• Teams can sign up anytime before session start date. To guarantee your team spot, a $100 (adult) $150 (youth) non-refundable deposit is required prior to league start date. Deposits will only be refunded if Dulles SportsPlex does not have a league spot available for your team.
  
• Adults: Full-payment is required by your first game or your team may not be allowed to play.  Non-paying teams will sent to collections and team members will be banned from Dulles SportsPlex until all payments are received.
• Youth: A representative from each team is required to attend a mandatory registration day to turn in full rosters, waivers, full payment and proof of age for each player. Proof of age includes: birth certificates, passports, and MSYSA or VSYSA sanctioned player cards. Teams that miss the registration day are subject to a $50 late fee or possible removal from the league.
• If full payment is made after the deadline, up to a $50 late fee will be charged if management allows your team to play.
• Teams that are currently registered in a league at the Sportsplex may receive discounts from time to time. Any team incurring a forfeiture during a previous session or have incurred late fees because of delinquent payments shall not be eligible for discounts.
• No individual will be allowed to participate in any league games, practice session, tournament, clinic, open pick-up game, or other activities until a release form has been properly completed and signed.
• Individuals that sign up will be placed in a Dulles Sportsplex database where other teams may contact you to recruit you for their team. If you still are not on a team, the Dulles Sportsplex will create a team from all the individuals in the database if available.

• All players are required to have a shirt with a permanent number on the back, and at least 6" long. The referee has the right not to start the game until at least 4 players have numbered jerseys. Any player who does not have a numbered jersey will not be allowed to play. Taped numbers are not permitted.
  
• Guest players must be reported to the referee prior to the start of the game. Each guest player must fill out a guest player pass and turn the pass to the referee prior to the game. Guest players who do not fill out the GP pass will cause the team that they are playing for to forfeit that game. (see Below). Guest players are not allowed for play-off games.
  
• The reason for these strict rules is to keep track of red and yellow cards. Moreover, the Sportsplex is watchful of illegal players. Remember, teams can have up to 3 guest players, but those players cannot be rostered on another team in the same division.

• In the event of a color conflict the home team must change jerseys.  Each team's jersey color will be posted on the web site and team captains will be responsible for checking to see if there is a color conflict each week.  In this event the home team must bring an alternate jersey.  Dulles Sportsplex will not be responsible if this policy is not followed.  Failure to bring an  alternate jersey will result in a forfeit.  
  

• Player rosters must be turned in prior to the first league game. Added players will be permitted prior to the third game. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of all games played with illegal player(s). Players may only be added after the 3rd game if a player is injured and removed from the roster for the remainder of the session. Proof of injury must be provided. Acceptable proof shall be a doctor's note. At the discretion of management, a team may claim hardship and add one player after the third game. Any player on a roster that is found to be illegal will forfeit all the games for the team during that season. It is the responsibility of the manager to know which players are legal or illegal. Management reserves the right to check the identifications of any player on a player roster to check and see if they are legal players under management guidelines. Youth teams must show proof of age for all players on the roster. Proof of age includes: birth certificates; passports; MSYSA or VSYSA player passes.

• Permanent Rosters must be turned in by the first game or teams will forfeit all games in which a permanent roster was not on file in the manager's office. This roster must include the names and numbers of every permanent player on your team. The numbers you put on the permanent roster must match the jersey numbers you play with. If a player is not uniformed with the same number on the permanent roster your team may forfeit that game. If a player’s number is different because he forgot his jersey number, that player must inform the referee prior to the game or risk forfeiting that game. Referee’s will track red cards based upon jersey number and not based upon player’s names. It is the responsibility of each team to ensure that the numbers match the names.
• Referees or management may at any time check the names and numbers of players prior to the start of any game or after a game. If a player is caught with a different number than the one on the roster card, that game may be forfeited.

• Rubber molded cleats or turf shoes are allowed.
• Teams must be dressed with visible numbers. No player will be allowed to participate without a numbered shirt that matches the number on the roster he or she turned in.  The number must be visible and permanent.  Visible numbers are at least six  inches tall and placed somewhere the referee can see (on the back).  Taped numbers are not permitted.
• All players must wear shin guards.

