Coed Soccer Rules
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League Rules

Official guidelines for the Gem City Social Sports Co-Ed Soccer League.

Summary

  • 7 players on the field maximum.
  • Max of 5 males on the field.
  • 5 players required to start a game without having to forfeit.
  • Short field with a goalie and regulation sized goals.
  • All games are RAIN or SHINE (unless dangerous conditions).
  • Two 20-minute running halves with 5 minute half time.
  • No offsides.
  • Slide tackles are illegal.
  • All free kicks are direct except on goalie pass back violation (indirect).
  • Players must wait for a refs whistle or gesture for free kicks.
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior will result in suspension/removal.
  • Game time is forfeit time.

Forfeits & Timing

  • Game time is forfeit time. Arrive 15-20 mins early.
  • 5 players minimum to start.
  • 5+ players present = NOT a forfeit.
  • Less than 5 players = Forfeit (Scrimmage encouraged).
  • No-Show Forfeit (less than 4 players without 24hr notice via Spond): -10 points.
  • Two No-Show Forfeits = Disqualified from playoffs.
  • To notify forfeit: Contact by 3PM day before via Spond. Reply required for confirmation.

Clock/Time

  • Two 20-minute running halves.
  • 5 minute halftime.
  • Clock stops only for official’s time-outs and injuries.
  • Delay tactics (e.g., kicking ball far out of bounds) allow ref to stop clock.

Team Size

  • 7 players max (including goalie).
  • Team plays with no less than 5 players.
  • Must start at game time if min players present.
  • Unlimited roster size (additional fees apply).
  • No new players after Week 3.
  • Waivers mandatory before playing.

Picking Up Players

  • Allowed ONLY if team has 5 or less players.
  • Can pick up max 2 GCSS non-roster players.
  • Never pick up players to have subs.
  • If both teams have 5 or 6, both play with that number.
  • Pickups strictly require BOTH captains' agreement prior to game.
  • Must adhere to gender ratio.
  • NO outside players.
  • PLAYOFFS: ROSTER PLAYERS ONLY.
  • Late roster player replaces non-roster player immediately.

Uniforms & Footwear

  • GCSS shirts provided. Wear similar colors if shirt is missing.
  • Shin guards strongly recommended.
  • Rubber/turf cleats allowed.
  • Metal cleats NOT allowed.

Start of Play

  • Home captain chooses sides or kick-off.
  • Kick-off from center mark.
  • Opponents 5 yards away.
  • Ball can go any direction.
  • Goal CAN be scored directly from kick-off.
  • Switch directions/possession in 2nd half.

Substitutions

  • Unlimited substitutions.
  • Open cut/wound requires removal and coverage before return.

Goalies

  • Hands allowed inside goal area.
  • 6 seconds to release ball.
  • Cannot use hands on passbacks from teammates' feet. Violation = Indirect kick.
  • Head/body passbacks allowed.
  • Cannot use hands on throw-ins from teammates.
  • No punts or drop kicks. Violation = Corner kick for opponent.

Offside

There is no offside rule.

Cards & Major Infractions

Yellow Card:

  • Swearing, arguing, intentional fouls, slide tackling.
  • Sit out 4 minutes; team plays short.
  • 2 yellows in one game = RED CARD (ejection).
  • 3 yellows in season = 1 game suspension.

Red Card:

  • Fighting, excessive arguing, dangerous play.
  • Immediate ejection + team plays short.
  • Suspended for next game.
  • 2 reds = sit out 1 full game.
  • 3 reds = removal from league.

Free Kicks & Fouls

Teams must wait for ref's whistle or gesture.

Direct Kick:

  • Handball (deliberate), Slide Tackling, Dangerous Play.
  • Kickoff, Stoppage penalties.
  • Can score directly.

Indirect Kick:

  • Goalie Passback violation.
  • Must touch another player before scoring.

Penalty Kick:

  • Fouls inside own goal area.
  • Taken from penalty line (12 yards).
  • All players behind kicker.

Ball In/Out of Play

Corner Kick: Last touched by defense over goal line. Direct kick. Opponents 5 yards away.
Goal Kick: Last touched by offense over goal line. Direct kick from anywhere in goal box. Opponents clear area.
Throw-Ins: Over sideline. Both feet on ground. Both hands overhead. Illegal throw = turnover. No goal directly from throw.

Scoring

  • Ball must completely cross goal line.
  • On the line = No Goal.
  • Restart with center kickoff after goal.

Standings

  • Win: 10 pts
  • Loss: 0 pts
  • Draw: 5 pts
  • Forfeit: -10 pts
  • Team Photo: 10 pts
  • After Party Games: 5 pts

Playoff Format

Regulation Tie:

Sudden death overtime.

Sudden Death:

  • One 5 minute period.
  • Coin toss for possession. No side switch.
  • Golden Goal wins.

Shootout (if still tied):

  • 3 players per team. Alternate shots.
  • Goalie sub allowed once.
  • Direct shots from 12 yards.
  • Round 2 is Sudden Death.
  • No repeat shooters until all have shot.

Tie Breakers (Playoffs/Seedings):

Total pts → Wins → Mini Game Wins → Team Photos → Forfeits(neg) → Ties → Head-to-head → Common opponent → Coin toss.

Sportsmanship & Conduct

Charity-Focused Social League

  • No tolerance for unsportsmanlike behavior.
  • Do not antagonize opponents or teammates.
  • No "mouthing off" to refs.
  • Fighting = Lifetime Ban.
  • Ejected player = Minimum 1 game suspension.

Suspensions

  • Excessive contact/collision = Ejection.
  • Abusing ref = Ejection.
  • Playing while suspended = Forfeit + further action.

Rainout/Weather

  • Rain or Shine.
  • Lightning = 10 min delay in cars. Resume 10 min after last flash.
  • Wait for field manager to call game.
  • Halftime reached = Official Game.
  • Less than half = Reschedule from scratch.

Alcohol & Clean-up

  • ALCOHOL NOT ALLOWED AT PUBLIC FIELDS.
  • Violation = Lifetime Ban + Risk of permit loss.
  • Clean up all trash.