Rules and Laws of the J.P.S.F.A.
The normal laws of football, as laid down by the current Referees’ Chart, apply to all games.
ELIGIBILITY
Only primary-school pupils, up to and including Grade 7 pupils, are eligible for our competitions. No high school pupils are allowed. No Grade 8 players will be allowed to participate, regardless of their age.
Although it is an open league, there is an age restriction of Under 14. This excludes 15 year olds (or older) i.e. children who will turn 15 during the year.
AGE GROUPS FOR 2020
- U9: born in 2011
- U10: born in 2010
- U11: born in 2009
- U12: born in 2008
- U13: born in 2007
- U14: born in 2006
All fixtures, league and cup, are now gender specific, i.e. girls may only play in girls fixtures and boys may only play in boys fixtures.
FORMAT AND FIXTURES
Boys League:
- Under 9 and under 10 boys use the seven-a-side format. A goalkeeper and six outfield players. A suitably reduced goal area, which allows the goalkeeper to practice his skills, should be provided. This area will be rectangular and extend to a maximum of ten (10) metres. The goals should measure 4 metres x 1.5 metres. The offside law does not apply. Games will be played over two halves of 15 minutes. A size 3 football will be used.
- Under 11,12, 13 and 14 will play on a full-sized field and the 11-a-side format will be used.
- Games will be played over two halves of 20-minutes. A size 4 football will be used.
Girls League:
This season the following groupings will apply.
- Under 9
- Under 11 (including under 10)
- Under 14 (including under 12 & 13)
All girls age groups will use the seven-a-side format. A goalkeeper and six outfield players. A suitably reduced goal area, which allows the goalkeeper to practice her skills, should be provided. This area will be rectangular and extend to a maximum of ten (10) metres. The goals should measure 4 metres x 1.5 metres. Games will be played over two halves of 15 minutes for all age groups.
- The offside rule does not apply.
- Under 9/ girls will use a size 3 football.
- Under 11 and under 14 girls will use a size 4 football.
General Behaviour:
The coach sets the tone for his/her team. While everyone sets out to win each match, it is important that coaches encourage their teams in a positive and constructive manner. This attitude should encompass his/her own team, the opposition and the referees.
FIELDS
Referees should ensure that the playing surface is free of stones, sticks, etc. and that the field is correctly and clearly marked. Care needs to be taken that exposed concrete cricket pitches do not pose a danger to players.
AGE GROUPS
Please ensure that age groups are adhered to. The onus is on the coach to ensure that all players play in their correct age groups.
PLAYERS
Players must, at all times, play in the spirit of the game and avoid criticising their teammates and the opposition. They should acknowledge good play of all players. Teams must greet each other before the game and thank each other after the game. Criticism of referees’ decisions will not be tolerated!
PARENTS
Parents must be informed by schools that, while their support is valued, any criticism and unruly behaviour will not be tolerated.
SAFETY
It is always the duty of coaches and referees to ensure the safety of players.
In this regard the size of players creates difficulties that can be avoided through appropriate discussion between coaches prior to the games. It is imperative that a first aid kit (with ice) be available at all fixtures!
DISCIPLINE
ALL instances of unacceptable behaviour on the part of players, coaches, referees and parents must be reported to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee so that appropriate action may be taken. ALL red cards or sending off events MUST be reported in writing within 24 hours to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee.
Mails to be send to info@jpsfa.org.za for Attention Mr D Shead. An e-mail must be sent to info@jpsfa.org.za with a match report the day after the fixture.
According to the IFAB laws of the game, temporary dismissals are now permitted. This means that when a player commits a actionable offence (yellow card) that player is punished by an immediate suspension from participating in the next part of the game. Exco introduced this system.
It will operate as follows:
- A yellow card is shown.
- A period of 4 minutes is spent seated in the technical area.
- When that period expires, the referee signals to the player to return.
- Should the player receive a second yellow card during the same game he/she will be given a red card and suspended from the game.
- The incident is then reported to the JPSFA, using the website www.jpsfa.co.za with in twenty-four (24) hours.
The philosophy is that an immediate punishment can have a significant and positive influence of the behaviour of the offending player and potentially, the player’s team.
CONFIRMATION OF MATCHES AND VENUE
School are instructed to confirm fixtures and venues at least one week in advance. Whilst confirming, the venue will be determent by ONE of the following:
- The size and number of fields available.
- The most senior / qualified referee has the right to officiate whether the game is played home or away.
- Home team is mentioned first.
In the event where schools know that their pupils will be on tour, they are requested to inform their opponents of this at the start of the season.
DRESS CODE
It is the duty of the coach to ensure that players are dressed neatly and in accordance with their school’s sport uniform.
SHIN GUARDS ARE COMPULSORY. NO PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD IF HE / SHE IS NOT WEARING SHIN GUARDS.
Organization:
Schools should remember that many pupils must use public transport after school matches. To help these children get home at a reasonable hour, coaches and referees should get to venues as early as possible, start the matches as quickly as possible and avoid wasting time at halftime and after the games.
Rules and Laws of the Discovery Knock-Out Cup
DATE
All games must be played on the dates listed in the diary. No exceptions will be allowed.
FORMAT
All (Boys and Girls) Discovery Knock-Out Cup games must be played in the 11-a-side format. Only A teams may participate in this competition.