Official Games:

• A game is considered "official" after one completed half of play. If there is an injury or other unforeseen circumstance like a power outage, the current score will stand as official once a half has been played.

• Adult League Games: If a team is unable to play a scheduled game, the opposing team may choose to accept a 3-0 forfeit. If both teams agree to a make-up, they will be offered possible times from the facility management office. It will be the team manager or representative's responsibility to coordinate and select one of the available times and confirm the new game time with the other team. Failure to do so will result in the game being forfeited. The Dulles SportsPlex is not responsible for teams that neglect this rule and fail to notify the opposing team that they are not going to make a scheduled game.  Any team that causes a game to be called by the referee before time has expired due to unsportsmanlike conduct or extreme unsafe play shall forfeit that game.  If both teams are the cause of a referee calling a game then both teams shall incur a forfeit.
  
   Teams that forfeit more than one game in any given session will be subject to removal from the league.
  
  1. Call the Dulles Sportsplex to inform the facility of the rescheduled or forfeited game and get the number of the opposing team. Call the opposing team and inform them of the forfeit or possible makeup game.
  2. Use the specific Game rescheduling email link to send in writing the request to the Dulles Sportsplex. Click here to send an email to reschedule your game.
  3. Pay a $20 fee to cover the cost of the referee if the rescheduled game or forfeit is requested after it is too late to cancel the originally scheduled referee. Usually, letting the Sportsplex know about the forfeit or rescheduling request at least 3 days prior to the original game time will result in no fee. (This fee will be waived if the request is made before the season begins)
  
  
• Youth League Games: There will be no rescheduling of games. Teams will be allowed to request one date as a bye in there schedule prior to the printing of the schedule, which occurs one week prior to the session start date. Once the season begins, schedules will not be changed. If your team has an outdoor Icebreaker tournament at the end of Winter Session #2, they must notify the Sportsplex prior to starting the season. All notifications for byes must come in writing to the Sportsplex via email.  If you call and leave a message, management does not consider this an official request.  If your request does not appear listed on our published list, it will not be honored.  Teams will not be allowed to request two byes in one season. Finally, some byes are not possible to honor. Teams must understand that requests for byes are not guaranteed. Our schedulers will do everything they can to honor requests but if they are unable, games will not be rescheduled.   Teams that wish a bye should do the following:

  1. Email the Dulles Sportsplex using the specific Forfeit/Bye request email listed on the Soccer page of our webSite. The Email must include the day of the requested bye, the team requesting the bye, and the team managers name and phone. Click here to send an email to request rescheduling of your game.  
  2.  Check the website links within 24 hours to make sure requested bye was listed.  If it was not listed, please call the Sportsplex immediately.  If your bye was not listed and you wait until after the deadline, your bye request will not be honored. 
  
  Forfeits: Teams must call the opposing team to inform them of the forfeit. (Email the Sportsplex for the phone number of the opposing team) The Dulles Sportsplex is not responsible for teams that neglect this rule and fail to notify the opposing team that they are not going to make a scheduled game. If a team shows up to play and the opposing team does not show up, then the team present will win by forfeit. Teams that forfeit two games will automatically be pulled from the league.
   

  •  A forfeiture will be incurred if a team has failed to field the minimum number of players (4 player minimum) within ten minutes from the start of the game clock. Teams incurring forfeitures during a session shall not be eligible for registration discount in the following session.  If a team arrives within the ten minute grace period, the clock shall NOT BE reset.
    Any team no show will result in a 3-0 victory for opposing team and no rescheduled game will be given.
  
  Sportsmanship:
  
  • Individuals are expected to play under control and within the rules of the game, and to the best of their ability will avoid causing injury to themselves and other persons using the facility.
  Referees:
  
  • Referees appointed to officiate each game have complete authority on the field of play, and their decisions on points of fact connected with the game are final. Officiating will be monitored and assessed periodically and management will always try to provide quality officiating at the facility. Constructive comments regarding officiating are welcome and encouraged. Please submit any such comments in writing. Complaints regarding officials should be submitted in writing, contain points of fact, and have your name and the name of your team at the top. Teams may not discuss the officiating in a game immediately following their game. Teams may email a referee complaint form and send it over to the commissioner of the league. The commissioner will take seriously all complaints written on a complaint form and turned in 24 hours after a game. The commissioner will not take seriously complaints directed at him immediately following a game, verbal or written. The commissioner will not overturn any calls made by the referee during the course of a game. If a team suspects an illegal player or other illegal activity associated with other team, they should inform the commissioner immediately. If this activity is discovered after the game is completed, the team should file a formal protest to the commissioner. Please read our rules below to understand how to file a formal protest Do not discuss officiating or the officials with the facility staff during or immediately after your game.

