Rules – SoMD Adult Soccer

SOMD ADULT SOCCER LEAGUE OFFICIALS:

All policy issues will be decided as a majority rule with league officials’ participation.
• The commissioner.
• The treasurer.
• The referee coordinator.
• The disciplinary committee.
• The field manager.
• The scheduler.
• Team captains.

SOMD Adult Soccer League requires the input of its members in order to serve the league.
All comments and inputs should be submitted using the league’s complaint form.

SAFETY FIRST (AND LAST)
SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to ensure the League remains “recreational” in nature and reserves the right to enforce these rules as it deems fit. SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to deny membership to any player with a history of misconduct or uncontrolled aggressiveness. The competitive aspects of the match are secondary in importance to the safety and recreational benefits of its members. The league is in existence for one purpose; an opportunity for people to have fun and get some exercise. Keep the fun in the exercise. If in doubt, back off.
Playing while Pregnant – Players may only play while pregnant after the first trimester with a doctor’s note. If they’re showing, they shouldn’t be playing. The doctor’s note must be provided to me, the commissioner, not the referee. It was noted that if at any point a referee feels anyone is unsafe because of it, the referee’s decision trumps all and is final.

THE FIELD OF PLAY:
• The field must be rectangular. The present field size is 45 yards wide by 85 yards long. The goal size is 18 feet wide by 7 feet high. The dimensions of the field and/or the goal may change from season to season depending upon field availability.
• A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds.) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yds.) and are joined by a line drawn a parallel with the goal line. The area is bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
• A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yds.) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yds.) and are joined by a line drawn a parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yds.) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds.) from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

MATCH BALL:
• A size 5 match ball will be provided by the League to every captain at the beginning of every season. It is the captain’s responsibility to bring the match ball to every game.

LEVELS OF COMPETITION AND PLAYING:

• Gold Division – Competitive players: For players with several years of high school and/or college soccer experience.
• Silver Division – Recreational players: For the recreational and beginner player.
• SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to move teams up or down a division in the following season if the team’s goal differential is greater or less than 24 points.
• SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to determine if a player is considered too advanced for a given division and remove the individual from the team roster.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:
• ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED LEAGUE MEMBERS AND MUST PAY THE REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE FEE BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY LEAGUE-SPONSORED GAMES. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that ALL team members are registered, ALL players have signed the registration forms, and that their registration and insurance fees are collected. Volunteers will have league fees waived.
• A match is played with seven (7) players on each side (six field players and a goalkeeper). An additional field player may be added to each side provided BOTH captains agree to the change. A team may play shorthanded if they choose (5 players minimum). A minimum of five (5) players must be on the field to avoid a forfeit. A 10-minute grace period, from the scheduled start of the match, will be allowed before a match is forfeited. A match that does not start when scheduled will be reduced in time such that the next match shall start on time.
• A minimum of (2) players on the field must be female. If two registered female players are not available or not able to play, the team will play short-handed.
• All players must be 18 years of age or older.
• SOMD Adult Soccer League permits liberal player substitutions.
• Male/female substituting is permissible provided that at least two female players, per team, remain on the field of play.
• If a team does not have enough players, a substitute player(s) can be added to the team with the approval of the opposing team captain. Substitute player(s) added cannot exceed the number of players in the opposing team. Substituted players must be registered league members having paid registration and insurance fees.
• A total of 3 non-rostered, non-starting subs may be added, with the approval of the opposing captain.
• A total of rostered players plus subs cannot exceed the team on the field plus three non-starting players (2 males, 1 female).
• Players can only play in one adjacent division from which they are registered in.
• Players can only be rostered on 2 teams in the same division.
• Any player can be picked up as a sub in other divisions if the opposing captain agrees.
• Roster challenges must be done before the beginning of the game unless the opposing team adds players throughout the match that were not present when the game started.

PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT:
• No jewelry (plain wedding bands exempt) or sunglasses.
• Prescription glasses are allowed.
• Shin guards are optional.
• Goalies must wear colors that distinguish them from other field players.
• No metal cleats allowed.
• Team player’s jerseys must be team color. If both teams competing against each other wear the same color jerseys, the designated ‘home team’ will change to their secondary color.

THE REFEREE:

• SOMD Adult Soccer League referees shall adhere to FIFA Laws of the Game in all instances, except with the regard to specific SOMD Adult Soccer League rules:
• Dissension will NOT be tolerated. Players that continue to infringe will be cautioned and subject to disciplinary action!
• Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
• The referee enforces the Laws of the Match by the following:
• Ensures that the players’ equipment meets the requirements.
• Acts as a timekeeper and keeps a record of the match.
• Stops, suspends, or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws.
• Stops, suspend or terminate the match because of outside interference of any kind.
• Stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play.
• Allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured.
• Ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped.
• Allows play to continue when the team against which an offense has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time.
• Punishes the more serious offense when a player commits more than one offense at the same time.
• Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of actionable offenses and sending-off offenses. He is not obligated to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play.
• Takes action against team officials and players who fail to conduct themselves responsibly and may at his or her discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surroundings.
• Restarts the match after it has been stopped.
• Provides the appropriate authorities with a referee report form, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents, which occurred before, during, or after the match.
• Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of Yellow Card (caution) and Red Card (ejection) offenses. He/she is not obligated to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play.
• Decisions of the Referee: The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
• The referee may change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he/she has not restarted play.
• The referee decides that the condition of the field of play or the weather conditions are such as whether to allow or not to let a match take place.
• A referee is not held liable for any kind of injury suffered by a player, official, or spectator.
• A referee is not held liable for any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association, or other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision which he may take under the terms of the Laws of the Match or in respect of the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match.
• SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to ban a referee if he/she threatens a player, another official, or spectator in a verbal and/or physical action once an investigation is completed.

DURATION OF THE MATCH:
• The match will last 85 minutes, consisting of two 40-minute halves and a 5-minute halftime break. If the match does not start at the assigned time, the match will be shortened to allow for the completion of the match within the scheduled time.
• There will be no time allowance for injury time or any other delays.

START AND RESTART OF PLAY:

• A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
~ At the start of the match.
~ After a goal has been scored.
~ At the start of the second half of the match.
• A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
• Restart Procedure:
~ All players are in their own half of the field.
~ The opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 9.15 m (10 yds.) from the ball until it is in play.
~ The ball is stationary on the center mark.
~ The referee gives a signal.
~ The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward at any distance.
~ The kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
• After a team scores a goal, the kick-off is taken by the other team.
• A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage, which becomes necessary, while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Match.
• An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponent’s penalty area is taken from the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
• A dropped ball to restart the match after play has been temporarily stopped inside the penalty area takes place on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
• Restarts and goalie kicks from the penalty area/goal line cannot pass the midfield without hitting the ground or a player. If this happens, the other team gains possession for an indirect kick at midfield. The ball should be located where the ball crossed the midfield line.
• The goalkeeper may throw the ball past the midfield.
• Restarts, when the ball goes out on the sidelines, it will be a throw-in.
• Throw-ins to the goalie cannot be handled by the goalie with his/her hands.

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY:
• The ball is out of play when:
~ It has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline whether on the ground or in the air.
~The play has been stopped by the referee.
• The ball is in play at all other times, including when it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar, or corner flag post and remains in the field of play or when it rebounds from off the referee when he/she is on the field of play.

METHOD OF SCORING:
• A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts, and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Match has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
• Goals scored by male players count as 1 point.
• Goals, excluding penalty kicks, scored by female players count as 2 points.

OFFSIDES:
• A ‘modified’ offside rule will be enforced if the referee, at his/her discretion, deems the player gained, or is attempting to gain, an unfair advantage from being in an offside position. A player may be deemed in an offside position if, in the opinion of the referee, the player is stationary near the goal in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.
• When a match is officiated by a single referee, the referee will not be responsible for enforcing the offside rule to a strict interpretation of the law and will instead use his or her better judgment as a guide for enforcement.

