Broward Women's Soccer League
Co-Ed
7 vs. 7
Game Rules
(Revised 5/12/08)
Except
as modified herein, all games within the League shall be played under the Rules
of the Federated International Football Association (F.I.F.A.), AND The Broward
Women’s Soccer League Constitution and By-Laws, Game Rules.
Player Passes: An official valid player pass must be delivered to the
assigned referee prior to the commencement of play. All passes must bear the player’s photograph
and date of birth to be considered valid.
Any player arriving after the start of the game MUST present their
player pass to the referee or closest official, prior to entering the
game. Failure to comply with these rules
will result in player ineligibility for the next game and a $25.00 Team fine to
be paid prior to the next scheduled
game.
Substitutions: Teams may have
unlimited substitutions during the course of a game. However, players may
only enter and/or leave the field on a dead ball. Absolutely NO Substitutions
will be permitted "on the fly". Also, NO substitutions
are allowed on indirect/direct kicks awarded as a result of a foul (except if
permitted by the referee). Ultimately, the referee must approve all
players entering and leaving the field of play.
RULE 3. EQUIPMENT
Players' Equipment: SHIN-GUARDS
ARE MANDATORY
and must be completely covered by socks at all times. All players that
are on the pitch (sideline included) must wear shin-guards.
RULE 4. GAME DURATION
Duration: Games consists of
two thirty-five (35) minute halves, 70 minute total game duration. Half-time is 5 minutes.
Starting Time: The weekly schedule
of games and kick-off time set by the Scheduling and Games Chairperson shall be
strictly followed. Players must be on
the playing field by the appointed starting time. There will be a (10) minute leeway period
given. The clock will automatically
begin upon the (10) minutes of leeway.
Game duration will be marked at 70 minutes (total game time duration)
from the 10 minute commencement.
RULE 5. GOALKEEPERS
Goalkeepers: A goal keeper, having control of
the ball in hands, and having released it from his/her hands to be played,
either by self or a teammate, shall not handle the ball again until it has been
touched by an opponent, or a stoppage of play occurs.
Keepers
may not handle the ball if passed directly to them by a teammate (unintentional
deflections and headers are considered INDIRECT passes -- THROW-INS are
considered DIRECT passes). The punishment for a keeper failing to follow
this rule is an indirect free kick for the opposing team taken outside of the
goal area, 15 feet.
Once the
keeper has control of the ball he/she has five (5) seconds to put the ball back
into play. Failure to do so will result in an indirect free kick for the
opposing team taken outside of the goal area, 15 feet.
Male Goalkeepers may not carry the ball more than 10 yards outside the
goalie box. If this occurs, the male
goalkeeper then becomes another male on the playing field and therefore breaks
the rule of the Number of Male Players allowed. Failure to comply with this rule will result
in an indirect free kick for the opposing team taken outside of the goal area, 15 feet.
Keepers may not throw, punt, or drop kick the ball in the air over
midfield line.
RULE 6. OFF SIDES
There are NO off-sides.
RULE 7. SLIDE TACKLING
Slide Tackling: Slide
tackling is NOT permitted. Any “dangerous” man on play will result in a
yellow card and an indirect free kick given to the opposing team. A “non” dangerous man on play will result in
an indirect free kick given to the opposing team however, does not
automatically constitute a yellow card infraction. A player sliding to maintain control of the
ball in effort to keep the ball in play from the sideline or goal line, and is
no where within the vicinity of any opposing player, is not deemed a “slide”
tackle. As in all other Game Rules, the
referee is the final law of the game.
RULE 8. DIRECT / INDIRECT FREE
KICKS AND THROW INS
Fouls & Free Kicks: All direct and indirect fouls apply. Opposing players
must remain at least 15 feet from the ball during a free kick. Referees have
the right to issue a yellow card to any player the referee feels is
intentionally slowing down the flow of the game by not providing the mandatory
15 feet. Once the referee signals for play to continue, the kicker has five (5)
seconds to play the ball or else the referee has the option to reward possession
of the ball to the opposing team (in the form of an indirect free kick).
