ASPHALT GREEN OUTDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE RULES

 

I.        All FIFA rules are to be followed, with the following exceptions.

     a.        No offsides

    b.        No slide tackling allowed. Players must stay on their feet when challenging the ball. Should a player slide to retrieve a ball with no opponent in close vicinity, the ref may allow play on. In the event of slide tackling, accidental/unintentional offences will result in a verbal warning; repeated/intentional offences may be deemed cardable.

It should be noted that slide tackling will be considered an infringement of the rules. No matter where a slide tackle takes place, the result will be a direct kick.  

NOTE: Goalkeepers are allowed to slide if deemed safe and within the rules of fair play. If they slide late or in a dangerous manner, they should expect to be penalized and carded if the infringement is severe enough.  

     c.        No goal kicks past midfield. If this occurs the opposing team receives an indirect free kick from the half way line.

    d.        5 yards required for a defensive player or wall to be away from the ball in a free kick scenario on the 8v8 field.

II.        In 8v8 leagues, each team consists of 8 players (5 men maximum and 3 women minimum for coed), one of whom will be a goalkeeper. Substitutions can be made during any stoppage in play upon notifying the referee on an unlimited basis. For 8 v 8 leagues, at least 5 players are required to start a game (including 1 woman for coed). For 11 v 11 leagues, at least 7 players are required to start a game. If these minimums are not met, a forfeit will be recorded and the forfeiting team will receive a 3-0 loss. See policies on forfeits.

III.        The clock starts running as close as possible to the scheduled start time. The game consists of two 25-minute periods with a break at halftime. Teams will switch from one end of the field to another. Any team that shows up more than 10 minutes late to their game will forfeit that week's game. The game may still be played but the outcome will be predetermined. No warm up time will be allowed for teams that show up late. Should games be subject to late kickoff, half time and/or each half may be shortened in duration.

IV.        A coin toss (or similar) at the beginning of the game will decide the choice of field ends and kick-off. Players remain in their own side of the field until the ball is in play. After each goal, the game will be restarted with a kick-off by the opposing team.

V.        Dress code: All players are required to wear their Asphalt Green team shirt. Teams are provided with more than enough shirts and should they require more, they need to notify a staff member. Players not in their Asphalt Green team shirt may be deemed out of uniform. Should a referee deem the player's uniform inappropriate, they may be forced to miss the game. 

NOTE: Teams will be provided appropriate colored pinnies should team uniforms clash.

Plastic cleats are allowed – no metal spikes. Shin guards are strongly recommended.

VI.        The referee is responsible for the record of the game and the control of the time. Referees have the power to assess penalties applicable to offenses committed during play. Referees' decisions and interpretations of rules are final. Dissent by word or action towards the referees or on site staff will not be tolerated and retroactive suspensions may be enforced depending on the severity of the incident.

VII.        Players may not change teams. Players will play only on the teams they were assigned to at that team's first game.  If a team is short players, they are allowed to pick up a registered player from another team within the league as long as the opposing team agrees to it. However players must play with their original team for playoffs.

NOTE: Ringers will not be allowed. Players must be on the printed team roster at the field and with an Asphalt Green team shirt. If one of these things is off, the player will not be allowed to play.

 

VIII.        Discipline: Rough, violent play and excessive force are not allowed. In case of unnecessary, rough play, a team may be expelled from the game, or expelled from the league altogether, depending on the severity of the situation. Ungentlemanly, disrespectful behavior directed toward an Asphalt Green staff member will not be tolerated and will be grounds for expulsion.

If the referee shows a player the yellow card, the player must sit out for 3 minutes. There are no substitutions for the player who receives the yellow card – the team must play down. Once the 3 minutes are up, the player is allowed to return to play. If the referee shows the red card, the player will be removed from the game entirely and will not return. A player receiving a red card must leave the facility in timely manner or his/her team will be issued a forfeit.

The following suspensions will be enforced following the award of a card:

·         1 yellow card = 3 minute penalty time out

·         2 yellow cards (in one game) = Red Card = Automatic 1 game suspension

·         3 yellow cards over the course of 6 games = Automatic 1 game suspension

·         5 yellow cards over the course of 9 games = Automatic 2 game suspension

·         Straight Red Card = Minimum automatic 1 game suspension however length will be based upon severity of offence.

NOTE: Card accumulation will be reset as teams enter playoffs.

IX.        Each team will need to provide 2 players to move the goals into place (one goal per team) if they are not already in place.

X.        There are field assignments on your schedule – “East” is the field closer to the FDR and “West” is the field closer to York Ave. Please pick your assigned field to prepare for the game and to be in position to move the goal and start the game.

XI.        Weather: ALL games are RAIN or SHINE (unless there are dangerous field conditions). The best way to check if games are on is to call our weather hotline. This hotline (646-981-2372) is updated approximately 60 minutes before your kick off time. You may be notified by email if games are cancelled. Assume no news is good news. We will attempt to email team captains if games are cancelled but this isn’t always possible.

In the event of thunderstorms, games may be subject to an early end. In this case, if a game has reached half time, the score will stand at the time of cancellation.

Should a game kick off late due to weather conditions, halves will be shortened accordingly up to a minimum of 15 minutes.

 

 

Points

·         Win = 3 points

·         Tie = 1 point

·         Loss = 0 point

 

Playoff Tiebreaker (in order of importance):

·         Total Points

·         Goal Difference

·         Goals Scored (most)

·         Goals Allowed (least)

·         Head to Head

In the event that teams cannot be separated after tie breakers, a 1 game rematch will take place to determine the team that takes the final spot in the playoffs.

Playoff Rules

In the event of a tie after regular time during playoffs, the following will occur:

·         5 minutes of straight Golden Goal Extra Time (ie. first team to score wins)

·         If no team scores during extra time, penalty kicks will ensue

·         5 shooters from each team. For co-ed leagues, male and female shooters must alternate

·         If scores are tied after 5 shots, shootout is now sudden death

·         After first 5 players, order can be at random but no player can shoot twice until all players have shot once. (ie. all members of the team must shoot, including the GK, before the rotation starts again) 

Playoff Format

All leagues will seed up to 8 teams make the playoffs and it will be single elimination unless noted otherwise.