SLIDE TACKLES:
• Slide tackles are not allowed and will result in an immediate yellow card and an indirect kick. For the slide tackle rule to be enforced, both the slide and the tackle must occur.
• Sliding without a tackle is not illegal. However, the referee, at his/her discretion, may call an infraction to the dangerous play rule if he deems the slide violates the safety of other players, even if the slide was executed without malicious intent.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:
• SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to ban a player, up to life without refund, if a referee is threatened or physical actions are made toward the official. No refund will be given to the said player.
• SOMD Adult Soccer League reserves the right to ban a player if he/she threatens another player in a verbal and/or physical action once an investigation is completed. No refund will be given to the said player.
• Any player who insists on playing in a league match after being issued a match suspension will cause the team they are playing for to forfeit that match. The player will also receive an additional match suspension. Additionally, that Team Captain will also receive a match suspension for that match.
• Any Team that plays with (an) un-registered player(s) not cleared by the referee and opposing captain or the league president, will forfeit all matches in which the ineligible player participated.
• Fighting is grounds for immediate cancellation of SOMD Adult Soccer League membership. A player expelled from SOMD Adult Soccer League is NOT entitled to a refund of league membership fees.
• Players ejected from a match, may remain on the sidelines provided that the player does not influence, impede, or participate, physically or verbally, in the match or proceedings of the match. The referee, at his discretion, may remove the player from the premises. If the player is uncooperative, SOMD Adult Soccer League will enforce its right to call Parks and Rec to inform civil authorities to deal with the matter.
• Any player who is served with two Yellow Cards during a match must serve a one-match suspension.

~ Said player may not play in any games for the remainder of the day.

• Any player that is served five (5) Yellow Cards throughout the season, including any two received during the same match that led to a previous suspension, must serve a one-match suspension.
• Reckless endangerment is justification for a Red Card. League members are out on the field to have fun and get some exercise. KEEP THE FUN IN THE EXERCISE.
• There will be no protests. The referee’s decision is final. If the conduct of league members or referees is of concern, team captains should discuss the issue AFTER the match with league officials. If not resolved, a meeting with the league officials will be held after a complaint form is submitted.
• A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following (10) offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force (A direct free kick is taken from where the offense occurred.):
~ Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
~ Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
~ Jumps at an opponent.
~ Charges an opponent.
~ Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
~ Pushes an opponent.
~ Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball.
~ Holds an opponent.
~ Spits at an opponent (automatic Red Card)
~ Handles the ball deliberately.
• A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offenses are committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.
• An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following three offenses: (indirect free kick is taken from where the offense occurred):
~ Plays in a dangerous manner.
~ Impedes the progress of an opponent.
~ Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands.
• An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offenses:
~ Touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player.
~ Touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him or by a teammate.
~ Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate.
• A player is cautioned and shown a yellow card if he commits any of the following five offenses:
~ Is guilty of unsporting behavior.
~ Shows dissent by word or action.
~ Persistently infringes the Laws of the Match.
~ Delays the restart of play.
~ Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick.
• A player is sent off and shown a red card if he commits any of the following seven offenses (The player will not be allowed to play the remainder of the match and may NOT play in any other game, for any other team.)
~ Is guilty of serious foul play.
~ Is guilty of violent conduct.
~ Spits at an opponent or any other person.
~ Denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
~ Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.
~ Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language.
~ Receives a second caution (yellow card) in the same match.
• A player will get a 1-match suspension after accumulating 2 yellow cards in 2 consecutive matches.

~ Player may not play in any games the remaining of the day.
• A player will get a 1-match suspension after accumulating 2 yellow cards during a match.

~ Player may not play in any games the remaining of the day.
• A player will get a 1-match suspension after accumulating 5 yellow cards throughout the season.

