Priority Registration is given to all children of parents who support DIFL in 2011-12, (i.e., committee members, sponsors, team managers, head coaches, and coaches). We believe it fair to reward those parents who volunteer and share the work of DIFL throughout the season.

 

Remaining places will be open on a first come first served basis through the General Registration process, which will open online after the Priority Registrations are over.

Players will be registered under the following categories:

·     Division 1, age 5 and 6      (as on 01.01.2012)

·     Division 2, age 7 and 8      (as on 01.01.2012)

·     Division 3, age 9 and 10    (as on 01.01.2012)

·     Division 4, age 11 and 12  (as on 01.01.2012)

·     Division 5, age 13 and 14  (as on 01.01.2012)

      Division 6, age 15 and 16  (as on 01.01.2012)

Team Composition:

·     Division 1 Teams will have no more than 14 players.

·     Division 2,3,4 and 5 Teams will have no more than 16 players.
·     Division 6 Teams will have no more than 15 players.

DIFL will continue to:

·     Distribute different schools across teams

·     Distribute girls and boys across teams

·     Distribute goalkeepers across teams

·     Distribute age levels across teams

·     Distribute skill levels across teams

·     Distribute Height across Div 4,5 & 6 teams

 

Once teams are selected, there will be NO transfers between teams for any reason.

Wait List in DIFL 2011-12

 

Each Division will run a wait list of up to 100 children, managed centrally by the DIFL Committee and the Division Coordinator. A written mail from parents confirming withdrawal must be submitted to the Division Coordinator before a team gets a player from the wait list. Decisions to expel a child from the league can only be made on recommendation by Division Coordinators and with agreement from the Commissioner. Following such a decision the team would get a player from the wait list.

The Team kit must be worn by all players during games.

For their own safety all players should wear shin pads, even for practice. Players will not be allowed on the pitch without them. Football shoes must not have any sharp edges or metal showing on studs. Watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets/kaddas and earrings must be removed before matches.

 

2. Rules of Play

Borrowing players from other teams is not permitted, even if your own team is under strength. This applies to all divisions. It is expected that the manager and coach/assistant coach will develop the necessary management systems and team spirit to guarantee that the required numbers of players turn up for training and for matches.

Division 1 will play a Small-Sided Game of 9 players vs 9 players (including Goalkeeper).

DIFL will follow FIFA rules (see our web links to FIFA’s rules) with the following exceptions:

a) Duration of Matches

 

Multiple substitutions must be made to ensure ALL team members get approximately more or less equal time on the field during the game. At no time should there be more than 11 players on the pitch (9 players including Goal Keeper in Division 1).

 

Coaches should ensure all players on their team regardless of skill level or gender get equal time during games. They have all paid the same registration fee and DIFL is a learning and fun environment above all else.

c) Offside

The offside rule will be strictly applied in Divisions 3, 4, 5 and 6. In Divisions 1 and 2, when children are still learning the rules, the Referee should prevent an attacking player deliberately remaining by the goal in an offside position (goal hanging), and Coaches should encourage children to learn when they are offside.

d) Throw-ins
 
Div 1
Throw In : Kids will have to throw in but no foul will be given for throw in  Off Side : Only to be given if a player has been placed at the opposite side D
 
Div 2
Throw In : If a player's throw-in is foul, the referee will give a 2nd chance, maybe even with some guidance from the referees and/or coaches.  If the 2nd throw is also foul, the game will continue, but the referees will talk to the coach of the team later about working on improving the player's throw-ins.
 
Off Side : If a player indulges in "goal hanging" or if the player is intentionally standing in the other side's "D", he/she will first be warned, but if the player persists, THEN there will be an off-side given.. 
 
Div 3
Throw In : Kids will have to throw in from behind the line, both feet on the ground and proper release of the ball. For a foul throw he will be given a second chance before it goes to the other side.
 
Off Side : Proper off side rules to apply. 
 
Div 4 to 6 all FIFA rules apply

e) Teams that cannot play because of too few players, exams, field trips, festivals, sickness or for any other reason.

 

Teams can play a competitive match with a minimum of 7 players – following FIFA guidelines. If a team has less than this number at kick off time, the team forfeits the match 3:0. In such a case, other registered players from the same Division can be borrowed – simply to have a non-competitive friendly match, and to reward those who have turned up. Though it will be officiated by a DIFL appointed referee, the match remains forfeited 3:0.

Matches cannot be cancelled/postponed and played later. We run a tight schedule that does not allow for this. We have tried to see that no team is overly dependent on children from any one school in order to avoid this type of situation. Therefore, a team that cannot play a match because of the absence of team members – for whatever reason - forfeits the match with a score of 3:0.

 

Matches will start on time regardless of team numbers. Referees will not wait for team players who are late to arrive.

f) Matches that are abandoned by the Referee:

Only the Referee can decide to abandon a match. A possible scenario is the threat of lightning – though this has not happened in DIFL’s past. The referee will not abandon a match because it is cold or wet – these are standard playing conditions in most parts of the world. If a match is abandoned, the result at that time stands as the final result. If the game does not kick off at all, it will be considered a draw 0:0

 

g) The Penalty Rule for a hand ball in the ‘D’ does not apply to Division 1

3. Coaches on the pitch

Coaches will be allowed on the pitches in Divisions 1 and 2 only (but they are not allowed in the box area near the goal). There will be no Coaches on the pitch in any other division. All Coaches shall remain with their substitutes in the “technical area” so marked.

 

a. Must NOT be played in any circumstances.

b. A team that plays an UNREGISTERED player forfeits the game 3:0.

5. Points

For all Divisions, 3 points are awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. The overall score at the end of the season will determine the team placing. In case teams end up with the same number of points, then the count back system will be applied and this can be viewed from the DIFL website.

Head Coaches or Managers must inform Division Coordinators of match results the same day a match is played.

 

 

 

This year each team will also automatically be entered into the DIFL Cup as well as the usual league. For a full explanation of the Cup competition rules, please see the DIFL website.

 

7. Attendance by players

Managers will be responsible for managing attendance by players at both games and training sessions. Where a child fails to attend training without reasonable excuse he/she should be warned in the first instance. Further instances of ‘unreasonable’ non-attendance could result in actions by the Coaches such as less time on the field during games, and/or referral to Division Coordinators who would discuss the issue with relevant parents. For consistent non-participation in weekly practices or matches, expulsion of the player will be considered.  For a complete explanation, please see Absentees in DIFL.

 

 

All volunteers have committed to attendance at both games and training.  While it is accepted and inevitable that not all volunteers can attend all sessions throughout the year, repeated non-appearance is not fair to the players or the other volunteers. In those circumstances, the other volunteers in the team should bring the issue to the attention of the Division Coordinators who will address the issue, including where necessary, by raising the issue directly with the person accused of non-attendance. In extreme cases, the volunteer will be told they have been put on the DIFL blacklist. If, within one or two games in the season, a volunteer is suspected of never having intended to honour any DIFL commitments, the issue may be brought to the next executive meeting and the possible expulsion of the player could be considered, bearing in mind both the need to enforce DIFL volunteer commitments, and the impact on the child.

 

The role of a Manager is very central to a team's performance at all stages-matches as well as practices. It also helps the team bond and the Manager and Coaches to get to know one another and familiarise themselves with every aspect of the team-the attendance, the performance, etc. In case any Manager cannot come on a particular day, he/she needs to appoint a parent in their absence to supervise and take attendance, monitor kids and ensure the snack is distributed.