3M Rules 

3M stands for Mercer, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. We provide a multi-town, recreation (no try-outs) soccer league. This league gives older child players an opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy the game of soccer, whether new to the game or experienced. Board Members, Town Coordinators, and Coaches operate on a volunteer basis. Our rules are fueled by the idea of creating an environment of fairness and fun for all involved. 3M remains current with NJ youth soccer guidelines as well as considering the needs of its participants. Adjustments to 3M rules and practices are implemented accordingly.

We encourage everyone to refer to this rule page often, including the 3M Principles Section at bottom for guidance in particular situations and unique details.

Please reach out to the following 3M board members for any questions, suggestions or clarification at any time. We appreciate your passion and your input!

Shannon Masterson - 3M@MONROESOCCER.COM 

Marc Josephson- mjosephson@jlkcpaspc.com

Jessica Chamberlain- Jchamberlain7@gmail.com

 Rules, schedules, and standings will be available on the 3M League website: http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=3msoccerleague. 

1.) Divisions & Rosters

Junior division is 7th Grade - 9th Grade (max age of 16). Senior division is 10th Grade - 12th Grade (max age of 19). Players can play up to an ‘older’ division, however cannot play down to a ‘younger’ division. Payers can only exist on 1 team roster per season.

Rosters require a minimum of 16 players listed. 

Each team Roster is allowed to list 2 travel carded players. *** 

Rosters are submitted (by town coordinators) to the 3M Director for prior season start approval. They will be returned and coordinators are to distribute all division rosters to the assigned coach. Coaches should possess their own team’s roster as well as all others in their division/sub division. This stamped roster is the official 3M team roster to be carried by coaches for game-day referee review for the duration of the season.

Coaches can request 3M director approval to add players to the roster up to the 5th week of the season. Roster changes are decided by the 3M board, to be approved/non at their discretion. Any new version of a team roster will be distributed to corresponding division participants. 

2.) Coach Requirements

Coaches are to remain professional and a positive example to their players at all times. Coaches are to follow protocol in regards to questions/concerns about referee calls and decisions. Report grievances/issues during SCORE REPORTING, or via private communication to Shannon, Marc or Jess. Do not engage poorly during game play, with a referee or spectator,  in the presence of children. 

Head Coaches (or assistant/representative) are required to participate in all coaches meetings. Coaches must review 3M rules prior to the season. All coach contact information is posted on the website to facilitate communication throughout the season. Coaches should encourage 3M participants to review rules, contacts, and schedules. 

Coaches are to carry safe sport & medical release forms (provided by league & filled out by player guardian), with attached player photo, at every day game to be reviewed by the referee during pre-game check in.

Coaches will communicate with opposing coaches and confirm upcoming games 6 days prior to the game (some towns have specific guidelines regarding time specifis).

Coaches are responsible for reporting the game stats by the end of game day, including scores, cards issued, and any other details. Reports are made via email to: 

Marc Josephson: mjosephson@jlkcpaspc.com

Shannon Masterson: 3m@monroesoccer.com 

Score Report Email Template:

Subject : "Game Scores"

Body: Division "Juniors/Seniors", "Boys/Girls" "Group (A,B,C)", "Date/Time/Venue of Game", "Home town Team & final Score", "Away town Team & final Score".

Then include any other important information including cards issued.

If this game was a rescheule, please include "rescheduled from previous date/time/venue" to help avoid any errors.

3.) Player Requirements

Players need proper equipment including shin guards and appropriate soccer cleats in order to play. Jewelry is not allowed. Religious pieces must be taped down and covered for player safety. 

Games may be shortened in consideration of team travel/late attendance, weather. If a game is cut short, it will be considered official and recorded as long as the second half has been started.

4.) Game Rules-Regular Season    (Playoff Rules Section Below)

Junior level games run as 2 - 40 minute halves. Senior level games run as 2 - 45 minute halves. 

21 players are allowed to be dressed and prepared to play in each game and must have a minimum of 8 rostered players to begin/play a game.

 If injury or red card exclusion applies, then the minimum is 7 players. 

If a team is playing with less than the typical 11 players, or any other number above 8/7, it is not encouraged that the opposing team matches the number of players.

Games may be shortened in consideration of team travel/late attendance, weather. If a game is cut short, it will be considered official and recorded as long as the second half has been started.

