​​GUIDELINE RULES FOR SOCCER  2024

A. Participating Schools:

American Division         National Division
Antrim                            Avon                       
Brielle                            Bay Head

Manasquan                    Belmar  
Spring Lake Heights       Bradley Beach
St. Catharine                  College Achieve  
St. Dominic                     Deal
                                        H.W. Mountz
                                        Lavallette ​
                                        Neptune City                                                                           
                                        Sea Girt

B. Eligibility - Participants must not have attained age 15 prior to September 1 of current school year. Any Student who has completed his/her 8th grade studies will be prohibited from participation in the Monmouth County Athletic League.  To participate in the M.C.A.L. a student must be a resident in the town in which they wish to play and/or attending member school. (See Eligibility/Alternatives under general guidelines)

C. Practice - Practice may begin on the first day of school in September of the school year.

D. Rules - Standard rules of play for soccer will be utilized. Sneakers or all purpose rubber cleats may be worn by all participants. Metal cleats or spikes cannot be worn. (See all-sports dress code - attached) Fields of play may be modified due to particular conditions. Soccer nets must be used along with corner flags. Each team should provide a ball person to patrol the sidelines. Coaches must be informed of said modifications or special provisions before the game. The schedule will consist of one game with each school. Additional games may be played through special arrangement, but will not apply to the trophy or championship.

E. Time Limit
- All games should start as close to 3:45 p.m. as possible. (LAVALLETTE HOME GAMES WILL START AT 4:00& ALL ANTRIM AWAY GAMES WILL START AT 3:45 OR 4:00 DEPENDING ON BUSSING) (The officials are assigned for a 3:45 start, but most will be there in time to start earlier if both teams are ready) The visiting team should confirm the game by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the game. (See 25 minute halves rule - attached)

Play should consist of: 2 - 25 MINUTE HALVES
                                Five minutes between halves
                                Overtime - 2 five minute periods

F. Officials - The home team will be assigned two qualified officials (if possible). Rate of pay will be $66.00 (two officials) or $90.00 (one official).   All officials will be assigned thru Don Neice, League Director.  Call Don Neice (848-258-2896) to cancel games and to reschedule games.  Games can only be canceled with administrative approval. 

G. Plaques will only be presented to the first place team in the American and National Divisions.  A perpetual plaque (All sports plaque) with 16 spaces for smaller plates will be presented to a championship winner.  Each succeeding championship will get a plate to put on the perpetual plaque.
 In case of a tie duplicate plaques/plates for first place will be presented. 


H. Disqualification Procedure - All red cards will result in an automatic 1 game suspension, which will be served in the next game. Two red cards in a season will result in a 2 game suspension. Three red cards in a season and the player will be suspended for the remainder of that season. Coaches must report a red card to their administrator within 24 hours of the incident. An incident report form must be filed with the league within 3 days. (See Disqualification procedures for players & coaches)

I. Non-Interference Rule - Only authorized coaches and assistants may coach players during M.C.A.L. games. Spectators may not actively* coach from the sidelines for the purpose of enhancing the chances of their team to win a particular game or games.

Exceptions to this rule will be for substitute coaches in the event a coach is ill or out of town, so as not to cancel a game. This should be made clear and approved by both teams prior to the game.

The M.C.A.L. Code of Sportsmanship states in part "...let the players play, let the coaches coach and the officials officiate. Let the spectators be positive."

*Actively coaching is defined as continually attempting to coach an individual or team during a game. This rule is not trying to stop spectators from supporting their team, but to make the playing field level for both teams. The M.C.A.L. feels that the players, coaches and officials should be the only ones to decide the outcome of games.

If a coach feels that a violation of the above rule is taking place he should bring it to the attention of the opposing coach. That coach should talk to the person involved and ask them to stop. If after the individual or individuals are warned and the interference continues, the coach should place a protest with the official in charge of the game and the administrator in attendance. (If one is present). After reviewing information, talking to the official, coaches and administrators, the league director will make a binding decision on whether to accept the score as posted, or declare a forfeit.

J. Code of Conduct / Players/Coaches/Spectators - In line with the Shore Conference of High Schools, The Monmouth County Athletic League has adopted the code of good sportsmanship for their players, coaches and spectators. Players, coaches and spectators that violate the spirit of the code of sportsmanship will be subject to suspension from attending/participating in future M.C.A.L. games. (See code of conduct under general guidelines)

K. Reporting Scores
- All scores should be reported the next day by both teams. Call the league director at 732-458-9554 or email to donneice@comcast.net and leave score.

