Outdoor Soccer Rules

General Rules (e.g. sportsmanship, self-officiated)

USC Policies (e.g. weather)

SPIRIT

As spirit points can be objective and were not been used much in the past we will not be use them. If a player has poor spirit, we often find that spirit points are not incentive enough for this kind of person to behave appropriately; if a verbal warning does not work often suspension or expulsion is the best action.

If you have an issue with the opposing team (i.e. think there was a foul, they are playing too agressively), the first course of action is to call a time-out and discuss in a calm manner the situation. Verbally attacking will only make the situation worse. If the situation does not improve, please report the matter to Urban Sports Club.

Duration, Scoring and Score Reporting

Games must finish at the scheduled time, regardless of the time they start.

Please arrive at least 5 minutes early (you may warm up in other areas). If you start late because you are late you do not get extra time. If you don't have all players, start with less and let the late arrivals join in.

• Playing Time/Breaks: Teams are responsible for keeping track of time. If a team does not get off the field on time their game time will be recuded on an alternate night and if the situation doesn't improve they may be deducted points in the standings.

The teams will take a half-time break and will change ends at the half. Teams must agree at the beginning of the game if they would like to opt out of taking a half-time break. However, teams must still change ends.

• Points: During the regular season, teams are allotted 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 for a loss. If they forfeit, provided the team has enough players for a recreational match (7 of any gender) they will receive 0. If they forfeit but do not have enough to play a match they will receive -1 for a forfeit. For games in which a team won due to forfeit, the game score will be 1-0 for the team that won.

E-mail Scores: The winning team must email final score to info@urbansports.ca within one week of the game.

• Playoffs (vary depending on field space and number of teams) will generally consist of 2 halves with a five minute break. Playoff games with a tie will be broken as follows:
i) 10-minute overtime period, first goal to scores wins.
ii) Shoot-out if above does not result in a winner: 3 players from each team get to take a penalty shot. One of the shooters from each team must be female. After 3 rounds, the team with the most goals wins. If tied, each team alternates shooters until tie is broken per pair of shooters.

The Team and Forfeiting

• 11 on 11: 11 players compete on the field including a goalie, with a minimum of 3 of each gender for Monday Games and 4 of each gender for Tuesday Games. A team may play with one less player of a gender provided they play one player short of the other gender. The opposing team may waive the minimum requirements and count it as an official game, but this must be made prior to the start of the match.

Teams will forfeit 1 point for every 5 minutes past the designated start time that they do not have a team.Team's may use players from other teams in the league but must have at least 8 players of their own on the field. If they cannot form a team by 15 minutes past the start time and the opposing team will not agree on an alternate player arrangement, then that team will forfeit.

Teams may pick up players during the regular season to field a team, provided they sign a waiver. A player must have played in at least 5 games with a team to participate with that team in the playoffs.

Any team that forfeits 1 or more matches without approval from USC may be ineligible for playoffs and may be ejected from the league without a refund.

Equipment

Teams are responsible for bringing their own first aid supplies to the game (e.g. cold packs).

Teams are to supply their own soccer balls. Corner flags are optional and may be borrowed from USC subject to a deposit.

Shin-guards are required and must be covered by stockings. Shoes must consist of cleats but cannot be metal.

Modern protective equipment such as headgear, face masks, knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight, padded material are not considered to be dangerous and are therefore permitted. Mouth guards may be worn.

Each goalie must wear colours that distinguish them from the other players.

Playing the Game

Sportsmanship: Urban Sports Club expects good sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play. There may be on occasion a player that doesn't realize they are doing something in violation of the rules. Please resolve any disputes by calmly talking to your opponent as opposed to verbally attacking them...this goes a long way towards creating an enjoyable playing environment.

• Sportsmanship & Game Cancellations: USC reserves the right to cancel a game if players are not conducting themselves in a sportsmanlike manor. Any fights or physical violence may result in the immediate cancellation of a game, in which one or both teams forfeit and receive -1 in the standings. Any physical violence and/or fighting will result in immediate expulsion.

• Field Set Up: If there is no convener, teams must check for and fix any safety hazards (i.e. holes in the ground, removal of water bottles from the field). If the safety hazard cannot be fixed or avoided, the game must be cancelled and the team must notify Urban Sports Club.

