SVASL Rules

Sportsmanlike conduct is expected from all players and coaches

1. All NCAA rules apply unless altered or clarified below.
2. Only registered players may participate in games. Players must possess a current league shirt in order to participate.
3. Teams play half-field, 7 v. 7 (six field players and a goalkeeper) games. Games consist of two 25-minute halves. No overtime shall be played during the regular season.
4. One referee will officiate each game. The clock starts precisely at game time so teams should be on the field and in position before the referee blows the whistle. The referee’s time is the official time.
5. Each team must have a minimum of six players to begin a match. If one team only has six players the opponent is not required to play with six players as well. A five minute grace period may be given before a forfeit is declared. If both teams do not have enough players to field a side then both teams will receive a loss. If a team size is reduced during the game due to injury or a red card (or two yellow cards) then that team may continue the game without suffering a forfeit.
6. ***Co-Ed Division ONLY** Teams must have at least two women in field player roles on the field at all times (goalie doesn’t count). However, any team who is unable to field two women players may choose to play the game with six players (rather than seven), one of whom must be a female. Failure to have at least two women on the field, or to field a six-player team with at least one woman, will result in a forfeit. A team may have more than the required number of women on the field at any given time.
7. Forfeits count as a 3-0 loss.
8. Unlimited substitutions may be made when the ball crosses either the endline or the sideline, a goal is scored, or an injury occurs. The referee will restart the game after the substitutions are completed. No substitutions may occur when play stops for free kicks or penalty kicks.
9. Yellow or red cards will be issued to players handling themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner. A player who receives a yellow card is not required to leave the field. If a player receives two yellow cards or one red card, their team will play down one player for the remaining duration of the match. The offending player will also be suspended from the team’s next match. Accumulation of 5 cards (yellow or red) during a season will result in a one game suspension. Any subsequent yellow or red cards will also result in an additional one game suspension. The league administrators reserve the right to remove any player from the league, without refund of the registration fee, who is viewed as a detriment to the safety and sportsmanship of the league. Any players that participate in a fight will be removed from the league.
10. Unacceptable and abusive language as determined by the referee is grounds for a yellow or red card at the referee’s sole discretion.
11. Goalkeepers may not punt or drop kick. THROWS MUST TOUCH THE GROUND OR A PLAYER BEFORE CROSSING MIDFIELD otherwise a free kick will be awarded to the other team at the point at which the ball crossed midfield. If the ball is released to the ground, the goalkeeper must follow the rules of a field player.
12. There will be no offside. All free kicks must be given three yards by all defenders.
13. On a penalty kick, players must be behind the ball and outside the penalty area.
14. Kickoffs are INDIRECT and may be played in any direction.
15. All free kicks, with the exception of penalty kicks, shall be indirect.
16. Slide tackling is prohibited. A free kick will be awarded and a yellow or red card MAY be issued at the referee’s discretion.
17. Weather cancellations will take place if conditions seem too dangerous (i.e. lightning or other extreme conditions). Games are rarely canceled because of rain. The league will make every effort to reschedule canceled games although available times may be limited.
18. The league administrators reserve the right to clarify rules as long as they are not inconsistent with any of the forgoing.
19. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse. By sending these rules to the team captains, all players are deemed to have received notice of them.
20. Playoffs:
    1. The top 8 teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.
    2. Seeding is determined by the Blue Sombrero algorithm. In the event that teams are still tied, a coin toss shall determine seeding.
    3. In the event of a tie, two five minute periods will be played with a short break in between. First team to score wins. If, after both five minute periods, the game is still tied, a 5 v. 5 penalty kick shootout shall take place. If the game is still tied, teams will alternate penalty kicks in a golden goal format. In this instance, a coin toss shall determine which team shoots first.
    4. The league will make every effort to reschedule playoff games, however due to a tight schedule this is not always possible. In the case that rescheduling is not possible, the higher seeded team (best regular season record) will advance.