RULES OF PLAY FOR THE IN-HOUSE PROGRAM
The purpose of these rules of play is to allow consistent treatment of situations that commonly occur during the
season and to set forth specific procedures that have been designed in accordance with the Mission Statement of
the Woodridge Soccer Association. Our Mission Statement promotes the goals of Sportsmanship, Teaching the
Game of Soccer, Equal Participation for all Players, and Friendly Competition.
1. Team names shall bear no reference to race, religion, or nationality.
2. Required uniform includes jersey and socks provided by the WSA and black shorts provided by the player.
Spandex or bicycle shorts can be worn if they do not extend below the knee.
3. All players must wear shin guards. Shin guards must be completely covered by the socks provided.
4. The full uniform, jersey, shorts, and socks must be worn at all games. Shirts must be tucked in. During cold
weather, warmer clothing such as sweatshirts and long pants may be worn underneath the jersey and shorts at
parental discretion
5. Eye glasses shall be secured by a strap going around the back of a player's head or the player will not be
allowed to wear them in the game.
6. Only soccer shoes with non-metal rounded cleats or flat-soled shoes such as tennis or gym shoes will be
allowed. Screw on cleats or any sharp edged cleats (rectangular, square, or triangular) will not be allowed. There
should be no cleat under the toe of the shoe.
7. Jewelry shall not be worn. Any medically required items must be taped down. It is strongly recommended
that children wearing braces use a mouth guard. Long hair shall be securely tied back. The wearing of hard or rigid
hair ornamentation is strongly discouraged.
8. Failure to adhere to rules 3 - 7 will result in a child not being allowed to play. If a team is left short handed
because of one or more such violations, the opposing team will not be penalized and forced to play short handed
also.
9. Jackets with an attached hood must have the hood tucked under the shirt.
10. The playing format for each division will be as follows:
Min. # of Periods Minutes Ball
Division Format Players Per Game Per Period Size
Micro I 5 v 5 3 4 7 3
Micro 2 7 v 7 4 6 7 3
Juniors 9 v 9 7 4 12 4
Intermediate 9 v 9 7 4 15 4
Seniors 11 v 11 7 2 30 5
The match shall be ruled a forfeit if a team cannot field the minimum number of players by fifteen (15) minutes after
the scheduled start time of the match.
11. The referees will give pre-game instructions to both team’s players and coaches at the center of the field.
Inspection of the player’s equipment will be at this time in addition to the toss of the coin. The winner of the coin
toss will select which end of the field they want to defend. The loser will kick off in the first half.
12. The team kicking off the first period shall kick off all periods in the first half. Their opponent shall kick off all
periods in the second half
13. In games where the winning team is six or more goals ahead, the winning team cannot score any goals from
within the penalty area until such time that the goal differential falls below six. Goals scored from outside the penalty
area are counted as goals. If a goal is scored from inside the penalty area, the goal will be waived off and a goal
kick shall be awarded to the defending team. Repeated scoring by a player on the winning team from within the
penalty area can be treated as unsporting behavior and the player may be cautioned by the official.
14. Each player is limited to a maximum of 3 goals per game. If more than 3 goals are scored by any one player,
the additional goals will be waived off and a goal kick shall be awarded to the defending team. Repeated scoring by
the same player can be treated as unsporting behavior and the player or coach may be cautioned by the official.
15. Coaches shall schedule playing time equally among their players. In the older divisions this means all
players must play 3 periods before any player is allowed to play 4 periods. In the Micro Division this means that all
players must play 4 periods before any player is allowed to play 5, etc. If an absent player arrives before the end of
half time, that player will play at least 1 period. Coaches may reduce playing time by one period from the minimum
for disciplinary reasons. Additional reductions require prior approval from Board.
16. No overtime or tiebreakers are permitted.
17. All players should play in at least two different "lines" per game, with the defenders being defined as a line,
the mid-fielders being defined as a line, and the forwards as another line. The keeper position is considered a
fourth line.
18. Players may be substituted only between periods except for health reasons and injuries. Players receiving
a yellow card shall be substituted immediately and for the balance of that period.
19. A player shall be charged with having played in any period that he/she starts, even if not completed.
20. Only the WSA Board may suspend a player. Players receiving 2 yellow cards or a red card will not be
allowed to play the following game. The referee shall report to the Director of Officials any cards that were given.
