Adult Recreational League Rules

GENERAL

The game is played in a 7v7 format on 12U fields with 12U goals. The league will play under general FIFA rules with some changes made to facilitate leisure play. All decisions of the referee are final and binding. The club reserves the right to decide on all matters relative to the league and its decisions are final. The club may reschedule a match, change league structure, reduce match duration or cancel a match with appropriate notice. The Adult League is recreational, not a competitive league. No refunds or credits are provided for injuries, ejections, or weather cancellations.

SPIRIT OF THE GAME

Mankato United believes safety is the most important component of recreation programming. All participants understand the emotional and physical safety of players is of utmost concern and participate accordingly. While soccer is a contact sport, please use control. Reckless play (especially that endangers the safety or enjoyment of other players) will not be tolerated.

TEAM SIZE AND COMPOSITION

Minimum player requirement for a team is nine (9) players and each team may carry up to fourteen (14). Players must be listed on their team's roster to be eligible to play.

REGISTRATION

Players register individually.

If you have a group of people you would like to play with, please designate a team captain, and everyone in the group enter that person's name when registering. When teams are formed, we will do our best to honor the groups and team captains.

If you do not have a group you would like to play with, please register as a "Free Agent" and you

will be added to a team.

Minimum age limit for all players is eighteen (18).

If you have a group and you are not open to having "Free Agent" players, please email adult.rec.musc@gmail.com for other options.

START OF PLAY

Players arriving after start of play must check in with the referee before entering the field. Teams with low player numbers for a game may borrow players from the opposing team when both teams agree. No team may bring in someone not on the official roster to play.

DURATION OF THE GAME

All games will have 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.

OFFSIDES

Offsides will be in effect.

SUBSTITUTIONS

No limits on substitutions. Substitutions may only enter the field at signal from the referee.

EQUIPMENT

Shin guards are required. Metal cleats are forbidden.

UNIFORMS

Uniforms are at the team discretion. The team jersey must all be the same color. If both teams are wearing the same color, the home team must wear pennies or have an alternate color. The goalkeeper must wear a different color than the opposing team. Soccer attire is recommended. Jeans, jewelry, or other accessories are prohibited.

REFEREES

The game is officiated by 2 referees certified by MNSRA; their decisions are final. Be respectful to the referees.

SLIDING: IMPORTANT!

The referee has the final say on all sliding calls. Improper sliding is a Red Card offense.

Slide tackles of any kind are prohibited.

Sliding when other players are nearby is prohibited. It does not matter if you didn't come in contact with another player.

Sliding when other players are NOT nearby IS allowed (ex: to save a ball from going out). The referee has the final say on whether or not other players were nearby.

If a player is carded for an improper slide, and there was no contact, the team doesn't have to play down. If contact DID occur, the team must play down a player.  The referee has the final say on whether or not contact occurred.

Exceptions:

Goalkeepers MAY slide when other players are near, provided they do so safely, without coming into contact with another player. The referee has the final say on what is "safely" and whether or not contact has occurred.

FIGHTING

Any player who engages in fighting of any kind, retaliatory or otherwise, is automatically dismissed from the game. The player is also subject to removal from the league with no refund. The club has the final say for all rules and regulations.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Alcohol is not allowed at Mankato United Soccer Club games or events. Teams are responsible for their spectators.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR

If a player commits a serious aggressive foul, or offends any spectator or participant of the game, the referee shall issue a Red Card and the player removed from the game. If a player receives two (2) Yellow Cards in a match, then they will be removed from the game.