A.F.C. RAPID SOCCER RULES

Children play the game for fun. Therefore, as a parent or a spectator, please use your common sense and self-control to refrain form hampering the progress and enjoyment of the game by its players' just because you disagree with a call or the way the game is being played. Any parent or spectator that interfering with the game will be told to leave the field.

1)Number of Players
Pee Wees - 5 players on the field. No goalies.
Bantoms - 7 players on the field (6 players and the goalie). Minimum of five players are required to start the game and continue for the duration of the game.
All Other Divisions - 11 players on the field (10 players and the goalie). Minimum of 7 players are required to start and continue for the duration of the game.
2) ALL players must be in complete team uniform (shirt, shorts, socks, and shinguards). Shinguards are to be worn under the socks. Goalies must wear a different colored shirt than the two team's colors that are playing.
3) Players are not allowed to wear watches or jewelry (chains, earrings). Glasses - Prescription eye glasses only may be worn; lenses made of glass are not permitted; metal-framed glasses are not permitted; plastic-framed glasses, providing they are strapped around the head, and sports goggles (wrap-around type, made of plastic) are permitted; any other type of eyewear that the referee deems could be dangerous is not permitted.
4) No player will be allowed to play with a cast. A doctor's release note must be presented to the league before they can play again.
5) No player is allowed to slide tackle. Players who persist in doing so will be issued a yellow card, along with the players' coach.
6) All coaches having the first game are to be at the field ¾ of an hour before their game to mark the lines and put up the nets and corner flags. Each coach is responsible for half of the field. If the field is not set-up on both sides by kickoff the team's side that is not set-up will forfeit the game! All coaches having the last game are to take down the nets and corner flags and return them to the bin.
7) Both teams are to submit two lineup forms (one to the referee and one to the other coach) before the start of the game.
8)Duration of the Game and Ball Size
The game consists of two 25-minute halves. There will be 5 minutes between halves. Substitutions are permitted after 10 minutes has pasted in each half. The referee will notify you when 10 minutes has passed and substitutions are allowed. Subbing without notifying the referee is will constitute lose of the ball.
Division Ball Size
Pee Wee #3
Bantoms #4
Minors #4
Interm. #5
B/G Majors #5
9) Start of the Game and Restarts Preliminaries:
- Each coach will provide the referee and opposing coach a copy of the team lineup sheet. Only players present a the time of the kickoff shall be on permitted to be on the line up sheet and play. Players coming after the start of the game (late) can be added to the line-up sheet at half time. The coach must notify the referee and other coach that an additional player is being added to the line-up. Any player on the field not listed on the teams line-up sheet is considered an illegal player and may result in a forfiet if the opposing coach files a protest with the league.
- A coin is tossed and the team which wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match.
- The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.
- The team which wins the toss takes the kick-off to start the second half of the match.
- In the second half of the match the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.
Kick-off:
A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
- at the start of the match
- after a goal has been scored
- at the start of the second half of the match
- at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable
- A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
10) Ball In or Out of Play
The ball is out of play when:
- it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air
- play has been stopped by the referee
The ball is in play at all other times, including when:
- it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag and remains in the field of play
- it rebounds from either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field of play
11) Goal Scored
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
12) Offside Position
A player is in an offside position if:
he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent
Offence
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
- interfering with play or
- interfering with an opponent or
- gaining an advantage by being in that position
A player is not in an offside position if:
- he is in his own half of the field of play or
- he is level with the second last opponent or
- he is level with the last two opponents
No Offence
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
- a goal kick or
- a throw-in or
- a corner kick
13) Throw-in
A throw-in is awarded:
- when the whole ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air
- from the point where it crossed the touch line
Procedure
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
- faces the field of play
- has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line uses both hands
- delivers the ball from behind and over his head
The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
4) Protests and Disputes.
All questions relating to the qualification or interpretation of the rules or any dispute or protest whatever shall be referred to the officer on the field. Protests and disputes are filed by coaches, not parents. A judgement call by the referee may not be protested.
A. Validity and Eligibility.
To be valid and eligible for consideration, each protest must:
1) At the end of the half time and/or end of the game discuss with the referee, opposing coach and officer the dispute or protest. If a consent or understanding of the rules cannot be agreed upon. The coach should inform the referee, opposing coach and officer that they wish to file a protest with the league.
2) The coach must describe in full detail the grounds for the protest.
3) A copy must be delivered to the Club President the same day the game was played.
4) Three league officers will be notified of the protest and to vote on a decision. All decisions are final.
Non-Conformance.
Protests not filed within the required time limit or which have been submitted without written details may be rejected without consideration.
15) Conduct
Any player or coach heard swearing or cursing will be issued a yellow card. Any parent heard swearing or cursing or is hasrassing the referee or the coach will be given a warning and the caoch will also be given a warning. If this request is ignored, the parent will be asked to leave the field and if they refuse, the coach will be given a yellow card and the team will forfeit the game! Any coach acting in a similar manner will automatically be replaced by the league.
All parents and spectators are to remain behind the parent line. No parent or spectator is to be standing or sitting behind either goal post.
No parent or spectator is to run onto the field at any time that the game is in progress.
16) Offenses
Any player or coach receiving 2 yellow cards in one game will be suspended for following game. The number of games for the suspention will be decided by club. Any player receiving 1 yellow card in 3 straight games will be suspended for 1 game.
17) Goal Differential Rule
No goal differential in excess of five (5) goals is acceptable. Teams scoring more than a five goal differential will only be awarded a single point for the win.

In the event of inclement weather a decision to cancel or play the games (as scheduled) will be made as early as possible. Information will be put on our soccer phone line (718 597-6839)concerning the status of games for the day. Communication will be sent to our coaches once this decision has been made to help with contacting all players and parents. Decisions will be based on weather and field conditions a start of each day. If conditions deteriorate during the day. The League offical and referee will determine if game can continue.

Any game cancelled due to weather after the start of the 2nd half will stand as final score.

Please be patient and give our volunteers the opportunity to go to the fields to see if they are playable so we can make the right decision on games. We will make every effort to make sure the information is relayed as quickly and early as possible.