Objective
It is the objective of TYSL to teach Taunton community youth all aspects of the sport of soccer with special emphasis on good sportsmanship and teamwork.

Affiliation
TYSL Rules and Regulations are in accordance with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). In case of conflict between MYSA and TYSL Rules and Regulations, the TYSL Board of Directors shall have final judgment.

Code of Conduct
While attending a TYSL function of any kind, proper and respectful conduct is expected of all TYSL members including but not limited to players, coaches, and spectators. Any infraction of this rule shall be subject to disciplinary action per the Disciplinary Action section of this document. Coaches, players, and parents should become familiar with the Code of Conduct included as an addendum at the end of this document.

Eligibility
TYSL players must attend a school in the City of Taunton and shall be assigned to a team as deemed appropriate by TYSL (See Player Assignment). Upon approval of the TYSL Board of Directors, students from surrounding towns may be accepted into TYSL provided those towns do not have a youth soccer program.

Registration
A registration form with the proper non-refundable fee must be submitted to a TYSL member no later than the published deadline. If the registration form is submitted after the deadline, the applicant shall be placed on a waiting list and team assignment will be on a first-come, first-served basis. All registrations and any exceptions to this rule are subject to the discretion and final approval of the TYSL Board of Directors.

Playing Time
Every player in grades k-4 shall be guaranteed to play at least half of the game time in each Fall Season game s/he attends. Players may play less than this standard due to injury or poor sportsmanship. Every player in grades 5-8 are guaranteed at least 10 minutes per half. Coaches are responsible for ensuring these standards.

Player Assignments
Before the start of each season, registered players shall be assigned to a team as deemed appropriate by TYSL and shall be placed within the proper division. Siblings playing in the same division shall be assigned to the same team unless requested otherwise by a parent or guardian. A younger sibling may move up one grade division per request of the parent or guardian.

Uniforms & Equipment
Sneakers or soccer shoes are not issued as part of the uniform and shall be the responsibility of the player. Shin guards are mandatory and shall be the responsibility of the player. All practice balls and other equipment shall be issued to the team coach for their use. TYSL Goalie shirts (if available) shall remain in the possession of the coach and will be issued at game time.

Cones may be used to mark off field boundary lines as well. Usage of cones may be best applied to U6 and possibly U8 matches Grade K-2. Tall cones or flags could be used to mark the corners of the field and flat disc cones could be used to mark the goallines and touch lines.

It is the responsibility of the teams that have the first game on a given field to set up the field markers, goal nets and corner flags (if provided) in proper position before the start of the game. If the start of the game is delayed for more than 15 minutes due to failure to place equipment, the game may result in a forfeit.

At close of day or last game in division, the last teams to play shall be responsible to take down equipment, and remove litter from the field.

At the start of each game, the assigned referee shall be issued: game ball (a ball issued by 'home' team), whistle, and warning cards.

At the close of each game or series of games, the referee shall be responsible for the return of the above items along with the official score to the equipment manager or the concession trailer.

Standings
Standings shall be kept for Boy and Girls Middle School Division Grade 7 & 8 games only. At the end of each game the team that scored more goals shall be awarded three (3) points for a "WIN", and the team that scored fewer goals shall be awarded zero (0) points for a "LOSS". If, at the end of the game, each team scored the same number of goals, each team shall be awarded one (1) point for a "TIE". At the end of the regular season, the team that accumulated the highest number of points within its division shall be declared the division champion.

If at the end of regular season, two or more teams within a Middle School Division Grade 7 & 8 accumulated the same number of points. The following criteria will be used to determine champions:

1. Head to Head Competition (used only if 2 teams are tied for first)
2. Goal differential (max. 5 per game)
3. Fewest goals allowed
4. Most goals scored (max. 5 per game)

Forfeiture
A game shall be declared a forfeit under the following circumstances:
a) Any team fielding players that are not registered members of TYSL.
b) Any team fielding less than the minimum number of players, after a grace period of 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time or any team fielding less than the minimum number of players, after suspension or injury. There shall be no minimum number of players playing the Small Side Games for Pee Wee and Elementary Division. Players in these divisions may borrow from the opposing team. The minimum number of players for Intermediate Grade 3 & 4 shall be 5 players. The Boys & Girls Middle School division shall be 7 players.

Substitutions
Substitutions may be made at the following points during a game, subject to referee's approval:
a) After a goal scored, by either team.
b) After play is stopped by the referee for an injury, by either team.
c) Prior to a goal kick, by either team.
d) Prior to a throw-in, in your favor.
Substitutions are not allowed on penalty kicks or on free kicks. Any number of players can be substituted during each call for substitutions. Substituted players may re-enter the game upon further calls for substitutions. During Elementary Division games, the coach may call for substitutions once per quarter. Pee Wee Grade K and Elementary Grade 1 & 2 none are during quarter and only allowed at the change of quarters.

Injuries and Faulty Player Equipment
If a referee must stop the play of the game due to an injury, all players must immediately 'take a knee' by kneeling or sitting on the field to await further instruction from the referee. The injured player must be taken off the field. At the discretion of the coach and with the referee's approval, the injured player can be substituted immediately or allowed to return to the game.

Disciplinary Action
Any player who is issued a Yellow (caution) card during the game must be substituted immediately. This player may enter the game at the next available occasion for a substitution.

Any player who is issued a Red (ejection) card during the game must immediately leave the field of play. Any red-carded player shall be automatically suspended for one (1) game. The suspension shall be served for the first game to be played after the ejection. The case may be reviewed by the Board of Directors for further action, if necessary.

Any coach, assistant coach or parent who is issued a yellow or a red card during the game must immediately leave the field of play, except if it directly jeopardizes the safety of the players. All suspensions and cautions shall be reported to a member of the TYSL Board of Directors.

Protest
To enter an official protest, a coach or team representative must submit the reason for protest in writing to a league official within forty eight (48) hours of the game under protest.

The league shall appoint a Protest Committee of coaches from teams in division(s) external to that of the protest. The Protest Committee shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members and a maximum of five (5) members. The Protest Committee can also be made up of the Board of Directors if it adheres to the above. This Protest Committee shall be under the direction of the League President. In case of a conflict of interest involving the League President, an impartial League Officer shall preside over the Protest Committee. Any decision reached by a Protest Committee is final.
Notes Any exceptions or deviations to these rules and regulations, aimed only at the benefit and enhancement of TYSL and the children who participate, must be approved by the TYSL Board of Directors.

Eligibility for spring season requires that the player must adhere to criteria set forth by the League in which TYSL has membership during that spring season. Currently, this is the South Coast Soccer League. Players waiting to play Spring Soccer will be chosen via mandatory try-outs conducted by TYSL officers and respective coaches for each age group. The criteria for such try-outs will be the responsibility of the Board of Directors with input from the respective coaches of each group.

A Player Waiver may be granted to allow play on a team for another town for a current Spring Season. Such a waiver is granted only to a currently registered TYSL player and its duration is for one (1) single Spring Season. The player requesting a waiver must adhere to one of the following conditions:
1. The player was not selected onto a TYSL spring team after attending the mandatory tryouts; or
2. TYSL has no team for the player's age group