Article I – Organizational Name and Address.
The name of this organization shall be the Crossroads Soccer Association, also referred to as CSA.
The official address of this organization shall be that of the present Registrar.
An official website will be maintained under the name of Crossroads Soccer Association.

Article II – Purpose (Mission Statement)
Crossroads Soccer Association provides an opportunity for all area youth to participate in the game of soccer, exercise, improve skills and athleticism, and nature camaraderie and good sportsmanship in a friendly environment that stresses mutual respect for the players, coaches, referees, and fans.

Article III – Organizational Structure
The CSA will consist of the following positions, which combined form the CSA Board of Directors, also referred to as Officers or the Soccer Board: President, Vice-President, Registrar, Secretary, Treasurer, Referee Coordinator, Field Coordinator, Media/Sponsor Coordinator, Equipment Coordinator, Webmaster, and Level Coordinators for each level (U6, U8, U10, U12, U15, and U19).  Other positions found necessary for the proper functioning of this organization can be created by vote of the Soccer Board and incorporated into these Bylaws.
In the case of limited volunteerism, Board members may take on the responsibility of multiple Soccer Board positions.
 Each Board member is allowed one vote in the organization, regardless of how many positions they hold.  Majority vote will decide all business of the organization.
 A quorum will consist of greater than 50% of the current Board members and is required for voting and conducting all business of the organization not directly noted under and within the authority of, individual position descriptions.
Any Board member not meeting the obligations of their position or who has demonstrated behavior deemed not in alignment with the mission and values of the organization can be removed from their position by majority vote.
These bylaws can be amended by majority vote of the Board.

Article IV – Meetings
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Association will be held once a month, with the exceptions of June and December, when no meetings will occur.  Meetings should be held at a time and place made known in advance to all members of the Board, identified on the official website, and open to all interested parties.
Though strict adherence to the rule of order is not demanded, the President, and the Vice-President in their absence, shall ensure that an acceptable level of organization and procedure exists.
The regularly scheduled meeting in July will include, as a priority, the election of officers; identification of the official bank, the identification of at least 3 individuals granted the authority to disburse funds from the CSA accounts and annual revision/amendments to these Bylaws.
The President will inform all other Board members, at least one week in advance of known topics for discussion at the upcoming Board meeting.
Any Board member unable to attend a meeting can make known their opinion and/or vote on any subject by written work (including e-mail) Provided to any Board member prior to the meeting.

Article V – Election of Officers
Yearly elections will take place as the first order of business at the July meeting and Officers will immediately attend to their position responsibilities.
There are no term limits for serving in any Board positions.

Article VI – Board Position Duties
The responsibilities of each Board position are described below.  It is recommended that those who volunteer to be in any of the following positions decline being a coach because their time on Saturdays would be limited due to carrying out their responsibilities.  Also, each position will be considered a Board member and will participate as Field Marshalls at the first and last Saturday of the season, plus other times as needed. Exception to this policy is the Referee coordinator.  As a Board member, you will pay for your child to play, (or may designate two children to receive scholarships if you do not have children playing), and if you fulfill your responsibilities, you will be refunded at the end of each season.  If you do not fulfill your responsibilities, you forfeit your payment. This includes all board members who have designated scholarships. All Board members will introduce themselves to coaches, the referees, and families during the first game of the season.  As board members, they should be good examples of the goals of our Mission Statement.  Therefore the following guidelines should be followed by each member;

Conduct yourself in a professional manner at all board meetings.
Conduct yourself with highest regard to the principles laid out in the mission statement.
Speak up when you have a question or disagree, but support the final decision of the Board.  Once an issue has been discussed and decided; support it and defend it.
Accept the responsibilities of your position and share the various aspects of the workload.
Put the interests of the entire program ahead of personal interests or disagreements.  Look for ways to improve the organization rather than point fingers.
There will be NO disagreements or conflicts with fellow board members discussed with anyone outside of the board members or anywhere else in public.
If any conflicts arise, please submit a written description to the President.  Then the President and Vice-President will review it.
The President and Vice-President will submit a recommendation, which may range from a simple reprimand to a formal removal from the board.

We should all leave our personal feelings and disagreements at the door and be able to conduct ourselves in a professional manner.  Put the best interests of the kids first.  Thank you to all of you for donating your time and interest towards fostering your love for soccer in the hundreds of kids we help each season!

President:
Ensure that the organization operates according to its mission and bylaws, conducts regular meetings to complete necessary functions of the Board, will serve as the point of contact for the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association (KSYSA).  Organizes and oversees coach and player development clinics.  Will initiate or coordinate necessary changes within the Association to insure efficient operation of the soccer program.  Will serve as the point of contact for other organizations with whom the Association interacts.  Initiates or coordinates reprimands or sanctions against players, coaches, referees, or Board members as determined by a majority vote of the Board.

