Soccer KC

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League Rules

Rules Summary

  • 7v7 (coed: 5 men max, 2 non-men required)
  • 25 min halves with 2-3 minute halftime
  • Throw-ins
  • No sliding (except keepers)
  • No offside
  • No keeper punting
  • Give 5 yards on free kicks
  • Yellow Cards = 2 min penalty box no sub
  • PKs are taken from 10 yards out and can be taken by anyone.
  • Playoff PKs are best of 4
  • Forfeit Notification Procedure (email & call)
  • League FAQ

Jump to Section

I. Facility Rules

II. League Registration, Club Guidelines

III. League Rules, Rosters, Standings

IV. Carding, Scheduling

V. Game Rules

I. Facility Rules

1. Individuals utilizing any facility owned, operated, or provided by Soccer KC, do so at their own risk. The property owner(s), league operators, officers, owners, and staff of Soccer KC assume no liability for any injuries or accidents which may occur.

2. Partipants and spectators agree to abide by the Player Code of Conduct. Conduct within the facility should be in the spirit of good sportsmanship as it is on the pitch. Please no alcohol or drug use prior to playing.

3. Should you find or lose any items please report this immediately to the Soccer KC Field Manager on duty, or contact us. Soccer KC does not assume responsibility for any items lost.

4. NO alcohol, smoking, glass containers, or gum allowed in facility area.

5. NO food, spitting, or abusive language allowed in the facility area.

6. NO dogs, pets or animals of any kind allowed in the facility area.

7. All play must be conducted as set forth in the Soccer KC League Rules as modified here.

8. Soccer KC staff reserve the right to refuse play and/or service to anyone.

Objectives

1. Community Spirit – We wish to encourage friendly competition between local teams, players, businesses, schools, civic groups, soccer supporters, fans, and other organizations.

2. Inclusivity – We strive to accomodate all types of players. Individuals or groups wishing to form special interest teams or special events (including, but not limited to, physically and mentally challenged players) are encouraged to contact us.

3. Accessible Facilities – We want our facilities to be accessible to all players and spectators. If there is anything we can do to improve them, please contact us.

4. Timely Communication – We make it a priority to communicate clearly and quickly with our players. Information in our League Rules is subject to change and we will post any updates to the top of this page.

II. League Registration, Club Guidelines

A. League Registration and Dues

1. The Captain’s credit/debit card info is required to register a team for the league, but won’t be charged right away.

2. A minimum of $200 must be paid toward a team’s dues by the Signup Deadline (or 6 days prior to the scheduled start date, whichever comes first) to confirm a team’s spot. This amount can be paid online by teammates, the Captain, or a combination. After registering, we encourage Captains to immediately begin inviting players to join their team and issuing them invoices for their share of team dues. After the Signup Deadline (or 6 days prior to the scheduled start date, whichever comes first), any unpaid amount of the $200 minimum will be automatically charged to the Captain’s credit/debit card.

3. The full team balance must be paid by the Payment Deadline (typically the day before the second game). Again, this amount can be paid online by teammates, the Captain, or a combination. After the Payment Deadline, any unpaid amount of the full team balance will be automatically charged to the Captain’s credit/debit card.

Payment Responsibility

Captains are 100% responsible for making sure their team’s dues are paid in full and on time, including the $200 minimum payment to confirm a team’s spot. Captains can use our TeamPayer tool at any time up to the Payment Deadline to invite teammates and assign them their share of dues, paid directly toward the team balance. Note that the system will only process payments up to the amount of the team balance. So if 15 invoices for $60 are sent out on a $590 balance, the system will only process the first 9 people to pay at the full $60 price ($540 total), and the 10th person will only be charged $50 out of $60 ($590 total). Teams with delinquent dues unable to be charged for any reason will incur forfeit results and/or game cancellations. Teams dropping out of, or disqualified from a league will forfeit all dues paid.

All registration fees are non-refundable. Registering for a team or league is a commitment to participate in the full season. A player’s or team’s decision not to participate in a league they have registered for is not grounds for a refund. If players or teams choose not to participate after they have registered and before the season starts, they may request a credit to use towards a future league. Refunds are also not given if a player moves, due to a change in work schedule, or any other non-league related changes. Participation in adult sports, even at the social level, may result in injury unfortunately. Soccer KC does not refund players’ fees if they are injured.

