Broward Women's Soccer League

Women's Co-Ed 7 vs. 7

Game Rules

(Revised 3/28/07)

GENERAL RULES

Except as modified herein, all games within the League shall be played under the Rules of the Federated International Football Association (F.I.F.A.), AND The Broward Women’s Soccer League Constitution and By-Laws, Game Rules.

RULE 1.     Player Eligibility

Age Requirement: A player must be at least 19 years of age, turning 19 before the first game of the participating season.

Player Passes: An official valid player pass must be delivered to the assigned referee prior to the commencement of play.  All passes must bear the player’s photograph and date of birth to be considered valid.  Any player arriving after the start of the game MUST present their player pass to the referee or closest official, prior to entering the game.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in player ineligibility for the next game and a $25.00 Team fine to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.

RULE 2.     Number of Players     

Number of Female / Male Players:  Each team can have a maximum of 13 players on their roster. Games are played with 4 women and 2 men with the exception of the goalie which can be either a man or women.  However, at no time should there be allowed more than 2 men on the playing field regardless if the goalie is a woman.  The minimum number of players to begin a game is 5. 

Substitutions: Teams may have unlimited substitutions during the course of a game.  However, players may only enter and/or leave the field on a dead ball. Absolutely NO Substitutions will be permitted "on the fly".   Also, NO substitutions are allowed on indirect/direct kicks awarded as a result of a foul (except if permitted by the referee).  Ultimately, the referee must approve all players entering and leaving the field of play. 

RULE 3.      EQUIPMENT

Players' Equipment: SHIN-GUARDS ARE MANDATORY and must be completely covered by socks at all times.  All players that are on the pitch (sideline included) must wear shin-guards.

RULE 4.      GAME DURATION

Duration: Games consists of two thirty (30) minute halves, 60 minute total game duration.   Half-time is 5 minutes. 

Starting Time: The weekly schedule of games and kick-off time set by the Scheduling and Games Chairperson shall be strictly followed.  Players must be on the playing field by the appointed starting time.  There will be a (10) minute leeway period given.  The clock will automatically begin upon the (10) minutes of leeway.  Game duration will be marked at 60 minutes (total game time duration) from the 10 minute commencement.

RULE 5.      GOALKEEPERS

Goalkeepers: A goal keeper, having control of the ball in hands, and having released it from his/her hands to be played, either by self or a teammate, shall not handle the ball again until it has been touched by an opponent, or a stoppage of play occurs. 

Keepers may not handle the ball if passed directly to them by a teammate (unintentional deflections and headers are considered INDIRECT passes -- THROW-INS are considered DIRECT passes).  The punishment for a keeper failing to follow this rule is an indirect free kick for the opposing team taken outside of the goal area, 15 feet.

Once the keeper has control of the ball he/she has five (5) seconds to put the ball back into play. Failure to do so will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team taken outside of the goal area, 15 feet.

Male Goalkeepers may not carry the ball more than 10 yards outside the goalie box.   If this occurs, the male goalkeeper then becomes another male on the playing field and therefore breaks the rule of the Number of Male Players allowed.   Failure to comply with this rule will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team taken outside of the goal area, 15 feet.

Keepers may not throw, punt, or drop kick the ball in the air over midfield line.

RULE 6.     OFF SIDES

There are NO off-sides.

RULE 7.     SLIDE TACKLING

Slide Tackling:  Slide tackling is NOT permitted.  Any “dangerous” man on play will result in a yellow card and an indirect free kick given to the opposing team.   A “non” dangerous man on play will result in an indirect free kick given to the opposing team however, does not automatically constitute a yellow card infraction.   A player sliding to maintain control of the ball in effort to keep the ball in play from the sideline or goal line, and is no where within the vicinity of any opposing player, is not deemed a “slide” tackle.   As in all other Game Rules, the referee is the final law of the game.

