The Rules Committee has the right to amend any rule during the course of the season, as well as make a decision on any situation not specifically covered by the written rules. The following Rules of Competition shall govern all playing divisions except in cases where specific modifications have been made.

*The results of all games are final – there are no protests!!

1.0 SCHEDULED/RESCHEDULED GAMES:

1.1 All Games shall be played in accordance with the published schedule. Exchanges of opponents will be permitted. Games will not be rescheduled for any reason – exception – weather.

1.2 League Officials are authorized to postpone any game prior to its commencement, due to inclement weather or field conditions.

1.3 Referee or League Officials can abandon a game at any time due to climate or field conditions, or for any other reason set forth in rules.

1.4 If a game is abandoned by a League Official or Referee before the first half has been completed, the game shall be rescheduled in its entirety. If the first half has been completed, the game will be considered an official game and the results will stand.

2.0 GAME BALL

2.1 – Size #3 = Tykes & Novice #4 = Junior & Youth #5 = Intermediate & Senior.

2.2 Game balls will be provided by the referee.

3.0 PLAYERS

3.1 A team shall only play with the players on the roster. No additional players are allowed to be placed in play.

3.2 The following number of players will take the field for each division unless otherwise specified by the league. Fall and Spring season vary, and numbers are subject to change based on enrollment.

Tykes – 4

Novice – 7 – minimum of 5

Juniors – 9 minimum of 6

Youth – 9 minimum of 6

Intermediate – 11 minimum of 7

Senior – 11 – minimum of 7

3.3 Grace Period = 10 Minutes

3.4 A team which appears at the scheduled start of the game with less than the required minimum number of players will be given a ten (10) minute grace period to field the necessary number of players. If a team is unable to field the required number of players, the game will be declared a forfeit. A scrimmage game should be played if possible so that the players who are present have the opportunity to play. In the event of a scrimmage, players may be shared so that the teams are evenly matched.

3.5 The overall length of the game will be shortened by the amount of time the start was delayed. Time will be evenly deducted from each quarter or half. The referee will inform the coaches of the amended length of the quarters/halves.

3.6 If a team falls below the required minimum number of players needed to continue the game, said game will be forfeited.

3.7 All players must play at least half of every game, not necessarily continuously, with the following exceptions:

3.7.1 Injury

3.7.2 Severe disciplinary problems

3.7.3 Consistent, unexcused absences (School practices are excused absences) 11

3.7.4 Unexcused lateness to a game – the player is deemed to have played in the part of the game they missed

3.8 Any coach who intends to keep a player out of a game or have them play less than half the game should consult with their division coordinator prior to the game.

3.9 Failure to comply with Rules 3.7 & 3.8 may result in the forfeiture of the game in which the infraction occurred.

4.0 SUBSTITUTIONS

4.1 After obtaining permission from the referee, either team may substitute when play is stopped under following conditions: 4.1.1 Goal Kick

4.1.2 After goal is scored.

4.1.3 Injured player

4.1.3.1 Attended player must sit out for one(1 play and may return with the referee’s permission

4.1.4 Penalty Kick – the only substitution allowed is for a player who is injured, cautioned, or ejected. The substitute may not take the penalty kick

4.1.4.1 Only players on the field at the time of the penalty can take the kick.

4.1.5 Yellow or Red Card – either team may substitute.

4.2 After obtaining permission from the referee, the team in possession of the ball may substitute on a corner kick or throw-in.

4.2.1 If the team in possession chooses to substitute, then the other team may also substitute.

5.0 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

5.1 All permitted devices worn for medical purposes must be approved by the league PRIOR to the start of the game.

5.2 All players are required to wear their uniform shirt, black shorts, and black socks. Street apparel is not permitted.

5.3 All players are required to wear shin guards BENEATH their socks (age & size appropriate).

5.4 Goalkeeper is required to wear a jersey that is a different color from that of either team. The goalkeeper may wear gloves.

5.5 In cool/cold weather, sweatshirts and sweatpants may be worn UNDERNEATH the team uniform.

5.5.1 Hooded sweatshirts must have the hood tucked under the uniform shirt.

5.6 The following are permitted and may be worn during a game.

5.6.1 Orthopedic Cast – the player must have a note on hand for each game from their physician stating that it is safe for them to play. The cast must be covered in bubble wrap and is inspected and approved 13 prior to game by the RFC (Referee Field Coordinator) NOT the referee.

