HANDBOOK 2014 - 2015
Frederick de Tapia
© 2014 - 2015 LNFA, 04062014
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 1 of 8
1. PURPOSE
1.1. This document describes the policies and procedures of the Laguna Niguel Football Association (LNFA).
2. SCOPE
2.1. This document applies to all external policies and procedures of the LNFA.
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1. LNFA – Laguna Niguel Football Association
3.2. USASA – United States Adult Soccer Association
3.3. USSF – United States Soccer Federation
3.4. FIFA – Federation Internationale de Football Association
3.5. Partners – Affiliates, City of LN, Referee Associations, Vendors and nonparticipants.
3.6. Participant – Any spectator, referee, registered player and / or administrator or club.
3.7. Registered – Having completed the registration process of providing the LNFA and our affiliates with proper
identification and payment of registration fees.
3.8. Misconduct – Informal or Formal Misconduct
3.9. Informal Misconduct – Misconduct which is not documented by the referee.
3.10. Formal Misconduct – Misconduct which is documented by the referee.
3.11. Reference Documents – Documents which are outside of LNFA control.
3.12. Applicable Documents – Documents which are within the control of the LNFA.
3.13. Activity – Any function which occurs during LNFA permitted time.
4. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
4.1. FIFAs Laws of the Game
4.2. US Soccer Bylaws
4.3. USASA Bylaws
4.4. Cal South Bylaws
4.5. US Soccer Referee Certification Requirements
4.6. US Soccer Assignor Certification Requirements
5. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
5.1. LNFA Manual
5.2. LNFA Handbook
5.3. Discipline Record
5.4. 11v11 Differences from FIFAs Laws of the Game
5.5. 7v7 Differences from FIFAs Laws of the Game
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 2 of 8
5.6. Game Card
5.7. LNFA Excluded Dates
6. RESPONSIBILITIES
6.1. The LNFA is responsible for the interpretation and maintenance of all applicable documents as well as the
applicable functions related to association administration, referee services management and club services
management.
6.2. The City of Laguna Niguel is responsible for providing field permits and field maintenance.
6.3. Referee associations engaged by the LNFA will provide referee managements services consistent with our
Referee Policies.
6.4. Participants (non-spectators) will be registered with the LNFA and our affiliates and they will adhere to the
policies and procedures listed in this document.
7. QUALITY POLICIES
7.1. The Laguna Niguel Football Association (LNFA) provides quality football through a commitment to our values of
discipline, organization and family.
7.2. Our values will drive a recreationally competitive environment where our participants can express themselves
through football.
7.3. The LNFA is affiliated with Cal South, USASA, USSF and FIFA.
7.4. We will provide an 11v11 competition on Sunday mornings and 7v7 competitions on Sunday’s morning’s and
Wednesday’s nights.
7.5. The LNFA has the final say in all matters.
7.6. The LNFA reserves the right to refuse service to anyone and fees paid to the LNFA are non-refundable.
7.7. Participation in LNFA activities implies that all participants, both on the field and otherwise, release the City of
Laguna Niguel, the Laguna Niguel Community Service District (LNCSD), their officers, agents and employees,
the Laguna Niguel Football Association (LNFA) and our affiliates of any liability regarding participation in LNFA
events.
7.8. Participants are expected to adhere to all Park Rules and City Ordinances particularly regarding the condition of
the field before, during and after LNFA activities. Alcohol, drugs and smoking are prohibited at all LNFA activities.
Dogs are not permitted on artificial turf surfaces. Please pick up your trash.
7.9. We will drive continuous improvement of our services through a seasonal review of our policies and procedures.
7.10. We will administrate simple and effective systems to address misconduct with the goal of reducing misconduct
from season to season.
7.11. We will cultivate a family environment where our players and their families enjoy the world’s greatest game.
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 3 of 8
7.12. Participants are also our customers and we will service them providing the highest level of customer satisfaction
while maintaining the standards necessary to properly administrate our competitions.
