Broward Public School Soccer League Rules for Play

Game Play

1. The Broward Public School Soccer League will follow standard FIFA Soccer Rules and Regulations except for the local rules stated here. All fees and waivers must be submitted before starting play.
2. The League Director has the right to act upon all situations not covered explicitly in these rules. The League Director reserves the authority to suspend or remove any player from the league at any time if, in their judgement, such action is in the best interest of the league, its participants, or its operations. Decisions regarding player eligibility or removal are final.

Player Conduct

1. There will be NO slide-tackling.  If a player slide-tackles another player, he/she will receive a yellow card for the first offence and a red card and a minimum of one game suspension for the second offence. Every slide tackle shall result in a direct kick. Note: a slide tackle is generally an intentional slide within your horizontal body length of an opposing player.
2. There will be NO foul language.
3. There will be NO unsportsmanlike conduct (including pushing, fighting, or abusive language directed at other players, referees, or field supervisor, etc.).
4. 2 Yellow Cards equaling a red is a suspension from the game you are in and an additional one game suspension.
5. A Straight Red Card due to a bad/hard foul or verbal altercation is a suspension from the game you are in and an additional 2 game suspension. 
6. A Straight Red Card due to a physical attack on the field means the player who received the straight red for the aggressive behavior forfeits the rest of his/her season and is suspended from registering the following season to cool down. Any player or spectator sent off must leave the facility immediately. Failure to leave could result in law enforcement being notified and additional disciplinary actions imposed which could include a limited ban or lifetime ban from participating in any future league activities.  

Playing Time/Length of Game

1. Teams will play two forty-three minute halves, 3-minute half-time, and no water break.
2. Inclement Weather: If a game is called prior to half time, the game will be rescheduled, and no score will be entered until the rescheduled game.  If a game is called after one half of the game has been completed, the score at the time the game was called will be recorded as the official score and the game will not be rescheduled.
3. Game clock: will start whether all teams are on the field ready to play or not. Game officials will walk to the center of the field and whistle to call teams.
4. Teams must have a minimum of 7 players to start the game. 
5. Refs start the game clock and allow the team up to 15 minutes to get enough legal players before the forfeit is declared.
6. In the event a game is forfeited, the teams will be allowed to use the field for a practice/scrimmage.  If both teams agree, the assigned referee will officiate a scrimmage game. 
7. Each team MUST have a minimum of three (3) females on the field at all times; each team will play a MAXIMUM of eight (8) men
8. If a team does not have three females, that team must play a player down for each female player that is not present.
9. Teams can play with fewer than three (3) females if both captains come to an agreement (both teams should play with the same number of females), and it is not a game that determines a playoff spot or positioning in the top of the standings.

Player Uniform/Attire

1. Players are required to wear a team jersey from the present season, black or white shorts, shin guards, socks and (approved) cleats [i.e. metal spikes are not permitted]. 
2. Teams should wear the same color socks. 
3. Jewelry and metal hair accessories are not permitted.
4. The goalkeeper must wear a jersey of a different color.

Adding Players

1. Teams will be allowed to add players to replace players if the players that are being replaced have not shown up for three consecutive games or there is an extenuating circumstance (i.e. a pregnancy, injury, illness, death, etc.).  The addition to the team roster and player waiver must be approved and submitted to the League Coordinator before playing in their first game.
2. All New Players can be added up to the half season game and will be permitted to play for the second half of the season; players must pay half of the registration fees or a prorated amount.

There are no illegal players allowed on the field at any time. An illegal player is defined as a player who has not registered, submitted a waiver, and paid for the season and/or does not meet the age requirement. Any team allowing an illegal player on the field will forfeit the game.

Concussion Protocol:

 If a player is suspected to have a concussion, either observed by a referee or another player, he/she is to be removed from the game IMMEDIATELY and the player is to remain off the field of play.

After a suspected concussion, the player is not to return to play WITHOUT a Doctor’s note from a Neurologist/Sports Concussion Doctor. 

For more information about how to Recognizing to Recover from Head & Brain Conditions click HERE