Rules

New/updated rules for the 2011 season are in RED.  Points of emphasis for the season are BOLDFACE

1. All rules
• Not covered herein shall be played as standard federation (high school) rules.
2. Ties  
• Two ten minute sudden-death overtimes (11 players per team). First team that scores wins. If no score at the conclusion, result is a tie.
• Playoff overtime games consist of two 10 minute overtimes (NOT sudden-death) followed by a shootout if necessary.
3. Substitutions 
• Players may enter the game on goal kicks by either team, own team's corner kick, AND own team's throw-in (both teams may substitute if the team with the throw-in substitutes).
4. Roster 
• Use of non-roster or suspended players will result in a forfeit. Final rosters are due by the season mid-point.  
• If the rosters are not in at that time, whatever roster is on the web site becomes final--no exceptions.  
• Players may play on only one team.  If a player plays for any team, that player may only play for that team for the remainder of the season.  Playing for a second team results in a forfeit for the second team for each game played with that player. It is the responsibility of the team captain to ensure that players playing for him have not played for other teams in previous games.
• In the event that a team folds during the season, if a player would like to continue playing, they may join one of the remaining teams (of their mutual choice).  They may participate in playoff games provided that they play the minimum required games in order to be eligible with their new team.
• Players must play in 3-5 regular season games, depending on the schedule length. To be eligible for the playoffs, a given player must be on the final roster, and have played in at least 1/4 (rounded in favor of the player) of the team's games . That would mean that in a 12, 13, 14, or 15 game schedule a player would need to play in 3 games. In 16, 17, 18 or 19 game schedule a player would need to play in 4 games. Note that in the case of injury, if the player travels to the game but can not participate due to injury, that counts as a game played). If a player is injured and shows up to a game (even if he can not play) that counts towards the games that must be played to be eligible for playoff games. Additionally, if a player could not play due to a team forfeiting, that counts as a game toward playoff eligibility. 
• Captians must bring their roster to the game in the playoffs. 
• If a captain has a complaint about non-rostered players or players who have not played enough games to be eligible in a playoff game, the protocol is to confront the captian of the other team at the game. If a copmlaint is to be made, it must be made within 24 hours of the indident. 
• The use of non-rostered players inthe second half of the season and playoffs will result in a forfeit for that team. 
• In the case of a player who is suspected to not have enough games to play in the playoffs, the captain of the team in question, along with the player in question, will state the number of games that the player played in order to clarify the situation. 
• Players must be 16 years of age or older to play. Players turning 16 must wait until they actually turn 16. 
• Captains are responsible for ensuring that all of their players have personal accident insurance (league insurance is a general liability insurance, not accident insurance).
5. Fields 
• Two nets and four flags are required. If no flags are available, cones may be used. The field must in playable condition (ie. Mowed and lined). Referees have the right to require the home team to pay for both officials in the case of a field that not lined and mowed yet is marginally playable, or they may call a forfeit against the home team if the field is completely unplayable.
6. Forfeits  
• Let it be first stated that there should be no forfeits.  
• If you can't make a game, notify the league commissioner AND the referee coordinator at least one game day before the game you can't make (ie. the Wednesday before the Sunday you can't play).  If you do this, there is no forfeiture fee.  
• If you do not notify the league commissioner and referee coordinator by the game before, then you will be assessed a fine of $50.00 to $100.00, depending on how close to the game you call.  This will be based on whether or not referees had to show up to the game or not.  Three forfeits and the team is suspended for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
7. Weather 
• In the case of games which are pre-empted by weather, the discretion of the referee, or other reason: if the game has played through the entire 45 minutes of the 1^st half, then the score stands. 
• If the game is halted prior to the first half, then the entire game must be replayed (Red and Yellow cards will be recorded in this case, although goals will not). 
• In the case where the game is stopped in the second half (due to weather or otherwise), the game's score at the time the game was stopped will be the final score. 
• Note: extreme cases, such as a leading by one goal in the second half and down two players, then starting a brawl, resulting in the game being stopped, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the league board. 
