2023  EASL Fall Soccer Rules

EASTERN AREA SOCCER LEAGUE GAME RULES
REFEREES, PARENTS, COACHES & COMMISSIONER’S
_{Updated August 2023}

1. Unless otherwise noted – all divisions in the Eastern Area Soccer League will be governed by the current USSF Soccer Law
and/or rules printed herein only in the event of a conflict.

2. Time duration for each Age Group:
a. U8 – Adult Pickup (2) 25-minute halves. Total Game Time = 53 minutes.
b. There will be a 3-minute maximum break at half-time.
c. Game Clock will start at scheduled time.

3. Forfeit Rules:
a. Forfeit time is 5 minutes.
b. The forfeiting team will be responsible for the official’s fees for both teams.

4. The Goalie Jersey must be a different color from all other players. U8 - Adult Pickup teams having at least five players must start
the game at the regularly scheduled time – both teams must match. If after 5 minutes after game time you have less than five
players you forfeit the game

5. Referees:
a. Paid officials will be used for all League and Tournament Games.
b. The Officials are in charge of the game. The Officials have control from the time of team check-ins until the teams leave the
premises.
c. Referees MUST change their jersey as to be different from either team colors

6. Teams must have an adult coach 18 years or older to play or continue a game. Each team may have 1 Head Coach and 2 Assistant
Coaches within the coaches’ box. All volunteers must have completed a background check within the current year.

7. When issued a Yellow card the removed player can go back into the game after a minimum of 2 minutes after the next substitution

8. Spectators and Fans:
a. All Spectators must be on the same side of the field and at least 6 feet back from the touch line
b. They must never be goal side or behind the goals
c. It is the coaches’ responsibility to control their teams’ spectators
d. Failure to do so could result in the coach being cautioned, ejected, and suspended
e. Failure to provide name will cause Head Coach as listed on the roster to be suspended for one game
f. Each team along with the coaches will line up on the same side of the playing field for the entire game. Spectators need to be
on the opposite side of the field as the player(s) they came to support.

9. Slide Tackles:
a. Slide Tackles are not allowed during the games.
b. If a player performs a slide tackle during a game the referee will give out a yellow card.

10. In order to encourage fair competition and discourage coaches from running up the score:
a. If the team is winning by more than 5 goals a player is to be removed from game play.
b. If the team is winning by more than 8 goals another player is to be removed from game play.
c. If the team wins by more than 10 goals the coach will be brought before the EASL Committee.
d. Officials are required to submit score sheets (signed by both coaches) for games with 10 or more goal differentials.
e. Goal differential limits do not apply during Boo Bash Tournament Games.

11. Players are prohibited from playing with hard casts (even padded), any hard hair accessories such as beads, barrettes, clips, etc.,
any piercings and/or jewelry. The only exception to this rule will be a medical alert necklace which must be taped to the players
chest under their jersey.

12. Team Rosters:
a. U8 – 7v7 ---- Team rosters should be limited to 13 players
b. U10 and U12 – 9v9 --- Team rosters should be limited to 15 players
c. U14, U16, U19 and Adult Pickup – 11v11 --- Team rosters should be limited to 18 players
d. Teams Rosters will be available to the EASL Board Members in the event a coach wishes to appeal his/her game and/or
question the legality of a player
e. The league may complete a roster check at any time during the season
f. Appealing head coaches will need to notify the Officials before the final whistle. The Officials will ask the coach and the
team that are being appealed to not leave the field until the rosters are verified.
g. An EASL Board Member will ask the player(s) their name(s) and will verify if player(s) are on the roster or not
h. If player(s) are found not to be on the roster the team will automatically be disqualified for the tournament.
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i. Coaches need to verify their rosters with their Council Representatives before the final roster deadline just in case players
were added to their team’s roster after the roster was initially turned into the EASL Committee.
j. During any roster check for age groups U10 and above if a player hesitates when answering the roster validating questions
then they may not be permitted to play until further proof is provided.
k. All jerseys on the team must match.
l. All numbers on jerseys must match rosters and cannot be a temporary number.
m. There will be no exceptions

13. Substitutions:
a. On any Goal Kick
b. On any possession – throw-in – Piggyback substitutions are allowed
c. After a Goal is scored
d. On Corner Kick
e. For an Injured Player – the Opposing Team may also substitute 1-for-1 basis. All players within the field of play must kneel
in place during the stoppage of play.
f. For a player receiving a caution – yellow card – the opposing team may also substitute on a 1-for-1 basis.
g. No substitution for an ejected (red card) player.
i. U8 - Adult Pickup may finish with a minimum of five players.
ii. Anything less and the game is awarded to their opponent by default.

