7 v 7 Leagues 

"It is an absolute MYTH when people say referees never change their calls. Referees change their calls all the time when a person receiving a mistaken advantage speaks up and is honest about the situation. Fair play and honesty are the right way of playing the beautiful game regardless of winning or losing." by SOCCER CONNECTION FOUNDER 

IMPORTANT:  
ALL DISPUTES AND COMMENTS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO Soccer Connection's  DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE BY EMAIL AT: PLAY@TSCSOCCER.CA.  

To file a complaint related to a violation of the rules: 

1. Inform the referee of your complaint. 

2. Send a report via email to the SOCCER CONNECTION Disciplinary Committee (play@tscsoccer.ca) describing the issue and the teams/players involved. 

******* 

REGISTRATION  
All players must register and agree to the waiver before they can play. Captains are responsible for making sure that all their players have registered online. Fielding ineligible players may result in your team forfeiting and you will be required to pay a $30 fee for every player.  

REFUND POLICY 

Full refunds (100%) will only be issued to teams who cancel at least 4 weeks before the league start date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations less than 4 weeks before the league start date, unless SOCCER CONNECTION cancels the league. SOCCER CONNECTION reserves the right to remove any team from any of its events without refund for failing to cooperate with SOCCER CONNECTION's guidelines. 
 
SCHEDULE 

The schedule is subject to change 48 hours before kickoff without notice. It is the captain's responsibility to check the updates on the website. SOCCER CONNECTION will make every effort to accommodate all teams; however some teams may be required to play back-to-back.  

FORFEITS: Teams that fail to field at least 4 players (where one is a female - where applicable) five minutes past the scheduled kick off time, the opposing team has the option to take the forfeit at any time from that point on. Once the teams opt to play a regular game, the forfeit option is no longer valid. 

Every team is expected to honour the schedule throughout the season. There will be a $200 fine for teams that do not show up without notice or give less than 72 hrs notice. All forfeits will be accompanied by $50 fine regardless of your notice. 

LEAGUE FORMAT 

7 v 7 Coed: Two (2) female players must be on the field at all times (at least one female must be on the field to avoid forfeiting the game; however you will have to play with one player short if you only have one female player). 

7 v 7 Men's: There must be at least 4 players on the field by the kick off time to avoid forfeiting the game. 
 
Each team will have a guarantee of 9 games in total. Depending on the number of teams in the league, SOCCER CONNECTION will decide the league format. Refer to the league schedule for the format. 
 
LOANING PLAYERS  (updated May 23, 2019) 
REGULAR SEASON and KNOCKOUT STAGES/PLAY-OFFS (where applicable): No player will be permitted to register and play for more than one team per league. Exceptions will only be made, in case of an emergency, for goal keepers and in cases where a team cannot field two female players. No permission is required. You may risk forfeiting your game if you fail to follow these guidelines. 
 
WILDCARD (where applicable) 

The eliminated team from the QUARTERFINAL GAME with the best  record in the following priority sequence: 

1. GOAL DIFFERENCE 

2. GOALS FOR 

3. GOALS AGAINST 

4. HEAD-TO-HEAD. then  

5. LEAGUE STANDINGS 

GAMES GUARANTEED 
Each team will play a certain number of games (to be determined by the schedule depending on the number of teams) before the knockout stage. 
Teams are awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. 

If teams are tied after the end of the regular season, the following rules will be applied (in order): 
(1) Goal difference; (2) Goals for; (3) Goals against; (4) Head to head. 

KNOCKOUT STAGE/PLAYOFF RULES 
All players must be registered and have played at least one game during the regular season to be eligible to play in the knockout stages/playoffs. All loaned players must be approved by the opponent's captain before being allowed to play. Exceptions will only be made for goal keepers and in cases where a team cannot field two female players. The referees MUST be made aware of the above-mentioned loans and exceptions. You may risk forfeiting your game if you fail to mention this to the referee before kick-off.  

If the teams are tied at the end of regulation play: 
a) The game will go to penalty kicks. Each team will be given 5 penalty kicks (where applicable, two players of each gender must shoot). All players are eligible to take penalty shots. 
b) If the teams are still tied after 5 shots, they go to alternating sudden death kicks. Only remaining players are eligible to shoot until the entire team has shot. The teams must have equal numbers of penalty takers and this must be decided before the first penalty is taken. 
 
Third Place Game: No goals will be counted towards the top scorer award in the third place game. 
 
EQUIPMENT 
Captains must provide their own standard size 5 soccer ball for the game. 
Cleats or turf shoes are recommended (games are played on turf). 
Shin pads are mandatory. 
A player shall not wear anything that is considered dangerous on the playing field (i.e. knee braces should not be exposed). 
All jewelry must be taken off or taped down while playing. 
 
