League Procedures

ARLINGTON SOCCER ASSOCIATION

ADULT LEAGUE RULES

I. Jurisdiction

A. The ASA has the authority to create leagues and to abolish any leagues that it has created. The ASA has jurisdiction over any and all leagues that it has created, Including, but not limited to all Arlington Recreational Leagues U-4 through U-10, U-11 through U-19 (ASU) Academy Leagues, Competitive Leagues and Adult Leagues.

B. The ASA has jurisdiction over ASA sanctioned leagues, ASA teams participating in any NTSSA sanctioned league, and all members and associate members of the ASA. This includes any A&D hearings on any playing rule violations that occur during league play regardless where the game is being played.

C. No youth or adult league affiliated with NTSSA may be formed or operate within the ASA boundaries, which are the same as the boundaries of the Arlington Independent School District, unless it has been sanctioned by, and has agreed in writing to be responsible to, the ASA. This includes both recreational and competitive leagues.

 II. Divisions/Seasons

A. In these rules the terms soccer year and soccer season have specific meanings that are used to quantify certain rules and/or requirements. The soccer year for the Arlington Adult League begins approximately August 15th and ends on August 14th  each year.

 

B.  Currently the ASA Adults offers play in the following Leagues:

1. Men’s Open (Players must be 18 years old to play)

2. Men’s Over 30

3. Men’s Over 40

4. Men’s Over 48

5. Men’s Over 55

6. Women’s Over Open (Players must be 18 years old to play)

7. Women’s Over 30

8. Coed Over Open (Players must be 18 years old to play)

9. Coed Over 30

 

D. The league coordinator has the right place team into divisions other than those requested in order to maintain a constant and fair level of competition.

E. For age group divisions with more than one division, dominant teams, based on their past playing records, may be moved into other divisions to provide a more competitive stature.

F.  Teams are not guaranteed a certain number of games, or playoffs, in a season.  Failure to reschedule games that were cancelled due to weather, pandemic, or others “Acts of God/Nature” does not justify a refund to the team or players.

G. At the end of the Fall and Spring seasons the top four teams in each division, with at least 6 teams, will advance to the playoffs to determine the division champion and runner-up. Other teams in the division may play in playoff games to determine their final standing. The semi–finals will be the 1st place team vs the 4th place team, and the 2nd place team vs the 3rd place team. The winners of the semi-final games will play for the championship. Semi-final and championship games that are tied at the end of regulation will be decided by IFAB kicks from the mark with only players on the field at the end of the second overtime eligible to participate in the IAB kicks form the mark.

III. Eligibility

A. Open division players must 18 years of age to be placed on the roster. At the time during the season that they turn 18, they may then be added to the roster. No player under the age of 18 will be allowed to play on an adult team.

 

B. Over 30, 40, 48, and 55 division players must meet the minimum age requirements of the league before being added to a roster. The minimum age requirement must be met on or before:

December 1st for the Fall season

June 1st for the Spring Season

September 1st for the Summer season

 C. All persons must be a “member in good standing”, to be considered eligible for registration.

D. Proof of age will be required for all players. Over 30, Over 40, Over 48, and Over 55 players must upload a copy of one of the following to their GotSoccer account.  All players must be prepared to provide clear, legible, color copy in one of the following forms if requested at the fields for a roster check or in the office to verify player ID:

 1. State issued driver’s license or identification card

2. Embassy Card

3. Passport

4. Government issued citizen identification card

5. Military identification

 

III. Registration

A. Team registration

1. Team registration will include a $100 deposit for teams new to the league.  A team’s deposit will be refunded in full once the team has 11 players registered and paid.

2. Each team must have two points of contact. It is very important that we have current phone numbers and emails.

3. Online team registration must be completed by the registration deadline. Only with good cause and approval of the league coordinator can a team register after the designated registration date and any team that wishes to register after the deadline has passed may be required to pay a late registration fee.

4. Online team roster must be kept current and include accurate jersey numbers. The color of the team’s jerseys and an alternate color should also be completed.

