TRI - COUNTY SOCCER LEAGUE
117 FOUNTAIN AVE.
PISCATAWAY, NJ 08854

RULES OF PLAY ADOPTED AS OF FEBRUARY 7, 1995
AMENDED MARCH 31, 1998

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Table of contents:
[ League Set-up || Registration || Referees || FIFA Rule Exceptions || Red Cards || Cancellations & Forfeits || No Shows || Attire || Insurance || After the Game || Fields and Nets || Team Standings || Trophies || Game Reports || Player Suspensions || Transfers ]

The following rules apply to all teams participating in the league including the Women's Open Division.
Note: The word player used through-out this document is used without gender.

1. League Set-up

The league has the following divisons:

Season	Division	Minimum Age	Game Day	Start Time
April-August	Over-40	40	Thursdays	6:30 PM
April-August	Over-30	30	Tuesdays	6:30 PM
May-August	Open	18	Thursdays	6:30 PM
September-?	Over-25	25	Saturdays	10:00 AM

1.1 Divisions: When the number of teams warrants it, a division is composed of groups of teams split by competition level. The number of groups is decided by majority vote of the teams at league meetings. The league is set up to carry a maximum of 20 teams per division. At the end of the season transfers between groups for the next season are based on a team's performance. Usually the worst team from each group moves down and the best team from each group moves up.

1.2 Start Time: All games start promptly at the start time, provided both teams have a minimum of (7) players on the field. Both teams have a 15 minute grace period to get the minimum of (7) players on the field. If a team cannot field (7) players to start the game at the end of the grace period, the team forfeits the game with a 2/0 loss.

1.3 Age Limit: A player's age for the season is determined by their age on April 1st of the seasonal year. As of April 1, 1993 any team having a player under the age limit during a match without the consent of the manager or captain of the opposite team will forfeit the game with a score of 2/0. Under no circumstances will a player under 18 years of age be permitted to play.

2. Registration

Each team must pay a registration fee each year to cover insurance and other expenses. The amount is determined at the last meeting of each seasonal year.

3. Referees

The league will assign licensed referees for all the games. Referees are responsible for sending in the game results within 48 hours. Referees that do not send in game reports will not be permitted to officiate in our league.

The home team must pay the referee.

If the referee does not show up the game may still be played provided:

1. Both teams agree to play the game and agree on a referee, AND

2. The selected referee is a licensed referee and abides by the league rules. Although it is undesirable, the referee may be a member of either team. In any case the referee must be licensed.

If both conditions (1) and (2) are met and the game is played, the results are final. If the conditions cannot be met the game can be rescheduled. If the game is not played and a team refuses to reschedule it, that team will forfeit the game with a 2-0 loss.

4. FIFA Rule Exceptions

The referee will have full control of the game and abide by the FIFA Laws with the following exceptions:
1. Unlimited substitutions are allowed by either team on any stoppage of the game with the approval of the referee.

2. Any player receiving a yellow card must leave the game for 10 minutes and may be substituted.

5. Red Cards

Any player receiving a red card is suspended for the rest of the game and MAY NOT be substituted. In addition:

5.1 Any player red carded as a result of two yellow cards is suspended for 1 additional game.

5.2 Any player red carded for non-violent conduct is suspended for 2 consecutive additional games.

5.3 Any player red carded for violent conduct other than 5.4 is suspended for 3 consecutive additional games.

5.4 Any player red carded for assault or attempt to assault a referee, either verbal or physical, will be suspended from the league. Reinstatement of any suspended player mentioned in this article needs a unanimous decision from all the participant teams on the first meeting of each seasonal year, providing that the player has been suspended for a minimum of one full season.

It is the obligation of the person in charge of a team to comply with all suspension rules. In cases 5.3 or 5.4, the head coach should report this incident in the game report with the full name, address and phone numbers of the offending player(s).

If an assault on a player or a referee occurrs and the offending team does not produce the legal name, address and phone number of the player(s) involved, the offending team will be suspended from further participation in the league after a meeting with all the representatives of the participating teams. The length of the suspension will be determined at such meeting by the majority of the league participants. Majority of league representatives is considered a 50% plus 1.

