GAMEPLAY OVERVIEW
(Read below for full details)
- 4v4 (U13+) and 5v5 (U7-U12) Games
- No out-of-bounds! (If the ball does go out through a gate, it restarts with a drop-ball to the closest keeper.)
- Substitutions: only when the play has stopped and referee permission. (i.e. after a goal, a foul, or if your keeper holds the ball)
- Restarts are Direct Kicks (except kickoff and drop-balls)
- Keepers can throw, drop-kick, or dribble the ball forward (no punting)
- Drop kicking - the ball clearly hits the ground before the keeper kicks it
- No Outdoor Cleats (wear indoor or turf shoes)
- Slide tackling is not allowed; however, going to ground is permitted if it is not within playing distance of another player
- If the ball is trapped in a corner for more than 5 seconds, the referee will create a restart.
- Intentionally trapping the ball in the corner will result in a restart by the opposing keeper
- If the ball is trapped but both teams are making an attempt to play the ball, the restart will be with the closest keeper
- All league players must be on a roster. If you are caught with illegal player(s), you will forfeit the game 0 - 7. Illegal players are players that are too young, too old, or simply un-rostered before the deadline.
Adult League Game Play
Game Duration: 25 minute halves
Continuous Game Clock
All Restarts are Direct Kicks (except kickoff)
Youth League Game Play
U6-U12: 20 min halves
U13-U18: 25 min halves
Continuous Game Clock
All Restarts are Direct Kicks (except kickoff)
FULL LEAGUE RULES
KICKOFFS: All kickoffs are INDIRECT and the ball may move in any direction.
Player Uniforms: All players must wear uniforms of the same color. Goalkeepers MUST wear uniforms that will distinguish them from the rest of the players on both teams. In the event of a color conflict among teams, the team listed first on the schedule is the home team and is responsible to change into alternate uniforms. If the home team does not have alternate uniforms, the referee reserves the right to make them forfeit the game. Teams will NOT be allowed to play shirts versus skins.
We recommend each team choose a light and a dark colored jersey so they will always have a back up to change into when teams match.
The only shoes that will be permitted on the field will be “athletic” shoes, indoor soccer shoes, or turf shoes. No Cleats of any kind are permitted on the field.
SAFETY
Shin guards are mandatory for all players: Any player who is not wearing shin guards will not be allowed to play. Shin guards are mandatory for adults and youth.
Players must remove all jewelry before entering the game. This includes but is not limited to earrings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and hats.
If a leg or arm brace must be worn, any metal areas must be covered to the point where it does not pose a danger to other players. Any cast worn must be properly padded to the satisfaction of the referee and management.
Safety headgear is allowed. Heading the ball (headers) is permitted for Divisions U12 and older. Combined U11-U12 divisions will be considered U12.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
U6-U12
5v5 Games (4 field + 1 goalkeeper)
RECOMMENDED Maximum roster size of 10
U13-Adult
4v4 Games (3 field + 1 goalkeeper)
RECOMMENDED Maximum roster size of 10
Adult COED
4v4 Games (3 field + 1 goalkeeper)
Maximum 2 males on field at any time
RECOMMENDED Maximum roster size of 10
Player Rosters
- All rosters will be frozen prior to the start of the third game.
- Players may play on multiple teams in different Divisions.
- Dual rostering is permitted on a case by case basis and must be approved by the program director.
- Example: We may approve dual rostering a player(s) if it helps create a second team in the Division.
- Women in COED Division may dual roster, but must pick a team if their teams play each other.
- In order to participate in adult leagues, a player must be at least 18 years old at the start of the season.
- The program director reserves the right to make exceptions for players who are close to 18 years of age.
- Youth teams must submit proof of age for each player (Birth certificates or valid US Soccer Player ID or Roster).
SOCCER BALL SIZES
U6-U8: Size 3
U9-U12: Size 4
U13+ : Size 5
LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SCORING
Win: 3 points
Loss: 0 points
Draw: 1 point
Rankings will be based on the accumulated point total a team has earned. If teams have identical point totals, the following tiebreaker system will apply:
- Head to Head competition between the teams which are tied.
- Head to Head goal differential (goals for minus goals against)
- Total goal differential (goals for minus goals against)
- Total number of goals scored.
- Coin Toss
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TIES
If teams are tied after regulation time in a game that needs a winner (i.e. playoff game), there will be a shoot-out.
- Each player takes turns shooting at goal from the penalty spot, with the goal only defended by the opposing team's goalkeeper, who must remain on the goal line until the ball is played.
