Alabama High School Soccer Coaches Association

AHSSCA
Established 2007

Last Updated May 21, 2010

Download the Soccer section of the AHSAA Spring Sports Book here (Updated 4-15-2009) (PDF)

2009 Soccer Calendar

• First Practice – January 19^th, 2009

• First Contest – February 9^th, 2009

• End of Season for Varsity – May 9^th, 2009

• End of Season for Jr. High/Middle – April 25^th, 2009

• Contests Allowed for Varsity – 20

• Contest Allowed for Jr. High/Middle – 14

• Tournaments Allowed - 2

The Championship Program

First Practice —January 19th
First Contest — February 9th

New Online Requirements For All Sports

• POSTING SCHEDULES
  Schools must go online to the AHSAA website Member Section and enter season schedules for all sports by the deadline dates listed below for sports in each quarter. Failure to do so will result in a fine of $100 assessed to the school. Schools should go online and make any changes immediately as they occur.
  
  Deadlines for entering schedules:
  January 15th - Spring Sports (baseball, softball, outdoor track, soccer, golf and tennis)
   

• POSTING SCORES
  Schools are also required to post scores of contests ONLINE immediately following all contests in the regular season (and within 24 hours after regular season tournaments). Results must be posted no later than 30 minutes following a regular season contests. Failure to do so will result in a fine of $25 assessed to the school. In the post-season playoffs, failure to report scores in the same manner will result in a $100 fine assessed to the school.  Instructions will be posted on the AHSAA website Member Section.

1.  The soccer program provides for competition for girls boys in three divisions- 1A-2A-3A-4A, 5A and 6A.

2. Each high school is permitted to play a maximum of 20 regular season matches and participate in two tournaments prior to the state tournament. One of the allowable tournaments must be held with no loss of school time. Other than the two allowable tournaments, a third tournament with no loss of school time may be scheduled with each match played counting as a regular season match.
   
   Each junior high or middle school is permitted to play a maximum of 14 regular season matches and participate in two tournaments. One of the allowable tournaments must be held with no loss of school time. Other than the two allowable tournaments, a third tournament with no loss of school time may be scheduled with each match played counting as a regular season match.
   
   A tournament is defined as an organized sport competition that finally results in determining a champion. In soccer, tournaments using elimination and round-robin formats may be sanctioned.
   
   Tournaments must involve three or more teams and are usually played at one site.
   
   Each school may play regular season matches until sub-state play begins provided the matches fall within the maximum number allowed.

3.  All participants must be eligible under AHSAA rules. Each team is limited to a maximum of 22 players for any contest. Any complaint regarding the eligibility of any student must be made to the State Office.

4.  In order to qualify for the championship program, each school must play all other schools in its section two regular season matches prior to April 23. Section matches take precedence over all other matches. All section, sub-state and state tournament matches must be completed and a winner determined.

5.  The winner and runner-up of each section will advance to the first of two rounds of sub-state play in its division.

6.  All regular season and playoff matches will be played under National Federation rules, including the following:

(a) All high school varsity matches shall be played in two equal halves of 40 minutes (Rule 7-1-1). All competition below the varsity level shall be played in two equal halves of 35 minutes. By State Adoption, non-section matches may be played in 20-minute halves if both opposing coaches agree prior to the match.

(b) The home school should furnish a competent timer and scorer at all contests and may secure a registered official to serve as timer or scorer. The home school timer shall be the official timer. However, by mutual agreement of the coaches, the official time may be kept by the head referee.

(c) At least two ball holders shall be provided by the home team. Ball holders are under the direct supervision of the officials. A caution will be administered against the home team if the contest is delayed due to incompetent ball holders.

(d) If a match is halted when the officials consider the weather or ground conditions unfit for play, the officials shall resume play as soon as possible. If play cannot be resumed within 30 minutes, the officials may declare the match ended or suspended according to the rules (Rule 7-1-3). If a suspended match is to be completed, play shall be resumed from the point of suspension.

(e) In a tie match where a winner must be determined, the Tournament Progression procedures Nos. 2-4 in the 2009 Soccer Rules Book will be in effect with one modification in No. 2: Two five-minute sudden victory overtime periods will be the only overtime periods used. (This format change has been approved by the National Federation.) There will be five minutes between the end of regulation play and the first overtime, then two minutes between overtime periods.

