RULES

Northern Virginia Coed Adult Soccer League
September 2009

I.        PURPOSE

The Northern Virginia Coed Adult Soccer League (NVCASL) rules were established to provide competitive, safe, and enjoyable soccer for all players.

II.        GAME REQUIREMENTS

All games will be played in accordance with "FIFA Laws of the Game" as modified for adult play and as clarified in the NVCASL rules.

Game Time

Two 40 minute halves with a 5 minute half time or as required due to adjusted game times per field allocations.

Substitutions

Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee, at the following times:

·         Throw In - your possession

·         Goal kick - either team

·         Goal - either team

·         Injury when the referee stops play that team is allowed to substitute for the injured player.  The opposing team is then allowed to substitute a single player.

·         Yellow Card – referee will allow for an immediate substitution of carded player 

Coed Rule

Team may have no more than seven (7) players of either sex on the field at any one time.   Teams must have a minimum of four women on the field. For each woman less than the minimum of four you must play an equal number less of male players. If you can only field 3 female players the maximum number of male players would be 6. If you can only field 2 female players the maximum number of male players would be 5. If you can not field a minimum of 2 female players it is considered a forfeit. 

Uniforms

Teams should have matching colored shirts with a unique number assigned to each player and displayed on the shirt.  If a color clash between two teams exists, it is the responsibility of the home team to change colors by using an alternate colored jersey.

Note: The number requirement is waived for the home team if they must switch jerseys. 

Slide Tackling

Slide tackling is not permitted. If a player performs a slide tackle, then the referee will award a yellow card and a direct free kick. 

Forfeits

Teams must be ready to play the game within 10 minutes of the scheduled game time. If a team is not ready to play, then they are considered to have forfeited and must pay a forfeit fee of $60.00 (½ the ref fees) immediately to the league. 

III.        MISCONDUCT

Yellow Card

Managers are STRONGLY urged to voluntarily sub out players when they receive a yellow card. (The refs will allow for an immediate substitution.)

Red Card

A player receiving a red card, or two yellow cards in the same match, must leave the field premises, sight and sound within one minute without substitution.  The suspension rules for a red carded player, Team Manager, or spectator will be as follows:

·         First Card - One (1) game suspension

·         Second Card - Two (2) games suspension

·         Third Card – Four (4) games or season suspension, whichever is greater.

Players who are repeatedly red carded face possible league expulsion. 

Reporting Cards

Red cards must be reported to the NVCASL by both teams. The NVCASL Administrator should notify the teams involved in the next week's play of players who had received red cards and are not eligible to play. The team whose player received the red card should include the following information in their game report:

·         Player's name

·         Player's jersey number

·         Nature of the infraction

·         Recommended suspension period

Team Red Card Points

Teams which receive a total of eight (8) team red card points during the regular season will be ineligible to play in any tournaments and may not be allowed to return the following season at the discretion of the NVCASL Commissioner. Red card points are computed as follows:

·         When a player is given a red card, the team automatically receives one (1) team red card point. 

·         If the red card is not reported by the team whose player received the red card, an additional team red card point is added to the team. A red card is considered properly reported by the team when the report includes the (1) player's name, (2) player's jersey number, (3) nature of the infraction, and (4) recommended suspension period.

·         If a review of the infraction results in a suggestion by the NVCASL Commissioner of more than a one game suspension, then an additional team red card point will be awarded for each additional game. For example, if the recommended suspension is 2 games for a given infraction, then the team will be awarded two (2) team red card points.

·         If a player does not serve the red card suspension period, then an additional team red card point is awarded. A player will be considered as not serving the suspension period if any player wears the same jersey number of the player who received the red card unless approval has been given by the Commissioner or the player who received the red card plays in the game regardless of the jersey number.

·         If a fight breaks out, then each team will receive at least one (1) team red card point even if no red cards are awarded.

IV.        PLAYER AND TEAM REGISTRATION

A player must be registered with an associated team, who registers them with the Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services (CRS) and the NVCASL. All players must meet each organization’s requirements for being a player.

Team Registration

Each team must provide an electronic version of the NVCASL Team Registration Form to the NVCASL registrar (Jack Smit) in order to register their players. 

Team Managers, Assistant Team Managers or alternates are required to have a copy of their approved roster at all league games.  Teams will be required to show their approved roster before each league game. 