7.13. The LNFA will hold seasonal meetings with our clubs and partners to ensure continued and effective
collaboration in fulfilling the promises of these policies.
8. ORGANIZATIONAL POLICES
8.1. The seasonal year runs from September 1st through August 31st.
8.2. The Fall Season will run from July through December and will host a summer program and the fall league
season.
8.3. The Spring Season will run from January through June and will host the spring league season and applicable
cup, mug and playoff competitions.
8.4. Friendly games may be scheduled throughout these seasons based on field availability.
8.5. Schedules will be consistent, visible and they will be posted at the beginning of the season for the entire season
taking into account exceptions such as weather or issues related to city events.
8.5.1.When possible Clubs will be given a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours’ notice of reschedules unless this
notice is waived by mutual consent.
8.6. Forfeits = Five (5) Goal Loss.
8.6.1.Should a club abandon a game and the referee has confirmed they have done so the game will be awarded
to their opponent as a forfeit (5-0). The club will also lose an additional three (3) points.
8.7. There will be one automatic relegation and promotion spot between divisions within a format and one playoff
relegation and promotion spot between divisions within a format.
9. REFEREE POLICIES
9.1. For competitive games we will contract United States Soccer Federation (USSF) certified referees who will
adhere to LNFA requirements and applicable standards.
9.2. These referees will be provided by referee associations which can fulfill LNFA and US Soccer requirements and
standards.
9.3. The LNFA may contract with more than one referee association to ensure coverage according to these
requirements and standards.
9.4. Referees are required to register with the LNFA to document their certification and ensure their competence with
our current Referee Competition Guidance and differences from FIFAs Laws of the Game.
9.5. Referees will provide services for our competitions according to LNFA requirements, FIFAs Laws of the Game,
our competition specific differences from FIFAs Laws of the Game and applicable association guidance.
9.6. The LNFA will not comment on referee decisions.
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 4 of 8
9.7. Referee issues will be documented in the Referee Record from input received by our clubs and these issues will
be classified as one of three (3) categories:
9.7.1.Level 1: Warning – Minor nonconformance with requirements or standards.
9.7.1.1. Examples: Issues relating to attendance, appearance, professional standards, misapplication of
LNFA specific rules.
9.7.2.Level 2: Corrective Action – Nonconformance with requirements and / or standards.
9.7.2.1. Examples: Issues relating to professional standards, failure to check in players, misapplication of laws
of the game, failure to report.
9.7.3.Level 3: Suspension – Repeated nonconformance with requirements and / or standards.
9.7.3.1. Continued issues relating to professional standards, failure to check in players, misapplication of laws
of the game, failure to report.
9.8. Referee associations and affected clubs will be notified of referee issues within a timely manner via email and
when necessary conference call(s).
9.9. Referee assignors will validate and verify the season schedule prior to the season using standard holiday
schedules and the Excluded Dates document provided by the City of Laguna Niguel.
9.10. 11v11 games will have three (3) referees. Referee’s fees will be paid prior to the game; $73 per club.
9.11. 7v7 games will have one (1) referee. Referee’s fees will be paid prior to the game; $14 (24min halves) per club
for Sunday games and $17 (30min halves) per club for Wednesday games.
10. CLUB POLICIES
10.1. The LNFA may accept new clubs when space is available and these clubs may be accepted after a series of
friendly games which will evaluate their commitment to our values.
10.2. Clubs are established to serve their players for many years; not from season to season.
10.3. Clubs are independent of the LNFA; they run their own operations such as player recruitment and retention and
they are responsible for their own finances.
10.4. The LNFA will provide clubs with a New Player List comprised of submissions made through our website for
player recruitment.
10.5. We will also provide a one game New Player Trial process to allow clubs to evaluate new participants without the
burden of these “unknown” participants completing the full registration process.
10.6. Each club will have established leadership consisting of four (4) administrators listed on their roster responsible
for fulfilling LNFA requirements related to:
10.6.1. Club Registration
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 5 of 8
10.6.1.1. Clubs must complete the Club Registration Form confirming their participation for the coming
season.
