League and Tournament Rules

FOR ALL INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TEAMS:

 

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES:

  • Each team must have a declared Captain or Team Representative who is responsible for the conduct of their team. They must ensure that all players, including spares, have registered with their team
  • they must truthfully and accurately identify any player on their team in the event of discipline issues. 
  • Failure to ensure full registration of each player, or failure to ensure that all players follow the code of conduct can result in penalties for the Captain, and / or the team.
  • If a Team Representative is not an active player on the team or a non-player, they MUST declare a playing Co-Team Representative
  • Team Representatives are expected to esnure that the League's policies and code of conduct is followed by all players and their spectators / family / friends in attendance, or will be held accountable for their actions by means of a suspension, monetary fines, etc.

 

SCHEDULES & GAME SHEETS:

  • After the initial 3-4 games are played each season, teams will be avaluated and moved up or down divisions as deemed necessary. All points accumluated during those initial games will be carried over to your new division with your team. The slate is not wiped clean, and every point counts during the season. (the number of initial games played before the divisional changes are TBD for each individual season)
  • Game sheets must be brought to each game, and every player in attendance and playing that night MUST sign it at the field. It must be completed and given to the referee at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Any players arriving late to the game must sign the game sheet before entering the field, but any players arriving after the start of the second half will NOT be eligible to play. Everyone must be on the bench and fully dressed before the whistle blows to begin the second half or they will be relegated to the bench (for outdoor) or the upstairs viewing area (for indoor) and not permitted to play.
    • The game sheets for each team are found on the website under Game Sheets and Forms, and it is the ONLY authorized version to be use
  • If a team is not ready to play at the scheduled start time (fully dressed, with a signed game sheet, and their ID's ready) there will be penalties
    • If a team delays the start of the game from 1-5 minutes past the scheduled start time, they will play 1 male player down for the first 5 minutes of actual game play
    • if a team delays the start of the game from 6-10 minutes past the scheduled start time, they will play 1 male player down for the first 10 minutes of actual game play

 

 

PLAYER REGISTRATION:

  • Players must be registered at least 24 hours before the game in which they wish to play in. The following penalties will be applied if a team is discovered to have an unregistered or illegal player at any point during their game (this applies to any actual unregistered players, AND for any players who did not register at least 24 hours before their game, AND anyone who does NOT already appear on your pre-printed game sheet at the time of the game):
    • $300.00 fine due before your next scheduled game and a loss of the game in which the unregistered or illegal player was on the field for. If the fine is NOT paid before your next game, that game will also be considered a forfeit, as well as each of the following games until the fine has been paid
    • the captain and / or team representative(s) of the game with the unregistered or illegal player will serve a 2-game suspension
  • If a team has an unregistered or illegal player for a second time, the following penalties will be applied:
    • $500.00 fine due before your next game, and a loss of the game in which the unregistered or illegal player was on the field for. If the fine is NOT paid before your next game, that game will also be considered a forfeit, as well as each of the following games until the fine has been paid.
    • the captain and / or team representative(s) of the game with the unregistered or illegal player will serve a 6-month suspension, OR will be suspended for the remainder of the season (whichever time frame is shorter)
  • Female players and Goalies are allowed to play on multiple teams in the League, regardless of division placements, although they can NOT play on two teams in the same division. You may share any number of female players with other team(s)
  • if a goalie is shared with another team, the MUST indentify themselves as the goalie at the beginning of the season, and they will only be authorized to play in net for each game and on each team they have registered for. If they play out for a game at any point in the season there will be penalties, including but not limited to, suspensions, fines, loss of the game, etc.
  • For INDOOR up to 2 Male Players on a team will be allowed to play on one other team in the League, either in the Division 1-3 OR Division 4-8 grouping. If a team moves after the initial seeding games and they are no longer in the same grouping of 1-3 or 4-8 they will be grandfathered in and allowed to remain on both rosters. FOR THE 2023-24 INDOOR SEASON, THE GROUPINGS WILL BE OPEN DIVISION AND DIVISION 3; AND DIVISIONS 4-7. THE UP TO 2 POTENTIALLY SHARED MALE PLAYERS IN THE OPEN DIVISION & DIVISION 3 ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LEAGUE MANAGEMENT, AND WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MOVE THE LOWER TEAM UP A DIVISION, OR REMOVE THE PLAYER FROM THE LOWER DIVISION IN THE EVENT OF A STRONG PLAYER(S) PLAYING BELOW THEIR SKILL LEVEL IN COMPARISON TO THE OTHERS.
  • For OUTDOOR up to 3 Male Players on a team will be allowed to play on one other team in the League, but the teams CAN only be separated by 1 division (ie they can play in Divison 2 and 3; OR Division 3 and 4)  
    • if a male player wishes to play for a second team in the League that does not fall in the above mentioned groupings, it will be at the discretion of the League Management as to whether they will be allowed to or not. It will be decided on a case by case basis, and based partly on that indivudual's skill level, past performances, and history in the League (if applicable). We want to help the teams out and try to make it easier for you to find and retain players, while still keeping it as even and fair as possible for everyone else in your division.
  • Male player registration for divisions 3-7 will close the moment that each team's final initial seeder game begins (typically the 3rd or 4th scheduled game. Each team will be told their cut-off date and time at the beginning of the season)
  • Male player registration for the Open Division will be kept open for the duration of the regular season, but all requirements for Playoff eligbility remain the same. 
  • Female player registration will be kept open for all teams for the duration of the regular season, but all requirements for Playoff eligibility will remain the same.

