LEAGUE RULES AND BYLAWS

• Players cannot participate until the team roster / league waiver form is completed.
• Captains are responsible for making sure players are registered and the team roster is up-to-date.

League levels vary from G1 (league one) to G3 (League three).

Participants exhibit a good attitude and sportspersonship.. bring your spirit down!

• ALL players must wear matching league shirts and soccer attire.
• Teams should be ready at the designated start time. Matches cannot be delayed for late arrivals.
• Players retreat 5 yards for opposition free kicks (5v5, 7v7) and 8 yards (9v9).
• Failure to field a team results in a forfeit loss. A 4-0* win is recorded for the opposing team.
• Small sided format (5v5, 7v7) a red carded player may be replaced after 5 minutes.
• Participants may only play for one team per league.

The “Laws of the Game” are as outlined by The FA. Exceptions include: no offsides, no slide tackles, unlimited substitutions.

• No slide tackles in any format. An indirect free kick is awarded from where the offense occurred. A slide tackle that makes contact inside the box is an automatic penalty.
• No back-pass rule. Goalkeepers handling the ball after it is kicked or thrown to them by a teammate, results in an indirect free kick from where the handling occurred.
• Substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any dead ball. Players must enter from the same sideline location.
• Designated Co-Ed leagues must have at least one outfield female player participating during matches
• Playoff games tied after regular time, plus extra time are decided on penalties.
• Help us keep NYC parks and rental facilities clean and tidy. Carry out your empty drink bottles, trash and other items.

5v5 – A minimum of four (4) players are required to start a match.

7v7 – A minimum of five (5) players are required to start a match.

9v9 – A minimum of seven (7) players are required to start a match.

11v11 – A minimum of nine (9) players are required to start a match.

The league prioritizes player safety and wellbeing, the vast majority of matches proceed without incident.

Rules on foul play are strictly enforced in order to protect all participants.

YELLOW CARD results in a two minute “sin-bin.” The player must leave the field of play, and may only return on instruction from the referee.

RED CARD The player must immediately leave the field and automatically serves a one match suspension. A straight red card “reckless” offense, requires the player to explain their actions and petition the league for reinstatement. In 5v5 and 7v7 (small sided format only), a player may be replaced after 5 minutes.

Yellow and red cards are monitored and may impact a team’s future participation. It’s a recreational league, so a “win at all costs attitude” is better suited elsewhere.

• A red card (first offense) is a 1 game suspension. A second red card is a suspension for the rest of the season.
• A suspended player is required to explain their actions and petition the league for reinstatement.
• Offensive or discriminatory language and/or gestures are a red card sending off offense.
• Violent conduct is cause for immediate suspension and permanent league ban

FOUL PLAY

Reckless actions or serious foul play are not tolerated.

• “Reckless” is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.
• “Excessive force” is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.
• “Violent conduct” is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball.

Excessive force is a tackle, or challenge, that endangers the safety of an opponent, and must be sanctioned as serious foul play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, that endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, match official, or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made. In addition a player who deliberately strikes an opponent, or any other person is guilty of violent conduct. The league reserves the right to eject any player and team that engages in serious foul play without compensation.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Matches are officiated by qualified referees who have full authority to enforce the laws of the game. The referee’s jurisdiction starts from the moment they enter the locality of the field, until the time they leave. The referee’s decisions in connection with the match are final.

All participants must be in proper soccer attire and matching team jerseys.

A player not in compliance may be refused participation.

• Shin guards are recommended for all matches.
• Absolutely no metal cleats or spikes allowed, appropriate soccer footwear must be worn.
• Knee braces or other support devices must be padded (neoprene or similar).
• Eyeglasses are not allowed during games, only soccer specific Rec specs.
• Goalkeepers are required to wear a different colored jersey from team mates.

All players must complete the team roster form before playing.

We are stricter than other leagues about player replacement rules – the reason is twofold. To ensure all registered players have as much game time as possible, and that teams do not have an unfair advantage that may unbalance standings.

If a team are thought to be in breach of the roster rules, it is the team captain’s responsibility to alert the referee  immediately – not when you go a goal down, or after the game. Any player not on the team roster must immediately leave the field of play. We’re not going to perform a roll call before every game, and expect teams to enter into the general spirit of the League.

In game substitutions are unlimited. Players must enter and exit from the same sideline location.

In Playoffs and Finals only players listed on the team roster are eligible. No guests, no ringers!

The following squad sizes are recomommended.

9v9 (12-14 players)

7v7 (10-12 players)

5v5 (7-9 players)

This way teams have players to cover substitutions but not so many as to interrupt game flow, or unfairly skew the competitiveness of teams.

Teams should register with payment to be guaranteed a league place.

League spots can be temporarily held on receipt of a team deposit (1/2 team dues). Any outstanding balance should be completed before the season starts.

Any Teams with an outstanding balance one week after the start of the season are considered to have forfeit their league place. Waitlisted teams are then invited to replace them. Deposits are non-refundable or transferable. If you forfeit the first game dues are non-refundable, as “no-shows” spoil the league for all involved.

A team unable to field the required number of players, should notify the league as soon as possible, at least 24 hours before match time.

This provides organizers with time to contact referees and opponents. The result is recorded as a “forfeit” 3-0 loss. Failure to notify the league in advance is considered a “no show” and recorded as a 6-0 loss.

Teams that “no show,” are required to explain their lack of attendance. Any team that forfeits two matches in a season are considered to have abandoned their place in the league and are required to explain their lack of attendance. Teams failing to respond within three business days will be removed from the schedule and forfeit registration fees. Season abandonment and reactivation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the league. Any “no-show” and forfeit issues must be resolved before a team returns to play in the current season.

Players and teams registered for league or tournament competition – who want to cancel their registration, are required to advise the organizers in writing at least 10 days before the start. Refunds can only be made if a replacement team is found 7 days or more before the league / event starts. Team deposits are non-refundable or transferable.

We play rain or shine. In the event of adverse weather or forecasts, matches are postponed and captains notified via the league message chat.

Team captains and team organizers should provide the league with up to date contact info.

The league strives to anticipate weather conditions in advance, however, this is not always possible. If conditions deteriorate during a game, the referee will determine game status. Postponed games are rescheduled. If a match has progressed to half time the score at the time of cancellation serves as the result.

Participants are reminded that risks and hazards are connected with playing competitive sports. Players voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risks of property damage, and any personal injury that may be sustained. All participants must sign the participant release waiver and assumption of risk form. In consideration of being allowed to participate in Group Stage leagues, events and activities.

I acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:

Any person with a positive COVID-19 test, and/or in close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 individual in the past 5 days should stay home. Any person feeling unwell, or with elevated temperature should not attend games. Covid-19 safety plan here.

Pickup games are regular organized events that do not require a season long commitment.

We aim to provide fun, social games that are a good workout. The same rules apply, we appreciate positive game vibes and on field attitude.