10.6.2. Participant Registration
10.6.2.1. Participants must complete the New Player Trial Form or the registration process through the
registration portal.
10.6.2.2. Administrators must complete the registration process through the registration portal by completing
the participant registration but also selecting the appropriate role beyond player during the participant
photo upload. If they do not do so when they register as a participant then they can complete the
process again by reregistering using Option 2 and bypassing payment at the end of the process.
10.6.2.3. Participants who fail to complete registration may be dropped by the LNFA and they can complete
the process by reregistering using Option 2 and bypassing payment at the end of the process.
10.6.2.4. Issues with registration should be addressed with the technical team by phone or by submitting a
help ticket through the system. Registration payment issues should be directed to Cal South.
10.6.2.5. Registration is not complete until a photo and ID have been properly uploaded and payment is
received according to the registration system.
10.6.2.6. Participants must comply with LNFA policies and procedures.
10.6.2.7. Participants may play for more than one club in the LNFA but may not play for more than one club
within a division or format.
10.6.2.8. Participants must be dropped by submitting a drop request to the LNFA.
10.6.3. Paying seasonal dues in a timely manner.
10.6.3.1. Club dues must be submitted to the LNFA within 30 days of the first game of the season.
10.6.3.2. Dues received after 30 days of the first game of the season will incur an additional late fee.
10.6.4. Ensuring that players are knowledgeable about their membership benefits through Cal South;
specifically relating to medical insurance.
10.6.5. Online reporting of game scores, misconduct and stats within 24 hours of the game.
10.7. Clubs must be at the field with seven (7) or more registered players and the following items fifteen (15) minutes
before game time; game card, referees fees (may not be necessary for friendly games), and game balls.
10.8. Club administrators are expected to introduce themselves to the referee and opposing club prior to the game.
10.9. Clubs may only request reschedules for two reasons; religious observance or to represent the LNFA in another
competition.
10.9.1. These requests should be made thirty (30) days prior to the requested exception.
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 6 of 8
10.9.2. Missing players or playing short because of injury, family and / or work commitment is part of adult football
and managers must manage these issues as best they can.
10.10. Seasonal audits of rosters and game cards will be conducted to ensure clubs are in compliance with our
policies and procedures.
10.11. Should a club fail to complete the season the table will be “wiped clean” of their results but the Discipline
Record will not be altered. If a “failed club” returns they must return into the lowest division.
11. DISCIPLINE POLICIES
11.1. The Discipline Record will track misconduct.
11.2. Participants who are guilty of misconduct may be subject to disciplinary action regardless of whether or not the
misconduct is informal or formal.
11.3. Participants who are guilty of misconduct must leave the venue in a timely manner.
11.3.1. If the participant car-pooled with another participant then they must wait quietly in the parking lot and leave
immediately after the game.
11.4. Clubs must work together to ensure that participants who play for more than one club do not continue to play
after receiving a red card on a game day where the player may play for more than one club.
11.5. Participants who receive a suspension of five (5) games or less may continue to participate in non-competitive
LNFA activities and competitive games outside of the division or format in which the player received the
suspension.
11.6. Participants who receive a suspension of more than five (5) games may not continue to participate in LNFA
activities and the suspension moves from games to weeks.
11.7. The Discipline Panel consists of two (2) third party participants (who were not involved in the game related to the
misconduct) and the LNFA.
11.8. The Discipline Panel has the flexibility to suspend players for a number of games which may not be listed in our
suspensions list.
12. FORMAL MISCONDUCT PROCEDURE
12.1. The formal misconduct procedure will be administrated via email and when necessary conference call(s).
12.2. Clubs will be notified of suspensions relating to formal misconduct within a timely manner.
12.2.1. This notice will include a summary of the game details and misconduct along with the formal misconduct
report.
12.2.2. Participants who are guilty of formal misconduct will be notified of suspensions through their clubs within
a timely manner.
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 7 of 8
12.3. Suspensions which exceed two (2) games may be appealed via email within 48 hours when a club believes
there was a misapplication of our policies and procedures.
