Game Rules & Regulations
The Game
The game in regular season will consist of two twenty-four
minute halves with a 2 minute half-time. Games are scheduled to begin
every 55 minutes. Western Sports Mall management (decision not made by referees)
reserves the right to play 22 minute halves in the rare situation where
911 is called (or other unusual circumstances) and games delayed for a
substantial time in an effort to get back on schedule.
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Warm Up
Teams should be ready to go as soon as the previous game is
completed. We are unable to guarantee warm up time on the field. Our efforts
will be to keep the games as close to schedule as
reasonably possible as our last game finishes around midnight each day.
Please use the side of the field near the kick-board as a warm up
area.
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Substitutions
Teams may sub at any time at their own risk. Players must leave the field
before being replaced. Being in the crease by the bench area is
permissible if there is no interfering with play. Please remember the
"5 second" rule should be applied when the ball is in
position. Also, if there is obvious delay in retrieving the ball, first
a warning should be issued, then a two minute penalty for obvious
delaying tactics. The penalty for too many players is a restart at the
point of the substitute player. Ensuing violations may result in a 2
minute penalty.
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The Clock
The clock is continuous and will not be stopped, unless in the referee's
opinion an extended delay in the game is occurring. Injuries are deemed
as part of the game. The only time the clock will be stopped will be at the refs discretion.
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Injured Players
If the referee stops the game because of an injury, the injured player must
be replaced. This does not
apply to the goalkeeper. However,
the second time the game is stopped because of injury to the same
goalkeeper, he must be replaced. When an injury occurs the whistle will be blown to stop play as soon as possession permits.
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Red Cards
Any player red-carded will be suspended for a minimum of one game or one week whichever is longer.
A red card results in a 5 minute suspension. The whole 5 minutes is to be served by the offending team.
Western Sports Mall retains the right to increase the suspension and/or suspend
any offending player for the duration of the season, a given time frame,
or “life”. In these
situations, that player may NOT play for any other team. Ejected players
must leave the bench area. A Picture ID may be requested by the referee
in the event of a red card ejection. If a player refuses to give his name and the captain refuses to give the ejected players name the teams is risking a forfeit of the game played.
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Coaches
Coaches are subject to yellow and
red cards. Penalty minutes
will be served by a team member.
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Player's Bench
The players, the coach, and his assistant only are allowed in the bench area.
All personnel in that bench area are deemed part of the team and
therefore are bound by the rules of the game.
A maximum of 3 non-playing personnel are allowed in the bench
area. All games must have an adult in the players box at all times.
Please
remove any and all trash or clothing from the bench area when your game
has finished.
There is to be NO alcohol in the player’s box or on the field. Violation of this rule could result in a forfeit.
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Rosters
A maximum of 18 players will be allowed and the roster must consist of at least the amount of players required to play
a game.
Each player or parent/guardian of a minor player, must have a signed
individual registration waiver form on file at Western Sports Mall
before they can participate in a Western Sports Mall program.
In addition, each coach must have each player sign the roster
form supplied by Western Sports Mall in the left hand column.
This must be submitted in FULL by the end of the 4th game.
Any team who plays with a non-registered player or underage (25+
leagues) or overage player (U19 and below
leagues) will forfeit the
game(s) in question upon following the proper procedures. The referee
must be notified before the start of the game or immediately when the
player in question enters the game. The referee will note the name(s) of
the players in question, stopping the game but not the clock, and notify
the coach immediately that their player(s) are being questioned for
roster eligibility or age requirements. It is then that team's discretion to play or not to play (or
remove from the game) the player(s) in question. If it is a matter of age requirements, that player must produce
proof of age (birth certificate or driver license) to Western Sports
Mall (not the referee) within two days of the game in question. Players
cannot be added to a roster after the 4th game of the season.
Players may play on more than one team. If a
player plays on more than one team in the same division, the coaches
from each team on which the player is rostered must be accepting of the
situation.
Completed games are not subject to
being protested. Protest
must be made at the time of the suspected violation.
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Forfeits
The
results of a forfeited game shall be 3-0.
If the game has begun and if the forfeiting team is losing, the
score at the time of the forfeiture stands.
No
team may forfeit a game in the play-offs and enter the next round.
If
a team does not have enough players to begin a game at the designated
start time (or normal time between games), the clock shall start. After
1 minute a goal shall be put up for team that is ready; after 5 minutes,
a second goal; after 10 minutes, a third goal resulting in a 3-0 forfeit.