5. Any checks returned by the bank for any reason will result in an additional fee. The

returned check fee of $15 must be paid by the team before the team will be allowed to play.

6. Rosters must have a minimum of 15 players and a maximum of 25 (12 min 20 max for any division playing 9v9).

7. All teams and their rostered players will be registered with USSF through North Texas Soccer and this association. The first time a player registers during the soccer year the player fee will include the player registration fees and insurance fee for the soccer year.

8. For the purpose of maintaining records of discipline, a team shall be considered a returning team if there are a minimum of five players registered from the previous team. Any discipline or monetary assessments shall be the responsibility of the returning team. In the case of a team splitting to form two or more teams, any discipline assessments shall be assigned to whichever team has the players with the most penalty point total for the previous season.

 

B. Player registration

1. Players will register online through GotSoccer and will provide current contact information. This includes address, phone numbers and email.

2. No player will be allowed to register on more than one team in the same age division.  There will be a limit of 5 division I players allowed to participate with a division II team.  No division I players may participate on a team lower than division II.

3. Only females will be allowed to register on women’s teams.

4. New Players – (All seasons) any eligible person who has not previously registered with any ASA Adults team during the current soccer year.

5. Returning Players – any person who was registered on a team with ASA Adults during the previous seasons of the current soccer year.

6. Dual Rostered Players – (All seasons) any person who is registered on more than one team with the ASA Adults.

7. No player will be considered registered until he/she has completed the online registration, paid applicable registration and uploaded a proper photo & ID. Over 30, Over 40, Over 48 and over 55 players must also upload a driver’s license or government issued ID.

 

D. Refunds

1. Any team who withdraws once the season schedule is prepared may only receive a 30% refund of player fees.  Players must request the refund in writing to the ASA office Manager.

2. Any team withdrawing to avoid playing in an assigned division will not be given a refund and will not be allowed to return to the league for a period of one year.

3. Player fee refunds will be issued at 100%, if the league they requested to play in does not form.

4. Once a team has played a game, no refunds will be issued to players on that team.

E. Add/Drops/Transfers

1. Players can be added to a team up to October 1st for the Fall season, April 1st for the Spring season, and at any time for the Summer season.  NO CHANGES will be allowed after the deadline unless approved by the VP of Adults.

2.  A player is bound to a team for a given season once they have been registered and the player registration fee has been received. Only with just cause and with written permission from the league coordinator and releasing team, may a player transfer to any other team during the season. The player must comply with the above rules and any applicable North Texas Soccer rules.

3. Any team dropping below a roster size of 18 players may be allowed to add players after the deadline with the permission of the VP of Adults.  No changes will be approved 2 games prior to the end of the season for team in playoff contention. No changes will be allowed for / during the playoffs.

 IV. Team responsibilities at game time

A. Uniforms/Equipment

1. All players must wear approved shoes (shoes that have toe cleats are not allowed), a shirt, shorts or pants, and shin guards completely covered by socks.

2. There is no jewelry allowed with the exception of wedding bands and hair accessories must be soft in nature. – Watches & Fitbits are not allowed unless completely covered by a padded wristband. If a player is wearing any item the referee considers dangerous, the player must remove prior to playing.

3. Teams must wear shirts/jerseys that are of the same shade of primary color. Shorts and socks do not apply. Teams with mismatched shades of the same color may be required to wear mesh pennies to prevent color conflicts. Each player must have a unique permanent number on the back of their jersey. Numbers must be at least 6 inches in height. Tape is not considered permanent and will not be accepted, however, a permanent marker may be used if the number is 6” high and clearly readable by the Referee.

4. The goalkeeper shall wear colors that distinguish them from the other players and the

referee. Goalkeepers are not required to have a number on their Goalkeeper jersey but

should be identified by number on the roster. When playing as a field player the

Goalkeeper will wear team jersey with the number that is on the roster.

5. Players on the same team who inadvertently enter the field with the same jersey number must change the jerseys immediately upon having it called to their attention.