12.3.1. The email appeal must be received within 48 hours of the suspension notice, must state which policy or
procedure has been misapplied and must include a statement of facts.
12.3.2. Once this statement is received the opposing club will be notified to provide a statement of facts as well.
12.3.3. The Discipline Panel will review appeals by reviewing the referee’s report, the clubs’ statements of facts,
the LNFA Handbook and the Discipline Record.
12.3.4. A final determination will be conveyed via email to the applicable participants.
12.3.5. Participants may appeal disciplinary actions through our affiliates.
12.4. Suspensions of five (5) games or more will be reviewed by the Discipline Panel.
12.5. Suspensions of ten (10) weeks or more will be reported to our affiliates.
13. INFORMAL MISCONDUCT PROCEDURE
13.1. The informal misconduct procedure will be administered via email and when necessary conference call(s).
13.2. Clubs will be notified of informal misconduct reports within a timely manner.
13.2.1. Participants who are reported for informal misconduct will be notified through their clubs within a timely
manner.
13.3. Informal misconduct will be classified as one of three (3) categories:
13.3.1. Level 1: Verbal Warning – there is insufficient evidence to support formal disciplinary action and / or the
accuser does not wish for formal disciplinary action to be taken.
13.3.2. Level 2: Written Warning – there is some evidence to support formal disciplinary action and / or the
accuser does wish for formal disciplinary action to be taken.
13.3.3. Level 3: Formal Misconduct – there is sufficient evidence to support formal disciplinary action and it is in
the best interest of the association to apply the formal misconduct procedure.
14. SUSPENSIONS LIST
NOTE: The LNFA will consider spitting as violent conduct.
14.1. Accumulation of Five (5) Yellow Cards In One Season = One (1) Game Suspension
14.2. 2CT - Two (2) Yellow Cards = One (1) Game Suspension
14.3. DGF – Denying a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity. = Two (2) Game Suspension
14.4. SFP – Serious Foul Play (Standard) = Two (2) Game Suspension
14.5. VC – Violent Conduct (Standard) = Two (2) Game Suspension
14.6. AL – Abusive Language (Standard) = Two (2) Game Suspension
14.7. SFP – Serious Foul Play (Non-standard) = Three (3) Game Suspension
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.
Handbook 2014 - 2015
Quality football through discipline, organization and family since 1996.
Page 8 of 8
14.8. VC – Violent Conduct (Pushing and Shoving) = Three (3) Game Suspension
14.9. AL – Abusive Language (Non-standard) = Three (3) Game Suspension
14.10. AL – Abusive Language (Will Not Leave The Field) = Five (5) Game Suspension
14.11. VC – Violent Conduct (Striking or Attempting to Strike, Spitting, Racial Abuse) = Ten (10) Week Suspension
14.12. VC – Violent Conduct (Threatening the Referee) = Ten (10) Week Suspension
14.13. VC – Violent Conduct (Striking or Attempting to Strike, Spitting, Racial Abuse, 2nd Offense) = Twenty (20)
Week Suspension
14.14. VC – Violent Conduct (Striking or Attempting to Strike, Spitting, Racial Abuse at the Referee) = Lifetime
Suspension
14.15. VC – Violent Conduct (Striking or Attempting to Strike, Spitting, Racial Abuse, 3rd Offense) = Lifetime
Suspension
14.16. Escalation 1: A minimum of one (1) game will be added to a suspension when a player receives two (2) red
cards within one season.
14.17. Escalation 2: A minimum of two (2) games will be added to a suspension when a player receives two (2) red
cards within a season and at least one of them warrants a suspension of three (3) games or more.
15. RECOGNITION AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES
15.1. Championship Clubs (competition winners) will be recognized through our Affiliates and they will receive XARA
Awards redeemable for XARA apparel.
15.1.1. These awards must be redeemed within 30 days of the notification of the award.
PROPRIETARY NOTE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (LNFA), ANY
DISCLOSURE OR USAGE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE LNFA IS PROHIBITED.