New X-League Policies Announced

The Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA) is proud to announce policy and procedure changes for the upcoming 2006-07 UYSA X-League. Most notably, there will no longer be a U9 division; and the X-League will consist only of teams and/or players who qualify to play U10 under the UYSA General Play-up Policy. Please see the document below for the complete X-League ploicy and procedures. If you have any questions, please contact UYSA at (801) 268-3365.

Utah Youth Soccer Association
U10 X-League Policies and Procedures

UYSA Overview

The Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA) is the only organization in Utah that offers playing opportunities to youth players of all ages, playing abilities, and levels of commitment. The organization's mission is to offer a diverse range of soccer services to meet the needs of every child in the state, regardless of the child's background or financial means.

U10 X-League Background

The U10 X-League continues to be one of the fastest growing state-wide programs, experiencing substantial growth from the inaugural 2004-05 season. As the program continues to grow and develop, the goal is to form geographical leagues that will help to minimize the amount of travel for participating teams; however, this may not always be the case.

The U10 X-League registration, alignment, and scheduling fall under the current competition rules and policies set forth by UYSA's State Competition Program.

U10 X-League Philosophy

The U10 X-League is a state-wide junior competition program for those players in the U10 age group. The U10 X-League was created to build a bridge that helps to connect both recreation and competitive soccer programs. The foundation of the U10 X-League is to foster an environment for those ambitious and advanced players who aspire to a higher-level of play. In addition, the U10 X-League is focused on augmenting player development through quality and organized play - in a fun, challenging, and rewarding soccer environment.

U10 X-League Player Eligibility

No player in the U-8 or younger age group may be registered to play in the U10 X-League. No player in the U-9 age group may be registered to a team that competes in an age group more than one year older than the player's age group. The actual age of the player shall determine the play-up, not the age division the player is registered in.

U10 X-League Coaches Qualifications and Certification

Every coach that coaches in the U10 X-League must sign the "Code of Coaching Ethics" form.

All individuals coaching in the U10 X-League will have on record at the UYSA State Office a minimum of a valid USSF "E" License. The UYSA State Office will maintain on the UYSA website an updated list of coaches and their license-level. It is the responsibility of the League/District Registrar to note the license-level of the coach of any team entering the U10 X-League. The registrar must verify the coach's license by viewing the license or by checking the state list of coach's licenses. If the coach does not have the required license or waiver, the Registrar will return to the coach the roster and all accompanying documents for that team and will notify the District Competition Director/District Chairperson (the District will decide who is to be notified) of the deficiency and that UYSA representative will follow through to assist the team in obtaining a coach with a valid license.

A waiver can only be issued to a coach with an UYSA Youth Module Level I or II. Exceptions to this will be handled on an individual basis by the District Board and with final approval by the State Technical Director. A request for an extension of an expired waiver must follow the same process.

A coach that has been granted a license waiver may function as a head coach or an assistant coach for one playing year. After the waiver period expires, that individual may not function as a head coach or as an assistant coach for any team until he/she reaches the proper license-level.

If any games are played with an unlicensed coach coaching, said coach will be brought up on disciplinary charges.

If an individual is listed as the Head Coach on more than (1) team in the U10 X-League, each team must have an assistant coach with the required License-level or (1) year waiver.

The coaching waiver is good for the duration of one UYSA playing year. The definition of that period is February 1 through January 31; and July 1 through June 30.

If a waiver request is initially submitted to the District after the season play, the waiver will be dated as if received at the start of the next season.

U10 X-League Playing Rules

Law 1 - The Field of Play

Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The Length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length: Minimum 60 yards - maximum 80 yards

Width: Minimum 45 yards - maximum 55 yards

Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than (5) inches wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of eight (8) yards is marked around it.

The Goal area: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

The Penalty Area: A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, fourteen (14) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of fourteen (14) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made ten (10) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of eight (8) yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

Flagposts: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

The Corner Arc: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Goals: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with exception that the maximum distance between the posts is twenty-one (18-21) feet and the maximum distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is seven (6-7) feet.

Law 2 - The Ball: Size four (4).

Law 3 - The Number of Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eight players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Maximum roster size is 14 - minimum to register is 8 players. Substitutions: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with the exception of unlimited substitution.

Law 4 - The Players Equipment: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.

Law 5 - The Referee: Registered referee. Referees are paid on the field.

Law 6 - The Assistant Referee: Use registered assistant referees or club linesmen. Referees are paid on the field.

Law 7 - The Duration of the Match: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with the exception of the match being divided into two (2) halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each. There shall be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes.

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with the exception that opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 9 - The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Law 10 - The Method of Scoring: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Law 11 - Offside: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Law 13 - Free Kicks: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball.

Law 14 - The Penalty Kick: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is at ten yards and that players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least eight (8) yards from the penalty mark.

Law 15 - The Throw-In: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Law 16 - The Goal Kick: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA.

Law 17 - The Corner Kick: Conform to US Soccer/FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) yards away from the ball until it is in play.

U10 X-League Standings

Teams will be awarded points for games in the U10 X-League:

• 3 points for a win
• 1 point for a tie
• 0 points for a loss

A goal differential will be used for all U10 X-League games (goals scored minus goals allowed to a maximum differential of 4 goals per game will be reflected in the standings).

U10 X-League Policies and Procedures

The U10 X-League registration, alignment, and scheduling fall under the current competition rules and policies set forth by UYSA's State Competition Program.