6. Teams must wear jersey’s that are distinguishable from each other. The center referee will determine if a color conflict exists. The referee’s decision will be final. The HOME team will be expected to change to alternate jerseys in the event of conflict. Alternate jerseys may be mesh pennies.

7. If a shirt becomes unusable the player will be allowed to change shirts at the discretion of the referee.

8. Players may not exchange shirts with another player except the goalkeeper.

9. If a team fails to provide an alternate shirt/penny in the case of color conflict, and the conflict can’t be resolved to the Referee’s satisfaction, that team will receive an automatic forfeit.

10. Both teams must provide a suitable game ball for the referee to use in the game.

 

V. Team Captain/Representative Responsibility

A. Responsible for their teams conduct on and off the field and litter control.

B. Responsible for spectator conduct. Spectators must be within 10 yards, either side, of the midfield.

C. Participate in the check in procedure of the opposing team

D. If the opposing team has an alleged illegal player, or if the team wishes to play the game in protest, the team Captain must request the referee to make a notation on the game roster at the time.

E. Rescheduling of games – all reschedules must be approved by the league coordinator and the request for the reschedules must be submitted in writing a minimum of 10 days prior to the game in question. There is a rescheduling fee of $50 that is payable to the Arlington Soccer Association. The teams must both agree to the requested change, and it is the responsibility of the team requesting the change to arrange the agreeable date with the opposing team, alert the office, and pay the reschedule fee.

 VI. Playing Rules - Unless otherwise modified by these rules, all competition under the jurisdiction of this Association will be governed by the IFAB Laws of the Game.

 Note: Mandatory hydration breaks during each half are a requirement of all games played in all divisions at all time slots during the months of May, June, July, August, and September. At the request of the teams, or referee discretion, hydration breaks may be implements during games in any of the other months during the year. The league, at its discretion may implement a mandatory 2 hydration breaks per half (during time of extreme heat, humidity resulting in “Feels Like” temperatures exceeding 100-degree F.

 

A. Start time of game

1. Games will start at the scheduled game time.

2. The referee will blow the whistle at the scheduled game time and let the team know the clock is running to indicate the start of the game. This applies when waiting the allotted 15 minutes for teams to get enough players.

3. The game clock will start at the scheduled time and, if at the 15-minute mark, a team does not have enough players, the game will be called a forfeit.

4. If the teams can begin play within the 15 minutes, the referee’s clock will continue until the 45-minute mark – this means that the playing time for the first half will be shortened. The second half will be played at the regular 45-minute half. Exception for the Men’s Over 48, Over 55 Leagues and Women that plays 40-minute halves.

5. If a game follows another game on the same field, the referee will allow the teams at least 10 minutes from the end of the first game to get set up before starting the clock.

6.  No sliding tackles allowed in any division except Men’s Open.  Sliding is allowed to save or play a ball if no other players are in the immediate playing area of the ball. 

Slide tackling is defined as the player leaving their feet first in an attempt to play / win the ball from / prior to an opponent.   If in the referee’s opinion, the player stretches for a ball, and then goes to the ground (usually their knees or falls over) this is not considered slide tackling.

A Slide Tackling offense is punished as a "dangerous play" (plays in a dangerous manner) offense (an indirect free kick at the spot where the offense occurred). However, if contact is made with an opposing player in the process of the slide tackling offense a yellow or red card will be issued depending on the severity of the tackle (if the referee determines the tackle was serious foul play or violent conduct the player will receive a red card (sendoff) and punished for that offense and not for dangerous play leading to a direct free kick or penalty kick if the offense occurred inside of the penalty area)

Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player them self) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.

B. Game Suspension

1. If a game should be suspended before the half, for reasons other than misconduct or

abandonment, it will be replayed, if possible.

2. If a regular season game should be suspended after the completion of the first half for reasons other than misconduct or abandonment, it will be considered complete.

