TEAM ROSTERS:

Unless otherwise indicated in the gameplay rules for a sport, there is no maximum number of players allowed on a team’s roster provided all players have signed the Team Roster and Waiver Form. It is the responsibility of all team captains to ensure players are in compliance with this policy. Teams have up until the third week of the season to make changes to their roster. After the third week, rosters will be frozen.  Roster changes that require additional T-Shirts will be subject to availability. All roster changes must be communicated to and approved by the league office. 

WAIVERS:

To be eligible to participate in any SSC league, tournament, or social event, each player must agree to the waiver. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that all members of their team have read and accepted the terms of the waiver policy.  The waiver is included in the online registration process, including for those players invited to a team by a captain. The waiver can also be found by visiting your dashboard.

PLAYER RESTRICTIONS:

Players may only be on one roster for any given sport on a given night, regardless of if multiple divisions are offered. Violation of this rule may result in game forfeiture by both teams.

Teams that wish to challenge the eligibility of a player on their opponent’s roster must make that request with an SSC Official as early as possible. Only individual players may be challenged. Entire teams may not be challenged.  

UNIFORMS:

SSC T-Shirts are your team’s uniforms. All players must wear the appropriate color uniform with the current SSC front logo to participate. Past season’s uniforms are not permitted, even if they are the correct color. Any player not wearing the appropriate uniform will be sidelined for that game.

The SSC T-Shirt must be worn on the outside of any clothing worn during play with all logos and designs in tact and clearly visible.

UNIFORM ALTERATIONS:

Players are permitted to modify their uniforms in any way provided they do not cover up or obscure any of the logos printed on the shirts and the resulting garment does not pose a threat to player safety.

DIVISION PREFERENCE:

Whenever possible, the SSC will separate programs into divisions based on playing experience, ability, and competitiveness. In the event multiple divisions are not possible, all players will be placed into a single division.

Division placement for all teams will be at the sole discretion of the SSC.

Any player, or team based on the majority of their players, that is determined to be in the incorrect division may, at any point during the season, be switched to the appropriate division at the discretion of the SSC.  

DRONES:

Drones, model planes, and any other unmanned aircraft are not permitted at any SSC activity.

FINALE WEEK FOR LEAGUES:

In the final week of league play, the top teams will compete in a single-elimination playoff to determine the league champion. The playoff may be held on a day or at a venue other than the normal day and venue used for regular season games.

All other eligible teams in good standing with the league will be scheduled for a final game against a team similarly ranked in the final standings.

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

Prior to the start of the game, players and spectators should regularly check the SSC Rainoutline for venue status updates. Players and spectators can also sign up for automatic updates via email and/or text message. Details are available on the SSC website.

Once the game has started, gameday coordinators will work with facilities coordinators and SSC Operations personnel to monitor weather and playing conditions in order to determine if play will need to be suspended and/or games postponed.

GAME RESCHEDULING:

In the event of inclement weather or any other event that causes games to be postponed, the SSC will make every effort to reschedule. In the event of multiple cancellations, the SSC reserves the option to shorten the regular season and/or the playoff schedule. Makeup games may be scheduled on weekdays other than those regularly scheduled.  Makeup games may be scheduled at venues other than those regularly scheduled. Neither refunds nor pro-rated refunds will be given if the season is shortened due to inclement weather or due to actions taken by the venue.

FORFEITS:

If a team is short the minimum number of players to play a regulation game, the game will be ruled a forfeit.

In the case of an injured player, at the sole discretion of an SSC Official, a game may be continued if a team does not have the minimum number of players for a regulation game provided the team has a chance to win.

Teams forfeiting multiple games in a season are subject to removal from the league.

FORFEIT FINES:

If the forfeiting team is short the minimum number of players to play an exhibition game, a $50 forfeit fine will be assessed. This fine is transferred in full in the form of a gift card or voucher to the offended team who showed up with no game to play. 

The offended team, provided they are in good standing and do not owe any outstanding dues or fines to the league, can collect the forfeit fine gift card from an SSC Coordinator during the final week of the season. If the fineable forfeit occurs in the last week of the season, the offended team will receive a credit for participation in a future SSC program.

Teams must participate in the final week of the season in order to collect any forfeit fine gift cards they are owed. If a team does not participate in the final week, any forfeit fine gift cards owed are forfeited.

Forfeit fines must be paid online within 72 hours. Unpaid forfeit fines may result in additional forfeits and/or suspension from the league. Teams with outstanding fines from past seasons will be barred from future registration in any SSC sport or event until they are paid in full.

Game forfeiture notice must be submitted via the SSC website by 5:00 PM on the preceding day (Friday for weekend games) in order to avoid the forfeit fine.  

The minimum number of players required to play an officiated exhibition game is noted in the “Roster” section of each sport’s respective rules document.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in disqualification. At the request of an SSC Official, disqualified players or spectators must leave the playing area.  

Repeated or egregious unsportsmanlike behavior, including refusal to leave the playing area, will result in an extended suspension term.

Suspended players are not permitted to attend any current or future SSC leagues, tournaments, races, and social events until after having received written approval from SSC Player Services. Violation of this policy may result in a team forfeit and additional suspension.

LET’S KEEP IT SOCIAL:

You may hear this from an SSC Official if someone is on the verge of committing an act not in accordance with the spirit of our programs. It is simply a reminder for everyone to calm down, play the game, and keep it FUN!