14. Heading the Ball:
a. For U10 and younger age groups heading the ball is not permitted.
b. An uncontested drop ball will be awarded for accidental infraction.
c. Intentionally heading the ball will result in an in-direct free kick to the opposing team.
d. Any head ball infraction within the 18 will be taken outside of the 18.
e. No penalty kick may be awarded.
f. Heading the ball is permitted for U12 and Up.

15. End of Season Boo Bash Tournament:
a. Goal differential limits and match down rule do not apply during Boo Bash Tournament Games.
b. Standings will be kept
c. A Single Game Elimination Tournament will be held at the end of the season
d. Overtime
i. If the game ends in a tie – the two teams will advance to a “Golden Goal” Overtime. The two teams will play up to 2
five-minute periods if needed – the 1st team to get a goal win.
ii. If the score is still tied after the “Golden Goal” overtime, then the 2 teams go into a Penalty Kick Round. The coach from
each team will pick five players that were playing on the field at the end of the Golden Goal Overtime to Shootout. If after
the 1st round there is still a tie, then the coaches will continue to choose one player at a time to shoot – using players that
were on the field at the end of the 1st overtime then going to the bench. Once the coaches have used everyone on the team –
they will start at the beginning of the order of the players that began the shootout.
e. A goalkeeper must be chosen from the players on the field at the end of the 2nd overtime.
PARENTS, COACHES & COMMISSIONER’S

16. The season will start the first Friday after Labor Day and will consist of between 8 and 10 games for each team.

17. Anyone in contact with a player must complete a background check within the current season and be on the approved Baltimore
County Recreation Volunteer List; not limited to, Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, Team Moms, etc.

18. Player(s) Equipment
a. Player(s) must wear a jersey, shin guards (sized for age), socks (must cover shin guards in its entirety) and Soccer Cleats. The
Soccer Cleats cannot be Baseball and/or American Football Cleats. There should be NO TOE cleat on the shoe.

19. Start of Play:
a. The game is started at midfield at the beginning of the game, after a goal is made, and after halftime.
b. The ball must be touched.
c. The ball cannot be touched twice consecutively from the same player.

20. Scoring:
a. The ball must be completely cross over the Goal Line between the posts and under the Crossbar.

21. The Officials use red and yellow card(s) to communicate to players and coaches. The definitions of the cards are as follows:
a. Yellow Card(s): are used by officials to caution players for dangerous or reckless play, unsportsmanlike behavior, or
infractions of the rules and the player has been removed from game play.
2 Updated August 2023
i. A substitute player may be put into game in the removed player’s place
ii. If a player is shown a second yellow card the player is removed from the game and not replaced.
iii. A player or coach receiving a yellow card must be noted by the Official and reported to the EASL Executive Committee
for any future disciplinary action.
b. Red Card(s): are used by the officials to remove a player from the game. It means the automatic ejection of the player and
that player's team will remain shorthanded for the remainder of the match.
i. Any Player or Coach ejected from a game for misconduct or use of foul or abusive language shall be suspended for two
games.
1. If Player plays for multiple teams, red card suspension is determined by review of the EASL board.
2. If the coach coaches for multiple teams, this will apply only to the role on the team that the card was given
ii. All Red Card(s) are pending review from the EASL Executive Committee.
iii. Any Player or Coach receiving a Red Card who are also Officials will not be allowed to referee during their suspension.
iv. Once shown a Red Card the Coach or Player must leave the field immediately and go to the parking lot and may not
re-enter or participate on any of the EASL Soccer fields until their suspension has been served.
v. Refusal to leave the premises upon being red carded will result in further disciplinary action from the EASL Committee.

22. Offside(s)
a. A player should not be ahead of the ball at a time when the ball is played in his/her directions unless he/she has 2 opponents
ahead of them (Goalie is considered an opponent).
b. A player cannot be offside(s) if he/she is on their own half of the field or if he/she receives the ball from a throw-in or corner
kick.
c. A player cannot be called offside(s) if the ball is played by an opposing team player.
d. Offside(s) is judged the moment the ball is kicked.

23. Goalkeeper(s):
a. May not touch the ball with their hands when a teammate has last kicked it.
b. Are allowed to use their hands and arms to play the ball within the penalty area only.

24. Goal Kick(s):
a. If the Attacking Team last touches the ball before it goes over the Goal Line – the Defensive Team takes a Goal Kick
b. Goal Kick(s) may be taken from anywhere on the 6-yard line.

