Outdoor Soccer Rules & Regulations
Introduction
LEGENDS is attempting to make our league a safe fun exciting place for adults to play soccer. We would like to see a level playing field for all teams by establishing rules and following these rules equally for each team. We all want to come out to the fields with our families, friends, and children and enjoy our adult soccer experience. We do not want to place any player or spectator in a position of danger or abuse. We do not want to be required to hire police to patrol our games, as some other leagues are required to do.
We intend to eliminate as much as possible from our league:
-Fighting (whether offensive or defensive, we will not tolerate punches being thrown)
-Violent behavior
-Abusive and profane language
Currently LEGENDS offers adult outdoor play in 7v7 divisions. Stay tuned for more information on outdoor 11v11 Outdoor Leagues. See LEGENDS website for more specific information or contact Greg Hess, Soccer Director.
All players must be 18 years old before taking the field.
I. Team Registration
A. All teams must pay the Seasonal Team Fee online and enter all of the information required to properly register each player with LEGENDS by the registration deadline.
1. 7v7 team rosters must contain no more than 14 and no less than 8 eligible players. If teams do not meet this requirement, they will not be registered.
2. Acceptable payment for registration will be online by credit or debit card.
B. Teams wishing to withdraw after registering and paying for a season may receive a full refund of their registration fees (less 10% processing fee) if they withdraw by one business day prior to the first day of each season. Once the season has officially started, teams will NOT receive a refund.
C. Midseason Registration Policies
1. Team Add Requests - Teams may add players during the season for any reason with a hard deadline expiring after the completion of the 2nd game of the season. At this point, the rosters will be locked. If a team is having difficulty fielding a team after this point in the season, they must appeal to the Soccer Director to add/drop players.
2. New Players to LEGENDS - Players who have never before played in LEGENDS Leagues may join during the season at any time. The LEGENDS Soccer Director will place the player in his or her requested division starting with the team who has the most need for additional players as determined by the LEGENDS Soccer Director.
II. Player Registration & Transfers
A. No player will be allowed to register with more than one 7v7 team. A player can play on one 11v11 team and one 7v7 team when the 11 v 11 Leagues begin.
B. No person will be considered a registered player until he/she signs the LEGENDS Paperwork prior to their first game.
C. Transfers
1. Players may only change teams between soccer seasons. A player is bound to the teams for which they are registered for the entire soccer season.
2. No captain shall attempt to recruit another team’s player(s) without the consent of that team’s captain. Players who would like to play elsewhere may contact the captain of another team between seasons.
3. Added players may not include anyone under suspension or ban from another association.
D. Dismissal
1. A player’s team membership may be terminated by the captain if they have good reason as well as the approval of the LEGENDS Soccer Director.
III. Team Responsibilities at Game Time
A. Uniforms
These minimum provisions apply to all teams:
1. Uniform numbers are recommended but not required at this time.
2. All players must wear approved shoes (shoes with toe cleats are not allowed), shirts (jerseys), pants or shorts, and shin guards completely covered by socks.
3. Teams must wear jerseys that are the color they registered with LEGENDS. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit. Teams may not change jersey colors after the Registration deadline, except with the Soccer Directors permission. All players on a team (excluding goalkeepers) must wear the same shade of primary color jersey. The goalkeeper’s jersey must be easily distinguishable from the jerseys of both teams on the field.
4. Mesh pennys are allowed and may be worn over regular jerseys as a substitute for alternate jerseys.
5. Opposing teams must wear jerseys that are distinguishable from each other. The Center Referee will determine if a color conflict exists. The Referee’s decision will be final.
B. Game Balls
1. Each team shall provide the referee with a game-quality, size 5 soccer ball that is in good condition prior to the start of each match.
C. Player Identification
1. Players should bring to the games a valid driver’s license or state/government issued photo ID in case of player eligibility spot checks by LEGENDS.
D. Official Team Rosters/Player Cards
1. In accordance with LEGENDS registration requirements, LEGENDS will present an official roster for each team to the referee before each game can start. Referees are not allowed to officiate the game otherwise.
E. Game Reports
1. Before each game, the Referee or Assistant Referee must present the official game report to the team captains. Official game reports are issued to the Referee or Assistant Referee before each game and include: Team name, Opponent’s name, date and place of game, and player’s names. Referees are instructed to note on the game report if all information is provided.
2. All captains should check the game report for completeness and should verify that results and information are correct.
F. Start of the Game
1. The referee will blow the whistle at the scheduled game time and let the teams know the clock is running to indicate the start of the game. This applies when waiting the allotted 10 minutes for teams to get enough players. The game clock will start at the scheduled time and, if at the 10 minute mark a team does not have enough players, the game will be called a forfeit. If teams can begin play within the 10 minutes, then the referee’s clock will continue until the 30 minute mark – this means that actual playing time for the first half will be short. The second half will be a regular 30 minute half.
