Game Rules and Regulations

(Revised as of 2/08/05)

I.                   PLAYER REGULATIONS

RULE 1.         PLAYER STATUS:   (AMATEUR or PROFESSIONAL)

            Players are either amateur or professional as defined in this section.

Amateur:  An amateur player is any person other than a professional player.  An amateur player may not receive and retain any remuneration for playing except expenses directly related to games, which have been actually incurred by the player.

Professional:  A professional player is a person who receives or who has received payment for playing, or who signs a professional form of the United States Soccer Federation (U.S.S.F.).

RULE 2.      PLAYER REGISTRATION

No professional players may participate in the league.  Amateur players may participate, provided they are duly registered as follows:

Registration Period: The League Registrar processes the registration of amateur players during the pre-registration dates established by the Board of Directors.  Teams that do not meet the established registration deadlines will incur a Late Registration fee (as determined by the Board of Directors prior to start of season) that must be paid prior to start of season.  If not, team will under no circumstances be eligible to play until fee has been paid.

Teams that have approved membership applications may continue to register players after league games have commenced, however, under NO circumstances will registrations be accepted after the fourth week of the season.  The Board of Directors must approve exceptions being season-ending injury/pregnancy or player abandonment. The documentation listed below must be submitted to the league registrar no later than 9pm, the Thursday prior to Sunday’s game.  If not, new player will under no circumstances be eligible for that Sunday’s game.

                        The following documentation must be submitted to drop a player who has suffered a season-ending injury or                         pregnancy:

1)      A formal letter from the Team Manager/ Coach that states the name of the injured/pregnant player, date and time of injury, and location.  Either the team coach or manager must sign this letter.

2)      Completed Drop form

3)      Drop fee

4)      Injured/pregnant player’s pass

5)      New player registration information (registration form, copy of driver’s license, and two wallet size photos) 

There will under no circumstances be any players added or dropped prior to the weekend of league playoffs.

Player Abandonment: Should a player miss three (3) consecutive games and the team has had no success in getting in touch with that player, the team may petition the Board of Directors to drop player.

                       The following documentation must be submitted to drop a player who has abandoned their team:

            1.      Team Game Sheets for three games in question

2.      A formal letter from the Team Manager/ Coach that states the reason the player is being dropped.  Either the team coach or manager must sign this letter.

3.      Completed Drop form

4.      Drop fee

5.      Player’s pass

6.      New player registration information (registration form, copy of driver’s license, and two wallet size photos) 

There will under no circumstances be any players added or dropped prior to the weekend of league playoffs.

Dissolution of a Club: Players who change affiliation as a result of dissolution of the club with whom they played are subject to a waiting period of seven days from the date of dissolution before being eligible to play for a different club in any league competition.

Merger of Clubs: In the event of a merger of clubs, players on each of the clubs may participate as a player on the newly formed club without the necessity of re-registration.

RULE 3.         PLAYER LIMITATION

Maximum Players:  A member club may have a maximum of twenty (20) registered players on its roster at any time and a minimum of thirteen (13).  Under no circumstances shall the total number of registered players exceed 20.

            Age status is defined as follows:

·        19 and over – A player must be at least 19 years of age, turning 19 before the first game of the participating season.

RULE 4.         CHAMPIONSHIPS

Season Champion: The season champions shall be determined by a cumulative point system.  All regular season games count towards a team’s final standings.  The team with the most points at the end of the regular season will be deemed Season Champion, and awarded a prize decided by the Championship Committee.

Division Champion:  The divisional championship participants shall be determined by a cumulative point system.  All regular season games count towards a team’s final standings.  Teams, who finish first in their division playoffs, will be deemed the Division Champion and awarded a prize decided by the Championship Committee.

Point System:

·        WIN                      6 Points            Awarded for each game that is won

·        TIE                        3 Points            Awarded for each game that ends in a tie

·        LOSS                    0 Points            Awarded for each game that is lost

·        GOALS*               1 Point             Awarded for each goal that is scored

* A maximum of three (3) goals

·        SHUT-OUT*         1 Point             Awarded if you do not allow any

goals scored against you

*The opposing team score must = 0

·        FORFEIT              10 Points          Awarded to opposing team of cancelled game

Two teams with the most cumulative points (deemed season champion) from Division II will automatically move up into Division I.  The two teams with the least cumulative points in Division I will automatically be moved to Division II.  

