102 Teams Registered for 2007 Fall Season

The number of teams registered in the MSSL this fall has fallen off due to two recent changes.  The numbers of younger teams has been reduced because some associations have chosen to enter their teams in the new NCYSA Academy program, and a larger association in the MSSL has chosen to keep its younger teams in a house league.

Earlier Dates for Intent to Play Packages

In order to expedite the potential inclusion or release of older teams, the Executive Committee at its  January, 2007 meeting voted to change the due dates for Intent To Play packages.  These dates are now August 1st and January 15th so as to harmonize with NCYSA dates.

MSSL Welcomes GCAA

The Greater Cleveland Athletic Association has joined MSSL with an initial entry of four teams in our league.  The GCAA recently joined the NCYSA and is making their first foray into travel soccer.  Welcome and good luck, Wildcat teams!

118 Teams Registered for 2007 Spring Season

118 is the same number of teams for both te fall 2006 and the spring 2007 season in the MSSL.  Some teams dropped but there there are some new teams filling in.   Also threre are more older girls teams playing in the MSSL this spring.  This past seasonal year marked the completion of the NCYSA policy that mandates small-sided games for U-12 and below, and it has produced a proliferation of teams in this age range.  At the other end of the age spectrum, more teams are opting for Classic play, although the MSSL would welcome a stronger older division in the future.

Executive Committee Sets Fees and "Protest" Policy

The Executive Committee meeting in June, 2005 acted to continue the adopt the NCYSA fee schedule for challenge referee payment and to continue the same League fees for 2005-2006 (and the indefinite future) as were effective in  2004-2005.   The Executive Committee also reviewed policy for "protests".  Except for forfeits and issues specifically identified in the League Policies, all complaints should first go to the respective association of the team making the complaint for resolution.  If the association feels that the League Commissioner should be involved, then the association will make that contact.  (See Policy 7F.)

Smoke-Free Policy Coming to Youth Soccer Fields

Two of our youth soccer associations now report that the fields they utilize are "smoke free".  Chatham Soccer League and Scotland Youth Soccer Association use fields for match play whose owners have prohibited all smoking on the premises.  We trust that visitors will all respect these rules so that we may keep "in good standing" with those to whom we are beholden for fields.

NOTE:  Answers to most procedural questions concerning League play
             may be found in the "League Policies" page of the web site.

FAQ:  What Is the Mid State Soccer League?

The Mid State Soccer League is a cooperative venture formed by local youth soccer associations in the central portion of North Carolina.  The local soccer association to which your team belongs is one of 14 associations currently composing the league.  The league schedules matches at the "challenge" level for fall and spring seasons and conducts a tournament in November of each year.  All challenge teams are invited to participate.  Our goal is to get kids playing soccer and to facilitate advanced player development.

FAQ:  How is registration in the league accomlished?

Registration is accomplished for each season (fall and/or spring) by completing a Mid State Soccer League "Intent to Play" form (forms) and submitting it to the League by the appropriate deadline.   The Intent to Play form must be signed by an authorized local association official (President or administrator).  The Intent to Play forms are submitted by the local association as a package to the League.  Accompaning the Intent to Play forms must be the fees for the season and a map or written instructions to the "home" field(s).  (Note: Managers or coaches wishing to enter their team in League play should work closely with their local association officials to submit the Intent to Play.)

FAQ:  When are the deadlines for League registration?

The deadlines for receiving the MSSL Intent to Play form at the League is January 15 for the Spring season and August 1st for the fall season.

FAQ:  What are "byes" and "open" dates on my team's schedule?

"Byes" appearing in the schedule are dates when no match has been scheduled because there are an odd number of teams available to play on that date.  Byes are randomly assigned.  "Open" dates are specifically requested in advance of the season by the team so that the team may participate in a tournament or for other good reason.  (Each team may request only one open date per season.)  If a team has requested an open date, that team may also be assigned a bye.  This poilcy is the fairest way to allocate the randomly-assinged byes because it does not penalize the team that is willing to play all dates, whereas the team that took advantage of the privilege of requesting an open date should not be exempt from getting its fair share of byes.

FAQ:  How do I know if the game schedule has changed?

If the originally published schedule needs to be modified by the MSSL, not only will the posted schedules be changed, but emails will be sent to the manager, the coach, and club president of each effected team.  Additionally, if the changes are made within two weeks of the game date, the league will phone the manager of each team.  Please note that it is highly recommended and  good practice for  the traveling team manager to routinely call the home team a day or two before the scheduled match to be sure that there has not been a missed communication or other changes or confusions and to make sure that correct cell numbers are exchanged.

FAQ:  How do I know if a game has been cancelled at the last minute?

For last minute weather-related cancellations, check the home association's "hot line" before traveling (and, if there is doubt, enroute via cell phone).  If there is no association hot line number, or if the call is inconclusive, the manager should call the home team manager before leaving.  It is also a good idea to leave a (cell phone) number with the home team manager so that you can be reached enroute.  If there is no indication that the game has been cancelled, it must be assumed that the game will be played.  (However, even with the best of communication intentions, there will still be occaisional "hiccups" where the away team will arrive at the field only to find that it has been cancelled because of weather.  Forebearance and good will must be assumed!)

FAQ:  If our team is short of players, do we cancel a scheduled game?

