MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
GENERAL RULES AND POLICIES
1.
Policy. The references establish necessity for
publishing this SOP to provide detailed guidance for the
operation of the program.
a.
Program Structure
(1) The Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS),
Semper Fit Youth Sports Program is tasked with promoting a
positive sports experience for all youth participating in the
Youth Sports Program. The philosophy is to provide
enjoyable, fair and safe participation for all youth
regardless of their level of ability. Emphasis is on
involvement in sports instruction, not competition.
(2) The program relies on community members as
volunteers who are empowered to supervise and instruct a
youth sports team in practice and game situations. The
volunteer coaches are encouraged to teach responsibility,
independence, and leadership, which will better prepare the
participant for everyday life. All volunteer coaches must
attend the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA)
and Background checks will be completed per MCO 1710.30D.
(3) The programs primary interest is for all
children to have fun and an equal chance to participate in
fair noncompetitive competitions.
(4) The Semper Fit Youth Sports Program Manager
has the authority and ability to modify these rules and bylaws at his or hers discretion.
b.
Age Divisions. The Youth Sports Program will
provide competition in the below divisions. Age divisions
may be combined or eliminated if an insufficient number of
youth register to play in anyone division.
(1) Peewee (co-ed) Age
5-6
(2) Termite (co-ed) Age
7-8
(3) Minor Division Age
9-10
(4) Major Division Age
11-12
Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
(5) Junior Division Age
13-14
(6) Senior Division Age
15-16
(7) Varsity Division Age
17-18
c.
Eligible Players. This reference contains the rules
pertaining to player eligibility.
(1) The player’s age on the first day of the
season (practice) determines the age division into which they
will be assigned.
(2) A player who has properly completed the
registration process, enclosure 1, and who has been assigned
to a team by the Youth Sports staff is eligible to
participate in the Youth Sports Programs.
d.
Coaches Meeting. Coach’s meetings attendance prior
to the start of a league or tournament is mandatory. Each
team participating in the competition must have a team
representative at this meeting. The representative will be
held responsible for ensuring that all administrative
requirements are understood and completed and all meeting
information is passed on to the appropriate personnel.
e.
Player/Team Information
(1) Semper Fit Youth Sports staff will assign
eligible players to teams in accordance with Team Selection
Procedures, Section 5, Paragraph I, of the basic order.
(2) Once Semper Fit Youth Sports staff has
assigned an eligible player to a team there will be no
switching or trading of players with other teams regardless
of the reason.
(3) Coaches will not allow a player to play or
practice with a team unless the coach has a copy of the
players Sports Registration form with the signature of the
player’s parent or legal guardian. Failure to do so
invalidates the coaches National Youth Sports Coaches
Association (NYSCA) liability insurance. Coaches will be
personally liable for any injuries or incidents involving any
player for whom they do not have a properly signed
Registration Form.
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MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
(4) A player assigned to a team may not play in a
game until he or she has had at least one practice with the
team.
(5) Coaches must inform the Youth Sports section
when any player drops from their team.
(6) A team will forfeit all season games in which
an ineligible player has played and the latest tournament
game in which the child played.
(7) A player may request to participate in one
division above his or her appropriate division. Once the
child has been moved up, the choice of returning to their
appropriate division is gone. Another participant will fill
their place.
(8) A player may not participate in a division
below their age except under circumstances of physical and or
mental impairment. The approval will only be made through
the Semper Fit Youth Sports Office (Medical documentation
required).
(9) The Semper Fit Youth Sports Coordinator must
approve all requests for players to participate outside of
their proper age division. The minimum playing time rule is
not in effect for any player who has moved up an age
division.
f.
Team Rosters. Each coach is required to turn in a
team roster prior to the start of the game. All team members
on a team roster must be on the Semper Fit Youth Sports
master roster. Any team caught with an illegal player will
forfeit all league games in which the children played and the
latest tournament game in which the child played.
g.
Team Sizes. Team sizes will be in accordance with
the appropriate sport rules as listed in the Semper Fit Youth
Sports Program By-laws.
h.
Home Team. Home team will be designated by the
season or tournament schedule. In those games that do not
have scorekeepers provided by Marine Corps Community
Services, the home team will be required to keep the official
scorebook for the game. If the home team does not have
someone to keep the official scorebook, the opposing team
will become the home team.
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MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
i.
Game Schedule.
(1) The season will consist of only those games
scheduled by the Semper Fit Youth Sports Coordinator and or
Staff.