Registration Dates

The team manager must ensure a copy of the approved roster is received by the NVCASL Registrar by the following dates:

·         Spring – 15 March

·         Summer – 15 May

·         Fall – 15 July

Residency Requirements

Players who are not residents of Fairfax County, except as noted below, must pay a nonresident fee, the current fee is $20 and subject to change without notice. If a player is a member of the active duty military, they are exempt from the county residency requirement. Instead of a drivers license you must use a copy of their military ID when you register the player. 

Players on Multiple Teams

A player may be listed on more than one roster in a given season if approved by the NVCASL Commissioner.  A copy of the approval should be maintained with the original roster in case of questions. A player may not be registered in the same Division and should not play on more than 2 teams. 

A team must make a good faith effort not to abuse this exception by recruiting very good players to lower division teams.

If a player covered by this section receives a red card during a game, the player must sit out for both of the team’s next games.

V.        ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

As stated each team is required to have a copy of its approved roster at each game.  It is recommended that more than one member of the team have a copy of the approved team roster in order to comply with this rule when the primary individual is not present.  If a team does not have a copy of their approved roster at game time, they will be assessed a forfeit. 

Limits

Each team is allowed 20 players on their roster.  Any team with more than 20 players will pay the additional insurance cost ($17.00) for each player over the limit

Adding Players

Additions to a team's roster may be made up until these dates for each session.

·         Spring – 1 April

·         Summer – 1 June

·         Fall – 1 September

However, the player is not eligible to play until the NVCASL registrar has approved the addition. 

Dropping Players

Once rosters are approved you may not drop a player. 

Verification

Roster verification will be conducted by the Commissioner or Fairfax County on a random basis.  Any team found to be using players not on their roster can be expelled from the league. 

Challenges

The following is the process that will be used by teams when they chose to challenge the validity of players on the opposing team.

Before a game is played, the Team Manager of one team may challenge the roster of the other team through the referee present. The Team Manager must state which players he would like the official to check.  If a challenge occurs, then the approved roster will be used. The player will be required to produce a valid driver’s license. 

If a Team is found to have a roster violation, the player will not be allowed to play and the team faces disciplinary action.

The NVCASL must be notified any time that a roster challenge has occurred and the results of that challenge. Both teams are responsible for reporting this to the NVCASL. This report should include the team names, game date and game field.  A roster challenge cannot be made after the game has started. 

The NVCASL does not expect that roster challenges will become a common practice and the number of challenges will be monitored. If a Team Manager appears to abuse this policy, then the club will be notified and appropriate disciplinary action taken.  Also, if the roster check intrudes passed the game start time, the game will be shortened in order to allow the following games to start on time.

VI.        WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATIONS

Field Closings

The teams should call Fairfax County Parks Authority: 703-324-5264 to determine if a game has been cancelled because of weather. If it has rained the day of, day before, or the ground still has moisture, CALL. The rain line, starting spring of 2004, will be updated by Fairfax County around 3 to 3:30 pm.  It is the team’s responsibility to check the County line for updates. If field closings are listed (as opposed to all fields closed) please pay particular attention to field #s. If the message does not say that the field where your game is scheduled is closed, you must show to the game or you will forfeit the game. Keep in mind that Barnsfield (BARN) and Washington Post (WP) are not county fields. If the Rain Line is not updated on the weekend, call 703-378-7831 after 4pm. We will try to get that updated if the County Line is not, but it will not generally be updated during the week. Players playing on closed fields are subject to up to $1,000 in fines and any affiliated league is subject to having their field permits revoked.

Suspended Games

If, due to weather conditions, a game is halted prior to half-time, it will be replayed, allocations permitting, unless waived by the NVCASL Commissioner. A game halted at half time or later will stand as indicated by the score when the game was halted. 

Reschedules

If a game is cancelled because of weather, the league will reschedule if possible.  If a game cannot be made up then the teams will be reimbursed an appropriate amount for referee fees through reduction in their next session registration fee.  If a team does not intend to return to play in the league, they will receive a refund in the amount of ½ the ref game fee. 

VII.        REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

The regular season play will be scheduled for 8 games depending on field allocations.  Normally because of inclement weather conditions a few games are lost.  The league guarantees 7 games either played or reimbursed at the rate of ½ the ref game fee.  However, the league makes no guarantee of any certain number of games if conditions beyond the control of the league are present (excessive inclement weather conditions, etc). 

Review

The schedule will be created by the league administrator, and is released for a 4 calendar day review at which time teams can request adjustments.  The schedule will be emailed to the team manager and posted on the league web site.  Each team manager should review their schedule and note any inconsistencies posted on the web site and report them directly to the Commissioner by phone. 

