spartan soccer rules

2.0.1 Standard rules of Football (LOTG) as set out by FIFA will be adhered to unless mentioned within this document. COED is not defined by FIFA and Spartan Soccer modifies such rules as needed and posted for each season.

2.0.2 Any and all decisions regarding interpretation of the rules shall be made by the  executive of the league. League rulings are final.

2.0.3 Players must wear proper soccer shoes and shin guards. Metal cleats are not permitted

2.1.1 Players must be at least 16 years of age, or turn 16 during the course of the season for the adult leagues.

2.2 GAME AND SCHEDULE

2.2.1 Teams shall play one regularly scheduled game per week.

2.2.2 Regular season games shall consist of two 25-minutes halves for Indoor. Or two 35-minutes halves for outdoor. Spartan Soccer reviews the format for each season.

2.2.3 Points are awarded as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. Spartan Soccer may choose another method to score games on a season basis and adjust without notice.

2.2.4 Outdoor Teams can field up to 11 players with a minimum of 7 players. Teams that cannot field 7 players 15 minutes after the officially scheduled start of the game must automatically forfeit the game. Indoor games must field a minimum (as per format) after 10 minutes after the officially scheduled start must automatically forfeit the game. The forfeit is considered final. After a forfeit, teams may mutually agree to play a friendly match. Teams may exchange players to balance team sizes. All league rules are still in force during friendly matches.

Min 5 players, including keeper

Min 1 female, female keeper counts

No female: forfeit

All males must be from roster

Females can be recruited from other teams

Div 1 players are not allowed to play down

If a team is reduced to less than 5 players, then the opposing team must agree to player offset or loan a player. It then becomes a forfeit at the discretion of the opposing team and the game is played as a friendly.

Min 5 players, including keeper

Min 2 females and 4 males on field, female keep counts

No female: forfeit

All males must be from roster

Females can be recruited from other teams

Div 1 players are not allowed to play down

If a team is reduced to less than 5 players, then the opposing team must agree to player offset or loan a player. It then becomes a forfeit at the discretion of the opposing team and the game is played as a friendly.

Min 6 players, including the keeper.

Min 3 females and 4 males on field, female keep counts

All males must be from roster

Females can be recruited from other teams

Div 1 players are not allowed to play down

If a team is reduced to less than 5 players, then the opposing team must agree to player offset or loan a player. It then becomes a forfeit at the discretion of the opposing team and the game is played as a friendly.

Min 7 players, including the keeper.

Min 3 females and 4 males on field, female keep counts

All males must be from roster

1 female must be from roster

Females can be recruited from other teams

Div 1 players are not allowed to play down

If a team is reduced to less than 6 players, then the opposing team must agree to player offset or loan a player. It then becomes a forfeit at the discretion of the opposing team and the game is played as a friendly.

FIFA outdoor rules require a minimum of 7 players to play

Spartan COED follows a gender ratio when fielding players:

4 females + 6 males + GK = 11 players

3 females + 6 males + GK = 10 players

2 females+ 6 males + GK = 9 players

Basically you play short for each girl missing

All males must be from roster

2 females must be from roster

Females can be recruited from other teams

Consolidated Outdoor Formatting

OPEN Men or Women, COED

• 9v9 format, up to 90 minutes
• Turf based primarily, stadium lights as needed
• Edmonton and St. Albert locations
• Turf shoes required, shin guards, shorts, socks
• Teams: must provide numbered and matching jerseys
• COED: 2 minimum opposite gender on field at all times
• COED: 4 minimum opposite gender on roster
• COED: numbered matching pinnies are allowed
• COED: 1 referee
• COED: Sub on fly at mid line
• OPEN: 2 referees
• OPEN: Sub at referee call at mid line
• OPEN: numbered matching jerseys only
• 20 registered players at start of season for all teams. Max 25
• Exemptions may be considered for highly committed teams for less than 20 players
• Max 8 teams per division
• Players of these league teams can sub any Spartan Soccer league game free
• Drop In or Cohort program included free

2.2.5 Players may sub on and off the field as many times as they like during the course of play

2.2.6 If your goalie is absent, a goalie must either be called from another team list or from the sub list.  In the case of the goalie being injured but still able to play, then the goalie may play in the outfield and be replaced by another goalie.

