NORTHWEST JERSEY SOCCER ASSOCIATION
2005 LEAGUE RULES
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1The League
1.2 League Play
1.3Assignment of Referee
1.4Directory of Teams
1.5Suspension of Play
1.6Pets Prohibited at Field Side
2.0 Registration
2.1Insurance
2.2Team Registrations
2.3Team Placement Guidelines
2.4Player Registration
2.5Roster Additions
2.6Player Eligibility
3.0 Town Responsibilities
3.1Fields
3.2Referees
3.3Roster Size
3.4Coaches
4.0 Game Day
4.1Starting Time
4.2During the Game
4.3Uniforms
4.4Linesmen
4.5After the Game
5.0 League Discipline
5.1Game Discipline
5.2Player Challenges
5.3Players Arriving Late
5.4Re-Scheduling Games
6.0 Instructions to Referees
6.1Field Conditions
6.2Start of Play
6.3Referee Guidelines
6.4Referee’s Report
6.5Protests
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The League
The Northwest Jersey Soccer Association (NWJSA) is a league devoted to the development of soccer among youth largely in the area of Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon and WarrenCounties. The NWJSA is operated by volunteers to promote a high standard of soccer play in an instructional environment and in an atmosphere of friendship and sportsmanship. The league is a recreational league as defined by New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (
A 2/3 affirmative vote of the existing members is needed for a new town to enter into the league.
1.2 League Play
There is one season of play. The season shall start in September, usually the first Saturday after Labor Day and continuing until around Thanksgiving. Games are normally scheduled to be played on Saturdays.
All games shall be played under the rules of F.I.F.A ( USSF ( and as per modifications herein:
Divisions / Groupings / Birth Date / Players on Field / Ball / Time of / Half-TimeRanges / Maximum / Minimum / Size / Halves / Break
3 Full-Sided / Girls/Boys / 1/1/91 – 7/31/93* / 11 / 8 / 5 / 35 mins. / 5-10 mins
3 Short-Sided / Girls/Boys / 1/1/91 – 7/31/93* / 7 / 5 / 5 / 25 mins. / 5-10 mins
4 / Girls/Boys / 8/1/93 – 7/31/95 / 11 / 8 / 4 / 35 mins. / 5-10 mins
5 / Girls/Boys / 8/1/95– 7/31/97 / 8 / 5 / 4 / 25 mins. / 5-10 mins
6 / Mixed / 8/1/97 – 7/31/99 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 25 mins. / 5-10 mins
* Provided the player doesn’t play for a High School team at any level (i.e., freshman, Junior Varsity, or Varsity)
No overtimes or shootouts.
Teams are allowed unlimited substitutions, which may be made with referee consent at the following times:
- Prior to own throw-in
- Prior to goal kick by either tea
- After a goal by either team
- After half-time by either team
- After the referee has stopped play for an injury and the coach has been beckoned on the field
A player receiving a yellow card or an injured player attended on the field must be substituted for. Such substituted players may re-enter the game with the referee’s permission at the next stoppage of play as defined above.
The teams will be located on one side of the field and the spectators on the other. Only two (2) coaches are allowed on the sidelines and must remain in coaching area (between center line and 18 yard line). No-one is allowed behind the goal.
Home team supplies two game balls. If one is not suitable, choose the best ball between the teams
All games will start at designated times, as long as each team meets the MINIMUM number of players.
The keeper has 6 seconds to get rid of the ball from their hands.
In Division 5 and 6 there is NO SLIDE TACKLING. It is to be deemed as a dangerous play.
In Division 6, there are no direct free kicks, penalty kicks or offsides. One Coach may stand on the field, but only at the sidelines and never in the middle, or by the goal.
Coaches are to have two (2) copies of their rosters for each game (one for the referee and one for the opposing coach)
Challenges on player eligibility must be made prior to the beginning of the game for Divison 3, 4 & 5 games. The challenging coach must indicate to the referee the nature of the challenge and the name and number of the challenged player. The referee must inform the coach of the challenged player that the player has been challenged and must note the challenge in his game report to the league. The league will address the challenge and decide on its action prior to the next scheduled game involving the challenged player’s team.
A coach is responsible for the conduct of the team’s parents and other family members and spectators. Anyone receiving a RED CARD will receive an automatic additional one game suspension.
In addition to these guidelines, the results of the previous years’ competition are scrutinized to ensure proper placement in setting the levels of play. Teams will be flighted by a mathematical formula based on players’ ages and whether a player plays travel soccer at any age division, or has played travel soccer in the spring season immediately preceding the current fall NWJSA season. **No town shall place a traveling team in the NWJSA League.
