• All teams are required to have a head coach as well as an assistant coach listed on their roster.
• All rostered coaches must take the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (Sports Awareness for Educating Today's Youth) free of charge to all volunteer coaches. Please contact the RT Recreation Department to find out when the next class will be held and to register. Rockaway Township offers this class FREE of charge.
• The following are mandatory for all assistant and head coaches and must be filled out prior to the start of the season, or you will not be permitted to coach: Rockaway Township Volunteer form, the Rockaway Township code of conduct form and the NJ State Kid Safe form.
• Periodically throughout the year RTSA will sponsor a free coach’s clinic.  All coaches and assistants are required to attend.
• All head coaches or their designee will pickup equipment, uniforms, correspondence, etc. from their division directors.
• Coaches must call or email all team members as soon as possible after the rosters are made.  Please report any roster issues to the division director.
• Coaches need to distribute the practice & game schedules as soon as it is available.  The practice and game schedule, along with uniform requirements, are found on www.rtsa.org.
• Practice only on your assigned fields and at your designated times to avoid conflicts (refer problems/changes to your Division Coordinator).
• Teams should report to the assigned field for games at least 15 minutes early for stretching, warm-ups, and equipment inspection. Referees are charged with keeping the schedule and starting the games on time, so please cooperate.
• Keep the kids off of the nets and goal posts (this is a safety issue; furthermore, we are responsible for, and in the end pay for, damaged equipment).
• Behave in a manner that will not bring discredit to the Club, the players or you.
• Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team's parents, spectators, and fans that violate the Club’s Code of Conduct. Referees will be responsible for reporting any ethics violations by coaches to the Referee Coordinator.
• Zero Tolerance towards referee abuse. Referees are the officials of all of Rockaway’s games. In order to encourage Referee participation, Rockaway encourages the use of youth referees. As a coach, you need to recognize that youth referees need time to develop and from time to time they may make mistakes. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game being played. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive postgame comments. Under no circumstances are you to discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting or even accepting your own players’ overly aggressive behavior.

Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you’re overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will also notice.

• Note: The Executive Board will review each offense and administer the required penalty. Failure to follow the Code of Ethics, especially in cases involving youth referees, will be dealt with by the Executive Board, and could lead to expulsion from the Club.

   

  • Coaches, parents, and fans are not permitted on the field at any time during or between quarters (except for player injury), unless given specific permission by the referee.
  • All players must sit on one side of the field and the spectators are to sit between the18 yard lines (penalty box) on the opposite side of the field. Coaches, assistants, parents and fans are not allowed near the goals and end lines to avoid interference, distractions, and coaching.
  • Coaches should refrain from over-coaching during games and should never single out a player for criticism in front of players and/or spectators (even if it's your child), regardless of the circumstances.
  • Police the field before and after each practice or game: secure the goals, and use the trash/recycle containers near each field for anything left on the ground.
  • Coaches must turn in equipment forms to their Division Coordinator IMMEDIATELY at the season's end during field shut down or the June (Spring season)/ November (Fall season) General Session Meeting.
  • If a coach cannot resolve complaints or other difficulties arising from players or parents from his/her team, the matter should be discussed first with their Division Coordinator. If it is still not resolved, a formal grievance can be filed with the head coach of the association.  The email is headcoach@rtsa.org.
  • SCORES ARE TO BE KEPT AT REASONABLE LEVELS. Any team ahead by four goals should make every attempt to keep the score at a reasonable level. Once a team goes ahead by 4 goals, a player will be removed from the field. An additional player will be removed for every goal scored over 4 goals. If the opposing team brings down the deficit, the players removed are permitted to re-enter the game. If reducing players is still not sufficient, other methods should be implemented to help keep the scores at a reasonable level. Some suggestions are: repositioning players so that "scorers” are put in more defensive positions, instructing your team to pass more prior to shooting, only allowing players who haven’t scored to shoot, or changing the formation so fewer offensive positions (attackers) are used.
  • If no referee is available for your game, teams will be required to provide their own referee coverage. It is the responsibility of both teams’ head coaches to determine coverage during the game; this may be satisfied by the coach, an assistant coach, or a volunteer parent. The Club envisions this as an educational/ developmental tool when referees are unavailable.
  • Coaches should always have the team's medical kit, medical forms and a supply of ice available at all practices and games.
  • Each team should make every attempt to be represented at the monthly general meetings (i.e., head coach, assistant coach, or delegated parent).