Vice-President:
The Vice-President will perform the duties of the President in their absence at Board meetings and official Association activities.  Will assist the President in ensuring that the organization operates according to its mission and bylaws.  Coordinate the use of fields and school facilities with the school system.  (If secretary is absent and President is attending, Vice will take over secretary position so that all meeting minutes can be know.)  Oversees Head Field Marshall duties.  Responsible for sending Thank You notes to all coaches and sponsors each season.  Will coordinate with Mark Stratton for photos.

Secretary:
Records minutes for all Board meetings and distributes minutes to the Board members.  Serves as the official record/information clerk for the Association through maintenance of board meeting minutes and Association correspondence.  Coordinates with the Web Coordinator to update information that is disseminated on the website.

Treasurer/Registrar:
Handles all financial matters for the Association, including the deposit of all Association income and payment of all Association incurred expenses.  Will be present at all games for the payment of referees.  Develops registration forms with input from the Board.  Distributes registration information as directed by the Board.  Receives payment and registration forms for each season.  Enters registrant information into the database provided by KSYSA.  Develops game schedules.  Notifies Level Coordinator of special circumstances of any late registrants for placement on established teams.  Coordinate game schedules or any changes of game schedules with Level Coordinators and the referee coordinator due to game cancellation or bad weather. 

Equipment Manager:
Attends Coaches clinic to hand out equipment,  ensures that current CSA equipment is maintained in a safe and usable condition  Will be considered a board member and will be the main point of contact for field conditions.  At the last game of the season be available for coaches to turn in equipment to.

Field Manager:
Will set up fields each game day including proper measurement and visible painting of side and end lines, center line, goal and penalty boxes and spectator lines.  Center circle will be painted at least on the U19 field. Will be considered a board member.

Referee Coordinator:
Must be/keep certification, sets standards of performance for referees, attends Coaches clinic and answers any questions about the rules of the game, explains that the referees have complete control when on the field, explains each colored card that referees carry and what the consequences are (either to player, coach, or fan), explains that coaches are responsible for the conduct of their spectators, equipment needed for play, jewelry policy, will schedule referees for game days, will be the point of contact during game days to deal with any questions from referees, coaches, or parents; will extend any help requested from referees on the fields and anything else needed concerning the referees or rules of the game.  Will hold a meeting at the beginning of the season with all of the referees to discuss play of the game, score keeping, conflict resolution, and schedules. Will be required to work with all Level Coordinators and registrar for the rescheduling of games.  Be available if treasurer is not there on game day to pay referees.

Media/Sponsorship Coordinator:
Works with the Board to place advertisements in area newspapers, radios, and other sources for registration.  Provides photos and written information to the local news media on a regular basis, including final team standings.  Recruits team sponsors for each soccer season. 

Web Coordinator:
Develops and maintains an Association web site.  Updates website with information from Board meeting, schedules, rainouts, and tournament play.

Level Coordinator:
Develops teams from the registration forms received by the registrar, will attend Coaches clinic and receives all coaches’ e-mails and phone numbers for game updates.  Will be considered a board member and will be responsible for the overall coordination of their respective level to include; recruiting coaches for teams, disbursement of team rosters, game schedules, and handling concerns/disputes from coaches. Can have a child on your level but cannot be a coach for your level. Once teams have been established – must have three other Board members OK them prior to Coaches Clinic.  Assist Uniform Coordinator with the delivering of jerseys, shorts, and socks that have been ordered for their levels. If games are rescheduled due to weather conditions, will be responsible for working with their coaches, the Referee coordinator, and registrar to name a date and time that will work out for all. 

Head Field Marshall:
Recruits parents through the coaches, makes contact with the coaches and will be present for the Coaches clinic, can or should attend the coaches’ parents’ meetings or attend one of their practices for recruiting purposes.  (Most coaches will hold a parents’ meeting just to inform them of their rules, game rules, plus receive the snack schedule!) Will be considered a board member and will keep a log of who’s to work on what weekend.  Prior to season starting, hold a meeting of those signed up to relay responsibilities or be present each weekend to hand over responsibility to those that signed up with the exception of the first and last Saturday due to all board members being present.

Uniform Coordinator:
Coordinates the procurement of team uniforms (t-shirts, jerseys, shorts, socks).