3. All post season games must be complete games. For reasons other than misconduct or abandonment, any game that is stopped prior to the completion of regulation time shall be replayed in its entirety unless the game is past the 45th minute and one team is ahead. (40th minute for Women and Over 48, 55 Men) Any game that is stopped prior to the completion of kicks from the mark shall recommence at the appropriate round of kicks from the mark, whichever was occurring at the time of stoppage. At the recommence of kicks from the mark, only the players eligible and present at the time of game stoppage shall be eligible. If the game is stopped due to misconduct or abandonment, the outcome of the game shall be decided by the League administrator. The team or teams causing the stoppage will be sent to the Associations A&D Committee.

C. Number of Players

1. Number of players on the field will be a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 7 to start/7 to finish. In divisions that play 9v9, the maximum number of players will be 9 and the minimum to start / finish a game will be 6. A team will have fifteen minutes after scheduled kickoff time to field at the minimum number of players or the game will be declared a forfeit. If the minimum number of players is present within the fifteen-minute period, the game will start.

2. If neither team can field the minimum number of players, the game will be declared a

double forfeit with no points awarded to either team.

3. Each player must submit their own ASA Adult ID card, or be listed with the Virtual ID card if that is in use, to the referee or assistant referee, be registered, listed, and not redlined on that team’s game day roster in order to be eligible to play.

4. The League Coordinator or any ASA Board member has the right to conduct a check of any team as to the eligibility of players. Through a random roster check of both teams that could include verification of the validation of player ID cards and verification of player identity at any time during the course of the season. Roster checks may not be conducted by persons playing in the same division as the teams that are being checked.

 D. Substitutions are allowed with the permission of the referee at all stoppages of play and are unlimited.

 E. Misconduct

1. All misconducts will be reported, in writing, to the VP of Discipline. In addition, all

Player misconduct will be submitted by the referee, in writing, to the ASA office within forty-eight hours of the offense.

2. The Appeals and Disciplinary Committee will have the authority to suspend or remove players or team officials guilty of misconduct.

3. Serious misconduct will be reported, if necessary, to the North Texas Soccer Association for further discipline.

4. Should a player or team official be reported to the association as being involved in

misconduct, abuse or assault (verbal and/or physical) of a referee/assistant referee, league official and/or employee, the alleged party will be suspended from all play in this

association, pending a decision from the North Texas State Soccer Association and/or the Arlington Soccer Association Appeals and Disciplinary Committee.

5. Any player or team official found guilty of misconduct/verbal abuse of a referee/assistant referee, league officials and/or employees, as deemed by the North Texas Soccer Association and/or the Arlington Soccer Association A&D Committee, will be assessed a $100 fine. Any player or team official found guilty of assault will be assessed a $200 fine. Payment is due to the Arlington Soccer Association prior to any participation in this association once the suspension is served. Any persons found guilty of a second assault will receive a permanent expulsion from the league.

6. Any adult player, team manager or spectator ejected from an adult game will be required to sit out one game and pay a $30 fine. Any player, team manager or spectator receiving a second red card or send off during the season the fine will increase to $50. A third red card or send-off the fine will increase to $75 and the offending person will be suspended pending a hearing with the A&D Committee. Additional penalties and fines may be assessed at that time.

7. If the red card is issued for serious foul play / violent conduct (contact made) the penalty will be at least 2 games and a $50 fine. A second serious foul play / violent conduct or fighting, in the same soccer year, will be increased to $125 and the violator will be suspended for at least four games. The A&D committee may add additional fines or disciplinary actions. Note: attempting to Kick, Hit, Punch, Elbow, Spit on (no contact made) will be penalized as a normal rec card, however a second instance in the same soccer year will be penalized as a second instance of violent conduct or fighting.

8. If the red card is issued for fighting (contact made) the penalty will be at least 3 games and a $50 fine. A serious foul play / second violent conduct or fighting penalty, in the same soccer year, will be increased to $125 and the violator will be suspended for at least four games. The A&D committee may add additional fines or disciplinary actions. Note: attempting to Kick, Hit, Punch, Elbow, Spit on (no contact made) will be penalized as a normal rec card, however a second instance in the same soccer year will be penalized as a second instance of violent conduct or fighting.

