Our Outdoor games are officiated under FIFA rules with a few exceptions. For example, there are no offsides.  The League does allow slide-tackling for games that feature 8 a-side or more players, however even this rule has it's limits and the referee has the right to invoke the dangerous play rule at his or her discretion.

Games consist of 22-30 minute halves, depending upon the location. 

We do our best to guard against teams bringing in ringers on any given week and unbalancing the season. Likely against late forfeits and forfeits that determine playoff seeds when points are tied. Mostly, this is to ensure that all registered and paid teams and players have as much playing time as possible and are not short-changed by unregistered players. Our goal is also to ensure the motive to play is for fun and not just about winning. 

More importantly, it is to ensure that all registered and paid players have as much playing time as possible and are not short-changed by unregistered players.

While the league representative in attendance will have a list of official players, we're not going perform a roll call prior to each game - we expect teams to enter into the general spirit of the League.

If you believe the opposition are fielding illegal players, please advise the referee immediately - and "immediately" doesn't mean when you go a goal down. We will then double-check and confirm a player’s registration.

Should a team be short of players during any given week, they are allowed to bring in replacements to complement their roster. However, non-registered players are only to be brought in when rosters are severely depleted. And when we state "non-registered" we are referring to players not on your official roster. This may include outfield player(s) and/or goalkeepers.

Replacements, when required, can come from other teams within the League, or players that are not registered with Love NY Soccer. If the replacement is coming from outwith the League, he/she must be identified prior to kick-off. And please ensure he/she is wearing a similarly-colored shirt to that of your team.

If a team has 9 or 10  registered players in attendance in the respective format, NO non-registered players are allowed. The exception is if the division is Coed and a team only has 1 female player, in which one additional female player may be added. 

If a team has 7-8  registered players, they are allowed to bring in additional non-registered player(s) that will bring the roster in attendance to 9 or 10 in the respective format.

 

If a team has 6 registered players, they are allowed to bring in 2 additional non-registered player(s) in 8 a-side games and 3 non-registered player(s) for 9 a-side. 

If a team only have only 5 players in 8 a-side or 6 in 9 a-side then unfortunately the game will be forfeited and the result recorded as a 3-0 loss. A scrimmage, however, will be arranged for those in attendance.