Westwind Soccer League Rules
Revised May 15th 2010

Our Mission Statement:

To promote the game of outdoor soccer through team play, encouraging skill development, friendship, sportsmanship and fun in a safe environment for the betterment of all youth in Raymond, Cardston, Magrath and Stirling areas.

The WWSL has adopted FIFA's “Laws of the game- 2008/2009. “Laws of the game” are available at www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html . There is also an interactive video to explain the offside law. (see rule 20)

1. All players must have fair playing time in all games.

2. Team rosters with registered players names, DOB and jersey numbers are to be submitted to WWSL by May 1st. A team with unregistered players will forfeit the game. If any changes need to made to the rosters it must be approved by the WWSL.

3. U-10 teams play (2) 30 min. halves.
U-12 teams play (2) 35 min. halves.
U-14 teams play (2) 40 min. halves.
U-16 and U-18 teams play (2) 45 min. halves.

A five minute halftime break is allowed between halves at the referees discretion.

4.  11 players are allowed on the field at one time. (10 players and a goalkeeper) A team will forfeit the game with less than 7 players at game time. For co- ed play there will be no more than 8 boys or girls on the field at one time. There will be no fewer than 3 boys or girls on the field at one time. If a team does not have the required boys or girls they will play short.  In the case where BOTH teams are short the referee may choose to even out the teams.

5. Proper soccer wear is jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks and shoes. The jersey and shin guards are mandatory. The shin guards must be covered completely. Players are allowed to dress for the weather conditions as long as the full uniform is showing. Soccer boots are recommended. No metal cleats are allowed.

6. A player cannot wear anything that would be dangerous to another player. For example: watches, hats, barrettes, earrings, necklaces or bracelets. Prescription glasses are permitted. Hats can be worn by the goal keeper if the sun is a hindrance. Sweatbands may be worn.

7. To start the game the winner of the coin toss will choose a side to defend. The opposition will kick- off. The winner of the coin toss will kick off in the second half.

8. Games will be canceled if referee or WWSL deems field conditions unsafe. WWSL cancellations will be posted on game day by 3:00 p.m. on westwindsoccer.com and announced at community schools.

9. Canceled or postponed games must be made up by May 31st. Any games not played after this date will count as a tie. To schedule fields please contact Laurel Bennett This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 403-758- 6222 or cell 382-0749.

10. The referee must be informed of all substitutes. The substitute enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left the field and after receiving a signal from the referee. The substitute enters the field of play at the halfway line. The referee will allow substitutions at goals, goal kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks, half time,long stoppages of play and injuries for both teams. The ref may allow substitutions on a throw in if there is a long stoppage of play. Generally a quick throw in is to the advantage of the team and should not be delayed.

11. Winning coaches will be responsible to call in the game score and scoring players to assigned governor.

12. Changing the goalkeeper- Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper provided the referee is informed and the change is made during a stoppage of play. You do not have to wait till half time. ( that is a summer game rule)

 Duty of the referee and community. The referee decisions connected with the play of the game are final. We are trying to produce a high level of officials. We need everyone to help the referee do the best job possible. “We do not have perfect players, playing perfectly. We do not have perfect coaches, coaching perfectly. So why should we expect perfect referees, refereeing perfectly.”

13. Coaches, assistant referees or anyone not listed on the roster are not allowed on the field without the referees permission. Coaches are only allowed on their half of the field in their designated technical area.

14. Protest should be done in writing or email within 24 hours to WWSL disiplinary committee. (Dave Laycock)    Reply will be made within 48 hours and hearing called if deemed necessary.

  15. Foul language and/or abusive gestures by or upon players, coaches, fans, parents, or referees will not be tolerated. The offending coach or team may be awarded a red or yellow card and can result in immediate abandonment of the game. No make up game will be allowed. The offending team will be awarded a loss. Teams may be put on probation by the WWSL if they are a constant problem.

16. The referee will give a direct free kick: If the player commits any of the following six offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force.

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offenses:

1.tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
2. holds an opponent
3. spits at an opponent
4. handles the ball deliberately

If any of these offenses occur in the penalty area a penalty kick will be awarded.

