciplinary action, warning and play restarts with a direct free kick to the opponents

Defenders Wall

Where 3 or more defending team players form a ‘wall’, only defending team players are allowed in the “wall”. No attacking team player is allowed in the “wall”, near the “wall” or interfere with the “wall” until the ball is in play
· If, when a Direct or Indirect free kick is taken, and an attacking team player commits one of the offenses above and the advantage rule does not apply, the free kick is retaken

Drop Balls

Drop balls can no longer be contested.
· The last team to touch the ball when play is stopped will have possession of the dropped ball from that point of the field.
· One caveat: any play stopped in the penalty area will be returned to the goalkeeper no matter who possessed the ball at the stoppage.

Coaches

Coaches are expected to set the precedent for behaviour and treatment of others before, during and after the game. Any coach with a question or requiring understanding from the referees on a call are expected to wait until a stop in the game(half time, end of game, time out) to ask the referees. Coaches are expected to not interrupt the flow of the game or distract the referees during the game. Coaches are expected to not communicate with the opposing coaching team during the game.

Complaints

Complaints procedure can be found on cgsa.ca however, any coach, parent, referee or spectator with an unanswered concern, or complaint is not permitted to interrupt the flow of the game of ask during the game but is asked to allow a 24 hour cool down or processing period after which we ask they follow the complaint procedure.

Sidelines

Teams will both be located on the same side of the field in their "technical area". This should be marked with paint on your field, if it is not please use discretion and ideally mark your area with flat cones.
· Technical areas will be 5 feet back from the touchline and 10 feet off of the center flag. Players must remain seated in the technical area when not on the field. Assistant coaches and additional staff must remain inside of the technical area, and seated. Only the head coach is permitted to be standing and calling out to coach their team, but must still remain inside the technical area.
· For insurance purposes, nobody EXCEPT coaches and players listed on roster are permitted in this area. All spectators, family, siblings and additional children must remain on the other side of the field.
· Spectators must remain across from their team on the opposite side of the field, 10 feet from the center line and 5 feet back from the touchline. No players or adults should at any time be behind the goalie and goal area.
· The objective is to have buffer/free space at the center line and away from the sidelines to minimize confusion and make the ARs job easier.

Referee Liaison

Every team playing a refereed game is expected to assign a referee liaison, clearly listed on the team game sheet and identifiable with a lanyard or other identifier from CGSA.

The ref liaison is responsible for both keeping spectators of that team seated where expected, and acting as the team's representative during the game. They may not speak to the ref, but will answer ref questions regarding spectators as needed. They may bring parent concerns to their coach after the game. They are responsible for the spectators of their team behaving appropriately.

Blood Policy

Player leaves the field and is attended to by team officials to stop bleeding.
· Each team will be provided with gloves and sanitizing supplies by their community(ask your directors if you need more supplies).
· If a player leaves the field due to bleeding and the injury is treated, bleeding has stopped and the wound is securely covered and all traces of blood are dealt with, the player may re-enter the field when allowed.
· The player must be checked by the referee before re-entering the field of play.
· Player must not re-enter the field if they have wet blood on any of their equipment.

Field Markings

Referee Hand Signals / Assistant Referee Hand Signals

Referee Hand Signals

Assistant Referee Hand Signals

U9

U11

U13

U15