   

  MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

  Only the Club may cancel scheduled games due to inclement weather or other reasons as deemed necessary by the Club. Coaches are not permitted to cancel or reschedule games without the permission of the Club.

   

  If during the course of a game there is lightning or thunder, the game is stopped and all players, coaches and fans are to leave the field immediately. See Rule #1 of Local In-Town rules to determine if the game is considered complete.

   

  Exception to the lightning rule for games:

  If your game is the last game of the day on the field, the teams can resume the game after waiting 30 minutes since the last lightning sighting or thunder. Should there be another lightning sighting or thunder during the 30 minute waiting period, the game is stopped.  If during the course of practice there is lightning or thunder, the practice is stopped and all players, coaches and fans are to leave the field immediately. Teams can resume practice after waiting 30 minutes since the last lightning sighting or thunder. Should there be another lightning sighting or thunder during the 30 minute waiting period, the 30 minute waiting period starts over.

   

  Note: Unless an Executive Board member is present, the coaches and referee will convene on the field and agree by majority vote to suspend or end the game in the event of unexpected/worsening inclement weather (refer to LOCAL IN-TOWN RULE #1 below).

   

  Closed Fields:

  If the town closes the fields, it will be listed on www.rtsa.org. There is also a signup area on the bottom of the webpage for you to receive emails every time the fields are closed.

  Practices & Games are not to be played on closed fields. You can also call the Recreation Activity Hotline   (973) 983-2853 Press 2 for Soccer to find out if the fields are open or closed.

   

  GAMES SHOULD BE PLAYED AS SCHEDULED! Conflicts for the head coach do not qualify as a reason for cancellation (have assistant or volunteer parent to coach game in your absence). Check the schedules early in the season with the parents and assistants for conflicts. Every effort to complete the schedule as planned should be made. A rescheduling of games ends up being most unfair to those players and their families who arranged to be there for the original date and time and subsequently cannot attend the make-up.

   

  Games can only be rescheduled through Division Director’s consent.

   

  In the event of a late-arriving referee, the coaches will mutually agree to an officiating arrangement. If the referee arrives before the game begins (i.e., the whistle has not blown to signal the start of play), he/she may claim the game from the substitute referee. However, once the game has started, the substitute referee is in full control, and the late-arriving referee may only claim the game at the substitute referee’s discretion.

   

  LOCAL IN-TOWN RULES

  Divisions are as follows:

  Rockaway Valley A Division: 7th & 8th Grade.

  Rockaway Valley B Division: 5^th and 6^th Grade.

  International Division: 3^rd and 4^th Grade.

  National Division: 1^st and 2^nd Grade.

  American A: Kindergarten

  Soccer Pals: Pre-K

   

  Rockaway Valley Divisions will follow the guidelines for Rockaway Valley league, posted on www.rvsl.org.

   

  Other Specific In-Town Rules:

   

  Soccer Pals Clinic will run for 1 hour each session.

   

  International Division games will be comprised of four 15 minute "running” quarters.

  National Division games will be comprised of four 12 minute "running” quarters.

  American A Division games will be comprised of four 10 minute "running” quarters.

  There will be a 5 minute halftime for all divisions.

  Only on extremely hot days will a 2 minute water break between quarters be allowed with prior approval from the referee in charge.

   

  The quarters may be shortened by agreement of both coaches (and with the referee's permission) under extenuating circumstances (I.E., shortage of players, injuries, heat, darkness, inclement weather, or field problems) or by Club directive. In the event a game is suspended, a game is considered complete if 2 quarters have been played.

   

  Typical number of players on the field by division:

  A Division – will play 11v11 with keepers and referees

  B Division – will play 11v11 with keepers and referees

  International Division – will play 8v8 with keepers and referees

  National Division – will play 5v5 with keepers and referees

  American A Division – will play 3v3 with no keepers, coaches will referee

   

  Please note - both teams will begin play with the same number of players on the field.

   

  Please refer to the RVSL guidelines for playing time minimums for 5^th grade and up teams.

