Welcome to the Welland Soccer Club (WSC) Co-Ed League Rules & Policies page. Our adult leagues are designed to provide a competitive and enjoyable environment for soccer enthusiasts looking to play the game in a structured setting. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of the rules and policies that govern our Co-Ed league. These rules and policies are established to ensure fair play, safety, and sportsmanship among all participants.
1. Team Composition
- Teams play 9 v 9, including 5 male players, 3 female players, and a goalkeeper of any gender. A minimum of 2 female players (excluding the goalkeeper) and a total minimum of 5 players are required to start a game. Teams can register up to 21 players.
2. Substitution Procedure
- Substitutions are allowed on the fly, during goal kicks, injuries, or a team’s own throw-ins. Piggybacking on substitutions is permitted.
3. Game Ball
- Each team must provide a game ball to the referee for approval before kick-off.
4. Player’s Equipment
- Players are required to wear shin guards. Jewelry, casts, hard knee braces, tracking devices, or any dangerous items are prohibited. Medical ID bracelets are allowed. Teams must ensure each player wears a matching jersey with a number corresponding to the game sheet.
5. Duration of the Game
- Matches consist of two 35-minute halves.
6. Forfeits
- A game is forfeited with a 2-0 score if a team cannot field 5 players within 15 minutes of the scheduled kick-off time.
7. Discipline
- Discipline will follow the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) policies. Accumulating 3 yellow cards in the season results in a one-game suspension for the player.
8. Discipline to Coach
- Referees are authorized to issue Yellow or Red cards to coaches, similar to player discipline.
9. Illegal Players
- Players must be listed on the game sheet and have completed waivers to be eligible. Teams must verify their game sheet for accuracy before each game. Playing with an illegal player results in a forfeited game.
10. Game Cancellations
- If a team cannot field 7 players, the game is forfeited. While forfeits are discouraged, teams are encouraged to play friendly matches with available players.
11. Inclement Weather
- WSC will notify Team Reps via email if a game is canceled due to weather or field conditions. If no notification is received, games proceed as scheduled. Cancelled games will be rescheduled.
12. Slide Tackles
- Slide tackles are not permitted, except by the goalkeeper within their penalty area, to ensure player safety.
13. Fair Play/Sportsmanship
- A zero-tolerance policy for abuse towards individuals is enforced. Profanity and bad language are prohibited.
14. Drop Balls
- Drop balls are uncontested. The referee will drop the ball to the goalkeeper in the penalty area or to a player from the team that last touched the ball elsewhere.
15. Ball Contact with Referee
- If play is affected by contact with the referee, a drop ball restarts the game.
16. Handball Offences
- Handball offences are in line with FIFA Laws. An offence occurs if a player gains an advantage or scores after the ball touches their hand/arm.
17. Ceremonial Free Kick
- Defenders must give 10 yards without being asked. Failure to do so may result in a caution.
18. Penalty Kicks
- Goalkeepers may take one step in anticipation. Encroachment beyond this results in a retaken kick and a Yellow card for the goalkeeper.
19. Goal Kick Rule
- The ball is in play when kicked and moved within the penalty area. Offensive players must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
20. Start of Game
- The winner of the coin toss decides the goal to attack or to take the kickoff.
21. Overtime Rules
- Playoffs tied at regulation go directly to a shootout, per FIFA laws.
22. Regular Season Tie Breakers
- Criteria include head-to-head record, goal differential, and more to determine playoff seeding.
23. Adding a Player to the Roster
- To add a player after the first game, email the required information to Eric before the specified deadline. Ensure waivers are completed for player eligibility.
FIFA laws apply unless stated otherwise. The Welland Soccer Club operates under the sanctioning of Ontario Soccer and the CSA, upholding high standards of play and organization in our Co-Ed League.