THJSL High School Rec Rules of Competition

September 2006

The rules of competition have been adapted from OASA (Oregon Adult Soccer Association) rules with modifications for our league.

 1. To be eligible for recreational soccer, a player may not appear the roster of, or play for, any High School team. (Freshman, JV or Varsity etc.). Additionally, he/she must be a current High School student or outside education grade equivalent.

2. It is recommended that rosters be limited to no more than 22 players. Each of these players must be on the final team roster submitted and approved by the League prior to the beginning of the season.

3. Once a player has been officially listed on any THJSL HS Recreational team roster he/she may not play for, or appear on the roster of any other HS Recreational team – THJSL, PYSA, OYSA, etc. – for any portion of that season or any postseason tournament.

4. The goalie may be of either gender. The remaining 10 players can consist of no more than five men. A team must have at least seven players on the field at all times.

5. Women must take all free kicks, except those in their own (defensive) penalty area, and all drop balls. This means that women must take all penalty kicks, corner kicks, indirect and direct free kicks. Men may take the kick off. The opponent shall be awarded an indirect kick in the event that a male player takes a kick in error.

6. Slide tackling is NOT permitted. Violation of this rule will be considered dangerous play, and will result in an indirect free kick. The first offense by a team will result in a verbal warning to the team. A second offense by any member of that team will result in a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behavior, to the offending player. A third slide tackle, and all subsequent slide tackles, will result in the sending off (red carding) of the player for serious foul play. Please note: this does not mean that a referee cannot penalize the first or second slide tackle of the game with a harsher penalty. It merely means that he or she MUST caution or send-off beginning with the second slide tackle of the game. Also note: This rule does not exempt goal keepers. A Slide Tackle is defined as an attempt to take the ball from an opponent in which the back knee makes contact with the ground

7. An indirect free kick shall be awarded in the event that a player takes unfair advantage of an opposing player through indirect or direct physical intimidation. Coed games are intended to be recreational and will involve players of a variety of ages and levels of playing skill and experience. It is not fair or pleasant for physically strong or aggressive players to take advantage of smaller, weaker, less skilled or less experienced players. In particular, male players need to play a more controlled, relaxed game in coed than they do in a men’s league. Players should not be rewarded for taking the ball away from other players through unfair physical contact or through intimidation; only skill should be rewarded.

8. All other actions which are dangerous under the circumstances shall be deemed to be dangerous play. This rule means that the referee will be instructed to take into account the apparent skill level and experience of the players involved in a given situation. An action by a skilled, experienced male offensive player against a skilled, experienced male defensive player will be viewed differently from one involving the same offensive player and a inexperienced or unskilled male or female player.

9. A player sent off (shown the red card) will not be replaced for the remainder of the game, and that player will be suspended for a minimum of one game following. The team’s soccer club and the THJSL board may impose a longer penalty if warranted.

10. Each team should be prepared to change to an alternate color. Home team must change in case of a conflict.

11. Games will consist of two 40 minute halves and a 5 minute half time. The times may be shortened if circumstances warrant (darkness, etc.).

12. If any team fails to play a game for any reason, the opposing team will receive a 3-0 win and the game will count for all purposes.

13. To promote team play, any single player may not score any more than 2 (two) goals per game. Goals scored by same player beyond the 2 goal limit will be considered invalid and result in a goal kick by the opposing team. In the e= vent the referee does not recognize the goal to be ineligible and conducts the (inappropriate) ensuing kick-off, play will continue and the goal simply deleted from the total.

14. A referee may deem any equipment, including shoes with sharp edges on the cleats or other abnormal conditions, to be dangerous and not to be used.

15. If a player becomes injured to the extent that he/she is unable to continue with the current play, players will notify the referee who will take the appropriate action, including possibly stopping play. Once it is determined that the player may continue (or is replaced by another player), the ball will be put into play with a drop ball at the spot it was when play was stopped. If it is the opinion of the referee that the extent of the injury was a pretense to stop play then the offending player shall be cautioned in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game.

16. Coaches have the right to limit the playing time of players for disciplinary purposes, if necessary.

17. Every team must have 2 adults present at every practice, unless there is another team practicing on an adjacent field.

18. No team may participate in a game without the registered coach or assistant coach present at the game. An exception may be granted at the discretion of the THJSL HS Rec. Coordinator if notice is given.