September 15, 2002 at Westminster School
I. Welcome and introduction by J. Pilgrim (including a reminder about C. Mitchell’s new school for people to send dues to)
II. Treasurer’s report -- $1,355.28 as of the ATM this morning – C. Mitchell
III. Referee’s Representative spoke about rules:
Major Rule Changes
a. Substitutions: sidelines remain same, anyone can change on any end line
- Once “the door is open” there are unlimited substitutes (ie: not just one-for-one)
b. Shin Guards
- no “cutting” of shin guards
- shin guards must be “appropriately sized”
- taping shin guards is allowed, but the tape must not substantively alter the coloring of the sock
c. We should all try to have four ball-runners for each game
d. The ref’s have authority over the “thunder and lightning” rule and cannot be challenged by the coaches
Rule
Clarifications
a. Length of game: 2 x 40 with no overtime (NEPSAC rejected the 2 x 45 idea) – JV = 2 x 35 unless both coaches agree to 2 x 40
b. Yellow cards must leave the field but may re-enter at the next substitution opportunity if the coach so desires
c. Throw-ins that never enter the field of play are to b retaken
d. If a trainer or coach enters the field to deal with a player then that player must leave the field
e. Taunting is an automatic yellow card
f. Jewelry is not permitted
- tongue and bellybutton piercing will be called if seen
- you cannot tape over jewelry, you must take it off (except for medical alert jewelry)
- hair control: nothing with knots or metal is allowed
- a player removed from the field for wearing jewelry or inappropriate equipment may not be substituted for at the time – the team must play without that player (ie: a player down) until the next substitution opportunity
- if a player is asked to leave the field for a problem with the uniform or medical issues (ie: blood etc.) then they may be immediately substituted for
- no sunglasses are allowed
- goalies may wear hats to keep the sun out of their eyes, but the hats must be worn with the brim forwards
g. Goals and nets must be firmly anchored and secured at all times (esp. in the back)
h. Captains must wear the bands on their arms (not on their legs)
i. Official time is always on the field – scoreboards and clocks at the scorer’s tables are only for reference by the coaches, never to be used as the official time – the ref may make changes to the time on the board to assist the coaches, but her/his watch is the only official time
j. On penalty kicks: the ball must strike an opposing player or the crossbar before the shooter’s team may strike the ball again (ie: cannot be turned into an indirect kick by the shooter)
k. Tackles – ref’s call, very difficult judgment call – can be: a whistle, a yellow card, a red card
IV. New school petition: Marianapolis wants to join the League – only have 4 games scheduled, need more – will join us at our end of the year meeting to discuss further
V. Storm King has been removed from the League because they do not have a girl’s varsity program
VI. The new Coaches’ Handbook was distributed and gone over by J. Pilgrim – WOW!! What a great job!! – note especially the tournament systems and dates
VII. All League Game (and end of season meetings) – November 10, 2002 at Westminster
VIII. Discussion of following the “spirit of the game” and the “unwritten rules of the game” – we mutually encouraged one another to respect the standards of the game about throw-ins and drop kicks after stoppages of play, of playing the ball out when there’s an injury, and of not taking unfair advantage of a team that is playing in the spirit of the game
IX. Please check out www.nepsac.org to see the new NEPSAC webpage
X. Don’t forget to get in all your dues to both WWNEPSSA and NEPSAC
Respectfully – Charlie Mitchell, Cheshire Academy
