League Rules

Soccer League Rules

Game Format: 8v8

Goalkeepers: Yes

Game Length: 2 x 25 minute halves (3 minute half-time)

Field Size: 40 x 75 yards

Ball Size: 5

Duration of Season: 8 Games

Game Play

All games will be played under the ‘FIFA Laws of the Game’ in addition to rules adopted by Sporting Adult Soccer League. Certified referees will officiate each game. 

Each game will be 2 x 25 minute halves with a running clock. Half-time is 3 minutes. A game is considered official when the first half is complete. There will be no overtime or stoppage time. During Championship games, if it is a tie after the second half, the game will go straight into penalty kicks to determine the winner. Referees have the power to end games early if deemed necessary.

After 10 minutes of running clock, a game is considered a forfeit for any team unable to take the field with a minimum of five (5) players.

Unlimited substitutions may be made only during stoppage under the referee’s discretion.

There will be no slide tackling on any player. Slide tackles not deemed a foul in the box will result in an Indirect-Free Kick. Keepers may slide for saves but still may be subject to a card if deemed dangerous by the referee. First incident will result in a yellow and the second, a red. There will be no offside. 

During corner kicks and free kicks, the opposing team must remain 6 yards from the ball until the kick has been taken.

Both teams are required to bring a ball for each game.

Roster

All players registered must be the designated age of their league by the start of the season. A full roster is 16 players and the minimum is 11. Each team captain is responsible for making sure every player is registered and of age. You must be the designated age of that league at the first game of the session.

All players must check-in before each game with the Sporting Adult Soccer League attendant.

A minimum of five (5) players is required to start a game. A game will be called a forfeit if it does not start with the minimum number of registered players 10 minutes after the scheduled kick-off. 

Equipment

All players must wear shin guards. Each team is required to bring a game ball. 

Home Team

The home team is responsible for changing if both teams clash in color.

Game Score Format

• Win: 3 points
• Loss: 0 points
• Tie: 1 point

There is a six (6) goal maximum score differential recorded for games. (i.e., If the final score is 10-1, the score will be recorded as 7-1.)

If a team forfeits, it is recorded as a 4-0 loss. If both teams forfeit, it is recorded as a 1-1 tie.

Infractions

First (1) Yellow Card: Caution for unsporting or dangerous play

Second (2) Yellow Card: Equivalent to a red card

Red Card: Player is out for the rest of the game and team plays down one player. This comes with a one (1) game suspension.

Multiple Cards: After a player accumulates a third (3) red card, they will not be allowed to play for the rest of the season.

If at any point a player assaults a referee, they will be expelled from the league indefinitely.

Co-Ed Division Only

There must always be at least two (2) women on the field, not including the goalkeeper. A co-ed team can consist of as few as one (1) male player. Teams need a total of five (5) players to start an official game. One (1) player, in this case, needs to be a female.

In addition, if both captains agree to play with a lesser number of players, the game will be counted as official.

A co-ed game going into penalty kicks requires two (2) females in the first five (5) taking kicks.

Guest Players

Guest players must check-in before each game and sign a waiver to play.

The first three (3) games for a Guest Player are free. Any player playing a fourth (4) game is required to pay for a full season.

If a team captain allows a player to play who is not registered, all liability issues will fall on the team captain.

Playoffs

In the event of a tie in the standings, playoff seeding will be determined in the following order:

1. Head to head competition (this criterion will no be considered in the case of a tie among more than two (2) teams
2. Winner of most games
3. Goal differential (maximum of four (4) per game)
4. Fewest goals allowed

Playoff games that required a winner at the end of regulation time will go directly to penalty kicks. Any five (5) players on the field or bench from each team may be selected.

Cancellations

Sporting Adult Soccer League has the right to cancel any game due to inclement weather. Assume all games will be played unless you hear from Sporting Adult Soccer League staff.

Cancellations will be communicated to players via email and social media.

Sporting Adult Soccer League will attempt to reschedule any inclement weather games but cannot guarantee that games will be rescheduled or played.

Team captains will be responsible for checking on rescheduled games. Games ending in a forfeit will not be rescheduled.