1. The current year National Federation Soccer Rules and the NYSPHSAA Rules and Regulations with following OCIAA modifications shall apply:
a. One of the following balls are required to be used as the game ball for all OCIAA league contests: Ultra-Umbro, Royal-Umbro, Brine Internation 32 or better, Supers-Challenge, Mohinder, America, Italia, Ultra-MG Pro, Adidas Tango.
b. Yellow Card Rule: An athlete who receives a yellow card must leave the field of play and may return to the game the next time a substitution may be made.
c. In the event that the player receives two yellow cards in the same game, resulting in a red card, the two yellow cards will not count towards the season total; since the player will receive a one game suspension as a result of the misconduct and ejection.
2. Red Card Rule – Unsportsmanlike Conduct
(1) a. When a coach is ejected from a contest please refer to NYSPHSAA Handbook # 27 Sportsmanship.
b. If a red card is given to a player for the following:
(a) Fighting
(b) Verbal or physical abuse of an player or official
(c) Intentionally charging a goalie
(d) Unsportsmanlike behavior, violent conduct, using foul abusive language or for spitting at other people.
(e) Deliberate handball to stop an attack
(2) When following action will be taken:
(a) First red card - that player(s) cannot attend or participate in the next scheduled game.
(b) Second red card - that player(s) cannot attend or participate in the next two scheduled games.
(c) Third red card - that player(s) cannot attend or participate in any remaining scheduled games including sectionals or any higher level of competition.
(3) The official giving a red card must notify the OCIAA Athletic Coordinator, prior to 12:00 noon the following day, of the name(s) of the player or players and the type of infraction.
(4) The coach of the player or players receiving the red card will notify his/her Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will then contact the OCIAA Athletic Coordinator’s Office to confirm that the player or players will not be allowed to participate in that school’s next scheduled game(s) as required above.
(5) A player(s) that is red carded, will not be allowed to be present at the site of any game that player(s) has been disqualified from participating in (home or away).
(6) For unsportsmanlike violation that occur during the OCIAA season, penalties will carry over into sectional play. NYSPHSAA unsportsmanlike conduct rules will apply after the completion of the league season.
3. Field of Play: It is recommended that Varsity fields will have a perimeter fence or roping, 15-25 feet from playing field on the official side and at least 10 feet on the other side of the playing field and endlines. If field configuration, the use of public parks or elementary school fields prohibits full adherence to the 15 or 10 feet requirement, large rubber cones or other temporary markings may be used. The home school is responsible for keeping unauthorized personnel out of teams’ area and at least 10 feet from the field of play at all times, which may require adult supervision.
4. Interruptions of a Match: If any circumstances, or series of circumstances, prevent the completion of a match (such as bad weather, failure of equipment, etc.) the match shall be considered an official match if at least one-half (1/2) of the match has been completed.
5. Championships:
a. The OCIAA Soccer League will consist of divisions for girls and divisions for boys.
b. Each division will recognize a champion based on win/lose record within their divisional play. In order to determine a division champion, a team shall receive:
(1) 2 points for a win, within a Division
(2) 1 point for a tie, within a Division
c. If there is a tie based on division records, the following will be used to determine that division champion:
(1) Head-to-head between teams that are tied.
(2) If teams are still tied co-champions will be declared.
d. It has been determined that Division I will cross over and play against Division II in boys and girls soccer. This is for Section IX seeding purposes.
6. Awards:
Plaques - Will be awarded to the Division Champions.
OCIAA Patches - Each individual school may purchase their own patches if they choose to do so.
7. Evaluation of officials - Rating sheets will be submitted for all JV and Varsity matches. Rating sheets must be turned in to the Athletic Coordinator’s Office within a period of two weeks.