Basic rules for adult participants:

• Players and team captains should not dissent from the decision of the referee.
• Red cards that are issued for serious foul play, misconduct, or violent conduct will be fined $50 and the player will be suspended at least two games, $75 each subsequent red card plus suspension.   The referee on the field will not determine fines.  The LSA referee commissioner and the adult soccer commissioner will review all violations with the referee and determine if a fine is issued.  Players will not be allowed to play until fines are paid.
• All players will be given a fair chance to play each field position.
• No jewelry, not even pierced earrings
• No hats with hard bills
• No casts or crutches
• Referees can expel any person, including those on the sidelines, from the game for inappropriate conduct.
• Any player lying on the field shall be presumed injured, and game play must stop immediately.
• Time of play is continuous and cannot be stopped by a player or a play.  No overtime is played; tied games remain a tie.

LEAGUE FORMAT

Field size:

• The field will be approximately 70 x 50 yards with all appropriate field markings and equipment adjusted accordingly with the exception of the penalty mark.  The penalty mark will remain at 12 yards from the goal line.

Time of play:

• Two 30 minutes halves will be played with a five-minute half-time period.
• There shall be no stoppages of play, including for injuries.
• Game time starts when scheduled (6:30 pm/7:45 pm) and shall not extend beyond sixty-five minutes from the scheduled start time (7:35 pm/8:50 pm).

Substitutions:

• Free substitutions will be allowed (the ball need not be dead). The player leaving the field of play must be OFF the field before the replacement is allowed to enter the game. The exchange is made at the side of the team’s touchline area.  If an advantage is gained by a team through an illegal substitution, at the discretion of the referee, player may be shown a caution and play restarted according to FIFA rules.  Both teams must substitute from the same touchline and at the half-line.

Number of players:

• Team rosters will be comprised of unlimited players, who shall be LSA registered.  There will be a maximum of seven players on the field from each team.  A minimum of five players will be required for all scheduled games. 

Identification:

• All players must present valid photo identification when requested by the referee, or will not be allowed to play.

Forfeit(s):

• Any team not ready to play within ten minutes after the scheduled game time shall forfeit the game.
• Any team fielding a player who is not registered with LSA or is not on their official team roster shall forfeit the game.
• In the case of a forfeit, the winning team, or non-forfeiting team, will be awarded a 1-0 win.

Goal Kicks:

• All goal kicks, taken by any player, must touch a second player (outside the penalty area) or the ground before crossing the half-way line.  Goal kicks not properly put into play shall be retaken.

Goalkeepers:

• When the ball is punted or thrown by the goalkeeper, the ball must not cross the half-way line without first touching the ground or any player.  Infraction of this rule will result in an indirect free kick from the point where the ball crossed the half-way line to the opposing team.

System to Determine Standings:

• A three point system will be used to track a team’s wins/losses/ties.
  • 3 points for a win;
  • 0 point for a loss;
  • 1 points for a tie. 

Uniforms:

• All players of the same team will have matching, or close to matching colors of shirts.
• All teams must bring both a dark colored and a white uniform to each scheduled game.  Please note: a “baby blue” colored t-shirt will not suffice for either the dark or white colored uniform.  Players will not be allowed to play until the referee is satisfied with his/her uniform.
• When opposing teams are wearing the same color shirts that team listed first in the schedule will be designated the "Home team" and will be required to wear white.

Coed Division:

• A minimum of three field players must be female.  If three females are not available for play, then teams must play short a player(s).  In the event any team is unable to field at least one player of the opposite gender, that team forfeits the game.
  • (e.g. if 3 females present – team plays with 4 males; if 2 females present – team plays with 4 male players if 1 female present – team plays with 4 males players).  

Protests:

• Any and all PROTESTS will be submitted in WRITING within 24 hours of the end of the game under protest. Each protest will be accompanied with a $200.00 Protest Fee and handed to one of the three League Commissioners. No protest will be considered unless these conditions are met.

Discipline:

• Yellow card means caution – if a player receives a second yellow card during the same game it is equivalent to a red card.
• Red card means ejection from the remainder of the game and area if necessary.  If a player receives a red card they are suspended from the next two scheduled games his/her team plays and may be subject to monetary fines.  If a player receives a red card for fighting, they will be suspended from the league indefinitely.  No replacement will be allowed to the team’s roster for any player that is suspended indefinitely.  The referee’s decision regarding red cards is final. 

Remaining Rules:

• With the exception of those rule changes noted herein, all league games will be conducted under the current  FIFA Laws of the Game (equipment, rules, etc.). 

Special Notes

1. In the event of foul weather, players should report to the field where the decision will be made concerning the playing of the game.  If at all possible, all games will be played.

2. Remember, this adult league is primarily a recreational league.  That is to say that competition is desirable, but so is good sportsmanship, meeting new people, and enjoying the game of soccer.