League & Pick-Up Rules

From time to time, we receive questions regarding our league rules and game formats. As our league is growing rapidly, we thought it is important to outline these rules to help players understand how the TLSC adult program operates. These rules are designed, first and foremost, to keep our player’s experience in our league safe and enjoyable. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important guidelines.

And as always, if you ever have a question or concern, please contact Coach Alex Lalaoui at 201-920-8523 or via email at CoachAlex@SoccerLearningCenter.com. Your comments and observations are always important to us.

Covid Safety Protocols (Revised February 2022)

All players and spectators are required to follow our Covid safety protocols at all times until further notice. Disregarding protocols will result in immediate termination from TSLC. All fees paid will be forfeited. Our protocols include:

• Masking is optional – please be respectful of a player/participant choice to mask/not mask. Any disrespectful comments/arguments on masking or Covid guidelines will result in ejection from the league.
• All participants are reminded to follow good hygiene practices including limiting physical contact with other players, not sharing water bottles, not spitting or leaving clothing, wraps, bandages, personal items with body fluids on our playing surfaces.

• After a match has been played, NO shaking hands or hugging with the opposing team will be allowed. We ask that you instead use a thumbs-up signal as a tool to show good sportsmanship and fair team play.
• All participants are required to purchase their own game pinnie. Pinnies are available for sale on our website for $10.00 each. We will limit the amount of equipment that is shared at all times. 
• Only registered players are allowed in the playing area. Spectators are allowed to watch matches only in designated areas off of the field area. No spectators are allowed on the field area at any time.
• NO FOOD of any kind can be consumed while on the field.
• No person under the age of 21 may participate in adult pick-up games or league sessions.
• If you are feeling unwell, please stay home. If you have been exposed to another individual diagnosed with the Covid virus, please stay home and carefully follow your doctor’s recommendations for quarantine. We encourage you to utilize your community’s resources for Covid testing. If you were diagnosed with Covid and you attended a TSLC program while infected, notify Coach Alex immediately at 201-920-8523.

• We will follow ALL CDC, federal, state and local mandates as they are released. We are required to cooperate with any efforts in contact tracing and any health department rules and regulations. Sudden cancellations may occur and we ask for your patience and cooperation. 

Discipline:

A yellow card will result in a penalty of five minutes for the offending player and will be enforced by the match referee. The offending player may be substituted during this time. The following are examples of yellow card infractions:

• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Showing dissent to the coach or match officials
• Persistent infringement of the rules (committing multiple fouls)
• Delaying the restart of play (not starting play quickly enough or preventing the start of play)
• Failure to respect the required distance (5 yards)
• Disregarding mandatory Covid safety protocols

Any active player that is about to be substituted must exit the field promptly and be off the field entirely before his/her substitute enters the field or that substitute gets the yellow

Inactive substitute players must stay in their designated area marked by cones with have their feet 3 yards behind the sideline at all times and are prohibited from intercepting the ball for any reason or they will receive a yellow card.

A red card will receive a minimum penalty of automatic dismissal from the game and a maximum penalty of permanent dismissal from the league. The offending player must exit the field immediately upon receiving a red card and cannot return to the game. The player may not be substituted and the team must play short for the remainder of the game. The following are automatic red card offenses:

• Serious foul play (using violence during the game – ie; assaulting a player rather than going for the ball).
• Violent, dangerous or aggressive conduct (any other form of violence against anyone else – player, fan, official, etc).
• Spitting at a player, fan, official, etc.
• Holding an opponent’s shirt or clothing (Intentionally).
• Tackling with little or no concern for the safety of teammates or opponents.
• Making contact with the opponent without making contact with the ball Intentionally.
• Deliberately handling the ball with any part of the hand or arm.
• Deliberately and/or maliciously kicking, tripping, jumping, charging, pushing or attacking a player, fan or official.
• Preventing a goal by knowingly handling the ball.
• Preventing a goal or interfering with a clear goal-scoring chance by committing a foul.
• Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gestures at any time during the running and operation of the league program which includes the time before, during, and after the matches.
• Vandalism of academy or location property.
• Evidence of intoxication or use of any controlled substance.
• Disregarding mandatory COVID safety protocols

Offending players are subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including a red card. When a red card is given, the offender’s team will have to play short for the remaining match time. Persistent offenders will be dismissed from the league. Being cautioned a second time in the same game for a yellow card infraction automatically earns the player a red card. Coach Alex Lalaoui and team officials reserve the right to determine any necessary disciplinary actions, including suspensions, bans, forfeiture of fees, etc. to safeguard TSLC players and the league.

General Rules:

Fees

• For leagues, each team pays a fee of $700 per team, per 7-week season.  Team captains are responsible for paying the ref a $20 per game fee each week. This fee is paid directly to the official and is the responsibility of the team captain.
• Individual players who do not have a team pay a fee of $120, per 7-week season. We will help place you on a team.
• For pick-up games, each player pays a $20 per session fee.
• All league fees (other than ref fees) must be paid online at TSLCnews.com via credit card or PayPal.
• All fees must be paid one week prior to the start of each new season.
• Team captains are responsible for making sure their players complete their waivers.

Match Format & Scoring

• All matches are played in a 7 v 7 format, no goalkeepers.
• Rosters can contain up to 10 players.
• All matches are 40-minutes, one half.
• Games will be scored according to the following: three points for a win; one point for a tie; and zero points for a loss, following FIFA scoring guidelines.
• Substitutions are unlimited and may be made on the fly (without referee’s permission) as long as the player on the field exits to the bench area before the substitute enters.

