Our league will observe and our play will be governed by all FIFA 2008 rules with the following exceptions and additions:

· Games consist of two 35-minute halves and a 5-minute halftime.
· Teams may play with fewer than 8 players.
· Official club games will all take place Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
· Teams field eight players a side.
· The goal dimensions shall be 4.5 feet tall by 9 feet wide.
· No goalkeepers will be allowed or are required.
· Teams should bring at least one good quality properly inflated ball to games.
· All players are required to wear age appropriate protective shin guards and socks which cover them.
· The field dimensions will be 70 yards in length by 50 yards wide.
· Either side may make substitutions on all corners, goal kicks, goals and injuries but at no other time.
· No offside rule will be enforced.
· The penalty area consists of an 18-yard semicircle.
· Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere along the goal line within the penalty area.
· No opponents may be in the penalty area while a team takes a goal kick.
· The ball must leave the penalty area before being played by either team.
· The team taking the goal kick may have as many players inside the penalty area as they like.
· Shots may only be taken from within the penalty area of the goal being attacked.
· A goal kick will be awarded to the defense when a goal is scored from outside the penalty area. A deflection off a defender within their penalty area is considered a live ball. If the deflection results in a goal, the goal stands.
· If a ball deflects off a defender from outside the penalty area and rolls into their goal the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
· The attacking team may not pass into their opponent’s penalty area unless the pass originates from the defending team’s half of the field. In other words, it is considered an illegal pass if the attacking team passes from their half of the field into the opposing team’s penalty area. Any pass that deflects off a defender is considered a live ball and nullifies the illegal pass rule.
· An indirect kick will be awarded to the defense at the spot where the attacking player receives the illegal pass.
· If and when the ball’s momentum is spent following an illegal pass into the defense’s penalty area, the defense shall be awarded an indirect kick from the spot where the ball stops.
· If the attacking team makes a pass from anywhere on the field into their own penalty area, the ball is considered live and the opposing team may play the ball without penalty. If the “back” pass deflects off a defender, it is subject to the illegal pass rule.
· A goal crease will extend in a 6’ radius from the center of the goal. (Remember that the line marking an area is part of that area, therefore the goal crease line is part of the goal crease). No playing of the ball will be allowed within the goal crease. If a defender touches the ball within the goal crease, a goal will be awarded to the attacking team. If an attacker touches the ball in the goal crease, a direct kick will be awarded to the defending team on the goal crease line nearest to the spot of the foul. If a ball’s momentum is spent inside the goal crease, a goal kick will be awarded to the defense regardless of who touched it last.
· No slide tackles or playing from the ground will be allowed. Slide tackles will result in a direct kick. (Remember: goals can only be scored from within the penalty area). Playing from the ground is considered a dangerous play and will result in an indirect kick. (Remember: a slide tackle is a defensive maneuver intended to win a ball from an opposing team’s player. Thus, a slide to keep a stray pass from going out of bounds (when there are no opponents in the vicinity) or a lunge to block a shot or pass—so long as the shooter’s, passer’s or another player’s safety is not jeopardized by the slide—is not considered a slide tackle. It is up to the referee to determine if the slide compromises a player’s safety.)
· Penalty kicks will be taken from the center circle with no keeper, everyone but the shooter will remain on the opposite side of the field from the goal being shot on, and outside the center circle.
· All penalty kicks not resulting in a goal become goal kicks; they are never live after being struck.
· When any player receives a yellow card they must substitute out though they may substitute back into the game at a later substitution opportunity.
· When any player receives a second red card they are expelled for the season.
· The second time a player receives a season suspension they are banned from the club.
· Late registering players will be offered to existing teams on a need basis.
· Teams may trade players to help even out teams.
· Players may not change teams without their own team’s permission and consent from the TSC.
· Each team is required to complete their portion of the referee’s game sheet before play may begin.
· A team may use registered players from other teams, with their opponent’s consent, but concede a forfeit as the official result.
· Player’s not registered with our league or the NMSSA may not participate in play.
· Our minimum age is 14. Potential players must be 14 by June 1st of the respective year in which they wish to participate.
· Do not tamper with sprinkler systems. You will be financially responsible for any damages.
· We must observe all Town Of Taos Public Parks Rules and Regulations For Special Use including notably:
--No consumption or sale of alcoholic beverages at any time
--No glass containers allowed on the premises
--No unleashed dogs