Santa Rosa

Youth Soccer League

Rules and Guidelines for Coaches

2005-06 Season

History of Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League

In 1965, five men and women, headed by Joe Belluzzo (known as the Father of Santa Rosa Soccer) organized so they could provide the necessary soccer skills and game opportunities for school age girls and boys.  This program became known as the Sonoma County Youth Soccer League for 10 to 12-year-olds.  As time went by, it was difficult for the parents to transport the children to various games that were played in the diverse Sonoma County localities.  In 1969 eight parents, with the financial assistance of the Santa Rosa Optimist Club, founded the Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League.  There were approximately 200 boys and 18 girls that signed up for this outstanding new athletic program.  There were 16 dedicated adults who served as coaches and referees that first year.

     The interest was heightened with the help of the local school districts (Santa Rosa and the nine feeder elementary school districts) and the City Recreation and Parks Department.   By the 1972/1973 season, this program had grown to 1,500 girls and boys forming playing leagues in several different age groups.  In 1978, due to the rapid growth and interest in the sport, the Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League Board of Directors reorganized operations into five clubs. The idea behind this was to break down the city into geographical regions, thus making it easier for people to participate. Through this "club concept" they then comprised a total of 184 teams.

The soccer program has continued to grow, and today approximately 6,000 boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 18 are playing in Santa Rosa.  There are now almost 500 teams with a playing season from August to November, with some of the select teams playing almost the year around.  In addition to the number of soccer players, there are hundreds of adult volunteers now assisting with the total program.  Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League is now the second largest soccer league in all of northern California.

Lifetime SRYSL Board Members

Joe Belluzzo, Santa Rosa’s “Father of Soccer,” continues to actively serve the youth soccer community by maintaining the Soccer Shoe Bank at his home in east Santa Rosa. Need shoes? If you have shoes that are in good condition, you can donate them or exchange them for another pair. Contact Joe at: 539-2428. Belluzzo Fields in Southwest Santa Rosa are named in his honor.

John Macken has served on the Board of SRYSL since 1975 (30 years!!). John was president for three years and currently is the Fields Coordinator. He takes care of making and repairing all our soccer goals and determines if fields are playable during the rainy season. We rely on John’s experience and insight on issues that come before the Board.

Thanks to both Joe and John for their dedication to youth soccer in Santa Rosa!

Table of Contents

I. The Soccer Organization.................................................................................................................. 1

II. Divisions of Teams.......................................................................................................................... 1

III. Registration................................................................................................................................... 2

IV. Coaching Clinics........................................................................................................................... 2

V. Coaches Conduct.......................................................................................................................... 3

VI. Injuries/Insurance.......................................................................................................................... 3

VII. Rain Outs..................................................................................................................................... 4

VIII. Pre- and Post-Game Team Responsibilities.................................................................................... 5

IX. Division 1 Team Procedures............................................................................................................ 5

Red Cards.............................................................................................................................. 6

State Cup............................................................................................................................... 6

Recruiting............................................................................................................................... 6

Field Use................................................................................................................................ 6

X. Division 3 Team Procedures............................................................................................................ 6

Red Cards.............................................................................................................................. 7

Playing Time........................................................................................................................... 7

Recruiting............................................................................................................................... 7

Tournaments........................................................................................................................... 7

Jamborees.............................................................................................................................. 8

Association Cup...................................................................................................................... 8

Rescheduling.......................................................................................................................... 8

XI. Division 4 Team Procedures............................................................................................................ 8

Membership Passes ............................................................................................................... 8

Standings............................................................................................................................... 9

Trophies................................................................................................................................. 9

Playing Time........................................................................................................................... 9

Referees................................................................................................................................. 9

Tournaments......................................................................................................................... 10

City Cup............................................................................................................................... 10

American Cup....................................................................................................................... 10

Scheduling and Re-scheduling................................................................................................ 10

Special Rules for U19, U10, U8, and U6 Age Groups................................................................ 11

XII. Rules......................................................................................................................................... 12

Bylaws………....................................................................................................................... 13

General Procedures............................................................................................................... 14

Rules of Play............................................................................................................ 15

Send Off and Caution Procedures............................................................................... 18

Trophies................................................................................................................... 19

Protest and Appeals.................................................................................................. 20

Field Locations.................................................................................................................................. 22

Verification of Suspension Form.......................................................................................................... 26

Help Directory................................................................................................................................... 27

Web Sites.................................................................................................................. Inside Back Cover

Emergency Medical Facilities...................................................................................... Inside Back Cover

I. The Soccer Organization

The Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League (SRYSL) is part of a national soccer organization. The United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) has member organizations representing most states. California has two members, California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA)-North and CYSA-South. CYSA-North is divided into nine districts. SRYSL is one of 21 outdoor leagues in District 5, which geographically includes the counties of Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte.

United States Youth Soccer Association

(USYSA)

California Youth Soccer Association - North

(CYSA)