Pay Before You Play:
All fees must be paid before the start of the game. Any team with an outstanding balance will not be allowed to play until the balance is settled.
Registration Fee:
Half of the registration fee must be paid before the first game.
The full registration fee must be paid by the 4th week of the season.
Failure to pay the full fee by the 4th week will result in all games being awarded as a default to the opposing teams until the balance is settled.
Food & Drinks
No Outside Food or Drinks:
Players and teams are not permitted to bring food or drinks into the facility. Only food and beverages purchased within the facility are allowed.
Game Rules
Game Length
Duration:
Games are 50 minutes long (2 halves of 25 minutes) at the referee's discretion.
Team Readiness:
Teams must be in uniform and ready to play by game time. The clock starts regardless of readiness.
Player Eligibility/Age
Age Requirement:
All players must be over the age of 18 at the time of the game.
Team Roster:
Players must be listed on the team roster in order to participate.
Game Ball
Responsibility:
Players are responsible for providing a game ball.
Approval:
The referee must check and approve all balls before they are put into play.
Players on the Field
Indoor Leagues
Team Composition: 5 players (including goalkeeper) per team.
Minimum Players: A team must field at least 4 players by game time, or a forfeit will be enforced unless waived by the opposing team.
Coed Leagues (Indoor)
Gender Limit: A maximum of 3 players of any gender on the field per team.
Playing with One Player Down: If a team only has one male or female player, they may play with a player down.
Female Goalkeepers: Female goalkeepers count toward the gender minimum.
Waiving Gender Requirements: Teams may agree to waive gender requirements with the referee’s permission before the game starts.
Goals
Scoring: All goals must be scored past the halfway line. Any goal scored by a shot behind the halfway line will not be valid and will be awarded to the other team as a goal kick.
15-Minute Default
Grace Period: Teams have up to 15 minutes to field their registered team.
Forfeit: If a team fails to field at least 4 players within 15 minutes of the established game time, the opposing team will be awarded a forfeit.
Roster Rules
Roster Confirmation: Teams have 3 weeks to select players. Starting from the 4th game, the roster will be confirmed, and no new players can be added.
Non-Registered Players: Teams fielding a non-registered player will automatically lose the game by default.
Playoffs Eligibility: Players must have played a minimum of 3 games to be eligible for the playoffs.
Cards & Penalties
Blue Card
Penalty: The player must immediately leave the field.
Substitution: A substitute player can replace the player who received the blue card.
Return: The player can return to the field after 4 minutes have passed since the booking.
Yellow Card
Penalty: The player must leave the field.
Substitution: No player can replace the yellow-carded player for 3 minutes, meaning the team will play with one player down during this time.
Red Card
Penalty: The player must leave the field and cannot be replaced for the remainder of the game.
Suspension: Any player who receives a red card will be suspended for at least one game, or more at the referee’s discretion. The referee will communicate the decision at the end of the game.
Fouls & Restarting Play
Pass Backs
Handling: If the goalkeeper handles a ball intentionally passed by a teammate, an indirect free kick will be awarded from where the goalkeeper was standing.
Exceptions: Goalkeepers may handle the ball if passed using the head, chest, or knee, or if deemed "undeliberate" by the referee.
Slide Tackling
Prohibited: Slide tackling is not permitted and may result in a booking at the referee's discretion.
Exceptions: Sliding to stop the ball is allowed if no opposing player is near or if the slide doesn’t intersect the opposing player's path. Goalkeepers may slide inside the goalkeeper’s area.
Handballs
Rule: Any contact of the ball below the shoulder with the arm or hand is considered a handball and will result in a foul or penalty kick.
Goalkeeper Handling: Goalkeepers cannot drop the ball and pick it up again, or an indirect kick will be awarded.
Offsides
Offside Rule: The offside rule is not enforced in 5v5 games.
Penalty Kicks
Fouls in the Box: Any foul, including handballs, committed inside the goalkeeper's box will result in a penalty shot.
Procedure: All non-kick-taking players must be at least 5 yards behind the ball. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
Referees
Final Decision
Fouls: Referees have the final say on all foul calls.
Arguing Calls: Excessive arguing with the referee may result in a caution or ejection.
Respect the Referee: Encroaching on the referee’s personal space (within 6 feet) may result in an automatic caution (yellow card).
Abuse of Referee: Any form of abuse, including swearing, yelling, or disrespectful behavior, may lead to a caution or ejection.
Referee Interference
Ball Strikes Referee: If the ball strikes the referee, play will not stop, unless the referee deems it necessary.
Other Rules
Goals
Scoring: A goal is counted when the entire ball crosses the goal line. The referee has the final say in the decision.
Restarting Play: The opposing team will play the ball from center field.
Substitutes
Substitutions: Substitutes must exit the field before entering.
Injuries
Referee's Discretion: The referee may stop the game if a player is seriously injured. The game may resume with a drop ball or awarding possession outright.
Advantage Law
Advantage: The referee may invoke the advantage law after an infraction, if it results in a goal-scoring opportunity for the non-offending team.
Player Equipment
Footwear: Suitable footwear, turf shoes, or cleats are recommended (no metal spikes).
Shinpads: Shinpads are highly recommended.
Glasses: Prescription glasses are permitted; goggles are recommended.
Jewelry / Metal Braces / Casts
Removal: Watches, necklaces, rings, and bracelets must be removed.
Religious Bracelets: Must be completely covered for safety.
