Rules and Regulations
The Over 35 11v11 Division
League and Division PHILOSOPHY
The Weston Adult Soccer League (WAS) prides itself for providing a family oriented atmosphere in which adults have a place to enjoy soccer and their families can enjoy watching them play.
Competitive vs Recreational? The league is a mix of the 2, but leaning now more Competitive /Select while retaining some basic AYSO rules. The competition level over the last 8-years in this 11v11 Over 35 Division has steadily increased and due to the ever changing balance, the Division is now more of an Open League. Because of this, rules and breaking them will be more severe and not tolerated. We will always want proper “gentlemen” behavior, and keep honesty and simplicity as the key. All Captains were explained this, and know full well of any misbehavior and the consequences that will be applied.
Weston Regional Park soccer fields are the home fields for Weston Adult Soccer League (WAS). Tequesta and Vista Parks are used as alternate when needed and available.
1) Over 35 Division Format:
The Over 35 Division uses the 11v11 format. Eleven (11) players a side. One (1) goalie and ten (10) field players.
2) Player Eligibility:
2.1 Players that are or will be 35 years old before January 1st of the following year of the start of the season are eligible to play should they register during the registration period.
2.2 Players that will turn 35 years old after January 1st of the following year of the start of the season are eligible to play once they do.
3) Field and playing time:
3.1 Field dimensions will be 44-54 yards (35-50 mts) wide by 98-110 yards (90-100 mts) length..
3.2 The official goals size is 8’x24’.
3.3 The official ball size is 5.
3.4 Uniforms are NOT included in the registration fee and are required to play. Cleats and shin guards (not provided) are required for Sunday’s games and Tuesdays and Thursdays pick-ups Program.
3.5 Games will be 90 minutes total, played in two (2) halves. Five (5) minutes between halves.
3.6 During regular season if the scores are level after 90 minutes then the game will end as a draw.
3.7 During playoff, semifinals and final games if there is not a clear winner upon completion of the second leg game two (2) extra times of ten (10’) minutes will be played and if tie continues a penalty shootout will decide the winner. The *series winner* will always be whoever makes the most points in the series. In the event that there is a tie in points and goal difference in the two games, the series will go to penalty kicks to determine the winner of the series.
3.8 The Over 35 11v11 Division we will try to insure that all players play at least 45% of each game during regular season games. Playing time during play-off games will be at captain’s discretion.
3.9 Over 35 Division Games are to start promptly at 8:00 am and 9:45 am with two (2) halves of 45 minutes each.
3.97.1 There will be a five (5) minute break for the half.
3.9.2 There will be a 5 minute break between games
3.9.3 Referees could request game cards 5 minutes prior to the start of each game.
3.9.4 The clock will start at the designated time whether the team(s) are ready or not.
If a team cannot start within ten (10) minutes of the designated time the game will be forfeited (a friendly game can be played with the players that are present and guest players can be added, however it will still be a forfeit for the team(s) that could not field enough players at time of kickoff.
3.10 The games are played with 11 players a side .To field a team you must have a least 7 players to make game official. Only players officially in team roster are allowed to play with the only exceptions of goalies. You cannot bring in players that are not on your roster, the only exceptions are the goalies. Requested goalies must be a registered adult league member, in compliance with age restrictions (Over 35 must be 35 years).
Player CAN NOT play on the field.
3.11 A forfeited game before the start of game due to shortage of players by any team is a “0-3” loss and a deduction of 3-pts (–3pts) from the Division League Standings.
3.12 When the number of players in a team falls definitely below seven (7) (e.g. by players sent off with red cards, or by injured players with no substitutions left, or a combination of both), the match is forfeited.
Forfeiting team will be sanctioned with a 0–3 loss but the result on the pitch is upheld if the goal difference at the time of forfeit of the match was greater than three (3) goals.
4) Teams:
4.1 The number of teams to participate in the season depends upon the number of players registered.
5) Team Captain & Co-Captain:
5.1 Candidates to become captains must have played the previous year in the Division. Candidates must have 40% of captains supporting them in writing.
5.2 Candidates to become a co-captain must have played the previous year in the team and must have proved he fully endorses the Division’s Philosophy.
