Except for the rules covered in this HASL Policy, HASL Adult 6v6 Soccer will be governed by FIFA rules

1. Team rosters must be filled out completely with all players that are playing in the season by the registration deadline. After the registration deadline has passed, a captain may not be allowed to add or take away players.  All players will be required to have a PLAYER PASS with them at each game.  NO PASS, NO PLAY.    

2.  Games will consist of two teams with each team having 6 players, one of whom must be the goalkeeper.  A team must have at least 4 players to start.  Teams will be allowed 5 minutes past game time to field the required 4 players.  After 5 minutes, it will be considered a forfeit.  The game clock will start at the designated game time.  If a team must forfeit their game, the score of the game will be recorded as 3-0 for the non-forfeiting team.  

3. One (1) referee is responsible for control of the game and his/her decisions regarding facts connected with play are final.

4. The game shall be divided into two equal periods of 25 minutes. There will be a 5 minute half time between the two periods. 5 minutes between matches.

5.  A flip of a coin decides which team will kick off. Each team must stay in its own half of the field and the defending players must be at least 6 yards from the ball when it is kicked.

6.  There is no offside.  However, a three-line rule will be used.  The ball may not cross three lines in the air (above knee level).  The three lines are:

         1.    The top line of the penalty box

         2.    A line mid way between the top of the penalty box and the center line.

         3.    The center line
                                                                        
7. Once the goalkeeper has the ball under control they cannot distribute the ball back into the field past the center line unless it hits the ground or field player prior to crossing the center line.  This applies to goal kicks also.  Violations will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team at their 18 yard line.

8. Slide tackling is not allowed. No slide tackling or intentional tripping. First offense is a yellow card. Second offense will result in a red card. (Exception: Goalkeepers may slide inside their penalty box.)

9. On any free kick, including goal kicks, there is a 10 second rule. If the team awarded the kick does not play the ball in 10 seconds the other team will gain possession of the ball at the spot of the foul.  The 10 seconds starts when opposing team’s players are at least 6 yards from the spot of the foul.

10.  There will be no penalty kicks awarded.  A foul inside the penalty area will result in an indirect free kick placed outside the penalty area.    

11.  A player may be substituted on the fly. The referee does not need to be made aware of a player being substituted.  All substitutions must be made at the center line.  Substituted players must completely exit the field prior to the substitute entering the field.  No advantage may be gained when making a substitution.

12. Deliberate handling of the ball that denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity will result in the following: an indirect free kick at the top of the penalty box will be awarded & the player committing the foul will be shown a yellow card.

13. Yellow and red cards will be given in accordance with FIFA rules.  Players receiving a yellow card must exit the game for no less than two minutes.  The referee will keep track of the two minutes.  The carded player may be replaced with a substitute.  

14. Players receiving two yellow cards in one game will result in a red card. Any player receiving a red card during a game will automatically be suspended for their next game (no exceptions).  If the player receiving the red card was on the field of play, the team must complete the entire game a player short.  Any player receiving two red cards during the season will be suspended the remainder of the season and risk lifetime suspension from the league. If a player is red carded for fighting, they will be ejected from the game and banned from returning for the remainder of the season. 

15. Good sportsmanship is to prevail at all times. Captains will be held responsible for the conduct of themselves and their players.

16. If a team gains a four goal lead, the losing team may add an additional player to the field.  If the losing team does not have an additional player available, the winning team must remove one player from the field and play with 5 players.  This advantage is enforced until the goal difference is reduced to 2.

17.  It is recommended that players remove all jewelry (rings, necklaces, earrings, wristwatches, etc.) before participating in any game.  Referees have the authority to require that such jewelry be removed before a player can begin or continue to participate.

18. Shin guards are highly recommended.  

19.  League standings are based on points accumulated as follows:

• WINS - 3 points

• TIES - 1 point

• LOSSES - 0 points

      League standings will be posted to the HASL Facebook and website on a weekly basis.

20. The tie-breaker procedure used to break ties in league standings will be total goals scored in all games played.