Effective Date: August 1 2019
Players: 7 players from each team including goalkeepers; minimum of 5 players. Boys and girls play on the same team. At least 2 female player must be on the field at all times. If a female player is not available, the team may only play 5 players on the field. If only 1 female player is available, the team may only play 6 players (and the female player must be on the field the entire time).
Roster size: Up to 14 players.
Ball size: Number 5.
Goal Size: 7ft x 21ft or 6ft x 18ft
Field Size: 40-60 yards wide x 60-80 yards long
Time: 30-minute halves and 5-minute halftime.
Playing Time: Each player will play at least half of each game unless unable to due to illness, injury or disciplinary reasons.
Spectators: Coaches and parents are prohibited from the area behind the goal line. Teams will be positioned on one side of the field and the parents/spectators will be on the other side. Coaches are responsible for the sportsmanship of the team’s parents. No one should ever yell disparaging remarks at the opposing team or referees at any time.
Referees: If there is no referee at game time, begin play within 5 minutes with an adult (or one adult from each team if preferred) as the referee.
Substitutions: Substitutions are made "on-the-fly" and may occur at any time without referee permission. Players must enter and exit at midfield. Substituting players must touch hands with the exiting players as they exit the field, then they can enter the field. Failure to follow these guidelines is to be construed as seeking an unfair advantage. The entering player will be issued a yellow card for unsporting behavior.
Offside: No offside rule in this division.
Penalty kicks: Fouls committed by the defensive team in the penalty box may result in a direct penalty kick. PK’s are awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, an imminent scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. Otherwise, the kick will be indirect from the spot of the foul. (see below) If the foul occurs in the goal box which does not deny an imminent scoring opportunity, the ball will be placed on the goal box line parallel to the goal line at a spot closest to the point where the foul occurred. PK’s are taken from a spot seven yards from the goal line and equidistant from the goal posts. There is no run-up to the ball. The kicker’s plant foot must be placed before the kick and remain stationary. The goalkeeper must begin by standing on the goal line and may move only laterally before the kick is taken. The rest of the players must be outside the boundaries of the penalty box and behind the ball until the kick is taken.
Direct free kick: There are no direct free kicks. See above for penalty kicks.
Indirect free kick: (ball must touch another player before entering the goal): All other fouls will be penalized with an indirect free kick. (Remember: A stoppage of play is no required on free kicks; the ball may be kicked as soon as it is placed on the spot). In all free kick situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the free kick is positioned on the goal area (box) line, players must be at least five yards away from the ball and may stand on the goal line and between the goal posts. Any action designed to hinder a restart occurring within five yards of the free kick may be sanctioned without verbal warning by a yellow card for encroachment even if the team taking the kick does not request the distance.
Goal kicks: The ball will be kicked from any point within the goal area (small box). The ball does NOT have to leave the box (once the ball is touched it is in play). Opponents will remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.
Throw-ins: There are no throw-ins. The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of thrown in.
Physical Contact: All contact shall be kept to the absolute minimum. Incidental contact may be called by the referee. Hard body contact is not allowed. Hand checking is not allowed. What would be considered a fair charge (shoulder to shoulder) may be called. The player initiating contact will be called for the foul. Contact with the goalkeeper is prohibited within the penalty and goal boxes.
Slide Tackling: Slide tackling is NOT allowed by any player, including the goalkeeper, when within playing distance of another player and will be sanctioned with
an automatic yellow card. Slide tackles from behind will be sanctioned with an automatic red card. All violations will result in an indirect kick awarded for dangerous
play unless committed within the penalty box and denying an imminent goal scoring opportunity. Players must stay upright, on their feet, and under control. Fouls
will be called and cards administered even if there is no contact. Players are allowed to slide to stop/intercept a ball when the player is not within playing distance of another player. Playing distance is considered to be three yards or closer.
Blasting the Ball: Remember, this is a recreational league. To protect players from unwarranted injury, intentionally blasting the ball at a player, goalkeeper, or wall from a free kick is prohibited. Foul will result in a free kick to the opposing team and may result in a yellow card for the kicker for unsporting behavior. This does not prevent taking a hard shot in the midst of action.
Goalie Punts: The goalkeeper is not allowed to punt the ball. Violation of this rule is sanctioned by an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the point of infraction. Bouncing the ball and then kicking it (also called a drop kick) is considered trickery and may result in a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Letting the ball bounce then dribbling the ball out of the penalty box is legal. Releasing the ball to the ground, letting it come to rest, and then kicking it is legal. Releasing the ball to the ground, dribbling it within the penalty box, and then kicking it is legal.
