J,M.Mc Donald Rules

J.M . McDonald Sports Complex

House Soccer Rules for Boardless Field

The seventeen laws of soccer will govern play at J.M. McDonald Sports Complex in addition to the house rules listed below. The house rules pertain to all teams playing at J.M. McDonald Sports Complex.

Complaints about league administration, facilities management, or officiating shall be submitted in writing to the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex staff office. Written comments must include; contact information for author, date and time of event in question, and teams playing if applicable.
Captain Responsibilities:
1. Captain is a person over the age of 21 who represents the team to the league, facility, and referees. This person must be present during games and in the field area during training without exception.
2. Captains must submit a complete roster and signed waiver forms one week prior to the first game of the scheduled season or tournament.
3. Captain is responsible for team payment in full at least one week before the first game or the team will be removed from the schedule.
4. All players must sign a waiver that must be submitted by the captain prior to playing the first scheduled game.
Roster:
1. A copy of the roster must be on file before the start of the first game. Additions can be made until the end of the third game of the scheduled season.
2. Open players must be at least 16 years of age no exceptions.
3. The Open Division must have 2 women players on the field or the team must play down 1 or 2 players (depending on the number of women on the field.)
4. The Adult “Over 30” league must have 2 female players on the field. All players must be a least 30 years old.
5. All players (parents if player is under 18 years of age) are required to sign a waiver that must be submitted by the captain prior to the first game of the scheduled season.
6. NYSWYSA roster guidelines are followed at all times in youth matches.
Cancellations and Reschedule Requests:
1. Indoor activities are extremely busy here at J.M. McDonald Sports Complex. Rescheduling of games will only be considered in extreme circumstances on a case by case basis. The league and or facility decision is final.
2. To be fair to all teams, it is our intention to stick to established schedules. Lack of any personnel is not a reason to reschedule games.
3. Failure to attend a scheduled game will result in a forfeit. A refund or price reduction will not be given. The team that forfeits without 48 hours notice to the league coordinator must pay the full referee fee of $30/game.
Equipment:
1. Player equipment includes a jersey (numbers optional, but preferred), shorts, shin guards, socks that cover the shin guards and appropriate indoor shoes (no metal cleats or screw ins are allowed; molded cleats and turf shoes are acceptable).
2. Player jerseys of opposing teams should be of contrasting color. The referee will assign pinnies to one team if there is not sufficient contrast.
3. Goalkeeper's jerseys should be different from that of the referees, teammates, and opposing field players.
4. Players may not wear jewelry or other equipment that may be deemed inappropriate, dangerous or confusing by the referee. Hard casts are permitted with a minimum of l" padding and permission from the referee.
Playing Time:
1. League matches consist of two 25-minute halves of running time.
2. Half-time will last for two minutes. An 8 minute break between games to allow for equipment inspection and warm-ups.
3. The referees have been instructed to begin the games according to the posted schedules.
4. Coaches are responsible to watch the clock and have their team ready to start on time.
5. Referees will announce a 30-second start warning with a buzzer or whistle.
Substitutions:
1. During the game, substitutions for field players (not keepers) may be made on-the-fly at any time on an unlimited basis provided the player being substituted for is within three yards of his or her own bench area.
2. Substitutions must enter the field of play at the halfway line.
3. Goalkeeper substitutions may only occur during a stoppage. Referees must be notified when a goalkeeper change is made.
Ball In and Out of Play:
1. The ball is out of play when it completely crosses the touch lines, goal lines, or touches the ceiling structure or any fixtures attached to the ceiling.
2. Play is restarted with a throw in, corner kick, indirect kick, or goal kick, accordingly. The ball is placed beneath the place where it touched the ceiling or ceiling fixtures (even in the penalty area) and play is restarted with an indirect free kick. No whistle is required to restart play.
Goalkeeper Release:
1. Goalkeepers may punt, drop kick, or throw the ball after receiving it. The goalkeeper has possession of the ball until the ball hits the ground the second time.
2. The goalkeeper has a total of 6 seconds to play the ball from their hands.
3. The goalkeeper may release the ball from hands to floor and play with feet. Once released to his or her own feet, the ball may not be touched by the goalkeeper with the hands until an opposing player has touched the ball. The penalty for this infraction is an indirect free kick from where the goalie touches the ball.
4. There is no restriction of how far the goalie may throw, punt, or drop kick the ball. The ball must touch; the turf on his / her own half of the field, or another player before it can go in the goal. Similar to an indirect kick.
Rules of the Match
1. Referees are allowed discretion for “play on” or “no call” as is normal in any game. Advantage calls allow the game to be played as it is intended to be played. “No call” for negating or mutual fouls allow the game to be played as it is intended to be played.
2. All games are based on running clock time. The game clock does not stop for any reason in league play.
3. Games consist of two 25-minute halves with a two minute half-time for league games or one 25 minute game during certain tournaments. The referees have been instructed to begin the games according to the schedule.