 

 

FOULS, MISCONDUCT & DISCIPLINE:

 

  • all players who receive a yellow or red card must truthfully identify themselves to the referee immediately. If the player refuses to do so, they will be removed from the game, and the Captain will be required to identify them. If the Captain refuses to do so, they will also serve the same supsension and monetary fines as the player in question
  • When a player has received 3 yellow cards during the season, they will serve a minimum of a 1-game suspension. A second set of 3 yellow cards during the season will be reviewed, and the suspension length will be longer
  • when a Captain recieves 3 yellow cards during the season, they will serve a minimum of a 2-game suspension. A second set of 3 yellow cards during the season will be reviewed, and the suspension length will be longer.
    • We expect the Captains to be leaders for their players, and to show them the level of respect and fair-play that is expected in the League. They are held to a higher standard than the players, and their penalties will always be longer or more severe than what their players will receive.
  • when a player receives 2 yellow cards in a single game, they will then receive a red card and be asked to leave the field immediately. They will then serve a minimum of a 1-game suspension 
    • during Outdoor, the referee can decide if the player remains at the field to watch, or if they must leave the area
    • during Indoor, the player can NOT remain on the field or at the bench, and must immeditately leave the premises, or sit in the visitor viewing area
  • If the same player receives another set of 2 yellow cards during another game in the season, they will then serve a 3-game suspension.
  • If it happens a third time, they will serve a 6-game suspension
  • A red card for violent play or conduct by a player on or off the field will be fined $100.00 to be paid to the League before their next scheduled game, and a 5-minute penalty will be served by a remaining male player on the team for each red card awarded
  • All infractions occuring before, during, or after a game will be reviewed by League Management. We reserve the right to levy any penalties in accordance with the minimum standards at our discretion, and increase or decrease suspensions and penalties due to extenuating circumstances.
    • in the event of a red card or serious infraction, reports will be collected from the captains, the referee, and any witnesses which will all aid in the decision making process.
  • Please refer to the Mandatory Minimums For Fouls and Abusive Language file for further details
  • Players who appear to be under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will NOT be permitted to play and will be asked to leave the field and area immediately. If the referee can smell it, or physically be able to see that you're under the influence of something they will ask you to leave immediately.
  • Team Representatives are fully responsible for their teams, and the League reserves the right to apply escalating levels of discipline to the Team Representatives whose teams are regularly playing over agressively, are verbally abusive towards officials, staff members, and opponents, and / or receives an excessive amount of yellow or red cards
    • If a player is found to have been violent (verbally or physically; this includes any and all abusive, racial, or derogatory comments or slurs ) towards the referee, the staff, the opponents, the spectators, or the property, they run the risk of beign suspended from the League for a to be determined period of time, and / or having to pay a $500.00 deposit before they're allowed back on the field
    • If there are no further issues for the remainder of the season they will receive their deposit back at the end of Playoffs. If the deposit is not paid, they will be removed from your roster and banned from the League.
  • any team or player who has been suspended for the remainder of the season will receive NO REFUND on any fees paid, and no money will be returned to you.