Article VII – Treasury and Property
Annually, at the July meeting, the official financial institution of the CSA will be voted on as well as identification of at least three Board members allowed to sign checks for CSA.
Monies obtained through registration, sponsorship, and gifts to the organization will be used only for the improvement of soccer in this area and in conformance with the mission of CSA as stated above.
Any property purchased by the CSA, to include soccer equipment, clothing, buildings, real property, the website, will remain as such unless dissolution of the organization occurs, in which case that property will be liquidated and applied to debts with any remaining assets to be used for the continuance of soccer activities in the Wamego area.  It may be necessary for said property to be stored by a Board member.  In such case the CSA retains rights to the property and can request the return of said property anytime by majority vote of the Board.
Refunds are only considered prior to the first game of the season; cost of team shirt and registration fee for KSYSA will not be part of the refund.

Article VIII – Rules of the game
The official rules for play in CSA are identified below and are subject to change annually:

Eligible Players
Boys and girls age 4 through 18.  All players must be registered prior to the season starting.  If a player on any team is found to be unregistered, the game will be forfeited.

Formation of Teams
Level Coordinators will form all teams after the registration deadline.   Once a team has been assigned, no changes will be made.  No one will be added to an existing team after the Coaches Clinic or the Friday before the first game of the season.  Late registrants will be considered if there are special circumstances involved.  Requests for certain teams or coaches will not be allowed unless it is to place siblings on the same team.  All teams are co-ed and are divided into the following levels:
U6 – age 4 (as of August 1st) or age 5
U8 – age 7 and under as of August 1st
U10 – age 9 and under as of August 1st
U12 – age 11 and under as of August 1st
U15 – age 14 and under as of August 1st
U19 – age 18 and under as of August 1st

The Field
Field dimensions will be sized appropriate to the age group.  A 3 foot wide strip along the sidelines will be reserved for the assistant referees (when needed).

Level Ball Sizes
U6 & U8: size 3
U10 & U12: size 4
U15 & U19: size 5

Number of Players
All teams will play with 6-11 players on the field.  A minimum of 5 players will be fielded for U8 and up games to avoid forfeiture (except U19 which has a min. of 7).  Both teams will play with the same number of players on the field.  All teams will assign one player to be the goalkeeper with the exception of U6, where no goalkeeper is needed.

Coaches/Parents on the Field
In the U6 and U8 divisions, coaches will be allowed on the field to provide direction to the players.  Parents may be allowed on the field only if their child is injured.

Substitutions
Substitutions will occur at the quarter only (except for U15 & U19 which will use full FIFA rules for substitutions at goal kicks and throw-ins and after scoring). Injured players can be substituted for at the referee’s discretion.  In concert with the recreational nature of our program, it is expected that all players will get an equal opportunity to play.

Player’s Equipment
The following equipment is mandatory for both practices and games.  The referee has a responsibility to disqualify any player for not having the proper equipment.

Shoes – Preferably soccer style shoes with safe rubber cleats.  No metal cleats are allowed.  No toe cleats (a single cleat at the point of the shoe) are allowed.  Tennis shoes can be worn instead of cleats.

Shin guards – Appropriately sized, brand name shin guards (guards that protect the majority of the players shin) worn as designed and covered by socks or some other soft material (integral socks/shin guards are acceptable). If there are any questions as to the suitability of a players shin guards, it should be addressed with a certified referee.

Official Team Shirt/Jersey – Team shirt/jersey that is ordered by CSA, other outerwear of the same color as the official team shirt/jersey that is easily distinguishable from the opposing team.  Cold weather garments may be worn under the official team shirt/jersey.

Goalkeeper – Goalies will wear a goalie shirt provided on game day or an identifying shirt of their own choice that clearly identifies them as the only person on the team allowed to handle the ball with their hands and differentiates them from members of the opposing team.

Jewelry – No jewelry is to be worn during play with the exception of new ear piercing, which should be adequately covered with tape or a Band-Aid.  (Coaches should inform players wanting to get ears pierced that they should wait until after the season.)

Duration of Game
Division U6 will play 4 quarters lasting 5 minutes long; divisions U8 & U10 will play 4 quarters lasting 8 minutes long; divisions U12 will play 4 quarters lasting 12 minutes long.  U15 & U19 will play 30 minutes halves.  Stoppage time may be added at the end at the referee’s discretion.

Referees
All referees are required to present themselves in a professional manner, both on and off the field.  The following guidelines on dress and appearance are recommended for representing CSA:
Certified Referees will wear USSF approved uniforms.
Shirts tucked in with dark colored shorts (preferably black), socks, tennis shoes or cleats.
CSA trained timekeepers will wear the official CSA referee shirt (paid for themselves)

Level Play
U6 does not require a certified referee but a timekeeper can be used.  If used, they should be a youth/parent that has played the game or has knowledge about the game so as to keep the game on time, teach them about throw-ins, and good sportsmanship.  If there are any questions on the rules of the game or conflicts during the game, the Referee Coordinator will be consulted.
U8 & U10 requires one certified referee.
U12 & up, requires two certified referees, or one center referee and 2 sideline assistants (either certified or club).
 
