Victoria Sports Park 8v8

LEAGUE RULES 

Fee: Teams fees have to be paid in full prior to the beginning of the first game. 

Roster Size: Maximum roster size per team will be (15). Players may only appear on one roster.  

Number of Games:  All teams are guaranteed 6 games.   

Age Groups: In the Men’s Open and Coed, players must be a minimum age of 18.
The maximum number of any gender on the field of a COED team is 4.
The minimum number of any gender on the field is 3.
In the O/45 all players except for the keeper must be a minimum age of 45 within the year.  
A keeper with the minimum age of 40 is allowed.      

Credentials: At the check-in, the coach will present, a team roster to the referee.  Each player must present when requested by the Referee a valid driver’s license or State ID  

Referee: One referee will be assigned per match. The referee will have the right to eject a team, coach, and player(s), not acting in accordance with the rules or policies.   

Alcohol and Tobacco Policy: All spectators, players, and coaches are expected to respect the facility rules, and any applicable local, state, and federal laws. No alcohol to be brought on to the premises.  

RULES OF THE GAME  

All games will conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the following exceptions as indicated in the 8 v 8 format.  

A match is played by two teams, each consisting of no more than 8 players on the team, one of whom must be the goalkeeper.  

Scoring system: The 10-point scoring system will be used.  

Win = 6 points  

Tie = 3 points  

Loss = 0 points  

One point a shutout.  

One point for each goal scored, not to exceed (3) goals per game.  

One point each team for a (0-0) tie.  

A forfeit win will be scored 1-0.  

The Duration of the Match: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the match being divided into two (2) halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each.   

There shall be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes. Teams are expected to play at the scheduled starting time. Teams are advised to be ready for play at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the game.  If a team has five (5) players available, play will begin. Any team more than ten minutes late will forfeit the game and receive a minus 1 score. The other team will be given six points for a win.   

Start of Play: Winner of coin toss decides which end to attack. Ball must move slightly forward (not backward). Kicker may not kick the ball a second time until another player touches the ball.  Opponents must be 8 yards from the center mark. Goals may not be scored at the kick-off. Method of Scoring Conform to FIFA. Exception: goals scored from offensive half only.

Substitution Procedure: Players may substitute at any time during the match; however, the substitute can only enter the field of play after the player being replaced has entered the substitution area. The substitution area shall be 10 yards wide and shall begin 10 yards from either side of the halfway line.   

Offside: There is no offside provision.  Referee, however, may discourage “goal-hanging”.   

Goal Kick: The goalkeeper shall restart play with a throw or drop-kick when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line having last touched a player of the attacking team. The ball must clear the penalty area within 5 seconds and may not be touched by the goalkeeper until another player plays the ball.  

Free Kicks: Direct/Indirect Free kicks shall be direct in nature and all opponents must be at least 8 yards from the ball. Players shall have 5 seconds to put the ball into play. 

Halfway Line Violation:  A direct free kick, from the center mark, is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper restart does not strike the ground or is not played by another player before crossing the halfway line. 

Penalty Shootout: A penalty shootout, dribbling against the goalkeeper, is awarded for any offense committed by a player inside his own penalty area. After the referee whistle, the shooter has 3 seconds to score.   

Sliding and Slide Tackling: A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player slide tackles an opponent. Slide tackling, creating contact or a dangerous situation with another player while sliding, is not permitted. Sliding to block a shot or score a goal is permitted provided neither provision is violated.  

Fouls and Misconduct:  The yellow card is used to communicate that a player, substitute or substituted player has been cautioned. Player must sit out for a period of 3 minutes during the game and cannot be substituted during that time period.  The red card is used to communicate that a player, coach, substitute or substituted player has been sent off. An ejected player or coach receiving a red card is ineligible for the next scheduled game. Two yellow cards in any game results in a red.  A player ejected for fighting could be deemed ineligible for further league play by the Referee in charge. Referee decisions are final, and no protests will be entertained.    

Victoria 8 v 8 League reserves the right to amend the official league rules at any point in the season. Team managers shall be notified should a rule be added, amended, or deleted.