Outdoor Rules

3Livingston FC Adult Rec Soccer League
Outdoor Soccer 2025 RULES
Town of Livingson, Okner/Tevlin Grass Fields

Code of Conduct and Rules of Play

FIFA RULES

  • FIFA rules will apply in all cases not covered by these local rules

NO REFUNDS

  • No refunds will be provided to players before or after the season starts

INDEMNITY

  • PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK! All players must read and agree to rules and sign waivers when they register
  • You may get hurt and soccer is a contact sport. Do not play if you suffer from any condition that may lead to injury, feel you will not get injured, are already injured, recovering from an injury, surgery, heart condition, etc.
  • All league participants are required to agree to and (digitally) sign a waiver that indemnifies all individuals involved in the league including, volunteers, players, organizers, managers, The Town of Livingston, and any others involved from any liability including gross negligence
  • Players are required to carry their own health insurance and the league is not responsible for any costs relating to injuries
  • If a serious injury occurs, players and spectators are encouraged to assist that player in receiving immediate care or to call for help if needed. The game will be paused to make sure said player is attended to and will not continue until the referee says so
  • A player or spectator WILL be removed from the field of play if they appear visibly injured, bleeding, dizzy, disoriented, or in any condition that is not in fully capable and in mental and physical health to play soccer

CODE OF CONDUCT

  • Livingston FC Adult Rec Soccer in the Town of Livingston is run by volunteers. We are just helpers, this is a Town of Livingston league and we must abide by their code of conduct and rules
  • This league's intention is to have fun, grow the game of soccer, and make new friends. No bad attitudes please.
  • The league expects all players, managers, and spectators to conduct themselves according to the highest principles of sportsmanship and fair play
  • Should the league learn that the Code of Conduct has been violated by a player or team, then the league reserves the right to discipline the team, manager or player without any financial reimbursement with suspension. Keep your cool.
  • All volunteers, players, managers, and spectators will adhere to all rules and regulations and will refrain from inappropriate behavior that would detract from a positive image of any person, the Town of Livingston, participant, etc. or be detrimental to its objectives of community and growing the sport of soccer
  • All league participants are to:
    • Maintain a high level of sportsmanship, professionalism, and integrity both on and off the field
    • Maintain respect for the game as well as the referees and the opposing team. Do not harass, abuse, or berate anyone during or after the game
    • Use positive reinforcement when dealing with players, never use foul or abusive language, and never abuse a player physically, verbally, or mentally
    • Make sure the fields are left clean when they leave and report any damage caused by play, before, during, or after games
    • Display self-control in all situations and do not use foul or abusive language at any time before, during, or after a game
    • Be accepting of changing conditions throughout the season with respect to, but not limited to: game cancellations, time changes, field changes, rule changes, team adjustments, bad weather, rain, sleet, hail, lightning, etc.
  • Players must reply for attendance before each game in the TeamSnap app

REFEREES, JUDGMENT AND DISCRETION

  • There are two referees per game. There also may be an AR on the sidelines
  • Referees are certified by the state of NJ and are actively involved in the game to keep full control and clearly communicate all of the rules to the players at all times and issue warnings and cards at will
  • Referees will discipline players who act up, play aggressively or show signs of insubordination to referees or any players with YELLOW or RED cards
  • Players at no time should be making calls such as offside,hand balls, calling fouls, or other infractions. Let the refs call the game! Your yelling is a distraction to other players
  • The referee is responsible for:
    • Time management (including stoppages of play)
    • Interpretation of rules, and enforcement
    • Cautions to players including those at the field on the sidelines
    • Exercising judgment in discharging his or her duties
  • DECISIONS OF REFEREE ARE FINAL AND WILL NOT BE REVERSED
  • NO PLAYER MAY QUESTION OR ARGUE A REFEREE’S CALL
  • NO ONE WILL OVERRULE A REFEREE’S DECISION EVER
  • INSUBORDINATION WILL LEAD TO ON FIELD DISCIPLINARY ACTION, AT REFEREE'S DISCRETION, INCLUDING A YELLOW CARD
    • If you have comments, please address them to your manager after the game

PENALTIES AND "PLAYING ADVANTAGE"

  • Players must understand that not all fouls will cause a stoppage in play
  • If directly after a foul, the offended team gains possession (AKA "Advantage") of the ball, the referee may not stop play
  • This may include obvious hand balls, slide tackles, kicks or trips
  • After the play, if it was a serious infraction, there was an injury, or deemed necessary by the referee, play may be stopped and a drop ball or free kick given