L. Rosters - All sports will require rosters prior to the first game. Failure to submit will cause forfeiture of any games played.  Include names and dates of birth.  Signed by Administrator or school Secretary.  (***********new for 2024*********)

Re: Eligibility/Alternatives (Soccer)
As you are aware, our league has an age limit of 15. No athlete who is 15 prior to September 1st is eligible to participate in M.C.A.L. activities. Also, any student who has completed his 8th grade studies will be prohibited from participation in the M.C.A.L. no matter his or her age.  In the past we have had 3 challenges to this age limit. All challenges were denied. N.J.S.I.A.A. does not govern non High School sports. We are exempt from their rules. As long as we have a clearly stated age limit we are on very stable legal grounds.

After discussions with Manasquan Athletic Director, Ron Kornegay (2008) we felt it was important to restate your alternatives for those students who will not be eligible due to age restriction. As stated in our General Information, Section V, Sub-section B:

Participants must not have attained age 15 prior to September 1 of the current school year. Students who are ineligible due to the age requirement should apply for a waiver by the N.J.S.I.A.A. for participation in high school athletics. (H:CL4 - Students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades who will reach age nineteen (19) prior to September 1 while properly enrolled in a member school may request a waiver of the Bylaws, Article V, Section 4.1, Pre-High School Student, to have an opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics for four (4) years prior to becoming ineligible.) (J:CL - In order to assure the opportunity for eight consecutive semesters of interscholastic eligibility, member schools may request waivers to permit classified students who are enrolled in 7th and 8th grades and who are otherwise academically eligible, to participate on the junior varsity and varsity teams.)

To prevent future challenges it would really help if you ascertain those students who are ineligible due to age and petition the appropriate High School to request a waiver to participate on the High school level. This will allow that athlete to have four years of high school participation. The High school age limit is 19, based on the same September 1st date. Also, 16 year olds are not allowed to participate in freshman sports. You should allow two months time, prior to the start of the season, to start the process.

Also, please make sure your coaches are fully aware that if an athlete is 15 prior to September 1st of the school year that they should not be allowed to try out for the team. It is important to check ages prior to the first practice.

RE: 25 MINUTE HALVES - 2024

AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE WILL CONTINUE WITH 25 MINUTE HALVES AND 2 FIVE MINUTE OVERTIMES IF NEEDED.

WHAT MAKES THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE UNIQUE IS THAT WE CAN TAYLOR OUR RULES TO BEST FIT OUR LEAGUES NEEDS. NO LEAGUE IN NEW JERSEY HAS THE DIVERSE AGES THAT WE HAVE WITH SOME OF OUR �B� SCHOOLS PLAYING 4TH , 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS ON THEIR VARSITY TEAMS. MOST OF THE �A� DIVISION SCHOOLS HAVE THE ABILITY TO ONLY PLAY 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS ON THEIR TEAMS.

RE: FORFEITS

ALL FORFEIT WINS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE IN WRITING BY THE TEAM RECEIVING THE WIN. IF NOT SUBMITTED TO MY OFFICE IN WRITING THE GAME WILL BE CONSIDERED CANCELLED.

SIMPLY LIST THE NAMES OF THE SCHOOLS, BOYS OR GIRLS, DATE OF GAME AND SIGNED BY WINNING COACH OR ADMINISTRATOR.

THIS RULE IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OUR REGULAR SEASON GAMES IN ALL SPORTS.

ALL SPORTS DRESS CODE

ATHLETIC TEAMS IN THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SPRAY THEIR HAIR IN SCHOOL COLORS OR TO PUT SPARKLES ON THEIR FACES. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. (HAIR THAT IS PERMANENTLY DYED IS PERMITTED)

THIS INCLUDES BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER, BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL, BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL. THIS RULE EXCLUDES CHEERLEADERS.

NO TEMPORARY TATTOOS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED ON ANY ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE.

ANY PLAYER WHO DOES NOT ADHERE TO THE ABOVE RULE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE UNTIL THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE REMOVED.



PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO JEWERLY CAN BE WORN IN ANY
OF THE M.C.A.L. SPORTS.
THIS INCLUDES SOCCER, BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL.
THIS INCLUDES EARINGS.
THIS IS STANDARD FOR ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS AND HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
.









GIRLS' SOCCER 
Please Call In or Email Don Neice, M.C.A.L. Director, After Each Game - 848-258-2896 donneice@comcast.net

The Monmouth County Athletic League

The Monmouth County Athletic League Believes Sportsmanship is an Expectation.   So Please Let The Players Play, Let The Coaches Coach, Let The Officials Officiate, Let The Spectators Be Positive.  M.C.A.L. PRIDE