VENUES
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds played at schools.
- No match may start later than 14:45 in Rounds 1, 2 and 3.
- Quarter-finals and semi-finals at a neutral venue that will be communicated.
- Finals at a neutral venue depending on availability but will be communicate.
- In the 1st round the first schools listed will host U9, U11 and U12 matches. The other school will host U10, U13 and U14 games.In all the rounds, if a mutually acceptable arrangement cannot be found, M. Makara (Boys) and (Girls) will determine the venue.
AGE GROUPS
For 2020 the age groups are as follows: U9 born in 2011
- U10 born in 2010
- U11 born in 2009
- U12 born in 2008
- U13 born in 2007
- U14 born in 2006
REFEREES
The visiting school has the right to nominate the referee under condition that the visiting school has a SAFA-qualified referee. If the visiting school does not have a SAFA-qualified referee, then the host school may nominate the referee on condition that they have a SAFA-qualified staff member or coach.
If neither school has a SAFA-qualified staff member or coach, then the visiting school may nominate the referee. This issue must be resolved when fixtures are confirmed in the week prior to the fixture.
HOCKEY-STYLE REFEREEING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THIS COMPETITION.
DISCIPLINE
In the event of a dispute regarding the playing conditions (i.e. fields), photographic evidence must be submitted to the cup coordinator.
DURATION OF GAMES
- Boys U9, U10, U11: 20 minutes each way
- Boys U12, U13, U14: 25 minutes each way
- Girls U9: 15 minutes each way
- Girls U11: 15 minutes each way Girls U14: 20 minutes each way
- No Discovery KO fixture may start later than 14:45
If there is no result after the stipulated time has been played, the following procedure will apply:
2 X 10-minute periods of extra time will be played.
If there is still no result, the team that has been awarded the most number of corners over the duration of the game (and extra time) will be declared the winners. It is imperative that the referee keep a record of the corners awarded from the start of the game.
- If there is still no result the game will be decided by a coin toss. This will be done by the coaches.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS PERMITTED!
Finals
At the end of full time and extra time in the final and both teams have a equal number of goals and corners, the trophy will be shared.
ELIGIBILITY
- Once a player has participated in an age group fixture he is then cup-tied to that age group and that school.
- A player listed in the team list or return will be regarded as having participated in the cup game.
- In the event of a player changing schools, his/her case must be presented to Exco for a ruling on his/her eligibility.
- All Discovery knock-out games are gender-specific.
- Only primary-school pupils up to and including grade 7’s are eligible. No high-school pupils may participate.
TEAM RETURN
The official team return is available on the JPSFA web site. This is the only form that may be submitted. The completed team return must reach the respective KO organiser by 14:00 on the day following the game.
A team file must be available for all teams entering the Discovery Knock-Out Cup.
The file must be available at all Discovery Knock-Out matches.
The file must contain:
- A team return
- A recently certified copy of the players’ birth certificates
- Birth Certificate must be valid for three months
- A recent photo of each player
- A Discovery indemnity form properly completed and signed.
Coaches must inspect their opponent’s team file before the game has started.
If a team file is not available before the start of the game the game may NOT be played.
Coaches have the right to verify the age, identity and eligibility of any player on the list.
The completed team return must reach the respective Discovery Knock-Out organiser by 14:00 on the day following the game.
TEAM LISTS AND RETURNS
If a team return is not available or incomplete at quarter- and semi-finals, please note the following:
- The respective Discovery Knock-Out co-ordinator will award the game to the non-offending team.
- The offending team and coach will have this explained to them before the game is played.
- The game will be played as a friendly to give the non-offending team match practice.
If both team lists are not available or incomplete, the fixture will be abandoned and both teams will be excluded from the competition.
Referees and assistant referees will verify ages before each game.
SANCTIONS
CATEGORY ONE OFFENCES:
Schools that have entered the Discovery Knock Out may be found guilty if they:
- Fail to fulfil fixtures
- Fail to fulfil fixtures on the specified date
- Provide incorrect team returns
- Provide incomplete team returns
- Fail to start the game before 14:45 for rounds 1,2 and 3
- Fail to submit results on or before the specified date
CATEGORY TWO OFFENCES:
Schools that have entered the Discovery Knock Out may be found guilty if they:
- Use overage players
- Use non-registered players or match officials
- Display abusive behaviour towards referees, players, coaches or parents
- Use high-school players i.e. grade 8 players
- Include non-eligible players i.e. Cup-tied players; players who have played for another school and a Knock-Out Cup team unless permission to play has been granted by Exco. N.B. players are deemed to be cup-tied if they are listed on the official team return
SANCTIONS
Category One offences:
The offending team will be excluded from the rest of the current year’s competition.
The school will pay a fine of R1 000 to the Association. The Association will use this fine to assist schools with the cost of travel or catering if the fixture is cancelled.
Failure to pay this fine will result in the school being withdrawn from all JPSFA activities.
Category Two offences:
Relevant coaches, Head of Sport and a member of the SMT will be required to attend a Disciplinary hearing. The hearing will provide the school with an opportunity to present their case and the JPSFA committee to hear from others, in order that an informed and appropriate sanction may be applied.
Failure to adhere to the sanctions will result in the school being withdrawn from all JPSFA activities!
