soccer rules
- Each individual adult participant (19+ eligible) must create a profile on our web site and electronically sign the roster/waiver form in order to be eligible for participation in any Cities Sports Connection – CSCSPORTS.com league/event/tournament or other associated activity. Please be aware that there are inherent risks to participating in any athletic activity. CSC does not provide insurance for the participants of our leagues. Each player as a result of participation in the leagues assumes all liability and risk of injury. It is strongly recommended that each player obtain medical and liability insurance prior to participating in any athletic or league activity.
- All TEAM ROSTERS are deemed final at the end of regular season play. PLAYERS must participate in THREE (3) OR MORE MATCHES/GAMES during the regular season in order to be CONFIRMED on the team roster. ONLY CONFIRMED TEAM ROSTER PLAYERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY DURING THE POST-SEASON SCHEDULE.
- As a rule, each participant is allowed to be on one team roster per league/level/night. We are happy to allow people to play on more than one team/night if facility space allows and if you inform CSC prior to the start of the league season. Any player not confirmed on a team roster is not eligible to play on that team during the post-season. Any player who is confirmed on multiple rosters during the regular season MUST choose only one team to play on following the initial round of post-season play.
- Substitutes that have played with your team during the season are not allowed to participate in the playoffs in any of our CSC leagues (it’s a basic fairness issue for all of the other teams in your league). The Honor Code is always in effect here as well. For any exceptions, please contact CSC Sports.
- CSC offers multiple league options as listed below:
+ Our 7v7 coed leagues = minimum of 3 female field players on the pitch. The additional 3 field players + the keeper can be any gender or non-binary individuals.
+ Our 7v7 mens leagues = maximum of 7 individuals on the pitch, all of which can be any gender or non-binary individuals. - For our special offering of coed 30+F/35+M leagues = All Female players are required to be 30+ years old, all Male players are required to be 35+ years old.
- An Official match consists of a minimum 4 players; for coed matches, at least one female must be represented at the start of each game.
- FORFEITS: If a team forfeits without 24 hour notice CSC reserves the right to revoke that team’s eligibility for playoff matches. More than two forfeits in a regular season gives CSC the right to remove that team from all post season play and future league play.
- Each team is required to have team uniforms or an identified “TEAM COLOR”. Each team member needs to bring this uniform or team color shirt to each game, along with a WHITE SHIRT in case the other team uses the same color, to use for identification purposes. Ask a CSC representative or give us a call @ (612) 929-9009 for further assistance.
- Each match will consist of two (24-minute) halves with a 2-minute half-time. The clock will not stop for injuries.
- Shin Guards-fully covered by socks are required for all players in all CSC soccer leagues. Please make sure that all team members are aware of this requirement. It is for the safety of all players. Football/Softball cleats are not allowed.
- THERE IS NO SLIDE TACKLING ALLOWED IN ANY CSC SOCCER MATCH. It is a discouraged “dangerous play” that will be called at the discretion of the referee. If a player goes down on one knee or lunges for a ball it may not always be considered a slide tackle. (but could be considered playing on the ground) It depends on the safety and well being of all players in the mix.
- Substitutions may be done on dead ball situations or on the fly (without gaining advantage or otherwise affecting the play) or at any whistled stoppage of play. Players must touch-off at the bench area and verbally identify “sub”.
- There are no off sides calls in CSC 7v7 soccer.
- Goalkeepers may not use their hands when a ball is intentionally passed by foot or thrown-in by a teammate. The penalty for this infraction is always an indirect kick at the point of contact.
- All outside lines are considered to be in play at all times.
- Teams must help the official with line calls. The referee will do his/her best to see all line calls. This means BE HONEST! If this becomes a problem, each team will be required to provide a lines-person for all games.
- Throw-ins must come over the head and square to the body with both feet touching the ground.
- (7v7 leagues) Goalkeepers may not punt or drop-kick the ball. Keepers may not throw the ball in the air over the midfield line. Keepers may not kick goal kicks in the air over the midfield line.
- Goal kicks as soon as the goalie kicks the ball it is in play. Opposing players must remain outside of the goal box until the ball is played by the keeper. Field sizes will vary from site to site. Fields without two goal boxes require goal kicks be taken from the end line between the goal posts and the edge of the box. Fields with two goal boxes, considered the 6 and 18 yard boxes, will permit the goalkeeper to conduct a goal kick from the 6 yard box.
*If the player taking the goal kick excessively delays play (which will be counted down by the referee), the penalty will result in awarding a corner kick to the opposing team. - ALL DECISIONS OF THE OFFICIALS ARE FINAL!!!
- The referee reserves the right to use yellow or red cards when s/he feels it is necessary. Players must leave the field when presented with a card
- Team captains are responsible for the conduct of all their players and affiliated supporters.Please keep your troops in order! The main objective is to have fun and enjoy healthy and organized recreational activities!
- An indirect kick will be awarded for most unintentional rules violations, including but not limited to the following offenses: illegal substitutions, use of foul language (be constructive), obstruction, and high kick. Bicycle Kicks, diving headers and kicks above the waist of your opponent are considered “dangerous play” that will be called at the discretion of the referee. Offensive, inappropriate or any other negative language used towards the referee and/or another player will result in an automatic yellow card and possible a red card.