UNIFORMS 
All teams are required to bring in home and away jerseys. All players from the same team are required to wear like colours, otherwise the referee may ask the player to sub off. No pinnies will be provided. In case of colour conflict, the Away team is responsible for switching colours or they may forfeit the game. It is highly recommended that you use jerseys with numbers at the back. 
 
GAME PLAY 

Substitutions 
Unlimited substitutions on the fly. Players on the pitch must tag their teammate on the bench before they can come on. 
  

Out of Bounds  
If the ball goes out of bounds on the sidelines, play will resume by a kick in.  The opposing players must stand 3 yards from the ball on kick ins. If the ball hits the dome ceiling, play will resume by a kick in from the sideline. 

Slide Tackling  (NEW!) 
Sliding tackling is NOT allowed. This rule will be strictly enforced. Dangerous tackling or any dangerous play is not permitted. Repeated offence will result in the player getting cautioned or sent off. 
 
Dangerous Tackling 

Dangerous tackling or any dangerous play is not permitted. Repeated offence will result in you getting cautioned or sent off. Sliding is allowed as long as it isn't dangerous. Referees will be very strict with this. 
 
Free Kicks 
All free kicks are indirect. Two players must touch the ball before scoring. Opponents must give 3 yards (9 feet) from the ball before it is played. 

Corner Kick 

All corner kicks are direct. Goals can be scored from the corner kick. 

Offside 
There is no offside rule in a 7 v 7 game. 
 
Deliberate Handball 
If a player deliberately uses their hand when the ball is clearly going into the net, this will result in a red card to the player who committed the offence and an automatic goal. All other handballs will be called based on the referee's discretion. 

Fair Play 
Fair play is always encouraged. Be honest and reasonable. Arguing about a call will waste your own play-time. Please cooperate with the referees and RESPECT THEM. 
 
REFEREES 
The referees are assigned by the organizing committee. The referee's decisions on all rules and disputes are final. Any foul language or harassment of the referee will result in an automatic yellow card. Referees make mistakes sometimes, but there will be ZERO tolerance if you abuse them in any way, shape or form. 
 
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT 
All fouls are awarded with an indirect free kick from the place where the infringement occurred. 
  

Misconduct will be accompanied by: 

• Yellow Card (caution): All yellow cards will include a minimum of two minute penalty. Player may return to play. 

• Two yellow cards in one game will result in a red card. The player will miss the next game (1 game ban). 

• If a keeper gets a yellow card, the time penalty may be transferred to another player on the field. This does not apply to keepers who receive a red card. The red card rule applies to all players. 

***Players accumulating 3 yellow cards = $20 fine and 1 game suspension*** 
(The number of yellow cards will reset to zero before the knockout stage) 

• Red Card (sent off): For a straight red card, the player will be banned for the remainder of that match and will miss the next two games. The team will also incur a 5 minute penalty before replacing the dismissed player. 

Players who receive a red card may be asked to leave the stadium a the referee's discretion.  

Teams must serve the time penalty regardless of whether the player is on the bench or on the field.  

Soccer Connection's Disciplinary Committee will make the final decision on the ban length and fine amount. The Committee may reduce or increase the ban to more than two games. 

***There will be a $30 fine for any player who receives a straight RED card. This fee needs to be paid before they can play again.*** 
 
*****Any physical fighting can result in a player getting suspended from the rest of the league and a LIFETIME BAN from SOCCER CONNECTION may be issued. A team participating in a fight may get points deducted and fined. SOCCER CONNECTION may also decide to eject the team from the league without a refund***** 

REGISTRATION AND WAIVER 
All players must register and agree to the waiver before they can play. Captains are responsible for making sure that all their players have registered online at least 48 hours prior to kick-off. Upon arrival to the venue, all players must sign in with a SOCCER CONNECTION Crew member by presenting a photo ID. This information will be cross-referenced with the online registration information. All players must sign in at least 30 minutes before their first game. 
 
Fielding ineligible (UNREGISTERED) players may result in your team being disqualified from the tournament. 
 
NUMBER OF PLAYERS 
Each team consists of seven players (a keeper and 6 players). A minimum of 2 female players must be on the field at all times (at least one female must be on the field to avoid forfeiting a game; however you will have to play with one less player). No teams will be allowed to play without a female player. 

LOANING PLAYERS 
The opponent's captain, the referee, and a SOCCER CONNECTION Organizer (see front desk) must be informed of any loans prior to the start of the game. Male players may only be loaned if the team is short and the team must get permission from the opponent's captain. 
  

EXCEPTIONS:  

Goal keepers may be loaned in case of an injury or other reasonable circumstances. 

 Female players may be loaned in the case where a team only has one female player. 
 ALL LOANED PLAYERS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SOCCER ORGANIZATION ORGANIZERS (at the front desk) AND THE REFEREE. 
 
