Policies regarding Games and Game Day

• All Rec games in the Madison Area are now being assigned by a licensed assignor. If you are not sure who to contact here is the current list: Referee Assignors by Club
• Classic and State League games are assigned by MAYSA (Linda Huttenhoff) via the Arbitersports.com web site.

Who is responsible for paying the officials? 
For MAYSA Classic and WYSA State Leagues, each team pays half of the fee(s).
For MAYSA Recreational League, (including High School Small Sided), the home team pays the entire fee.
For your club's In-House league, check your club's policy.
In all leagues, fees should be paid to all officials before the game starts.

1. A coach pass card issued by the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association
2. A coaching certificate or license issued by the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association

• Before each game, everyone should make a concerted effort to remove all rocks, sticks, and litter from the field.
• After the game, please pick up all litter.
• Avoid practicing on a wet or heavily worn field.
• Do not allow players to kick the line markings or dig at the turf with cleats.

A Field Coordinator has been designated for each field. The Field Coordinator maintains the schedule for the field. The Field Coordinator may also limit games or practices on a field if the field is deemed unsafe or unplayable.

Games take precedence over practices. Fields cannot be reserved for practices or scrimmages. They are available on a first come first serve basis. Practices can be conducted on any flat, grassy area and need not be on the field itself.

If you have questions or concerns about the fields, contact MAYSA. Do not deal directly with city or school officials unless directed to do so by MAYSA.

For U6 through U8 leagues, prior to the start of any game, the determination as to whether or not the game shall be played is up to the coaches and ultimately the HOME coach.

For U9 and older games, after 7am on the day of the game, the decision to cancel a match rests with the referee.

Once the game has started, the decision to stop play rests solely with the referee. If the game is called prior to half time, the game is to be re-played in its entirety. If the game is called at halftime or any point thereafter, the game is considered a complete game and the final score stands.

MAYSA strongly discourages any game be cancelled due to anticipated weather conditions.

Coaches should make a determination by 7:00am on the day of the match as to whether or not recent or current weather conditions warrant considering the cancelation of a game. This allows both coaches ample opportunity to notify all players and officials.

1. Investigate weather forecasts.
2. Making a trip to the location of the game to investigate field conditions is strongly recommended.
3. Make a determination by 7:00am on the day of the match.
4. For Rec Games, the HOME Coach is responsible for contacting their club's licensed referee assignor and notifying them of the cancelation. For Classic Games, HOME Coaches should notify Linda Huttenhoff (lhuttenhoff@maysa.org or 276-9030) as soon as possible about game cancelations due to weather, so that she may cancel the referees.
5. Please see the Scheduling Policies page for details on rescheduling a game.

• Not notifying the opposing team about a cancelled game: $50 fine
• Not notifying the referee(s) about a cancelled game: Fine equal to the total fees due to the referee(s).

Player Pass cards (and team manager) for classic level teams will be mailed to teams in late July or early August. Pass cards for newly added players will be done in the MAYSA office once MAYSA has received a request from the respective Club Registrar. Confirmation of birth date is done in the MAYSA office for all new competitive players registered.

1. The referee is charged with the responsibility of stopping play. They are to use their best judgment in evaluating the severity of the injury and game situation that exists. For example, if a player twists his or her ankle and an opponent has a breakaway attempt, the referee may, in his or her opinion, allow play to continue until there is opportunity for a logical stoppage (i.e. Team with injured player has possession, ball goes out of play, etc). Conversely, if the injury appears to be severe, the referee may immediately stop play.
2. The coach of the injured player is the only team personnel allowed on the field. Furthermore, that coach must wait for the referee to beckon him or her on to the field.
3. All players presently on the field must remain on the field while the injured player(s) is (are) being attended to. There is no requirement that the players sit down, etc. only that the players remain on the field.
4. The clock does not stop in USSF sanctioned play. The referee may however, at his or her discretion, add an appropriate amount of time to the game.

• All players MUST WEAR SHINGUARDS!
• Players should be properly attired in the correct team jersey. ALL players, regardless of the league in which they are participating are required to wear matching, numbered, jerseys. Additionally, members of Classic teams are required to wear matching socks and shorts.
• The home team must provide alternative jerseys with numbers if a color conflict arises. This is why contacting the opposing coach the night before the game is so important. MAYSA recommends the use of t-shirts (white for example) as a simple solution. Numbers on these alternate shirts is not required for recreational teams.
• Soft molded cleats are recommended. Cleats should have no sharp edge.
• WI Youth Soccer Association rules do not allow jewelry to be worn.
• Splints and or any kind of casts are not allowed.

• The home team brings six field markers to the game. Four corner flags and one cone (or flag) marker for each side of the field at midfield (one yard off the sideline).
• Home teams are responsible for providing and securely attaching nets to goals if they are to be used.The use of nets at the recreational level is strongly encouraged.
• Home team provides a properly inflated ball that is in good condition.
  • U-6 through U-8: Size 3
  • U-9 through U-12: Size 4
  • U-13 and older: Size 5

If the weather has been, or is expected to turn inclement, coaches should follow the procedure listed in the Game Cancelation Policy.

Once at the game, the referee has the sole authority to stop a game because of weather or playing conditions and is to receive full compensation for the match.

If a game is stopped before halftime, the game should be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety. If a game is stopped after completion of the first half, it is considered a complete game and the score stands.