2.2.7 Teams must only field players registered with the league or from the Sub Pool with prior notice to Spartan Admin.

2.2.7A Premier or Major League players are allowed to participate in Spartan Soccer COED league, given they are cleared to do so by their home league. Teams adding such players to their roster must identify such players to the league management. Failure to provide such information to the league will immediately disqualify the player and retroactively adjust game stats (offending team will be given a loss of 3-0 for any game that player played in). Further a sanctions and fines may be applied to the team. These players must be vetted based upon their history in soccer leagues to determine if they are allowed to play in Spartan Soccer COED.

2.2.8 A sub player may be called when a team is missing players from its drafted roster. A team may call up subs so that it has no more than 11 + two sub players, but in event the other opposing team does not have 11 + two sub players, the captains must come to an agreement to share any called up players. The ratio max for Subs for Outdoor is 5 on a 1-1 basis for each player short from the roster (7 min from roster and 5 subs). Indoor ratio max is 3 Subs on a 1-1 basis (Any player in the league can sub for another team, as long as both captains agree to it before the start of the game and is communicated to the referee. A player that was ejected from a previous game or is serving a suspension may not sub for another team.

2.2.9 Teams must start the game with at least two female players in the line-up. If a team cannot field at least two female players, they must play one player down until a female player arrives.

2.2.10 There must always be at least two female players on the field at all times (as per ratio listed in 2.2.4A). In the event that a team only has two female players on game day, they will NOT be required to stay on the field at all times. She shall leave the field as needed for rest breaks but the team will play a player down. If the team calls in another female but is over the sub limit, the two females must sub for one another.  If the situation arises where one team is continually short female players, the league will look into the reason that this has occurred and take corrective action as needed to fix the situation. Corrective action may include adding additional female players to the team, or removing male players from a team as required, or any other action the league executive and captains feel is fair and required. If a female player is not available for a game all attempts should be made to ensure a female replacement is called to fill in.

2.2.11 Moving to the 2-referee system, the offside rule will be addressed at the referee’s discretion.  If the player is clearly offside (as determined by the referee) then the referee shall stop the play and award a free kick.

2.2.12 A game is considered to be official if at least half of the game is complete. The referee and team captains have the discretion to shorten game play if necessary. Games will be called off by the referee if lightning is in the area, or if there are any other conditions that make game play unsafe.

2.2.13 In the event that a game is not played or not considered official due to shortening, team captains may elect to schedule a mutually-agreed make-up game assuming a venue can be found and approved by Spartan. Make-up games must be played prior to the last regular season game of the year. If a make-up game cannot be played, the regularly scheduled game is recorded as a 0-0 draw.

2.2.14 Play-off games cannot end in a draw. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, the referees will determine options for a settlement. In the event of penalty kicks, the first shooter must be female and the ratio of shooter squads from each team will be 2F+3M or 1F+2M.

2.2.15 If a play-off game goes to penalty kicks, one of the first three kick takers must be female

2.2.16 All penalty kicks will be taken on the nets as determined by the game officials.

2.2.17 Players are encouraged to exercise caution when kicking the ball at other players, especially at female players. If any kick is deemed by the referee to be overly hard, uncontrolled or even dangerous, officials can whistle the play down and award a free kick to the offended team. This type of play will be treated as any other aggressive play. When kicking at a player wall, if you hit any player in the wall above the waist, you may receive an unsportsmanlike call.

2.2.18 In the COED and OPEN leagues, there is absolutely NO SLIDE TACKLING, even by the keeper. Slide tackling is defined as “A tackle in soccer in which a player attempts to disrupt the play, or take possession of the ball away from an opponent, with neither foot planted on the ground – sliding with one or both legs extended to block or push the ball away from an opposing player.” A slide tackle is committed against an opponent when the ball is within playing distance. Slide tackling is punished with a caution. The restart is an indirect free kick for the opposition from where the offence occurred. What is allowed (When done in a safe manner): Lunging or reaching for a ball with one foot planted. Sliding to play or block a ball where no opponent is involved.