Referees usually maintain a schedule that includes other leagues/teams. If a game begins late, it typically has to end at the scheduled time.Referees are paid for their time/presence for assigned time period. The goal is to play/record a game to prevent unnecessary reschedules.

Substitutions have no limit and may be requested at ANY stoppage and at the discretion of the referee.

Coaches and teams shall gather on one side of the field, with parents/spectators on the opposite side. 

Referees must be a licensed Grassroots referee or above. The Center Referee must be 18 for Junior Division and 21 for Senior Division.

Slide tackling and foul language are strictly prohibited. Both offenses will result in a yellow card, at least. It is the referee’s discretion (based on severity and occurrence), to issue a red card.

Scores will only reflect a 6 goal differential. (See 3M Principles and Guidlines Below)

A yellow card is interpreted as a warning. A red card results in the recipient’s removal from the game, as well as the next. 2 yellow cards equal a red card. 

Red cards are reviewed by the 3M disciplinary committee: Howard Gessner (EB), Jeff Wurmbrand (Manalapan) and Jayson Lemberg (MSA).

5.) Reschedules

Same-Day Cancellations/Field Closures (typically weather) are to be communicated by hosting town coach to visiting town coach asap

coach contact/all team’s schedule information displayed on 3M website

Host Coach is responsible for providing 3 options to opposing coach (not during regular season scheduled game for opposing team) for makeup game with-in 7 days of canceled game date 

Opposing coach has 3 days to choose/confirm make-up game day/time

Forfeit will be applied to hosting/home team if 3 options are not provided in time restraints. 

Forfeit will be applied to visiting team if any 3 options provided cannot be attended 

6.) Scoring Methodology/Playoffs

Point System  Win = 3 points, Loss = 0 points, and a Tie awards each team 1 point. Scores will be recoreded as a 6+ goal differential at maximum.

Head-to-Head tie breakers are used if more than two teams tied, will only be used if teams have played equal amount of games against each other.

Playoffs Games have 2-5 minute overtime periods with the same game duration as regular season games.

Depending on number of divisions and number of teams, playoff eligibility will be decided before the start of each season. 

For Fall 2024 .........

3M Principles and Guidelines

The mission of our unique league is to create a healthy, fun, and competitive environment. 3M is technically a recreational division level soccer, hence no tryout to participate. Unlike school or travel, this league allows older children players to explore/experience soccer, without any needed previous experience. This means many players are new to 11 v 11, and often some are new to soccer entirely. We strive to create an atmosphere of learning the game of soccer, especially for those who are new. At the same time, we are encouraging our more experienced players to practice and advance their own individual skills, while also perhaps, taking on a role that displays leadership and sportsmanship to their fellow teammates. We strongly discourage a game outcome like the one reported. It can discourage the "losing team" as well as be unfun for the "winning team".

3M members and volunteer coaches have brainstormed and shared ideas over the years to prevent such outcomes. Again, our goal is to create a fun, competitive, educational environment that provides a positive experience to all players, on varying skill levels. If you find yourself with a very skilled set of players, it is the coaches responsiblility to adjust strategy accordingly. As a coach, it is a nice problem to have, and can, if dealt with correctly, allow for some further skill/character building techniques. 

Some ideas have been, once your team is up by a few...

--Rearrange players. Take this time of 'being ahead in goals' to put players in new positions. Push players' comfort and adaptability. Maybe test out new goalie options. Use the comfortable position as a learning space to experiment with new formations and positions.

--Drop from 11 to 10. Although its not always ideal, because we want to give players as much playing time as possible. But sometimes 3Ms schedule requires 2 games within a few days. So maybe having certain players sit in order to be rested for a future game can be appropriate.

--Challange your players.. Give them tasks. For example, "every player must touch the ball once (including goalie) before working up towards a goal attempt"... perhaps you need to take it further at times (if you find yourself with a super experienced set of players).. example: "only make passes or shots with a non dominant foot"...

Sometimes coaches find themselves with very skilled, experienced players and we understand the challenge that can bring when trying to promote restraint to children, especially teenagers. If the collective skill level is high among players, 3M still encourages a mission of learning and growth. We hope some of these tactics, or variations of, can continue to serve players by introducing a new set of achievements, while promoting an atmosphere of sportsmanship. 

3M's values are upheld by dedicated parent volunteers. We are always grateful to those who contribute their passion and time to help ensure the continued success of this league.