Adult Soccer Rules
GENERAL RULES
Hopewell Recreation Ministry Leadership reserves the right to make any changes that they deem necessary for the betterment of the league and its play.
Hopewell Recreation Ministry will supply the game ball for each match.
Games will consist of two 25 minutes halves with a 5-minute halftime.
Games will be played 7v7 with at least two of the players being female. If a team cannot field 2 females at the start of the game, the team is allowed to pick up a second female players. If a team has 2 or more female players there must be at least 2 females on the field at all times.
It is highly recommended that players wear shin guards, and they must wear socks that cover the shin guards.
Each team must have a jersey with a number on the back.
The regular rules of soccer will be played with the exception of slide tackling. No slide tackling is allowed. Any slide tackle will result in a yellow card and an indirect or direct kick depending on if contact was made. No contact is indirect. Contact is direct.
Keeper Protection – Any collision with the goalie by the offensive player will result in a yellow card. No exceptions. If the goalie initiates the contact the goalie will receive the yellow card.
Unlimited Substitutions. Substitutions must be made from the midfield line with the referee’s permission.
The referee will have authority over the game and his / her decisions over goals scored, rules, etc shall be final. Please respect their rights and work with them and the field supervisor to ensure a well-played game.
CONDUCT / SPORTSMANSHIP:
No coach or player shall belittle or berate the players or coaches of another team. This type of action will NOT be tolerated. First offense: Warning. Second offense: Ejection from game. PENALTY: Any coach or player ejected from a game will be suspended for a minimum of 1 game up to a maximum of the remainder of the season. When a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct that team will play a player short for the rest of the game. Any coach ejected from a game will be required to meet in person with the Hopewell Recreation Minister before coaching another game. The coach is responsible to set up this meeting.
Harassment of officials and Hopewell Recreation Ministry Staff will not be tolerated. Questions should be asked by the HEAD COACH ONLY and done in an ORDERLY HUMANE and RESPECTFUL fashion about rule interpretations only. Judgment calls are NOT to be argued. Failure to comply with this rule will result in immediate ejection of the guilty party and possibly forfeiture of the game. NO WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN!!
Head Coaches are accountable for the behavior of their assistant coaches, players and related supporters.
If a player receives a yellow card they must go to their bench and cannot return to the game for 10 minutes. If a player receives a second yellow in the game they are disqualified for remainder of the game and their team plays the remainder of the game a man down. A player receiving a straight red card is disqualified from the remainder of the game, and the next game, and their team plays the remainder of that game a man down. In the next game their team fields a full 7-person team.
Any profanity will result in a yellow card and the player will sit 10 minutes. A second offense in the same game will result in a red card and disqualification from the remainder of the game and the next game, and their team plays the remainder of that game a man down. In the next game their team fields a full 7-person team.
If a player is issued a red card their team will play a man down for the rest of that game.
If a player is suspended for any reason under the Conduct/Sportsmanship section, the player may not remain on the field. Failure to abide by this will result in forfeiture of that game. A player ejected, must leave the playing site immediately.
SEASON
Regular season games that end as a tie will remain as a tie.
There will be a single or double elimination tournament at the conclusion of the season based on the number of teams.
Tournament games that end in a tie will play a 10-minute golden goal overtime. If the game remains tied after the 10-minute overtime Penalty kicks will decide the winner. Of the five players taking the penalty kicks at least one must be a female.
Roster sheets must include every player on the team and must be signed by each player. Team Captains will present the referee with a roster of players with jersey numbers at the start of each game. Players must play in at least 2 games to be eligible to play in the tournament. Team rosters are locked at the mid-point of the season. Coaches will be notified at the beginning of the season as to the date of the mid-point.
Picking up players: can only pick up enough players to make 8 total. (ie. Cannot add 5 good players and play them instead of your own team) Picking up players during playoffs is prohibited. Any team that can’t field 6 rostered players can pick up players to total 8 players to play the game but, without 6 rostered players the game will count as a forfeit.