5.6.2 Safety Goggles/Glasses – prescription

5.5.3 Goalkeeper may wear a soft bill baseball cap or visor.

5.6.4 Medic Alert bracelets or tags

5.7 The following are prohibited and may never be worn

5.7.1 Metal cleats of any kind

5.7.2 Sharp or badly worn cleats

5.7.3 All Jewelry – including rings, watches, pins, necklaces, bracelets, earrings – this also applies to items made of rope or string.

5.7.4 Metal or plastic hair clips, hair beads, or head bands

5.7.5 Braces with exposed metal or hard plastic

5.7.6 Helmets, baseball caps, or visors (see exception rule 5.6.3 above)

5.7.7 Non-prescription glasses or sunglasses

6.0 DURATION OF THE GAME

6.1 All Games except Tykes & Seniors will consist of 4 quarters of equal length with 1-minute intervals after the 1st& 3rd quarters and a 5-minute interval after the 2nd quarter (half-time).

6.2 Duration of the games as follows:

Tykes = (2) 15-minute halves

Novice = (4) 10-minute quarters

Junior = (4) 15-minute quarters

Youth = (4) 15-minute quarters 14

Intermediate = (4) 18-minute quarters

Senior = (2) 40-minute halves

6.3 All games will be played with “running time”. The clock will not only be stopped at the end of each quarter or half. It will not be stopped at any other time except for a serious injury to one of the players and the referee calls a time out. The referee is the official timekeeper of every game.

7.0 START OF THE GAME

7.1 A coin toss determines the direction of play and possession of the ball.

7.2 The visiting team “calls” the toss. The winner of the toss shall have the choice of either possession of the ball or direction or play.

7.3 Ball possession and direction of play shall be reversed at the start of the 3rd quarter/2nd half.

7.4 A kickoff is used at the start of the game and after a goal is scored. At the kickoff, all players must be within their half of the field.

7.5 The ball is kicked forward from the center of the field and is in play once it has been touched by another player. The kicker cannot play the ball again until it has been touched by another player. No opposing player may be in the circle until the ball is in play.

8.0 BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

8.1 The ball is out of play when it wholly crosses the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air or when the referee has stopped play

8.2 The ball is in play at all other times including:

8.2.1 When it rebounds off a cross-bar or goal post

8.2.2 When it touches an official on the field

8.2.3 When the ball is played forward at a kickoff

8.2.4 When a drop ball touches the ground

8.2.5 When a ball thrown in breaks the plane of a touch line. A player may be out of bounds and legally play a ball on the field

8.3 A drop ball occurs:

8.3.1 Opponents simultaneously cause a ball to go out of bounds

8.3.2 The ball becomes deflated

8.3.3 Following temporary suspension of play for an injury or unusual situation and neither team has clear possession of the ball

8.3.4 Opponents commit simultaneous fouls of the same degree

8.4 The spot of a drop ball is:

8.4.1 Where the ball becomes dead, unless in the penalty area, then the drop ball occurs at the spot nearest that point outside the penalty area 16

8.4.2 Five yards inside the boundary line, unless in the penalty area

8.5 The drop ball is held between two opponents and cannot be played until it touches the ground. Should the ball be played before it touches the ground, the referee shall drop the ball again. If the same player continues to play the ball before it hits the ground, he/she will be replaced by another player. Other players positioned anywhere, provided they do not interfere with the play.

9.0 SCORING

9.1 A goal is scored when the ball wholly passes over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar. One point is awarded for each goal.

9.2 A goal may be scored during play directly from a:

9.2.1 Direct Kick

9.2.2 Penalty Kick

9.2.3 Corner Kick

9.2.4 Drop Ball

9.2.5 Goalkeeper’s punt or throw

10.0 FREE KICKS

10.1 Free kicks are classified as either direct or indirect

10.1.1 A direct free kick is one from which a goal can be scored directly by the kicker without another player first touching the ball

10.1.2 An indirect free kick is one from which a goal cannot be scored directly by the 17 kicker. The ball must first touch another player (from either team) before it enters the goal

10.2Free kicks shall be taken from the point of an infraction with the following exceptions:

10.2.1 If an indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team in the opponent’s goal area, the kick must be taken from the goal area at the point nearest to where the infraction occurred.