   

          Yellow Card Policy:
  
  • Any player that receives a yellow card will be sent off for a two-minute penalty. The team of that carded player shall play a person down for the duration of those two minutes - regardless of how many goals are scored during that time. The referee shall keep track of the two-minute penalty and inform the penalized team when the penalty is completed, at which time the team shall play at full strength.  

    Red Card Policy:
    

    • Dulles Sportsplex has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY toward fighting. Anyone fighting will be ejected and they will be banned from the facility permanently.  This means that player cannot participate or spectate at the Sportsplex ever again. 
      
    • A player or coach sent off in (or after) a game by a referee (red carded) will automatically be suspended from the next game in the session. In addition, a player will be banned from playing on any other team until the suspension has been served. If a player is ejected in the last game of a session (he/she) will be prohibited from playing in the first game after he/she registers for another session.
    
    
    
    • A player or coach red carded for the offense of "foul and abusive language" will be suspended as outlined above.
    • A player red carded for the offense of "persistent infraction of the rules after receiving a caution (yellow card) or a third 2 minute time penalty" will be suspended as outlined above.
    • A player or coach red carded for the offense of "violent conduct" (including, but not limited to: spitting, threatening, continued rough play, etc.) will be suspended as outlined above and, in addition, will be suspended for one additional game and subject to further disciplinary action as decided by the facility management.
    • A player or coach red carded for "assaulting an official" will automatically be suspended from any further activities at the Dulles Sportsplex.
    • Any player or coach who accumulates three cautions (yellow cards) during league matches per session will be suspended as outlined above.
    • Should a coach of a team be unable to control a player's actions after a red card is issued, the coach will also be suspended as outlined above
    • A player jumping from the player box onto the field to break up or participate in a fight will automatically be ejected from the game and will be subject to the same penalties as outlined above.
    
    
    • A $100 bond will be required from any team involved in an altercation where more than one player is involved in a fight. Should a bond be placed against a team, the bond must be paid prior to the team's next game, or that game will be forfeited. The terms of the bond will be given in writing to the team. Should the team fail to adhere to the terms, the bond will be forfeited to the arena and the team's participation will be terminated. If the team adheres to the terms of the bond, then the team will receive the $100 bond at the end of the session.
    
    
    • It is the responsibility of each player and the player's team representative to be aware of the total status of their player's infractions. Failure to comply may result in further disciplinary measures which may include suspension of the coach/rep. and forfeiture of games in which that player participated.
    Protest:
    
    • Intention to file a protest must be noted in writing immediately following the game. A formal written protest with a $20 fee (refundable if upheld), must be submitted to Dulles Sportsplex within 48 hours after the end of a game. The league commissioners will review and have the final authority on all protests. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE ARE FINAL. Only violations of the laws of the game, rules or guidelines of the facility as published are matters for protest. Any protests regarding fielding of illegal players must be brought to the attention of the game officials prior to the suspected player(s) leaving the field of play.

    ---

    INDOOR SOCCER RULEBOOK
    
    Note: The Rules below are either substituted for, or supplemental to FIFA soccer rules.  Any situations not covered below fall under the jurisdiction of FIFA.
    
    Game Length:
    
    • Youth Game Length:
                  All games are 40 minutes long with a two minute half-time
    • Adult Game Length:
    Two 25 minute periods with a 2 minute halftime.
    Warm-Up Area:
    Dulles Sportsplex does not guarantee any areas for teams to warm-up prior to their games. Teams will have approximately two minutes to warm-up prior to the start of the game. If the training area is available, teams may use this to warm up in. The training area is a privilege not a right. If classes are being conducted on the training area, teams must stay off. Any team that disrupts these classes may be escorted out of the building and their season forfeited.
    