Braces / Casts: Metal braces or hard casts must be padded sufficiently. The referee has the discretion to ask players to remove or modify equipment for safety reasons.
General Guidelines
August 1, 2021
Team Captain Responsibilities: Team captains must know and enforce league guidelines,
ensure their teammates are aware of league guidelines,
and ensure their roster is up-to-date before every game
Unsportsmanlike Behaviour: Any unsportsmanlike behaviour, including but not limited to
trash talking, overly aggressive play,
verbally abusing referees or staff, sexist/racist comments, threats, instigating fights, or
fighting will not be tolerated. Offending teams and Players
will be suspended or banned from the league without refund.
Bench-clearing Incidents: Incidents during which subs/spectators/benched players rush the
field may result in an immediate suspension or ejection for
all players involved.
Spectators: Spectators and their actions are the responsibility of the team captain and
will abide by all rules discussed herein. Children must be closely
monitored and are not permitted on the field. Dogs are not permitted in the venue. Any
spectators not abiding by rules will be asked to leave.
Drugs/Alcohol: No drugs or alcohol are permitted on the field or parking lot, including,
but not limitted to, cannabis, alcohol, and cigarettes. Players and spectators are not
permitted into the venue while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and will be asked to
leave.
Team Uniforms: All teams are required to have matching uniforms. It is highly recommended
that uniforms have unique numbers on the back.
Defaults: More than one team default may result in removal of team from the league
without refund.
Age Requirements: All players must be at least 18 years of age in order to participate in
leagues.
Disciplinary Action: Teams or players who've been ejected, suspended, expelled, or banned
from the league are not permitted on site in any capacity (player, spectator, coach, manager,
etc.)
until their suspension is lifted.
Field and Venue Rules:
Players are required to respect other field users.
There is to be no drinking on the field or in the parking lot. By-law Officers will be
monitoring the venue.
Only water is allowed on field.
Smoking and/or vaping is not permitted in the venue.
Alcohol consumption is not permitted in the venue, parking lot, or surrounding school area.
Players must clean up their own garbage.
No dogs permitted in the venue.
No spitting anywhere inside the venue.
League Format
August 1, 2021
Results: Every victory will be recorded as 3 points for winning team, ties will be
recorded as 1 point, and losses as 0 points.
Divisions:
Grading/Placement Games: Seasons may include one (1) to three (3) placement games
which help assess teams' division placement. These games count
toward mininum games played. The following will be taken into consideration during these
games: win/loss, margin of victory, matchup difficulty,
team composition, etc.
Relegation/Promotion: At the league's sole discretion, teams may be relegated or
promoted partway through the season to ensure balanced divisions.
Tie-break Rule: Ties in the standings will be resolved in the following order:
1) Goal difference
2) Goals for
3) Goals against
Playoff Format and Rules: Playoff format will depend on registration numbers, make-up of
divisions, and season length.
Playoff halves will be reduced to 23 minutes each, to allow for penalty kicks in the case
of a tie.
Penalty kicks will be invoked at the end of full time in the case of a tie; the first round
will consist of three (3) kick-takers from each team.
In the case that no winner is decided, rounds of one (1) kick-taker from each team will
continue until there is a winner.
Only players fielded at the end of full time may participate in penalties.
No player may take a second penalty kick until every fielded player has taken one kick.
Coed: At least one (1) female player must be in the initial group of three (3)
kick-takers.
If kicks continue, a ratio of two (2) male to one (1) female must be maintained.
FAQ
July 5, 2022
What is the refund policy? Registrations are fully refundable until 5 business days prior to kick-off or once
schedules are posted, whichever comes first.
In case of province-mandated shutdown, refunds will be issued pro-rata to account for any
unplayed games remaining in the season.
Can my team request to play games exclusively at a certain time? We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate such requests, especially if doing
so would result in an unfair schedule for others teams.
Please email your request to [email protected] to find out
more.
I missed the registration deadline and/or the league has started -- can I join the
waitlist? Shoot us an email at [email protected] to discuss
your options or join the waitlist.
I registered as an individual player - what can I expect? Individual players will be placed on a team with other players who also registered
individually. We generally aim for 7-9 players per team for 5v5 games.
You can register by yourself or with a small group of friends. Included in your registration is
a jersey (individual registrations only).
Are jerseys included with my registration? Team registrations do not include jerseys -- teams must supply their own uniforms.
Jerseys are only included with individual registrations.
I'm registered as an individual, can my friend be on my team? We are able to accommodate this as long as there is space on the team or the league has not
started yet! Please ensure that you note this request during the registration process or email
us your request at [email protected].
What is the maximum team roster size? Currently, no player maximum is being enforced.
All players must be registered and present on the roster to be eligible to play. Staff will be
taking attendance at the door.
The weather is bad (rain, heat, wind, etc.) - are games still on?:
All games are played rain or shine. Any exceptions due to lightning/thunder will be
determined by staff, on-site, at the time of the game.
Cancelled games will be rescheduled (possibly on a different day of the week).
Are spectators allowed? Spectators must stay off the field at all times. No spectators on the field. Spectators
are players' responsibility and
players will be held responsible for their actions.
What skill level can I anticipate in Fort Lauderdale Soccer League? We almost always divide teams into divisions based on skill level.
We run as many as four divisions per night, ranging from competitive to more recreational
divisions.
Are grading/placement games and playoff games calculated in the season length? Placement games are used to determine in which division teams belong. Both placement and
playoff games are calculated in the season length.