17. The referee will give an indirect free kick for:

18. Fouls will be awarded according to CSA rules; as outlined by ASA rules and regualtions

      (see albertasoccer.com  rule 9 for more detail)

A. Yellowcard suspensions are cumulative during season.

       Three (3) cautions= red card

B. Two caution/yellow cards giving in the same game = red card.

C. A red card offence in a game will result in an immediate suspension from WWSL. The offender's team will play short for the remainder of the game. The player will also automatically be suspended from the next team game.

WWSL disciplinary committee shall have the power to suspend offender's specific soccer activites within the WWSL permanently, indefinitely or for a stated period of time. They also have the power to deem an infraction  as "minor " and can waive the game suspension. The decision will be made on an individual basis. Rulings will be made with 48 hours and hearing called if deemed necessary by WWSL.

 19. All referee and coaches are to inform the local presidents of any yellow and red cards in their local games. The presidents are to inform the WWSL representatives. The WWSL and local presidents will work together to make sure a red card is enforced and the referee is informed.  WWSL will make sure the proper president is informed if the red card is given to someone from another town. WWSL will handle any complaints about a red card suspension not being honored or given unfairly.

20. Offside is when a player is nearer to their opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent and is involved in the play or is a distraction to the keeper. It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. You are not offside: in your half of the field, when you are level with the second last opponent, when you are level with the last two opponents, on a goal kick, throw in or corner kick. The assistant referees will help make this call.

21. Players are cautioned to not use excessive demonstrations when celebrating a goal. It is a yellow card to take off your shirt.

22. No one is allowed to be behind the keepers goal that is a distraction or hindrance to the keeper.

23. The referee will call hands if the ball touches the players arms (shoulder to fingers) intentionally giving advantage to the player. A player can protect themselves from surprise kicks and no call will be made as long as no advantage is gained. Rule of thumb is, “hand to ball, not ball to hand”.

24. There are no time outs in soccer.

25. There is no tie breaker in league play. In playoffs if there is a tie the team will have two 5 min. overtime halves that are NOT SUDDEN DEATH. If there is still a tie after overtime play then penalties will be taken.

Only the players on the field can be used in penalties. One of the players must be a girl or boy and goalies can be shooters. The goalkeeper in goal at the end of the overtime game has to be used.
The referee places the ball at the 12 foot mark and the teams shoot alternately. No one can be in the penalty area during the shooting except the referee,goal keeper and shooter. The shooter waits until signaled to shoot by the referee blowing his whistle. If there is still a tie 5 new shooters will be chosen from the field or bench.

Definitions

• * Touch line - sides of the pitch
• * Goal line - ends of the pitch
• * Direct free kick - a “free kick” where it may go directly into the net (one touch). You cannot score on your own net from a direct free kick; a corner will be awarded to the other team. The opposing team must be at least 10 yards away.
• * Indirect free kick - You cannot score directly. The ball must contact another player, any player, to score. The opposing team must be at least 10 yards away.
• * Corner kick - kick taken from the corner arc of the field when the defending team is the last to touch it and the ball goes out of play over the goal line. The opposing team must be 10 yards away.
• * Goal kick - kick taken from the six yard box given when the ball goes over the goal line and is last touched by the attacking team. Any player may take the kick.
• * Penalty - Taken from the penalty spot (12 yard away) The keeper can move laterally along the goal line but not forward until the ball is kicked.
• * Kick off - Start of the game and half. Ball must be kicked forward. The kicker cannot touch the ball again until it is touched by another player. A goal may be scored directly off the kick off.
• * Dropped ball - A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary, while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game.
• * Out of bounds - The whole ball must be completely over the line to be out of play.
• * Throw in - A proper throw in requires a part of both feet touching the ground outside the touchline and thrown equally with both hands delivered from behind the head in one fluid motion.
• * Assistant referee (Linesman) - He may help the referee with any call by raising his flag. The referee may choose not to take the advice of the assistant referee and let play continue. The assistant referee is mostly responsible for calling the ball out of play (touch line, goal line) and calling offside.