Womens Soccer Rules
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League Rules

Official guidelines for the Gem City Social Sports Women's Soccer League.

Overview

  • 7 players on the field, including a goalie.
  • Minimum 5 players required to avoid forfeit.
  • Played on a short-sided field with regulation-sized goals.
  • Games are rain or shine (check Spond app for weather updates).
  • Two 25-minute running halves, 5-minute halftime.
  • No offsides.
  • Slide tackles are illegal.
  • All free kicks are direct, except goalie passback (indirect).
  • Free kicks require ref whistle or signal to play.
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in ejection or suspension from GCSS.
  • Game time is forfeit time.

Forfeits & Timing

  • Games must start on time — arrive 15–20 minutes early.
  • Teams must have at least 5 players to begin.
  • Less than 5 = forfeit and scrimmage encouraged.
  • No-show forfeits (under 4 players without 24-hour notice): -10 points.
  • Two no-show forfeits = disqualified from playoffs.
  • To notify a forfeit: message through the Spond app by 3PM the day before the game. Confirmation must be received for it to count.

Game Clock

  • Two 25-minute halves.
  • 5-minute halftime.
  • Clock stops only for injuries or ref time-outs.
  • Delay tactics (e.g., kicking out of bounds) may trigger ref stoppage.

Team Size & Rosters

  • 7 players max on the field (including goalie).
  • No limit to roster size; fees apply to all players.
  • No new players added after Week 3.
  • Waivers must be signed before play.

Pick-up Player Policy

  • Allowed only if you have 5 or fewer rostered players present.
  • Max 2 GCSS players can be added.
  • No pickups for subs if you already have 6+ players.
  • 1-goal penalty per pickup player.
  • Opposing captain must approve equal pickups if both sides are short.
  • NO outside players.
  • PLAYOFFS = ROSTERED PLAYERS ONLY.
  • Late-arriving roster players must replace pickup players.
  • Pickup players cannot re-enter once subbed out.

Uniforms & Equipment

  • GCSS shirts are recommended; use correct color.
  • Shin guards recommended.
  • Rubber/turf cleats allowed.
  • Metal cleats not allowed.

Start of Play

  • Home captain chooses kickoff or side.
  • Kickoff can go any direction and can score directly.
  • Opponents must stand 5 yards away.
  • Teams switch sides at halftime.

Substitutions

  • Unlimited substitutions.
  • Must be made during stoppage.
  • Bleeding/injured players must exit and be cleared before return.

Goalkeeper Rules

  • May use hands inside the box only.
  • Has 6 seconds to release ball.
  • Cannot handle passbacks from teammates' feet.
  • Head/body passbacks are allowed.
  • No punts or dropkicks — violation = corner kick to opponent.

Fouls, Cards & Conduct

Yellow Card:

  • Arguing, swearing, minor aggressive behavior.
  • Sit out 4 minutes; team plays short.
  • 2 yellows in a game = red card.
  • 3 yellows in a season = 1 game suspension.

Red Card:

  • Fighting, repeated misconduct.
  • Immediate ejection + next game suspension.
  • 2 reds = suspension.
  • 3 reds = removal pending league review.

Free Kicks & Penalties

Direct Kick:

  • Handball, slide tackling, dangerous play.
  • Free kick from point of infraction (5-yard buffer).

Indirect Kick:

  • Goalie passback violation.
  • Kicker must wait for signal and another player must touch ball.

Penalty Kick:

  • For fouls in penalty area.
  • Shot taken from 12-yard spot.
  • All players behind the ball until struck.

Ball In & Out of Play

Corner Kick: Off defender → restart from corner. Can score directly.
Goal Kick: Off attacker → restart from goal box. Opponents must be outside box.
Throw-Ins: Must use both hands over head. Both feet must stay on ground. Illegal throws go to opposing team. Goalie cannot use hands from a throw-in.

Scoring

  • Ball must fully cross goal line.
  • If touching goal line, no goal.
  • After goal: restart with kickoff.

Refereeing

  • Each game has a head ref.
  • Only captains may discuss rule questions.

Standings

  • Win = 10 pts
  • Tie = 5 pts
  • Loss = 0 pts
  • Forfeit = -10 pts
  • Team photo on Spond = 10 pts
  • After-party games = 5 pts

Playoff Format

Tied Game:

  • 5-min sudden death OT.
  • Still tied = shootout (3 players per team, then sudden death).
  • Players do not need to have played to shoot.

Shootout Rules:

  • Shots from 12-yard mark.
  • Same goal for both teams.
  • Alternate shooters.
  • Recycle shooters only after all have gone.

Playoff Tiebreakers:

Total points → Wins → Mini game wins → Photos → Forfeits → Ties → Head-to-head → Common opponent record → Coin toss.

Sportsmanship & Conduct

Sportsmanship

  • GCSS is a social league.
  • Poor conduct = suspension or removal.
  • Fighting = permanent ban.
  • Staff abuse = ejection without warning.
  • Ejected player = 1-game suspension minimum.

Code of Conduct

  • Applies to all players.
  • GCSS may remove players/teams for violations.
  • Respect teammates, opponents, staff, and the game.

Weather

  • Games played rain or shine.
  • Lightning = 10-minute pause.
  • Don’t leave unless field manager ends game.
  • If halftime is reached, game is official.
  • If not, game may be rescheduled.

Alcohol & Clean-up

  • No alcohol at public fields.
  • Pick up trash.
  • Violators may be banned without refund.