Adult League Rules

No experience is needed to play in this league. Players of all skill levels are welcome. The focus is to give all players an opportunity to play soccer in a safe, friendly environment. Whether you want to develop or maintain soccer skills, relive the glory days of school sports, or participate in a great game for fitness, this is the league for you.
Respect, safety, teamwork, maturity, and quality soccer are all encouraged; players who engage in dangerous actions, are unsafe, or are unable to conduct themselves in a mature, respectful manner will be ejected from the league.

Who is eligible?
The Spotswood Adult Recreational Pick-Up League is open to all residents of Spotswood and the surrounding communities. The League is co-ed and players must be at least 20 years of age. Registrants will be notified by e-mail when their registration is accepted.

Safety first!
All players are asked to remember that the League will be comprised of players with varying degrees of skill. If your dream is to win the World Cup, perhaps this is not the League for you. Players are reminded that it is likely that we will all be expected to show up for work the day after a game, maybe even the same day. While it is expected that the League will be filled with people who have a love of the game and a level of competitiveness, winning at all costs is not the primary focus. Players will be responsible for their own safety and will be held accountable for actions that endanger other players.
In the interests of safety, physically aggressive and dangerous players are not welcome in the Spotswood Adult Recreational Pick-Up League. Aggressive players will be allowed if they are able to reduce to level of their intensity to a level that is safe for all players. Complaints of overaggressive play will result in a player being ejected from the League.

The following safety rules will be strictly enforced:

No sliding: In an effort to avoid leg injuries and contact with another player’s cleats, sliding will be strictly prohibited. Goalies will be allowed to dive to make saves.

Keep the cleats low: Players will be allowed to raise their cleats no higher than waist level any time another player, teammate or opposition player, is nearby. Common sense and safety are always to be the primary consideration when choosing how to play a ball.
Keep physical contact to a minimum: We all know soccer is a physical sport. Too much, or overzealous, physical contact, however, can lead to injury or heated tempers. This is not meant to be a highly competitive league and will be comprised of varying age groups, as well as players of differing sizes. While contact is an integral part of the game, players are reminded to keep the safety, size and skill levels of opposing players in mind at all times.

Do not touch the goalies: Again, the main focus is to avoid injury. Goaltenders are focused on the ball and, thus, are not always able to protect themselves. When approaching the goalie for a shot, please slow down and avoid any collisions. Avoiding injury is more important than scoring a goal.

The Game
FIFA Rules will be followed.
Games will be conducted on the honor system. As this is a recreational pick-up league, no referees will be present for the games. Players will be expected to conduct themselves appropriately and settle all disputes among themselves in a mature manner. Players who are unable to play fairly and conduct themselves maturely will be asked to leave the league.
Teams will be selected each game day. This will allow different team lineups each game and allow all players the opportunity to benefit from each other’s experience and training.
Games will be played in two 35 minute halves, with a 10 minute half-time break.
Overaggressive play, continual arguing over calls, and poor sportsmanship will be cause for ejection from the Spotswood Adult Recreational Pick-Up League. Ejection from the league, for cause and with the consent of the Spotswood Soccer Club will result in the forfeit of that year’s registration fees. Ejected players will be permitted to reapply to following year to participate in the league. A second league ejection will be permanent.

Warm up and stretch prior to games: It is suggested that all players arrive at the fields early enough on game day to allow time to stretch and warm up properly. The goal is to avoid injury and keep everyone playing.

Field conditions and game cancellations: All players are asked to respect the fact that we are being given permission to utilize the fields for our enjoyment. If the fields are unplayable due to weather conditions, all players will be notified by e-mail no later than one hour prior to game time.