Center Referee
The center referee holds the ultimate authority on the field of play.  The center referee may suspend or terminate a game for profanity or excessive displays of hostility toward the players, coaches or sideline assistants (Note – coaches are responsible for the behavior of spectators supporting their team) The center referee may allow play to continue even when a foul has occurred if they believe that the offended team has maintained a significant advantage. The center referee may require the help of any Board member when a conflict has occurred with coaches, players and/or spectators.

Assistant/Sideline Referee
When used, the assistant/sideline referee’s have the same authority as the center referee with respect to maintaining good sportsmanship and safety on the field. Their advice on fouls, misconduct, offside, and balls in and out of play are taken at the discretion of the Center referee. Where untrained personnel, such as spectators, coaches, or other players are used as sideline referees, their role is to identify balls crossing the boundary lines, and offside situations only.

Coin Toss
A few minutes before the start of the game, the referee will conduct a coin toss.  The winner of the toss gets to choose between kicking off first or which goal to defend.  Sides of the field are switched after the half and the opposite team kicks off.

Application of Rules
Crossroads Soccer Association uses a progressive application of the FIFA rules to coordinate with the age and ability of the players.

U6 – At this level, there may be no designated referee.  A timekeeper can be used to make sure that the game progresses on time, only blatant purposeful aggression will result in corrective action, no offside exists, any type of throw-in is acceptable and no score will be kept.
U8 – These players will be called for all fouls though a teaching approach will be used by certified referees for corrections; no offside will be called, throw-ins will be redone if not correct, and no score will be kept.
U10 – All fouls will be called by a certified referee, offside will be enforced, throw-ins are allowed one retry, and score will be kept by the referee and reported to the Board for play-off determination.
U12 & up – All rules, as outlined within this document or covered by FIFA regulations, will apply and score will be kept by the certified referees and reported to the Board for play-off determination.

Starting and Re-starting Play
Play starts with a placekick from the center of the field.  The ball must move forward and is in play once it has moved.  The ball cannot be played again by the kicker until someone else touches it.  Opposing players cannot be within 10 yards until play has started and all players must be on their half of the field.  A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.  The ball remains in play until it completely crosses an end or sideline or until the referee stops play.  IF the ball is last touched by a team before crossing a boundary line, possession goes to the other team and may take the form of a throw-in (sideline) or kick-off (foul), goal or corner kick (end lines).  For all other stoppages, the referee will decide what the proper re-start is including; drop balls, direct kick, or in-direct kick.  It is important that everyone “play on” until the referee blows the whistle or signals a re-start.  In the case of player injury where the referee has blown the whistle to stop play, all players should halt and kneel.

Method of Scoring
Score is not kept for levels U6 & U8.  A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes completely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar.  After a goal, the team scored upon kicks off.  The ball cannot be intentionally thrown, carried, or propelled into the goal by the hand or arm of an attacking player.  If the referee suspects that the goalie is seriously injured, they may stop play.  The same as for any other injured player on the field.  In this situation, if a goal was not scored before the referees whistle, it will not count.  If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, a five player penalty kick will occur.  Each team will alternate defending with a goalkeeper and shooting at the goal.  If the game remains tied after this, penalty kicks will continue in a sudden death fashion.  It is expected that coaches will allow each player their turn at the penalty shot.

Make up Games
All games that are canceled due to inclement weather (not forfeiture due to lack of players) will be rescheduled, if possible.  Only Crossroads Soccer Association Board Members have the authority to schedule official make-up games.  Make up game times and dates will be worked out through the Level Coordinator and Referee Coordinator.

Offside
A player is declared offside if at the time that the ball is kicked by their teammate they are;
- Ahead of the ball
- In the opposing half of the field
- Involved actively in the play
- And closer to the goal than the second to the last defender
 A player cannot be offside on the initial play of a foal kick, corner kick, throw-in or drop ball.  The re-start for an offside call is an in-direct free kick for the opposite team at the point of the infraction.

Fouls
The following fouls may result in a direct free kick (where a goal can be scored directly from the kick);
- Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
- Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
- Jumping at an opponent
- Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner including charging from behind (legal charging is contesting for position to play the ball, shoulder to shoulder, under control with arms down and the ball within playing distance)
- Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
- Holding an opponent
- Pushing an opponent
- Handling the ball (this does not include the goalie)
- Slide tackling (sliding at the ball when it is near an opponent or sliding at an opponent themselves under any circumstances) is a red card offense and the player will be penalized by not being able to finish the game and they will be suspended for the next game.
When the above fouls are committed by the defensive players in their penalty area, a penalty kick is given.

