Bay Area Adult Sports League
8v8 Rules
www.baasl.org | (510) 900-9559 | info@baasl.org
828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 109, Albany, CA 94706
Revised April 23, 2022
BAASL 8v8 matches follows FIFA Laws of the Game with the below exceptions. FIFA rules can be found here (2018/2019 Version):
I. Match Rules
1. Sports-related activities, such as soccer, involve physical contact with other players under strenuous conditions and therefore, all BAASL participants must assume the risk of injury as a condition to participation in any BAASL-related activities.
2. A size 5 soccer ball shall be used at all times. Shin guards and appropriate footwear are mandatory. No jewelry, watches or casts are allowed during league games or scrimmages. Pitch markings will be determined by the markings already existing at each BAASL field location. Three referees will be assigned to each 11v11 match, except due to unforeseen circumstances. There is no extra time game play. If the team forfeits, the offended team receives the win and is awarded 3 points in the standings.
3. Yellow Card Time-Outs ("Sin Bin"): To ensure the safety of participants, misconduct towards BAASL referees, officials, teammates, opponents, and fans will be punished. Any player that receives a yellow card will receive a 3-minute penalty time-out (games under 60-minutes) during that game pursuant to FIFA Laws of the Game. No players may substitute in for the timed-out player, which means that the team will play short. More than one player on the same team can receive yellow card time-out at the same time if they both receive a yellow card. The yellow card time-out will extend into the second half if the player receives a yellow card during the end of the first half or during the half-time break. A yellow card time-out includes incidents of dissent and the use of offensive language on and off the field. Individual issues will be escalated to the league administrators for review. Red cards will result in the expulsion of the player from that game and/or premises.
A. A player that participates in a physical fight, or causes a fight to occur, may cause his/her team to forfeit that match and possibly the next match in addition to individual player punishment. Teams may be penalized for fan behavior or trash left on the field.
B. If a team's fan receives a yellow or red card for disruptive behavior, a player from that team currently on the field will be chosen by the referee to serve the yellow card time-out or suspension, respectively. The suspension may be given to the team captain or the player that invited the offending fan.
4. For 8v8 games, normal game length is 50 minutes with two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime, unless stated otherwise. For Saturday league games, normal game length is 70 minutes with two 35 minute halves and a 5 minute halftime, unless stated otherwise. Time is not stopped if the ball is out of play and there are no time-outs. Time will not be stopped if the ball is out of play.
A. If a game is started late, the referee may shorten game length and/or halftime as necessary. Tournament/Playoff games may be shortened by up to 5 minutes to accommodate for possible penalty kick shoot-outs.
5. Kick-off procedure: Taken from the center spot, the player who has kicked the ball from a stationary position cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. A team can score on kick-off. The ball may be moved in any direction on a kick-off pursuant to FIFA rules.
6. Unlimited "Flying" Substitutions: Substitutions may occur at any time. Players substituting in must enter the field from the midfield line along the touch line on the side corresponding to the team's bench. A substituting player may not enter the field until his teammate has fully exited the field . If the referees have stopped play due to a substitution infringement, the match will be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the position of the ball at the time of the stoppage. Goalkeepers substitute only when the ball is out of play and with the referee’s consent.
7. Reminder that slide-tackling is not permissible in co-ed leagues and shall be considered unsporting behavior, resulting in a direct free kick being given. Intentional slide tackling is subject to a yellow or red card.. Slide-tackles are permissible in men and womens leagues, but may result in a yellow or red card if a foul is committed.
A. If a game is started late, the referee may shorten game length and/or halftime as necessary. Tournament/Playoff games may be shortened by up to 5 minutes to accommodate for possible penalty kick shoot-outs.
8. During Playoffs, Championship or SuperCup matches, games may be ended early at the referee/League's discretion if the match becomes tied with 5 or less minutes before the end of the second half. This is done to avoid disruption in overall scheduling. No new players are allowed to be added to a team roster during the week playoffs or championship games. In co-ed 8v8 leagues, a match winner must be determined and a penalty shoot-out will commence if the game remains tied at the end of the second half. During the penalty shoot-out, there must be a rotation between designated players (“DP”) and non-DP’s between each kick on the same team. The referee reserves the right to determine if a DP or a non-DP starts the penalty kick shoot-out and must ensure that the same number of DP’s take a shot within the first rotation for each team. Pursuant to FIFA, only on-field players, including the goal keeper, may take a penalty shot.
9. No off-side rule in 8v8 leagues.
10. Each player on a team is asked to have identical jersey tops or pinnies with prominently displayed, individualized numbers on the back of each top. Brand new teams may request a one-season waiver of the jersey requirement. If there is a jersey color conflict, HOME team is responsible for changing colors. Using pinnies is acceptable for color change. Goalkeepers should have jerseys of a different color from all outfield players and the opposing goalkeeper.
