Soccer

Updated January 23, 2012

Section 1. RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.1 All contests shall be conducted under NCAA rules and regulations. All member institutions shall observe the NCAA starting date for pre-season practice regardless of geographic location. No geographic exceptions are allowed. (Updated October 2010)

1.2 The length of the season shall be the same as that described in the NCAA manual.

1.3 Soccer schedules for each institution shall be the responsibility of the athletics director or his/her designated representative, and conference schedules shall be approved by the athletic director after being facilitated by the Conference Commissioner. Each coach or designated representative shall fax a signed copy of his completed schedule to the conference office (60 days) prior to the season. The conference soccer schedule shall be the responsibility of the conference office, with input from coaches and final approval of the athletic directors. Conference coaches have an opportunity to submit a conference schedule proposal at their mandatory coaches meeting at the conclusion of the season.  The conference schedule is not official until formal approval by the athletic directors.  Once approved by the athletic directors, the conference office must be notified in writing of any changes to that original conference schedule, with signatures of both schools, and written approval by the conference commissioner for any changes to the schedule (including date, time, place). The Pacific West Conference and its member institutions will follow the game schedule regulations set forth by NCAA-II regulations.

1.4 Men’s and women’s conference soccer contests shall be doubleheaders, with a rotation between the men’s and women’s team conference game times starting first every other year. In even years (ie. 2010, 2012, etc.), the men’s game shall be first, followed by the women’s game. In odd years (ie. 2011, 2013, etc.), the women’s game shall be first, followed by the men’s game. Institutions have the right to ask for a schedule change request if institutional conditions merit a change in this order of specific dates and contests, based on written approval by both athletic directors and the Commissioner. (Updated April 2010)

1.5 Mandatory 30-minutes between women’s and men’s matches. (Updated January 2011)

1.6.  The traveling suit-up roster limit for visiting teams in conference games is 18, with the exception of games within pod (geographic area of Hawaii, SF Bay area, Southwest) which is unlimited. (Updated summer 2009).

Section 2. GAME MANAGEMENT

2.1 Administrator/Security - A game administrator and at least one uniformed security officer will be present at all games, including games on school site and off-site.  At all off site games, the host school shall be responsible for hiring qualified security personnel.

2.2 Balls - A minimum of four NCAA-approved game balls will be provided by the host team.  Practice balls must be provided by individual teams.

2.3 Ball Persons - Home teams must provide a minimum of two (2) ball persons ("chasers") of a reasonable age and ability (10 years and older).   Schools can have additional ball persons, if they so desire.

2.4 Field Markings - Field markings shall confirm to NCAA rules at all conference facilities. All fields must have the coaches' boxes marked.

2.5 Forms - Each coach must provide the game referee and opposing head coach with the official NCAA roster.

2.6 Halftime - Halftimes for all conference games shall follow NCAA specifications.

2.7 Pre-Game Protocol - Pre-game protocol for all conference games will follow NCAA specifications.

2.8 A cost-effective visible clock must be on site for timing purposes during conference contests. The game administrator will work with officiating crew to make sure this visible clock is the official time (Updated Jan. 4, 2010).

Section 3. OFFICIALS:

3.1 Certified Officials for regular-season competitions will be selected and contracted by the host institution, and shall be obtained from a credible and established organization for all games. All conference games will be officiated using the three-person diagonal system. A fourth official is allowed, if desired.

3.3 The conference shall have a Supervisor of Officials for Men’s and Women’s Soccer. Responsibilities of the conference supervisor of soccer officials shall include:

1. Establish an on line evaluation process for the review of the performance of PacWest conference men’s and women’s soccer officials.  Input will come from assignors in the immediate geographic area of PacWest institutions, as well as administrators and coaches of PacWest institutions and conference-certified on-site neutral observers (as needed).  Evaluations will be based on personal observations, video, written reports and other appropriate sources of information.
2. Maintaining a relationship with the NCAA rule interpreter, knowledge of NCAA soccer rules changes, and officiating techniques.
3. Monitor and promote the development of PacWest referees and identify potential new PacWest referees at the annual regional certification and semi-annual National Referee certification clinics conducted by the National Interscholastic Soccer Officials Association (NISOA) throughout the PacWest assigning area.
4. Recommending top PacWest soccer officials who are under consideration for participation in the NCAA Division II and other Championship tournaments.
5. Establishing and maintaining channels of communication with PacWest soccer officials and assignors regarding updating knowledge, improving skills, and providing NCAA interpretations, and other officiating areas as considered appropriate.
6. Reporting to the Commissioner in a timely manner any observed or reportable misconduct by an official, coach or any other institutional representative. Make recommendations to the Commissioner on sportsmanship, game management, or conduct issues that may have an impact on soccer officiating in the conference.
7. Recommending to the Commissioner appropriate disciplinary action of officials deemed guilty of misconduct following a thorough investigation by or at the request of the Commissioner.
8. Attention to any other concerns related to collegiate soccer officiating

Section 4. GAME BALL:

4.1 The official ball to be used for all conference games shall be an NCAA approved ball.

Section 5. CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP:

5.1 The conference champion shall be determined by conference regular season play.  Each team receives three (3) points for a conference win and one (1) point for a conference tie.

5.1.1 In the case of a tie for first place in the conference standings, the winner of the head-to-head competition between the tying teams shall be declared conference champion. In all other cases, or in the case that a tie is not broken in head-to-head competition, co-champions shall be declared. (EFFECTIVE STARTING 2012-13.)

5.2 In case of a tie for the championship (or top qualifying spot) among NCAA-eligible teams, the tie-breakers for determination of the conference automatic bid recipient are as follows:

1. Head to head results

2. If tied, Head-to-head goal differential

3. If still tied, goals against in conference (lowest amount of goals is tops)

4. If still tied, head to head goals in away games

5. If still tied, highest NCAA Ranking by Regional Advisory Committee

6. If still tied, and no teams in regional rankings, then coin flip decides.  Coin flip date/time/site and procedures to be determined by the Commissioner (approved Winter 2009).

7.  If the conference championship is won by an NCAA non-eligible school, then the AQ goes to the next highest NCAA-eligible school in the finals standings (i.e. runner-up or next-highest eligible team in standings).  Approved September 2009

Section 6. ALL CONFERENCE TEAM:

6.1 The all-conference teams shall be selected by the method as described in the bylaws and/or appendices to the bylaws.  It shall consist of ten players on first team and ten players on second team, plus honorable mention, selected by criteria set below, plus individual awards will be voted on by all coaches for player of the year, newcomer of the year and goalie of the year.

6.2 A coaches conference call shall be held one week before end of the conference season to discuss all-conference nominations. The purpose of the call is to discuss nominations, not for voting. The conference call shall be arranged by the conference liaison (Updated Jan. 3, 2010).

6.3 Ballots will need to be turned in by the Monday evening following the final conference game of the season.  Coaches should send their all-conference selections, plus nominees for player of the year, newcomer of the year, and goalie of the year to the conference information director (CID), Tom Di Camillo, at tomdicamillo@thepacwest.com. The CID will follow-up with ballots for these items, which must be turned into the CID by the stipulated date on the ballot.  All ballots must be returned in the time allotted.

Section 7 CONDUCT

7.1 The head coach is directly responsible for bench conduct. In PacWest Conference contests, if any team personnel noted as the “Bench” receives a yellow card, red card or ejection from game officials, the head coach shall also receive a yellow card, red card or ejection, and will serve the same penalty as the person or persons who specifically were charged by officials. The penalty for the head coach shall be administered by the conference office. (Jan. 23, 2012)