25. Free Kick(s):
a. The ball must be placed at the point of infraction.
b. The ball must not be rolling.
c. The ball must clearly move.
d. 10 yards of space is automatically given
e. Encroachment on the 10 yards is a Yellow Card

26. Penalty Kick(s):
a. A Penalty Kick is taken from the penalty spot
i. Large Field – 12 yards from the center of the goal
ii. Small Field – 10 yards from the center of the goal
b. When the kick is taken – All Players except the Goalkeeper and the Kicker must be outside the Penalty Area and the Penalty
Arc.

27. Corner Kick(s):
a. If the Defensive Team last touched the ball – over the Goal Line – the Attacking Team takes a Corner Kick from the closest
corner.
b. Encroachment = Yellow Card
COACHES & COMMISSIONER’S

28. The away team is responsible for providing pennies in case of conflict. If pennies cannot be provided within 5 minutes of game
time a forfeit would occur.

29. A coach found to flagrantly field an illegal player will be suspended for one year from the date of the infraction from the Eastern
Area Soccer League.

30. Standings:
a. Games will be based on a “point System.”
i. Wins = 3 points
ii. Ties = 1 point
iii. Loss = 0 points
b. In case of a tie for league standings – the following tiebreakers will apply
3 Updated August 2023
i. 1st – Head-to-Head Competition
ii. Total League Goal Differential
c. The maximum number of goal differential that will be credited is four goals per game
d. Each team will submit scores to the email scores@easlsoccer.net or update within the app provided..
e. Each team needs to submit the final score within 48 hours following the game played.
f. If games are canceled due to inclement weather and cannot be made up than the standings will be based on a percentage basis

31. Game Ball Size:
a. U8 will use a Size 3 Ball
b. U10 and U12 will use a Size 4 Ball
c. U14 thru Adult Pickup will use a Size 5 Ball
COMMISSIONER’S & REFEREES

32. The Eastern Area Soccer League will operate in the following co-ed, boy’s and girl’s divisions: U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U19
and Adult Pickup. Each recreation council will decide on which division the player will participate in.

33. If a recreation council participating in the EASL loads teams with players that are or have been in other travel/club leagues, the
recreation council will be brought before the EASL Executive Committee for possible removal from the league.

34. Entry fee is $100 per team for U6-U19.

35. Team Counts:
a. Preliminary Team Counts are due to the Schedule Coordinator by August 1st.
b. Final Team Counts are due to the Schedule Coordinator by August 15th.

36. Team Rosters:
a. All players on rosters must play regular season games to be eligible for tournament games
b. You cannot carry players on your roster that do not play during the regular season
c. There are some exceptions as an injury – Please report injuries so a note can be placed on the roster to satisfy playing
eligibility
d. If a player is not listed on your roster – that player will not be eligible for tournament games
e. For U14, U16 and U19 TEAMS ONLY – If a team cannot field 11 players – both teams ARE REQUIRED to play with at
least one sub unless playing 5V5 and both teams must match. If more players arrive you can adjust and put more players on
the field but both teams must still match.
f. Registrations: Each participating recreation council will handle their own registrations, fundraisers, in-house award
ceremonies, etc. All participating recreation councils need to have players and parents fill out a “CODE OF CONDUCT
FORM” and “WAIVER FORM”.

37. Players:
a. Players can only play for one team/one age bracket in the EASL unless the individual council brings the case before the
EASL Committee and is approved an exception
b. Players can only play up an age group and not play down unless the individual council brings the case before the EASL
Committee and is approved an exception
c. There will be no duplicate numbers permitted on the same team
d. All exceptions must be approved by the EASL Committee prior to the final approval of the rosters
e. Female players can play in the Boys and Girls Division in the same age group.

38. EASL Patch: All U8-U19 players participating in the EASL must wear an EASL Patch/Logo on their jersey. The Patch/Logo must
be visible.

39. Scheduling:
a. Once a game is scheduled – the game will be played – no rescheduling will be made – except for league cancellations due to
weather or catastrophic disasters

40. Once a game is scheduled – the game will be played on the field that is designated on the schedule. There will be no exceptions
unless approved by the EASL Committee ahead of time or due to unforeseen problems or conditions of a field that would make
game conditions unplayable or unsafe

41. Referees:
a. Paid officials will be used for all League and Boo Bash Tournament Games.
b. The following number of officials will be used during each game:
i. U8 – At least (1) Senior Official
ii. U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19 – (2) Officials
c. Officials Fees
i. All Fees announced at regularly scheduled meeting prior to the start of the season