Small Sided Soccer Rules

(Revised 10/2021)

REMEMBER 2 THINGS:

1)     ENJOY YOURSELF

2)     NO ARGUING  

It is important that every player understands that this league is for fun.  The mission of Club Sport is to promote competition and athleticism through sportsmanship and fair play. Our leagues/events should be played with good sportsmanship. Although competition may become intense, we expect our participants to maintain good sportsmanship up to and after the final whistle.  No arguing will be tolerated. Whether it be with the umpire, the opposing team, or your own teammates, it’s unacceptable. We realize our umpires/referees/officials will make a bad call from time-to-time (bad calls happen at the highest levels, they are certainly going to happen in an adult social league).  Rest assured they are trying their absolute best to make the correct calls.   If you can’t win or lose with grace, keep it to yourself.

In all leagues we want to stress the importance of safety and fair play. It is far more important that play be safe than the team wins. We will instruct referees to make a call that enforces safety even if it costs a goal or penalizes the offended team by stopping play. Advantage should be used judiciously by the referee for the more experienced players. Red cards for fouls/abusive language (even aimed at own team members), taunting, and serious foul play will be used. Red card offenses will be filed in writing and may be enforced by a possible disqualification for one or more subsequent game.

1. EQUIPMENT

1. Shin guards are required. If you are found playing without them you are subject to be carded.
2. Shirts are required at all times. Any deviation from the league supplied shirts must be made in a manner that all shirts remain similar, be the color assigned to the team, and distinctly different than those of other teams.
3. ANYONE HANGING, DUNKING, SLAPPING, ETC OF THE GOAL POSTS WILL BE PUNISHED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LEAGUE COORDINATOR. NO SUNFLOWER SEEDS OR GUM ON THE FIELD. NO SMOKING ON THE PREMISES.
4. No jewelry is allowed (wedding bands and stud earrings are ok).
5. The ball will be regulation size 5, properly inflated, without loose flaps/panels. The league does NOT provide balls.
6. All goal and field sizes are listed above.
7. Cleats are allowed however, no metal spikes or studs are allowed.

1. Cleats are allowed on all turf fields.
2. 1.8.        All upper extremity braces & casts must be padded or covered to use on the field.
3. 1.9.        Any knee or other braces that may be an issue can be banned per the coordinator's judgment.

2. PLAYER CONDUCT

1. Club Sport issues yellow cards as a warning and "cooling" off for players. If a yellow card is issued, the player (even the keeper) is sent off and cannot return for 2 minutes.  The team must play a man down, no matter if a goal is scored during the 2 minutes.

1. Should a player off the field receive a yellow, the team must play down a player for 2 minutes.

2. If the referee deems a player's repeated misconduct to warrant a red card, it will be issued. If a red card is issued the team has to play a man down for the remainder of the game (in coed the team must play down a player of the same gender that was red carded).

1. Depending on the circumstances involving the red card (including actions after the card is issued) the player may be asked to leave the facility.  Refusal to leave the facility may result in the game being ended and/or forfeited, regardless of time remaining.
2. Any player that receives a red card is subject to a minimum one game suspension.

1.  Depending on the severity of the foul and the player’s history (e.g., prior red cards, other issues) a suspension longer than one game may be issued.

3. If a player receives a red card, they are ineligible to play the entire match day.  This includes any doubleheaders or picking up for other teams.
4. Excessive red cards or dangerous play may result in expulsion from the league.
5. Should a player off the field receive a red card, the team will still have to play down a player of that sex for the remainder of the game.

3. Any player or fan is encouraged to root for their own team but rooting against teams or use of disparaging language is discouraged and could result in penalties towards teams or dismissal of fans.
4. Any fans of teams may be asked to leave by Club Sport staff. Refusal to leave could result in forfeiture of games.

3. ROSTER/ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

1. All players must be at least 18 and signed onto a roster for that night and location. Failure to do so, even if discovered after the fact, could result in a forfeit. A forfeit win is counted as 5-0.
2. Women are allowed to play in men’s leagues. No special coed rules will apply.
3. Minimum players to start is listed above. Anything less is up to the opposing captain and/or staff member as to what will be allowable.
4. There is no maximum limit to the amount of females which can be on the field.
5. Teams may pick up up to one player at no penalty in order to field a minimum team number.

