Adult Outdoor Soccer Rules & Regulations
Overview
All participants must be registered with the Nelson Soccer Association (NSA) and have all fees paid prior to playing. Unless otherwise specified below, the FIFA Laws of the Game apply to all leagues.
League Formats at a Glance
| League | Format | Field Size | Duration | Slide Tackling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Open (19+) | 11 v 11 | Full Field | 2 x 45 min | Allowed |
| Women’s Open (19+) | 8 v 8 | Half Field | 2 x 40 min | No Sliding |
| Men’s Masters (35+) | 8 v 8 | Half Field | 2 x 40 min | No Sliding |
| Co-ed Open (16+) | 6 v 6 | Small Field | 2 x 25 min | No Sliding |
General Regulations (All Leagues)
1. Equipment & Safety
- Mandatory Gear: Shin pads, soccer jersey, soccer shorts, socks, and outdoor soccer shoes.
- Jewelry: Strictly prohibited. NO JEWELLERY is allowed.
- Braces: Knee braces must be covered with soft material.
- Pre-Game: Players should arrive at least 20 minutes before kickoff for equipment checks.
2. Attendance & Rosters
- Commitment: Attendance is critical. Players missing 4 consecutive games without a valid reason may be dropped from the roster at the captain’s discretion.
- Waitlist: The League reserves the right to add players from the waitlist to teams struggling with attendance to avoid forfeits.
- Playoff Eligibility:
- Men’s/Women’s/Co-ed: Must play minimum 3 regular season games.
- Masters: Must play minimum 4 regular season games.
- Refunds: No refunds are given after the draft is concluded and rosters are confirmed.
3. Substitutions
- Unlimited Subs: Allowed in all leagues.
- Procedure: Must be made at the center line. The departing player must leave the field before the substitute enters. Abuse of this rule will result in a caution (Yellow Card).
- Men’s Open Specific: Subs made when the ball is out of play (Referee approval required).
- Other Leagues: Subs allowed “on the fly” or at stoppages.
Specific League Rules
Men’s Open League
- Roster Size: Max 20 players.
- Registration: Returning players may register for their previous team (by deadline). New players enter the draft. Nelson Selects enter as a full team.
- Forfeits: Minimum 7 players required to start.
- Format: 11-a-side on full field.
Women’s Open League
- Roster Size: Max 16 players.
- Registration: Returning players may register for their previous team. New players enter the draft. Younger players may be admitted if capacity is not met.
- Forfeits: Minimum 6 players required to start.
- No Sliding: Slide tackles are cautioned. Goalkeepers may slide only within their own penalty area.
Men’s Masters League (35+)
- Roster Size: Max 16 players.
- Registration: Returning players may register for their previous team. New players enter the draft. Mid-season drafts may occur to replenish rosters.
- Forfeits: Minimum 6 players required to start.
- No Sliding: Slide tackles are cautioned. Goalkeepers may slide only within their own penalty area.
Co-ed Open League
- Roster Size: Max 12 players (Min 5 females per roster).
- Team Formation: Teams are created by the League.
- On-Field Requirement: Minimum 2 female outfield players on the field at all times.
- Forfeits: Minimum 5 players required to start.
- No Sliding: Slide tackles are cautioned. Goalkeepers may slide only within their own penalty area.