   

  Playing time for all other divisions:

  It is the Club’s intention that coaches should play all players fairly over the course of the season and that all players should receive a minimum of 2 quarters playing time in each game and they must appear in both halves of a game. A player must average ½ playing time for the season for all games the player attends. Playing time need not be contiguous (i.e., playing portions of quarters is allowed, so long as the total playing time equals 2 full quarters). Obvious exceptions would be illness, injury, or late arrival to the game. Additionally, the Club will permit coaches to exercise playing time discretion in situations where there has been chronic and unexcused absenteeism from practices/games.

  Coaches are encouraged to give all players the opportunity to play different positions throughout the season to get a better understanding of the game.

   

  Uniform requirements are available for download at www.rtsa.org.

   

  • Players are required to wear proper uniform for games. Team shirts MUST be worn over any other clothing, such as sweatshirts (which cannot be "hoodies”). Shirts must be tucked in. Cut-off shorts are not considered acceptable uniform attire. The knee-high socks MUST be worn over shin guards.
  • Shin guards are mandatory at practices and games; at games, they MUST be worn under the socks and completely covered.
  • Soccer cleats or turf shoes are the only approved footwear allowed at practices and games (multi-purpose shoes are subject to the referee's discretion). In any event, BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL CLEATS ARE PROHIBITED.
  • Jewelry of any kind is prohibited at practices and games! NO EXCEPTIONS! (I.E., recently pierced body parts)! This includes beads in the hair as well.
  • Casts (even if padded) and splints are prohibited at practices and games.
  • Hats with brims and berets are prohibited at practices and games for field players (goalies are allowed to wear soft billed hats).
  • Eyeglasses must have unbreakable lenses at practices and games. Safety goggles are strongly recommended.
  • One adult is required from each team to do the sideline flags. Anyone running sideline flags is to refrain from coaching while doing so.

   

  Slide tackling is NOT permitted in ANY Division. Slide tackling will be ruled a "dangerous play" resulting in a direct free kick or penalty kick if done in the penalty area. Further offenses may result in stricter penalties at the referee's discretion.

   

  Any player or coach receiving a "Red Card" must immediately leave the field of play (players may be replaced), and in addition, the Club's intention will be to suspend for the next game. ALL RED CARDS WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE REFEREE COORDINATOR. "Yellow Cards" are warnings; however, 2 in 1 game or 2 in consecutive games are considered a "Red Card" with the same penalties given. All cards must be reported to the Division Coordinator and Referee Coordinator.

  Note: Players, under the age of 18, who have been red carded during a game must leave the "field of play,” but can only leave the recreation facility with a parent or guardian. Any coach or assistant coach red carded during a game must leave the recreation facility immediately!

   

  BALL SIZE

  International Division: #4,   National, American A Division and Soccer Pals: #3

  .

  OFFSIDE RULE:

  There is no offside penalty for American A or National Divisions. Offside in International division will be called in more obvious situations and with education in mind (explaining to the children why they were offside and how to deal with the rule/law). Coaches should begin to teach the offside rule in International division.

  Offside in A and B division should be strictly enforced.

   

  PENALTY KICKS:

  International Division: YES

  National and American A Division: NO  (put ball on 18 yard line nearest where the infraction occurred). Direct kick, defending team can form a wall.

   

  THROW-INS: International Division (2) attempt to perform correctly, turn over after second incorrect attempt.

  All other divisions (3) attempts to perform correctly, turn over after third incorrect attempt.

   

  COACHES ON SIDELINE: Two (2) Coaches are permitted on the sideline with the team, the head coach and one (1) assistant coach. Coaches "running flags” are to refrain from coaching while doing so.

   

  COACHES ON FIELD: (Instructor role):

  National and International Division: NO

  American A: YES (One coach per team) Coaches on the field are to referee the games and give guidance to the players.  Please stay as close to the outside line as possible and not stay in the middle of the playing field.

   

  SUBSTITUTION RULE:

   

  International Division: Both teams may substitute on goal kicks and after a score with the permission of the referee. The team not taking a throw-in can substitute only if the team with possession (making the throw-in) is making a substitution.

  Substitutes should enter the field of play at the halfway line only after receiving permission from the referee and only after the players they are replacing have left the field. Coaches should have your substitutions well organized in advance at the halfway line and should make every effort to make the substitutions promptly in order to avoid any delay of the game.

   

  All other divisions:  Free substitutions for either team at any stoppage of play, with the referee’s permission.

   

   

  Revised September 2010