(f)  If non-section and non-varsity matches are tied, they may be resolved only by the mutual consent of the participating coaches prior to the start of the matches. The overtime procedure noted in (e) above will be used. (Non-section and non-varsity matches include those involving junior varsity, B team, junior high and middle school teams.)

(g) A 10-goal differential will be used in all regular season, section, sub-state and state tournament matches. A match shall be ended anytime after the end of the first half when one team has gained the 10-goal differential.

(h) Shinguards must meet the manufacturer's specifications and not be altered. They should be worn as they are designed to be worn and must be age and size appropriate. (NOTE: Beginning with the 2008 season, shinguards must meet the NOCSAE specifications.)

(i)  Stripes may be used on team uniform jerseys only if there is one dominant color on the jersey. If visible apparel is worn under shorts, it shall be of a similar length, all alike and of a solid color (Rule 4-1-1f). One manufacturer's logo/trademark “or reference” is permitted on the outside of each item.

7.      PLAYER CONDUCT RULE -- The penalties for red card violations fall under this rule.

 

Red Card Violations

(a) Any player who receives a red card will receive a warning or reprimand from the AHSAA.

(b) Any player who receives a second red card will be ineligible for the next match his/her school plays.

(c) Any player who receives a third red card will be ineligible for the remainder of that season.

Note: A yellow or yellow-red card (also called soft-red) violation does not apply to the Player Conduct Rule and should not be reported to the State Office. 

8.  It is recommended that schools use three AHSAA-registered officials (a referee and two assistant referees) for each match. If necessary, two officials may be used for a match. The schedule of maximum officials' fees for regular season matches (includes section matches) and mileage is as follows:

High School Varsity--$45 per referee per match
$35 per assistant referee per match

Junior Varsity--$40 per referee per match
$30 per assistant referee per match

Grades 7-9--$35 per head referee per match
$25 per assistant referee per match

Mileage - 58 cents per mile round trip (all levels). Mileage of 10 or less miles does not apply.

The schedule of maximum officials' fees for sub-state and state tournament matches is as follows:
High School Varsity - $50 per referee per match, $40 per assistant referee per match

9.      Dates for state playoffs in all divisions are as follows:

Prior to April 23 - Sections determine winners
April 28 - First sub-state round
May 2 - Second sub-state round
May 8-9 - State Tournament (Huntsville)

Section Playoffs

DATES: Each section in both divisions must determine its winner prior to April 23.

COORDINATOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES: The designated coordinator of each section must have an organizational meeting of all participating section schools before Feb. 1 to finalize details of section play, including scheduling and establishing a procedure for making up or completing rained-out or suspended matches. Section matches take precedence over all other matches.

FORMAT: Each team in the section must play each section opponent two regular season matches (one at each school's site) prior to April 23 in order to qualify for the state playoff. The winner and runner-up teams, based on the won-loss percentage against qualified section opponents, will represent the section in the first sub-state round.

If a team plays another team in its section more than twice, only the first regular season match at each site will count in determining section winning percentage. Wilson balls must be used in all section matches.

TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE

In case of ties by two or more teams for a certain place in the final “required contest” (area/region/section) standings, follow the tie-breaking procedure and apply the tiebreakers in the order listed, beginning with (a).

1. Resolve all two-team ties first, using tiebreaking factor (a).
    

2. If two or more teams are tied for one of the qualifying places in a sport, first resolve the tie for the highest of those places in the standings, then the next highest place in the standings, etc.
    

3. To resolve the team rankings if more than two teams are tied, determine the highest- ranked team by applying the tiebreakers in the order listed, beginning with (aa). Until the highest-ranked team has been determined, no consideration will be given to determining the ranking of the other teams involved in that tie.
   After the highest ranked team has been resolved, then the next highest-ranked team will be determined by applying the same tiebreakers, beginning with (a) or (aa) as necessary.
    

4. If a certain tiebreaker does not apply to the tie being resolved, apply the next tiebreaker in the order listed for that sport.
    