Fields may be of any reasonable size. It is recommended that Division 3 and 4 fields be a minimum of 50 yards by 100 yards, and Division 5 be approximately 50 yards by 70 yards (but should meet the requirements of the US Soccer 8v8 Program. Division 3 and 4 shall be marked per F.I.F.A. requirements and Division 5 per the US Youth Soccer 8v8 Program guide)
The following modifications to the US Youth Soccer 8v8 Official Laws shall be used by NWJSA:
Goals: Although it is desired that the goals be 7 feet by 21 feet, towns may use standard goals if these are available
Footwear: Only Soccer shoes are allowed
Maximum number of players on a team is left up to the individual town, except fourteen (14) is recommended.
Slide Tackles: No slide tackles are allowed in Division 5 or 6 games. Any slide tackle in a Division 5 or 6 game shall be considered a dangerous play and the offended team shall be awarded an indirect free kick, unless a foul was committed in which case F.I.F.A. laws require a direct free kick.
1.3 Assignment of Referee
A referee is assigned by the HomeTown for all Division 3, 4 and 5 games. Each team is expected to provide a linesman to assist the referee as requested. Major questions about officiating shall be addressed by the town representative, and brought to the league meeting if not resolved.
1.4 Directory of Teams
The League provides an annually updated directory of Teams, town coordinators and coaches. Towns are also provided with a schedule of games prior to the start of the season.
1.5 Suspension of Play
A game abandoned by a referee, due to weather, will be considered official with the score standing at the time of abandonment, if the second half of play has started. If play is abandoned in the first half, or during the half-time break, the game must be replayed, unless the coach of the losing team decides that there would be no point in re-scheduling the game. If he chooses to make the concession, he should note this to the referee and notify the town representative. (This also applies to games called for darkness)
1.6 Pets Prohibited at Field Side
It is the policy of the NWJSA that pets are not allowed along the field of play while there are players present. It is further the policy of the NWJSA that unleashed dogs must be kept at least 100 feet from the field during a match, and leashed dogs must be kept a least 50 feet from the field. This restriction has been imposed due to incidents involving youths being bitten. Failure to abide by this restriction may result in the abandonment of a game by the official.
2.0 REGISTRATION
2.1 Insurance
The League is a recreational soccer league and therefore has no type of insurance. Therefore, it accepts no responsibility for injuries occurring during the course of the season. Each town has the responsibility for its own insurance. Each town must be insured through the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association at a minimum, or must carry equivalent insurance purchased elsewhere. Additional insurance can be carried at the town’s discretion. Proof of insurance shall be required from each member town prior to the start of the current season. New Jersey Youth Soccer will provide a Certificate of Insurance for each member town. For the mutual protection of all member towns, their players, coaches and administrators, a copy of the town’s Certificate must be filed with the League prior to the first game of the season as evidence of insurance coverage or that member town’s teams will NOT be permitted to play.
2.2 Team Registration
Teams are registered by supplying team rosters and appropriate fees ($20 per team for Division 3, 4 and 5; no fee for Division 6) to the League President or Treasurer. The deadline for registering teams is the July League meeting.
Teams shall register with New Jersey Youth Soccer Association as a recreational team as required by the NJYSA, but no later than the first game of the season.
Teams that withdraw after the Team Registration deadline will forfeit their registration fee. Teams that fail to fulfill their schedule during the season may face the strongest possible sanctions, including suspension of coaches from NWJSA league participation.
2.3 Team Placement Guidelines
The following guidelines have been developed to help Town Officials determine the level of play for their teams. The League will give you any assistance you need in this area.
Teams in each division will be assigned to a flight based on a flighting score determined by the league’s Flighting Committee and revised from time to time as necessary to refine its accuracy. Beginning in 2005, flighting scores are determined as follows:
Birthdates for each player on a team are entered into the NWJSA Roster and Flighting form
The form automatically calculates a League Age, expressed as a whole number plus a decimal, for each player
Each player is identified as a Travel Player (by entering “yes” in the appropriate column on the form) or non-Travel Player (by entering “no” in the appropriate column on the form), and the form automatically calculates the weighted League Age for each Travel Player
The total of the weighted League Ages of all players on a team is then automatically calculated and averaged by the form, giving an Average Weighted League Age for each team
The Average Weighted League Ages of all teams in a Division are ranked and grouped as required to create the various flights within that Division
For the purposes of determining Weighted League Age, a Travel Player is defined as one who is currently on the roster of a travel soccer team or has played on a travel soccer team as recently as the spring season immediately preceding the current NWJSA fall season
In addition to these guidelines, the results of the previous years competition are scrutinized to ensure proper placement in setting the levels of play.
2.4 Player Registration
At least 11 players per team must be registered by the player registration date. The following is required to complete the player registration form:
Proof of birth date: Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certification, passport, Alien Registration Card or any valid legal document. A copy of each registered player must be kept on file by the town.
In addition to the player registration form, each team must complete a team roster form. One copy of each team roster shall be provided to each town prior to, or at, the July meeting of the NWJSA.