9. Any persons receiving a “sendoff” will not be allowed to participate in any manner, except as a spectator, while under suspension. Any violation, while under suspension, will result in continued suspension pending a hearing of the ASA A&D Committee.

10. If a player receives a suspension at the end of the season, the suspension will carry over to the next season that the player participates in (same division, unless suspended from all soccer activities). For example, if a player in in the over 40 division the suspension carries over to the over 40 division regardless of the team the player plays for.

11. Suspensions are not carried from one league to another. (i.e. indoor or participation in another outdoor league, such as Fort Worth Adult) unless the suspension is assessed by the North Texas State Soccer Association and includes a stipulation that the player is suspended form all soccer activities.

12. Any participant receiving a “sendoff” during a league sponsored event must leave the Complex immediately. This includes standing outside the fence line to the fields. The game will not continue until the referee determines the player has left the area.

13. Suspensions received in outside tournaments or events shall be served during further participation in those events and shall not affect any play in this league except in the case of serious misconduct which shall be reviewed by the ASA A&D Committee before further participation is allowed in this league, or if the North Texas Soccer Association has adjudicated the matter and determined a suspension from all soccer activities.

14. In the event of a game being abandoned, the teams involved will be heard by the ASA A&D Committee as soon possible. If the game is abandoned due to violent conduct, the team(s) may be suspended pending a hearing. Action could take the form of forfeit of one or both teams, declaring that the game be replayed, or that the game, stand with the score at the time of the abandonment. The VP of Adults will determine what points, if any, will be attributed to each team. Fines or additional player suspensions may also be assessed.

15. Players who receive a 2nd caution in the same game will sit out the remainder of that game only.  If a player receives a 3rd card during the season he/she will sit out the player’s next game following the 3rd card.  Players receiving a 5th card during the season will sit out the next game following the 5th card and is potentially subject to an A&D hearing to address their conduct. Penalties could be additional games being suspended up to and including being suspended from the league. If the 3rd or 5th game is a red card, the player will sit out a game for the accumulated cards plus the games for the red card.  e.g. A player receives a red card during a game. It is his/her 3rd card of the season.  He/she will sit out the required number of games associated with the red card and an additional game for the accumulation of cards.

Note: card accumulation resets at the end of the regular season. Previous card accumulation does not carry into the playoffs. Red card suspensions do carry into the playoffs.

15. Multiple offenses

a. Any involvement in fighting (contact made) or use of extreme foul language directed at an opponent, game official, league official and/or spectator will be a minimum three game suspension (plus the fine as mentioned in above).

b. Any involvement in a disturbance or joining into a fight will receive a minimum four

game suspension (plus the fine as mentioned in above).

c. Any player issued a second “sendoff” for serious foul play, violent conduct, fighting, or foul or abusive language during the course of one playing season, an automatic 4 game suspension will be assessed in addition to additional games the A & D committee may assess.

 

16. Any team found to have knowingly played unregistered, ineligible or suspended player(s) shall forfeit the games in which the player(s) participated and the team captain/coach and/or the involved player(s) may be suspended for a minimum of one year from the date of the infraction. If the team Captain/Coach is not present at the game the person representing the Coach/Captain, responsible for ID cards for the game, will be suspended. The involved player(s) may be suspended from all soccer North Texas Soccer activities. Any team attempting to play an Unregistered, Ineligible or illegal player may result in the Captain/Coach being suspended for 5 games from the date of the infraction.  If the Captain/Coach on record is not present at the game where the infraction occurs, the person representing the Captain/Coach responsible for the ID cards for the game, will be suspended.  If less than 5 games remaining in the season the suspension will carry forward to the next season.

 Players that are alleged to have previously played in an ASA adult league with an illegal ID/ falsified ID / fake ID that are currently playing with a legal / valid ID will be summoned to appear before the A &D committee. If they are found to have previously played in an ASA adult league with an illegal ID / falsified ID / fake ID, the player will be subject to the sanctions imposed by the A&D committee to be served in the current and / or future seasons. The sanctions can include but are not limited to a minimum of 3 game suspensions and could include suspensions from all North Texas Soccer Activities.

