Rules of Play

1. Match fees: Match fees should be paid before entering the field of play.
2. The players: All players should be 15+ years old.
3. Players Equipment : It is the responsibility of all players to wear the correct equipment including shin guards covered by a stocking. All jewellery to be removed or taped. Goalkeepers are allowed to wear long trousers. plastic Molded boots or a trainer only to be worn No metal studs/blades
4. The Referee: Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the laws of the game in connection with the match they have been appointed, from the moment they enter the field of play to the moment they leave.
5. Duration of a match: Each match will last 30 minutes with 15 minutes being played each way. It will be a rolling clock with time only added for serious injury at the discretion of the referee, or in the event of a penalty kick being awarded.
6. Kick Off: is how each half will be started or after a goal is scored and will take place at the centre of the pitch. The opposition must retreat a minimum of 5m away from the ball. The ball must be stationary and only played once the referee has given the signal. The kicker may not touch the ball a 2 nd time until another player plays it. The kicker may shoot directly from kick off.
7. Throw ins: A throw in will be awarded when the ball goes out of play on the sidelines. A throw in must be played from behind the head with two hands.
8. Ball out of play: Ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the touchlines or goal line whether in the air or along the ground, or when the referee stops play.
9. Ball In Play: the ball is otherwise always in play including when rebounding of the goal frame and or the referee.
10. Head height restrictions: There are No head height restrictions
11. Offside's: There are No Offside's
12. The Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper has a few extra rules to adhere to, if the ball is played back to him via a teammate he can pick the ball up and distribute accordingly. The pass back rule applies when the goalkeeper plays the ball to a team mate the player is then not allowed to play the ball directly back to the keeper. An IFK will be awarded to the opposing team if this occurs. The goalkeeper is allowed to leave his area but is treated as a player on doing so. Substituting the goalkeeper is allowed but only during a stoppage in play and under the guidance of the referee.
13. Goalkeeper's area: Only the goalkeeper is allowed in this area. Players are allowed in the area but if they interfere with the ball in this area then 1 of 2 things will occur a). If a defending player plays the ball a penalty kick will be awarded. B). If an attacking player plays the ball the goalkeeper will be awarded the ball. If the goalkeeper leaves this area he will be treated like any other player.
14. Substitutes: A maximum of 3 substitutes per game will be allowed. These subs are classed as rolling subs and can be swapped as many times as teams wish. Substitutions should only occur on the half way line and only when the substituted player has left the field of play. You do not need to inform the referee of the change, but if caught with more players on the pitch a penalty kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
15. Fouls & Misconduct: Fouls & misconduct will be penalised with the following

A Direct Free kick: A DFK will be taken from where the offence occurred and can be kicked directly at goal. The offending team will retreat a minimum 5m away from the ball. A DFK is awarded to the opposing team if the referee deems a player to have committed the following offences in a manner that is careless, reckless or by use of excessive force.

• Attempts to kick or trip a player
• Jumps at, pushes, holds or charges at a player (even with the shoulder)
• Strikes or attempts to strike a player
• Spits at an opponent
• Handles the ball (except the goalkeeper in his area)
• Sliding tackles are not allowed except where the game is played on a 3 rd generation astro turf or natural grass (The Camborne league allows Sliding tackles)

Penalty Kicks: A PK is awarded when a player deliberately plays the ball in their own goal area. The PK will be taken from the edge of the goalkeeper's area and all players must retreat 5m away from the kicker. The defending goalkeeper must remain on his goal line until the ball is kicked forward at which point the ball is in play.

Indirect Free kicks: IFK's are awarded for the following offences and should be taken from the spot that the infringement occurred.

• If the goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than 5 seconds.
• If in the opinion of the referee a player plays in a dangerous manner, impedes an opponent without playing the ball.

A goal cannot be scored from an IFK unless touched by another player on route to the goal.

 

16. Disciplinary procedures: Yellow cards will not be used in ‘Soccer Nights' small sided football leagues and are replaced by blue cards, Match officials shall use timed suspensions where previously cautionable offences occur. The options for an official are therefore.

• A blue card and player serves a 2-minute suspension from play. (The team may not replace the player with a substitute)
• A second Blue card: The player is permanently suspended from that match and the team have a player short for the remainder of the match.
• A red Card. For severe cases of gross misconduct a red card may be shown and the player will be exclude from the field of play. A red card will result in a ban & fine from the FA.

17. Timed Suspensions : A player shown the blue card will receive a 2 minute suspension and will only be allowed to re-enter the field of play after the time has elapsed and on referees say so.

 

League Rules

• The competition shall be open to all by application
• Teams will be placed into divisions of no more than 8 teams per division
• You will play each team home and away.
• Teams will be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw & 0 points for a loss.
• The Champions of each league will be decided by the biggest amount of points scored, if in the event of a tie goal difference will be the deciding factor, if again tied goals scored will come into play.
• If a team is absent for a match, the opposing team will be awarded the points and a 3-0 victory, in the event of neither team available a 0-0 draw will be awarded.
• If a team is absent for two weeks running their deposit will be withheld and then will ousted from the league
• Fixtures & kick off times will be posted on the website prior to the competition starting. Kick off times may vary from week to week.
• No jewellery or watches may be worn during matches.
• The winners of each division at the end of every period shall be awarded a trophy and/or associated prizes these may be kept indefinitely.
• All teams can have a maximum of 3 subs on the match night. But may use a squad size of a maximum of 22 through a whole season
• Most teams choose to wear a proper kit whilst playing in our league, but matching T-shirts or similar are acceptable.
• In the event of Kit clashes or teams with non-matching shirts bibs will be provided at all out venues.
• Soccer Nights reserve the right to cancel, postpone or rearrange any games and to adjust the pricing scale from time to time. A refund or credit will be allowed following any such cancellations as appropriate.
• Games will be played in a public area. Hence the highest standards of behaviour are expected from all participants. All participants are expected to show appropriate respect and courtesy towards opponents, teammates and officials alike. Offensive, insulting or abusive language will not be tolerated and players are reminded that such behaviour is a sending off offence.
• To leave the league correctly and be entitled for your refundable deposit, you can only leave at the end of a season. Two weeks notice must be given of your intention to leave in order for a replacement team to be found