• Kick-off: Start on the side of the field you warm up on. The centre field player of each team will use rock scissors paper to determine kick off (the losing team will kick-off after half-time). A kick-off will start the game, restart the game after a goal, and start the second half. A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off. Opponents must be at least 9 metres from the ball until it is in play. The kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player; if they do the other team is awarded an indirect kick.

• Injuries: If a player is injured (i.e. is on the ground, can't get up) stop the play immediately. A dropped ball will be used to re-start play where ball was last in play (have a player or a substitute volunteer to do the drop). If someone kicks it out of bounds the opposing team gets the throw-in.

• Dropped Ball: A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary (i.e. injury), while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the rules. A player drops the ball where the stoppage occurred. The ball must touch the ground before it is kicked.

• Goal: A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar.

• Substitutions: Substitutions should be made during a stop in play (i.e. throw in, goal kick, corner kick). If you have more players on the field than allowed, any goal scored during that time with the team with too many players will not count and the opposing team will receive a free penalty kick.

Any of the players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the change is made when the goalie has the ball, after a goal is scored, or  prior to a penalty kick (inform the other team that you are making the switch). 

• Offside/Cherry Picking: Since there are no referees and due to the differences in understanding offside (often resulting in verbal arguments) USC will not use FIFA offside rules. Instead there will be a simple cherry picking rule. The penalty line furthest from the goal (the one that meets with the half circle) will be used as the cherry picking line for the entire length of the field. If anyone on the attacking team is closer to the goal than any of the defense players in this area and the ball is kicked to them it will be considered cherry picking resulting in an indirect free kick for the defense. During a throw-in in the vicinity of the goal area cherry picking does not apply. If there is a large group of players in the penalty area (i.e. 6 to 12) this rule is not in effect as it will be difficult to determine. This rule will be monitored for its effectiveness and may be changed. The intent is to eliminate cherry picking and enforce a penalty if it happens, if it's not obvious their is no fault.

• Throw In: When the ball entirely goes over the side line, a throw-in is used. An overhand throw must be used with both hands by delivering the ball from behind and over the head. Part of each foot must be on the ground. If it is not, the other team gets the throw in. The thrower may not touch the ball again until it is touched my another player.

• Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded when the entire ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line. The ball is kicked from any point in the goal area. Opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. A goal may be scored, but only against the opposing team.

• Corner Kick: A corner kick is awarded when the entire ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line. A goal may be scored from a corner kick.

• Body Contact: Due to the nature of the sport there will be some incidental contact (i.e. 2 players going after the ball). However, where a person is being over aggressive or intentionally contacting someone, this is fault. For example, head butting, charging, hip checking, and elbowing your opponents are all considered fouls.

• Direct free kick: Awarded to the opposing team if a player:

• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area). The key word is 'deliberately,' as a result hand balls should be rare. If the ball goes to your hand it is not a fault. If your hand goes to the ball it is generally a fault.

• kicks, trips, jumps, charges, strikes, pushes, holds, spits, or attempts to do one of these actions to an opponent
• slide tackles an opponent
• slides to get the ball (with the exception of the goalie or incidental sliding for example due to weather conditions)
• scissor kicks/ high kicks the ball (a high kick occurs if a player swings his or her foot above the waist of an opposing player)
• plays in a dangerous manner
• is disrespectful to a players verbally
• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball

A direct free kick is taken from where the offence occurred. All opponents must be at least 9 m away from the ball.

• Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offences are committed by a player inside their own penalty area, irrespective of position of the ball, provided it is in play. All opponents must be at least 9 m from the ball. All opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area. The goalkeeper remains on his/her goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.

• Indirect Free Kick: Awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his/her own penalty area, commits any of the following:

• Takes more than 6 seconds while controlling the ball with his/her hands before releasing it from their possession .
• Touches the ball again with his/her hands after it has been released from his/her possession and has not touched any other player
• Touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/her by a team-mate. It should be noted that cheesing, heading and non-deliberate passes/deflections (i.e. rebounds off of someone's foot) do not constitute deliberate kicks.
• Touches the ball with his/her hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate.

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player:

• is cherry picking as described above.
• impedes the progress of an opponent
• commits a technical foul (i.e. double kicks the ball after kick off or throw in)

The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred. A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick. All opponents must be at least 9 m from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

ALL RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DURING THE SEASON. RULES MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED TO KEEP THE GAME AS FUN AND FAIR AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR THERE IS A NEED FOR CLARIFICATION, PLEASE CONTACT US.