Rules for Womens Outdoor League Play
**NO METAL CLEATS/SPIKES ALLOWED AND SHINGUARDS ARE MANDTORY**
Uniform: -all players must wear soccer shin guards
-no metal cleats or spikes are permitted
-no exposed jewelry (can be taped down)
-no hats except for goalkeepers
-knee braces must be inspected and approved by the referee prior to the start of the game
-only hand and arm casts are allowed. Casts must be padded and inspected and approved by the referee prior to the start of the game
-the referee can order a player to remove any unauthorized or dangerous equipment
The Game: Game times are 5:45pm, 6:45pm and 7:45pm at Nott Road in Guilderland on FIELD 3 (across from the dog park). Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The game shall consist of two (2) twenty-five minute (25 min.) halves with a rest period of five (5) minutes in between halves. The rest period will be shortened if the game failed to start on time. Games ending in a tie remain tied –NO OVERTIME! Any game terminated because of the weather will be completed at a later date from the exact point at which the original game stopped. If a game reaches halftime the game will be considered complete. Teams are required to play make-up games as scheduled or accept a forfeit.
Number of Players on the Field: 7 (6 + keeper). The minimum number of players to start a game is 5 players or else it is considered a forfeit (3-0). We recommend in the interest of the league that the teams divide equally and play a “friendly” game. If a team wants to forfeit, they can pick up players from other teams in order to have enough to play (this must be decided before the game begins).
Kick Offs: Kickoffs are indirect and ball must be played forward.
Goalkeepers: -Cannot pick up the ball if intentionally played back by own team
-Allowed to punt, dropkick and kick over half!
-Wasting time will be not allowed by a referee. If a referee feels that she is doing so intentionally, this will result in an indirect
kick at the top of the box.
Offsides: Offsides will be called starting at the top of the goal box.
Free Kicks: All free kicks are direct and defending team must be a minimum of 10 yards away.
Substitutions: Substitutions shall be unlimited and unrestricted. Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
-prior to a throw-in (either team in possession)
-after a goal or before a goal kick by either team
-after an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play
-at half time
Yellow Card: Any player with two (2) yellow cards in consecutive games cannot play the next game. Any player with four (4) non-consecutive yellow cards cannot play the next game. Two (2) yellow cards in the same game means an immediate red card.
Red Card: All red cards will result in ejection and the player will sit out for the rest of the game AND the following game. The ejected player must leave the park within two (2) minutes. A player remaining in the vicinity of Nott Road fields (including the parking lot) after being ejected from the game will be subject to a long suspension. If the ejected player attempts to play the following week, then they will be suspended for an additional game. On a red card, the ejected player must leave the game, however another player can sub in for them (team does not have to play a man down). A second red card during the season will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
-Red card product of two (2) yellow cards: must sit 1 game
-Red card for professional foul: must sit 1 game
-Immediate red card for dangerous play: must sit 2 games
-Red card for insulting a referee and/or other players: must sit 2-3 games
-Red card for violent conduct, fighting or trying to physically attack another player: lifetime ban
-Red card for violent conduct, fighting or trying to physically attack an official: lifetime ban
Other Rules: NO Slide Tackles! Fist fighting, swearing, and racial remarks will NOT be tolerated. The referees and Afrim’s Sports staff have the right to suspend anyone from the league at any time for this behavior.
