AUGUSTA PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
APSL
RULES & PROCEDURES
SECTION I: REGISTRATION
Every team and player participating in the APSL must be properly registered to be eligible to play. The registration process for our 8v8 and 6v6 Leagues is similar, though cost, fees, roster freezes, and roster sizes may differ from season to season. AGE TO PLAY IS 18 & UP
SECTION II: RULES
The FIFA Laws of the Game shall apply to all matches unless otherwise stipulated here.
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Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions in each game. Same player may return to the field if they have been substituted. A team may substitute a player at the following times: (This applies for both our 8v8 League, and 6v6 Leagues)
-During a Goal Kick or at a Re-start after a goal is scored by either team.
-At Half-time
-During a Throw-in (only the team in possession of the ball MAY make a substitution during a throw-in, however if they do make a substitution, the other team may make on as well.
-During a Corner Kick (only the team in possession of the ball MAY make a substitution during a throw-in, however if they do make a substitution, the other team may make on as well.
-In the event of an Injury
-During the issuing of a Yellow Card, the offending player must be substituted off the field
*In each case (except for half-time) the team must obtain the referees permission prior to the substitution.
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Uniforms: As a minimum, every team must have numbered jerseys which are “similar” (preferably the same color) and numbers must be visible and be placed on the chest or center of the back of the jersey. Matching socks and shorts are encouraged but not required.
-If a Team does not have a set of jersey’s with numbers they are REQUIRED to wear a set of scrimmage vest issued by the APSL during that match only. Once the match is complete, it is the Team Captains responsibility to return all scrimmage vest borrowed to the APSL Staff member on site. If they are not returned to the Staff member on site, the team will be responsible for replace that set of vest.
-If a “similarly-colored” jersey is used in the case of a shortage, the opposing Team’s Captain can appeal to the referee if he/she sees this as a conflict in which case the referee may disallow use of that shirt (thus the player must change shirts).
-Uniforms may be purchased through the League via our League Store. All orders are placed with Mr. Tees Screenprinting & Design, and usually take at least a two week production time.
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Player Safety & Equipment: Implementation of player safety regulations and enforcement of equipment guidelines are the responsibility of the referee. As per established guidelines:
-All players MUST wear shin guards to play. Hard surfaces of shin guards are to be covered with socks.
-No shoes with front cleats may be worn (I.e., no baseball or football cleats).
-No jewelry, metal devices, or hazardous equipment may be worn.
-Casts can be allowed if they are padded & the Referee approves them before the match and that such protective devises pose no threat to other players.
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Grace Period/Forfeits: Grace Periods to avoid forfeits are given in both our 8v8 and 6v6 Leagues.
-8v8 League – Teams will be allowed 10 minutes to be able to field the minimum of 6 players, however, the clock will start at the scheduled kickoff time. After 10 minutes if a team is unable to field 6 players the game will be ruled a forfeit in favor of the opposing team. (If a team has two forfeits in a season they will be ineligible to play in the playoffs)
-6v6 - Teams will be allowed 10 minutes to be able to field the minimum of 4 players, however, the clock will start at the scheduled kickoff time. After 10 minutes if a team is unable to field 8 players the game will be ruled a forfeit in favor of the opposing team. (If a team has two forfeits in a season they will be ineligible to play in the playoffs)
-If a team knows they have players on the way, however it is past the 10-minute grace period, the other team can decide not to take the forfeit and play the match once the other players arrive. The clock, however, will continue running.
-If a team plays an unregistered player after the roster freeze that team will forfeit the match and not be eligible for postseason play. If a player who is being added to the roster prior to the roster freeze plays; he/she has 24 hours to register and pay or he/she will be ruled ineligible and the team will forfeit their match and be ineligible for postseason play. The only exceptions are made by the owner of the league Ricky Sanders.
-If a team plays a player who is suspended due to a red card or discipline action by the APSL, they will forfeit the match in which that player played.
-If a whole team leaves the field due to a protest of an officials call, that team automatically forfeits the match.
-If a player refuses to leave the field in a timely manner after receiving a red card (3 mins or less) then the Referee can terminate the game, resulting in a forfeit for the team that is delaying the game.
