Weather Conditions

Canceling games due weather cancelations are NOT the decision of either the home or away team. The decision on weather is made at the field by the official and league together. Preemptive cancelation is not a method we utilize. Decisions are made generally on the following guidelines but again the decision is for the official and league to make. Any team that abandons a game without consent, shall be awarded a forfeit. Please make sure your parents and players are aware of this.

Guidelines we utilize:

Weather cancelations are almost never made preemptively

• All cancelations or abandonments are done by consent between the official and the league, not teams.
• If lightning presents itself prior to kick off, a delayed start is permitted for up to 30 minutes
• If lightning presents itself during the game, a restart can be delayed for up to 30 minutes
• If a restart occurs and more than half of the game has been played, the game is considered to be played.
• A dangerous heat index, is generally considered to be 105F (41c) or higher so any game with this temperature will be postponed and played at a later date
• No other weather condition would permit abandonment or cancelation.

Players & Equipment

• Players must be listed on Team Roster in order to play
• Rosters may not exceed 25 players. Rosters exceeding of 25 players must receive clearance from the league. EMail us @ Admin@SpartansSoccer.com
• All players on a team must wear the same style and color jersey with unique numbers visible. Home team must change jersey color in case of conflict with Away teams. 
• Shin guards HAVE TO BE worn by all players
• Exposed jewelry is not permitted.
• Hard casts are not permitted unless appropriately padded. Soft casts and braces are permitted. 
• Home team must provide 2 properly inflated Size 5 game balls

Game Applicable Information

• Matches are two 40-minute halves with a 10-minute half time break. Officials, at their discretion may add time for injury and delay.
• Regular league games can end in a draw/tie. Regular playoff games that are tied at the end of 80mins will go straight to penalty kicks. 5 penalties per team and if still tied, it goes to sudden death. For the Semi Finals and Finals, where the game ends in a tie/draw, these games will go to 1 extra time period of 15mins. If still tied after the 15mins of extra time, the game will move to penalty kicks. The loser of the penalty kicks does not get any points and the winner get 3 points.
• Only players that are on the field at the final whistle can participate in the penalty kicks.  
• No player may take a second penalty kick unless all legally eligible players have taken a kick already.  
• The goalkeeper can also take a penalty if so desired.  
• In extreme heat, if agreed by both team coaches, a 5 minute water break is allowed in the middle of each half. 
• Substitutions are unlimited and entry is at the official’s discretion at the halfway line. Substitutions may occur at Goal Kicks, Kick Offs, Corner Kicks and Throw-ins. The team in possession can sub at these intervals. If the team in possession subs, then the other team is allowed to sub also.
• Slide tackling is allowed. 
• Each team should have 11 players, with a minimum of 7 players to play a game. 
• Team Manager/coach is foremost responsible for the proper conduct of his/her players and team personnel. 
• Two yellow cards or 1 straight Red in a game = Player misses next game (1 game suspension and not allowed attend the game they are suspended for)
• Bench Area or Team Personnel will include only team players, coaching staff, and the team manager(s). Fans are not allowed near the team bench. Team Managers and/or coaches are expected to enforce this rule. 
• IF, fans and/or subs enter the field of play at ANY time the game will be abandoned and the win awarded to the non-violating team regardless of score. This type of behavior displays significant disrespect and unsportsmanlike behavior. We must emphasize that soccer like any sport deserves respect from both sides. Coaches, it is your responsibility to ensure your players and parents are under control. Officials can do their part, but we expect this to be on you to enforce.

A Representative of each team MUST email the score of the game the SAME EVENING of the game to: Admin@SpartansSoccer.com. 

3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw/tie, 0 points for a loss

If you lose in Penalty kicks (PK's), you do not get any points, it's not hockey people :). The winner of the PK shootout gets 3 points.

Maximum Goals Differential per game = 5

League Title Tiebreaker – in the event two teams or three teams are tied on the basis of points, the following tiebreakers shall be considered until the tie is broken:

• Head to Head Competition
• Goal Differential
• Most Goals For
• Least Goals Against

Match Forfeit Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure fair competition, maximize game participation, and provide a consistent process for handling forfeits throughout the Spartans Soccer League season.

Definition of a Forfeit

A team shall forfeit a match if any of the following occur:

• Fails to appear for the scheduled match.
• Cannot field the minimum number of players required by league rules within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled kickoff.
• Refuses to continue a match after it has started.
• Uses an ineligible player as determined by league officials.
• Elects not to play a scheduled match.

Minimum Number of Players

A team must have at least:

• 7 players (including a goalkeeper)
• Teams arriving with fewer than the required number of players after the ten-minute grace period will forfeit the match.

Grace Period

A 10-minute grace period will be allowed from the scheduled kickoff time.

If the minimum number of players has not arrived after 10 minutes:

The referee will declare the match a forfeit.

The opposing team will be awarded the victory.

Forfeit Score

For standings purposes, a forfeited match will be recorded as:

Winning Team: 2

Forfeiting Team: 0

A forfeit counts as:

3 Points for the winning team

0 Points for the forfeiting team

Goal differential shall be recorded as +2 / -2.

Advance Notice

If a team knows they cannot field a team, they should notify the League Director as soon as possible @ Admin@SpartansSoccer.com

Providing advance notice helps:

• Notify referees
• Notify the opposing team
• Avoid unnecessary travel

Advance notice does not eliminate the forfeit.

Repeat Forfeits

The following progressive discipline will apply:

First Forfeit

Recorded as a 2-0 loss.

Second Forfeit

Recorded as a 2-0 loss.

League Director may issue a warning.

Third Forfeit

The League reserves the right to:

Remove the team from the league.

Void remaining matches.

Deny future league registration.

Referee Fees

If a team forfeits after referees have been assigned or have arrived at the field, the forfeiting team remains responsible for all referee fees associated with the match.

Weather

Weather-related cancellations declared by the League or referees are not considered forfeits.

Extraordinary Circumstances

The League Director may waive or modify this policy due to extraordinary circumstances including:

• Severe weather
• Medical emergencies
• Vehicle accidents
• Other circumstances beyond the team's control

Such decisions are final.

Sportsmanship

Teams are expected to make every reasonable effort to play all scheduled matches.

Repeated forfeits negatively impact opposing teams, referees, league scheduling, and the overall player experience.

The Spartans Soccer League reserves the right to take additional action when forfeits become excessive or demonstrate poor sportsmanship.