WINTER LEAGUE

LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Player Registration: All teams must be registered using the online system. Rosters and payment will be made prior to receiving the tournament schedule. Payments may be made by either card or checks sent in using the address provided. Any team or player determined by the Tournament Director to have falsified age will be dismissed from the tournament without refund. All teams must have proof of age available at check-in. No formal roster is needed, as long as all names are listed within the online registration system. 

All Check-In/Roster information 

Check-In: The Friday before the first weekend of games.

Location: 330 Webster street, Batavia IL, 60510

Time: TBD

Items Needed Per Player: Medical Release, COVID waiver, birth certificate, 

roster

Rosters: All rosters will be “frozen” by November 1, 2022 for league 1 and January 8, 2023. Exceptions may be allowed for extenuating circumstances but must be brought to the attention of the League Director. 

For all competition in this tournament Fifa laws of the game will be used. The following rules of the game will also be adapted:

Number of Players 4v4: 8 is the maximum number of players on a team; 4 field players at one time, with no goalkeeper. Minimum of 3 field players to start the game. Players may only be rostered and play on ONE team in the League. A violation of this rule will result in the player and all teams involved being immediately removed from the tournament. No players may be added to the team after a team has officially checked in. 

Number of Players 5v5: 10 is the maximum number of players on a team; 5 field players at one time, with a goalkeeper. Minimum of 3 field players to start the game. Players may only be rostered and play on ONE team in the League. A violation of this rule will result in the player and all teams involved being immediately removed from the tournament. No players may be added to the team after a team has officially checked in. 

Substitutions: Unlimited rolling substitutions are allowed, but players must get the referee’s attention and enter and exit at the half-field mark only. Players must wait till the substituted player has left the pitch completely before entering the playing area. 

Equipment: All players must wear shin guards and proper soccer shoes or tennis shoes. Any player without shin guards will not be permitted to play. Home team is responsible for providing two game balls. All game balls will be game ready and age appropriate: size 4 for U7-U11, size 5 U12 and above. No hard casts or metal braces allowed without being wrapped and approved by the League Director. No jewelry allowed (earrings, necklace, bracelets). 

Game Duration: All games will be a 45 minute running clock, with no halftime. If both teams decide at the start of game to partake in a halftime the halves will be 20 minutes with a 5 minute half. Each team will play a 6 league games.  All games will work with a running clock with no suspension of time except in the event of injury requiring professional medical attention. Teams found to be delaying the game will be penalized. Teams who arrive more than 10 minutes late to a match will be considered a forfeit. 

Scoring: Games will be scored according to the following:

 3 points for a win

1 point for a tie

 0 points for a loss

Tiebreakers:

1. Head-to-head results between tied teams (see section Game Duration)

2. Fewest goals scored against

3. Most goals scored

No Offside Rule in 4v4, 5v5

Five Yard Rule: In all dead ball situations, defending players must stand at least 5 yards away from the ball. If that is not possible, the ball shall be placed five yards back from the infringement in line with the place of the penalty. 

Kick-Ins: Kick-ins are indirect. A player on the field must touch the ball before the ball enters the goal. Any ball kicked directly into the goal, will result in a goal kick. All out of bound/dead ball plays will result in a kick-in. 

Goal Kicks: May be taken from any point inside the goal box. 

Kick Off: All kick-offs are direct. They may be taken in any direction. There will be a center spot, and the center spot will be surrounded by a three yard radius. 

Penalty Kicks: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was denied by the infraction. A penalty kick will be awarded and the offensive team will be able to take a shot from the center circle. 

Player Discipline: (Yellow/Red Card) Referees have the right to eject a player from the game for continual disobedience or as a result of an incident that warrants sending the player off. 

    Red Card: Suspension for the rest of the game PLUS the next game. A 

player receiving two red cards will be suspended for the rest of the tournament. Teams will 

Yellow Card: Two yellow cards for a player will result in the player sitting out the rest of the game. 

Forfeits: A forfeit shall be scored as 3-0

Protests: No protests will be permitted, with the exception of player eligibility. All decisions made by referees of the League Director are final. The League Director will decide upon matters not in the tournament rules. Decisions of the League Director will be final.