League Rules & Regulations
Welcome to the Apex Soccer League! To ensure a fair, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone, please familiarize yourself with the following rules and regulations. Captains, please make your players aware of these guidelines. Ignorance is no defense!
Player safety & equipment
Mandatory Shin Guards: Shin guards are mandatory for all players (except in beach soccer).
Knee Braces: Knee braces must be padded with neoprene or similar padding, as approved by our officials. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any player not in compliance.
Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses are forbidden unless they are soccer-specific safety goggles.
Team Uniforms: Teams must wear shirts of the same color with a number. 7-a-side teams will be provided with shirts, or they may choose to wear a complete uniform of their own.
Game play
Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions are allowed on any stoppage. Please inform the referee before switching players.
Offsides: There are no offsides in 7-a-side leagues.
Points System: Three points are awarded for a win, one for a tie, and none for a loss. Positions are determined by points, goal difference, and goals scored, in that order. Playoffs may be held depending on the league structure.
Disciplinary Actions: Two yellow cards in the same game result in ejection for the remainder of that game. Violent conduct will result in a red card, immediate ejection, and suspension from the following game. A goal-line handball, etc., is a straight red card but no further suspension. The organizers reserve the right to bar players engaging in serious misconduct from all further games in the league.
Slide Tackles: No slide tackles are allowed in any leagues. Normal FIFA rules apply in all other cases.
League conduct & important notices
Weather: We will try to reschedule games canceled due to bad weather, but it's not guaranteed. Only lightning, flooding, unsafe storms, or heavy snow/ice will cause delays or cancellations.
First Aid: We do not provide first aid equipment or ice at the fields and are not qualified to administer First Aid. Captains should supply cold packs and first aid kits. EMS will be called if needed.
Field Access: Spectators from either team must not enter the field during play.
Waivers & Rosters: All players must sign the waiver before their first game. No new players can be added after 5 weeks. Players can only play for one team per league. No pickups allowed. Teams using ineligible players without proper clearance will forfeit. Apex soccer does not provide medical insurance.
League Dues: Captains must collect league dues and are personally responsible for unpaid balances. New teams must pay in full by week three.
Team Readiness: Teams must be ready to play on time, with a 5-minute grace period. Minimum roster requirements: 5 for 7-a-side. Coed teams need a minimum of three outfield players to be females for the 7-a-side divisions. The goalkeeper can be male or female but they do not count towards the outfield player ratios. Teams forfeiting a game are ineligible to win the division, may lose the right to return the next season, and may not have future games scheduled. Forfeits are avoided as much as possible, but credits are not provided for forfeited games.
Playoffs and additional rules
Playoffs: All divisions are ten games except where noted otherwise. Our play-offs work this way. 8 team per divisions: Teams play each other once (7 games) and then the top four teams play each other again (3 more games) with the points from those 3 games being added to the regular season to determine final standings. Likewise for teams in positions 5 through 8. 10 team divisions: Teams play each other once (9 games) and then team 1 plays team 2 with the points from that game being added to the regular season to determine final standings. Likewise for teams 3&4, 5&6, 7&8, 9&10. 6 team divisions. Teams play each other twice, no other playoff games.
Payment Schedule: Payment of league fees are due by the third week of the league. We will be sending invoices to all teams during the first week. Teams who have not fully paid by the 3rd week, can lose 2 points. Teams who have not paid after that will be ejected from the league. Deposits and league dues are non-refundable so please make sure you fully intend to participate before you sign up! If you forfeit a game you also forfeit all league dues as forfeits ruin the league for everyone!
Player Identification: We will ask to see player I.D.’s after week 5 of the season to prevent teams from recruiting extra players. By asking to see ID’s we hope to dissuade this behavior and thus not have to eject teams half-way through the season, which benefits no-one.
Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a fair and enjoyable league!