2. If neither team can field the minimum number of players, the game shall be declared a double forfeit.
G. Other Requirements at Game Time and Afterwards
1. Keep substitutes and fans a minimum of 5 feet behind the touchlines.
2. Keep the field and surrounding areas clean. Deposit all trash from your team’s area in the supplied trash cans (whether you left it there or not).
3. Obey all LEGENDS Rules and Policies.
IV. Divisions within LEGENDS.
A. Divisions within the league will be established by the Soccer Director prior to each season. See LEGENDS website for division specifics.
B. The Soccer Director has the authority to place a team in a division other than that which is requested at the time of registration.
1. Teams may appeal a division change. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Manager of Legends. The Manager will reach a decision regarding the appeal and the decision will be final.
C. Each division requires a minimum of four teams. Divisions may be combined and reassembled in order to provide each division with at least the four team minimum. All teams will be placed in the division of best fit. Best fit will be based upon an attempt to create and maintain divisions that are competitively balanced while taking into account the composition of a team’s players.
D. From time to time, LEGENDS may choose to add new divisions in order to achieve competitive balance or to accommodate public demand.
V. 7v7 Divisions
Special Rules for 7v7 games are as follows:
1. There are no offsides in 7v7 divisions. Players can score from an offsides position.
2. Slide tackling is allowed, but must be in controlled and safe manner. 7v7 divisions are primarily recreational in nature and referees may issue cards or penalties for dangerous slide tackles.
3. Players can substitute “on the fly.” Players must leave and enter the field at midfield. The entering player must not enter the field until the other player has completely left the field.
4. Games will consist of two 30 minute halves.
5. Water breaks are allowed at the discretion of the referee. The clock will continue to run during the water breaks.
6. Each team must have a minimum of 4 players on the field before the referee may allow a game to start. The referee will start the game clock at the scheduled time and if at the 10 minute mark a team does not have enough players, the game will be called a forfeit. Should either team be unable to maintain a minimum of 4 players on the field throughout the game, the referee must suspend the game.
7. The game clock will start at the scheduled time and, if at the 10 minute mark a team does not have enough players, the game will be called a forfeit.
8. The roster must contain no more than 14 players and no less than 8 eligible players. If a team drops below 8 players, that team may add up to the roster limit of 14 players. In this instance, all changes must be made with express permission of the Soccer Director.
VI. Conduct of the Game
A. Referees and the Laws of the Game
1. Unless otherwise stated in these rules, all games are governed by the FIFA “Law of the Game.”
2. The Referee is in absolute control of the game. Dissent with the judgment of the referee, profane or abusive language and unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated on or about the field, during or after a game. Conduct is subject to be penalized with yellow and/or red cards as per referee’s discretion.
3. The captain is expected to make every effort to control unnecessary behavior of his/her players and fans.
4. The referee is expected to note on the game reports any conduct violations. The Judicial Committee will declare any and all penalties after reading the game report.
B. Number of Players on the Field
1. 7v7 Division - Each team must have a minimum of 4 players on the field before the referee may allow a game to start. Should either team be unable to maintain a minimum of 4 players on the field throughout the game, the referee must suspend the game. No more than 7 players may be on the field.
C. Substitutions – Unlimited substitutions may be made at the following times:
1. In 7v7 divisions, players are allowed to sub “on the fly.” Players must leave and enter the field at midfield. The entering player must not enter the field until the other player has completely left the field.
D. Ineligible Players
1. An ineligible player is any player who: is not registered on the team roster for the current season, is registered under false information, is not wearing the correct team jersey, or is playing without the proper personal safety equipment.
2. Any team using an ineligible player will forfeit all games in which that player participated. Team captains allowing illegible players on the field for their team will receive game suspensions.
E. Suspension of the Game
1. If a game is suspended before the second half begins, at the discretion of the Soccer Director, it may be replayed. If the game is suspended, before the second half begins, because of misconduct or abandonment by either team, the Soccer Director will determine if the game will be considered a forfeit by the offending team or a full game.
2. If a game is suspended during the second half because of misconduct or abandonment by either team, the Soccer Director will determine whether it shall be declared a forfeit by the offending team or a full game.
3. If a game is suspended during the second half for any reason other than misconduct or abandonment by either team, it will be considered a full game and the score at the time or suspension will be considered the final score.
4. All decisions regarding game suspensions shall be at the discretion of the Center Referee.
F. Weather and Canceling of Games
1. Cancellation of games will be determined by, in order of importance: a. The City of Spring, TX and the field officials, b. LEGENDS Soccer Director. Here at LEGENDS, we will play unless the conditions are absolutely unplayable. In the event of unplayable conditions the games will be made up at the end of the season unless there will be interruption with another activity or beginning of another season.
2. Games may be played during inclement weather unless, in the opinion of the referee, the field conditions or weather conditions constitute a danger to players and fans or the fields. Referees may delay a game to wait and see if inclement weather will “blow” over. In this event, referees will stop the clock at the delay time and re-start the clock when play is resumed. Referees have 15 minutes to determine if the weather will “blow” over, otherwise the game will be cancelled.