 

ROSTER LIMIT & PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY:

  • Each Indoor team is allowed to have up to 25 players register for their team (this number must include the Captain or Team Representative, regular players, and any subs you may need for the season), and each Outdoor team is allowed to have up to 30 players register for their team.
  • To qualify for playoffs, a player must have played in AND signed the game sheet for at least 6 of their 18 regular season games.
  • For Indoor, each team will have a total of 6 players on the field ( 1 goalie, 3 men, and 2 women)
    • a game will NOT continue of a team has less than 4 players on the field (including the goalie and at least 1 female) after the first 10 minutes of the scheduled start time
    • a team can play with more than 2 women on the field, but never more than 3 men (not including the goalie, who can be either gender, and does not count towards the male or female player requirements)
    • a game can be played with a minimum of 4 players, but a female player MUST remain on the field at all times, otherwise it is an automatic forfeit
  • For Outdoor, each team will have a total 11 players on the field (1 goalie, 6 men, and 4 women)
    • teams can begin a game with only 7 players initially (as long as at least 1 player is a female), and play for 10 minutes past the scheduled start time. AT NO TIME CAN THERE BE NO FEMALES ON THE FIELD, NOT INCLUDING THE GOALIE.
    • Within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time, if a team can not field a minimum of at least 8 players (with at least 1 player being a female) then the team with less than 8 players will forfeit the game
      • the 8th player MUST have signed the game sheet already, be fully dressed (shoes, socks, shin guards, jersey) AND be on the field ready to play before or exactly at the 10-minute mark, otherwise the team will forfeit the game

 

TEAM JERSEYS, CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT:

 

  • all players must be wearing matching colors, and each jersey must have a different number clearly visible on the back of their shirt. The number must be a minimum of 6" high, and can not be secured with tape. It will be the referee's discretion and decision as to whether the jerseys and the numbers are clear and matching, and if a player will be permitted to play
  • In the event of opponents wearing the same or similar colors, the onus is on the Home Team to wear their second set of jerseys, or wear their pinnies (PLEASE NOTE: you will not be supplied with pinnies or back up shirts, and you are responsible for bringing your own)
    • if the Home Team can not fullfill their obligation and wear a different color, then it is considered a forfeit, with the fine being levied, and the 3 points awarded to the Visiting Team, and the game will be cancelled. 
  • shin guards are to be worn at all times
  • sweat pants or track pants may be worn IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY EXPOSED METAL (snaps or zippers)
  • all medical braces and Apple Watches or similar MUST be covered in Neoprene or similar material to protect the other players.
  • prohibited footwear includes all metal, running / regular everyday footwear, and baseball cleats
  • Jewelery (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc) are not allowed and must be removed prior to game time, or covered in Neoprene or tape
  • All Outdoor teams are responsible for bringing 2 corner flags to each game
  • For Indoor and Outdoor, all teams are responsible for bringing balls 

 

TIES IN STANDINGS:

 

  • in the event of a tie in standings at the conclusion the regular season games, the following steps will be taken to determine placement:
    • Largest Goal Differential
    • Largest Goal Scored
    • Extra Game to be played

 

 

BENCHES, FIELDS, & LOCATIONS:

  • For Indoor, only those players who are officially registered and eligible to play are allowed on the players bench and near the field. AT NO TIME ARE SPECTATORS OR PEOPLE NOT APPEARING ON YOUR ONLINE ROSTER PERMITTED ON THE FIELD OR YOUR BENCH AT ANY TIME
    • Suspended players are not permitted on your bench or near the field while under suspension. They must sit in the viewing area away the field and playing area at all times. 
  • For Indoor, games are 50-minutes long, with 2 25-minute halves
    • half time and pre-game warmup time frames will be at the discretion of the referee.
  • For Outdoor, games are 90 minutes long, with 2 45-minute halves. 
    • half time and pre-game warmup time frames will be at the discretion of the referee.
  • For Outdoor, in the event of inclement weather (fork lightning, snow storm, etc), the referee may choose to stop the game. As long as 60 minutes has been played, the game be considered completed, and the score at that time will stand. If for any reason the referee has to call the game before 60 minutes has been played, the game will be rescheduled at a later date, and the remaining time will be played.

