Rules

Mission Statement

The mission of the Canadian Reformed Soccer League is to organize and govern an annual season of soccer and Christian fellowship in order to provide an environment that is as safe and as fair as possible, in a Christian manner, for the young people of the Canadian Reformed and affiliated churches.

 

The following is a list of rules which shall apply for the Canadian Reformed Soccer League which must be highlighted or are not found in the FIFA book. It is the team rep’s responsibility to make these rules available to each player on your team and the refs.

 

Gameplay rules 

1. Duration of Game

Games consist of two 45-minute halves unless otherwise agreed by both teams and the referee before the game. It is suggested that if a game begins late because a team arrives later, that you play the first half as a normal game, and let the ref call the game once it gets too dark to play. Suggested start time for a game (without lights) is 7:00. In order for a game to count, you must play a minimum of a 45 minute 1st half, and a 10 minute 2nd half, or 55 minute equivalent, unless not permitted to do so because of inclement weather.

2. Female Players

The maximum number of male players allowed on the field at any one time is eight. There must always be at least 3 female players on the field for each team. If a female player is missing her position must remain empty.

E.g. One female missing - ten players on field, two females missing - nine players on field, three females missing - eight players on field.

3. Substitutions

Substitutions may be made on goal kicks, when a goal has been scored, and on your own throw in. This will be up to the ref's discretion. It will not be allowed if abused. Players being taken off the field should be off before the substituting player goes on the field. The substituting players must be ready to go on the field. Players must be present at the side of the field before the start of the 2nd half of the game in order to be allowed to play. This should be enforced by the team reps.

4. Slide tackles

Slide tackles – slide tackles are prohibited in any CRSL regular season or tournament game. A sliding tackle or slide tackle is a tackle in which a player attempts to take the ball away from an opposing player by deliberately leaving his feet and sliding along the ground with one leg extended to push the ball away from the opposing player. Any attempt at a slide tackle made by a player must be penalized by the referee. Each occurrence will result in a direct free kick for the opposing team. Repeated attempts by a player may be penalized with a yellow or red card by the referee, at the referee’s discretion. Any slide tackle resulting in an injury to another player will result in an immediate red card to the offender. The only exception is for the goalkeeper who while attempting to play the ball may slide feet out to the side or head first within the Penalty Area and is still subject to FIFA Law 12. Sliding shots are also prohibited. Slides are allowed, but not when they are in the direction of another player.

5. Attire

All players must wear full sized shin pads (length of hand from wrist to fingertip). Socks must cover the shin pads. Players must wear cleats. No steel cleats are permitted. A substitute player must be given a team jersey when they play for you. If two teams have similar colour jerseys the newest team must wear the pennies. Proper athletic shorts/pants must be worn (Spandex and similar compression wear is permitted UNDER the shorts/pants and jerseys only.) 

League Rules

1. Postponing/Cancelling Games

2. First Aid

Each team must be able to provide a first aid kit in case of injury. Each team must have every player on their roster (and subs) sign an insurance form. These are the team rep’s responsibility. For insurance and practical reasons, no player may be on the field if they have any body part in a cast or splint because of previous injury. Sport appropriate braces (for knees, ankles, etc) are allowed but you must have the manufacturers supplied protection otherwise it is the refs/reps discretion as to whether the player can play or not. This is to prevent injury to other players if contact between two players occurs.

3. Age Limit

All players must be 16 years old or turning 16 on/before December 31st of the current season.

4. Roster Regulations

The league is currently open to all members of NAPARC churches. There may be 3 player exceptions per team, provided these players are a member of a Christian Church or else faithfully attending a Christian church. In addition, a letter must be sent by the team rep on behalf of the player(s) to the league executives providing some background and valid reasons to include the player(s) on the team roster.

Rosters must be submitted by the date set by the Executive. Each player must have played 5 games in the season to be eligible to play in the playoffs. Your roster can include as many people as you would like, so add any subs that you may use in the season. Rosters must be confirmed before the start of the season (specific date to be given by the Executive). 

A player may only play on one team in the league. If a player wishes to switch teams, they may only do so 1 time per season. The team who is adding the player will be docked 1 roster change. A team is only allowed three of these roster changes 

5. Discipline

In order to promote a safe and fair environment as much as possible, the behavior of players will be continually monitored throughout the season. Any behavior that does not promote the well-being of one's neighbor will be swiftly and decisively dealt with. Multiple cardings will be dealt with by the Executive. Actions that are aimed to intentionally harm another person, such as fighting, will be considered grounds for dismissal from the league for the rest of the season.

All behavior occurring beyond the bounds of fair play and league regulations will be investigated by the executive, which retains the right to suspend players from play.

If you receive a yellow card, you will need to leave the field for 10 minutes and a substitute will take your place. 

Absolutely no swearing or foul language is permitted. A red card must be given the first time this occurs. (Players who receive a red card may not play the remainder of that game nor during the following game). Let the referees know this rule and enforce it.

Fight/Intent to Injure - in the case of a fight or someone intentionally injuring another player, (a) red card(s) must be given. Each team must inform the executive what happened in writing within 48 hours of the occurrence. From there, it will be decided how to deal with anyone who is reported multiple times.

Red cards for fighting / intent to injure will always include a suspension, the length of which shall be determined by the Executive for each offence. Two yellow cards in one game will be considered a red card. Red cards will always include a minimum of a 1 game suspension, plus the duration of the game the card was issued in. Players given a red card must leave the premises of the game. Any player who receives 4 yellow cards during the season will be placed under review by the Executive. Each yellow card thereafter will also be fair game for review.

Yellow and Red cards must be reported on the game sheets. 

6. Game Sheets

Games sheets must be filled out and handed in to the ref by half time. Failure to provide a game sheet will result in a 1 point loss.

7. Teams Showing Up

If a team fails to show up to a scheduled game without notice there will be a fine applied. This fine must be paid to the league before the next game.Weather is the only factor that can cancel a game. Cancellations due to weather are decided by the refs and rental facility and you will be notified as soon as possible. There must be a minimum of 7 players (including a goal keeper) in order to start the game. If this results in a delayed game start, follow Rule 1 of the CRSL rules. Should the game be delayed more than 20 minutes, the team causing the delay will forfeit.

8. Team Penalties

Teams failing to abide by the regulations, including monetary issues, will be subject to the following penalties.

1st offence: maximum number of players allowed on the field reduced by 1 male to 10 players total

2nd offence: maximum number of players allowed on the field reduced by 1 female to 9 players total

3rd offence: maximum number of players allowed on the field reduced by 1 male to 8 players total

After the third offence a team will be suspended from play until the situation has been resolved with the Executive.

Currently teams may be penalized for the following offences: failure to pay League dues, failure to return game sheets and/or failure to abide by the League rules and regulations.