4. If needed, J.M. McDonald Sports Complex or referees have the authority to alter time between games and length of half time to get or keep games on schedule. All teams must be ready to play according to the posted schedules. Coaches are responsible to watch the clock and have their team ready to start on time. Referees may announce a 30 second warning with a buzzer or whistle.
5. Teams down by 5 goals may add another player. Teams must return to equal numbers if the score differential is brought down to four.
6. No slide tackling - the intention is for players to play on their feet.
  1. Goal Keepers may leave their feet as is normal in the run of play.
  2. First offense for slide tackling results in a free kick.
  3. Second offense for slide tackle results in a card either yellow or red upon referee discretion.
7. There is no offside penalty
8. Number of players on full field; 8 vs. 8 or 7 vs. 7 depending on atheltes' age and skill. Teams must have a minimum of 5 or 4 players respectively on the field to legally start a full field game.
9. Start of Play: Visitors will kick off in the first half. Home team kicks off to start the second half. The ball must be kicked forward. During tournaments when there is no halftime, a coin toss or number selection(ie. 'pick 1 or 2') will be used to determine who kicks-off.
10. Corner Kicks: Corner kicks are taken from the corners of the field. No whistle is required for the restart.
11. Goal Kicks: Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere in the goal area and must clear the penalty area to be in play.
12. Free kicks are given a ten foot radius. No opposing player may infringe within 10’.
Fouls:
1. An indirect free kick will be awarded for the following offenses, as well as to restart play after a yellow or red card is issued
  1. Goalkeeper releases the ball and touches it with his/her hands before an opponent has touched the ball.
  2. Goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands when the ball is deliberately played from feet to him/her by a teammate.
  3. Goalkeeper holds the ball for more than six seconds.
  4. Wasting time
  5. Dangerous play - NO BICYCLE KICKS ALLOWED!
  6. Impeding the progress of an opponent while not within playing distance of the ball.
  7. Preventing the keeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands.
  8. Any other offenses for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.
2. Cautions and Send Offs:
  1. Yellow card is a penalty for any cautionable offense, play is restarted by the awarding of a free kick to the team opposing the cautioned player.
  2. Red card is a penalty resulting in ejection. Any red card will result in suspension for the following game for the ejected player.
  3. A carded penalty shall result in a time penalty divided into the following categories:
    1. Yellow Card 2 minutes
    2. Red Card Ejection. Team will play one player short for remainder of the game.
3. Caution - Yellow Card:
  1. Yellow cards are a two minute penalty and the player is not released if a "power play" goal is scored. (In tournament and playoff games only- penalties carry over into overtime until the time is served or the opponent scores.)
  2. Cautionable Offenses may include but are not limited to:
    1. Unsportsmanlike behavior
    2. Dissent by word or action
    3. Persistent infringemenDelaying the restart of play
    4. Failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted
    5. Illegal substitutions
    6. Too many players on the field
4. Send Off - Red Card:
  1. A red card results in the offending player being sent off the field. He/she may not return to that game – players may be asked to leave the bench and even the facility on the referee's discretion.
  2. Red cards penalties include but are not limited to:
    1. Serious foul play
    2. Violent conduct
    3. Spitting at an opponent or any other person
    4. Denying a goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball or by the commission of an offense punishable by a free kick/penalty kick
    5. Use of offensive, insulting or abusive language
    6. Receiving two yellow cards
    7. Leaving the bench during an altercation
  3. The referee has the right to end the game in a forfeit for the offending team should improper conduct continue after the card is issued. If the game is ended there will be no reschedule or discount.
  4. All red card offenses and or send offs result in a one game suspension. The individual may not participate in any game until the suspension has been served.
  5. A second red card or send off in the same session or tournament will result in a three game suspension.
  6. A third red card will result in suspension for the entire season without refund. The individuals' suspension may be for the entirety of the Complex's indoor season (October to March).
Coaches and Bench Personnel.
1. Coaches and bench personnel are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship in all their dealings with players, spectators, officials, other coaches and management.
2. No spectators are allowed in the bench area.
3. Coaches and bench personnel may be carded and or sent off.
Overtime:
1. During play-off games where a winner must be decided, a 5 minute, 'sudden death' overtime will be played. Teams will begin the overtime full strength and lose one player each minute until a goal is scored. During co-ed play, the first players removed must be male until the side is 50% male and 50% female, then a female player may be removed. The over time period may be repeated as many times as necessary until a goal is scored.
Management Authority:
1. Unsportsmanlike and inappropriate language or conduct directed at the referees, coaches, players or fans is not tolerated J.M. McDonald Sports Complex. Violations will result in your removal. Repeated violations will result in removal for an entire season.
2. J.M. McDonald Sports Complex promotes an environment of fair play, respect and enjoyment for families. First class behavior is expected. We hold ourselves, as well as our guests to that standard.
3. The J.M. McDonald Sports Complex reserves the right to add, modify or change the rules of play at any time.