• After a 5-minute delay of a match’s scheduled start time, the referee reserves the right to forfeit the game of the team that is not prepared to play. The “winning” team will receive 3 points and their score will be the average score of all the winning team matches played that night for their goal differential. The forfeit team will receive zero points and their goal differential will be impacted based on the final score (Based on the average score of all the winning team matches played that night for their goal differential)

• Two forfeits from a team within one 7-week season will result in team expulsion from the league without benefit of a refund.
• The clock will run continuously unless a serious injury occurs.
• All games are 40 minutes in duration with no breaks.
• A goal can be scored directly from kickoff.
• When a team has been awarded a penalty kick, it must be taken from the penalty spot in front of your intended goal. Please ask the referee for direction if you are not sure where to shoot from. Players may not obstruct the “arc” in front of the goal during a penalty kick or intercept a shot. Players may stand on either side of the goal (left or right) on the OUTSIDE of the arc. Your referee will guide you on proper player placement if there is a question. If the shot is missed, the game is live.  

• Goalkeeper should stay on  his/her feet while the penalty kick is taken (no arms allowed from fingertips to shoulder seams), must stay in the goal with NO more than one foot from the goal-line and cannot step forward – no sitting – no sliding – no diving – must stay up on his/her feet without any other body part touching the ground.

• You cannot shoot and score from your own half of the field unless your shot is deflected off of another player – not deflected by a crossbar, wall or post.

• If a ball strikes a ceiling of the bubble or light fixtures, an indirect kick shall be awarded from the point on the gym floor directly underneath the object that was struck.
• Each match will commence and end with a referee’s whistle.
• There is NO slide tackling.
• There is no offside.
• Shin guards are mandatory.

• No jewelry of any kind can be worn.
• No chewing gum, chewing tobacco or candy can be eaten during play.
• No spitting, swearing, or cursing at any time.
• No animals of any kind (except valid service animals) are allowed on the premises.
• No alcohol or smoking on the premises, including in the parking lot.  Participants that appear to be under the influence of any controlled substance, including illicit drugs or alcohol, will risk having their entire team disqualified from the league without refund of league fees.
• Proper sports attire is expected. 
• Shirts/footwear must be worn at all times.
• This is an OUTDOOR match played on a turf field.  Turf soccer shoes are permitted. No cleats of any kind.  
• Only rostered players, designated league staff and referees may be on the field during the matches.
• No spectators of any kind are allowed on the field at any time. Spectators may watch from designated areas off of the field. 
• Please bring your own folding/portable chair if you need to sit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Award for Leagues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• For our leagues, the winning team is determined by the results of the final match. Winning teams will receive a token award such as a medal, certificate or trophy at the discretion of Coach Alex Lalaoui. Additional awards are sometimes issued to MVP players and for other league categories.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Specifics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• There are up to 12 players allowed per team roster.
• All players must be age 21 or older.
• For pickup games, you may field an all-female team, an all-male team, or a co-ed team provided that all players are at least 21 years of age.
• For our league games, it is mandatory to have at least one female player per roster, and one female player on the field at all times. All players must be at least 21 years of age.
• Players can register for the pick-up games and the league games. Players cannot play for more than one team on any one league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waivers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• All players in all leagues must have a completed and signed waiver submitted online at TSLCnews.com. All waivers must be completed one week prior to the start of the new season. 
• If you are playing without a signed and submitted waiver, you will be removed from the match for the evening, you can be replaced by another player and you will be suspended from the next match as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Any protests from a team must be concluded in a civilized and thoughtful manner.  We encourage you to report issues to Coach Alex Lalaoui in a timely manner, preferably immediately after they have been observed.
• The referee has the final decision with all on-field matters including time keeping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refunds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Your payment is non-refundable for any reason after you register with us, except as noted in our Covid-Related Refund policy.
• There are absolutely no refunds of any amount because of lateness, absenteeism, or expulsion from the tournament due to non-compliance of the official league rules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covid-Related Refunds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• There are no refunds due to any mandated closures by local, state or federal authorities or due to a quarantine by TSLC or other entity.
• The only deviation from our refund policy will exist for extended mandated closures due to a pandemic or state/local/national emergency under specific circumstances.
• In that case, if the closure mandate occurs BEFORE the start of the FIRST GAME of the registered season and it appears that the season will be cancelled in part or in full, a refund will be provided upon written request.
• If the mandated closure occurs AFTER the start of the FIRST GAME of the registered season, all tuition paid for that season will NOT be refunded and no credits/makeups/online programs or equivalent programs will be offered.
• As a small business, we are unable to absorb the additional costs of a second pandemic-related closure at this time. We have instituted this refund policy as a reflection of this urgent situation that we find ourselves in due to the devastating financial impacts we have experienced due to the 2020 mandated pandemic closure of our business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment Disputes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• If you dispute your confirmed credit card charge and reserved game space with your payment provider or PayPal, we reserve the right to proceed with collections and/or legal actions to ensure the recovery of the disputed amount plus any additional fees and damages. We encourage you to communicate with us to ensure proper compliance with all of our policies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right to Refuse Registration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Soccer Learning Center reserves the right to refuse team/individual registration applications for any reason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminder to All Participants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your safety is number one for us. Winning is great, but good sportsmanship trumps all.  Please keep this a fun, fair and professional environment – and GOOD LUCK!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: When you click the AGREE button on the Registration and/or Waiver page, you certify that you have read, understand and agree to abide by ALL of THE SOCCER LEARNING CENTER policies noted on this Rules page, our Policies page, our Waivers page and the Registration page.  If you have any questions, we encourage you to call The Soccer Learning Center at 201-656-1156 or email us at CoachAlex@SoccerLearningCenter.com. (hyperlink to pages as shown)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised: March 1, 2021