Tie Breakers: If there is a tie in the total number of team accumulated points at the end of the scheduled season in each group, or after playoff competition, the final positions will be determined as follows:

1.)    Head to Head Competition

2.)    Goal Differential

3.)    Aggregate Score Between the Teams

4.)    Points Earned (within each group)

Play-off Games: If a play-off game ends in a tie at the end of regulation time, two overtime periods of seven and one-half minutes each shall be played.  In the event the tie is not broken during the overtime periods, the game result shall be determined by penalty kicks.

Championship Awards:  These awards are to be determined by the Championship Committee formed at the beginning of each season.

RULE 5.         TEAM WITHDRAWAL

Withdrawal:  If a team does not complete its regular season championship schedule and has not completed one-half of its scheduled games, the results of all games played shall be nullified and all accumulated points withdrawn.  If one-half or more of the scheduled games have been completed, the results of all games played up to the date of termination shall stand.  Any remaining games shall be awarded to the opposing team on the basis of a “1-0” WIN, for a total of eight (8) points.

Dissolution:  Any team which dissolves or wishes to withdraw from the league, shall do so in accordance with the applicable provisions of the approved by-laws.  Failure to do so shall subject such a team to a $50.00 fine.

Forfeits:  Any team not appearing or otherwise failing to play two consecutive scheduled league games or four (4) cumulative games shall forfeit the right to participate in any further league games and shall be subject to a $50.00 fine.  Any team forfeiting a game shall be deducted a total of 3 points from their accumulative season points.

RULE 6.         REFEREES

Approval & Fees: The Board of Directors shall approve ALL officials assigned to the league games prior to scheduling.  The amount of compensation to be paid to the referees shall be a fixed amount and agreed upon at the annual meeting.

Cancellation: It is the responsibility of the Scheduling and Games Chairperson to give sufficient notice of any game cancellation to the Referees Chairperson.  With the exception of unpredictable weather-related conditions, if such notice is not given and the assigned referees appear on the field, they shall be entitled to their fees.

Game Reports: Upon completion of a scheduled game, it will be the responsibility of the Center Referee to complete a Game Report on an official form and submit to the Games & Scheduling chairperson immediately following the completion of the game.   This report must be clear and legible and include player jersey number, player pass number, first and last names.  In addition, the first and last names of all 3 officials must be clearly noted.  Referee fees will be paid after Games & Scheduling person is in receipt of completed Game Report and has determined all required information is included.

1)      Signed Game Sheets of both Competing Teams

2)      Game Location, Field Number, Date, and Time

3)      Final Score

4)      Player Infractions

5)      Ejections  - should include the following:

·        name of player (s)

·        detailed description of cause for ejection

·        aggressor/defender, if applicable

6)   Description of accidents, injuries or unusual incidents

RULE 7.         GENERAL RULES

                       Except as modified herein, all games within the league shall be played under the rules of the Federation International                           Football Association (F.I.F.A.).

Playing Field: Specifications as to the size of the field, height of corner flags, goal measurements, and the required markings of the field shall be according to the laws of the game as defined by F.I.F.A.

Field Maintenance: The playing field shall be protected against infringements made by spectators.  Each team is responsible for maintaining order and shall provide sufficient supervision and crowd control.  Should the crowd for either team exhibit harassing or negative behavior, the referee will provide a warning.  If behavior persists and warning has been given, team responsible will be subject to penalties indicated under Infractions section.

Infractions:  Failure of any team to comply with playing field requirements herein shall be subject to a fine of $25.00 and forfeiture of the game.

F.I.F.A. Rules Modifications:

Slide Tackling:  Slide tackling is not permitted.  Any “dangerous” man on play will result in a yellow card and an indirect free kick given to the opposing team.   A “non” dangerous man on play will result in an indirect free kick given to the opposing team however, does not automatically constitute a yellow card infraction.   A player sliding to maintain control of the ball in effort to keep the ball in play from the sideline or goal line, and is no where within the vicinity of any opposing player, is not deemed a “slide” tackle.   As in all other Game Rules, the referee is the final law of the game.