5. Forfeited contests count as losses. A team that intentionally forfeits a required game becomes ineligible for championship competition for the remainder of that classification period plus the next classification period in that sport.
    

6. If two area, region or section teams elect to play each other more than the required number of contests during the same season, the first contest played (or first at each site if two are required in a sport) will be used in computing standings unless the State Office is otherwise notified in writing by both schools prior to the season. The other contest(s) will be treated as non-required contest(s).
    

7. Contests against teams that are not eligible for the championship program and contests in regular season tournaments are not used in figuring any tiebreakers.

1. ...the team that defeated the other in its two required regular season contests will be placed above the other tied team. The team that lost its head-to-head contest(s) will qualify for the next highest place.
    

2. …and the two teams split their two regular season required contests, the team that had the highest winning percentage in any non- required contests against each other will be placed above the other tied team. The team with the lower percentage will qualify for the next highest place.
    

3. …and the two teams split their two regular season required contests, the team that had the highest winning percentage in any non-required contests against the other required teams. (In order for this tiebreaker to apply, each tied team must have played the same number of non-required contests against any of the other “required teams.)
    

4. …and the two teams split their two regular season required contests, the team that had the highest winning percentage against all non-required common opponents in their class. (In order for this tiebreaker to apply, each tied team must have played the same number of non-required teams in their class.)
    

5. …and the two teams split their two regular season required contests, the team that had the highest winning percentage against all non-required common opponents in their class and above. (In order for this tiebreaker to apply, each tied team must have played the same number of non-required contests in their class and above.)
    

6. …and the two teams split their two regular season required contests, the team that had the highest winning percentage against all non-required common opponents. (In order for this tiebreaker to apply, each tied team must have played the same number of non-required contests.)
    

7. By flip of a coin.

(aa) …the team that had the highest winning percentage against all the other tied teams will be placed ahead of all the other tied teams. (Note: If one of the teams does not have a higher winning percentage than all the other tied teams, the tie cannot be resolved by this factor.)

(bb)…the team that had the highest winning percentage in any non-required contests against each other will be ranked ahead of all the other tied teams. (In order for this tiebreaker to apply, each tied team must have played the same number of non-required contests against all the other required teams.)

(cc) …the team that had the highest winning percentage in any non-required contests against the other required teams will be ranked ahead of all the other tied teams. (In order for this tiebreaker to apply, each tied team must have played the same number of non-required games against all the other required teams.)

(dd)…the team with the best winning percentage against non-required common opponents.

(ee) …the team whose defeated required opponents have the most victories.

(ff) …the team with the most victories if all teams involved in the tie play an equal number of total games.

(gg)…the team with the most victories.

(hh) By flip of a coin

WINNING, RUNNER-UP COACHES' RESPONSIBILITY: The coach of each section winner and runner-up team must fax (334-387-0075) or email ( staff@ahsaa.com ) the section qualifiers for sub-state play along with the time of first round sub-state matches to the State Office by 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 23.

Also, coaches of teams advancing to sub-state play must immediately mail a team tournament roster to state tournament director Ralph Stone (Huntsville) for possible use in the state tournament program.

First Round

DATE: April 28

SITES: Section winners will provide the playing facility.

MATCH DIRECTOR: Host school principal

FORMAT: Single elimination with section winners hosting section runners-up according to pre-drawn brackets for each class.

OFFICIALS: Officials (referee and two assistant referees per match) will be assigned by the State Office. The host school will be responsible paying the fees at the site.

BALL: Wilson

ADMISSION: $6 per person

MATCH DIRECTOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES: Each director will submit the necessary match financial report to the State Office and send a copy to the visiting school. A form for this purpose will be furnished by the State Office. The following financial report must be filed immediately after the sub-state match is completed.

(A) Expenses will be paid from gate receipts, to the extent available, in the following order:

(1) Taxes (state and local), if applicable

(2) Officials--$50 per referee $40 per assistant referee Mileage-58 cents per mile round trip

(3) Building Foundation ($1 per ticket sold).

