BDSSFA Competition Rules (Revised 2010/2011)
1 The age limits for friendly, cup and league matches organised by the Association are:
Year 8 – Under 12 years of age on 1st July of current school year
Year 9 – Under 13 years of age on 1st July of current school year
Year 10 – Under 14 years of age on 1st July of current school year
Year 11 – Under 15 years of age on 1st July of current school year
Year 12 – Under 16 years of age on 1st July of current school year
Year 14 – Over 15 years of age and under 18 years of age on 1st July of current school year.
2. A team found guilty of playing an ineligible player will forfeit the round or match in cup or league and will risk elimination the next season.
3. A player who has played for one school in a cup or competition cannot play for another school in the same cup or competition in the same season.
4. A player becomes ineligible to play for the school immediately he leaves school.
5. No player who has played for an “A” team may subsequently play for a “B” team in a cup competition (except for U12).
6. Where two teams play in similar colours the away team must change. Goalkeepers must wear a distinctive colour.
7. The Secretary shall make the draws for the competitions: the first team drawn in each case has the choice of grounds, except in cup semi-final and final ties.
8. In all competitions the playing surface shall be grass or 3G but other surfaces may be used with the prior agreement of both schools.
9. All matches shall be played under the Laws of the Game with the following exceptions:
(a) In Year 8 and Year 9 matches the size of ball shall be size 4 or size 5 in Year 10 matches and size 5 in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 14 matches.
(b) A pitch, which does not conform to the Laws of the Game as to the dimensions of the ground, may only be played on with the prior agreement of both schools.
Year 8 – 25 mins each way
Year 9 – 30 mins each way
Year 10 – 35 mins each way
Year 11 – 40 mins each way
Year 12 – 40 mins each way
Year 14 – 40 mins each way
Or changed beforehand with the agreement of both schools.
(d) In all ties, teams may be altered by the substitution of 5 players chosen from a maximum of 5 players.
(10) For the Cup Final the Secretary will arrange date, venue and referee. At the Semi-Final stage the two teams should agree on a venue and referee. Prior to the Semi-Final and in all other matches the home team has the choice of venue and the away team shall supply the referee.
(11) All cup matches and league play-offs when drawn at the end of normal time will have periods of extra time, 10 minutes each way.
(12) If the match is drawn at the end of extra time penalty kicks will take place in all age groups (no replay shall be held).
(13) Matches will be arranged for the following days:
Year 8 – Friday afternoons
Year 9 – Monday afternoons
Year 10 – Thursday afternoons
Year 11 – Tuesday afternoons
Year 12 – Wednesday afternoons
Year 14 – Wednesday afternoons.
(15) All cup and league matches must be played on or before the dates listed and published by the BDSSFA Secretary except under exceptional circumstances agreed by the Competitions Committee. Results of league matches shall be notified to the Secretary or League Secretary in writing or by email or by facsimile by the deadlines published i.e. Xmas and Easter of each season. Schools who fail to fulfill their fixtures in a particular age group may be prevented from entering the appropriate age group the following year.
(16) Any school wishing to postpone or rearrange a fixture must suggest an acceptable alternative to the other team. All postponed cup matches must be played within 1 week or on a date acceptable to the BDSSFA secretary.
(17) If a team cancels a match after 12 noon on the day of the match they forfeit the tie or points.
(18) Any decision about a pitch being unplayable must be made by the groundsman or person responsible for the pitch.
(19) A dispute arising from a fixture must be placed in writing within 4 days before the Competitions Committee who may award the tie or allocate points as they see fit.
(20) League games may not be played for 6 points nor played after the given and published deadline without the prior consent of the Competitions Committee.
(21) In any Year 12 or Year 14 Cup Final played at an Irish League ground the teams must wear numbered jerseys.
(22) The rules of the BDSSFA may only be altered at an AGM or EGM. Notice of any proposed alteration must be sent to the Secretary before 1st April who shall send copies of the proposed alterations to all affiliated schools with a notice of the meeting.
(23) League titles shall be decided on the basis of points won. Three points shall be awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Goal difference shall not be taken into consideration. A playoff may be held for teams tied on the same points to decide the league competition.
(24) All teams must be under the control of a teacher. Any
matters of misconduct by players or teachers or spectators are subject
to discipline from the Competitions Committee. The referee must
be a teacher or a competent
person as agreed by both schools before the match begins.
(25) In league matches where both schools agree beforehand rolling substitutes may be used.
Penalty Kicks Under Rule 12
(1) The referee shall choose the goal at which the penalty kicks shall be taken.
(2) Each team shall take five penalty kicks. The kicks shall be taken alternately.
(3) The referee shall toss a coin and the team who wins the toss shall take the first kick.
(4) The team that scores the greater number of goals shall be declared the winner.
(5) Only players who are still on the field of play at the end of extra time shall be eligible to take part in the penalty kick competition.
(6) In the event of both teams having scored the same number of penalties after five have been taken by each side, then additional kicks shall be taken until one team has scored one more than the other team, and the same number of kicks have been taken by each side.
(7) Each kick shall be taken by a different player from a team. A player may not take a second penalty kick until all eligible players including the goalkeeper have taken a kick.