The rules of this league series shall be in accordance with the FSSA and USSF except as modified and approved herein.

1.  TEAM ELIGIBILITY

This league series shall be open to all ECSL Registered teams with valid player passes.

2.  PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

All players must be 18 years or older, or turn 18 years old before the beginning of each series

3.  PRE-GAME PROCEDURES

League officials will conduct all credential checks at the field prior to the beginning of each game.

Players not certified by the league officials will not be allowed to participate in any event.

A player who arrives late at the playing field after the pre-game procedure may enter the game with permission of the center referee and once the game officials verify that the player is eligible.

Only at the pre-game procedure may a player be challenged by an opposing manager or coach.  Challenged players will be noted by the referee on the game report and will be allowed to participate in the game, provided said player has been certified as eligible by the league officials.  A late arriving player may be challenged at the time he is allowed to participate by the referee.

4.  LAWS OF THE GAME

All games shall be in accordance with the FIFA "laws of the game", except as modified below.

Competition sanctioned by this association shall abide by the "laws of the game", along with any modifications or regulations of the association.

LAW 1: Field of Play

Field shall be a minimum of 40 yards wide by 50 yards long, and a maximum of 65 yards wide by 80 yards long.

LAW 3: Number of Players

All teams will play 7 per side (6 field players and 1 goal keeper)
Maximum roster size is 20 players.

Substitution shall be unlimited.  Substitutions may be made only upon proper notification of the referee through the assistant referee, with the referee's permission, at the following times:

1. Prior to a kick-in by your team
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team
3. After a goal by either team
4. After an injury by either team when the referee stops play, one for one.
5. At the beginning of the second half or overtime periods

The substitute shall not enter the field of play until the player he is replacing has left, and then only after receiving a signal from the referee.

LAW 4: Players’ Equipment

Player equipment must conform to FIFA rules.  Shinguards will be worn under socks by all players.  Players wearing a permanent orthopedic cast or brace must be cleared to play by the referee and/or tournament director.

A player may be removed from the game at any time if the referee determines that the player is using or is attempting to use a cast or brace to injure other players.

Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color, and must have numbers.  No two players may have identical uniform numbers while both players are simultaneously playing.

A. In the event of similar team colors, the designated home team will be required to change to a color accepted by the referee.
B. The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of both competing teams and the referee.

LAW 5: The Referee

Referees are required to submit a completed, official game report to the site director containing information relating to any game incidents involving players, coaches, spectators, misconduct and injuries.

A. Referees will be paid before start of each game ($25.00 per team).
B. Two Referees may be used for all preliminary matches.
C. Two Referees will be used for final matches.

LAW 6:  The Assistant Referee

There will be no Assistant Referees

LAW 7: The Duration of the Match

Games will be played with two 25 minute halves, with a five-minute half time.

Overtime Preiods:
There will be no Overtime periods in preliminary matches.
Semifinal and final matches will have two 5 minute overtime periods, “Golden Goal” format.
If there is no score after overtime, Penalty Kicks will follow (FIFA Rules).

LAW 11: Offsides

There will be no offsides.

LAW 12:  NO SLIDING WHAT SO EVER!!!!!!

LAW 13: Free Kicks

All fouls outside of penalty area will result in an indirect free-kick.

LAW 15: Throw-ins

There will be no throw-ins.
 
All restarts from the sidelines will be with a kick-in. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
Opposing players must be at least 10 yards away from ball on kick-ins.

LAW 16: Goal Kick

Ball may be kicked from any place in the goal area.  The ball must leave the goal area before it is touched by any other player. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.
 

5. CONTROL OF SIDELINE CONDUCT

Players, reserve players, managers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of "the laws of the game".  The site director has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person from the tournament for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by any other authority.  In addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to this league.

A. The site director will designate one sideline to be for the sole use of the players listed on the game roster and coach from each team, with one team occupying one side of the field and one team on the other side.  While the game is in progress, the manager/coach and the reserve players must remain on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines.
B. The site director will designate the opposite sideline for the spectators.
C. Managers/coaches will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and ultimately send off any coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.

6. POST-GAME PROCEDURES

A. Referees will return player passes to the teams, except for players which have been sent off.
B. Managers/coaches of each team will confirm the score with the site director.
C. Managers/coaches of both teams will insure that their respective sideline areas are clean and that all trash is in containers.

7. DISCIPLINE

The league Director will review and rule on all reports of unacceptable conduct by players, managers, coaches, referees, spectators, etc.

A. All players and managers/coaches shall be subject to USSF rules.
B. A player or manager/coach ejected will have an automatic one-game suspension regardless of the cause for the ejection.
C. Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the league Director may recommend a suspension of up to the duration of the series with further disciplinary action by the appropriate state or national association.

8. DETERMINATION OF GROUP WINNERS

In group play, there will be no overtime games.  Standings in a group will be determined by:

GAME POINTS:
   3 points for a win
   1 point for a tie
   0 points for a loss

TIEBREAKERS:
   A. Head to head competition
   B. Net goal differential (a maximum of 4 goals differential per game apply)
        SAMPLE  Score is 5-2 winning team would have +3, losing team -3
          Score is 10-0 winning team would have +4, losing team –4
   C. Total goals allowed.
   D. Kicks from the penalty mark per FIFA rules.

9. FORFEITS

A minimum of five players constitutes a team.  Games should start at the given time.  In case a team does not have five players present, it should be allowed a maximum of 5 minutes grace period before awarding the game to the opponent.  A forfeit will be scored 4-0.

10. TERMINATED GAMES

Games terminated for other than inclement weather, i.e. violent or uncontrollable situations will not be replayed. The score of the game at the time of termination will stand, unless the center referee specifically states that it was the obvious intent of the winning team to have the game terminated. Under this condition the game will be recorded as 0-0 with no points granted for the tie in the preliminary rounds. If the center referee specifically states that it was the obvious intent of the losing team to have the game terminated, the score will be listed as 4-0 for the team winning at the time of termination.

The decision as to the score of such games and on whether teams advance will be made by the league Director after receiving reports from game officials, coaches and Field Coordinators. The decision of the Director will be final and unappealable and further disciplinary actions may be taken.

13. PROTEST

No protests will be allowed.

14. INCLEMENT WEATHER

Games will not be played in inclement weather if there is a possibility of injury to players or damage to the playing surface.  Thus, in the event of inclement weather, the league Director has the authority to:

1. Relocate or reschedule any game
2. Change the duration of any game.  Preliminary games terminated for weather after one half of play has been completed, shall be considered official
3. Cancel any preliminary game which has no bearing on the selection of group winners
4. Cancel consolation games
5. Cancel the entire day of play for the safety of the players and the good of the playing fields

15. CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL CEREMONY

Following the completion of the championship game the winning team will present themselves to the league Director for awards.

16. AWARDS

Teams finishing 1st and 2nd place in each division will receive a team trophy.

17. GENERAL

A. The league Committee and/or the host affiliate will not be responsible for any expense incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or whole of this series.
B. The league Director's interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.
C. The league Director reserves the right to decide all series matters.
D.  The league director’s are not responsible for the behavior of players, coaches, and spectators off the field, or damages resulting from such behavior.  Coaches and players committing breaches of the law may be ejected from the series at the discretion of the league director.
E.  No alcohol will be allowed in the park at any time.
F.  Any player, coach or spectator found in possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, or weapons will be banned from the series and appropriate notifications made to the local law enforcement authorities.