(2) Marine Corps Community Services, Semper Fit
Youth Sports, National Youth Sports Coaches Association, and
the United States Marine Corps will not sanction any games
played outside of the Semper Fit Youth Sports Program.
Coaches and parents will be personally responsible for any
injuries or incidents related to such games.
j.
Game Time. Game times and duration will be in
accordance with the sport rules as listed in the Semper Fit
Youth Sports Program By-laws.
(1) Game times will be forfeit time with those
exceptions deemed necessary by the league/tournament director
or designated representative. Start times may be adjusted
forward or back at the discretion of the league/tournament
director or designated representative in order to meet any
unforeseen contingencies.
(2) All players and coaches must be at the game
site at least 30 minutes prior to game start time.
k.
Postponements. Postponements and rescheduling of
games will be at the discretion of the Youth Sports
Coordinator. Postponements should not impede or delay the
progress of the season or tournament.
l.
Tie-Game. All tie games will be reconciled in
accordance with the appropriate sport rules as listed in the
Semper Fit Youth Sports Program By-laws.
m.
League/Tournament Rules. Leagues and tournaments
will be conducted in accordance with this order, the
appropriate sport rulebook and the Semper Fit Youth Sports
Program By-laws.
n.
League/Tournament Format. Leagues will be either
in a single or double round robin format. Tournaments will
be in either a single or double elimination format. However,
the final format will be at the discretion of the Semper Fit
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MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
Youth Sports Coordinator and will depend on the number of
teams and the time available to complete the competition.
o.
Equipment. Equipment for teams use will be issued
to the team coaches prior to the start of the league. Semper
Fit Youth Sports will issue pants shirt, and cap. All
playing equipment issued is the responsibility of the coach.
Equipment will be issued in accordance with the appropriate
sport rules as listed in the Semper Fit Youth Sports Program
By-laws. The use of Metal Cleats will NOT be authorized. All
equipment is to be returned immediately upon completion of
the league/tournament.
p.
Officials. Officials will be provided in
accordance with the appropriate sport rules as listed in the
Semper Fit Youth Sports Program By-laws.
q.
Conduct. Players, coaches and spectators will be
held to a high standard of conduct while participating in the
Youth Sports Program.
(1) Coaches and/or players who engage in the
following inappropriate behavior will find themselves ejected
from the game or the remainder of the games in a league or
tournament.
(a) Questioning the integrity of an official
using words or gestures.
(b)
Physically charging toward an official or
player.
(c) Using vulgar, profane or unsportsmanlike
remarks/gestures toward an official or player.
(d) Excessive demonstration of officiating
signals or excessive demonstration by use of gestures or
actions that indicates displeasure with officiating. (If not
excessive, a warning should be given to keep it from becoming
excessive).
(e) Continuous verbal remarks to officials
voicing displeasure concerning the officiating.
(f) Taunting/Baiting. Using profanity or
vulgarity, ridiculing, finger pointing, making obscene
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Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
gestures or any other manner of taunting or baiting an
opponent.
(g) Participants and spectators must not
disturb or interfere with other spectators, participants,
players or officials.
(2) Officials, coaches, or Semper Fit Youth Sports
Staff will be authorized to ask spectators to conduct
themselves in an orderly manner and to display good
sportsmanship. After receiving such a request if the member
continues to exhibit poor sportsmanship or disruptive
behavior, he/she will be asked to immediately leave the sight
and sound of the game. Refusal to comply is just cause to
pause a game in progress until the offending party has left.
If necessary, the Military Police will be called to remove
such individuals.
habitually
he/she may
activities
disruptive
(a) If a participant or spectator is
disruptive or displays un-sportsman like behavior,
be banned from attending Semper Fit Youth Sports
for up to one year. Unruly, offensive or
behavior will not be tolerated.
(b) Coaches, officials, or staff members are
required to report such incidents to the Semper Fit Youth
Sports Coordinator the next business day. All pertinent
information such as name, rank, sponsors name and rank,
service, command and other information that can be discovered
on the individual must be provided to the Youth Sports
Office.
(3)
Player Conduct
(a) Players arriving late to a games and
practices may have the minimum playing time rule waived for
that game.
(b) Coaches may suspend a player at any time
from participation in games and or practices for improper
conduct, poor sportsmanship, and failure to attend practices
or games, and or failure to support the coaching staff and or
team.
(c) A coach must notify the Semper Fit Youth
Sports Coordinator or Staff and the parents within two
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Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
working days after disciplinary action has been taken against
a player.
(d) Minimum playing time is waived for any
player who is sick, injured, or suspended.
(4)
Coaches Conduct
(a) Coaches are subject to disciplinary
action for the following:
1.