- Each team has five shots which must be taken by different kickers. Players can participate in the playoff shootout even if they were on the bench at the end of the game.
- The team that makes more goals is the winner. Shoot-outs finish as soon as one team has an insurmountable lead.
- If scores are level after five pairs of shots, the shootout progresses into additional "sudden-death" rounds, and additional players from the bench are allowed to shoot.
- No player may shoot twice until all players for their team have taken a shot OR until the opponent has repeated a shooter.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Teams have unlimited substitutions. Substitutions can be made on any dead ball restart when the ball is in your possession. Substitutions are also allowed after the goalkeeper makes a save and holds the ball (all substitutions must be approved by the referee).
REFEREE contact with ball
If the ball hits a referee and possession changes as a result, the referee may stop the play and award an uncontested drop ball to the team that previously had possession.
If the ball hits a referee and possession does not change, the referee may use his/her discretion to allow the play to continue.
GOALKEEPERS
- Goalkeepers may use their hands inside the penalty area.
- Goalkeepers may slide inside the penalty area but are NOT allowed to slide outside of the box.
- No Pass Back: Goalkeepers may not use their hands if the ball is intentionally passed back from a teammate. If they do, the resulting free kick for the opposing team is taken from just outside the penalty area at the nearest line.
- Goalkeepers must distribute the ball within 5 seconds of gaining possession. If they do not, the resulting free kick for the opposing team is taken from just outside the penalty area at the nearest line.
- Goalkeepers must be allowed to distribute the ball unimpeded.
- Goalkeepers can throw, roll, dribble, pass, or drop-kick. NO PUNTING.
- Goalkeepers cannot score from inside their penalty box
- Goalkeepers cannot score directly from a drop kick (if outside of the box, a second bounce is required to allow the ball to be live)
- If a goalkeeper intentionally uses their hands to prevent a goal while OUTSIDE their box, it will result in a yellow card penalty and free kick for the opposing team.
FOULS
Referees may penalize a player, award a free kick, and issue player warning cards based on the following fouls.
- Kicking, tripping, or hitting an opponent
- Pushing or holding an opponent
- Dangerous play
- Pushing a player into the boards
- Obstruction
- Violent conduct
- Handling the ball
- Slide tackling shall be deemed “dangerous play” if it is within playing distance of an opponent
Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalties
- Arguing with the referee
- Offensive language or gestures
- Encroachment: Intentionally interfering with the taking of a free kick by being within 10 feet of the ball. The offensive team does not have to ask for the 10 feet.
- Delay of Game: Intentionally touching the ball which causes a delay in the restart of play.
- Persistent Infringement: A fourth foul committed by the same player during the first or second half of play.
- Spitting On The Turf: For health and sanitary purposes
CAUTION CARDS and PENALTIES
BLUE CARD: Hard fouls or multiple fouls that warrant more than just a free kick
YELLOW CARD: Hard foul, dangerous play, unsportsmanlike conduct, retaliation
RED CARD: Player endangerment, verbal assault, excessive fouls, or fighting
BLUE = 2 minute penalty, expires after opponent goal
- The player receiving the penalty cannot return to the game until their full time penalty is served. (A designated player may serve the 2-minute penalty for the goalkeeper.)
- The team can replace the player after a goal is scored by the opponent.
YELLOW = 2 minute penalty, does not expire
- The player receiving the penalty cannot return to the game until their full time penalty is served. (A designated player may serve the 2 minute penalty for the goalkeeper, at the discretion of the referee.)
- The time penalty does NOT expire if a goal is scored by the opponent.
- 2nd YELLOW = RED = 4 minute penalty
- Player cannot return to the game.
- Team must serve full 4-minute penalty
- Player misses next match
STRAIGHT RED = Player ejected and misses next match. (NO exceptions)
- Team must play one player down for the remainder of the game.
- Incident will be reviewed and may result in multi-game suspension.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME
Mercy Rule: When one team goes up by a goal differential of 7, the team behind must add a player to the field (if they have 3 subs). If they do not have 3 subs, the team behind has the option to go up a player or have the winning team go down a player. (This will result in a 1-player advantage. 5v4, 6v5, or 4v3.)
If the goal differential becomes 14, the team ahead must remove a player. (This will result in a 2-player advantage. 5v3, 6v4, or 4v2.)
All fighting will result in red cards. Fighting that involves the majority of a team will result in the team being suspended. Players or teams with multiple infractions will be suspended from future seasons. Refunds will not be given in situations involving player or team suspensions.