RULE 8.     DIRECT / INDIRECT FREE KICKS AND THROW INS

Fouls & Free Kicks: All direct and indirect fouls apply. Opposing players must remain at least 15 feet from the ball during a free kick. Referees have the right to issue a yellow card to any player the referee feels is intentionally slowing down the flow of the game by not providing the mandatory 15 feet. Once the referee signals for play to continue, the kicker has five (5) seconds to play the ball or else the referee has the option to reward possession of the ball to the opposing team (in the form of an indirect free kick).  Offensive indirect kicks are always to be taken outside of the goal area.  If a foul occurs INSIDE of the goal area - the placement of the kick is to be left to the discretion of the referee.  At ALL times, decisions made by the referee are final. 

Penalty Kicks: If a stationary penalty kick (direct kick) is to be taken (at the top of the penalty box), all players except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper must stand outside the top of the penalty area, 15 feet away from the kicker. Players are not permitted on either side of the penalty area. 

No substitutions are permitted during any penalty kicks (EXCEPT for injuries and are still subject to the referee's discretion).

Goal Kicks: The five (5) second rule does not apply to goal kicks. Goal kicks may not cross the midfield line in the air. Goal kicks are taken 1 yard off the end line, anywhere inside the penalty area (One step off goal line).

Corner Kicks: Corner kicks are considered direct kicks. Therefore, goals can be scored directly on corner kicks. Opposing players must be at least 15 feet away and the five (5) second rule applies.  

Throw-Ins:  The five (5) second rule also applies to throw-ins.  The opposing team will regain possession after a five (5) second infraction. Keepers may not receive throw-ins with their hands unless the ball was thrown in by the opposing team.

RULE 9.     SPECIFIC INFRACTIONS

Cautions (Yellow Cards):

          a.)     Any player upon receiving two consecutive Yellow Cards within the same scheduled game, which is equivalent to one Red Card, shall be suspended from the next scheduled game.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

          b.)     Any player who has been Cautioned (Yellow Carded) during five (5) separate matches within one season shall be suspended for one (1) game.  Team Representative shall be notified when a player has reached (4) Yellow Cards as a reminder. It is the responsibility of the Team Representative to notify the Player.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

Sending-Off (Red Cards):

          a.)  Serious Foul Play.  Any player who has been ordered off the field by the Referee by committing any of the offenses punishable by a direct free kick or a penalty kick and uses disproportionate and unnecessary strength in a manner likely to injure an opponent, or uses intentional violence while challenging for the ball against an opponent, or spits on or at an opponent or any other person will be suspended for (2) two games.   The team will be fined $25.00 to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

          b.)  Offensive or Abusive Language.  Any player who has been ordered off the field by the Referee for insulting opposing players or officials, or using foul and abusive language shall be suspended for (2) two games.   Player’s team will be fined $25.00 to be paid prior to next scheduled game.  Player’s pass will be held until completion of penalty.

Discipline:   If a player, coach, or person affiliated with a team is removed from the field by the referee for any reason, the case must be reported by the referee to the Scheduling and Games Chairperson and the Board of Directors. A player so removed three times in one season will be automatically suspended until the Board of Directors has reviewed the player’s case. Coaches may also be required to sit out games as a result of foul and abusive language or other misconduct. A coach so removed three times in one season will also be automatically suspended until the Board of Directors has reviewed the coach’s case.  All board decisions will be made on a case per case basis.

RULE 10.    FIELD MAINTENANCE

The playing field shall be protected against infringements made by spectators.  Each team is responsible for maintaining order and shall provide sufficient supervision and crowd control.  Should the crowd for either team exhibit harassing or negative behavior, the referee will provide a warning.  If behavior persists and warning has been given, team responsible will be subject to penalties indicated under Infractions section.

Infractions:  Failure of any team to comply with playing field requirements herein shall be subject to a fine of $25.00 and forfeiture of the game.

RULE 11.    LEAGUE MEETINGS

League meetings are held on a monthly basis.  All teams MUST have at least one representative in attendance at all meetings.  Acceptable forms of representation include players, coaches, team managers or team-affiliated member listed on the team roster.  No other form of representation will be accepted.   Failure to comply with these rules will result in a $25.00 fine to be paid prior to the next scheduled game.