Playing Rules
Reglas de Juego
All OASA affiliated outdoor games utilize FIFA’s Laws of the Game
Laws of the Game modified by the OASA Substitution rule which reads:
Unlimited substitutions by either team are permitted on any dead ball, at the
referee's discretion. (This means any throw-in, free kick, goal kick, corner
kick, drop ball, penalty kick, injury, carding or any other stoppage of play).
Some national competitions (such as USASA Cups) may require a different
substitution rule. Leagues may have some minor modifications to other rules
(such as no slide tackling), check the Leagues pages for
specific information.
Offside Explained!
Field of Play
Also, OASA Affiliated Outdoor Coed leagues are required to use the OASA Uniform
Outdoor Coed Rules of Competition:
These rules must be used for all USSF Affiliated Outdoor Adult Coed Soccer in
Oregon. Leagues are allowed to add additional rules (such as age requirements or
number of goals that a player my score), however, NO MODIFICATION OF THESE RULES
IS ALLOWED. FIFA laws of the Game shall apply, except as modified and/or
clarified below.
PLEASE NOTE: As of September, 2000 - The rule requiring a women’s goal to count
as two points was eliminated. A league and/or division may still have this rule,
however, it is no longer required.
1. Each player must have a valid OASA player pass (the player MUST not be
allowed to play without a current card, regardless of the fact that the referee
just saw the card last week... the card MUST be present at the match before the
player is allowed to play !!).The OASA card is the ONLY acceptable
identification. A driver license, or anything else is absolutely not acceptable.
Player cards from other states are not allowed in league games.
2. As with all USSF affiliated Adult soccer games in Oregon. Unlimited
substitutions are permitted on any dead ball, at the referee's discretion. (This
means any throw-in, free kick, goal kick, corner kick, drop ball, penalty kick,
injury, carding or any other stoppage of play).
3. Women must take all free kicks, except those in their own (defensive) penalty
area, and all drop balls. This means that women must take all penalty kicks,
corner kicks, indirect and direct free kicks. (men may take kick offs). The
opponent shall be awarded an indirect kick in the event that a male takes a kick
in error.
4. The goalie can be of either gender. The remaining players can consist of no
more than five men. A team must have at least seven players on the field at all
times.
5. Slide tackling is NOT permitted. Violation of this rule will be considered
dangerous play, and will result in an indirect free kick. The first offense by a
team will result in a verbal warning to the team. A second offense by any member
of that team will result in a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behavior, to
the offending player. A third slide tackle, and all subsequent slide tackles,
will result in the sending off (red carding) of the player for serious foul
play. Please note: this does not mean that a referee cannot penalize the first
or second slide tackle of the game with a harsher penalty. It merely means that
he or she MUST give cards beginning with the second slide tackle of the game.
Also note: This rule does not exempt goal keepers.
A Slide Tackle is defined as an attempt to take the ball from an opponent in
which the back knee makes contact with the ground.
6. An indirect free kick shall be awarded in the event that a player takes
unfair advantage of an opposing player through direct physical contact or
through physical intimidation. Coed games are intended to be recreational and
will involve players of a variety of ages and levels of playing skill and
experience. It is not fair or pleasant for physically strong or aggressive
players to take advantage of smaller, weaker, less-skilled or less-experienced
players. Players should not be rewarded for taking the ball away from other
players through unfair physical contact or through intimidation; only skill
should be rewarded.
7. All other actions which are dangerous under the circumstances shall be deemed
to be dangerous play. This rule means that the referee will be instructed to
take into account the apparent skill level and experience of the players
involved in a given situation. An action by a skilled, experienced male
offensive player against a skilled, experienced male defensive player will be
viewed differently from one involving the same offensive player and an
inexperienced or unskilled male or female player.
8. A player sent off (red carded) will not be replaced for the duration of the
game, and that player will be suspended for a minimum of one game following. The
OASA Judicial committee may impose a longer penalty if warranted. The minimum
penalty for any action deemed by a referee to be "violent conduct", including
but not limited to fighting, is a four week suspension. THERE WILL BE NO
EXCEPTIONS. Players are expected to give their name to the referee when asked.
Managers are required to report the name of any player cautioned or ejected to
the referee, any league, tournament, or OASA official. Failure to comply will
result in fines, suspensions, disqualification of the team from further play, or
disbanding of the team.
9. Referees, managers, players, coaches and fans are requested to ensure the
recreational spirit above all else. This means that when the referee makes (or
does not make) a call that you disagree with, you will not yell at him or her,
and when you pass the ball to the other team the referee will not taunt you.
Basically, all games will be final and there will be no appeal from decisions of
the referee.
10. Each team must fill out an OASA match roster form, or provide a typed list,
with the following information for each player:
a. OASA player card number,
b. Expiration Date,
c. Player's name.
This must be turned in to the referee prior to each game. Referees are
instructed to not begin a game until you have a completed roster from each team.
11. Each team should be prepared to change to an alternate color.
a. Home team must change in case of conflict.
12. If any team fails to play a game for any reason, the opposing team will
receive a 1-0 win and the game will count for all purposes.
13. Please leave dogs at home. Most people like dogs, but very few like them at
soccer games. Children have been hurt by dogs at local coed games.
14. Games will consist of two 45-minute halves and a 5-minute half- time. The
times may be shortened if circumstances warrant (darkness, etc.).
15. Referees are required to be registered with the United States Soccer
Federation for the year in which the games take place.
16. Referees are required to file a game report on the
Referee Report Form.pdf, including
team rosters, with the OASA within 48 hours of
the completion of each game. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of
referees game fees and/or fines.
17. Any situation which is not covered by the league rules, these rules of
competition or FIFA laws of the game will be resolved by the OASA.
Revised 9/00
Oregon Adult Soccer Association