5.3 Captains and sub-captains will have among their duties:
a) Manage team substitutions during games.
b) Attend captain meetings.
c) Provide in timely manner game summary reports. Reports are expected forty eight (48) hours after conclusion of game. Reports must include all information requested (goals, assists, attendance, referee name and evaluation,etc)
d) Provide information as required from the LDB.
e) Participate as required by personally and/or directing team players in volunteer events.
5.4 There will be a minimum two (2) captains’ meeting every season, in July and January.
By accepting the captain and/or co-captain role players commit to attend these meetings.
6) Teams Formation:
6.1 The Over 35 11v11 Division does not have a Player Ratings system. Players must be of Division age and fit division requirements.
6.2 Teams will have a minimum of nineteen (19) players in the roster (24 max allowed); if 24 at start of Game #1, team locked in for 24 all season long).
6.3 Players not on a team roster after draft day will be contacted and given options as listed below.
6.4 Roster spots (on teams) in the Over 35 11x11 Division are at a premium and very limited.
If you were on a team last year, there are no guarantees you are on a team this upcoming year after that registration window closes. Each team will have a required number of roster slots to fill that MUST be occupied by the time the captains meet for final season preparations /draft early September.
We also will have OPEN tryout dates for any new players wishing to break into the Division.
All NEW players that register MUST attend tryout(s). Players not on a team roster after draft day will be contacted and given options as follows:
(1) Stay on as a waiting list player and play on Tuesday/Thursday evenings,
(2) Move up, if qualified to the Over 45 8v8 Division, or
(3) A full registration reimbursement ( a $35 AYSO fee might not be refundable is refund request is made after seven (7) days of registration).
7) Team’s Roster Substitutions:
Roster temporary substitutions due to injuries or other reasons will be allowed upon following below requirements:
7.1 The only period to perform changes in a roster is in MARCH (moved because COVID reasons).
7.2 During OPEN window, only a maximum of two (2) Players are allowed by any one team.
7.3 Full-price paid for anyone registered in this Open Period for registration and joining a team roster.
7.4 A suspended or expulsed player due to accumulation of disciplinary points cannot be replaced on a team. The team will play with one less player on their roster for the remainder of the season or suspension period.
8) Season Format:
8.1 Two (2) legs of nine (9) games each for a total of eighteen (18) regular season games per team. The first four (4) teams of Division League Standings will have a "bye" for First Playoff Round.
8.2 The 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th teams Division League Standings will play the First Playoff Round to select four (4) teams to play the Quarterfinals. One (1) of these games will be played during weekdays and one (1) game will be played on Sunday of same week. The rest of the Playoff Games will be played on Sundays. Playoff Rounds are in Championship League format with games home and away.
8.3 • During playoffs: both games must be played. If one of the teams doesn’t show up in one of the playoff games, it will be automatically out and the other team moves on.
1st playoff round
(I) 5th place plays 10th place
(II) 6th place plays 9th place.
(III) 7th place plays 8th place
The winner of I, II and III plus the team with the best record among losers will go on to play Quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals
The four (4) top teams of the Division League Standings (Regular season) plus the four (4)teams from the First Playoff Round will play the Quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals are played in Championship League format with games home and away.
Teams will be seeded according to the Division League Standings (Regular season)
(IV) 1st place plays 8th place
(V) 2nd place plays 7th place
(VI) 3rd place plays 6th place
(VII) 4th place plays 5th place
Semifinals
Quarterfinals are played in Championship League format with games home and away
(VIII) Winner of (IV) plays winner of (VII)
(IX) Winner of (V) plays winner of (VI)
Championship Game
Winners of (VIII) and (IX) will play a single game to decide the Championship.
8.4 Rainout Makeup Games - will be determined to fill in on open dates once teams and rosters are locked in. Will try to maintain OPEN BYE weekends in the season if possible on Sunday mornings if scheduling allows, if not Tuesday/Thursday 9:05pm night games go into effect as always.
9) Referees and special Division rules:
9.1 The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you question a referee’s decision, you can be disciplined further simply for dissent.
9.2 Three (3) referee system is in place.
9.3 Referees will be instructed to maintain a “Zero tolerance” policy against rough game.
9.4 Season will abide by the most updated FIFA rules with the solely exception of the slide tackle which will be enforced at referee’s discretion.
9.5 There is absolutely no slide tackling for the purpose of dispossessing the ball from a player.
9.6. If a player slides tackles he might receive a yellow card or a warning, which will be at the discretion of the referee.