The coach of the carded player shall report the same information to the Director of Coaches.
21. Players may be suspended by the WSA Board for other reasons (e.g. lack of attendance at practice).
22. Coaches are required to exhibit good sportsmanship by taking suitable actions to avoid running up the
score on an opponent. Appropriate actions include: moving strong offensive players to the defense and weaker
players to offensive positions, encouraging strong players to pass the ball to weaker players, letting weaker players
take free kicks, resting stronger players within the limits imposed by rule 15, and instructing some players to remain
in the defensive half of the field. If a coach violates this rule, the Board shall have the option of choosing from
among the following penalties: verbal or written reprimand, forfeiture of a match, suspension from coaching duties
for one or more games, removal from future consideration for a coaching position, or immediate removal from a
coaching position.
23. Excessive coaching by the coaches or parents from the sidelines will not be permitted. Coaches must
remain in the marked technical area and must be wearing the coach’s shirt issued for the current season. Referees
are empowered to caution (yellow card) or send off (red card) coaches for unsportsmanlike conduct. Examples
include excessive coaching, offensive language, and dissent.
24. Spectators shall stay on the side of the field opposite the players and coaches. Spectators must remain at
least three yards from the touchlines and between the penalty areas. No one shall sit/stand behind the goals. Only
coaches wearing their current season coach’s shirt will be permitted in the coaching area. Any coaches added to the
team after distribution of the rosters, must be approved by the Director(s) of coaching.
25. All non-active players shall remain in the team area.
26. The referee shall be the sole judge on the field of play and his/her decision shall be final. No protests of
any kind shall be allowed during the game. Protests or any other issues should be brought before the WSA Board
at the game review meeting the Monday after the incident occurs.
27. It is the parent’s responsibility to see that their child attends, is on time, and has transportation to and from
practices and games.
28. Use of bad language, obscene gestures, foul play, etc. and/or misbehavior by coaches or players prior, at
halftime or at the end of the game can result in a sendoff.
29. Matches may be suspended in cases of hostile weather conditions. Examples include heavy rainfall,
extreme cold with rain, and lightning. Only the game referee or the WSA Vice President may suspend a game. In
case of lightning, parents and coaches are expected to advise the referee if they see the lightning first. The referee
will make a determination after 15 minutes whether to resume or suspend the game. If a match is suspended prior
to half time, the game will be replayed in its entirety. Once the second half has begun, the game will be considered
official at the time of the suspension.
30. In case of a head injury during the match, the injured player must be substituted for the balance of that
period. The player may reenter the match at the beginning of the next period at the coach’s discretion. PARENTAL
CONSENT TO RE-ENTER SHOULD ALSO BE ACQUIRED, IF POSSIBLE.
31. Allowing non-rostered players to participate in any games will make those games subject to forfeit. Only the
Directors of Registration are allowed to add players to a roster. Any abuse of this will require the coach to appear
before the board, and all games in which the non-rostered player participated in will be subject to review. The coach
may also be subject to disciplinary action.
32. All teams must play at even playing strengths. If an opponent is playing with less than the playing format
indicated in this handbook, coaches are required to:
a. Play down to match the number of players on the opposing team not to exceed 2 players less than the
playing format –or–
b. Provide opponent with players from your team to even the playing strengths.
33. Micro Divisions only:
a. All fouls will result in an indirect free kick
b. Two periods shall be the maximum any player shall play as goalkeeper per game. This same player is
also required to play at least one period on the field per game in another position.
c. An illegal throw-in will be allowed to be retaken once by the same player.
d. Offside fouls will be called in the Micro 2 division only. Offside fouls will not be called in the Micro 1
division.
34. Junior & Intermediate Divisions only:
a. If a major foul is committed by the defending team inside its own penalty area, and is flagrant in the
judgment of the referee, a penalty kick shall be awarded. If in the judgment of the referee the foul is not flagrant, an
indirect free kick shall be awarded.
b. A player committing a deliberate handball that prevents a goal from scoring shall be penalized by a
yellow card. The player shall be substituted according to Rule 17. FIFA interpretation shall apply for this infraction
in the Senior division.