MYSA Player Priority Guidelines

Mass Youth Soccer recognizes that certain players may compete on two different teams. In doing so, conflicts arise as to which team takes priority in the event there are game, tournament or practice conflicts.

In attempting to resolve those conflicts, a comprehensive set of guidelines was developed. Players, coaches and parents are urged to familiarize themselves with these guidelines. The guidelines werte developed to allow the player to continue his or her development and play at the highest possible level. At the same time, Mass Youth Soccer recognized the need to provide guidance to resolve conflicts. The player priority guidelines are spelled out in detail in Section 342 of the Bylaws.

In general, the player priority guidelines come into play for:

1. ODP (state team) players of any age who are also on another team roster
2. Players under age 14 who are multiple rostered.

The player priority guidelines do not apply to a player who is age 14 or older and who is not on an ODP team.

The player priority guidelines establish player priority expectations in the following categories: major tournaments; state team (ODP) tryouts; regularly scheduled League games; make-up games; and practices.

These “priorities of play” are for players who are multiple rostered. These priorities:

Apply to all State Team players – regardless of age - rostered on any other team.
Apply to all multiple rostered players aged U14 and younger; but,
Do not apply to non-State Team players age U15 and above.
These priorities provide players, coaches and parents with a set of expectations for players rostered to multiple teams. They have been developed to enable players to rise to their highest level of soccer while affording them access to all levels of play. It was developed with input from representatives of all types and levels of play within the state. They have been developed to eliminate such questions as "Who do I play for?, which practice should I attend?, or “what team should I play with on a tournament weekend?” These priorities are to be respected and adhered to by all of the various soccer interests that compete for a player's attention and time.

In general terms, a player’s priorities are as follows.

1. Major Tournaments:
          a. Regional ODP Tournament (after Memorial Day)
          b. State Cup
          c. MTOC and Qualifying Games
          d. On a major national holiday weekends:
                    • Memorial Day – priority to Premier (MAPLE) Teams
                    • Columbus Day – priority to Town Teams
All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of scheduled conflict
2. State Team Tryouts (except Sunday afternoons during MAPLE seasons)
3. Regularly scheduled League games
4. Make-up games
5. Practices

However, there exist variations in priority based on the playing season. So please read and understand each category and how they interrelate.

Soccer Activity Priority List:

1. Regional ODP Tournaments
2. State Cup Tournament
3. MTOC and Qualifying Games
4. State Team Tryouts in summer, fall (other than on Sunday afternoons) and winter seasons only. Try-out dates must also be established and available through the State Office at least one month in advance.
5. All Games:
          a. State Team – Summer only
          b. Premier (MAPLE) Teams – all year for any games scheduled from 11:00 a.m.               on Sunday until dusk
          c. MTOC Eligible Town Teams – all year for any games scheduled from Friday               afternoon to Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
          d. State Team
          e. Non-MTOC Town, or any fall teams other than Premier or winter teams
6. Tournaments:
          a. State Team – (summer only)
          b. Premier (MAPLE) Teams – priority for Memorial Day Weekend only
          c. Town Teams – priority for Columbus Day weekend only
          d. All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of               conflicts.
7. Practices:
          a. State Team – priority during the Spring season. State Team practice dates               must be established and available through the State Office by at least
              March 15.
          b. Premier (MAPLE) Team – Division 1 only
          c. All other teams – players are to alternate attendance in event of schedule               conflict