A
game shall be a forfeit if :
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A team uses illegal players, and
proper paperwork (included in schedule packet) submitted in proper time
frame.
-
a team refuses to take the field to play
-
a team does not have enough player to begin the game or continue
the game (see above); two players less than the normal may start a game.
-
in the referees opinion, the team's behavior on and off the field
constitutes a forfeit.
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Penalty Kick
All
penalty kicks will be taken from the top of the arc except the 8’s and
10’s which will have penalty kicks taken from the top of the penalty
box.
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Fouls/Misconducts/penalties
All
kicks resulting from fouls, misconduct and penalties are direct free
kicks. All restarts aredirect free
kicks. The kickoff
is not considered a restart, therefore you can not score from the
kickoff.
A
player who intentionally
commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the referee
awarding a free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the point of
the infraction.
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kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;
-
trips an opponent, i.e., throwing or attempting to throw him by
use of legs or by stooping in front of or behind him;
-
jumps at an opponent;
-
charges an opponent from behind unless the latter is shielding
the ball in a legal manner;
-
charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
If a player deliberately turns his back to an opponent when he is
about to be tackled, he may be charged, but not in a dangerous manner;
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strikes, elbows or attempts to strike or elbow an opponent; or
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holds an opponent;
-
pushes an opponent;
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handles the ball, i.e., carries, strikes, or propels the ball with
his arm (does not apply to the goalkeeper in his own penalty area);
-
boarding, propelling an opponent into the perimeter wall.
A time penalty must be assessed for boarding;
-
playing in a dangerous manner;
-
charging fairly at an improper time, i.e., with the shoulder,
when the ball is not within playing distance of the players concerned;
-
spitting at an opponent
shall result in an automatic red card, spitting on the turf,
a two minute penalty.
-
when not playing the ball, intentionally obstructing an opponent,
i.e., running between the opponent and the ball, or interposing the body
so as to form an obstacle to an opponent.
If a player covers up the ball without
touching it in an endeavor not to have it played by an opponent, he
obstructs but does not infringe the rules because he is already in the
possession of the ball and covers it for tactical reasons (i.e. shielding);
-
charging the goalkeeper except when he is outside the penalty
area;
-
Improper handling of the ball by the goalkeeper
This includes:
-
using
hands to play a ball passed intentionally (not deflections or
missed clears) from any zone other than his defensive zone (including
heading) or brought into the defensive zone under
possession;
-
using hands
to play a ball that he passed to a teammate and was passed back before
being played by an opponent;
-
or picking up a ball that was previously in
their possession and not played by an opponent including bouncing the
ball;
-
or taking longer than
5 seconds to release the ball into play after possession. All violations
above results in a restart from the top of the arc.
-
Slide tackling in the 25+ Women's league is not permitted (dangerous
play).
**Items
"k" through "q" are considered minor fouls
(exception is “m” if at player) and result in a direct free kick
from the top of the arc if they
occur in the penalty area (do not result in a penalty kick).
All
other fouls are major fouls and would result in a penalty kick if they
occur in the penalty box: This will result in an automatic two minute
penalty. All penalty kicks need to be taken before the clock runs out.
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A two minute penalty by a goalkeeper is served by the goalkeeper, the whole 2 minutes will be served
-
Simultaneous 2 minute penalties result in those players serving
the penalty, but teams do not play shorthanded.
-
If a team is playing shorthanded due to a penalty, the player will have to serve its full 2 minute penalty under no circumstances will they enter the game early.
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Three Line Violations
Definition: Any player is guilty of a three line violation when he
plays the ball across three lines (two full white lines and the center
line) in the air towards his opponent's goal line, without touching
another player, the perimeter wall, or a referee on the field of play
between the red lines. Punishment: If a three line pass is declared, the
referee shall award a free kick, which shall be taken by a player of the
opposing team on the center point of the first red line that the ball
crossed.
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Uniforms
All
teams must wear a uniform, preferably numbered, but not required. A uniform is regarded as identically colored shirts.
Tshirts are fine.
In the case of uniform conflict, the HOME team (listed first on the
schedule) shall change uniforms. Western Sports Mall
will not furnish any alternate wear. Please have players bring a contrasting color T-shirt.
The goalkeeper must wear a long-sleeved shirt that is a different color from
both his and the oppositions colors.