Failure to uphold the National Youth
Sports Coaches Association Coaches Pledge of Ethics (Encl.
3).
2.
Failure to uphold Semper Fit Youth
Sports rules and regulations.
3.
Unsportsmanlike conduct.
4.
Arguing with officials.
5.
Failure to support the Semper Fit
Youth Sports Program and staff.
6.
Failure to maintain and return
Semper Fit Youth Sports property and equipment.
(b) Disciplinary action will be kept on file
for at least one year and may consist of but not limited to:
1.
Verbal warning
2.
Written warning with or without
notification to the coach’s command.
3.
Suspension of coaching privileges.
4.
A permanent revocation of the
National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA)
certification and revocation of coaching privileges on all
Marine Corps Bases.
(c) A written appeal to disciplinary action
may be filed with the Semper Fit Youth Sports Coordinator
within ten days of notification.
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Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
(d) A Disciplinary Board will hear appeals
within ten days after an appeal has been filed. The
Disciplinary Board will consist of the Semper Fit Youth
Sports Coordinator, Assistant Semper Fit Youth Sports
Coordinator, two Youth Sports Coaches in good standing with
at least second level NYSCA Certification, as well as the
Athletic Program Manager or designated representative.
(e) The Semper Fit Youth Sports Coordinator
will act as the Board Chairman and will only vote to break a
tie.
(f) Notification of disciplinary action
resulting in suspension of a coach will be forwarded to:
1.
The Commanding Officer of the Unit
in which the Coach is affiliated.
2.
NYSCA Headquarters.
3.
All others who have a vested
interest.
r.
Cancellation of Games
(1) The presiding official may cancel games due to
inclement weather immediately before or during a game.
(2) The decision to cancel games will be made by
E-mail or by telephone on the day before scheduled games, and
as soon as possible on game days.
(3) Typhoon Condition 2 or lightning in the
immediate area of a game or practice will terminate all
activities. Coaches will notify parents if either practice
or games are canceled or postponed. Rain delays are at the
discretion of the umpire.
s.
Practices
(1) Due to limited fields, courts, and times,
teams will be assigned a one (1) hour practice, twice each
week. Any practices or scrimmages in addition to the
scheduled practices by Semper Fit Youth Sports must be
voluntary. Players will not be penalized for not attending
additional practices or scrimmages.
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MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
t.
Protests. Only the Head Coach or Volunteer in
charge of a team may file a protest. The only protest
accepted during the regular season or tournament will be for
ineligible players or rule interpretation. The tournament
director or designated representative will make the final
decision on all protests. Protests on judgment calls will
not be accepted or considered. If protest is not filed
within the set time limit, it will be considered invalid and
the outcome of the game will stand. During the regular
season protests must be filed in writing within two working
days of the protested game. In tournament play, protests may
be filed orally and will be decided upon prior to the next
tournament game in which either team is scheduled to play.
(1) When a team is accused in a protest of using
an ineligible player, the only defense to prove the team's
innocence is the coach's pink copy of each child’s
registration form.
(2) It is the responsibility of the coach to
ensure all players on their team are eligible and in the
event a game is protested due to a player’s eligibility, to
prove those players eligible. Should a player be found to be
ineligible during the tournament, the team will be forfeited
out of the tournament. There will be no replays and there
will be no mitigating circumstances to include a coach's lack
of knowledge that the player was ineligible.
(3) The league/tournament director and Marine
Corps Community Services staff may make discovery of the
illegal/ineligible player(s) through a protest from the
opposing team or by research of the team roster. Regardless
of how, when, where or by whom the discovery of the
illegal/ineligible player(s) is made, the penalty for having
played or for playing with an illegal/ineligible player(s) in
tournament play is forfeiture of the latest tournament game
in which the child participated.
In league play, the team
will forfeit all games in which the illegal player
participated during the season.
(a) The tournament director or designated
representative, following the forfeit of the team out of
tournament play, will adjust the tournament bracket to
reflect this forfeiture. Games will be adjusted only by the
tournament director or designated representative. At no time
will the tournament bracket be adjusted in such a way as to
cause single or multiple games to be replayed. The
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Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
tournament as a whole will never be replayed but will
continue from the point at which the forfeiture took place.
u.
Officials
(1) Officials have the authority to enforce all
rules and regulations of the Semper Fit Youth Sports Program
on the field of play and the area surrounding the activity
before, during, and after all scheduled events.
(2) Complaints regarding officials may be filed
with the Semper Fit Youth Sports Coordinator for
investigation. Officials are held to the same standards of
conduct, as are all other participants. Officials may be
suspended from officiating Semper Fit Youth Sports activities
for violations of these standards.
