Rules of Play: All US Club sanctions competitions must be played in accordance with the most current FIFA Laws of the Game and the modifications noted within these rules unless specifically accepted by the SCCL Board. It is the responsibility of all coaches, administrators, and referees to be thoroughly familiar with and abide by the FIFA Laws of the Game (LOTG) and the modifications below.
Law 1: The Field of Play
- The SCCL allows each club to designate the appropriate size for all 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 games.
- No Club official, club member, administrator, player, or spectator may enter the field of play regardless of the circumstances, unless the Referee has given them permission. Disregard of this law may result in disciplinary action.
Law 2: The Ball
- 12U and younger teams utilize a size 4 ball.
- 13U and older teams utilize a size 5 ball.
Law 3: The Players
- Roster size = 26 players for all age groups
- 12U play 9v9 with a maximum of 14 players declared/dressed for the game. Teams must maintain a minimum of seven on the field at any given time.
- 13U and older play 11v11 with a maximum of 18 declared/dressed for the game. Teams must maintain a minimum of seven players on the field at any given time. Teams must have a minimum of eight players to start the match.
- Two teams shall play a match with no more than the listed number of players on the field at one time, one of whom must be a goalkeeper.
Law 4: The Players' Equipment
- Home teams will wear LIGHT uniforms. Away teams will wear DARK uniforms.
- The Goalkeeper is permitted to wear a tracksuit or similar trousers and leggings, or other type of
- clothing in all League sanctioned events. The Goalkeeper is also permitted to wear a FIFA
- approved vinyl foam soft soccer helmet.
- Team Captain(s) may wear an armband for identification purposes, which is to be displayed on
- the arm.
- Shin guards are required equipment for all players and are to be worn at all matches. Shin
- guards are to be covered entirely by the players’ socks. Shin guards are to be made of suitable
- material, rubber, or plastic, to provide a reasonable degree of protection.
- Hair control devices with any hard or sharp parts will not be permitted.
- Earrings or any other jewelry, regardless of covering, will not be permitted.
- Soft foam headgear, approved by FIFA, for goalkeepers or players, are approved provided that
- the Referee has determined that it is not a danger to themselves or another player.
- In the event of severe weather conditions, players will be permitted to wear additional clothing (leggings, stockings, track suit, etc.) UNDER their team uniform. Any additional clothing must match the color of the team uniform. No portion of the additional clothing is permitted to have metal snaps, buckles, buttons, or any other item considered by the Referee to be dangerous to others.
- Eyewear, Braces, Splints and Casts
- A soft splint or soft cast is permitted, provided that the Referee has determined that it is not a danger to themselves or another player.
- A brace, joint or prosthetic device is permitted provided that the Referee has determined that it is not a danger to themselves or another player.
- Protective sports spectacles or plastic prescription frame sports glasses with the lenses fully contained within the frame and held on by an elastic strap are permitted. Any eyewear containing glass, metal or sharp edges are prohibited.
Law 5: The Referee
- The Referee has the authority vested under the FIFA Laws of the Game with approved SCCL Modifications to the Laws of the Game.
- The Referee is required to submit an official Referee Report for each match within 48 hours (holidays excluded) after the match. The Referee report must include all player, coach, administrator, spectator misconduct and include cautions, ejections, terminations, forfeits, injuries, or any other issue that pertains with the game.
- Referees DO NOT retain player or administrator passes for ejected participants.
- Referees have the authority to rule on all player equipment.
- The Referee has the authority to display cards and eject players, coaches, administrators, and spectators from the game.
Law 6: The Other Match Officials
- 7v7 games are recommended to have two Assistant Referees but are not required to do so.
- 9v9 and 11v11 games are required to have certified two Assistant Referees on each game.
Law 7: The Duration of the Match
- 9v9 games are comprised of two 30-minute halves and a 5-minute half time.
- 13U-14U games are comprised of two 35-minute halves and a 10-minute half time.
- 15U-16U games are comprised of two 40-minute halves and a 10-minute half time.
- 17U-19U games are comprised of two 45-minute halves and a 10-minute half time.
There is no overtime in regular season SCCL competition.
Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play
- In 7v7 games, all opposition players must retreat behind the buildout line which is equidistant from the midfield line and the top of the opponent’s penalty area
Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play
There are no current modifications for Law 9.
Law 10: Determining the Outcome of the Match
There is no overtime played in regular season SCCL matches.
Law 11: Offside
Offside is played in all age groups of SCCL.
Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
Fouls and misconduct before, during and immediately after a game are determined and acted upon by the Referee. There are seven cautionable offenses that prescribe the display of a yellow card. Two yellow cards in one game = a red card. All red card offenses are punishable by immediate removal from the field of play.
Coaches, players, administrators, and spectators who are ejected, must immediately leave sight and sound of the field, and must serve a minimum of a one-game suspension in the next scheduled and played game. The SCCL will provide information on further sanctions should the SCCL Disciplinary Committee elect to assess further penalties.
Please see the section on MISCONDUCT for more precise information.