B. Equipment

Molded cleats, turf shoes, or flat-soled soccer shoes are required. Metal studs of any kind are not allowed. Teams MUST be dressed in matching colored jerseys or shirts. Teams are required to have alternate color jerseys for games when they are designated the visitor team, when the home team wears the same or similar primary color. Shin guards are recommended but not required. Goalkeepers must have a different distinctive jersey color from both their teammates, opponents, and the Referee.

C. Sportsmanship

Individuals are expected to play under control and within the rules of the game, and to the best of their ability, while avoiding causing or threatening injury to themselves and other persons using the facility.

D. Referees

Referees appointed to officiate each game have complete authority and their decisions connected with the game are final. Referees are independent subcontractors and are not employees. Officiating will be monitored and assessed regularly to provide quality officiating. Constructive comments regarding officiating are welcomed and encouraged; complaints regarding Referees should contain points of fact. You can contact us with any comments. Please do not discuss officiating with Referees or staff on the day of your game.

III. League Rules, Rosters, Standings

A. Captain/Player Responsibility

It is the Team Captain’s responsibility to be aware of the rules and guidelines of Soccer KC, and to keep their team informed. It is the responsibility of each player and the player’s Team Captain to be aware of the total status of their players’ infractions. Failure to comply may result in further disciplinary measures which may include suspension of the player/Captain and forfeiture of games the sanctioned player participated in (this includes the use of illegal players, i.e. those not registered properly on the team roster).

B. Team Rosters

Team rosters must be finalized online by the day before the last game of the regular season. Only players listed on the online team roster by the day before the last game of the regular season will be eligible to play in the playoffs. Max team roster size is 16 players. Roster disputes may be made to the Referee or Field Manager on duty at any time prior to the start of the second half of a game. Soccer KC will not consider disputes after the second half has begun, or after games are played. Teams using ineligible players may be subject to an immediate game forfeit.

C. Coed League Rules

No more than five (5) men are allowed in play at any time in a Coed 7v7 league – two (2) players must not be men (the goalkeeper may count as one of these two players). In order to satisfy this requirement, a team may play with only five (5) or six (6) players – there must be at least five total players on the pitch, two of which must not be men.

D. League Standings Points System

Win = 3 points

Draw = 1 point

Loss = 0 points

League games that end in a draw after regulation play shall remain a draw.

Playoff games ending in a draw will go directly to Penalties. (See IV. M. Penalty Kicks)

IV. Bookings, Scheduling

A. Yellow Cards

A player receiving a yellow card must sit out for 2 minutes, starting after that player has exited the pitch and play resumes. During that time, the carded player’s team must play down a player; a sub may NOT replace the carded player. After the Referee has acknowledged that 2 minutes have elapsed, the carded player’s team may send any one player (including the carded player if desired) back onto the pitch immediately at the midfield line.

B. Red Cards

A player or coach sent off in (or after) a game by a Referee (red carded) will automatically be suspended from the next game in the season. In addition, a player will be prohibited from playing on any other team until the suspension has been served. If a player is ejected in the last game of a season they will be prohibited from playing in the first game after they register for another season.

Additional Guidelines:

  • A player or coach red carded for the offense of “foul and abusive language” will be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player red carded for the offense of “persistent infraction of the rules after receiving a second caution (yellow card) will be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player or coach red carded for the offense of “violent conduct” (including, but not limited to: spitting, threatening, continued rough play, etc.) will be suspended as outlined above and, in addition, will be suspended for one additional game and subject to further disciplinary action as decided by Soccer KC.
  • A player accumulating a second red card over a one-year period will be suspended for a minimum of 2 games.
  • A player accumulating three red cards will be permanently suspended from any further activities at Soccer KC (including pickup).
  • A player or coach red carded for “assaulting an official” will be permanently suspended from any further activities at Soccer KC. (An “Assault on an Official” shall be defined as an attempt to commit a battery upon an official; and an act which is close to accomplishment shall be sufficient to constitute an assault upon an official. Local authorities will be notified.)
  • “Bench Clearing” – If any player enters the pitch to break up or participate in a fight, the team will be put on Team Probation.
  • “Team Probation” – A two-month period during which any incident, major or minor, will be grounds for termination from the season.
  • If for any reason a Soccer KC official asks that a person leave the premises, the person must leave immediately.

C. Fighting and Racially/Sexually Abusive Behavior: ZERO TOLERANCE

Anyone fighting or engaging in racially or sexually abusive behavior will be ejected and suspended for a minimum of 2 games and up to permanently. Anyone threatening or stalking another player, coach, staff, official or spectator will also be ejected, and reported to local authorities.