(3) Municipal facility, in necessary (not to exceed regular season charges)

(B) Net receipts after expenses will be divided as follows:

(1) 2/3 of net receipts to participating teams (not to exceed 1/3 of net receipts)

(a) Team travel (not to exceed 36 cents per mile both ways)

(b) Balance divided equally among participating schools

(2) 1/3 of net receipts to AHSAA

WINNING COACHES' RESPONSIBILITY: Coaches of first round sub-state winners must submit on line to the AHSAA.com website scores within 30 minutes after completion of the match. They must fax or email (to staff@ahsaa.com ) second-round match times and sites to the State Office before Wednesday, April 29, by 10:30 a.m.

Also, the coach of each first round sub-state winner must immediately fax a tournament roster (Form 50) to state tournament director Ralph Stone (256-427-6757) for possible use in the state tournament program.

DATE: May 2

SITES:  Note for the Second Round Matches on May 2nd: The team that traveled in the first round will be the home team in the second round match and provide the playing facility. If both teams traveled or neither team traveled, the team on the bottom of the bracket will be the home team for the second round.  If two teams from the same section meet, the team with the highest finish in the area standings will be the home team.

MATCH DIRECTOR: Host school principal

FORMAT: Single elimination according to pre-drawn brackets for each class.

OFFICIALS: Officials (referee and two assistant referees per match) will be assigned by the State Office. The host school will be responsible paying the fees at the site.

BALL: Wilson

ADMISSION: $6 per person

MATCH DIRECTOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES: Each director will submit the necessary match financial report to the State Office and send a copy to the visiting school. A form for this purpose will be furnished by the State Office.

The financial report must be filed immediately after the sub-state match is completed.

(A) Expenses will be paid from gate receipts, to the extent available, in the following order:

(1) Taxes (state and local), if applicable

(2) Officials--$50 per head referee $40 per assistant referee, Mileage-58 cents per mile round trip

(3) Building Foundation ($1 per ticket sold)

(4) Municipal facility, in necessary (not to exceed regular season charges)

(B) Net receipts after expenses will be divided as follows:

(1) 2/3 of net receipts to participating teams

(a) Team travel (not to exceed 36 cents per mile both ways)

(b) Balance divided equally among participating schools matches

(2) 1/3 of net receipts to AHSAA 

WINNING COACHES' RESPONSIBILITY: Coaches of second round substate winners must submit their scores to the AHSAA website (AHSAA.com) immediately after the match as per website instructions and to the state tournament director (256-427-6749; fax: 256-427-6757) immediately after the match.

State Tournament

DATE: May 8-9

SITE: Huntsville Soccer Complex

DIRECTOR: Ralph Stone, 308 Fountain Circle, Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-427-5230. Fax: 256-427-5223
E-mail: Ralph.stone@hsvcity.com

FORMAT: Each second round sub-state winner will be placed in a four-team bracket for a single elimination tournament in each division.

SCHEDULE: Semi-finals on Friday, finals on Saturday.

COACHES MEETING: Head coaches will have a mandatory coaches meeting prior to their first game each day. Times will be posted on the website. Every coach must be certified and is subject to having his/her certified coaching credentials checked.

ADMISSION: $8.00 for semifinals (all tickets) $10.00 for finals (all tickets)

AWARDS: (a) Trophies to champion and runner-up teams in each division (b) Plaque to Most Valuable Player in each division

1. Match balls (Wilson) will be furnished at the state tournament site.

2. Officials will be assigned by the State Office. Three officials (a referee and two assistant referees) will be used for each match. The schedule of officials' fees and mileage is found in the AHSAA Officials Guide. Assignment of officials during the tournament will be coordinated by the tournament director and/or an officials' coordinator.

3. The host facility will handle and receive proceeds from concessions.

4. Travel expenses for participating teams will be supplemented as funds are available after all tournament expenses are paid.

SCHEDULE

ALL DIVISIONS

May 8-9th, 2009

MATCH TIMES
 

Soccer Playoff Bracket

For the playoffs brackets are pre-drawn with pairings rotated each year. The designated home team for each match is the team on the bottom of the bracket.

ALL DIVISIONS

• Download the above information in Word form.
   
• Go to the AHSAA Spring Sports Book On-line (pdf form)