11. Corner Kick: Goals may be scored directly from a corner kick with the ball in a stationary position.
12. Penalty Spot: Penalty kick is awarded when infringement takes place in penalty area. If there are no markings, the penalty kick should be approximately twice the distance of the goal width.
13. Ball Recovery Rule: If a person kicks an opponent’s ball over a fence, that person will not be allowed to play until the ball is recovered. Substitutions ARE allowed during this time. Ie. The disallowed player CAN be substituted by another player. The team need not play short. Anyone on the team or at the field can retrieve the ball. The player themself is advised, but not required, to recover the ball, however, may not play until the ball is recovered or an agreement has been made to replace the ball. If there is any confusion as to which team the ball belongs to, the captains should clarify with the referee. If the ball was kicked to an inaccessible area, the player who kicked the ball out must make a reasonable arrangement with the ball’s owner to replace the lost ball (pick up the ball next day, give them a ball of their own, etc). The player who kicked the ball out cannot play until an agreement has been reached.
II. Team Regulations
1. Team Size:
A. In 8v8 leagues, at least 5 players, including a goalkeeper, are required to play the game. A team forfeits if it does not have the minimum number of players when the match begins.
B. Each team must have a goalkeeper.
2. The maximum game day roster size for a team is 15 players, unless stated otherwise.
3. There is a 10-minute grace period before the scheduled start of a game before forfeit is applied. Five extra minutes may be added to the grace period with the consent of the referee, unless stated otherwise by a league administrator.
4. Guest players are not allowed. A team that plays with a non-sanctioned player will forfeit the match. If, however, a team does not have enough players to complete 8 (8v8) players on the field, that team may borrow a registered player from a different division within the same day's league to bring the team to a full # of players (8 "full strength"). This only applies when a team is short at the beginning of the match. If a registered player from that team shows up late, the borrowed player may no longer play. A team may not borrow another player to serve as a substitute if 8 registered players from that team are present to play in the match. Goalkeepers (who play as goalkeeper the entire match), however, may be borrowed from another team regardless of their assigned division and regardless of the number of players that show up to play. The same rule applies to females registered to the current same day's league.
5. A one-point deduction in standings and loss of the team’s forfeit deposit will result if a team forfeits without at least 24-hours' advanced notice to the league in writing to info@baasl.org or if the team no-shows.
III. Player Regulations
1. Minimum age is 18 years old to participate in any BAASL events.
2. An official BAASL player pass or league-website generated roster including full name for each player must be submitted to the referee before each game.
3. Each team should have a captain present at the game and on the team roster, designated by a “C” next to their name.
4. All players must be on the team roster, have their government-issued ID, a consulate card, or a current high school ID.
5. All players must sign a league waiver and release forms in order to play.
6. If a non-sanctioned player plays for a team without proper authorization, the team will forfeit the match. In addition, the team may suffer a minimum 1 point standings penalty. Teams that repeated field non-sanctioned players may be ejected from the league.
7. Changes to team roster during the season is subject to review by league administration. Players may leave teams and be replaced with new players; but once a player has left they may not rejoin in the same season.
8. Players may play for another team in a different division, but players may not play in more than one team in the same division. Goalkeepers and female are the exception – they are allowed to play for another team in the same division. A team can borrow players up to the point where they reach full strength and may not borrow players if that will allow them to have substitutes. The purpose of this rule is to encourage teams to play at full strength. If a team has the requisite number of DP’s/female players, onfield players, and a goal keeper, no players may be borrowed.
9. Co-Ed Designated Player (“DP”) Rule: Three females players are required to be playing on the field at all times. One female may be substituted by a male player age 44+. At least one female player must be on the field to avoid a forfeit. A game is not forfeited if the only female player is injured during course of the match. Some possible scenarios:
Option #1 - Three females or more on the field
Option #2 - Two females on the field, plus 1 male age 44 or over.
Option #3 - One female on the field, plus 1 male age 44+, plus team plays down one player. If no male DP is available, then team plays down two players.
Option #4 - No female players on the field - game is subject to a forfeit, but is encouraged to be played as a friendly match.
IV. League Rules of Conduct
1. Teams and spectators are expected to show good sportsmanship and act in a positive, friendly and sporting manner, showing respect for league officials, other players, and referees. This includes communication among team managers and league officials.
2. Team managers and captain/co-captains are expected to follow the League Code of Conduct and administer their teams in a manner that ensures the overall health of the league. Captains are required to attend one captains’ meeting per season (or send a team representative in their place), help control offending players and fans, ensure each player has complete their player profiles and waiver, ensure team jersey compliance, respond to BAASL inquiries and requests, ensure that player passes are brought to each match for each player, and communicate to BAASL referees and league administrators any problems observed with matches, officiating, and field conditions. Failure to do so may result in mandatory change of team management or the team forfeiture of its spot and payment in the league.
3. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited. Players under the influence of alcohol will be ejected from the park facility and face disciplinary committee review.