Adjustments

Adjustments to the schedule require the agreement of BOTH teams, and are not final until approved by the league.  However, it should be understood that adjustments are not guaranteed.  Following the 4 day review the schedule will be released as final. Teams cannot reschedule games, only the league administrator has the authority to reschedule a game.  

VIII.        LEAGUE STANDINGS

Game Points

Game points will be awarded for each game played. Game points are awarded as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 point for a loss or forfeit. The game score for a forfeited game is 3-0.

Rankings

Teams will be ranked based on game points and winning percentage (wins/total games played.   

IX.        REPORTING GAME RESULTS

Game scores will be reported by email to the Division Manager as specified on the web site and preseason registration information.  Until a score is emailed in, a game is not considered played.  Teams are required to provide the following information when reporting scores:

• Game name (Please put the game name in the "Subject" field)
• Their name
• Team name
• Score for each team
• Information on any cards awarded to their team (players name, number and offense).

For example, Team A vs. Team B, Sam Jones, Team A, Team A - 2, Team B - 0, Red Card-Joe Blow, #22, Deliberate Handling of the Ball. 

X.        TEAM CONDUCT

Discipline

The Team Manager assumes the responsibility regarding team leadership and maintenance of order and discipline. The NVCASL expects each of its Team Managers to set a positive example for their players in promoting good sportsmanship and self-control. Accordingly, Team Managers are expected to be present at every game with their team or to ensure that responsible leadership, preferably the Assistant Team Manager, is present.  The assistant Team Manager also serves as the second point of contact for the team in their absence. A history of disciplinary infractions by one team can be grounds for team, Team Manager, and/or player dismissal from the league.  Such decisions will not be made lightly or hastily and will only be made after a careful review of the facts by a Disciplinary Panel to resolve disputes.  Remember coaches you are responsible for your team as well as your spectators. 

Sideline Control

The Team Manager is responsible for the behavior of his/her sidelines. After being verbally warned or cautioned (yellow card) by the referee for unsportsmanlike behavior from his/her sidelines, the Team Manager will be red carded if the situation persists.  The referee also has the power to eject any spectator at any time at the referee's discretion.

XI.        COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS

Only a NVCASL team manager is allowed to submit formal complaints or protest a game. A team manager, who wishes to protest a game or provide a formal complaint, must notify the NVCASL Commissioner in writing within 48 hours of the match.  The NVCASL Commissioner is only responsible for accepting information from and discussing the complaint or protest with the NVCASL team manager. Only the team manager may act on behalf of the club during the complaint or protest process. 

The formal complaint or protest must include:

• Time and location of the match
• Team names
• Nature of the complaint or protest (referee judgment is not considered an item for protest)

XII.         OFFICIALS

The officials are provided to review the game per the FIFA rules.  It is not the official’s responsibility to control teams conduct or listen to dissent.  Remember that Law 12 states a cautionable offense is a player that commits the offense by showing “dissent by word or action.” The NVCASL encourages Team Managers to report any concerns about the game.  These reports will be forwarded to the administrator for their use and the NVCASL does not perform any follow-up actions.  You can email, write or phone your comments.  We encourage both positive and negative comments. If you have concerns on officiating, please provide the game number, teams, game field, and game time.

XIII.        DISCIPLINARY APPEALS

Should the NVCASL Commissioner decide that a disciplinary panel should be convened, 3 other NVCASL Team Managers selected on a rotating basis each season will form a disciplinary panel.  If three panel members cannot reach consensus on any action, then the NVCASL Commissioner will make the final decision. 

The Commissioner reserves the right to implement disciplinary measures without convening a panel. 

The NVCASL Team Managers selected for a disciplinary panel should not include a member who is involved with either the team or club who is the subject of the disciplinary action. Should the dispute involve the NVCASL Commissioner's team, then the NVCASL Administrator will act as the chair of the disciplinary panel.

XIV.        GAME TERMINATIONS

Should a referee terminate a match due to disciplinary problems, the NVCASL Team Managers of both teams shall notify the NVCASL Commissioner. The NVCASL Commissioner will make a decision on whether a disciplinary panel will investigate the circumstances.  If a disciplinary panel is formed a written report will be provided to the Commissioner and league members.  The commissioner can impose any penalty to include, fines, suspensions, player expulsion, and team expulsion.