3. Games may be postponed at the discretion of the City of Spring, TX, the LEGENDS Soccer Director or the Center Referee to protect the safety of players and the integrity of the fields. A notice in regard to game cancellation will be given by noon on match day by the LEGENDS and the webmaster will post on the Legends website as soon as possible.
4. Players may wear protective clothing during cold weather as long as their jersey is the outermost garment.
5. Water breaks in any season may be taken if both team captains ask the referee and agree at the start of the game or if the Center Referee believes it is necessary for player safety. The referee’s clock will continue to run during water breaks.
6. If there is any doubt about playing a game because of the weather, contact the LEGENDS Soccer Director. Official word will also be posted on the LEGENDS website.
G. Rescheduling of Games
1. Do not assume postponement of a game due to weather. Contact the Soccer Director or look at the website.
2. Postponed games will usually be rescheduled for the first open game day following the regular end of the season. For multiple postponements, some games may have to be rescheduled on non-regularly played days when the availability permits.
3. The Soccer Director is responsible to reschedule games.
4. Make-up schedules will be communicated by email or will be posted on LEGENDS website.
H. Misconduct and Suspensions
1. Yellow and Red Cards
a) Yellow Cards. Every 3 yellow cards will result in a 1 game suspension. 2 yellows in one game are not included in that total because that is a red card. Once the suspension is served, the yellow card count resets to zero.
b) Red Cards. 2 red cards in one season will result in suspension for the remainder of the season, or for 3 games, whichever is longer. (For example, if a player receives his third red in the last game of the season, he would be suspended 3 games the following season).
c) Records of cards reset each season. If there is not enough time to serve a suspension in the current season, the suspension will be carried over to the next season. Cards are tallied only for the division they are received in and thus a suspension for card accumulation only applies to that division.
2. Extreme Misconduct
Some cases of misconduct may result in longer suspensions, regardless of whether or not any cards were involved. LEGENDS reserves the right to determine conduct that should result in a longer suspension, the length of a suspension, and the nature of a suspension. If there is not enough time to serve a suspension in the current season, the suspension will be carried over to the next season.
Extreme misconduct will be reviewed on a case by case basis. The length of suspension may range anywhere from one game to complete expulsion from the league for any amount of time the league determines.
a) Some examples of personal misconduct that may result in longer suspensions include, but are not limited to: fighting or other physical violence, spitting, sexual or racial harassment, inappropriate language, repeat infractions, or any other conduct determined by the referees and/or league to deserve a longer suspension. In most cases, misconduct of this nature will suspend a player from all divisions in the league, not just the division in which the incident occurred.
b) Some example of team misconduct that may result in longer suspensions include, but are not limited to: game abandonment, playing unregistered and/or unrostered players or any other conduct determined by the referees and/or the league to deserve a longer suspension. These suspensions will be served by the team captain.
3. Appeal Process
a) Suspensions are decided by the Soccer Director and upheld by the league. Game suspensions must be served while the player is registered on the roster of an active team in the league.
b) A player can appeal his or her own suspension to the LEGENDS Manager. That decision will then be final. A player has two weeks after the Soccer Director’s decision was handed down to exercise their right to an appeal.
c) A player can only appeal his or her own disciplinary suspension. They cannot appeal the decision of another player's disciplinary suspension.
I. Forfeiture of a Game
1. Games will not be rescheduled just because a team cannot field enough players. Games will only be rescheduled for weather related issues.
2. If referees are notified of a forfeit by 9pm the day before the game, ARCSA will not reimburse the referees for their fees.
3. In the event of a LEGENDS forfeited game, referees will inform the captains and players that since a forfeit has occurred, the game is no longer a LEGENDS sanctioned game. Referees will then leave the field and will still be paid for the game. Players will be expected to leave the field of play as well unless the Soccer Director allow the players to have a pickup game until the next scheduled game.
VII. Standings and Awards
A. Standings
1. Standings will be kept by the Soccer Director
2. Standings will be kept in a LEGENDS approved manner at the discretion of the Soccer Director.
3. Registrar will update team standings after each week’s games and will publish the results on the LEGENDS website.
4. The following tie-breaking criteria will be used to determine the final standings for each division:
a. Total points
b. Head to head results
c. Goal differential using the sum of all league games
d. Goals scored using the sum of all league games
e. Goals allowed using the sum of all league games
B. Awards
1. The first place team in each division of each league will usually be presented an award.
2. A team which is suspended or expelled will not be eligible to receive league trophies or awards.
VIII. Changes to the Rules and Regulations
The LEGENDS membership empowers the Soccer Director to interpret these rules and regulations and to act accordingly. Where an unexpected or unforeseen event mandates such action, the LEGENDS may act outside of or may change their rules and regulations. Implementation of any such action or change will require an official decision by the Management.
LEGENDS is a young and evolving league and as such, its rules and regulations will be reviewed periodically and modified as necessary. Any change will require a final decision of the Soccer Director and Management.