4. The league officials have the full power and discretion of imposing penalties on all violations of the League Code of Conduct. For violations not listed, penalty shall be decided at the discretion of the league officials.
5. The League reserves the absolute right to refuse participation to any participants on a short-term or permanent basis due to unfit health status, including recent injuries and communicable diseases, for the benefit of the individual player and other participants.
6. If a referee makes a clearly-provable technical error in the application of the laws of the game, the League reserves the right to overturn the referees ruling without the participating teams consent. Notice will be provided to team captains should this occur. Because referees are in the best position to apply the laws of the game, the League will defer to the referee’s discretion regarding errors based on opinion and such challenges will rarely be reviewed where there is no clear abuse of discretion.
V. Disciplinary Procedures
1. A player or fan receiving a Red Card is ejected from the game and his/her place may not be substituted.
2. Means by which a Player may/will receive a 1 or more match suspension, or be sent off the field:
A. A red card for serious or dangerous violations may/will result in a one-game suspension or more following the game the player is ejected from;
B. Two yellow cards in one match will result in the offending player being sent off the field, the player being sent off may not be substituted.
C. Reckless mistakes that causes serious injury to other participants;
D. Serious unsportsmanlike conduct that the League deems contrary to the spirit of the League rules or contrary to the facilitation of a safe environment for other participants;
E. Failure to abide by the League Code of Conduct may result in suspension or banishment from the league.
3. Captains with suspended players attending the match must notify the referee before the beginning of the match. Suspended players must have an “Suspended” next to their name on the team roster. Suspended players may not enter the field of play.
4. Flagrant acts, violent conduct such as spitting, striking, or fighting with other players, league officials, or the referees (including threatening words or gestures), or repeated violations of the League Rules and Code of Conduct will not be tolerated and is subject to league administrative review, possible extended suspension, and possible banishment from the league. This applies to all League functions including meetings, events, pickup games, and practices.
5. Teams are responsible for sideline fans. If fans are causing trouble and refuse to leave at the request of the referee, the team is subject to forfeit.
6. Ejected players must leave the park facility before play continues if instructed to do so by a referee or league administrator. Failure to leave will result in their team’s forfeit.
7. Players attending a game but not playing (due to injury or suspension) are subject to the same disciplinary rules as if they were playing.
8. Team No-shows: A team will receive a one-point deduction in the standings (and possibly forfeit future games) if a team fails to appear for their game without notifying BAASL via email info@baasl.org at least 12 hours before the start of their game. This rule allows BAASL to provide courtesy notice to the opposing team and find a possible substitute team. This rule does not appear teams that show up to their game, but forfeit due to insufficient number of designated players.
VI. Team Status
1. A team’s right to be in the league is at the discretion of league officials. A team may be removed from the league for the following reasons; included but not limited to:
A. Multiple violations of the League Code of Conduct;
B. Failure to pay league fees on time;
C. Failure to submit proper registration documents;
D. Forfeiting multiple games in a season;
E. Inappropriate fan or suspended player behavior; or
F. Any other reason deemed by league officials to ensure the overall health of the League.
VII. The Competition
1. Promotion/Relegation: If the league consists of multiple divisions, the first place team in each division will be promoted to the next higher division. The last place team in each division will be relegated to the next lower division. If by mutual consent, teams facing promotion and relegation desire to remain in their current divisions, their captains must contact a league administrator at least 2 weeks before the start of the next season. In addition, relegation and promotion of these teams may be altered by league officials if it is determined that other options are better for the overall health of the league.
2. BAASL will do its best to ensure that each team plays every other team in its division at least once, except where facility limitations, unforeseeable weather conditions, team forfeits, or the quantity of teams prevents this from happening.
3. Regular Season Standings shall be determined as follows:
i. 3 points for win;
ii. 1 point for draw, or win by default as a result of a forfeit;
iii. 0 points for loss.
4. If the team forfeits, the offended team receives the win and is awarded 3 points in the standings.
5. Standings points may be subtracted due to penalties such as repeated violations of the League Rules and Code of Conduct.
6. The team that accumulates the most points will be champions for that season, unless a championship game(s)is scheduled by the League.
7. Standings Tie-breaking procedures:
i. 1st tie-breaker: Overall Points Based on Fewest Games Played (Forfeited Games Count)
ii. 2nd tie-breaker: Overall Goal Differential, Capped (GDC);
iii. 3rd tie-breaker: Goals For (GF);
iv. 4th tie-breaker: Goals Against (GA);
v. 5th tie-breaker: head-to-head result.
* GDC=Capped (3) Goal Differential –This means that the goal differential for any one game cannot exceed 3 goals.
8. Season Champions will be posted on the league website whenever possible.
Note: Rules subject to change any time, but notice will be provided whenever possible.
VIII. Liability Insurance
1. Bay Area Adult Soccer League maintains liability insurance for its operations.
IX. COVID-19 Rules
Refer to https://baasl.org/covid19