The Spokane Rapids Adult Soccer league is a friendly, coed and women’s recreational league for persons 18 years of age and older. It is designed to provide Spokane area adults with a safe and enjoyable soccer experience. Women’s division games are in the small-sided 8v8 format and played on U12 fields (80 x 50 yards). Coed division games are in the 11v11 format and played on full size fields (110 x 60).
League Management
The League Coordinator is responsible for coordinating league activities through the Spokane Valley Junior Soccer Association, DBA Spokane Rapids and Plante’s Ferry Complex (fields, referees, grounds crew, etc). The Program Coordinator is also responsible for scheduling games and ensuring league rules are followed by all players.
Each team will be managed by a “Head Coach” aka Team Captain. The Team Captain is responsible for assembling the team roster (first to sign up online on the Spokane Rapids website spokanerapids.org) providing registration information and league rules to each player and ensuring the game day procedures are completed.
Rosters
All players must register through the Spokane Rapids website by the posted deadline. Each team may roster up to 18 players, and must carry a minimum of 13 players for 11v11 and a minimum of 10 players for 8v8. Prior to each match, all players may be required to show photo ID to verify their status on the team roster, or as an eligible league substitute. Teams with less than 13 players in attendance may use substitute players who are properly registered with the league (on another team). Guest players who are not registered with the league are not allowed.
Uniforms and Equipment
Teams are responsible for providing their own uniforms. Players on each team must wear matching colored shirts. Teams are encouraged to use reversible jerseys or two sets of shirts (light and dark) to manage uniform color conflicts. Matching shorts and socks are encouraged but are not required. A team failing to have all of its players wearing matching uniforms can still play the game with the consent of their opponent.
All players must wear shin guards. Soccer cleats are permitted. Hard casts and braces are subject to the referee’s approval; if permitted, they must be covered and padded to the referee’s discretion. The home team will provide game balls.
Referee
Matches will be officiated by a single center referee provided by the Spokane Rapids. If no referee is available to officiate the match-- either team may elect to cancel and attempt to re-schedule the game. The teams must contact the League Coordinator to reschedule. If a game is cancelled, any number of players may play an informal game or practice. By agreement, the teams may elect to play a counting game without a referee or with an unofficial referee.
Game Day Procedures
Each team captain will provide an official league game report to the referee. Game report templates will be sent by the league to team captains, and may also be available online. All players listed on the game report must also be listed in the team’s online roster and have properly registered. Prior to the match, the referee may require that all participating players provide a photo ID that lists both their name and date of birth to verify their eligibility and identify. The referee will return these IDs immediately after reviewing them before kickoff. Upon completion of the match, a team captain or designee from each team should sign their game report to confirm the accuracy of scores and any player cautions and/or send-offs.
Player Conduct
Excessive foul language will result in a yellow card. Subsequent violations will result in a red card.
Altercations
Players who stop “playing soccer” to engage in a verbal altercation will be issued a yellow card. Any player involved in a physical altercation will be given a red card and will be suspended for the next game.
Modified Laws of the Game
All play will be governed by FIFA Laws of the Game with the following modifications: Match Length: 8v8 matches are 70 minutes in length (two 35 minute halves) with a five minute half-time. 11v11 matches are 90 minutes in length (two 45 min halves) with a 10 minute halftime. Any match that must declare a winner (quarterfinal, semifinal or championship) that ends in a regulation tie will proceed directly to FIFA Direct Kicks from the Mark. Only players on the field at the end of regulation are eligible to participate. Any game reaching half time may be declared a completed game if it is suspended due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. All matches abandoned due to weather or other circumstances will be reviewed to determine whether the match result stands, or the match should be replayed in its entirety, resumed at the point of suspension, or declared a forfeit.
Number of Players
The playing format is 8v8 for women’s and 11v11 for coed. Teams must have at least five and eight players respectively to begin the match. The clock begins when the referee signals the start of the match; teams with fewer than five and eight players may have a 10-minute grace period before the match is forfeited. Coed teams must field at least five (5) female players at all times. Teams unable to field five females will play short. The opposing team may elect to waive this requirement, allowing a male player to be substituted for the female.
Four Goal Differential Rule
Teams who are down by four or more goals may play with an additional field player (9v8 and 12v11). Co-Ed Rules: Under the “Four Goal Differential Rule”, teams down by four may add an extra male player even if they do not have the required five female players on the field.
Substitutions
Substitutions are unlimited and made at the referee’s discretion. All substitutes must petition the referee before entering the field.
Spectator/Fan Control
Only uniformed rostered players are permitted to be on the field during games. Each team is responsible for the actions and conduct of their fans and spectators. Referees and/or league officials reserve the right to expel fans and spectators, and may discipline teams accordingly.
Slide Tackles and General Sliding
Slide tackling (sliding and tackling a ball and an opponent) is not permitted at any time, except for goalkeepers in their penalty area. Sliding for a ball without an opponent present is permitted. Infractions result in a direct kick; infractions inside the attacking team’s penalty area result in a penalty kick.
Goalkeeper Distribution
Goalkeepers may not punt or drop-kick the ball over mid-field. Goalkeepers may throw the ball and play the ball from the ground over mid-field. Infractions of this rule will result in a direct free kick from the point the ball crossed the midfield line.
Offside
In general, offside will not be enforced. The referee and both team captains must agree (prior to starting the game) to any deviation from this rule. Considering there are no assistant referees, under no circumstances should any player question a referee’s decision to enforce (or not enforce) offside.