Culpeper Soccer Association Adult League Rules

As of May 2010

1. The season dates will coincide with the CSA Youth season schedule.
2. Rain dates will be scheduled if needed and will coincide with the CSA Youth schedule.

1. Players must be at least 18 years of age as of August 1st to participate. Teams may have no more than three(3) players younger than 25 on their roster; each of these players is referred to as a 'waiver player'. All conventional (non-waiver) players must be, at least, 25 years of age as of the first scheduled game of the season.
2. Rosters are 'locked' after the 5th week of play. After the 5th week of play, additions/deletions are allowed only by permission of the CSA Adult League Coordinator.
3. A player may only play for one CSA team.
4. Only players listed on the official roster may participate in league play.
5. No guest players are permitted under any circumstances.
6. The designated home team shall present an official roster to the referee prior to every game.  Player names and numbers will be verified. Picture ID may be requested from the players by the referee during the pre-game brieifing.
7. No carded travel player or professional players will be allowed on the rosters.

1. Individual players will be assigned to a team by the CSA registrar based on recommendation by the CSA Adult League Coordinator.
2. Managers are strongly encouraged to form their own team. However, each player must register to play with CSA.
3. Practices are optional and left up to the discretion of each team. Practice nights and locations should be coordinated through the CSA field coordinator. If a conflict arises over limited field locations and times, CSA youth team practices will take priority over adult team practice requests.

1. Game format is 8v8 (this includes the goalkeeper).
2. Games will last 90 minutes (two 40 minute halves) with a 10 minute half time. No overtime in regular season games.
3. Playoffs will consist of single elimination, semi-finals and finals. If tied at the end of regulation, winner will be by 'Golden Goal' (first goal scored). Golden Goal will consist of two 15-minute periods followed by Penalty Kicks.
4. Games are played on Saturday afternoon/evenings at CSA designated fields. The field size will be at a minimum 50 yds x 70 yds.
5. If a game in progress is called off due to inclement weather or field conditions, the game is considered official if it has reached or past the halfway point.
6. Substitutions
   a) Unlimited substitutions are allowed on all goal kicks, after a goal is scored, on throw-ins when the substituting team is in possession and throw-ins when the opposing team is in possession or other stoppages of play when in the discretion of the referee it does not interfere with the flow of the game.
   b) During times of extreme heat, substitution rules may be relaxed at the discretion of the referee.
   c) A substitution may also be made after an injury when the referee stops play. The opposing team is also offered the chance to substitute one player.
7. No protests. All games are final.
8. Forfeits - Teams must be ready to play the game within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. A team must have 6 players available to start a game. Teams that do not show, or do not have 6 players after the 15-minute grace period, are forced to forfeit. The score is posted as 2-0 win in favor of the team that fielded a squad of, at least, 6 players. A team that forfeits two games in one season will not be eligible to participate in the playoffs, and may not be eligible to participate in the next season.

1. 3pts for win, 1 for tie, 0 for loss.
2. Goals will be tracked, Goal differential will determine standings. Tie breakers, in order: Most Goals For - 1st, then Goals Against 2nd, then Most Slaughter Rule Wins 3rd, and then coin flip.

