Big Goal Soccer Coed Adult League Rules and Regulations
Updated 04/25/2024
GENERAL
The game is played in a 8v8 format with regular size goals (8"x21"), with a 6-8 game season for each team plus playoffs, under general FIFA rules and with some changes made to facilitate leisure play. All decisions of the referee are final and binding. The league Director reserves the right to decide on all matters relative to the league and its decisions are final. The league Director may reschedule a match, change league structure, reduce match duration or cancel a match. NO PROTESTS and/or APPEALS ARE ALLOWED. Depending on the number of teams, we may have a Recreational Division and a Competitive Division.No refunds or credits are provided for injuries, ejections, stop playing or leave.
SPIRIT OF THE GAME
Big Goal Soccer believes that safety is the most important component of recreation programming. Therefore, it is important that all participants understand that the emotional and physical safety of all players is of the utmost concern of the League and participate in the sport accordingly.
FIGHTING
Any player who engages in fighting of any kind, retaliatory or otherwise, is automatically dismissed from the game. The player is also subject to removal from the league with no refund. The League Director has the final say for all rules and regulations. We are a league where families (including children) come to support their loved ones. Cameras are also installed at the fields by City or school district officials. Physical or verbal altercation is not acceptable.
REGISTRATION AND ROSTERS
Team - Minimum player requirement for a team is 8 players (6 male and 2 female). Each team may carry up to as many players as they want, however we recommend 14. Age required to play for female and male players is 18. Teams may have 1 player who is 17 or 16 years old, upon given consent from the guardian/parent NO EXCEPTIONS. The league Director may assign free agents (if available) to any team that did not meet the 8 player minimum roster but is not obligated to do so. Team captains/managers are responsible to abide by the rules and have enough players on their roster. This includes the minimum required number of female players per team, and per game as that is their responsibility.
Players must be listed on the roster to be eligible to play. All players must check in and receive a wristband to play ahead of their game start time. All player fees must be paid by the 3rd week or the player will be ineligible to play until fees are paid in full. ROSTERS WILL LOCK AFTER WEEK 6 and no changes will be able to be made!
BORROWING OF PLAYERS
Only female players are allowed to be borrowed. Teams MAY NOT borrow any male players. If a team is using male players not on their roster, they will lose the game 0-3. NO players, male or female, may be borrowed for the semi-finals or finals. NO DOUBLE ROSTERING ALLOWED! Players can only be rostered to one team.
GAME PROTEST
As mentioned on 1.1 in this document, NO PROTESTS/APPEALS are allowed as we believe in the “Good of the Game” and the ability to resolve any issues in a constructive and positive manner. However, a game related report or complaint may be submitted for consideration through the referee’s scorecard report at the end of the night. Such “Report” does not insure, or implies a desired outcome from the party working with the referee for its submission. The report will be reviewed by the League’s leadership and disciplinary committee only if needed and at their discretion. A 24 hour rule will be applied to allow any parties involved in the report to let the excitement from the game decline. IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED AT THE CHECK IN TABLE.
DEFINITION OF FORFEIT
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Not having enough players on the field by the 30th minute mark from the referees first whistle
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Borrowing male players - Female players can be borrowed, only through the regular season
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Having more than 1 minor on the field
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Late or no show notices
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Three red carded members from the team, including coach, benched player, or spectator
PLAYOFFS/FINALS
Each division will have playoffs the last week of the season. The structure of the playoffs is as follows…
-Team 1 vs Team 4
-Team 2 vs Team 3
-3rd place game
-1st place game
Standings are based off of regular season points. If teams are tied in points, goal differential will be taken into account.
START OF PLAY
All players must check in at the check in table prior to the game to make sure they are rostered, and have paid their dues. Only players that have received their wristband during check in will be allowed to play.
The league will permit a grace period of 10 minutes after the scheduled time for kick off, to allow teams to field the minimum of 6 players or any late arrivals. At the 10 minute mark, the play clock will start and the game will be shortened to keep the league on schedule. If a team is on the field and ready to play but the other isn’t by the 10 minute mark, the ready team will be awarded 1 goal, if the opposite team continues to be short by the 20th minute mark, two goals will be awarded to the team that is ready to play. Once 30 minutes have passed and the opposite team does not have enough players, a forfeit 3-0 will be awarded to the team that had the minimum or complete amount of players. Players entering the match late must enter with the official’s notification.
STANDINGS
League standings will be based on the following:
WIN=3 POINTS
TIE=1 POINT
LOSS=ZERO (0) POINTS
Total point ties will be resolved by the following tiebreakers, in order:
1-Goal differential
2-Head to head matches
3-Win percentage
*Only team managers are allowed to discuss matters with League Directors and Referees.
*Team managers must repost to the check in table after the game to sign off on the final score of each game.
START OF THE GAME
The referee will ask the teams to decide kick-off and field side options. The kick-off will be at the center of the field at the referee whistle. The ball must move forward first and cross the midfield line. After a goal has been scored, the game restarts from the same midfield point. The team not kicking off at the start of the game will take the kick-off to begin the second half.
DURATION OF THE GAME
All games will have 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime to exchange ends and break. The referee whistle ends each period.
SCORING A GOAL
A goal shall be scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line, not the player, in the air or on the ground between the goal posts and under the crossbar.
OUT OF PLAY
The ball is considered out of play when the entire ball crosses the end line or sideline.
OFFSIDES
There are no off sides.
SUBSTITUTIONS
There are no limits on substitutions. The substitute can only enter the field after a player that is being substituted for has left the field.
FOOTWEAR
It is strictly forbidden to wear metal cleats. Shin guards are not mandatory but are highly recommended.
UNIFORMS
Uniforms are at the team discretion. The top needs to be the same color. If teams are wearing the same color, the home team must wear pennies. The goal keeper must wear a different color than the opposing team. Soccer attire is recommended, and no jeans can be worn.
REFEREES
The game is officiated by a Referee nominated by BGS; their decisions are final. The Referee will serve as timekeeper and scorekeeper. The Referee is part of the field of play and their calls are final.
FOULS
NO SLIDE TACKLE of any kind is allowed
YELLOW CARD (The player must leave the field of play for 5 minutes)
Demonstrates unsportsmanlike behavior
Argues, harasses and interferes with the Referee
Persistently infringes the laws of the game
Any “unfair play” or "rough play"in the opinion of the Referee
No player can replace the penalized player
RED CARD (The player is not permitted to re-enter the game)
When a player receives two Yellow Cards
Serious foul play
Violent play
Fighting
Foul or abusive language
Any “unfair play” in the opinion of the Referee
No player can replace the penalized player
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed at any playing field at any time. Teams are responsible for their spectators. Drinking alcohol is not allowed at Az Co-ed Soccer League.
UNSPORTSMANSHIP BEHAVIOR
If a player commits a serious aggressive foul, or offends any spectator or participant of the game, the Referee shall give them a Red Card and they shall be sent off the field without being able to re-enter the game. If a player receives 2 Yellow Cards in a match, then they will be ejected as well and he/she may not be replaced for the remainder of the game. The penalized player’s name and reason for suspension will be reported to the League Director for possible additional sanctions.