Western Sports Mall
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 50-55 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. See above, The Game, in which case the clock may be stopped

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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.

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Red Cards

Any player red-carded will be suspended for a minimum of one game.

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.

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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

Please remove any and all trash or clothing from the bench area when your game has finished.

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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. However a player may not play for more than one team in the same division.Example: A player cannot play for two teams in the same competitive division (National, American, Central in the same age bracket. Thus, you can not be in a situation where two teams you are rostered on would play each other.

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 :

• 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.

1. kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;

2. trips an opponent, i.e., throwing or attempting to throw him by use of legs or by stooping in front of or behind him;

3. jumps at an opponent;

4. charges an opponent from behind unless the latter is shielding the ball in a legal manner;

5. 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;

6. strikes, elbows or attempts to strike or elbow an opponent; or

7. holds an opponent;

8. pushes an opponent;

9. 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);

10. boarding, propelling an opponent into the perimeter wall. A time penalty must be assessed for boarding;

11. playing in a dangerous manner;

12. charging fairly at an improper time, i.e., with the shoulder, when the ball is not within playing distance of the players concerned;

13. spitting at an opponent shall result in an automatic red card, spitting on the turf, a two minute penalty.

14. 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);

15. charging the goalkeeper except when he is outside the penalty area;

16. Improper handling of the ball by the goalkeeper This includes:

    1. 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 from outside the red line;

    2. using hands to play a ball that he passed to a teammate and was passed back before being played by an opponent;

    3. or picking up a ball that was previously in their possession and not played by an opponent including bouncing the ball; playing a ball with the hands that the goalkeeper carried from outside the penalty box to inside the penalty box;

    4. 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.

17. 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.

• The first two minute penalty by a goalkeeper is served by a teammate, ensuing by the GK.

• 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 penalty is over once the opposing team scores. If both teams are playing shorthanded (due to non-simultaneous penalties), and a goal is scored, players may not reenter play.

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Three Line Violations

[Applies to Goalkeepers ONLY]
Definition: A goalkeeper 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. Players will not be permitted to play without shin guards.

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Footwear  for Astroturf

The big field has "field-turf"; outdoor cleats are permissible, no 6 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 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. A female must take all restarts in the offensive half.

4. A female must retouch on any restart by the opposing team in the opposing teams defensive half. Kickoff is not deemed touch.

5. NO SLIDE TACKLES are permitted. SLIDE TACKLING is NOT PERMITTED. Sliding on the turf to win a ball which is NOT a tackling situation, (ie. clearing a ball off the line when no opponent is in position to tackle) is permitted, 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

1. U-12'S play 5-A-side (4 plus a keeper)

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. "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.

5. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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. In the event the team that did not cancel originally cannot play at any of the time slots presented to them by WSM, the game will be given a 0-0 score and not played.

3. 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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