• Keep in mind that we are playing by New York State Public High School Athletic Association Rules, and this is the latest information from the NYSPHSAA: “Thunder and lightning necessitates that all contests be suspended. The occurrence of thunder and/or lightning is not subject to interpretation or discussion - thunder is thunder, lightning is lightning. If lightning and/or thunder is observed, all outdoor activities will be suspended immediately. Players and spectators shall be directed to report to a shelter, a building normally occupied by the public or if a building is unavailable, participants should go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top (e.g. bus, van, car). The officials and responsible authorities shall make every reasonable effort to resume and complete the contest, with full consideration of the weather and site conditions (as they affect safety and playing conditions). The official/coaches shall wait 30 minutes from the time the last boom is heard and/or the last strike is seen before starting or resuming play.
8. Referees 
• A two referee system will be used unless there is a shortage of officials. 
• If no referees are present then the HONOR SYSTEM will be used. In this case only the fouled player may make the call. Any player may call a hand ball. All free kicks inside the penalty area become direct kicks outside the penalty area. When the honor system is used all calls are final - NO ARGUING. 
• When referees are used, their decisions are also final.
9. Offsides
• When referees are not available, the HONOR SYSTEM will be employed. Only the last defender may make the call, and it must be made before a shot is attempted.  In the case of one referee, the last defender should raise his hand to indicate offsides AND continue playing until the referee blows the whistle.  It is the referee’s discretion whether or not to call the offsides in this case.
10. Red-Yellow Cards 
• Any player who has accumulated two yellow cards in one game must sit out after receiving the second, but may participate in the following game. The carded player's team will not play a man down. 
• Red cards follow standard federation rules, with the carded player sitting out the remainder of the game and the following game, and the player's team playing a man down for the remainder of the game in which the card was issued. 
• The accumulation of 4 yellow cards in the season will warrant a one game suspension. 
• VIOLENT red cards will carry a stiffer penalty, and will be dealt with by the league commishioner.  1 red card in the season = 1 game suspension, 2 red cards = 2 game suspension, 3 red cards = suspension from the league (for a period decided upon by the league board, at least for the remainder of the season). 
• Dissenting by word or action against the referee's call may result in a yellow or red card, as well as any further suspension as deemed necessary by the league board. 
• There are no team red cards, instead, if a team is deemed sufficiently out of control by the referee, the game can be called. 
• Accumulated yellow cards do not carry over to the following year, however red card suspensions do carry over to the following year (in the case of a red card in the final game of the season or playoffs.
11. Game Time 
• Game start times allow for a 15 minute grace period. If not otherwise listed in the schedule, game start times are 6:30. Please refer to the schedule prior to each game day. Each team must have 7 players to play or they will have to forfeit.
• Playoff games will begin at 6:00pm to provide for overtime/PKs if necessary.
12. Jerseys 
• If a conflict arises pertaining to color, the home team may have to go with t-shirts. Teams should make arrangements in advance. All new jerseys are required to have numbers on the back that correspond to a given player on that teams roster for the duration of the season.
13. Rescheduling 
• Captains must be notified prior to the game before the game in question, otherwise the opposing team does not have to comply, even in this case the game may or may not be rescheduled, and it might result in a forfeit. The referee assigner must be notified of all changes by teams requesting the changes.
14. Clock 
• The officials will keep time on the field. Forty-five minute halves with standard (high school) clock stoppages - goals, injuries, cards, etc. If no referee is present, the home team will keep the time. No more than 15 minutes between halves (no time outs). Referee can stop the clock for cards, injured players, or delay of game.
15. Referee Payment 
• The cost of referees is $60.00 per game. 
• If only one referee is there, they get a game and a half fee of $90 ($45 from each team). 
• Quarter-finals, semi-finals, and Finals are paid for just as regular season games, by the teams participating 
16. E-mail scores in 
• On the night of the game the EACH team is responsible for reporting game scores. Teams must e-mail or text the scores in to nmatuszczak@gmail.com / 317-4358.   This must be done within 48 hours of the game's completion.  Score and cards given (and to whom) must be included.  
• Failure to report scores/cards will result in a $10.00 fine per game not reported.
17. Shin Guards 
• Are mandatory for all players.
18. All league money 
• Will be held in a separate, checking account under the title Tug Hill Soccer League.  League fees must be paid in full before the season begins.
19. Fines 
• In an effort to keep the league clean, players will pay a fine of $10.00 per red card, and $5.00 per yellow card. 