2.2.19 Foul Language. There is a zero tolerance for foul language, especially when directed towards another player or an official. Such behaviour will result in a yellow card at a minimum and possibly a red card (game ejection), depending on the circumstances. Officials may issue a red card for Offensive, Insulting or Abusive Language (OIAL) without warning. The offending team will play short for the entire five minutes (two girls must be on the field at all times during the time penalty)

2.2.20 Spitting is illegal for soccer. Spitting on the field is a red card and game ejection. The team does not play short. Spitting on a player is a violent conduct. This is reported and could result in a lifetime suspension in all leagues.

2.2.21 Throw-Ins. For both indoor and outdoor soccer, the ball is thrown in after it goes out of play. Indoor: When a ball hits the ceiling, it is a throw-in from the nearest sideline. Indoor: There is a 5 second time limit on throw-ins.

2.2.22 Free Kicks for Indoor: There is a 5 second time limit on free kicks. Indoor: All kicks are indirect, with the exception of penalty kicks. Keeper: Indoor: If the keeper catches the ball, the keeper then has 5 seconds to release it.

2.2.23 Offsides: Indoor: There are no offsides in indoor soccer. Indoor: There is no 3-line rule, common in boarded soccer. Outdoor: There are offsides in outdoor soccer.

2.2.24 On artificial turf, shoes permitted are indoor turf shoes or soccer cleats (must be clean of dirt and grass). The best choice for artificial turf is turf shoes. Cleats may provide too much grip and have a higher risk of injury.

2.2.25 Each team shall supply their own uniforms or team outfits suitable for soccer that is appropriate as per professional league play. No two jerseys may have the same number. Players without matching jerseys to their team will not be permitted to play. Numbers pennies are allowed, but then the whole team must wear them. Home teams are responsible to have an alternate numbered jersey or pinny set if the Away team colors conflicts.

2.2.26 Players are not permitted to wear hats, jewelry.

2.2.27 Equipment: Full gear is required to play. If you do not have full gear, then you don’t play. You must have: shin guards covered by socks and appropriate foot wear for the turf or pitch.

2.2.28 Gamesheets and ID cards. Spartan Soccer provides iPads/tablets for the referees to use for gamesheets. These documents display the image of the players rostered to each team. The players and their captains are responsible to ensure that the players have registered in our system correctly using a face shot, above shoulders, no sunglasses or filters. If there is no image shown next to the players name, or does not fall under ID criteria, then the player will not be allowed to enter the game. Players engaged as Subs must card in via their phone app displaying the player profile in Spartan to the game official.

3.1 All rulings on the field are at the discretion of the referee. Players will have 5 seconds to put the ball back into play by throw-in, free kick, corner kick, goal kick, etc. as decided by the referee.  The referee will give a warning, prior to issuing a yellow-card

3.2 Slide tackles and aggressive play will not be tolerated and may be subject to penalty as described in the following sections.

3.3 No player shall go to ground (with the exception of the goalkeeper) for ANY reason during play regardless of proximity to another player on the field. If a player goes to ground, the referee shall stop the play and award a direct free kick to the team that did not go to ground. If a slide is performed inside one’s own 18-yard box, the referee will award a penalty.

3.4 In the event of a rule infraction or misconduct, the referee has the discretion to issue a card to the offending player.

3.4.1 Yellow cards are issued for serious infractions such as slide tackles, aggressively disputing calls, taunting players or fans, etc. The referee will record the name and number of the offending player and this information will be tracked by the league. Players who receive a yellow card will leave the field for a period of five minutes,(this does not apply to goalkeepers, another player on the field may sit in lieu of the goalkeeper) and their team will play one player down for the duration of the penalty. Players who receive two yellow cards in one game will be shown the red card, and ejected from the game, and their team will play the remainder of the game one player down (this includes the goalkeeper).

3.4.2 Players who receive three yellow cards within five consecutive games will have an automatic review of their behavior within the league. The disciplinary committee will review the circumstances around the yellow cards and determine if any further discipline is required. Further discipline can range from 1 additional game suspension up to and including removal from the league.