TOURNAMENT FORMAT 
Each game will be 25 minutes with no half time. There will be 5 minutes between games for change over. Please have your team ready to play 10 minutes before your scheduled start time. Every team should be prepared to play back to back. 
A team failing to field at least 4 players, where at least one is a female, at kickoff, the team will automatically lose 3-0. 

Mercy Rule - Any goals scored beyond a seven-goal differential would not be registered. 

GROUP STAGE 
Each team will play three games in the group stages. 
Teams are awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. 
If two teams are tied after the group stages, the following rules will be applied (in order): 
(1) Goal difference; (2) Goals for; (3) Goals against; (4) Five penalty kicks. 

WILDCARD TEAMS: Wildcards will be explained to the team captains. Also, you may ask the SOCCER CONNECTION Crew at the front desk when you get to the field. 
  
KNOCKOUT STAGE 
Eight teams will advance to the Quarterfinals: The qualification order will be communicated to the captains. 
a) If the teams are tied, the game will go to penalty kicks. Each team will be given five (5) penalty kicks (at least 2 female players must shoot). All players are eligible to take penalty shots. Teams must have an equal amount of players eligible.  
b) If the teams are still tied after five shots, they go to alternating sudden death penalties. Only remaining players are eligible to shoot until the entire team has shot. 
 
Third Place Game: No goals in the third place game will be counted towards the top scorer award. 
 
EQUIPMENT 
A standard size 5 soccer ball should be provided by each captain. 
Plastic cleats or turf shoes are recommended (games are played on turf). 
Shin pads are mandatory. 
A player shall not wear anything that is considered dangerous on the playing field (i.e. knee braces should not be exposed). 
All jewellery must be taken off or taped down at the players' risk. 
 
UNIFORMS 
All teams are required to bring home and away jerseys. All players are required to wear like colours, otherwise the referee may ask the player to sub off. No pinnies will be provided. In case of colour conflict, the away team (i.e. second name on the schedule) is responsible for switching colours. Teams failing to change their jerseys will be fined $50 
 
GAME PLAY 
Substitutions  
Unlimited substitutions on the fly. Players on the pitch must tag their teammate on the bench before they can come on. Keepers can only be substituted when the game is stopped and the referee must be notified. 
 
Set Pieces (the opposing players must stand 3 yards from the ball on kick ins) 
Free Kicks  - All free kicks are indirect. Opponents must give 3 yards from the ball until it is in play. 

Corner Kicks - All corner kicks are direct. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick. 

Kick-ins - If the ball goes out of bounds on the sidelines, play will resume by a kick in.   
 
Sliding and Slide Tackling 
Sliding is allowed at the referee's discretion, as long as it does not endanger any player. Slide tackling is NOT allowed. This rule will be strictly enforced. Dangerous tackling or any dangerous play is not permitted in this tournament. Repeated offence will result in the player getting cautioned or sent off.  
 
Offside 
There is no offside rule in 7v7 soccer. 
 
Deliberate Handball 
If a player deliberately uses their hand when the ball is clearly going into the net, this will result in a red card to the player who committed the offence and an automatic goal. All other handballs will be called based on the referee's discretion. 
 
Fair play 
Fair play is always encouraged during the tournament. Be honest and reasonable. Arguing about a call will waste your own play time. Please help and cooperate with the referees. 
 
REFEREES 
The referees are assigned by the organizing committee. The referee's decisions on all rules and disputes are final. Any foul language or harassment of the referee will result in an automatic yellow card. We will have ZERO TOLERANCE when it comes to referee abuse (see “FOULS AND MISCONDUCT” below). 
 
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT 
All fouls are awarded with an indirect free kick from the place where the infringement occurred. A penalty kick will be awarded for infringements inside the penalty area. Misconduct will be accompanied by: 
 
Yellow Card (caution): All yellow cards will include a minimum of two minute penalty. Player may return to play. 
Red Card (dismissal): For a straight red card, the player is banned for the remainder of the match and will miss the next two games. The team will also incur a 5 minute penalty before replacing the dismissed player. 
Two yellow cards in one game will result in a red card. Player will miss one upcoming game. 

* If a keeper gets a yellow card, the time penalty may be transferred to another player on the field. This does not apply to keepers who receive a red card. The red card rule applies to all players. 

FIGHTING 

Any physical fighting may result in the player/team getting suspended from the rest of the tournament and a LIFETIME BAN from SOCCER CONNECTION may be issued.  
 
INCLEMENT WEATHER (where applicable) 
Your safety is our number one priority; however games will continue as scheduled rain or shine. If lightning should occur, games will be postponed until the lightning stops. The tournament will continue after the delay and games will be shortened if necessary. SOCCER CONNECTION will make the final decision in regards to weather and all updates will be posted on the website's front page. 
 
 
Be safe, have fun, play fair and respect all players, referees and league organizers. Organizing a great event depends on your cooperation.