Uniforms/Equipment: All players must wear shin guards, soccer cleats and soccer socks to all practices and games. Shirt must be worn tucked in. Socks must be worn over the shin guards.No cleats on toes of shoes (like baseball shoes).
Practices: Prior to the first game, 4 practices are allowed. After the first game, two practices per week are allowed. Practices are no more than 90 minutes long.
CSSC Card Policy for Players and Coaches:
Players:
Player Yellow Card (caution): Warning for player to stop behavior. Two yellow cards in the same game will result in a red card (see “Player Red Card” below).
Player Red Card (ejection): A red card will result in the player leaving the field of play for the rest of the current game AND the next game. This may be applied to same day games for double headers or the tournament. The team must play down a player for the remainder of the game in which the red card was received. However, in the subsequent game where the red carded player cannot play, the team does not play down a player.
Coaches:
Coach Yellow Card (caution). If a coach receives a yellow card, it is a caution for that coach regarding their behavior but the coach can continue to coach the game. Yellow cards will carry forward in the season however (are cumulative), and a 2nd yellow during the same season will result in a red, with consequences in that game in which the 2nd yellow was received, as outlined below (see “Coach Red Card”).
Coach Red Card (ejection). A red card (or two yellows in the same game or a 2nd yellow during the season) is an automatic expulsion for the remainder of the current game AND the next game. If an assistant coach is available for the game in which the red card was incurred, they may finish coaching the game. If an assistant coach is not available and no other CSSC-approved coaches with a KidsSafe badge are readily available, the game will immediately end in a 3-0 loss for the offending team. All red cards will be logged to the head referee and shared with the CSSC board. Depending on the severity of the card further disciplinary action may be taken at the board’s discretion.
Coaches who receive multiple yellow or red cards over the course of a single season may face further punishment including removal from the league.
Appeals: Coaches may file an appeal if a red card is received. An appeal must be filed in writing by the following day by 8pm (CST) by emailing the CSSC President at [email protected] and a meeting with CSSC Board Members will be scheduled to review the appeal. A decision will be rendered within 48hrs of the meeting to review the appeal. If a Board Member is coaching and receives a red card, no appeals are allowed.
Players: 7 players from each team including goalkeepers; minimum of 5 players. Boys and girls play on the same team. At least 2 female player must be on the field at all times. If a female player is not available, the team may only play 5 players on the field. If only 1 female player is available, the team may only play 6 players (and the female player must be on the field the entire time).
Roster size: Up to 14 players.
Ball size: Number 5.
Goal Size: 7ft x 21ft or 6ft x 18ft
Field Size: 40-60 yards wide x 60-80 yards long
Time: 30-minute halves and 5-minute halftime.
Playing Time: Each player will play at least half of each game unless unable to due to illness, injury or disciplinary reasons.
Spectators: Coaches and parents are prohibited from the area behind the goal line. Teams will be positioned on one side of the field and the parents/spectators will be on the other side. Coaches are responsible for the sportsmanship of the team’s parents. No one should ever yell disparaging remarks at the opposing team or referees at any time.
Referees: If there is no referee at game time, begin play within 5 minutes with an adult (or one adult from each team if preferred) as the referee.
Substitutions: Substitutions are made "on-the-fly" and may occur at any time without referee permission. Players must enter and exit at midfield. Substituting players must touch hands with the exiting players as they exit the field, then they can enter the field. Failure to follow these guidelines is to be construed as seeking an unfair advantage. The entering player will be issued a yellow card for unsporting behavior.
Offside: No offside rule in this division.
Penalty kicks: Fouls committed by the defensive team in the penalty box may result in a direct penalty kick. PK’s are awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, an imminent scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. Otherwise, the kick will be indirect from the spot of the foul. (see below) If the foul occurs in the goal box which does not deny an imminent scoring opportunity, the ball will be placed on the goal box line parallel to the goal line at a spot closest to the point where the foul occurred. PK’s are taken from a spot seven yards from the goal line and equidistant from the goal posts. There is no run-up to the ball. The kicker’s plant foot must be placed before the kick and remain stationary. The goalkeeper must begin by standing on the goal line and may move only laterally before the kick is taken. The rest of the players must be outside the boundaries of the penalty box and behind the ball until the kick is taken.
Direct free kick: There are no direct free kicks. See above for penalty kicks.