3.5 Red cards are issued for unacceptable conduct or behaviour such as fighting with a player or intentionally harming or attempting to harm a player. Any play(s) that result(s) in a red card being shown to a player by the official will result in the following: The player is to leave the playing surface and the spectator area (this includes goalkeepers). Once the player has left the playing surface the game shall resume with the offending players team playing down one person. All red cards are to be reviewed by the executive and the captains whom teams were not involved in the game in which the red card was issued. This group will then receive a report from the referees and captains involved.  The group will then determine if supplemental discipline is required. Supplemental discipline can range from a 1 additional game suspension up to and including removal from the league. Please note that all red cards DO carry an automatic one game suspension. All supplemental discipline will be determined by the group mentioned above.

3.6 In the event that a player receives a game suspension, they can elect to challenge the ruling, and must request that the league Vice-President and President will convene a meeting to discuss the appeal. The committee’s resulting decision will be communicated to the player and is final.

3.7 If any player on the field of play asks for 10 yards on a direct free kick, then the kick-taker must wait until the referee blows his whistle.  Otherwise, the kick-taker may take the kick at their discretion.

3.8 Blue cards are issued as a warning for poor behaviour and to calm players down. The carded player must immediately leave the pitch and may not return until the referee allows it. The offending team can replace the carded player on the field and continue to play at full strength.

3.9 Suspensions. Single game suspensions are not reported outside of Spartan. Multi-game suspensions (3+) are reported to other soccer leagues.

3.10  A list of suspended players and their status will be provided to game officials. Players who have been sanctioned or suspended in other leagues will not be allowed to play in Spartan Soccer until the suspension is lifted.

3.11 Violent conduct in COED are treated as a 1 year ban in Spartan Soccer with a review upon the anniversary of the incident. Such offences are reported to other leagues, who may upgrade the suspension further.

3.12 A team delays start time: $25 team fine

3.13 A team that fails to give a 3 day notice to the league about not fielding team for pending match: $100

3.14 A player who is not registered and plays: $50 team fine

3.15 A player shows a false or inappropriate ID image: $25 team fine and player will not be allowed to play until the picture is corrected

3.16 Teams that have not vacated the pitch prior to the next game: $25 team fine

3.17 Any team that fields a player who is under suspension in any league: $75 team fine

3.18 Any team that has fines of $100 or more will not be allowed to play until the fines are paid.

4.1 Injured players/No shows – If a player becomes injured during the season and is no longer able to play or a player that signed up during registration fails to show up or stops coming out the captain of the player in question is to forward an email to the league President and Vice President, who will then review the situation and advise the remaining captains of the situation. Possible solutions will then be discussed. Possible solutions can include: doing nothing and not adding any players (if fielding a team is not an issue) adding a player from the sub list to a team on a full-time basis or adding a player from outside the league (both options will be determined by the availability of additional players)

4.2 Non-Competitive teams: If a Captain feels their team is not competitive (and has a problem with this) then they can ask the league to assist in making the team more competitive. The league with the input of the captains can then determine the course of action that should be taken.

4.3 Replacement Players for Playoffs: If a player is missing due to injury prior to the start of playoffs, then a captain may ask for a replacement player, but the injured player must be out for the entirety of the playoffs and is not allowed to return if a replacement player is assigned.

4.4 Substitution for Indoor is on the fly from center. For Outdoor it must be by game official permission. Players waiting on the sidelines must not call the referee. Players on the pitch are required to notify the game official for any substitutions.

5.1 In accordance with city and league by-laws, there is to be NO alcohol on the fields, parking lots, or on venue secured by Spartan Soccer.

5.2 Any player caught in possession of, or consuming alcohol will receive;

1st Offence – A one game suspension to be served the following week of play

2nd Offence – A two game suspension to be served on the following two weeks of play

3rd Offence – A suspension for the remainder of the current season

5.3 If a suspension occurs at the end of your teams season, the suspension will carry forward to the next season.

5.4 If a 3rd offence occurs on one of your teams’ final 3 games of the season, in addition to the suspension for the remainder of the season, a 3 game suspension will also occur at the beginning of next years season should you choose to rejoin the league.