- If a team must forfeit a match Ricky Sanders must be notified by phone or text at 706- 691-7242. This must be RECEIVED by the league before the times listed below, so that we can notfiy the other team and referees in a timely manner to save them from traveling to the fields. If the notice is late or not given then your team forfeits the right to play in the post-season. You can however complete your regular season games.
-8v8 notice of forfeiture must be sent to Ricky Sanders by 10:00am the day of the game.
-6v6 Women’s & +35 Men’s - notice of forfeiture must be sent to Ricky Sanders by 12:00pm the day of the game.
-6v6 Coed – notice of forfeiture must be sent to Ricky Sanders by 12:00pm the day of the game.
-The APSL will notify the Captain of the Team who will be awarded the win via forfeit within 30 minutes of being notified.
-A forfeit prior to a match or at game time shall be recorded as a 5-0 loss.
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Halftime: The APSL reserves the right to shorten or eliminate halftime due to certain situations (I.e., injuries, delays in start time due to unforeseen circumstances, issues with lights, etc.) 8v8 – 5 Minute Halftime : 6v6 – 5 Minute Halftime
6. Game Completion/Inclement Weather: If a game is abandoned by the referee due to weather conditions the following shall apply:
-During the “regular season & post season” if abandonment occurs after the completion of the first half, the score at the time of abandonment shall stand as the final score.
-During the “regular season & post season” if abandonment occurs during the first half, the balance of the game shall be rescheduled and remaining time played. The rescheduled game shall commence at the time when the game was abandoned (e.g. the 17th minute) with the score as it stood at the time of abandonment
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Standings/Points: Three points are awarded for a win; 1 point for a tie; 0 points for a loss. In the event of a tie in points at the end of the season, standings will be determined on the basis of the following tie break criteria:
-Head to head result(s)
-Forfeiture record
-Overall goal differential
-Least number of goals conceded
-Most goals scored
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Rescheduling Matches: No games will be rescheduled unless it deals with Inclement Weather or directive from the CCRD or Arsenal Soccer Park (The APSL reserves the right to reschedule Make Up games on days other than Wednesday’s or Sunday’s.) Typically, Sunday make up games will take place on Saturday’s, with Wednesday make up games taking place on and day CCRD or Arsenal Park has available.
9. Game Cancellations: If matches are cancelled due to Inclement Weather or other occurances, issues, etc. The APSL will contact all Captains via text message so they can inform their teams. We will also post the cancellation on our Website, Facebook Page, and Instagram Page.
SECTION III: GAME DAY PROCEDURES: The following are the game-day procedures that will apply to all games.
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Players & Referees should show up at the field at least 15 minutes before game time.
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The Captain/Team will provide a printed Team Roster to the Referee from the APSL website.
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Supporters, fans, and spectators at all APSL games must remain 5 to 10 feet from the sideline at all times. Supporters, fans, and spectators must also sit on the opposite side of the field from the teams playing in the game. Referees do have the ability to abandon a game if fans do not abide by these rules.
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Referee’s will keep up with the Goals Scored & who scored them, and cards issued out for their final game report.
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Referee’s will turn in Game Report/Scores to the APSL Staff member on duty after each match.
SECTION IV: PLAYER CONDUCT & BEHAVIOR
a) If a player is issued a yellow card, that player must be subbed out after the card is shown. That player can then sub back in during the next stoppage of play.
b) Extreme foul or abusive language will result in a yellow card. If it continues after the card is shown, the Referee can issue another yellow, or straight red depending on the behavior and situation. (Verbal threats to players, spectators, or Referee's can result in multiple game suspensions.)
c) If a player receives a yellow, and then another yellow it is considered a SOFT RED and that player is sent off and their team must play a man down. The player who received the SOFT RED is suspended for next match.
d) A player who is issued a straight or direct RED CARD will be sent off, their team will play a man down, and the player will be suspended for the remainder of that match, and depending on the nature of the card may miss one or multiple matches as determined by the Discipline Committee which consists of the League Owner, League Captains representing each one of our Leagues, and League Referee Assignors.
e) Any Player or Coach who receives a Red Card must leave the premises.
f) The Referee may also request that disorderly spectators leave the premises. In this event the Team Captain shall be asked to cooperate with the referee to ensure that disorderly spectators leave th premises. If the Team Captain/Team are unable to gain control of their specators then the APSL reserves the right to call the Police.