2.5 Roster Additions
To add a player to the roster during the season, the team copy of the roster should be updated and a copy forwarded to the League. Every such roster addition must be dated and initialed by the town representative. Rosters may not be changed after 11:59 P. M. on the Friday immediately preceding the second regularly scheduled game of the season without league approval. The only exception to this requirement is for Division 6 (non-competitive),in which players may be added to the roster at any time during the season if confirmed in writingbysubmission of an updated roster tothe league and to each coordinator when such additions are made."
2.6 Player Eligibility
League divisional age groupings are as defined by the USYSA and the NJYSA, with August 1st of the competition year being regarded as the cut-off date. With permission of the town in which they play, players may play up in a higher division. Under no circumstances may a player who is too old to be eligible to play in Division 3, the oldest age division in the league, be granted an exception to play in the NWJSA. No team may submit a roster containing any player whose birthdate falls earlier than the oldest permissible birthdate for that division. This rule is for the protection of the players, coaches and administrators of the member towns and to maintain compliance with insurance requirements.
3.0 TOWN RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Fields
The home town will provide suitable fields, marked and cleared of debris. Goalposts, nets and corner flags must be provided. For the safety of our players, all goal posts must be secured to the ground in order to avoid potential injury. Each town will have choice of which touchline is to be designated for the teams and which for the spectators.
The day of the game the home team delegate will check the conditions of the field. If it is unplayable, the opposing coach should be called at least two (2) hours before the game. In the event of cancellation of a game the re-scheduling shall be done per paragraph 5.4 below
3.2 Referees
The home team is responsible for arranging for a referee and for payment of any fees to the referee.
If the referee does not show within 15 minutes after the scheduled game time, the coaches of the participating teams shall select a referee by mutual agreement. If no agreement can be reached between the two coaches, the Home Team Coach (or designate) will referee the first half of the game, and the Visiting Coach (or delegate) will referee the second half of the game. In any case, the game must be played.
If any coach has any question about the eligibility of an opposing player, it is best to raise it with the referee before the start of play, challenging if necessary. Protests may be filed with the League regarding events during the game, and reported to the referee.
3.3 Roster Size
There is no maximum roster size, however teams of 24 or more should be divided into two teams.
3.3 Coaches
Each team shall have a head coach who has, minimally, achieved an “F” License through a F.I.F.A. approved program. It is recommended that all coaches be certified, although this is not mandatory. If a certified coach is not available on game day, the game can be played with an uncertified coach. However, if no responsible adult will agree to serve as interim coach, that team will not be permitted to play, and the game will be recorded as a forfeit (1-0) in favor of the opposing team.
4.0 GAME DAY
4.1 Starting Time
The visiting team will be allowed 15 minutes starting time grace period
The home team shall have no grace period. Any team not showing up for a game shall automatically forfeit the game 0-1 and may be subject to League sanctions.
To start a game each team must have the minimum numbers of players on the field (see table in 1.2 above). As long as each team has the required minimum numbers of players, the game will start at the scheduled time. As additional players arrive, they will be allowed to enter the game during any legal substitution time until the maximum number of players is on the field playing. If at any time a team drops below the minimum allowed number of players on the field, the game shall be immediately stopped and that team will forfeit the game 0-1.
4.2 During the Game
Coaches shall coach only on the team sideline in the area between the 18 yard line and the center line. Assistant coaches or fans are not allowed to coach in a similar fashion on the opposite side of the field.
Prior to the game each coach shall provide a copy of his team roster to the referee and opposing coach. The team roster shall contain as a minimum, player’s name, uniform number and date of birth.
Maintain discipline: A coach may remove a player to calm him down, but the team must play short. The player may go back on a stoppage of play, as outlined above under rules of substitution, on a referee’s signal. Under no circumstances may a player or group of players enter or leave the field without the referee’s permission. The referee is in absolute charge from the time he or she arrives at the playing field until he or she leaves. This includes actions before and after the game upon which League actions can be taken. A coach shall not remove a team from the playing field during a game. Violations of this fundamental Law of the Game will be subject to the maximum sanctions permitted by the League.
Game Discipline and Sportsmanship: Coaches MUST take appropriate actions to prevent winning by large goal differences. If and when it becomes apparent that an opponent is not competitive, it shall be the coaches’ duty to prevent the goal differential from exceeding six (6) goals. Among the options available to coaches are: switching superior players from offense to defense; reducing the number of players on the field down to the minimum allowed for that division; instructing players to shoot only with their weaker foot (“off-foot”); requiring a large number of consecutive successful passes before a player can shoot; shooting only headers; shooting only from outside the penalty area; playing few players forward; using inexperienced goalkeepers; etc. In no case should a coach permit the final margin of victory to exceed six (6) goals. Margins of victory of seven (7) goals will result in an automatic inquiry by the NWJSA disciplinary committee, and may result in the coach’s suspension for one game. Repeated incidents of running up scores will result in the coach being suspended for the remainder of the season, or barred permanently from coaching in the NWJSA. Player and team discipline is ultimately the responsibility of the coaches. Players who resist following directions pertaining to sportsmanship should be relegated to the bench as necessary.