1. Any pickups in addition to this will result in a 1 goal penalty per player if brought to the officials attention before the game.
2. AT NO TIME CAN A TEAM PICK UP PLAYERS OF A CERTAIN SEX TO ALLOW FOR SUBS IN THAT SEX.
3. If a team has the correct number of players to play in either sex, no pickups are allowed.
4. If an existing pickup player is found to be used DURING the game, a 2 goal penalty will be assessed.
5. If more players from your team show up to allow subs in that sex, the pickup player must be removed.

6. All players, including added players, must sign their team's roster/waiver BEFORE the end of their team's final regular season game in order to be eligible to play in the tournament.

1. If a player is not signed in on the roster by then, they are not eligible for the tournament.
2. Playing with ineligible players may result in a forfeit. This call will be made by TBCS staff.  
3. It is the responsibility of the team captains to make sure all players in their line-up are eligible players for all games.

7. Players may not appear on more than 2 official rosters per league unless approved by the Club Sport office.

1. Players on multiple teams can only play for one team per time slot (i.e. if any conflicts exist they cannot only play for one, no jumping back and forth).

8. Roster Checks: Players have the right to ask for a roster check of the opposing team after the start of the game and before the end of the game. These requests must be made with the coordinator during game play, and if it is found that the opposing team is playing with an “illegal player”  (i.e. not on that team’s roster or not signed) then staff reserves the right to remove the player and/or forfeit the game. Club Sport staff decisions are final and roster checks may not be made by players once the game has finished.
9. Adding to your team: If you do not have a team paid team, Club Sport has the right to add to your team until you reach the advertised maximum number of players. If you wish to have less you may buy extra roster spots. If you wish to have more you may as long as free agents have not been added to your team.
10. If you have made a team payment, you can have up to 12 players (7v7) on your team roster. Any additions above this number must pay $10 BEFORE playing or the team may forfeit their game.  Teams registering individually will pay a pro-rated amount depending on when the player signs on. Players that have already signed the roster may not be replaced: once they have signed, they are locked into that roster spot for the entire season.  Any team that has registered as individuals must get permission from CS office staff to add more than the roster maximum.

4. GAME PLAY/KICKOFF

1. COIN FLIP/BEGINNING OF GAME
2. The team that wins the coin toss at the start of the game will have first choice to kick-off or choose a goal to defend.
3. Consists of the ball being placed at midfield.  At the start of the game the ball does not have to travel forward.
4. Play will be divided into (2)  25-minute halves separated by a brief 5 minute halftime.  There will be a running clock maintained by a referee. The clock will stop only during prolonged injury time-outs. Any delay tactics, (kicking the ball out of bounds on purpose) will allow the referee (at his/her discretion) to stop the clock. If for any reason the game should be cancelled with more than half of the game played (i.e. 2nd half has started), the game and the score is considered final. If half or less of the game is played, the entire game will replayed from the beginning. In certain instances the official has the power to shorten game times should games be running behind.

1. If a team does not have enough players by game time it is a forfeit. If the opposing team wants to allow more time for players to show up, the clock will start and a max of 10 minutes will be given. All forfeits are scored as 5-0.

5. THE GAME/SCORING

1. All goals are worth 1 point.
2. Regular season games ending in a tie score will be recorded as tie games.  
3. The maximum goal differential for a single game will be capped at +5.

6. SLIDE TACKLING

1. There is NO slide tackling in any of our leagues. The only time sliding is permitted is to save or stop the ball but only when another player is not (in the eyes of the referee) in “harm's way” of the slide. Club Sport defines a slide as going down with one or both legs to the ground to get the ball - it does not have to be a slide “tackle” and the ball does not have to be in possession of an opponent. If a slide is near a player, intentional or not, a foul will be called. The result will be a direct kick if outside the penalty area, and a penalty kick inside the area. If the referee calls you for a slide "tackle" and issues a yellow card you may receive a 2 minute yellow card. The goalie in goal at the time of the foul must face the kick. The ball is to be placed at the point of the infraction and to be put in play by any player on the affected team. Slide tackles do apply to Goalkeepers. Coed goalies must lead with the hands or body when going for the ball near another player.