• Money will be taken from your deposit money for cards. 
• If a team goes over their bond fee during the year, they will not participate in the playoffs until fines are paid.
20. Offensive Language 
• Will not be tolerated. Any vulgarity or fighting could result in suspension from the league (upon review by the league).
21. Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drugs 
• Public facilities, including high schools and colleges in New York State are a drug-free zone. No alcohol, tobacco, or any other drugs are permitted on school grounds under any circumstances.
22. Suspension 
• Players may be suspended for accumulating yellow/red cards, or for serious offenses, as decided by the league commishioner. 
•  Suspension for the remainder of the season is the usual result of an accumulation of cards, although the commishioner may assign a more serious penalty. 
• In the cases where players accumulate enough cards for suspension for the remainder of the season AND no additional penalty is assigned, players are usually eligible to return to the league the following year with a probationary status.
23. Reinstatement into the league 
• Players suspended to do an accumulation of cards are usually eligible to return to the league the following year on a probationary status (unless they were on probation the previous year, in which case they would come before the judicial board for more serious measures, possibly including permanent suspension). 
• Players suspended do to serious problems (fighting, inappropriate language, exposure of body parts, etc. . . ) will be suspended for a minimum of one calendar year. After one calendar year, players may appeal for reinstatement. Players wishing to be reinstated must send a formal letter requesting reinstatement to the league commissioner. 
• The league judicial board (comprised of the captains from all teams) will review cases for reinstatement before the season begins or at the season mid-point. The player requesting reinstatement will then attend the meeting, and at the meeting a presentation of the specific events leading to suspension will be presented. An anonymous vote of the team captains (at least 3/4 of team captains must be present for the vote to be official) will determine wether or not the player will be reinstated. A two-thirds majority of votes in favor or reinstatement will allow the player to return to the league with a probationary status. In the case where a reinstatement request is rejected, the player may request reinstatement again 1 calendar year from the decision.
24. Probation 
• All suspended players returning to the league will be held to a high standard of sportsmanship. 
• Accumulation of cards for probationary players is as follows: 1 red card = 2 game suspension. 2 red cards=season suspension (including playoffs) (4 accumulated yellow cards=1 red card). Additionally, the judicial board may review the players probationary status at any time before, during, or after the season. If the player accumulates 1 red card (or equivalent) during the season, the probationary status will carry over to the following season. If the player accumulates no red cards (or equivalent), the probationary status is usually removed, and the player is then allowed to participate normally the following year. 
• Final Note: Players who have been suspended for a calendar year in the past due to serious offenses are on a permanent probation of sorts. Specifically, should another suspension based on a serious incident occur, that player would be banned permanently from the league.
25. Playoff positions and tiebreakers 
• In any given season, 8 teams participate in the 3 rounds of the playoffs. Playoff standing ties between two teams are decided in the following order:
• 1) Head-to-head record (in the case teams in a tie for first place, tiebreakers are used to determine the playoff seed only, while co-division champion status is awarded).
  2) Goal Differential in head-to-head games (aggregate score). In the case of a tiebreaker between two teams who split wins, then aggregate score is used (eg. Team A won the first game 3-2, Team B won the second game 4-2, the aggregate and tiebreaker would go to Team B 6-5. In the event that each team won 1 game, but one team had a forfeit, then the tiebreaker is awarded to the team that did not forfeit (eg. Team A wins 1-0 by forfeit in the first game, team B wins 6-0 in the second. Even though the aggregate would be 6-1 for Team B, due to their forfeit, Team B would lose the tiebreaker).
  3) Overall Goal Differential
  4) Overall Number of wins
  5) Coin Flip
  Special Situation - If 3 or more teams tied for one playoff position. Seedings will be decided in the following order.
  1) Overall winning percentage in all games played among tied teams.
  2) If there is still a tie among 3 ore more teams, then goal differential in games played against tied teams is used (aggregate).
  3) If there is still a tie among 3 or more teams, then goal differential in all games played is used.
  4) If there is still a tie among 3 or more teams, then overall number of wins is used.
  5) If there is still a tie among 3 or more teams, then names will be picked by lottery.
  6) If any of 1-5 is applied, and only two teams remain tied, the tiebreaker for two teams above will be used.