Indirect free kick: (ball must touch another player before entering the goal): All other fouls will be penalized with an indirect free kick. (Remember: A stoppage of play is no required on free kicks; the ball may be kicked as soon as it is placed on the spot). In all free kick situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the free kick is positioned on the goal area (box) line, players must be at least five yards away from the ball and may stand on the goal line and between the goal posts. Any action designed to hinder a restart occurring within five yards of the free kick may be sanctioned without verbal warning by a yellow card for encroachment even if the team taking the kick does not request the distance.
Goal kicks: The ball will be kicked from any point within the goal area (small box). The ball does NOT have to leave the box (once the ball is touched it is in play). Opponents will remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.
Throw-ins: There are no throw-ins. The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of thrown in.
Physical Contact: All contact shall be kept to the absolute minimum. Incidental contact may be called by the referee. Hard body contact is not allowed. Hand checking is not allowed. What would be considered a fair charge (shoulder to shoulder) may be called. The player initiating contact will be called for the foul. Contact with the goalkeeper is prohibited within the penalty and goal boxes.
Slide Tackling: Slide tackling is NOT allowed by any player, including the goalkeeper, when within playing distance of another player and will be sanctioned with
an automatic yellow card. Slide tackles from behind will be sanctioned with an automatic red card. All violations will result in an indirect kick awarded for dangerous
play unless committed within the penalty box and denying an imminent goal scoring opportunity. Players must stay upright, on their feet, and under control. Fouls
will be called and cards administered even if there is no contact. Players are allowed to slide to stop/intercept a ball when the player is not within playing distance of another player. Playing distance is considered to be three yards or closer.
Blasting the Ball: Remember, this is a recreational league. To protect players from unwarranted injury, intentionally blasting the ball at a player, goalkeeper, or wall from a free kick is prohibited. Foul will result in a free kick to the opposing team and may result in a yellow card for the kicker for unsporting behavior. This does not prevent taking a hard shot in the midst of action.
Goalie Punts: The goalkeeper is not allowed to punt the ball. Violation of this rule is sanctioned by an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the point of infraction. Bouncing the ball and then kicking it (also called a drop kick) is considered trickery and may result in a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Letting the ball bounce then dribbling the ball out of the penalty box is legal. Releasing the ball to the ground, letting it come to rest, and then kicking it is legal. Releasing the ball to the ground, dribbling it within the penalty box, and then kicking it is legal.
Uniforms/Equipment: All players must wear shin guards, soccer cleats and soccer socks to all practices and games. Shirt must be worn tucked in. Socks must be worn over the shin guards.No cleats on toes of shoes (like baseball shoes).
Practices: Prior to the first game, 4 practices are allowed. After the first game, two practices per week are allowed. Practices are no more than 90 minutes long.
CSSC Card Policy for Players and Coaches:
Players:
Player Yellow Card (caution): Warning for player to stop behavior. Two yellow cards in the same game will result in a red card (see “Player Red Card” below).
Player Red Card (ejection): A red card will result in the player leaving the field of play for the rest of the current game AND the next game. This may be applied to same day games for double headers or the tournament. The team must play down a player for the remainder of the game in which the red card was received. However, in the subsequent game where the red carded player cannot play, the team does not play down a player.
Coaches:
Coach Yellow Card (caution). If a coach receives a yellow card, it is a caution for that coach regarding their behavior but the coach can continue to coach the game. Yellow cards will carry forward in the season however (are cumulative), and a 2nd yellow during the same season will result in a red, with consequences in that game in which the 2nd yellow was received, as outlined below (see “Coach Red Card”).
Coach Red Card (ejection). A red card (or two yellows in the same game or a 2nd yellow during the season) is an automatic expulsion for the remainder of the current game AND the next game. If an assistant coach is available for the game in which the red card was incurred, they may finish coaching the game. If an assistant coach is not available and no other CSSC-approved coaches with a KidsSafe badge are readily available, the game will immediately end in a 3-0 loss for the offending team. All red cards will be logged to the head referee and shared with the CSSC board. Depending on the severity of the card further disciplinary action may be taken at the board’s discretion.
Coaches who receive multiple yellow or red cards over the course of a single season may face further punishment including removal from the league.
Appeals: Coaches may file an appeal if a red card is received. An appeal must be filed in writing by the following day by 8pm (CST) by emailing the CSSC President at [email protected] and a meeting with CSSC Board Members will be scheduled to review the appeal. A decision will be rendered within 48hrs of the meeting to review the appeal. If a Board Member is coaching and receives a red card, no appeals are allowed.