D. Scheduling and Cancellations

Game Lengths

7v7 Leagues consist of two 25-minutes halves, plus a 2-minute halftime. Halftimes may be shortened in the interest of time constraints at the discretion of the Referee when trying to stay on time for the next game. Games not starting as scheduled as a result of team delay will still end at the scheduled time (minutes deducted from match) in order that the next game starts as scheduled.

Weather Info

Our turf field games WILL play in the rain or wet conditions (we do not have “rainouts”). For certain types of extreme conditions, we may delay games to wait for it to subside. We will also delay (and potentially cancel) games for lightning in the area. Players should clear the field and seek shelter in cars. The Field Manager on site will have more information about procedure at the facility.

 

Players may log on to the website for weather update alerts (posted at the top of all pages). Players may also sign up for text message cancellation updates through their online dashboard. Typically an email and/or text message will go out as soon as possible to all players on the team roster if activities are canceled.

Abandoned Game

If a game in progress is canceled or abandoned for any reason, the game will be considered completed if at least one half of time has been played. If one half has not been played, the game will be rescheduled and replayed entirely. If a playoff game is canceled or abandoned after one half has been played, and the score is tied, the following full season (regular season + any previous playoff games) tiebreaker order will be used to determine the winner: Standings Points (Ranking Points), Goal Differential (Point Diff), Goals Scored (Points Scored), Power Index (PI).

E. Termination of Participation

Soccer KC management reserves the right to terminate an individual’s and team’s participation at the facility for any reason, including violation of facility guidelines or league rules.

F. Forfeit Guidelines

If a team cannot field the required 5-player minimum at game start time, the game clock (not game play) will start, and they may wait up to 5 minutes for 5 players before the game will be recorded as a forfeit. The game MUST start as soon as 5 players are present; a team may not delay the start of play to wait for additional players to show up after the game start time.

A team forfeiting a game(s) during any one season will be subject to the following penalties:

1. First Forfeit – Loss of game 0-3, and team warning to Captain

2. Second Forfeit – Loss of game 0-3, and team ineligible for playoffs

3. Third Forfeit – Termination of team participation for the rest of the season and loss of re-registration priority

Teams incurring at least two forfeits during a season shall not be eligible for a registration discount in the following season.

If both teams forfeit, then no points will be awarded.

There is no additional penalty other than a loss of game if you show up short-handed but can’t field the minimum number of players necessary to start the game (and thus have to forfeit), since you did make an effort to get a team to play. So be sure to send as many players from your team on time for the game as possible to check in with the Field Manager and/or Referee – often there are other players at the facility willing to play as subs on your team, provided the roster rules allow for it that game.

G. Forfeit Notification Procedure

If your team has to forfeit a game, please email and call us right away:

Email info@soccerkc.org.

Call 913-204-0321 – leave a voicemail or send a text if we can’t get to the phone.

This way we can attempt to contact the other team to prevent them from traveling to the field – no one likes to show up to the field only to find out they don’t have a game. Please help us respect everyone’s time and energy.

H. Protest

You must contact us immediately following a game to let us know if you intend to file a protest. Then you must contact us again with a formal written protest within 48 hours after the end of the game. Only a violation of the Laws of the Game, League Rules, or Guidelines of the Facility as published are matters for protest. Video will not be viewed as evidence in a protest. Disputes regarding fielding of illegal players, or non-roster players (as outlined in Section III. B.), must be brought to the attention of the Referee or Field Manager prior to the start of the second half of a game.

I. First Aid

The facility has a limited first aid kit. It shall be the responsibility of each team to maintain their own first aid kit for treatment of their players.

V. Game Rules

A. Field of Play

1. Dimensions: Each pitch measures 35 x 35 yards minimum, up to 75 x 50 yards.

B. Ball

1. Size 5 soccer balls will be used for all adult games.

C. Number of Players

1. Seven players, one of whom shall be a goalkeeper.

2. Minimum of 5 players needed to start and continue a game.

3. Team roster is limited to 16 players.

4. If a team cannot field the required 5-player minimum at game start time, the game clock (not game play) will start, and they may wait up to 5 minutes for 5 players before the game will be recorded as a forfeit. The game MUST start as soon as 5 players are present; a team may not delay the start of play to wait for additional players to show up after the game start time.