6. Cancellations & Forfeits

The league expects that all games will be played according to the schedule. We don't want forfeits. When a team forfeits a game both teams are deprived of the chance of play.

If a team has to cancel a game for any reason other than inclement weather conditions, it must notify the opposing team at least 24 hours before kick off time.

The cut off time to cancel a game due to inclement weather is 2:00PM on game day. Only the home team can cancel the game due to weather conditions. If a game is not canceled by 2:00PM only the Referee has the authority to cancel the game.

A forfeit is considered a 2/0 loss.

7. No Shows

If a team fails to show at the appointed time and date, or shows up with less than 7 players, the team forfeits the game and is considered a No Show.

The No Show team is responsible for the referee's fee since the referee must be paid.

The team present pays the referee and requests to be reimbursed by the No Show team representative.

If the No Show team does not reimburse the fee within 2 weeks or by the next league meeting, the money will be taken from the funds of the league, and the team shall be suspended from the league the following year.

8. Attire

All teams must wear a uniform according to the FIFA LAWS. When there is a conflict in the uniform colors the home team is obliged to change shirts. Goalkeepers must wear a different color to distinguish themselves from field players.

If a visiting team

1. wears uniform colors different than those registered in the schedule, and
2. the new colors interfere with the colors of the home team, and
3. does not inform the home team 24 hours in advance;

the visiting team is obliged to change the uniform.

As of July 7, 1992 shin-guards are mandatory since its part of the uniform as stipulated in the July 1, 1990 FIFA LAW.

9. Insurance

All teams are covered by the league's 3rd party liability insurance.

The league does not provide MEDICAL INSURANCE. All players on every team must have medical insurance.

Each player on all teams participating in this league must sign a participant waiver. Team captains should have the waiver properly signed.

Team rosters are mandatory for insurance purposes.

Rosters and waivers should be available at games for any team that requests them.

10. After the Game

Players are expected to shake hands after the game. Since most teams play on school or public grounds where drinking is strictly prohibited, it is mandatory that NO ALCOHOLIC beverages be consumed at the game sites.

11. Fields and Nets

Is the responsibility of the home team to have the field properly lined and have nets on the goals. If field is not properly lined or there are no nets the game is an automatic forfeit for the home team. The referee has the choice whether to officiate the game or not. Regardless, the referee must be paid.

12. Team Standings

First and last place is determined by the number of points accumulated during the season. Points are assigned as follows:

Win	2
Tie	1
Loss	0

12.1 Tie Breakers: If two teams have the same number of points the following tie breaking rules are used:

1. The team with the best goal differential is considered a better team.

2. If teams are still tied the team with the greater number of goals in favor is considered a better team.

3. If the teams are still tied the team with the smaller number of goals against is considered a better team.

4. If the teams are still tied the same tie breaking rules are used but only the games between the contending teams are considered.

13. Trophies

The Open Division has trophies for the first and second place teams. The champion is determined at a game between the 1st place teams in each group. The Championship game must be played at neutral field if possible and be officiated with a 3 referee system.

14. Game Reports

Send game reports to:

TRI-COUNTY SOCCER LEAGUE 117 FOUNTAIN AVE. PISCATAWAY, NJ 08854

15. Player Suspensions

For player suspensions call:

JOSE R. MURILLO (732) 463-9615 VO/FX ANYTIME

16. Tranfers

This section was added on June 24, 1998.
Transfers between teams are only permitted on a permanent basis. A player cannot play for more than one team within the same division (0ver-30, Over-40 and Open Division).

For the Open Division ONLY - this rule does not apply to the Over-30 and Over-40 Divisions: Rosters are frozen after the third game scheduled by the league. After this time, no team is allowed to add new players to the roster. Any game played under the violation of this rule is considered not played and the game must be replayed before the second to last game of the season. If a team refuses to replay the game that team forfeits with a 2/0 loss.