10.2.2 If a direct kick is awarded to the attacking team in the opponent’s goal area, the kick becomes a penalty kick and is taken from the penalty line.

10.2.3 If a coach or player from the sidelines enters the field without permission an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the place where the ball was when the play was halted.

10.2.4 If play was halted for an injury and one team had clear possession of the ball, an indirect kick will be awarded to that team at the place where the ball was when the play was halted.

10.2.5 If play was halted because of misconduct by an individual on the sideline, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing 18 team at the place where the ball was when the play was halted.

10.3 When a player is taking a free kick outside his/her own team’s penalty area, all opposing players must be at least 10 yards from the ball in every direction, unless they are standing on their own goal line between goal posts.

10.4 When a player is taking a free kick within his/her own team’s penalty area, all opposing players must be outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the ball in every direction. All free kicks taken within the penalty area by the defending team must clear the penalty area before the ball can be touched by another player. Free kicks that do not leave the penalty area will be taken again.

10.5 When taking a free kick, the ball must be stationary when kicked and is in play once it’s touched. If not done correctly the kick shall be retaken. Exceptions – kick off and penalty kicks must go forward.

10.6 Once in play, the ball cannot be kicked a second time by the kicker until it has been touched by another player from either team. A violation of this rule will result in an indirect kick being awarded to the opposing team at the point of infraction.

11.0 OFFSIDE

11.1 Offside position = if the player does not have the ball and there are less than 2 opposing players (including the goalkeeper) between them and the opposing 19 team’s goal line. Usually one of these players is the goalie of the opposing team but it does not have to be. It is not an offside offence in itself to be in an offside position.

11.1.1 A player IS NOT in an offside position if the player is

11.1.1.1 In their own half of the field of play

11.1.1.2 Level or even with the second to last opponent

11.1.1.3 Level or even with the ball

11.1.1.4 In an offside position during a throw-in, corner kick, goal kick, or drop ball

11.2 Offside occurs when the player is in an offside position WHEN THE BALL IS KICKED OR PLAYED, NOT WHEN IT IS RECEIVED. A player in the offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a teammate, the player is, in the opinion of the referee is involved in active play by:

11.2.1 Interfering with play

11.2.2 Interfering with an opponent

11.2.3 Gaining an advantage by being in that position

11.3 The penalty for an offside call is an indirect kick from the spot of infraction, unless the infraction occurs within the goal area. If the infraction is in 20 the goal area, the indirect kick may be taken from anywhere in the goal area.

12.0 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

12.1 A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following fouls:

12.1.1 Attempts to kick, strike, or jump at an opponent

12.1.2 Trips an opponent

12.1.3 Goalkeeper attempts to strike, hold or push an opponent

12.1.4 When a field player plays the ball with their hands

12.1.5 When the goalkeeper plays the ball with their hands outside the penalty box

12.1.6 Unfairly charges an opponent – feet of attacking player leaves the ground

12.1.7 Charges the goalkeeper who has possession of the ball

12.2 An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team when a player commits any of the following fouls:

12.2.1 The ball is played twice by the kicker following a kick off, free kick, goal kick (that leaves the penalty area), corner kick, or by the thrower of a throw-in before it has been played by another player.

12.2.2 Offside

12.2.3 Fairly charges an opponent when neither is within playing distance of the ball

12.2.4 Interference – a player without the ball deliberately obstructs an opponent who is attempting to play the ball or interferes with a goalkeeper’s attempt to release the ball into play.

12.2.5 A player kicks or attempts to kick the ball while the goalkeeper has possession

12.2.6 Dangerous play – such as kicking above the waist, slide tackling, or playing the ball from a prone position on the field

12.2.7 The goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than 6 seconds before releasing the ball into play

12.2.8 Goalkeeper plays the ball a second time after releasing it into play before it has been played by another player

12.2.9 A player deliberately kicks the ball to their own goalkeeper and the goalkeeper plays the ball with his/her hands. The goalkeeper may use their feed to play the ball under these circumstances. In addition, if the ball is headed back to goalkeeper by teammate, the goalkeeper is permitted to use their hands.