 

 

RULES:

  • For Indoor, unlimited substitutions are permitted.
    • any player leaving the field MUST BE WITHIN 3 METERS OF THEIR BENCH BEFORE THEIR SUBSTITUTE MAY ENTER THE FIELD. If this does not occur, a yellow card will be given to the player entering the field illegally
    • all players are to leave and enter the field at the halfway line. Any player exiting or entering at any other point will be given a yellow card
    • SLIDE TACKLING IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, regardless of whether another player is nearby or not
      • Goalies may slide (NOT FEET FIRST) to keep the ball from going into the net, however is will be at the discretion of the referee as to whether they deemed that particular instance to be safe or not.

 

DEFAULTED GAMES & FORFEITS:

  • a fine of $200.00 is due to the League before your next scheduled game. If the fine is not paid in full before then, a fee of $100.00 is added each week until all monies owed have been paid
    • the forfeit fine will be used for the League's administration fees as a result of the cancelled booking on the contract with the RecPlex, or however the League sees fit
  • The following situations will result in a defaulted or forfeited game:
    • if the team does not have the minimum number of players on the field at the scheduled start time of the game
      • For Indoor, the minimum of players is 4, with at least one player being a female
    • if a player who has been ejected from the game for any reason does not leave the field in a timely fashion (at the discretion of the referee)
      • it is the responsiblity of the Team Representative to ensure that their ejected player leaves immediately
    • if a team chooses not to continue a game after an injury to any of their players
    • if a team cannot field the minimum number of players due to player(s) being ejected or injured
    • if a team refuses to continue the game for any reason other than safety concerns as agreed to by the Referee
    • if a team fails to meet the financial payment terms of the League
    • if a team fails to provide the necessary equipment (proper matching jerseys with different numbers; alternate colored jerseys if they are the Home Team, proper footwear and shin guards; official game sheet and photo ID's, and any applicable equipment such as a game ball, corner flags, etc)
  • The game result will be listed as a 3-0 win for the opposing team, who will have attendance marked down for all of their registered players. Regardless of when the game is forfeited, the team that has chosen to forfeit will NOT have anyone marked for attendance, even if the game has been forfeited at the field.  THE GAME WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED

 

PLAYER INJURIES:

  • if a player is cut or injured during a game and blood is drawn, the player MUST leave the field immediately to clean and bandage the wound or injury prior to being allowed to return to the game
  • in the event of any injury, players must immediately inform their captain and the referee. An incident form MUST be filled out the night of the incident (the staff at the U of W RecPlex have the forms and can give it to you). 
  • If you do not immediately inform the referee and your captain, AND do not fill out the required forms during that game in which it occurred, AND if there are no witnesses to back up the claims, you will NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO USE THE INSURANCE POLICY (**for those who had chosen to OPT INTO the insurance plan during their registration process)
    • if we have no record and paperwork from the evening of, the insurance company will not cover any injuries or complications later in the season
  • for those players who had chosen to OPT INTO the voluntary insurance plan, you may find further details under the Insurance Policy tab on the website, or email soccerlandleague@outlook.com for further details
  • For those players who had chosen to OPT OUT of the voluntary insurance plan, the RecPlex will still require you to fill out their incident report for any injuries occurring at the field

 

PLAYOFFS:

  • in the event of a tie, we will go straight to shootouts. ONLY the players who are on the field at the end of the game are permitted to take the shots, and all other players MUST remain on the bench or at the sidelines off of the field
  • in the event that the score is still tied after the initial shots (5 for Indoor, or 10 for Outdoor), each Captain will choose who takes the next shot. At that time, any player either on the field or waiting at the bench may shoot
  • Teams will continue to alternate shot for shot until one team scores and the other team misses.

 

 



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