(3) Officials must conduct themselves in a
courteous and professional manner at all times. Officials
are encouraged to help participants understand the game and
its rules.
v.
Alcohol and Tobacco
(1) No alcohol of any sort will be allowed at any
Youth Sporting event.
(2) No one will be allowed to observe or
participate in any Semper Fit Youth Sports Program while
under the influence of alcohol.
(3) No glass containers will be allowed at any
sporting event.
(4) The use of any tobacco products by anyone at
any Semper Fit Youth Sports Program activity is strictly
prohibited.
w.
Safety. Any player or official that experiences
any heat related illness during a game will be removed and
prohibited to continue for that game. Any player or official
who has been removed from a game due to heat exhaustion will
be prohibited from participating in any game for seven (7)
days.
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Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
x.
Ejection
(1) Any player/coach ejected from a game is
additionally suspended for the next game. The ejected
player/coach is required to show up for the next scheduled
game and check in with the head official to verify that they
are not playing in the game. A second occurrence of ejection
by the same team member will result in automatic expulsion
from the remainder of the season for that sport to include
the post-season tournament.
(2) Players or coaches who are ejected from a game
must leave the playing area to include the stands. Failure
to do so in a reasonable amount of time (to be determined by
the tournament director or designated representative) will
result in the team having the game forfeited to the opposing
team.
(3) If the coach is ejected, his/her coaching
duties for the next scheduled game will be suspended. He/she
may not sit with the team or participate in anyway and must
assign his/her coaching duties to the assistant coach or
another individual.
(4) If a coach quits a game in progress, with or
with out his/her team in a manner contrary to the Semper Fit
Youth Sports Rules and by-laws will have terminated their
coaching position within the Program. This also includes any
team function.
(5) Any and all acts of a violent nature will not
be tolerated. Any player, parent, or coach, involved in a
fight will be barred for the remainder of that
season/tournament. If the individual is involved in a second
fight within a one-year period, he/she will be barred from
all Semper Fit Youth Sports activities for one year. The
one-year suspension will begin the day of the altercation.
All cases will be reviewed and decided upon by the Youth
Sports Coordinator, the decision will be final.
(6) The Youth Sports Coordinator has the authority
to eject players/coaches for displaying non-sportsmanlike
conduct for the remainder of the season and or tournament at
anytime.
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Enclosure (1)
MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
y.
Minimum Playing Times
(1) Players on a team roster are required to be
played the minimum of a half a game regardless of sport.
(2) Any player who does not complete the minimumplaying requirement in a game must start the next game to
complete the required playing time from the previous game.
Also, the requirement must still be fulfilled for the current
game before being removed.
z.
Blood Rule. A player, coach, or official, who is
bleeding or who has blood on their uniform shall be
prohibited from participating further in the game/match until
appropriate treatment can be administered. If medical care
or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time,
the individual will not have to leave the game/match. The
length of time that is considered reasonable is left to the
official’s judgment in those contests where officials are in
use. The tournament director or designated representative or
official will:
(1) Stop the game and allow treatment if the
injured player would affect continuation of the game/match.
(2) Immediately call a coach, trainer, or Corpsman
to the injured player(s).
(3) Apply the rules of the game regarding
substitutions.
aa.
Coaches Responsibilities
(1)
Head Coach or Assistant Coach in charge:
(a) Ensures compliance with this order and
other pertinent directives.
(b) Responsible for the conduct of all
players/parents attending the game as participants or
spectators. Should any of the players/parents become a
disruptive influence to the game, the game officials, or
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) personnel will stop
the contest and require the coach to correct the situation
and require the disruptive personnel to leave the field area
or facility. At any time, should the personnel requested to
correct the situation, fail or neglect to do so, or the
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MCCS SOP XX-02, Subj: YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
situation reoccurs, the game official or Marine Corps
Community Services (MCCS) personnel can end the game and
award a forfeit win to the opposing team.
(c)
scheduled sport.
Attend all meetings concerning the
(d) Responsible for the conduct of the teams
players and spectators.
(e) Responsible for ensuring that the team’s
area is policed before exiting. Responsible for ensuring
that the team’s personal gear is removed from the team area
immediately upon completion of their games. Responsible for
ensuring that their team does not enter the team area until
the previous game has concluded and teams have vacated their
areas. Responsible for their team leaving the team bench area
after their game has been concluded to give way for the next
team.
(f) Responsible for the dissemination of all
tournament information to their respective team members.
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