~ Player may not play in any games the remaining of the day.
• A player will get a 1-match suspension for receiving a red card.

~ Player may not play in any games the remaining of the day.

FREE KICKS:
• Free kicks are either direct or indirect. For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken, and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

THE DIRECT FREE KICK:
• If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded.
• If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

THE INDIRECT FREE KICK:
• The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.
• A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.
• If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal kick is awarded.
• If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

FREE KICK:
• All opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds.) from the ball until it is in play.
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
• The free-kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
• If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance, the kick is retaken.
• Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. The kick is to be taken from the place where the infringement occurs.
• If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
• A penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area.
• If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
• If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
• An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick is to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

THE PENALTY KICK:
• A penalty kick is awarded against a team, which commits one of the ten offenses for which a direct free kick is awarded inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.
• A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
• The ball is placed on the penalty mark.
• The player taking the penalty kick must be properly identified.
• The defending goalkeeper remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.
• The players other than the kicker are located inside the field of play, outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, at least 9.15 m (10 yds.) from the penalty mark.
• The Referee does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law.
• The Referee decides when a penalty kick has been completed.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.
• When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or the time has been extended at half-time or full-time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if the ball passes between the goalposts and under the crossbar. THE THROW-IN:
• A throw-in is a method of restarting play.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
• A throw-in is awarded:
o When the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, either on the ground or in the air.
o From the point where it crossed the touchline.
o To the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.
• At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
o Must face the field of play.
o Must have part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline.
o Uses both hands.
o Delivers the ball from behind and over his head.
• The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
• The ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play.

THE GOAL KICK:
Restarts and goalie kick from the penalty area/goal line cannot pass the midfield without hitting the ground or another player. Should the ball land on the opposing team’s side, the opposing team gains possession for an indirect kick at midfield at the point where the ball crossed the midfield line.
• A goal kick is a method of restarting play.
• A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team. The midfield rule (kicking the ball across the midfield on a restart) still applies for goal kicks.
• A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored.
• A player of the defending team can kick the ball from any point within the goal area.
• Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
• The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area.

THE CORNER KICK:
• A corner kick is a method of restarting play.
• A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.
• A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored.
• The ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flag post.
• The corner flag post cannot be moved.
• Opponents must remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds.) from the ball until it is in play.
• A player of the attacking team must kick the ball.
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

THE GOALKEEPER:
• The goalkeeper may perform a drop kick given that the ball cannot go past midfield before touching the ground or another player. An indirect free kick is given to the opposing team if this rule is violated.
• The goalkeeper may punt the ball given that the ball cannot go past midfield before touching the ground or another player. An indirect free kick is given to the opposing team if this rule is violated.
• The goalkeeper may throw the ball past the midfield.

RAIN POLICY:
• In case of inclement weather, assume games will be played unless captains receive notice from SOMD Adult Soccer League officials.
• If the match is not canceled through St. Mary’s Recreation & Parks or Calvert County Parks & Recreation and the weather dictates, the match can be called by the referee or a mutual decision between the captains of both teams.
• If the match is canceled due to the weather, the referee will be paid for the match that was canceled.
• Lightning and thunder are justifications for the immediate suspension of a match.
• SOMD Adult Soccer League officials will make every effort to reschedule canceled games. Rescheduled games are not guaranteed.
• There are no refunds or credits for games canceled due to inclement weather.

GAMES:
• Teams that fail to notify the league by noon the day prior to game time, that they are unable to field a team will automatically forfeit their scheduled game.
• No-shows will be counted as a forfeit.
• Roster additions must be made by noon the day prior to game time.
• Roster additions must be approved by the commissioner.
• NO roster additions can be made once the regular season has ended.

STANDINGS: 
• Standings will be kept by the league during the season using a point system, where a WIN gets 3 points; TIE gets 1 point and a LOSS gets 0 points.
• Playoffs will be held at the end of the season if there is field availability.
~Playoffs consist of the top four teams from each division.