1. Games are officiated by three (3) certified referees. The decisions made by the referees are final.
2. All coaches, players, and spectators must recognize the referee as the sole authority over the game. As specified under FIFA laws of the game, maintaining respect for the referees is of vital importance to successful soccer. Behavior that falls below this standard will not be tolerated. Any incidents are subject to the CSA Board review.
3. If the assigned referee fails to appear within ten (10) minutes after the scheduled start time, teams may designate a substitute referee by mutual agreement. Such appointment of a substitute referee shall be binding for the game. Should the originally assigned referee appear after the game has started and the substitute referee has begun the game, the teams, by mutual consent, may allow the original referee to officiate the game.
4. Misconducts - Red Card offenses are counted and accumulated during the course of the season. A player receiving a Red Card is punished with a minimum of 1 game suspension and may face league expulsion. Suspension can carry over to the next season. A forfeited or canceled game will not count toward a suspension.
   a) Sending Off Offense (Red Card) - A player receiving a Red Card, or two Yellow Cards in the same match is required to immediately leave the field of play. The offending player will have one (1) minute to leave the field of play or his team will forfeit the game. The offending player will have five (5) minutes to also leave the premises and to be out of sight and sound or his team will forfeit the game.
   b) Player Suspensions
   i) First Red Card Offense - A minimum of a one (1) game suspension
   ii) Second Red Card Offense -Subject to player review by CSA President, Adult league Coordinator and Referee involved to determine appropriate suspensions up to and including expulsion from the Adult League.
   iii) Second Yellow Card Offense in same game - One (1) game suspension c) Reporting Cards - All Red Cards are reported by the referee to the CSA Adult League Coordinator who will forward them to the CSA Board for review. The Adult League Coordinator will inform the teams involved of players who will not be eligible to play in the following week's games.
   d) Team Red Card Points - When a player receives a Red Card, his team is also assigned a Team Red Card Point. Teams that receive a total of four (4) Team Red Card Points during the season will be suspended and ineligible to play within the CSA. The team may be reinstated only at the discretion of the CSA Board. If a fight breaks out, each team is assigned at least two (2) Team Red Card Points, even if no individual Red Cards were awarded.
   e) Trash talking, taunting, showboating, the use foul language, fighting, and the uttering of sexist or racist comments is strictly prohibited and will result in an automatic review of the player's conduct and status by the CSA Adult League Coordinator and/or the CSA Board. This review will occur if the incident is reported by anyone irrespective of whether the behavior was witnessed by the referee or punished on the field.

1. Each team must identify their team color, which must be approved by the CSA Adult League Coordinator. Teams are responsible for providing their own uniforms based on their authorized team color.
2. Each player shall wear a uniform with a unique number as listed on the official roster. The referee shall be Notified of any number changes prior to the match.
3. The home team provides the game ball. A size 5 ball is used.
4. Only soccer/athletic shoes are acceptable. No 'street shoes,' sandals, or metal-cleated shoes will be allowed.
5. Shin guards are MANDATORY. The shin guards must provide a reasonable degree of protection.
6. The league will not provide uniforms or equipment to the teams.
7. The Home team of the first game is responsible for setting up the corner flags. The Home team of the last game is responsible for returning the corner flags to storage.
8. The Visiting Team is responsible for ensuring the goal nets and goals themselves are securely staked.

1. There is no restriction as to where a player lives. Non-county residents are allowed to play as long as they register as part of the club, follow club rules, and are covered by club policies.
2. Slaughter Rule - In any competition where one team achieves an 8-goal lead over its opponent, the coach of the leading team is required to remove one player from the field of play. For each additional goal scored by the leading team, the team is required to remove an additional player. If after an 8-goal lead and withdrawing a player or players, the leading team shall be permitted to replace a player for each goal subsequently scored by the opposing team.
3. Tailgating/No dogs - NO tailgating and No dogs will be allowed. No alcohol, tobacco products, or dogs are allowed on school property or on fields managed by Culpeper Parks and Recreation. Violation of this policy will result in immediate suspension from league play.
4. Teams are responsible for cleaning up any and all garbage in and around their general location, regardless of who created it.
5. Slide tackles will not be allowed in the Culpeper Adult Recreational League and will be sanctioned in the following manner;  Slide tackles will be sanctioned as a violation of the law resulting in an Indirect Free Kick to the opposing team, unless executed in a manner that otherwise supports a caution or send-off.  Repeated slide tackles by the same player will be sanctioned with a caution for "persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game" and will be restarted with an Indirect Free Kick to the opposing team.
6. Adult League games will typically be played on a smaller than normal field (generally a U-12 youth sized field).  As such,  the penalty mark, if lined onto the field, shall not be used for Penalty kicks .  The proper distance of 12 yards from the goal line should be walked off.   The penalty area as marked will be used for determination of encroachment offenses in conjunction with instruction under FIFA/USSF law. The law states, that, in addition, all players except the designated penalty kicker,  must remain at least 10 yards from the ball until after it is put into play.