League Rules
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Section 1 Player Covenant
By participating in Pittstown FC soccer, it's games, practices, or other events, you, as a player/participant, acknowledge that you understand the Pittstown FC League Rules of the game as documented on the Pittstown FC web site and that you will abide by these rules. For those that do not have access to the web site, a paper or electronic copy will be provided by Pittstown FC upon request. Furthermore you agree that you understand the spirit in which Pittstown FC was founded and approaches the game. Finally, participation is a privilege afforded players in good standing with the club, and at any time and for any reason, Pittstown FC, at the discretion of its commissioners, may revoke this privilege for a player if that player's behavior is deemed inconsistent with the rules of Pittstown FC and/or the spirit of the club.
Section 2 Pittstown FC Rules
Pittstown FC follows current FIFA rules with the following exceptions:
Section 2.1 Slides and Slide Tackles
Pittstown FC is a NO SLIDE league. A field player should never intentionally go to ground even if another player is not in the vicinity. Violation of this rule in the vicinity of an opposing player is considered unsporting behavior by Pittstown FC, is therefore a cautionable offense, and results in the player receiving a mandatory yellow card. An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. Violation of this rule with no opposing player in the vicinity results in an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team (no yellow is awarded).
Goalkeepers, while in the goal area (18 yard box), are exempt from the No Slide rule.
Section 2.2 Playing Field, Duration and Substitutions
Field size: Small Sided, 8v8 games
Game Duration: 80 minutes - two halves with 5-10 minutes rest in between
Subs: There is no limit on substitutions - otherwise, we follow FIFA rules as they relate to sub'ing
For more information on the Rules of the Game, please click here: FIFA Laws of the Game
Section 2.3 Playing Time Guidance [Added for 2021 season]
In the spirit of equitable playing time for all players participating in Pittstown FC, the following guidelines are enacted:
Each team should strive to ensure that each player on the team plays for at least 40 (out of 80) minutes per game and assuming they wish to do so. Additionally, no player should play 80 (out of 80) minutes per game. This guidance will be enforced by team managers. If teams do not adhere to this guidance, commissioners reserve the right to intervene on behalf of players receiving minimal playing time, other teams, and/or in enforcing the spirit of the league.
In order to implement this guideline, teams should rotate substitutes consistently and evenly throughout their roster. For example: the player on the bench the longest is the next player to substitute onto the field; the player on the field the longest is the next player to substitute out of the game.
This guideline is designed based on a roster of 16 players and an 80 minute game. Teams should modify playing time implementation based on players available for a given game.
Ensuring fair and equitable playing time for all players is the responsibility of every player at Pittstown FC. While we look to Team Managers to be the primary enforcers of this guidance, it is consistent with the spirit of the league for everyone to do their part to ensure this guidance is enacted consistently across the league.
Section 3 Player Eligibility
Pittstown FC is a recreational soccer club for adult men and women who enjoy the game of soccer in a competitive but friendly environment. We welcome new players and returning players in good standing. We enjoy a league that is as varied in skill and ability as it is in age and cultural diversity.
Section 3.1 Loss of Eligibility
Pittstown FC reserves the right to revoke the eligibility, either temporarily or permanently, of any player deemed non-compliant with the rules or spirit of the club. It shall be the responsibility of the club’s current commissioners to assess eligibility and, if needed revoke playing privileges, when need arises. The commissioners’ collective decision in these matters is final and indisputable. Fees paid to the club are non-refundable in the event of loss of eligibility.
Players having had their eligibility revoked shall be deemed as not being in good standing with the club.
Section 3.2 Age Minimum for Men
In order to be a rostered player for Pittstown FC, men must be 33 years of age on or before May 1st of the calendar year and in good standing with the club.
Section 3.3 Age Minimum for Women
In order to be a rostered player for Pittstown FC, women must be 30 years of age on or before May 1st of the calendar year and in good standing with the club.
