The following is a copy of the CYSA-S F.A.Q. The original is available at www.calsouth.com/signatureleagues.htm#faq.

1. How and where will the individual Signature League Circuits be formed?

Signature League Playing Circuits are being established throughout Southern California where strong interest exists and where an individual or individuals are willing to step forward to take the reigns and do the work to form an Individual Circuit in their area. The entire infrastructure for the program in regard to league procedures, playing rules, application forms, league website, scheduling, league communication software, and game cards has been established - the first priority for a Circuit Director in your area would be to decide if there is strong interest by the leagues in their surrounding area and then establish some semblance of their circuit boundaries in an effort to keep team travel minimal. We will provide the highest level of support to facilitate the success of this program.

2. What is the rationale behind the decision on limiting this to the U9 – U14 age groups?

With Competitive Club soccer starting younger & younger in conjunction with the dramatic increases in Bronze level teams at these younger ages, we felt it was very important to start as young as the U9 age group in an effort to provide these players with more of a transition before jumping into all-out competitive play. We feel that we have addressed this transition in our League by adhering to the recreational playing time stipulations (min. 50%), setting constraints on the financial burden incurred by parents/players, limiting distance of travel for regular season games and our commitment to provide a positive environment for all participants involved. We rounded off the age groups with U14 because we felt this provided a reasonable range to get the program started and it directly fell into the purpose for which this program was established… “to provide our members with an intermediary playing level that better prepares players, parents and coaches in the transition from recreational to competitive play”.

3. Is the Signature League only open to Recreational Leagues or can Clubs place Bronze Level or newly formed teams in this league?

The Signature League Circuits are open to both Recreational or Club teams as long as they abide by all of the stipulations as imposed by the League rules and policies. More specifically - rules regarding the formation of teams, $ per player cap, and minimum 50% playing time for everyone. All participating teams should be at the level of a Recreational All-Star team. Obviously, it would not behoove a very strong Bronze Level Club team to participate in this program.

4. Who selects the Coach for a team?

Each participating League selects the Coaches for teams participating in the Circuit.

5. How are Team Roster's formed?

Teams may start with 5 freeze players on their Roster. All other players must attend a Player Evaluation on the field. After each Player has been given the opportunity to show their skills and be evaluated, the Coach or League will select the Players to make up the entire Roster for the Team. (Players are registered as "Recreational Players" and under CYSA-S regulations, teams may not have more than 5 freeze players when being formed for each playing season).

6. We have a team of 9 returning players and we'd like to participate in the Circuit. Can't we just add a few new players to complete our Roster?

The criteria for new Teams and for Returning Teams are identical. The Team may start with 5 freeze players on the Roster. All other returning players and any new players seeking a place on the Team Roster must attend a Player Evaluation on the field.

7. Who selects the Players for the Team Roster?

The selection of Players is up to the participating league as to how they would like to handle this situation. In most cases, it would be handled by the team coach/coaches, a small body of league representatives or a combination of both. Once again, this will need to be established by the individual league itself.

8. Can Players be selected for the Team if they are from outside the participating league area?

Each participating league will have to determine whether players from outside the normal league area can be selected for any Team Roster.

9. Is there a limit on the number of teams that a participating league can send for each age bracket?

There is no limit to the number of teams that a league can send to the Circuit in any age bracket. Each league should evaluate coaching experience, player experience and overall skill level when determining the number of teams they want to sponsor into the Circuit.

10. Applications are due by May 31st and teams will be notified by June 10th if they will be selected into the Circuit. Might a team be rejected?

A team might be rejected if they submit an application without a Team Referee and/or a playing field available for the season.

11. Why not have free substitution during the game?

U9 & U10 games are divided into quarters. This will ensure that each player will be playing at least 50% of each game and will be monitored on the game card for each game by the center official. It is highly recommended that players receive 75% playing time. The U-11 & above age groups will have free player substitution. The Circuit and League were created to allow players to play at a higher level and prepare them for playing at the Club level.

12. Why allow 2 different size goals for the U-9 and U-10 teams?

Many leagues started participating in 8v8 and 7v7 small sided games when the goal size was set at 6'x18' and purchased goals that size. Later, USYS established guidelines for a goal size of 7'x21'. Placing a financial burden on league to obtain the 7'x21' goals was deemed too great a burden at this time. So, for the present, both size goals will be allowed for play.

13. What happens if we lose Players after the Team Roster is formed?

The participating league should assist any team in obtaining replacement players if players have been lost after the initial Roster has been formed. (Playing Circuits will ask for a Roster of Team Players.) While teams would like to ensure that players are frozen to a team once they are selected, the reality of it is that players within CYSA-S can change teams until July 15th. At that time, Players selected to a Team's Roster are basically frozen until November 15th. After that time, players could transfer to other teams.

14. With the mandatory playing time, how do you handle player injuries?

Injured players may be substituted for during the game. Injuries should be noted on the Game Card. (Injured players may not be subject to the 50% playing rule). Injured players may re-enter the game at the next substitution opportunity if they are deemed able to play again by the coach and referee.