Playing Ten (10) or Less Players: Teams must start a game with a minimum of seven (7) players.  The opposing team may play 2 players up (not to exceed the maximum of 11 players) against a team that begins a game with less than the standard eleven (11) players.   Opposing team may add a player appropriately as the other team adds a player, not to exceed more than 2 players up.

RULE 8.         GAME DURATION

Duration: League games shall be of ninety (90) minutes total duration, consisting of two equal halves with a 15 minute half-time.  In the event that a game is terminated by the referee prior to its completion due to weather or other conditions beyond control, the game will be rescheduled and started over.

Starting Time: The weekly schedule of games and kick-off time set by the Scheduling and Games Chairperson shall be strictly followed.  Players must be on the playing field by the appointed starting time.  There will be a ten (10) minute leeway period given.  The clock will automatically begin upon the 10 minutes of leeway.  Failure to comply with this rule will result in forfeiture of the game, imposition of a $25.00 fine and additional referee’s fees against the offending team.  Exceptions:  1.) In the situation where a team has communicated to the opposing team they will have 7 players available to start upon the 10 minutes of leeway, and the opposing team does not elect to take the forfeit but would rather commence game play, the game clock will still begin on the 10 minute mark no matter when the players are on the field and ready for play.  Game duration will be marked at 90 minutes from the 10 minute commencement.  2.) In the event a game cannot start on time, both teams in agreement with the consent of the referees may agree to play shortened halves (i.e., 30-minute halves) for a friendly game (which does not qualify as a regular league game).

Postponements: NO scheduled game may be postponed unless the Scheduling and Games Chairperson and the opposing team have been contacted at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the scheduled game and total consent has been given by all three parties.  Exceptions being a postponement due to weather or other condition beyond control with the approval of the Board of Directors.

RULE 9.         TEAM ROSTER AND GAME SHEET FORMS

Team Rosters: All players participating in game play shall have their names, jersey numbers, address, date of birth, phone number and player pass number printed or typed on the official Roster form.  No player number shall be alike on any given team and players must use the same jersey number for each game.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in a $25.00 fine to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.

Team Game Sheets:  Players must print and sign the Game Sheet with their full first and last name, jersey number and player pass number prior to the start of a game.  Substitutes are required to sign the Game Sheet form upon entering the game.  No player number shall be alike on any given team and players must use the same jersey number for each game.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in a $25.00 fine to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.

Player Passes: An official valid player pass must be delivered to the assigned referee prior to the commencement of play.  All passes must bear the player’s photograph and date of birth to be considered valid.  Any player arriving after the start of the game MUST present their player pass to the referee or closest official, prior to entering the game.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in player ineligibility for the next game and a $25.00 Team fine to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.

All coaches MUST wear their coach’s pass on the sidelines during games.

RULE 10.       UNIFORMS

Requirements:  All players shall appear in coordinated, clean uniforms at all league games.  Shirts must be of the same color with unique numbers printed on the backside. Each team must be prepared with a set of light and dark color socks; both teams cannot wear the same color socks.  The goalkeeper must have a contrasting uniform to her teammates and the opposing team.  A referee may prohibit a player from participating in a game if, in his/her opinion, the dress of the player leads to error in team identification.

Uniform Changes:  If the uniform color of competing teams is the same or nearly the same, as to cause difficulty in identification, it will be the responsibility of the Home team to change uniform shirts and socks, or provide a means for team differentiation satisfactory to the referee, (i.e. – pennies / shin guard sleeves to cover socks).

RULE 11.  JEWELRY:

No player is allowed to wear jewelry during a game.  This is a USSFC and FIFA rule and will be strictly enforced by the referees.   Jewelry includes piercing in ears and face, earrings, protruding rings, watches or any form of jewelry considered dangerous by the referee.

RULE 12.       ADVERSE WEATHER or FIELD CONDITIONS

Rescheduled Games: The referee shall have the authority to determine whether a game is playable or not in the event of adverse weather or field conditions.  In the event that a game is called off, the referee shall notify the Scheduling and Games Chairperson, so that the game may be rescheduled.  Rainout information will be available on the league voicemail by 3:00pm on game day.