PLAYERS

  • Only paid registered players, who signed all waivers, assigned to their specific teams, may join the field of play
  • All players are encouraged to arrive AT LEAST 15 MINUTES before their game time to warm up, check in with their manager, and get ready to play
  • Teams consist of 11 active players per side on the field including the goalie
  • There must be a minimum of 8 players from each team on the field of play including the goalkeeper at all times to avoid a forfeit where the game will be recorded as a 3-0 victory for the opposing team
  • If neither team can supply 8 players, the match will be considered a 0-0 draw
  • A friendly will be played if an official game is not possible
  • There are NO field player substitutions allowed from bystanders, other teams, or any players not on said teams roster
  • Goalie substitutions may be allowed if managers discuss and agree BEFORE the game
  • Team managers will report goals scored by their manager to the "Boot Boss" for tracking the GOLDEN BOOT leader board. An award is given at end of season

DURATION OF PLAY

  • Referees are instructed to begin play on time, games will start promptly
  • All teams are encouraged to arrive early and get organized
  • Official time is kept by the referee
  • 2 Halves @ 35 Minutes each +5 min halftime = 75 Minutes
  • The halftime break is limited to 5 minutes
  • Water breaks may be given due to excessive heat
  • There is no added time to be played during the game (within reason at discretion of the referee)
  • A game is considered official when one half or more has been completed
  • In the case of a tie during a “playoff” or “finals” game, the game will commence a 5-shot penalty kick shootout will occur following FIFA rules to determine a winner. After first five PKs it's a tie, goes to sudden death
  • If a winner cannot be determined the league committee will make a decision

PLAYER ATTIRE

  • Jerseys will be supplied by league when they are delivered (SOON), until then players must bring their own BLACK or WHITE jersey
  • Team jersey colors are indicated for each game on the schedule in TeamSnap
  • Players are encouraged to bring both BLACK and WHITE jerseys to all games
  • Please do not wear gray or other colors as a field player
  • Managers are suggested to bring extra BLACK and WHITE jerseys
  • Goalkeepers must wear a color that is NOT BLACK or WHITE!
  • Shin guards are REQUIRED and MUST be worn UNDER the socks
    • Players will NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY without shin guards and will be asked to leave the field until they can be supplied a pair
    • Highly suggested that team managers and players bring extra shin guards and socks
  • Plastic molded grass cleats are HIGHLY SUGGESTED
    • Metal cleats and baseball cleats are FORBIDDEN
  • Metal/hard jewelry is FORBIDDEN to be worn by players during games with the exception of a medical alert bracelet
  • Sport watches, FitBits, Whoop Bands, etc. must be REMOVED
  • Jewelry MUST be REMOVED prior to the start of the game
    • Earrings, necklaces, chains, rings, bracelets, rings, anklets, etc.
  • Long hair MUST be tied back so it is not in player’s face any time during the game
  • Knit skull caps and bandannas are allowed but must not contain any sharp or hard edges
  • Only goalkeepers are allowed to wear baseball-style hats with a brim
  • Hard casts of any kind are NOT ALLOWED to be worn during a game
  • Managers and players are responsible for adherence to rules and must communicate before the game starts

SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Teams are encouraged to plan their lineups before the game, stay organized, and sub quickly
  • Teams may make an UNLIMITED number of player substitutions on the fly but are encouraged to sub during play stoppage (throw-in, free kick, goal kick, corner kick, halftime, after a goal is scored, etc.)
  • Teams should allow even playing time for all players as humanly possible
  • Subbing players does not require the referee’s attention but game stoppage may be required by the referee at their discretion
  • Players may yell "SUB!" to the ref during a play stoppage and they will acknowledge and given a few seconds for players to come on/off the field
  • The referee may DECLINE a substitution if it deemed confusing, unsportsmanlike, or inappropriate
  • Entering players should enter the field at the middle line
  • Exiting players should exit the field at the closest possible location to speed up play and stay clear of other players

PENALTIES

  • The referee has the authority to penalize players for ANY infraction
  • This includes verbal insubordination, rough play, aggressive play, charging, sliding, grabbing, jumping, high-kicks, pushing, holding, kicking, or any non-permissible contact
  • Players may be given verbal warnings and may be carded for offenses
  • Keep your arms down and refrain from holding, pushing, grabbing, or shoving
  • Shoulder to shoulder contact is part of the game and is not an offense
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct such as kicking the ball after the play has stopped, holding the ball, taking your shirt off on the field in protest, offensive comments from the sidelines, etc. may be met with a YELLOW CARD