TAKE A BREAK:

If a player is exhibiting overly aggressive or unsportsmanlike behavior or is otherwise posing an unnecessary risk to themselves or others, he or she may be directed to “take a break” by an SSC Official. This is designed to prevent a more serious violation of SSC policies that would result in disqualification.

OVERLY COMPETITIVE PLAYERS:

All SSC sports are intended to be recreational. Any player or team who is deemed to be excessively competitive and/or overly aggressive may be removed from competition at the discretion of any SSC Official or gameday coordinator.

Overly competitive actions include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Running up the score
• Refusing to include teammates in gameplay
• Repeatedly targeting weaker players
• Aggressive shouting (even if it is to yourself or a teammate)
• Being too Physical
• Arguing with, or directing negative comments toward, other players
• Arguing with, or directing negative comments toward, SSC Officials
• Attempting to deceive SSC Officials

DYNASTIES AND COMPETITION:

Everyone loves a little competition, but one team dominating a league season after season can spoil the fun for everybody.

If a group of players has dominated multiple seasons, the SSC will have the option to, in its sole discretion, request those players to form two or more separate teams to promote parity in the league or withdraw their registration entirely.  All subsequent registrations must then be approved by the SSC prior to registering.

OFFICIALS:

The SSC will provide Officials for certain games.  Arguing with Officials will not be tolerated.  

EQUIPMENT:

The SSC will provide a regulation size ball for each field.  An alternate game ball may be used if agreed to by both team captains.  

Shin guards are required for all players.

The following items are not permitted:

• Shoes with metal or ceramic cleats
• Athletic braces or casts made from hard, unyielding material (unless covered on all sides and edges with at least ½ inch of closed cell slow recovery rubber or similar material)
• Headgear containing hard, unyielding, or stiff material (including billed hats)
• Jewelry (except for smooth wedding bands)

Special event wristbands must be covered by a sweatband or with athletic tape.

PLAYING ROSTER:

The maximum number of players on the field is determined by your age group.

If a team is short the minimum number of players by game time, the game will be considered a forfeit and an exhibition played.

The minimum number of players to play an officiated exhibition game, and avoid the forfeit fine, is four.

Substitutions may be made at any time.  The exiting player must be completely off the playing area before the substituting player enters.

Teams lose the ability to challenge a player’s eligibility at halftime, except in the case of a late-arriving player.

FORMAT:

See matrix above. 

 Regular season games may end in a tie.

Once the second half is underway, the game shall be considered final if cancelled for any reason.

START OF PLAY:

Kickoff and direction shall be determined by Rock, Paper, Scissors at the beginning of the game.  Teams will switch goals in the second half.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.

OUT OF PLAY:

The ball is considered out of play when the ball entirely crosses any boundary line or when play is stopped by the Referee.

SCORING:

A goal is scored when the ball entirely crosses the goal line.  All goals count as one point.

OFFSIDE:

Offside offenses do not apply in SSC 8s Soccer.

GOALKEEPERS:

Goalkeepers may use their hands only while in their own penalty area.

GOAL KICKS:

Goal kicks may be taken at any point within the goal area.  Opposing players must remain outside of the penalty area until the ball is kicked.  

CORNERS:

All corner kicks are direct.  A player may not move the corner flag in order to attempt a corner kick.

SLIDING:

Except for the goalkeeper in the penalty area, intentionally sliding to play the ball is not permitted.  The goalkeeper may go to the ground to play the ball provided he or she does not lead with the feet, does not make first contact an opponent, and is otherwise not reckless or dangerous.

Slides that are reckless, dangerous, or persistent will result in a caution or send off at the discretion of the Referee.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:

Yellow cards shall be issued as a warning to players who are considered to be either engaging in dangerous play or dissention towards Officials.  A player who has been issued a yellow card must leave the playing area, with the team continuing a player short, for a period of not less than two minutes.  A goal scored by either team does not shorten this period. 

Red cards shall be issued in the event of player’s repeated misconduct, serious foul play, violent conduct, or any wholly unsporting acts.  A player who has been issued a red card must immediately leave the field of play, with the team continuing a player short for the remainder of the game.  The player may also be subject to additional disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the league, at the discretion of the league office.

FREE KICKS:

Free Kicks can be direct or indirect depending on the foul.  In either case, the defending team must maintain a position at least seven yards from the ball until it is kicked.

PENALTY KICKS:

Penalty Kicks shall be awarded, at the Referee’s discretion, if a foul stopped a goal or materially affected a scoring attempt, regardless of the position of the ball or players at the time of the foul.

Any player of the same gender as the player that was fouled may attempt the penalty kick.  A penalty kick goal scored by a female counts as two points.

The goalkeeper in goal at the time of the foul must face the penalty kick.

PLAYOFF RULES:

Each game shall consist of two 18-minute halves separated by a three-minute halftime intermission.  Games tied at the conclusion of regulation shall go directly to a penalty kick shootout.

The shootout shall begin with each team attempting five penalty kicks.  The first five kicks must be taken by three males and two females, alternating male and female.

If, after each team has attempted five kicks, the game remains tied, teams will alternate kick attempts until a winner has been decided.  These additional kick attempts must alternate male and female, with no player attempting another kick until all members of the same gender of that team have also attempted a kick.

Any rules not specifically mentioned here follow the Laws of the Game set forth by FIFA.

STANDINGS:

Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss.  Teams are ranked in order based on the following criteria:

• Total Standings Points
• Head to Head
• Total Points Allowed
• Total Point Differential