7. SUBSTITUTIONS

1. Substitutions may occur at ANY TIME (on the fly)… They must be made near mid field and cannot result in an advantageous play on the ball. If it results in an advantage the play can be whistled dead and a free kick will be called for the other team.

8. FREE KICKS

1. All free kicks are INDIRECT unless it’s a penalty kick.

1. No opposing player is allowed to be within 8 paces of ball prior to kick if the attacking team asks the official for yards.
2. PENALTY KICKS

1. PK's will be awarded at the referee's discretion on whether the foul stopped a goal or a scoring chance. Due to the small field sizes and possible congestion of players, the goal box may have no bearing on whether the foul warrants a penalty kick. Anyone can take the penalty kick. The goalie in goal at the time of the foul must face the kick.

9. GOAL KICKS

1. GOAL KICKS are taken from within the penalty area. The ball is in play as soon as the ball is touched by the possessing team and can be played inside the goal box.
2. The opposing players do not have to give any room off the ball as long as they are outside of the box - it is up to the goalie to back the ball off any required distance.

10. OFFSIDES

1. There are no offsides rules in this competition.

11. GOALKEEPERS        

1. GOALKEEPERS MAY NOT DIRECTLY CATCH A THROW-IN or KICK-IN FROM THEIR OWN TEAM…  
2. GOALKEEPERS MAY NOT PUNT OR DROP KICK THE BALL… Keepers must throw the ball or play it to the ground.
3. GOALKEEPERS MAY NOT HOLD THE BALL FOR LONGER THAN 6 SECONDS.

12. OUT OF BOUNDS

1. Anytime the ball goes over either sideline it is out of bounds. Games on full size goals will have throw-in's. Games on small size goals will have kick-in's. Re-starts should be from the field of play within 1 yard of the point where the ball left the field.
2. There should be a five yard buffer from where the ball is to the opposing team on a kick in.
3. On small size goals, If the ball never comes into play, it is a kick from the same spot going the opposite direction.

13. NCAA

1. Normal rules and penalties of the NCAA apply unless exceptions have been made herein.

14. REFEREES

1. Referees enforce the rules and maintain safety. They will have the last word along with the league coordinator.
2. Excessive arguing will result in a yellow card being issued. Cursing at or disparaging the official can result in a red card.
3. If the ball touches the referee (or another match official) and goes into the goal, team possession changes or a promising attack starts, a dropped ball is awarded.

15. PLAYOFFS

1. All teams make a single elimination tournament with seeding based on regular season standings. (If a team plays an 8th game to ensure another team has 7 games, that game will count in the standings for both teams)
2. Tournament seeding is based on the following criteria: 1) most total points (with 3 for win and 1 for tie), 2) highest goal differential (The maximum goal differential for a single game will be capped at +5), 3) head-to-head with two teams tied (if 3 or more teams are tied then it will go to the next tiebreaker)  4) fewest goals allowed, 5) most goals scored, 6) coin toss.  
3. During playoffs, a game tied after regulation will go into overtime.  Overtime will consist of (2) 5-minute sudden death periods.  If neither team scores after the overtime periods, teams will go into a shootout.

16. SHOOTOUT SPECIFICS (playoffs only)

1. Each team selects 5 players (coed: 3 males, 2 females) - players don’t have to have been playing at the end of regulation. A coin toss will decide which team shoots first.  The referee will decide which goal to shoot at.  Shots will be placed and not dribbled. All goals in a shootout are worth 1 point.
2. Teams will alternate taking direct penalty shots from the spot. (No guy/ girl shooting order is necessary)
3. The 2nd round is SUDDEN DEATH i.e. 1st player from Team A scores & 1st player from Team B misses - Team A wins. In the sudden death teams will alternate guy/girl first using every eligible player once before repeating any players.

17. REFUNDS

1. Club Sport is not responsible for any refunds at any time during the season
2. If a party cannot continue the season, is the responsibility of that party to replace themselves on the roster if they so choose. They must also notify the Club Sport office of the change.