Section 3.4 Special Consideration for Legacy Players
Any player having played in the league (i.e., having been officially rostered at any point in time to a Pittstown FC team) and is in good standing with the club, regardless of current age, is eligible to play.
Section 3.5 Extending Eligibility to Ineligible Players
Pittstown FC reserves the right to extend eligibility to otherwise ineligible players if required to complete rosters or improve team parity. Extending eligibility shall only be done by agreement of commissioners and team managers and in any such case, the principles of Pittstown FC, its rules and spirit, shall be the driving force behind any such decisions.
Section 4 Mandatory Suspensions
In order to help ensure player compliance with the rules and spirit of Pittstown FC, the following policy has been adopted:
Section 4.1 Required Sit Time for Cautions/Yellow Card Offenses
A mandatory five (5) minute sit period will be required of any player receiving a yellow card. As such, upon receiving his/her first yellow card, a player must leave the field of play and be substituted. The player receiving the caution may not return to the field of play until at least 5 minutes has transpired on the game clock as indicated by the referee. As such, the sit period can extend over the half time interval.
Section 4.2 Repeat Cautions/Yellow Card Offenses
Players receiving 2 yellow cards within any 5 consecutive game span will receive a one game suspension and therefore be required to sit out the next game played by his/her team. This includes regular season as well as playoff games.
Section 4.3 Sending Off/Red Card Offenses [Amended June 22, 2014]
Players receiving a red card in any Pittstown FC game will receive a one game suspension and therefore be required to sit out the next game played by his/her team. This includes regular season as well as playoff games.
In the event a red card is issued during a team's final game of the season, it will be at the commissioners’ discretion whether to carry the suspension over into the following season.
All red cards will be reviewed by the Commissioners and, per Section 4.5 Commissioner Discretion, further actions including but not limited to additional game suspensions beyond the required one game may be levied.
Section 4.4 Reporting of Cautions and Sending Off Offenses
Team Managers are reminded that in addition to reporting game results (win/loss/tie and final score), all cards should be reported as well.
Section 4.5 Commissioner Discretion
The Commissioners of PFC on behalf of the club and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, fair play and the founding of PFC may suspend players for any duration for inappropriate actions or behavior on or around the field of play as well as at Pittstown FC events.
Section 5 Rosters (formerly the Kanevsky Rule)
Section 5.1 Current Rosters
Rosters are frozen at the start of the season and only those players named on a team’s current roster are eligible to play. Roster changes can only be made through the club commissioners. While reasonable attempts are made to maintain the most current roster information on the PFC web site, this is not always possible. As such questions as to current rosters shall be directed to a commissioner.
Section 5.2 Playing Short [Amended February 3, 2016]
The following rules will be followed for fielding teams, postponement of games and playing short:
In the event at least one team is short players the following will be adhered to:
If one team has only 7 players, the opposing team is required to play down to 7 players as well.
If one team has only 6 players, the opposing team is required to play down to 7 players.
Any team with fewer than 6 players at the start of the game will be required to forfeit the game, see Forfeit Due to Insufficient Numbers. However, in the interest of getting the game played, reasonable attempts should be made to accommodate the team short players including delaying the start of the game and, accordingly, shortening the game if daylight becomes an issue. This of course must be done in collaboration with the opposing manager and with the agreement of the referee.
Section 5.3 Rescheduling Games
If a team manager suspects his or her team will not have enough players for a game, they should notify the team manager of the opposing team and a club commissioner as soon as possible and no later than noon on game day. It will then be the responsibility of the two team managers to identify a reschedule date and to clear this with a commissioner (who will coordinate with the referee scheduler).
Section 5.4 Forfeit Due to Insufficient Numbers
In the event a team cannot field a minimum of 6 players to start the game, the game is forfeited with the opposing team registering a 1-0 win. Note that in this circumstance, the referee will be paid his/her fee.
Section 5.5 Keeping to the Schedule
Every effort must be made to play each game as scheduled. Repeated rescheduling of games by a particular team may result in game forfeit and/or other disciplinary actions being taken by the league.
Section 6 Inclement & Extreme Weather Policy
Pittstown FC games are played rain or shine. If the fields are closed (by Union Twp Rec Commission), the game will be postponed and rescheduled as league calendar and field availability permit. At the referee's discretion, games may be delayed or postponed for instance in the event of lightning, hail, locust, etc.
Advanced notification of cancellation will typically be sent via email and also posted to the website.
Section 6.1 Incomplete Games [MODIFIED FOR 2018]
For regularly scheduled (i.e., Thursday night) games, games should begin at the appointed hour. In the event a game is terminated prior to the full duration of play (typically 80 minutes), if the game, or any other Pittstown FC game being concurrently played has reached or subsequently reaches the half-time break, then the game shall be deemed complete. If, however, the game has not reached the half-time break nor has any other games being played that evening, then all games shall replayed in their entirety.
For games being played outside of the normal schedule (e.g., make up games), in the event a game is terminated prior to the full duration of play (typically 80 minutes), the game will be replayed in its entirety if the game terminates prior to the half-time break. If the game reaches the half-time break, the game shall be deemed complete.
Section 6.2 Extreme Weather
For whatever reason, including perhaps most importantly for the safety and well-being of players, a game's start time, duration, number of breaks in play, etc. may be modified at any time at the mutual agreement of the team managers of both teams and in collaboration with the referee.
Section 6.3 Play After Cancellation
In the event of a game being postponed or cancelled for whatever reason, players should use common sense in concern for their personal safety and preserving field conditions for future use. Usage of fields after a team's game has been postponed or cancelled is done at the personal risk of each individual and is no longer a Pittstown FC event.
Section 7 Team Standings
During the regular season, record of each game's results (win, loss, or tie) will be maintained by the club and a standings table published showing the league standings.
Section 7.1 Point System
Total points for each team will be based on the following schedule:
| Win | 2 Points will be awarded for each win |
| Tie | 1 Point will be awarded for each tie |
| Loss |
No Points will be awarded for a loss |
Section 7.2 End of the Regular Season
A deadline date for all makeup games will be established by the club's commissioners following soon after the last regularly scheduled game of the season. Each team will be required to have all games completed by this date. Games not made up by this date will be omitted from the standings. Playoff draw will be based upon the table standings as of the end of the regular season.
Section 7.3 Standings [MODIFIED FOR 2018]
Standings as of the end of the regular season are based on total points accumulated with the team with the most points being in first place on through the team with the least points being in last place. In the event two teams are tied with the same number of points, the tie is broken based on the following tie breakers:
1) Head to head results - team with the most points wins
2) Cautions and Sending Offs - team with the least points wins based on 1 point for each caution and 3 points for each sending off
3) Goal differential - team with the highest goal differential calculated as the total number of goals scored less the total number of goals against wins
4) Goals against
5) Goals for
6) Coin toss
Section 7.4 Playoffs [Amended February 3, 2016]
Assuming the club comprises six (6) teams, the playoffs will proceed as follows:
Quarter Final
Q1: 3rd Place plays 6th Place
Q2: 4th Place plays 5th Place
1st and 2nd Place have a bye
Semi-Finals
S1: 1st Place plays lower ranked of Q1/Q2 winners
S2: 2nd Place plays higher ranked of Q1/Q2 winners
Pittstown FC Championship Cup Playoff
Winner of S1 plays Winner of S2
Assuming the club comprises eight (8) teams, the playoffs will proceed as follows:
Quarter Final
Q1: 1st Place plays 8th Place
Q2: 2th Place plays 7th Place
Q3: 3rd Place plays 6th Place
Q4: 4th Place plays 5th Place
Semi-Finals
S1: Highest ranked Quarter Final winner plays lowest ranked Quarter Final winner
S2: Remaining two Quarter Final winners
Pittstown FC Championship Cup Playoff
Winner of S1 plays Winner of S2
