LEAGUE RULES AND BYLAWS

League matches are played in a fun and sporting environment. All participants are expected to exhibit both a good attitude and sportspersonship.

Team captains are responsible for ensuring all players on their team are aware of the league rules and abide by them.

TEAM ROSTER & PLAYER WAIVER FORM

All players must complete registration by signing the team roster and League Waiver.

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.
Teams should be ready to start at the designated match time. Matches cannot be delayed for late arrivals.

LEAGUE MATCH RULES

League levels are varied from G1 (league one) to G3 (League three).
ALL players must wear matching league shirts and proper soccer attire.
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.
Substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any dead ball. Players must enter from the same sideline location.
Small sided format (7v7, 5v5) a red carded player may be replaced after 5 minutes. In 9v9 and 11v11 the team completes the game a player down.

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.
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.
Participants may only play for one team per league.
Under no circumstance are spectators allowed to enter the field while a game is underway.
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.

EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE

All players MUST be in proper soccer attire and matching team jerseys to participate.
Shin guards are recommended for all matches, including pickup games.
Absolutely no metal cleats or spikes are allowed, appropriate soccer footwear must be worn.
Knee braces or other support devices must be padded (neoprene or similar). A player not in compliance, can be refused participation.
Eyeglasses are not allowed during games, unless they are soccer specific Rec specs.
Goalkeepers are required to wear a different colored jersey from team mates.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on fields. We host post-game drink specials with neighborhood bars.

LEAGUE RULES AND CARD POLICY

The “Laws of the Game” are as outlined by The FA. Exceptions include: no offsides, no slide tackles, unlimited substitutions and yellow “sin-bin” rule.

The league prioritizes player safety and wellbeing – the vast majority of matches proceed without incident. The rules on foul play are strictly enforced in order to protect all participants.

A 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. A player that receives a red card (or 2 yellows) must immediately leave the field, and serves an automatic 1 match suspension. Any player sent off for a straight red card offense, is required to explain their actions and petition the league for reinstatement before being allowed to play again. Yellow and red cards are monitored and impact a team’s future league participation. It’s a recreational league, so a “win at all costs attitude” is better suited elsewhere.

Reckless actions or 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.

Serious Foul Play

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 or brutality 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 / team that engages in serious foul play without compensation.

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.

Substitutions and Non-Roster Players

We are stricter than other leagues about player replacement rules. The reason is twofold, to ensure all registered and paid players have as much game time as possible, and that teams do not bring in “ringers” that may unbalance season standings. All players must complete the team roster form before playing.

If a team are thought to be fielding players, in breach of the roster rules, please advise the referee and/or organizers 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.

We understand that teams may occasionally be short a player and would rather games proceed than forfeit. During the regular season teams are allowed 1 non-roster player, with advance agreement from the referee, before the match starts. A team cannot have substitutes in addition to non-roster players; 7v7 (6 roster players + 1), 9v9 (8 roster players + 1).

A team short by 3 players or more at kick-off (all formats) automatically forfeit the match. During playoffs and finals only players listed on the team roster are eligible, no ringers!

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

TEAM REGISTRATION & ROSTER

We recommend team roster sizes as follows; 9v9 (12-13 players), 7v7 (10-12 players), and 5v5 (7-9 players). This way teams have a pool of players that can cover substitutions, and matches when people are away, 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. Teams with an outstanding balance after 1 week are considered to have forfeit their league spot, and waitlisted teams are 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.

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.

MATCH FORFEITS AND SEASON ABANDONMENT

A team unable to field the required number of players, should notify the league as soon as possible, at least the day before. This provides league 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” forfeit and recorded as a 6-0 loss.

Teams that “no show,” or miss two weeks of matches are considered to have abandoned their place in the league. They are required to petition the league for reinstatement and 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.

PICKUP GAMES

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. The organizers reserve the right to eject any offending player(s) from a game, that player is barred from future events.

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS

We play rain or shine. In the event of adverse weather conditions matches are postponed and captains notified by email / WhatsApp. The league strives to anticipate weather conditions in advance, however, this is not always possible. If conditions deteriorate during a match, the game will postponed and rearranged for a future date. If a match has progressed to half time, the score at the time of cancellation serves as the match result.

COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

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.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

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:

1. There is a risk of injury from the activities involved in this program, these include the potential for permanent paralysis and death. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of the releasees or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation.

2. I willingly agree to comply with terms and conditions for participation. If I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately.

3. I certify that I have no known medical or other conditions that could interfere with my participation, and I have been found by a medical doctor to be in satisfactory physical condition to participate.

4. The league or tournament does not have personal injury insurance that covers my participation. Therefore, I should have a current, active, personal injury insurance policy in force, which covers my participation.

5. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE LIABILITY, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS Group Stage, its officers, officials, agents and/or employees, other participants, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the events (RELEASEES), from any and all claims, demands, losses, and liability arising out of or related to any injury, disability or death I may suffer, or loss or damage to person or property, to the fullest extent permitted by law.