12.3 Yellow Cards will be issued to players or coaches for an infraction of any of the rules of good sportsmanship, including but not limited to:

12.3.1 Profanity

12.3.2 Arguing with the referee

12.3.3 Disruptive behavior Players that receive a yellow card must leave the field of play. They may be substituted and the offending player may return during the next legal substitution

12.4 Red Cards will be issued to players or coaches under the following circumstances:

12.4.1 Second infraction of the rules of good sportsmanship when committed by a player or coach who previously received a yellow card

12.4.2 Severe, flagrant, or extremely dangerous infractions

12.5 If a Yellow or Red card is issued, coaches must identify all persons receiving yellow and red cards to the referees

12.6 When the offender receiving the red card is a player or coach, he/she will be ejected from the game and must leave the field immediately. Failure to do so will result in an abandonment of the game by the referee and the game will be declared a forfeit.

12.7 Any person ejected from a game may not participate in the team’s next game. Failure to abide by this rule will result in the forfeiture of that game.

12.8 Where the offending person is a spectator, the team will receive the card in the offender’s stead. A red card issued to the team will result in a forfeiture of that game

12.9 Any player that receives a red card shall not be replaced by a substitute for the remainder of the game and his/her team will play a player down for the remainder of the game. Exception if the red card is a result of two (2) yellow cards. If the loss of said player causes team to violate rule 3.5, the game will be forfeited

13.0 PENALTY KICKS

13.1 A penalty kick is awarded when the opposing team commits an infraction, which would normally result in a direct kick, in their own penalty area

13.2 When a penalty kick is taken, the following rules must be adhered to:

13.2.1 All players except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and at least 10 years from the penalty line and the offensive player must be behind the ball

13.2.2 The opposing goalkeeper must stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked from a stationary spot on the penalty line

13.2.3 The goalkeeper can only move horizontally along the goal line

13.2.4 The kicker cannot kick the ball until he/she receives a signal from the referee.

13.2.5 After the kick, the kicker cannot play the ball a second consecutive time.

13.2.6 Once the ball has moved forward it is in play

13.3 The following refers to violations committed during a penalty kick:

13.2.1 If violator is a defensive player and no goal is scored – re-kick is award to offensive team

13.2.2 If violator is a defensive player and a goal is scored – infraction waived and goals stands

13.2.3 If violator is an offensive player and a goal is scored – re-kick

13.2.4 If violator is an offensive player and no goal is scored – if the ball went over the goal line then a goal is awarded. If the ball went into play then an indirect kick is awarded to the defending team.

14.0 THROW-INS

14.1 A throw-in is awarded when the opposing team last touches or plays a ball before the entire ball passes beyond the touch line, either in the air or on the ground

14.2 The following must be adhered to when making a throw-in. A violation of these rules will result in the throw-in being awarded to the opposing team.

14.2.1 The throw must take place at the spot where the ball went out of bounds.

14.2.2 The player taking the throw must face the field of play and have both feet on or behind the touch line when releasing the ball

14.2.3 The player must use both hands with equal force and deliver the ball from behind and over their head in one continuous motion

14.2.4 The player may not twist their torso to change the direction of the throw

14.3 If the throw-in fails to clear the plane and enter the field of play, the opposing team will be awarded a throw-in

14.4 If the player taking the throw-in plays the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player, an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of infraction

15.0 GOAL KICK

15.1 A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the opposing team last touches or plays the ball before it wholly crosses the goal line, in the air or on the ground, excluding that portion within the goal posts and under the cross bar.

15.2 The following must be adhered to when taking a goal kick:

15.2.1 Ball shall be kicked away from any spot within the goal area

15.2.2 Ball must be stationary when kicked

15.2.3 All players on the opposing team must be outside the penalty area

15.2.4 Ball cannot be played by either team until it has cleared the penalty area

15.3If the ball fails to clear the penalty area, the goal kick will be retaken

15.4 If, after clearing the penalty area, the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has been played by another player, an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of infraction.

16.0 CORNER KICK

16.1 A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team last touches or plays the ball before it wholly crossed the goal line in the air or on the ground – excluding that portion within the goal posts or under the cross bar

16.2 The following must be adhered to when taking a corner kick:

16.2.1 The corner kick shall be taken from the corner of the field nearest the point where the ball went out of play

16.2.2 All players of the opposing team must be at least 10 years from the ball until it is touched

16.2.3 The ball must be touched before it is in play

16.3 If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player, an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction