WSSL and High School Rules Modifications

Click Here for 1999-2000 Colorado High School Rules Modifications

Western Slope State League Rules, dated March 9, 1999.

In WSSL as in CSYSA if a game ends in a tie, there is no overtime and no penalty shots.
Rosters may have up to 18 players. The official roster will be colored, have jersey numbers, and are laminated. Player cards have photos and are laminated.
Referee duties at check in are set forth in CSYSA rule, and generally are as follows: the center ref, preferably accompanied by assistant refs, introduces all refs to each team; the ref asks for the certified team roster and player and coaches cards (which have photos); use those to check each player's identity and equipment for safety; keep roster and cards until after the game (since you would retain any red carded players card and send it to WSSL); the referee may refuse permission to anyone who does not have a card, but if the referee believes the card is absent through no fault or misconduct, may permit the player or coach to participate, noting it on the game report. The league will then investigate. If someone questions identity of a player, ask for a signature, and compare it to the signature on the pass.
You may also instruct the players and coaches on rule changes and sportsmanship, or whatever you and your referee's organization deems appropriate. Apparently high schools are not yet following the rule that on a thrown in back to your own goalie, the goalie may not touch the ball with his/her hands (indirect kick from point of infraction) so it may be useful to tell U16 and U18 teams that rule.
Fill in the first part of the WSSL game report forms (make sure you use Spring 1999 forms), give the pink and yellow copies to the coaches, and you keep the white. After the game complete it and mail it to WSSL. Coaches may mail their copies if they have any comments (as to play of the game, referee, etc.), and mail it to WSSL.
A referee may declare a forfeit 10 minutes after a team is scheduled to play of one team is not ready. Since we want to encourage play, use your judgment and give reasonable extensions for reasonable reasons.
No team may play without a coach/team registered representative present.
Use ball size #3 for U8s and under; size #4 for U9s to U12s, and size #5 for U13s and older.
Game lengths: Ull-12:2x30 minutes; U13-14:2x35 minutes; U15-16:2x40 minutes; and U17-19:2x45 minutes.
A red carded player must leave the field, and the team plays the rest of the game short. The card is retained and mailed to WSSL. The player may not play in the next game, whether it is a tournament or playoff. It will be returned in time for the next game the player is eligible to play.
Two yellows in a game equals a red.
The rules on three stand alone cautions in a season are too detailed for here, but may result in a one game suspension. Refs should therefore note both yellows and reds on their game reports.
Assault on an official may get a one-year suspension, and there are appeal procedures in the CSYSA handbook. The minimum sanction for official abuse is a three game suspension.
If a game is canceled for weather or environmental conditions (e.g., lightning), the game is official if 10 minutes of the second half has been played. If not, the game is rescheduled.
League standings are based first on won/lost/tie records, then points if the standings are tied. Points are as follows, if W/L/T ends in a tie: 7 for a win, plus 1 for each goal up to three, plus 1 for a shutout (no shutout points on a 0-0 tie). A tie is 3 points each. A forfeit win gets the 7 for a win only, and the forfeiting team gets a minus 3. Thus if you win a game by 3-0, you get the maximum points: 11. Note, the points for a win were recently changed by CSYSA from 6 to 7.
After a game, referees should wait together at the midfield center circle or in the vicinity of the traditional after game hand shake line. Players are still subject to your jurisdiction, and if there is any misbehavior (e.g., spitting, swearing, taunting, a blow) you may find it necessary to issue a yellow or red card. Players will be informed of this. Apparently some of these rules are not enforced very well in high school ball, but we encourage the rules to be followed in our league.

The WSSL secretary, to whom all game reports and player cards for those who have been ejected, is:
J. Nicholas McGrath
600 East Hopkins Ave., Suite 203
Aspen, Colorado 81611

1999/2000 Rules Interpretation Changes for Colorado High School

Updated September 2, 1999

Note that these changes refer to the official High School book, not the FIFA manual!

1. Field of Play - 1.1.1

Broken-Back Curved Track

Considering building a track of modifying existing track, the NFHS recommends using a broken-back configuration for the track surrounding the field. This type of track will allow for the maximum width for a soccer field.

2. Field of Play - 1.2.4

Markings - Center of Field

Marking may consist of a spot, X, or and *

3. Ball - 2.2.5

Recommended - Mandatory 2000/2001 for Colorado

Game balls, must have the NFHS authentication mark. CHSAA has requested all school to comply but will not be mandatory until 2000/2001 school year.

4. Substitutions - 3.4.1

A Substitute who desires to enter the game shall report to the scorer table or notify the nearest official to the halfway line. When an entry is taking place on a throw-in, a goal kick or a corner kick, the substitutes(s) must have reported to the officials' area prior to the dead-ball situation. The referee will beckon the player onto the field.

Substitute(s) may enter the field of play after a score or at the beginning of a period without being beckoned by the official.

5. Players Equipment - 4.1.1(a)

Effective with the 2000/2001 school year, both stockings shall be the same color, with a single dominant color. No bumble bee stockings, as well as tie-dyed, paisley, and polka dot stocking will be considered illegal.

6. Players Equipment - 4.2.2

Hair control devices must be functional. They may be worn if made of soft material and not for adornment. Examples of devices that are acceptable are: Cloth ponytail holder, ribbons (no rubber bands underneath) and 2" rolled bandanna. Illegal devices are beads woven in hair, bandanna covering head, metal or plastic barrette or hats.

7. Players Equipment - 4.2.4

Jewelry - No jewelry will be allowed other than medical bracelets or medical necklace, which must be taped down with medical data visible. Tongue studs or other visible piercing shall be considered illegal jewelry.

8. The Officials - 5.1.3, 5.2.1 and 5.2.2

Uniforms

Black is the primary uniform color.

Alternates: Fuchsia and the new Gold with black stripes. All three officials should be dressed in the same color. At the minimum, both assistant referees should be in the same color.

Pre-game Checklist for Officials

Game Roster - Each team must provide a team roster with players' names, numbers and any personnel who is sitting (sic) within the coaching area on the bench. This includes trainer, coaches and school staff. No spectators are allowed in the coaches' area during the games.
Officials shall be in uniform at the site of the game no less that 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time.
Head Referee- Conduct a pre-game conference with assistant referees, other game officials including ball handlers and team captains. Iinspect the field, equipment and uniforms to verify their compliance with NFHS rules. Assistant referees shall assist the referee in all inspections and conferences.
Coin Toss at least 5 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the game.
Visiting team captain shall call the coin. Winner of the toss shall choose a goal to defend or the ball.

1. The Officials - 5.3.1

Caution/Disqualification Procedure

Reports of cautions or Disqualification cards must be reported to CHSAA within 24 hours of the match.

CHSAA - Connie (Officials' Secretary) at clane@olympus.chssa.org,or call Voice 303-364-1337 Fax 303-367-4101. Mailing address: 14855 E. Second Avenue - Aurora, Colorado 80011

Caution (yellow card) - Clock is stopped. When issuing a yellow card you must notify the scorer table, offending player(s), the coach of the offending player and other official(s).

Disqualification (red card) - Clock is stopped. When issuing a red card you must notify the scorer table, offending player(s), both coaches and other official(s).

If the player is being disqualified for a subsequent act of misconduct or taunting, referees will show the yellow card and the red card simultaneously in the same hand to indicate that substitution is allowed for that player.

2. Ball Holders, Timer and Scorer - 6.1.1 and 6.1.2

Ball Holders - Two ball handlers required from the home school. Ball handlers are under the direct supervision of the official(s). Notify the home school Athletic Director after the match if school does not comply with this rule. Play the game.

Timers - The home school timer shall be the official timer. However, by mutual agreement of opposing coaches, the official time may be kept by the head referee. If time is kept on the field by the head referee, the stadium clock must be stopped before the expired time and no signal, horn or buzzer will be sounded from the stadium. The head referee will whistle the end of the half and end of match.

If there is no stadium clock, the head referee will keep the time.

Clock Stopped - Must be signaled by the referee for injury, penalty kick, a caution or disqualification, after a goal and when an official orders time out.

3. Duration of the Game and Length of Periods - 7.3.1

Overtime Procedures - All Levels of High School Competition

Regular Season: 2 x 5 minutes - Sudden Victory; No further tiebreakers is game is tied.

Regular Season Tournament - Same as above, but could do kicks from the mark. Rules determined by host school of tournament.

Regional or State Playoff: 2 x 15 minutes Sudden Victory. If game are tied then kicks from the mark.

Referee will choose which goal and conduct a coin toss. The winner of the toss will kick first. All participants are allowed to play who have not been disqualified.
Five players are selected from each team participating roster that has not been disqualified during the match.
If match remains tied then 5 kicks from each team. Five different players will be selected to take kicks in a sudden victory situation wherein if one tem scores and the other does not, the game is ended. .
If the score still remains tied, continue with the sudden victory situation by selecting ANY non-disqualified five players to take the next set of kicks. Yes, you may repeat after 10!

1. Start of Play - Ball is in play when it is touched and moved forward motion. A goal maybe scored directly from a kickoff.

9. Fouls and Misconduct - 12.7.5

Goal Keeper Possession/Control

From the moment the goalkeeper takes control of the ball with their hands, he/she shall release the ball into play within five seconds. Penalty - Indirect kick

2. Fouls and Misconduct - 12.8.2

Excessive Celebration/Taunting

Behavior which demeans, ridicule or embarrasses others based on such factors as race; religion, gender, or national origin, is not acceptable. - Misconduct - Red Card

Taunting or second Caution - Player must be replaced on the field by a substitute.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to give us a call.

Have a safe and fun soccer season.

Debbie Wood - Director of Officials Clinic and Rules Interpreter
Home & Fax 303 450 5250 Work 303 714 4447

Geoff Hatch - Director for Evaluation and Education
Home 303 699 5474 Work 303 344 1411