RULE 13.       REFEREE CONSIDERATIONS

Non-Appearance of Referee: If the referee assigned to officiate a game fails to appear, the team managers or coaches of the opposing teams may agree upon another person to referee the game.  Such a person need not be a State Certified referee.  A game played with an agreed substitute referee shall be considered official in ALL respects.  If the teams cannot agree upon a substitute referee, the game shall be canceled and the home team must notify the Scheduling and Games Chairperson to have the game rescheduled.

Completion of Game: Upon completion of the game, the home team shall furnish the Scheduling and Games Chairperson with the official Game Sheet for each team and a report of the referee’s non-appearance, including the name of the substitute referee.

RULE 14.       SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions:  Substitutions shall be unlimited and can be made during either team’s throw-ins.  No substitution shall be made during corner kicks or free kicks.  Substitutions shall be made at the discretion of the referee.

RULE 15.       GAME RESULTS

Reporting of Scores: It shall be the duty of each team to notify the League Webmaster by email, phone or fax of the game results including Stats.  Scores and Stats must be reported no later than the Wednesday evening after the previous Sunday’s game.  Any Scores or Stats that have not been reported will be left as “Not Reported”, and shall not be factored into the accumulative game points or season ending Stats.

RULE 16.       EXPULSION

League Misrepresentation: The relationship with any coach or team manager that has misrepresented the league or negatively impacted the league in any way may be terminated with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Fraudulent Acts: Any fraudulent acts committed with the intent to undermine the league rules will result in immediate league expulsion.  This includes, but is not limited to, player registration and team roster forms.

RULE 17.       MISCELLANEOUS

League Meetings: League meetings are held on a monthly basis.  All teams MUST have at least one representative in attendance at all meetings.  Acceptable forms of representation include players, coaches, team managers or team-affiliated member listed on the team roster.  No other form of representation will be accepted.   Failure to comply with these rules will result in a $25.00 fine to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.

Arbitration and Appeals: All appeals for review and decision must be submitted within 72 hours from the completion of the game to be reviewed.  Due to the extensive research that is involved with an appeal brought forward to the Arbitration Committee, a $50 bond fee will be assessed and if the appeal is lost, the league retains the fee.  However, if the appeal is won, the fee is then relinquished.

                        Discipline:

If a player, coach, or person affiliated with a team is removed from the field by the referee for any reason, the case must be reported by the referee to the Scheduling and Games Chairperson and the Board of Directors. A player so removed three times in one season will be automatically suspended until the Board of Directors has reviewed the player’s case. Coaches may also be required to sit out games as a result of foul and abusive language or other misconduct. A coach so removed three times in one season will also be automatically suspended until the Board of Directors has reviewed the coach’s case.  All board decisions will be made on a case per case basis. 

RULE 18.      SPECIFIC INFRACTIONS

Cautions (Yellow Cards):

a.)                Any player upon receiving two consecutive Yellow Cards within the same scheduled game, which is equivalent to one Red Card, shall be suspended from the next scheduled game.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

b.)                Any player who has been Cautioned (Yellow Carded) during five (5) separate matches within one season shall be suspended for one (1) game.   Player’s team will be deducted 1 point from total accumulated points at time of infraction, and will be posted on the web site standings.  Team Representative shall be notified when a player has reached (4) Yellow Cards as a reminder. It is the responsibility of the Team Representative to notify the Player.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

Sendings-Off (Red Cards):

a.)                Serious Foul Play.  Any player who has been ordered off the field by the Referee by committing any of the offenses punishable by a direct free kick or a penalty kick and uses disproportionate and unnecessary strength in a manner likely to injure an opponent, or uses intentional violence while challenging for the ball against an opponent, or spits on or at an opponent or any other person will be suspended for (2) two games.   The team will be fined $25.00 to be paid prior to the next scheduled game, and will be deducted 3 points from total accumulated points at time of infraction.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

b.)                Offensive or Abusive Language.   Any player who has been ordered off the field by the Referee for insulting opposing players or officials, or using foul and abusive language shall be suspended for (2) two games.   Player’s team will be fined $25.00 to be paid prior to next scheduled game, and will be deducted 3 points from total accumulated points at time of infraction.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.