NO SLIDE TACKLING

  • There is NO SLIDE TACKLING allowed of any kind, stay on your feet!
    • This is to prevent injury and is for the safety of all players
  • If the slide tackle is an aggressive foul, the player may be given a YELLOW or RED CARD
  • A player may slide to save possession of a ball when no opposing players are around
  • Goalkeepers may slide when making a save in the box but should not contact players or slide feet first/cleats out aggressively into a player
  • Goalkeepers outside the box are considered field players and may be penalized for slide tackling

FREE KICKS

  • All free kicks are to be taken from where the infraction occurred according to the referee
  • Quick re-starts are NOT ALLOWED when there is a goal scorning opportunity
  • Time MUST be allowed to the defending team to form a wall if it is a goal scoring opportunity and the kick can ONLY be taken AFTER the referee’s whistle
  • The ball must be STATIONARY before it is kicked
  • The kicking team may request 10 yards of space to the referee and opposing players must abide

OFFSIDE

FIELDS AND EQUIPMENT

  • The league games commence at 8:00pm and 9:30pm
  • The "Snackbar" field is to the left, "Woods" is to the right
  • All managers and players are requested to help with field setup
  • Goals may need to be removed and positioned before and after games
  • All hands are requested to show up early and help setup so games start on time
  • The Town of Livingston Public Works is responsible for grass cutting and field lining. There are many lines on the field. We play the white lines. If the lines are faded, we will use small soccer cones to assist
  • All spectators, chairs, bags, and equipment should be at least 10 feet from the sidelines
  • Extra soccer balls should be removed from field of play or anywhere they may interfere with the game
  • Please pickup all trash and check areas that they are cleaner than when you arrived
  • All trash should be taken to the dumpster and the end of the far parking lot behind the snack bar. Not just just next to the garbage cans on the ground
  • The Town of Livingston may close fields due to soggy conditions or where the field may be hazardous. Please be patient with schedule changes

THROW-INS

  • Players must follow FIFA rules for throw-in form and technique
  • Reminder that there is no offside for throw-ins
  • The referee calls the direction and must be followed

GOALIE RULES

  • Goalies are allowed to take goal kicks, punts, and distribute throws the full length of the field
  • Goalies are allowed 6 seconds to release the ball after receiving with their hands. Holding the ball for too long will result in a penalty
  • Teammates may intentionally pass the ball back but the goalie may only use their feet from a pass back
  • If the goalie uses their hands from a pass back (or same team throw-in), there will be an opposing team free kick from where the infraction happened (may be inside the box close to the goal)
  • The goalie may legally use their hands if their teammate uses any other part of their body except their feet (above the knee) to pass it back (head, shoulder, chest, hip, etc.)
  • A goalie using their hands outside the box to save a goal may result in a free kick and a YELLOW or RED card

THE LIGHTS

  • Lights are on from 7:30pm to 11:45pm. If games are delayed due to weather or any circumstances, there should still be ample lighting to complete
  • If at any point the lights go out during a game, and it's after halftime, the game is complete. If before half-time, the committee will schedule a continuance or a ruling

CAUTIONS BY THE REFEREE

  • Any player who receives a YELLOW CARD may be asked by the referee for a 5-minute cool down on the bench at the referee’s discretion
    • Substitution for the penalized player is allowed
  • Should a goalkeeper receive a YELLOW CARD and asked to sit, another player may be assigned goalkeeper
  • If a player is shown a RED CARD by the referee for committing a serious infraction, the player must exit the field and the team must play a man down for the rest of the game
    • The player may be directed to LEAVE THE SPORTS FACILITY immediately at the discretion of the referee
    • A player who is shown a RED CARD may be suspended for future games at the league’s discretion and may be removed from the league
  • Final disciplinary decisions will be made by the ruling committee and the player will be contacted on the decision

PENALTY KICKS

  • Any penalty within the goalie box area may result in a DIRECT penalty kick according to FIFA rules
  • The kicker must keep continuous forward momentum
  • The goalie must have at least 1 foot on the line
  • The ball must touch the 12 yard line and goalies may request the distance be paced off if the field markings appear not accurate
  • The goalie may not overly dance, talk, or be disruptive before a penalty kick
  • If the goalie or any player talks trash to the shooter before the PK, the referee may give a warning, call it a goal, or give a YELLOW CARD for insubordination

FIELD CLOSURES

  • Field closures are at the discretion of The Town of Livingston
  • If game cancellations are needed, every attempt will be made to notify all players at the earliest possible notice
  • Games will be rescheduled at the earliest possible makeup date
  • Please leave fields cleaner than when you arrived!