Having an enjoyable soccer experience is what it’s all about.

Please be sure to familiar yourself with the rules and regulations of our adult league. We encourage sportsmanlike play with a pinch sweet step-over.

These rules are an important part in understanding soccer league play, and we encourage all players to follow these rules & respect other players, referees & linesmen sharing the pitch with you. Our goal is for you to enjoy our soccer league in a fun and safe manner. We all have to go to work in the morning.

See you on the pitch!

FIRST POSSESSION & DURATION OF GAME

Field position and first possession will be decided by the referee with a coin toss before the start of play. The team that wins the coin toss will choose whether or not to take first ball possession; the opposing team will then choose field position.

The duration of games will be two (2) 45 minute halves, separated by a 5 minute half–time break. Games will be considered official if at least 45 minutes have been played. This may include events of non–completion including (but not limited to) inclement weather, insufficient lighting, or referee stoppage at their discretion.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions can only be made with the notification and permission of the referee.

Teams are allowed unlimited substitutions, however may ONLY occur on the following stoppages of play:

  • On a goal kick
  • After a goal has been scored
  • At half–time or overtime periods
  • When the game has been stopped due to an injured player. Done at referee’s discretion and only the injured player may be substituted.
  • Throw-Ins (at the referees discretion)

* Note: substitutions may not be made prior to a corner-kick

UNIFORMS

All players on each team MUST be dressed in the same jerseys as approved and provided by Derby League Soccer with the exception of goalies who must wear a jersey/shirt of a different colour from those of his/her own teammates as well as those of the opponent. Goalie kits will be provided to each team.

Players who are not in proper uniform will not be eligible to play that particular game. Jersey numbers cannot be duplicated on the same team. Should either be the case, the player in question’s team will forfeit the game to their opponent.

Goalkeepers are allowed to wear long pants. All other players must wear shorts.

Referees will prohibit players from participating if they are not properly dressed. No Exceptions will be made.

KICK–OFF RULES

Teams are to field 11 players (10 players and 1 goalie) during the game. The game will be forfeited if a team of at least seven (7) registered players are not fielded ten (10) minutes after the scheduled kick-off time. Opponents are awarded the game with a score of 1 to 0 and the three (3) points for a win. If both teams fail to field at least seven (7) registered players, both teams will forfeit the game and no points are awarded to either team. The referee is responsible for submitting a full report on the game sheet explaining what has occurred.

SLIDE TACKLING

Slide tackling is permitted in Outdoor Sessions only, so long as the tackle is deemed safe and fair according to FIFA’s laws of the game. Sliding tackling is not permitted for indoor sessions due to safety issues.

A keeper can slide in his own box to trap or save the ball from going out of play.

All other slide tackles (including ones in the penalty area) will result in discipline at the referee’s discretion.

DISCIPLINARY CARDS

As Derby League is a sanctioned Club by the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) all discipline will be handled by the OSA’s district association – South West Regional Soccer (SWRSA) All Referees will be OSA sanctioned Referees and administer the games according to the OSA’s Rules and Guidelines.

All players will be registered with the OSA and be issued a Player Book. It is the Player’s responsibility to keep this book and present it when necessary. The Referee can ask for the book at anytime and it is required should the player have discipline issues.

The Player is responsible for any fines issued from the OSA. Suspended players are not permitted to play.

Should players be suspended or expelled, no refunds will be issued to these players at any time.

For more information regarding laws of the game please click here.

LEAGUE PLAY/STANDINGS

Team standings are determined on a point system as follows: three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie and zero (0) points for a loss. The team with the most points at the end of the regular season will be awarded the Derby League Soccer champion.

In the event of a tie in the standings at the end of the regular season between 2 or more teams, the following procedure will be used to declare the final standings:

  • Most wins during the regular season
  • Head–to–Head results between the tied teams (aggregate score will not be counted)
  • Greater goal difference (goals for minus goals against)
  • Least amount of goals conceded for the entire season
  • Most goals scored for the entire season

REPORTING OF GAME RESULTS

The referee is responsible for reporting the final score of a game within 24 hours of the final whistle. Results may be called in (whatever our number is) or e-mailed to (whatever our email is). The league requires the referee to send in the original game sheet for verification.

REFEREES

Referees will be sanctioned by the OSA and randomly selected to officiate all games and are appointed by Derby League Soccer. Any player that is bleeding, the referee will ask for the player to be removed from the pitch until proper treatment has been administered to the player. They will also ask that any unregistered players who are sitting on team benches to be removed. The referee is the only person who can call a game off due to weather. If it is raining, you should show up for the game as scheduled and follow the instructions of the Referee.

The referee will need to stop play of a game in the event of the following:

  • In case of a thunderstorm, the referee will stop play and restart play when the lightning has stopped. Players are reminded at this point to proceed to a safe area.
  • If heavy rainfall has saturated/damaged the field prior to the game, the game may be “postponed” since playing on a saturated field will destroy the grass.
  • Matches that are stopped by the referee for any non–weather related issues such as misconduct of players, teams or fans will be thoroughly investigated by the league. The league has the authority based on its findings to declare a double forfeit, order a replay of the match or assign a winner as they see fit.
  • In cases where physical abuse or assault has occurred on a match official, the game will immediately be halted and be reported by the referee to the league. The person(s) responsible will be suspended until Derby League Soccer has investigated the matter.

Any appeals must be done according to OSA policies and sent to SWRSA.

In the event a referee does not show up to officiate his/her scheduled game, the coaches/captains must agree on a mutual referee to referee the entire game within fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled kick–off time. If the captains/coaches cannot agree on a referee, the game will be rescheduled by Derby League Soccer pending field availability.

When someone other than the appointed referee takes charge of the game, both coaches/captains will sign the game sheet prior to the start of the match to indicate they have mutually agreed that this individual will be given the full rights of a game official. The person who referees the game will complete the referee portion of the game sheet and must report all cards and/or misconduct within 24 hours of the game. The substitute referee will receive the regular fee for officiating the game.

* Important Note *
In the event of a game being postponed, Derby League Soccer reserves the right to schedule make–up games on any day of the week including long weekends and holidays. If, due to circumstances out of the leagues control, the game cannot be rescheduled, the game will be declared a tie of 0-0 and each team will be awarded 1 point. Every attempt will be made to try and avoid this from happening.

GAME SHEETS

Game sheets are supplied by the league prior to the season kicking off. They must be completed by each team in full and given to the referee at least (10) minutes prior to kick–off. Only a Derby League Soccer Official Game Sheet will be accepted by the referee. Failure to provide official game sheets will result in a forfeit.

Only players listed on the game sheet are eligible to play. A team official must sign the game sheet once the game has been completed. The signature shall verify that all the information on the game sheet is correct for the eligibility of players on his or her team including confirmation of the final score and goal scorers.

*No player will be allowed to participate in a game, if they have not signed the game sheet by the time the referee blows his/her whistle to begin the 2nd half of a game. Should the player play without signing the game sheet, it will result in a forfeit.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Refunds will be issued for cancellations made prior to 2 weeks into the season. No refunds will be issued for cancellations past that time.