From: New Ref AYSO 43 [newref@ayso43.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 9:51 AM
To: newref@ayso43.org
Cc: Ray Cooper; Mark Kent; Randolph E Harr
Subject: Player and Goal Keeper Playing Time

U10 and above referees:

Chuck Yort, coaching commissioner, found the need to send out a reminder to coaches of the rules regarding playing time for all players and goal keepers.  These rules are there to enforce the "Everyone Plays" basic philosophy in AYSO.  So we subsequently are reminding you of these policies as well.

Extracted below are the relevant clauses from Region 43 Guidelines, AYSO National Rules and Policies, and Area 2A rules for U16/U19 interregional play.  Region 43 rules apply only to Region 43 teams. AYSO National rules apply to all teams. Area 2A rules apply to U16/U19 interregional play.

Reading the rules and guidelines, you should understand why we record injury, absence, and substituted-out on the lineup cards; as well as who the goal keeper is.  You are asked to enforce the rules during the match where possible or, at minimum, record the game accurately so the district coordinators and region board can enforce the rules after the fact.

Region 43 Guidelines (http://www.ayso43.org/Coaches/AYSO_43_Guidelines_2003.pdf):
1.A.    The first guideline is that of the AYSO motto, "Everyone Plays". ... Every Player must play at least two quarters of every match at which she/he is present, able, and willing to play.   Additionally, no Player may sit out a second quarter if someone else on his/her team has not sat out one quarter.  Any violation of this guideline is to be reported to the Division Coordinator by the Referee who observes it, immediately following the match.  Otherwise, this is tracked via the Lineup Card being correctly filled out for the quarters that a player does not play.

2.F.    GOALKEEPER PLAYING TIME: For Players in age Division U12 and below, no Player may play as goalkeeper for more than half the match. The Player playing goalkeeper must also play part of the match in the field as a non-goalkeeper player.  Normal playing time requirements apply whether a player is a goalkeeper or not.

AYSO Short Side Rules; U12 Edition (http://www.soccer.org/programs/short/ss-u-12.html)
C.4. Playing time: Minimum of 50% of the total playing time for each player. (75% highly recommended)

AYSO National Rules & Regs (http://www.soccer.org/gen/docs/rr2001.html)
C.1:
1. Except as noted in paragraph C.4., all registered players in attendance at AYSO games must participate and play at least half of the game, excluding overtime.

AYSO National Policy (http://www.soccer.org/gen/docs/policies.html)
2.4   Application of "Everyone Plays" Rule to AYSO Teams Playing Non-AYSO Teams.
The AYSO "Everyone Plays" rule, requiring each player to play at least one-half of every game, as well as the number of players on a team rule, shall apply to AYSO teams, (whether regular season teams or teams specially constituted for such event) participating in non-AYSO tournaments or games within or without the U.S.A., regardless of whether the other team, the referee or the sponsors of the tournament or game shall apply or follow such a rule.

AYSO Area 2A Rules for U16/U19 Interregional Play (http://www.ayso2a.org/docs/Rules_for_U16_U19_Play_2002.pdf)
II. Free Substitution
1. Free substitution of players will be allowed in the fourth quarter. The intent of free substitution is to provide more playing time to players. The rule is NOT intended to allow manipulation of lineups to favor certain players, which is against the AYSO philosophy.
2. Free substitution will be implemented as follows: All team players who have satisfied the AYSO's two-quarter play rule during the first three quarters of the match may participate in free substitution during the 4th quarter.
....