- A direct kick may be awarded for any intentional or flagrant foul, hand ball, dangerous play or other deliberate action. A penalty kick may be awarded for any major foul committed within the identified penalty area. Penalty kicks are taken from the appropriate spot as determined by the referee. Minor and unintentional fouls (including those deemed by the referee to not be goal scoring opportunities)in the penalty area may be awarded an indirect kick. This includes dangerous plays like no-contact slide tackles and high kicks.
- Matches with a score differential of 9 or more goals at any point during the match will have the score frozen at that point and no additional scoring will be recorded. We always allow our teams to complete the time remaining in the match because our leagues are focused on participation, on playing and having a good time! We want all teams to enjoy their experience each match day. Thanks for understanding and for displaying good sportsmanship at all times!
- If a match is not played to its completion due to injury:
A.Termination occurs during first half = Final match score is a tie.
B.Termination occurs during second half = Final match score reflects the score at the point of termination - NO SPITTING – this is a card worthy offense.
W St Paul Dome – The low hanging wire over Field 2/3 is considered a live ball if the ball strikes this during play, so play will continue on without stoppage.
As most of you are aware, our ultimate goal at CSC is for adults of all skill levels to feel comfortable participating in a recreational league environment that is fun, social, active, and safe.
Due to the possibility of intense, competitive play in our CSC adult, coed & men’s, recreational soccer leagues, CSC implements a behavior policy for ALL leagues – COED & MENS. This policy specifically deals with the penalties incurred as a result of receiving yellow or red cards during match play. As an adult, coed & men’s, recreational soccer league, we do not require players to check-in for each match. Therefore, the responsibility for safe, fair and honest play is left up to our mature individual adult participants and their teams. This policy is not intended as punishment of our participants, but rather to focus cautionary actions on the individuals that may take away from CSCs fun, social, active and safe atmosphere.
If a team is involved in a physical altercation within the regular season CSC reserves the right to remove your team from future matches with no refund.YELLOW CARDS:
When an individual receives a yellow card, it is considered a warning for his/her inappropriate, unsporting or dangerous play. That individual must give his/her name to the referee and leave the field for TEN MINUTES. The team may sub to replace that player. If teams do not have a sub, they will play short. If that individual receives a second yellow card in that ONE PARTICULAR MATCH, he/she will be asked to leave the field and his/her team will finish the remainder of the game one player short. Because the penalty occurred at a warning level, the team will be allowed to field a full team for the next week’s game.
The referee will turn in an official score sheet recording the name(s) of the yellow (and red) carded player(s). Players and cards will be recorded on an official CSC Red/Yellow Card Instances Sheet. The CSC Soccer league coordinator will track a tally of cards per individual and per team.
Individual players who receive FOUR yellow cards in one session will be removed from the league for that particular session. That individual may return to play proper CSC recreational games the following session.
To maintain a team responsibility, teams will be penalized for the number of cards by deducting points from their overall point total. These penalties will not be posted on the web site, but rather sent to the captain when accumulated. This may affect a team’s standing for playoffs.
Any red card given during the match (whether on the sideline or during halftime) is treated as a red, he/she will be asked to leave the field, and his/her team will finish the remainder of the game one player short.
TEAM PENALTIES FOR YELLOW/RED CARDS:
Number of Yellow+Red Cards/Session:::Points Deducted
1-3:::0pts.
4:::1pt.
5:::1.5pts.
6:::2pts.
7,8,9:::2.5, 3, 3.5pts.
RED CARDS:
Red cards are issued when serious, inappropriate, disrespectful, unsporting or dangerous play has occurred. The individual that receives a red card is asked to leave the field immediately and his/her team will play the remainder of the game one player short. The player is also required to give the referee his/her name. His/her name will be recorded along with the red card on the official score card and Red/Yellow Card Instances Sheet.
The player who received the red card penalty is suspended for the following week’s match. If the player will not disclose his/her name to the referee. The captain is then responsible for giving the referee the name of the penalized person. If it is known that this player dishonestly plays the following week despite his/her suspension, CSC reserves the right to require the offending player’s team to play one player short (of the ascribed sex) for the following league game as well. CSC therefore asks all teams to help shoulder the responsibility of all its team members.
Any individual who receives TWO red cards OR FOUR yellow cards in one session will be removed from the league for that particular session. The player’s return to future CSC leagues will be determined on a situational basis between the CSC crew.
This is a new policy for CSC Sports. We have not felt the necessity to consistently track yellow/red card penalties in the past. Unfortunately, based on the increasing level of unacceptable behavior issues we have observed with our adult, coed & men’s, recreational soccer league participants, this new policy is now required. We ask for patience as we begin to implement this system, constructive criticism as the session wears on, and understanding that we (at CSC) are doing the best we can to ensure a consistently safe, fair, healthy, entertaining and fun experience for everyone involved in our adult, coed & men’s, recreational soccer leagues!
POST SEASON INFO:
The top 4 teams from each division will make playoffs. All remaining teams will be scheduled for post-season matches as well… Right on!!!