9.7 Slide tackle infractions will be punished with an indirect free kick.
9.8 Slides tackle) called inside the area will be sanctioned with a penalty kick.
9.9 Sliding for the ball is allowed so long as it is not in the possession of another player (i.e. a ball going out of bounds or rolling into an open goal.).
9.10 Unlimited substitutions for both teams will be allowed at any time during stoppage of game following FIFA Substitution Rules.
Play will begin even if the other team is not ready. It will still be required for the referee to be notified prior to a substitution. Players must come off the field prior to a substitution being made.
9.11 Water breaks midway through the first and second halves can be requested to the center referee and acknowledged by both team captains before kickoff.
10) Disciplinary rules:
10.1 Weston Adult Soccer League (WAS) - NAASA FL-0002 has a League Disciplinary Board (LDB) which oversees all violations of the Rules and Regulations.
The LDB governs all Division disciplinary matters and has the authority to impose sanctions, suspensions and expulsions to any given player as well as any of the League’s Division Directors.
10.2 The LDB governs not only the Sunday Leagues but the Tuesday/Thursday pick-ups Program games as well.
10.3 The team captains are the only players that should address the referees. If a player has a concern, problem, suggestion, etc. it should be discussed with their captain. Any over aggression verbally or physically to ANY referee or linesman can and will be punishable to the maximum allowed punishment. NO EXCEPTIONS.
10.4 Blue cards are shown when a player or players are seen by the referee to be escalating in temper or close to getting out of control during a game.
These Blue Cards are not sanctioned to gain points on player’s record for LDB rules purposes, but, anyone shown a Blue Card must immediately get off the field and not return to play for 5 minutes, at which time that player may then re-enter. He may be replaced on the field at the time of his temporary removal.
10.5 If a Direct Red Card is given to any particular player, the game will be stopped and will not continue until the player given the Red Card has left to the bench and away from the field of play. Player must not get involved in any way on continuation of game or he might be asked to leave to the parking lot by the referee at which time he must comply immediately so risk of obtaining a much larger sanction.
10.6 Red carded players are subject to EXPULSION and will be reviewed on a case by case basis as drawn out by the Disciplinary Guidelines.
Any aggression or act of violence on the field of play or on the bench will be dealt swiftly and severely. Player maybe expelled from the league and may be asked not to return for following seasons.
10.7 Players that are expelled or suspended have the right to an appeal as per our Rules and Regulations. Appeal must be in written and addressed to the LDB.
10.8 Over 35 LBD governs Division with transparent rules (if “X” happens. “Y” is the sanction as agreed by Captains). LBD will apply the 1-2-4 game sanctions or expulsion from Division.
10.9 The Over 35 Division LBD members are: Fernando Ramirez and Diego Pafumi.
10.10 A suspended or expulsed player due to accumulation of disciplinary points cannot be replaced on a team. The team will play with one less player on their roster for the remainder of the season or suspension period.
10.11: The following are the minimum of game suspensions for the following infractions.
- 1 Yellow = 1 Point
- 2 Yellows = Red Card = 2 Points and 1 game suspension
- 1 Red = 2 Points and 1 game minimum suspension
- 4 Points = 1 Game suspension
- 6 points = Additional 2 games suspension
- 8 points = Additional 2 games suspension
-10 points = player suspended from remainder of season pending review by the LDB.
10:12: ACCUMULATED POINTS ON PLAY OFFS: At the beginning of the play offs, ALL the players will start with 0 points. If a player has a sanction coming from normal season, he as to "pay" on play offs. Also for the playoffs, we reduced sanctions points to 3 and 5 points (instead 4 and 6 points).
10.13 All players registered to play on Sundays for any of the Divisions automatically have the right to play on Tuesdays and Thursdays Pick-ups Program.
10.14 The use of the League's wristband (supplied upon registration) is mandatory to be allowed to play on fields assigned to our League on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Failure to bring the wristband will be addressed following:
10.14.1 Player will wait until the players with wristband are allocated to games.
10.14.2 Person in charge will confirm his registration either by direct knowledge or checking the registration list.
10.14.3 Player will borrow a wristband from organizer which will return at the end of games.
10.14.4 Upon complying with above procedures player will be allowed to play as directed by organizer.
10.14.5 Repeat offenders will not be allowed a second time without the wristband.