Salmon Arm Soccer – League Rules and Guidelines

CO-ED TEAM CAPTAINS / PLAYERS  

The League Rules and Guidelines are non-negotiable and are part of the agreement you (and your team) make when you sign up for the Salmon Arm Soccer Co-Ed League. You will be required to read the rules and REGISTER and acknowledge the waiver/media form prior to participating in the league. Soccer is a physical sport and there are inherent risks involved in playing. The rules and guidelines are there to help reduce the chances of and/or help prevent injury. We are all here to have fun (FIRST and FOREMOST)!

SATURDAY NIGHT RECREATIONAL (30+)

This night is for players 30 years or older*. It is non-competitive, for FUN only, and involves older and/or inexperienced players. This should be kept in mind at all times while playing. Contact is to be minimized AT ALL TIMES and particularly in regard to male-to-female contact.

*Any exceptions to this rule will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and authorized by the league organizers ONLY.*

SUNDAY NIGHT COMPETITIVE (OPEN/18+)

LIGHT contact is OK with the intent to play the ball but should be minimized in regards to male-to-female contact and contact close to the sideline/boards. Referees will enforce the rules and call the game without prejudice. Follow the referee’s instructions and respect the referee’s decision(s) at all times! They are an extension of the administration/league.

GENERAL GUIDELINES;

  • 7 Players (6 + 1 goalkeeper). 
  • 2 WOMEN on the field per team AT ALL TIMES – IF you do not have 2 girls, you will discuss options with the opposing team captain. (Ie. Play 1 man short if you only had 1 girl OR give a goal advantage / +1 goal to the opposing team).
  • Players can ONLY score 2 goals per game.
  • There are NO OFFSIDES in the indoor games.
  • The ball is ‘ALWAYS’ in play on CORNERS and SIDELINE KICK INS.
  • NO SLIDE TACKLING or SLIDING TO PLAY THE BALL – PERIOD! 
  • Goaltenders are the ONLY players allowed to play on the ground. 
  • HIGHLY Recommended: SHIN GUARDS (At All Times) / Turf Shoes or Cleats w/ Short Studs.
  • EVERY Player MUST register and accept the waiver PRIOR to being allowed to play. Registration is available on the website.
  • EVERY Player SHOULD join the FACEBOOK Page ‘Salmon Arm Soccer’ and join their respective nights’ communication groups (Co-Ed SATURDAY REC / Co-Ed SUNDAY COMP) for direct communication from the league to you and also join your team’s sub-group for group messaging via Facebook Messenger.

SPECIFICS OF PLAY

  • If the ball is played ‘OUT OF BOUNDS – SIDELINE’, the ball will then be KICKED in at approximately the same point where the ball exited the field of play. Ball is always considered ‘IN PLAY’ and is a ‘DIRECT FREE KICK’.
  • If the ball is played ‘OFF THE ENDLINE’, the ball will be KICKED in from the closest CORNER to which it exited the field of play. Ball is always considered ‘IN PLAY’ and is a ‘DIRECT FREE KICK’.
  • If the ball hits the ceiling, the ball will then be KICKED from approximately the same point directly below where the ball hit the ceiling. (‘INDIRECT FREE KICK’ / cannot score unless touched prior to entering net).
  • If the Goalkeeper hits the ceiling with a goal kick, the opposing team will be awarded a ‘CORNER KICK’ closest to the side where the ball made contact with the ceiling. Ball is always considered ‘IN PLAY’ and is a ‘DIRECT FREE KICK’.
  • Be careful when playing and/or challenging near the sidelines/boards. The Indoor Facility has hard and unforgiving boards and falling into them is not highly recommended and may result in serious injury.
  • Intentional aggressive contact on either night will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion from the league. Team Captains are the first line of defence to control play and players. They are encouraged to stop the game at any time to discuss or diffuse any potential issues from escalating. 
  • Any players involved in a serious incident or altercation will be asked, by their Team Captains, to exit the field of play to cool down prior to returning to play. Refusal to comply may result in a warning by the referee/league or a card.
  • DIRECT CONTACT with the GOALKEEPER, while he/she plays the ball, will not be tolerated! I.e. Kicking the ball from their hands while they have CONTROL of the ball, charging (resulting in contact), and/or any unsafe/intentional contact. The goalkeeper is generally in a vulnerable position when they attempt to make saves and the majority of their focus/concentration is on the ball, not on avoiding other players ‘crashing the net’! (This is not hockey). 
  • The goalkeeper MAY NOT intentionally contact players with no intent to play the ball FIRST and following through may result in disciplinary action (ie. warning/cards).
  • Handball/Foul:
    • Unintentional -Indirect – Placed kick AT POINT OF CONTACT.
    • Intentional – Warning (REC) or Warning / YELLOW / RED CARD (COMP).
  • ALL Complaints will be dealt with by the league organizers. We will review the information provided from multiple sources (REFEREES – SUNDAYS ONLY, players involved, witnesses and Team Captains) and then make a decision regarding the players involved. Team Captain(s) and player(s) will be notified of the result.

FINEABLE OFFENSES;

TEAM/PLAYER

  • Non Registered (No Liability / Damage Waiver) Player Participating = $25.
  • Unapproved / Unvetted Underage Player Playing RECREATIONAL SATURDAY 30+ = $25.

PLAYER

  • Yellow Card = $25.
  • 2 Yellow Cards In A Game = Red Card.
  • Red Card = $50 – Ejected From Current Game (Possible Suspension).
  • 4 YELLOW Cards In A Session = Suspension – Min. 2 Games.
  • 2 RED Cards In A Session = Suspension – Min. 2 Games.
  • Suspension and/or expulsion at the league organizer’s discretion and based on offence committed.

 

  • ALL Fines will be posted on the Facebook Page after game reports are received from referees and reviewed by administration.
  • Fines must be paid to the league via e-transfer to register@salmonarmsoccer.com prior to the player being allowed to return to play. Alternatively, in cash or via e-transfer to the league through your team captain.
  • Any outstanding fines will be applied to the fined player’s team’s registration fees for the next session. 
  • All fees or fines collected will be used to help support and advance the league and its membership.