Offensive indirect kicks are always to be taken outside of the goal area.
If a foul occurs INSIDE of the goal area - the placement of the kick is to be
left to the discretion of the referee. At ALL times, decisions made by
the referee are final.
Penalty Kicks: If a stationary penalty kick (direct kick) is to be
taken (at the top of the penalty box), all players except the kicker and the
opposing goalkeeper must stand outside the top of the penalty area, 15 feet
away from the kicker. Players are not permitted on either side of the penalty
area.
No
substitutions are permitted during any penalty kicks (EXCEPT for injuries and
are still subject to the referee's discretion).
Goal Kicks: The five (5) second rule does not apply to goal kicks. Goal kicks may not cross the midfield line in the air. Goal
kicks are taken 1 yard off the end line, anywhere inside the penalty area (One
step off goal line).
Corner Kicks: Corner kicks are
considered direct kicks.
Therefore, goals can be scored directly on corner kicks. Opposing players must
be at least 15 feet away and the five (5) second rule applies.
Throw-Ins: The five (5) second
rule also applies to throw-ins. The opposing team will regain possession
after a five (5) second infraction. Keepers
may not receive throw-ins with their hands unless the ball was thrown in by the
opposing team.
RULE 9. SPECIFIC INFRACTIONS
Cautions (Yellow Cards):
a.) Any
player upon receiving two consecutive Yellow Cards within the same scheduled
game, which is equivalent to one Red Card, shall be suspended from the next
scheduled game. Player’s pass will be
held until completion of penalty.
b.) Any
player who has been Cautioned (Yellow Carded) during five (5) separate matches
within one season shall be suspended for one (1) game. Team Representative shall be notified when a
player has reached (4) Yellow Cards as a reminder. It is the responsibility of
the Team Representative to notify the Player.
Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.
Sending-Off (Red Cards):
a.) Serious Foul Play. Any player who has been ordered off the field
by the Referee by committing any of the offenses punishable by a direct free
kick or a penalty kick and uses disproportionate and unnecessary strength in a
manner likely to injure an opponent, or uses intentional violence while
challenging for the ball against an opponent, or spits on or at an opponent or
any other person will be suspended for (2) two games. The team will be fined $25.00 to be paid
prior to the next scheduled game.
Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.
b.) Offensive or Abusive Language. Any player who has been ordered off the
field by the Referee for insulting opposing players or officials, or using foul
and abusive language shall be suspended for (2) two games. Player’s team will be fined $25.00 to be
paid prior to next scheduled game. Player’s
pass will be held until completion of penalty.
Discipline: If a player, coach, or person affiliated
with a team is removed from the field by the referee for any reason, the case
must be reported by the referee to the Scheduling and Games Chairperson and the
Board of Directors. A player so removed three times in one season will be
automatically suspended until the Board of Directors has reviewed the player’s
case. Coaches may also be required to sit out games as a result of foul and
abusive language or other misconduct. A coach so removed three times in one
season will also be automatically suspended until the Board of Directors has
reviewed the coach’s case. All board
decisions will be made on a case per case basis.
RULE 10. FIELD
MAINTENANCE
The playing field
shall be protected against infringements made by spectators. Each team is responsible for maintaining
order and shall provide sufficient supervision and crowd control. Should the crowd for either team exhibit
harassing or negative behavior, the referee will provide a warning. If behavior persists and warning has been
given, team responsible will be subject to penalties indicated under
Infractions section.
Infractions: Failure of any team to comply with playing
field requirements herein shall be subject to a fine of $25.00 and forfeiture
of the game.
RULE 11. LEAGUE
MEETINGS
League meetings are
held on a monthly basis. All teams MUST
have at least one representative in attendance at all meetings. Acceptable forms of representation include
players, coaches, team managers or team-affiliated member listed on the team
roster. No other form of representation
will be accepted. Failure to comply
with these rules will result in a $25.00 fine to be paid prior to the next
scheduled game.
RULE 12.
GOAL POINTS
Goals scored by
females will count as 2 points.