The following fouls may result in an in-direct kick (where the ball must touch another player before counting as a score if it goes in the goal):
- Charging fairly but with the ball not within playing distance
- Intentionally obstructing an opponent when not playing the ball
- Charging or impeding the goal keeper
- Playing in a dangerous manner
- Play by the goalkeeper that is designed to slow the play of the game
- Goalkeepers touching the ball with their hands after it has been kicked to them by one of their own teammates
- Goalkeepers touching the ball with their hands after parrying the ball to seek position or time advantage.

Misconduct (teaching points at levels U8 & U10, enforced at levels U12 & above)
A player may be cautioned (yellow card) for the following reasons;
- Unsportsmanlike like behavior
- Showing dissent
- Persistently infringing the rules of the game
- Delaying a re-start
- Failing to respect the required distance on a free kick or corner kick
- Entering or leaving the field without the referees permission

A player may be sent off the field (red card) for the following reasons;
- Serious foul play
- Violent conduct
- Offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gestures
- Denying the opposing team a goal or opportunity by handling the ball (except goalies)               or by any offense punishable by a free or penalty kick
- An offense that causes them to be issued a second yellow card in the same game

Suspension of a Player
If a player has been red carded, they can and will be suspended for one game (in addition to not being able to finish the game that they are currently playing) and can also be suspended for continuing to;
- Act in a discourteous way toward anyone including the officials.
-  Spitting at anyone.

A player can and will be suspended a minimum of one game, up to, and including the remainder of the season for;
- Starting a fight with anyone (a fight is defined as any form of verbal or physical activity intended to incite, enrage, or provoke physical battery or the act of physical battery not in concert with the game of soccer carried out against another person)

Free Kick
When a free kick (direct or in-direct) is awarded, the kicking team may either kick the ball immediately or request that the referee ensure an adequate distance (approximately 10 yards on a full size field unless that would force them past their own end line) is maintained by the opposing team.  The ball is placed on the ground at the point of infraction with exception of fouls committed by the defense that require a direct kick within their own penalty area (which become penalty kicks to be taken on the penalty mark).  When a free kick is awarded to the defending team within its own penalty area, the ball must leave the penalty area before it is in play.  Opponents of the kicking team must be positioned outside of the penalty area at the time the ball is kicked.  The kicker may not play the ball a second time until another player has touched it.

Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded for any infringement of the rules by the defending team within its own penalty area that could be penalized by a direct free kick.  A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.  The ball should be placed directly on the penalty kick mark.  In cases where that mark does not exist, the ball should be placed centered in the field, halfway between the outer line of the goal area and the outer line of the penalty area.  While the kick is taken, all players, except the kicker and the opposing goalie, should be outside the penalty area and no further down field than the kicker. The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it is touched by another player.

Throw-ins
A throw-in is taken to put the ball back into play after it passes over a sideline.  The thrower must face the field of play, keep both feet on the ground, be positioned on or behind the sideline, use both hands equally, deliver the ball from behind and over the head.  A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in.

Goal Kick
A goal kick is taken by the defending team after the ball has passed over the end line having been touched by an opposing player.  The ball is placed within the goal area and must be kicked out of the penalty area before it is considered in play.  No opposing players may be within the penalty area at the time of a goal kick is taken.

Corner Kick
A corner kick is taken when the ball has crossed the end line having been touched by a defensive player.  A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.  The kick is to be taken from within the corner circle.  Defending team players may not be within 10 yards of the kicker when the kick is taken.

Game Cancellations
CSA schedules all official games and only representatives of CSA can cancel games.  If a game is canceled, the Level Coordinator will contact the coach at the earliest possible time and will work with them and the Referee Coordinator to reschedule the game. Once the coach has been notified, it is their responsibility to notify their players.

Play-off Games
Championship games (level U10 & up) will be played the last 2 weeks of the season with the win/loss records determining the seeding.  Teams with equal records will be seeded according to their head-to-head records.   Further discrimination of seeding will be determined by the Board if necessary.

Article IX – Playing Season
CSA conducts a Fall and a Spring soccer program with carryover of teams and sponsorship.  The “Season” therefore will be considered from the first game in the Fall until the last game in the Spring.

Article X – Affiliation
Crossroads Soccer Association is affiliated with and shall comply with all of the mandatory rules and regulations of the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association.