 Note: the team manager of the player to have allegedly played with an illegal ID / falsified ID / fake ID will also be summoned to the A & D hearing and may also be subject to sections the A & D committee.

 

17. Team misconduct card accumulation resulting in penalty points in the standings. As these are Adult recreational leagues, we expect players to play within the rules, but understand that there will be instances where a card (yellow or red may be issued during a game). However, we expect the team manager to keep their team under control with regard to misconduct cards, especially cards for dissent towards a referee and multiple cards in the same game.

 Card counts by team will be tracked during the season. Each yellow card issued will counts as 1 point towards the team’s seasonal misconduct points. Each Red card issued will counts as 2 point towards the team’s seasonal misconduct points.

 Any team that accumulates 12 misconduct points will have one point deducted from their point total in the standings at the end of the season.

Any team that accumulates 24 misconduct points will have three points deducted from their point total in the standings at the end of the season. 

Any team that accumulates 30 misconduct points will have five points deducted from their point total in the standings at the end of the season, not be eligible for playoffs, and the team will be called in for an A & D hearing to address their team’s actions leading to the issuance of an inordinate amount of cards. Penalties could be additional points being deducted up to and including the suspension of the team.

 

VIII. Forfeits

A. The League Director shall declare a forfeit for any of the following reasons:

1. Illegal players

2. No ID cards by the start of the second half of a game, if the cards were not available at the start of the game. Not Applicable if the league is using Virtual ID cards.

3. Not enough players within 15 minutes of game start time.

B. If a team has two forfeits in a season, they will be required to post a $50 performance bond for each remaining game of the season.

C. A declared forfeit win will result in a total of three points toward division standings.

D. A team must notify the ASA office at least 48 hours prior to the regular scheduled game (notification must be made BEFORE 4:00 p.m. on Friday for Sunday games) of any cancellations (forfeitures) or they will be required to pay a $60 fine and 3 points will be deducted from the team’s standings.  Fines must be paid 2 business days after the team’s next game or additional games will be declared a forfeit.

 

IX. Team Standings

A. The following point system will be used to determine a team’s division standings:

1. Three points for a win

2. One point for a tie

3. Zero points for a loss

4. -3 points per forfeit

B. In the case of a tie in points at the end of the season, the following tie breakers will be applied:

1. Head to head competition

2. Goal differential – maximum differential five goals / points per game

3. Fair Play – fewest # misconduct points

4. Least Goals Allowed

5. Most Goals Scored (maximum five per game)

C. Reporting Scores

Scores must be reported by the winning team prior to the team’s next game. If the game ends in a tie the Home team will enter the score.  Scores can be input into the GotSoccer app or by calling 904-758-0875. Scores not reported may be scored by the office based on the game sheets submitted by the referee. The winning / home team may be subject to a 1 point deduction in the standings for failure to enter their score. That determination will be made by the office based on the length of time before being entered and the frequency of failing to enter scores by the offending team.

X. – Playoffs to determine Division Champions

A. At the end of the Fall and Spring seasons the top four teams in each division, with at least 6 teams, will advance to the playoffs to determine the division champion and runner-up. The summer season champion will be determined by season standings.

B.The semi–finals will be the 1st place team vs the 4th place team, and the 2nd place team vs the 3rd place team.

C.The Division Champion with be determined from the winner of the game between the winners of the semi-final games. 

D. Semi-final and championship games that are tied at the end of regulation will be decided by IFAB kicks from the mark.

E. Only players on the field at the end of the second overtime are eligible to participate in the IFAB kicks form the mark to determine the winner.

F. If the playoffs can’t be played / completed due to weather cancellations, the division champion will be determined by season standings.

