LEAGUE RULES AND BYLAWS

 

At the heart of our league are the values of respect and leadership.

To keep our community thriving and ensure everyone has a great experience, we’ve outlined our foundational expectations below:

 

PLAYING ENVIRONMENT

 

Matches are conducted in a positive and sporting environment.

  • Fair Play: Competitive spirit should never override good sportsmanship.

  • Respect: Players are expected to treat opponents, officials, and teammates with courtesy.

  • Atmosphere: The goal is to maintain a high-level and  enjoyable experience for all participants.

Team captains act as the primary liaison between their team and the league, A captain’s responsibilities include:

  • Rule Literacy: Ensuring teammates are aware of and understand league rules.

  • Compliance: Actively managing player behavior during games and communication with the league.

  • Leadership: Setting the standard of positive conduct through their own actions.

Help us keep NYC parks and rental facilities clean and tidy. Carry out your empty drink bottles, trash and other items.

 

TEAM ROSTER & PLAYER WAIVER FORM

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

 

  • Players should complete the league waiver  before the season starts.
  • Captains are responsible for making sure players are registered and the team roster is up-to-date.

LEAGUE MATCH RULES

League levels vary from D1 (league one) to D3 (league three).

Participants are expected to exhibit a good attitude. Bring your spirit down!

  • ALL players must wear matching league shirts and proper soccer attire.
  • Teams should be ready at scheduled match time. Starts are not delayed for late arrivals.
  • Substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any dead ball. Players must enter from the same sideline location.
  • Players retreat 5 yards for opposition free kicks (5v5, 7v7) and 8 yards (9v9).
  • Participants may only play for one team in each league.
  • Failure to field a full team results in a forfeit 4-0 loss. A “no show” forfeit is recorded as a 6-0 loss.
  • Teams are required to explain any forfeit to the league within 3 business days, and are considered to have abandoned their league place if not done so.

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.
  • Designated “open” leagues are Co-Ed friendly and do not have female player requirements during matches.
  • Small sided format (5v5, 7v7) a red carded player may be replaced after 5 minutes.
  • Playoff games tied after regular time – plus extra time, are decided on penalties.

Teams failing to meet the required minimum number of players at kick-off forfeit the match. A forfeit win is awarded to the opposing team, and a “friendly” match played instead.

5v5 – A minimum of four (4) players are required at posted kick off time 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.

 

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS

Games are on unless you hear otherwise, we play rain or shine. If you do not receive an official cancellation notice from us, your game is on. In the event of adverse weather 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 conditions often vary across the City and can change quickly, Referees and staff will assess conditions on site as needed and make final calls regarding 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.

Notice of team etiquette: If your team cannot make it, you must notify your opponent at least 3 hours before kickoff. Forfeits with under 3 hours notice or no notice will result in an additional loss of points.

TEAM REGISTRATION

Teams should register early to be guaranteed a place. Returning teams may hold a spot for the new season with a deposit (50% team dues). Any outstanding balance must be completed before the season starts.

Teams with outstanding dues at the start of the season incur a 5% late fee on the balance. Waitlisted teams will be invited to replace them after one week. Note: Team deposits are non-refundable or transferable.

 
Team Size

The following roster sizes are recommended. This way teams have enough players for the season, but not so many as to interrupt game flow, or unfairly skew the competitiveness of teams.

5v5 (7-9 players)

7v7 (10-12 players)

9v9 (12-14 players)

11v11 (14-16 players)

 

 
Refund Policy
  • Cancellation Notice: Registered players and teams wishing to cancel their league or tournament registration must submit a written cancellation notice to event organizers at least 10 days prior to the start date.

  • Refund Eligibility: Refunds will only be issued if a replacement player or team is secured 5 days or more before the event or league begins.

  • Deposits: All team deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

Are you looking to play but don’t have a full team? Individual free agent registration is open for select leagues.

When you register as a free agent, our organizers work to place you on an existing team’s roster. To ensure a balanced and positive experience, we avoid creating teams made up entirely of free agents. As a result, placement is not guaranteed and depends directly on team requirements, open roster spots, and position needs across the league.

If space is available, we will match you with a team prior to the start of the season. If a spot cannot be found, you will be notified and issued a full refund.

SUBSTITUTIONS & TEAM ROSTER

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 registered players maximize game time, and that teams do not have an unfair advantage.

If an opposing 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 playoff matches only players listed on the team roster are eligible. No guests, no ringers!

 

CARD POLICY RULES

The vast majority of matches proceed without incident. The league prioritizes player safety and rules on foul play are strictly enforced 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 – a “win at all costs attitude” is best 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 when not challenging for the ball, against an opponent, team-mate or match official – 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 a player and team 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.

 

EQUIPMENT & ATTIRE

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.

MATCH FORFEITS

Any team unable to field the required number of players, should notify league organizers as soon as possible. This gives league organizers time to inform referees, opponents and make any necessary schedule changes. The match result is recorded as a “forfeit” 4-0 loss*.

Forfeits with under 3 hours notice or no notice will result in an additional loss of points. Failure to notify the league is considered a “no show” and recorded as a 6-0 loss **.

Teams that “no show” are required to explain their lack of attendance within three business days. A team that forfeits two matches in a season are considered to have abandoned their place in the league and will be removed from the schedule without reimbursement. Season abandonment 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.

 

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.

 

 

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.