After reports are submitted by the Referee, cards will be classified as Soft or Aggressive.
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“Aggressive”- will be defined as any hostile or persistent act physical or verbal that negatively affects the climate of play and are directed towards players, referees or onlookers. -THESE WILL BE CUMULATIVE
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“Soft” - will be defined as soccer related plays that are not hostile in nature but would be normal cards in the flow of the game.
g) If a player continues to exhibit behavior that is a detriment to the APSL, he or she is subject to ejection from the league.
This is for Aggressive Cards ONLY
3 Cards- one game suspension
5 Cards- two game suspension
7 Cards- Expulsion
h) If an altercation (physical fight) occurs on the field, several things will take place. The Referee will stop play yet keep the clock running. He/She will observe and take notes on the following: a) the players involved in the altercation b) players who leave the bench who engage in the altercation c) players who leave the field to engage in the altercation.
Once order has been restored the Referee will issue out cards to all those who were involved in the incident. Those players who leave the bench and or field will automatically receive yellow cards. Once all the Red cards and Yellow cards have been issued if a team is unable to provide the minimum number of players required to play they forfeit the match. If both teams are unable to field the minimum number of players required to play both teams will forfeit (0pts), and no score will be registered.
i) If a Referee terminates a match due to unruly conduct the Discipline Committee and officials will determine the outcome of the match. Captains must submit a written account of the events that occurred.
MEN'S 8V8 LEAGUE
1) Fields are 80 by 50 yards.
2) Goals are 7 by 19 feet.
3) Games will have one Center Referee, and two Sideline Referees
4) Unlimited Substitutions on Throw Ins & Corner Kicks (Possession Only)
5) Both teams have unlimited subs on goalkicks and after a goal has been scored.
6) OFFSIDES WILL BE CALLED
7) Goalkeepers cannot Punt, Dropkick, or Throw past half. (They can however play the ball at their feet, and kick over half)
8) Goalkicks cannot go past half (the result will be a direct kick from the opposing team at the midfield line at the spot the ball went over). .
9) Free kicks can go past half.
10) 8 yards is given on all Free Kicks.
11) Penalty Kicks are taken 10 yards from goal line.
12) Everything else is FIFA rules.
13) SLIDE TACKLING IS ALLOWED
14) If a team is losing by 10 or more goals they can play with a 9th player WHILE they are down 10 or more goals.
COED/WOMEN'S/AND MEN'S +35 - 6V6
1) Fields are 60 by 40 yards.
2) Goals are 7 by 19 feet.
3) Games will have one Center Referee
4) Unlimited Substitutions on Throw Ins & Corner Kicks (Possession Only)
5) Both teams have unlimited subs on goalkicks and after a goal has been scored.
6) There is NO OFFSIDES.
7) Goalkeepers cannot Punt, Dropkick, or Throw past half. (They can however play the ball at their feet, and kick over half)
8) Goalkicks cannot go past half (the result will be a direct kick from the opposing team at the midfield line at the spot the ball went over). .
9) Free kicks can go past half.
10) 8 yards is given on all Free Kicks.
11) Penalty Kicks are taken 10 yards from goal line.
12) Everything else is FIFA rules.
13) There is NO SLIDE TACKLING (except in Women's League). Once a player makes contact with another player it is a foul (direct kick). If it occurs in the box then it is a Penalty Kick.
14) Offensive players cannot stand in the oposing teams six yard box during a free kick (does not incude corner kicks). If they do, the result will be a free kick for the other team from the six.
15) COED ONLY - Each team must field at least two women at all times. A team cannot substitute a man for a women, so the most men a team can have on the field at all times is 4.
16) If a team is losing by 10 or more goals they can play with a 7th player WHILE they are down 10 or more goals.