G. If COED playoff games are tied at the end of regulation IFAB kicks from the mark are used to determine a winner.  The following order will be used for kickers. Odd number kickers from each team will be female kickers, even number kickers from each team may be male or female kickers. Example: Kicker #1 Female, Kicker # 2 Male/Female, Kicker #3 Female, etc. A kicker may not repeat as a kicker until 10 rounds of kicks have taken place, unless numbers were reduced due to the number of eligible kickers (team playing short due to send of during the game, lack of players during the game, injury to a player thus not available to participate).

           

XI. Protests and Appeals

A. All protests/appeals at all levels shall be made, in writing, within five days to the ASA A&D Committee who shall rule on such protest. All appeals at all levels must be accompanied by a $100 appeal fee (cash or cashier check). If the appeal is ruled in favor of the person/team making the appeal the appeal fee will be refunded. If the appeal is ruled against the person making the appeal the fee will not be refunded.

B. Appeals from a League Director ruling shall be made within five days to the ASA A&D Committee. The appeal fee applies.

C. Appeals of an A&D Committee decision will be appealed to the ASA Executive Board. The appeal fee applies

D. All decisions at all levels of the appeals process shall stand in full force and effect until changed by a higher authority.

  

B. Adult Coed League

1. All existing ASA Adult Rules and Regulations will apply to the Coed Divisions with the

addition of the following:

a. At no time may a team have more than 5 men on the field at any time, not counting the goalkeeper. Teams may start with one female player

b. No slide-tackling will be allowed by any player. Violation of this rule will result in the offending player being issued a yellow card. Sliding is allowed to save or play a ball if no other players are in the immediate playing area of the ball. 

Slide tackling is defined as the player leaving their feet first in an attempt to play / win the ball from / prior to an opponent.   If in the referee’s opinion, the player stretches for a ball, and then goes to the ground (usually their knees or falls over) this is not considered slide tackling.

A Slide Tackling offense is punished as a "dangerous play" (plays in a dangerous manner) offense (an indirect free kick the spot where the offense occurred). However, if contact is made with an opposing player in the process of the slide tackling offense a yellow or red card will be issued depending on the severity of the tackle (if the referee determines the tackle was serious foul play or violent conduct the player will receive a red card (sendoff) and punished for that offense and not for dangerous play leading to a direct free kick or penalty kick if the offense occurred inside of the penalty area)

Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player them self) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.

The goalkeeper may not slide tackle; however, this does not preclude other "sliding plays" within the laws of the game.

c. All penalty kicks shall be taken by women players only.

d. Scoring shall be as follows:

(a) Goal scored by a woman - 2 points, except for penalty kicks

(b) Goal scored by a man - 1 point, Teams may score only 5 total male goals.  This can be 5 different players or 5 for one player but no more than 5 for the team.

e. Penalty kicks - 1 point, EXCEPT: If the penalty kick is the result of a woman being

fouled during a clear / obvious scoring opportunity (such as a breakaway or an intentional hand ball blocking a shot) the referee may allow 2 points. This is to be declared prior to the kick attempt.

f. Own goals - 1 point (regardless of sex).

g. After a goal is scored the referee shall determine, and clearly indicate, the point value of the goal before play resumes.

h. Number of Players on the Field after a Player Ejection: Due to the nature of Co-ed Soccer this is a rule that can cause confusion. If a player is ejected from the game, the

Team Captains are advised to ask the Center Referee to clarify legal substitutions prior to re-start of the game.

i. For every red card your team receives, you must play one player less than the maximum number of players (11) on the field. If a man receives a red card, the team will

play a man short for the duration of the game. If a woman receives a red card, the team will play a woman short for the duration of the game. If the goalkeeper receives a red

card, either a man or a woman may replace the goalkeeper, as long as there are no more than 5 men on the field (excluding the goalkeeper), but play a player short on the field.

 

XII. Special Circumstances - The Association reserves the right to act on the Playing Rules and Regulations or any event or circumstances not covered by these rules and regulations where an unexpected or foreseen event occurs that may cause undue hardship if strict interpretation of these playing rules and regulations are applied, however, if will require an official Executive Board action to implement such a change. The Arlington Soccer Association Bylaws apply to all Leagues playing in the Association.

 

Revised: Effective August 2020