This is an updated excerpt from the SAY Rulebook, to see how "Rec-Plus" fits into your program,
Call the SAY National Office at (800)233-7291.

RULE 15 – APPROVED "REC-PLUS” VARIANCES UPDATED APRIL 2009

           RULE 15 – APPROVED "REC-PLUS” VARIANCES
                      1. Philosophy: It has been a stated S.A.Y policy that teams consisting of "selected” players would not be to the benefit of the vast
                          majority of the youngsters playing within a SAYArea. However, SAY does recognize that the demographics of some of its SAYAreas
                         may be best served by allowing the implementation of an complimentary, supplementary or independent "Rec Plus” program, which
                         would best serve the playing needs of all of the youngsters within the SAYArea.


                       2. A "Rec-Plus” program may only be implemented by a SAYArea after the SAYArea has submitted a written proposal to the SAY National
                          Executive Director/Director of Officials , and the proposal has been approved by the SAY National Executive Director in writing. The
                          approved SAYArea may operate the program in a District format or any other format as long as it is not in violation of the SAY
                          Organizational Rules. The Primary SAY Program and the Complimentary Rec Plus Program are played in conjunction with each other
                          in the same playing season. The Primary SAY Program and the Supplementary Rec Plus Program must be played in separate playing
                          seasons. The Primary SAY Program and the Independent Rec Plus Program are separate yet related programs that are played in the
                          same playing season.

                      3. A "Rec-Plus” SAY program may be either:
                                 A. A "Complimentary” Rec Plus program, where the "Rec-Plus” teams would be made up of players from the Primary SAY
                                    teams playing (and practicing) at different times and not in conflict with the Primary SAY program.
                                 B. A "Supplementary” "Rec Plus program could be played entirely within a SAYArea’s "Secondary” season, as defined in
                                    Rule 2, Section 4 and not be in violation of competing with the SAYAreas Primary SAY program.
                                 C. An Independent” Rec Plus program, where "Rec-Plus” teams/leagues would be formed separately and in addition to the
                                    primary SAY teams/leagues. Such a program will only be approved in large SAYAreas where there are a sufficient number
                                    of players and facilities to support both programs without in any way adversely affecting the Primary SAY program.

                        4. Specific Rule Requirements and Permitted Variances:
                                 A. All SAY Organizational Rules shall be followed except as may be mentioned in the following Sections.
                                 B. RULE 1 – Age Classification
                                            (1) Teams may be broken down into one (1) – year or two (2) – year age groups only.
                                            (2) Children under eight (8) years of age may not play on a "Rec-Plus” team.
                                            (3) Short-Sided team format may be used for all age divisions.
                                 C. RULE 4 – Leagues
                                            (1) An approved "Rec-Plus” SAYArea may combine teams to form leagues with another SAYArea or SAYAreas,
                                               only if all the SAYAreas involved mutually agree and each SAYArea has been separately approved to operate a
                                               "Rec-Plus” program.
                                            (2) Rec Plus teams may also play with other USSF Affiliated leagues.
                                 D. RULE 6 – Player Agreements
                                             (1) Complimentary "Rec-Plus” Program
                                                 A variance to allow a player to participate on a Complimentary "Rec-Plus” SAY team in addition to his/hers
                                                primary SAY team may be granted only if the following conditions  are met:
                                                       (a) There is no conflict of game schedules and/or practices with the player’s primary SAY  team
                                                           (i.e. the player’s first responsibility is always to the primary team).
                                                       (b) Players are being selected to play in the Rec Plus program, they are NOT being selected to play by
                                                           and/or for a particular team.
                                                       (c) If a player leaves the primary SAY team then that player is no longer eligible to participate on a
                                                           "Rec-Plus” SAY team.
                                             (2) Supplementary and Independent "Rec-Plus” Program
                                                 There will be no variance of Rule 6, i.e., a player will participate on only one specific SAY "Rec-Plus” team for
                                                 one entire season.
                                 E. RULE 8 – Legal Team
                                    Even though players would be "invited or selected” to participate in a "Rec-Plus” program, the formation of teams shall still
                                    adhere to all of the requirements of RULE 8,  excluding Sections 8.3 and 8.4.
                                 F. RULE 12 – Participation
                                            (1) There will be NO variance of RULE 12 allowed under any circumstances. It is still the mandate of SAY that ALL
                                                players shall be allowed to play at least the equivalent of approximately one-half of every game, as closely as possible.
                                            (2) All of the requirements of RULE 12 shall be enforced in a "Rec-Plus” program or approval  of the program will be
                                                            withdrawn by the National Board of Directors.
                                 G. There will be no inter-play allowed between any "Rec-Plus” SAY team and any Primary SAY team.

                      5. The approval by the SAY National Board of Directors of a SAYArea to operate a "Rec-Plus” program is limited to a one (1) year period
                         of time. The SAYArea will be required to bear the burden of proof that it will be able to meet (or that it has met and/or it will continue to
                         meet) all the requirements of operating a compliant "Rec-Plus” program that does not in any way adversely affect the primary SAY
                         program within the SAYArea. For a SAYArea to continue to operate an established "Rec-Plus” program, the SAYArea will be required
                         to file for re-approval each and every year.