BCSA 5v5 League Rules
GOAL SCORING:
A goal may be scored from anywhere on the field. The ball changes possession after a goal is scored and is restarted from midfield.
RESTARTS:
All restarts are indirect kicks (including the kickoff to start each half). This does not include penalty kicks, which are direct.
KICKOFF:
All kickoffs are indirect kicks taken from midfield and may be taken in any direction.
PENALTY AREA:
The penalty area shall be marked by a line extending from touchline to touchline that is 10 yards from the goal line. Goalkeepers may handle the ball within the penalty area consistent with FIFA rules.
FIVE YARD RULE:
In all dead ball situations, restarts, including game start and halftime start, defending players must stand at least five (5) yards away from the ball.
THROW-INS:
There are no throw-ins. All out of bounds balls will be taken as "kick-ins."
KICK-INS:
The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of thrown in. The defending player must be at least five (5) yards from ball on all kick-ins. All kick-ins are indirect.
GOAL KICKS:
May be taken from any point within the defensive penalty area. Opposing team players must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked and either leaves the penalty area or is touched by another player. Goal kicks are indirect.
INDIRECT KICKS:
On an indirect kick, a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. If the kick directly enters the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded. If the kick directly enters the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
PENALTY KICKS:
A penalty kick will be taken 10 yards from in front of the goal on the midway point of the penalty area line. All non-kicking players from both teams (excluding the defending goalkeeper) must remain outside of the penalty area and 5 yards from the ball. For the sake of simplicity in lining the fields there will not be an arc at the top of the penalty area, and the referee will instruct players to move 5 yards from the ball.
RULE 1 – ELIGIBILITY, ALL PLAYERS MUST:
A. Have current validated passes.
B. If required, out of state teams must have a copy of their permission to travel.
RULE 2 - TEAM ROSTER:
A. All rosters must be maintained by each team in the GotSoccer system for the event. All players must have a valid player pass from a USSF affiliated governing body. Guest players are permitted.
B. All games in which an ineligible player participates will be forfeited. Any team fielding an ineligible player is subject to disqualification and removal from the league without refund.
C. Maximum game-day roster size is 10 for 5v5.
RULE 3 - SUBSTITUTIONS:
A. Unlimited substitutions with the permission of the referee are allowed at any stoppage allowable by FIFA rules. An injured player who is bleeding must leave the match for treatment. The player may return after treatment upon checking back in with the referee.
RULE 4 - TEAM FIELD POSITION:
A. Players and coaches of both teams will be on one side of the field. The home team (team shown first on the schedule) has choice of mid-field side.
B. Parents and other spectators will take up their position on the opposite side for the entire match.
C. Coaches and players are instructed to remain on their side of the mid-field line.
D. No spectators are permitted to stand behind the goal area.
RULE 5 - LENGTH OF GAMES:
A. 5v5 will play 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
RULE 6 - BALL SIZE:
A. U13 and older will use size 5 balls; U12 and younger will use size 4 balls.
RULE 7 - CONDUCT:
A. Coaches are not only responsible for their own conduct, but also for the conduct of their players and spectators.
B. Players issued a red card must sit out the remainder of that match. A right to restrict the offending player’s eligibility to participate in future matches is reserved by league officials.
C. Coaches asked to leave by the referee shall not be allowed to return for the duration of that match. Their permission to return for subsequent matches will be decided by league officials in collaboration with the referee.
D. All red cards may be reported to the State Association for further disciplinary action.
E. The authority of the referee shall continue until the referee and all players leave the immediate area of the field.
F. If a match is terminated by a referee due to misconduct, the game will be considered a completed match and not replayed. If this was caused by one team, the offending team will forfeit the match. If caused by both teams each team will forfeit the match, and no points will be awarded.
RULE 8 - PROTESTS:
A. The referee's judgment pursuant to the application of the Laws of the Game are final. No protests will be allowed.
RULE 9 - REFEREES:
A. All games will be officiated under the USSF approved system.
RULE 10 - FORFEITS:
A. A team shall be allowed a 5 min. grace period after the scheduled kick-off. If the minimum number of players are present at the scheduled start time of the match, the match will start as scheduled, and players arriving late will be allowed to participate after being checked by the referee. Minimum number of players is 4 for 5v5.
RULE 11 - SCORING AND STANDINGS:
A. No standings will be kept in this league. Scores will be reported to the league for the purposes of ensuring competitive games. NO SCORES WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE GOTSOCCER SYSTEM. This league is for extra touches and player development, so not standings or scores will be posted anywhere.
RULE 12 – Omitted
RULE 13 - MISCELLANEOUS:
A. All teams must report to their field 10 min. prior to the start of each game.
B. If teams have similar color uniforms, the team listed first will be required to change.
C. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden on the premises.
D. Burlington County Soccer Academy and its affiliates will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team if the league is canceled in whole or in part.
E. Only individuals with a current NJ driver license may operate on-site golf carts.
RULE 14 - INCLEMENT WEATHER:
A. Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear on the field of play as scheduled ready to play unless notified by league officials. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the match.
B. Referees or league officials may delay a match, cancel a match, or change field location and game times.
C. If games are canceled for weather related reasons we have built in a rain-date weekend. If that weekend is already used, and more games must be rescheduled we will consider asking teams to play multiple games during a week so that all games are played. Every effort will be made to play all games, and there will be no refunds for games that are unable to be rescheduled.