Keep in mind that the purpose of the league is to facilitate kids playing soccer.   Every effort should be made to play scheduled matches even if your team is missing significant numbers of players.  The best way to solve such a problem is to call the opposing team beforehand and examine all of the options.  Often it is appropriate to agree to call the match a "scrimmage" and agree to do what ever works in order to get kids safely playing/improving/having fun.  This may include "borrowing" players from the opposing team to get balanced sides for the  "scrimmage", or one team agreeing to only field the same number of players.  The referees should be informed that a "friendly" game or a "scrimmage" will be substituted for the scheduled match.  This will relieve the referee of the necessity of srictly checking rosters and cards, just so long as every agreed upon player has been properly "carded" through the NCYSA and is therefore insured.  Only if "absolutely necessary" should a game be summarily cancelled.  (See Policies 2H and 7E.)

FAQ:   When both teams show up with similar uniforms, who has to change?

The home team must change jerseys if the referee determines that there could be confusion of identity on the field.

FAQ: With respect to jersey colors, just who is the "home team"?

When neither team (or both teams) are playing on their home field there may be confusion as to who is the "home team".  (This situation mostly occurs with teams from the same association are playing each other.)  If there is access to the field schedule (provided on the web site for the benefit of referee schedulers) then the first team listed will be the home team.  However, if this data is not available or is unknown, it is expected that the team managers or coaches will amicably work out the issue among themselves before the game and wear uniforms accordingly.

FAQ:  On which side of the field do teams and parents sit?

During the regular season, field topography or pre-placed benches and/or bleachers will often dictate where the teams and parents are positioned.  Teams on one side and parents on the other is a common configuration as is teams on opposide sides of the field with parents on the same side as the team.  Go with the local custom, or as directed by the referee.  For tournaments, the tournament rules will determine this question.  (For most tournaments, the "teams on one side, parents on the other" configuration is common.)  In club soccer, it is never appropriate for anyone to be near or behind the goal during the game.

FAQ:  Are players allowed to wear glasses during games?

The issue of the appropriateness or safety of any article of clothing or accessories is left entirely up to the referee.  Some referees are strict about potentially dangerous items (such as hard or sharp glasses frames) while other will only enforce the minimum.  The referee's ruling is final and should not be challenged.

FAQ:  Are "Protests" Allowed?  Complaints?

No "protests" of the results of a game are allowed in Mid State Soccer League.  The League is clear that we are a developmental league and the purposes of either training youth soccer players or teaching sportsmanship are not served by challenging the results of a match.  If you have a complaint and think that something should have been handled differently at a match, such concerns should first be taken up with the local youth soccer association sponsoring your team.  If your local association feels that the problem should be taken further, that association should bring the issue to the Commissioner or to the MSSL Executive Committee.  (See MSSL Policy 7.)

"Offside" and Other Rules for U-10 League Play

The NCYSA has posted the USYSA rules for U-10 play and modified them for NCYSA use.  The MSSL has codified these rules on the "Small Sided Game Rules"  web page.  Offside will not be called for U-10 games, while it will be enforced for U-11 and up.
 
 

Interpertation of Policy SPORTSMANSHIP The Mid State Soccer League has very specific expectations regading the behavior of everyone attending a League soccer game.  Reference is made not only in the League Policies 7.B. and 7.C., but is also clearly outlined in the League Bylaws.  The following is from Bylaw 2.2.2. ....the MSSL expects that all players, parents, supporters, coaches, and officials will be polite, positive, and generous in their conduct before, during, and after soccer games.  In particular we wish to train our youth by example to accept winning or losing with grace and to appreciate the efforts of the other team in providing worthy competition. It is especially incumbent on adults present at games to model acceptable behavior.  In particular,it is never appropriate to say anything negative or disparaging to the other team or their supporters.   Especially since the League is consciously a developmental league, all players are to be encouraged and applauded for their efforts.  It is also expected that all adults present should be careful not to challenge the referee's decisions.  Referees are human and mistakes are part of the game and must be accepted with grace and good humor.  It is never appropriate to berate a referee.  Such behavior only reflects negatively on the maturity of the adult on the sideline.  Adults are expected to keep the soccer match in perspective remembering that it is only a game.   The life lessons being learned by the players on the field should include not only learning how to deal with their own mistakes, but those of the officials as well.  The referee's decisions are part of the game and should be accepted at the game site without complaint.  If an adult has concerns about the style of play of a team or the quality of refereeing, appropriate channels through the local club may be utilized as a follow up.  Club officials will contact the MSSL as necessary.  HOW TO HANDLE MIS-MATCHES  Inevitably, (especially in small-sided matches) the schedule will yield some mis-matches from time to time.  It is a fact of life that simply has to gracefully dealt with upon occaision in youth soccer.  We've all been there.  The game can turn out to be a very bad experience for all concerned (especially if one side begins to assume "bad faith" from the other side and tempers flare) OR such a game can have a happy ending. To allow such games to have a positive outcome, coaches of stronger teams need to be fully prepared to promptly instruct their players not to score by their usual method, but to work to only score by headers, or only by a "one touch shot", or only after three consecutive "two touch" passes, etc.  (These methods do work!)  If such is done, the game can be a profitable training experience for all concerned and not overly discouraging for the weaker team.   Care must be taken not to give the appearance of "running up" the score.  (Winning by three goals should be plenty!) The weaker team must be encouraged to realize that there is no shame in being overmatched, and that the experience can be a positive one with regard to work on skills with tough competition. In these cases of differing skill levels we especially need ALL parents and coaches to model graciousness, understanding, and supportiveness to ALL players and to each other.  In the best of circumstances, there will be a bond among all present supporting a common goal of improvement of all of the players and good will will be felt by all.   It is a proud thing to be associated with such class!

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