SHIN GUARDS covered with socks ARE MANDATORY AT THE WESTERN SPORTS
MALL FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE AND UNDER. Players will not be permitted to play without shin guards.
Adults 18 years and older may play without shin guards at their own risk with no liability to The Western Sports Mall
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Footwear for Astroturf
The big field has "field-turf"; outdoor cleats
are permissible, no medal studs. Small field: SAME.
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Illegal or Dangerous Equipment
The referee may refuse entry into the game of any player who is wearing
illegal and/or dangerous equipment. Please check with the referee if you
have any questions BEFORE the game. Players entering the game wearing illegal and/or dangerous
equipment as subject to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Bandanas and hats are
not permitted.
Padded
casts are legal unless the referee judges the player is using the cast
in a dangerous or unfair manner.
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Soccer Balls
Game balls will be supplied by Western Sports Mall.
Removal of any Western Sports Mall balls from the facility will be deemed
as theft and action will be taken.
Teams must supply their own practice or warm-up balls.
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Co-Ed Rule Additions
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The normal number of female players is a minimum of three, not
counting the goalkeeper. If a female receives a 2 minute penalty,
she is deemed part of the game and is not to be replaced on the field. A
minimum of two females must be present for the game to be played.
In the event there is only one female able to play, due to
injury, ejection etc., the game shall be deemed a forfeit.
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A female must touch the ball in the offensive half before a
goal can be scored. A female
must retouch if possession is gained by the opposing goalkeeper.
Possession is clear control in the hands.
In the unusual situation of a goal scored from the defensive
half, it need not be touched by a female. Note, a goal can be scored
from the defending half with no touch.
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A female must take all restarts in the offensive half.
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A female must retouch on any restart by the opposing team in
the opposing teams defensive half. Kickoff is not deemed touch.
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NO SLIDE TACKLES are permitted. SLIDE TACKLING is NOT PERMITTED and is considered dangerous play. Sliding on the turf to win a ball which is NOT a tackling situation, (ie. clearing a ball off the line when no opponent in playing distance of a ball to tackle) is permitted when not within playing distance of another player, unless the referee feels the act is dangerous to the player or opponent. This applies to the goalkeeper as well (GK may not slide tackle).
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SMALL FIELD RULES AND CLARIFICATIONS
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There is no goalkeeper
pass back rule. If the referee feels that this aspect of the game is
being used as a delay of game tactic, he may call unsportsmanlike
conduct. The ball is to be placed at the point of the pass back (not a
"goalkeeper violation") as this is where the infraction occurred.
Double possession is still a violation.
-
The "3 line
violation" for keepers occurs only when the ball lands or would
have landed (hits any player) in the opposite penalty box or arc. Thus,
the ball is permitted to be played past the penalty box line into the
corners. Any infraction results in the ball being placed at the penalty
spot closest to where it lands (not brought back to where the goalkeeper
played the ball).
-
"Technical"
infractions by the keeper (double possession, hand ball outside the box,
etc), results in the ball being placed at the penalty spot (which on the
small field is the top of the box, not the top of the arc as on the big
field), with the opposing team able to form a wall.
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Co-ed: There must also
be touch in the defensive half (if touch has not been complete in the
attacking half) before a goal can be scored from a ball struck in the
defensive half. Just like big field, same applies after restarts and GK
possession.
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CANCELLATION AND MAKEUP POLICY
First and foremost, please only request a
change if absolutely necessary; and second, it is our objective at
WSM to play the games, not issue forfeits for games that have been
paid for, but not played. In the event of a team conflict and
possible subsequent cancellation of a game, one of three scenarios
will be played out, in this order:
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WSM will first try to work out a switch
with another team, or a team that has a bye, provided match ups are
maintained and, obviously, the third team involved agrees to the
switch.
-
If this cannot be done, which means the
original scheduled game is not played, the team that did not
cancel will be given a couple of options based on time slots
available. After selecting a date and time that works for them, the
team with the original conflict will be presented with that date and
time. The game must be played at this juncture; if not, the team
with the original conflict will forfeit the game with a 3-0 score.
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If WSM has no reasonable options of slots
to present to the team that had no conflicts with the original
scheduled game, the team with the conflict will forfeit, a 3-0
score. This generally comes into play at the end of a session or
tourney time where a winner is needed in a timely fashion to play
the next game.
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Without 7 seven day notice the WSM will be
unable to reschedule any games resulting in a forfeit for the team
that can not make the scheduled game.
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Tournament games will not be rescheduled.
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