D. Player Equipment

1. Players must dress in matching color shirts or jerseys.

2. Shin guards are recommended but not required.

3. Molded cleats, turf shoes, or flat-soled soccer shoes may be worn (no metal of any kind, no studded or screw-in shoes).

4. Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from all other players and Referee(s).

E. Duration of Game

1. A game shall be played in two equal halves of 25 minutes each.

2. A halftime interval shall be 2-4 minutes at the discretion of the Referee.

3. The clock shall only be stopped for serious injuries.

4. During playoffs only, a tie will be decided by penalty kicks. (See IV. M. Penalty Kicks)

5. Time will be extended for the taking of a penalty kick.

6. Duration of playoff games may be shortened. Refer to schedule.

F. Start of Play

1. Kickoff will be given to the home team. Visitors will have kickoff at the start of the second half.

2. A kickoff will start the game and restart the game after a goal has been scored.

3. Teams will change direction at halftime and alternate kickoff.

4. A goal can be scored directly from a kickoff.

5. The ball does not have to go forward from a kickoff.

6. Player has 5 seconds to put ball back into play.

G. Goalkeepers

1. Outdoor FIFA rules apply when passing back to the goalkeeper.

2. Goalkeeper may slide inside the penalty box leading with either hands or feet if done safely and with intent to play the ball, subject to the Referee’s discretion.

3. Goalkeeper may not punt or drop-kick the ball.

H. Players

1. NO SLIDING (automatic yellow card). Sliding will be defined as anything other than the feet touching the ground during an intentional sliding play with an opposing player within playing distance (5-6 yards). Players are allowed to go to the ground to play the ball in all other situations.

2. NO TWO-FOOTED TACKLES (automatic red card).

I. Substitutions

1. Unlimited substitutions may be made during stoppages of play only.

2. The Referee must be informed before any substitution may take place.

3. Substitutions may only be initiated by the team in possession of the ball, including throw-ins, corner kicks, and free kicks. The team not in possession may substitute only after the team in possession initiates a substitution. Either team may initiate a substitution on goal kicks, kickoffs, and injury stoppages.

4. Any player may change places with the goalkeeper, subject to all aforementioned substitution rules.

5. Substitute players are to remain in the player bench area.

6. A player receiving a yellow card must sit out for 2 minutes and may not be replaced by a substitute.

J. Out of Bounds

1. The ball is out of play when the entire ball crosses the sideline/end line, or contacts the overhead netting or other overhead objects.

2. A throw-in, corner kick, or goal kick will be awarded when the ball goes out of bounds.

3. A throw-in may not go directly into the goal.

4. Player has 5 seconds to put ball back into play.

K. Fouls

1. FIFA soccer rules apply to all infractions, including but not limited to: kicking, pushing, tripping, hand balls, etc.

2. NO SLIDING (automatic yellow card). Sliding will be defined as anything other than the feet touching the ground during an intentional sliding play with an opposing player within playing distance (5-6 yards). Players are allowed to go to the ground to play the ball in all other situations.

3. Goalkeepers may slide inside the penalty box leading with either hands or feet if done safely and with intent to play the ball, subject to the Referee’s discretion.

L. Free Kicks & Goal Kicks

1. All free kicks are direct, except for own team backpass to the goalkeeper or goalkeeper punting infractions, which are both indirect.

2. Ball is in play when it moves from foot contact by the initial player.

3. Opposing players shall be 5 yards from the ball.

4. Player taking a kick cannot play it again until someone else touches the ball.

5. If an opponent refuses to move back 5 yards on Referee’s request, they may be given a yellow card for unsportsmanlike behavior.

6. If a player taking the kick delays for longer than 5 seconds after having been signaled to do so by the Referee, the opposing team will be awarded the kick.

7. Opposing players must stand outside of the penalty box during a goal kick.

8. Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere inside the penalty box.

M. Penalty Kicks (Shootout)

1. If necessary, time shall be extended at the end of either half to allow the taking of a penalty kick.

2. The ball shall be placed 10 yards from the goal line.

3. Only the goalkeeper is allowed in the penalty box.

4. In the event of a tie (during playoffs only), penalty kicks will be taken (no overtime). Winner will be decided by the best of 4 kicks by each team. If still tied after both teams have taken 4 kicks, then additional players will take the kicks in a sudden death kick-off. Only players who were on the pitch at the end of the game will be allowed to participate.