    Levels of Competition:
    
    • The facility will offer the following divisional structure for youth teams:
    Premier division for select teams in WAGS and NCSL and some upper level classic teams
    Division 2- Classic division for some lower level WAGS and NCSL team, classic teams, recreational teams, upper division  Classic teams.
    • The facility will offer the following divisional structure for adult teams:
    Division 1- Premier division for the most advanced players and teams. Some collegiate and professional players involved.
    Division 2- For players with several years of soccer experience but not necessarily at the collegiate level. No professional players allowed.
    Division 3- For the recreational player and beginner. No professional or collegiate players allowed.
    • The Dulles Sportsplex reserves the right to make the necessary changes within league divisions to ensure an equal level of ability and competition.
    • The following guidelines represents the parameters for Youth Competition. The age group you play in is determined by the oldest player on your team. Whatever age group your team played during the fall constitutes the age group you will play in the winter.  The cutoff date is July 31.   Any player caught playing in a younger age group will forfeit all the teams games in that age group. Dulles Sportsplex management reserves the right to check player identifications (outdoor registration cards or birth certificates) at any time.
      
    • Players may only be on one roster in a given division and league. Players may participate in more than one division and league. A lower division team may not field more than three players from an upper division. Dulles Sportsplex reserves the right to determine if a player is considered too advanced for a given division and remove the individual from the team roster. This is done in the spirit of maintaining parity in a given division.
    • Any players with current or former Collegiate or Professional experience must play Division 1. Any Collegiate players that want to play in a lower division must get permission from the league commissioner. No professional player, current or former, can play in a division lower than Division 1. Any professional players, current or former, caught playing in a lower division will be removed from that team's roster and that team will forfeit every game in which that player played.
    Coed League Play:
    
    Coed Leagues must have at least 2 women on the field of play at all times. If a team has only one woman on the field of play, a team must play down a player until another woman fills that spot. If a team has no women, the game is forfeited.
    Roster Size
    • Youth:
    The maximum roster size will be 18 players. There will be no guest players allowed. If a team has an injury or other "circumstances" whereby they lose a rostered player, that team may request that a new player be added to the roster. If a commissioner has not permitted this addition that player will be considered "illegal" and the game forfeited. Please note that ten awards will be handed out to the winning teams. More awards may be purchased from the Sportsplex at cost.  Youth teams ages U10 and under will play 7 v 7 including the goalie.  Teams U11 and older will play 6 v 6 including the goalie.  Combined divisions, such as U10-U11 will always play 6 v 6.  All Sportcourt Leagues will play 7 v 7.
    
    All youth teams must have an adult representative on their bench during all games.  This adult must be at least 18 years of age or older.  Any team caught violating this rule will automatically forfeit their game and be subject to banishment from the facility.  No more than 20 people may be in the players box at any given time (18 players, a coach, and an assistant coach). 
    • Adult:
    Starting Nov. 1, 2007, the maximum roster size will be 12 players. Teams may have at maximum three guest players for missing roster players per game.   Adult teams play 6 v 6 including goalie.  No more than 6 people may be in a players box at any given time (6 players on field and 6 players in the box).   All players (including guest players) on Over-30 teams must be at least 30 years old at the start of the season in which they wish to play.  No exceptions.
    Guest Players
    • All adult teams are allowed guest players as outlined in the above rules. Guest players may not be rostered on another team in the same league. Guest players can be rostered in other leagues as long as the player is playing at the appropriate level. Teams violating any of the general rules regarding guest players will forfeit their game. Any team playing for the division championship ( Play-off games ) will not be allowed to use any guest players for that game. All players who play in the play-off and championship game must be on their team's original roster from the start of the season.

    Awards

    • Adult:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The Dulles Sportsplex will award various prizes to winning teams. Each first-place team will receive either 10 trophies, a 10% discount off the following session or 10 championship T-shirts.  The first-place team is the team that wins the championship game in its respective division.   If teams want additional prizes or awards, they may purchase them from the Sportsplex.  If trophies are being ordered, they must be ordered within two weeks of the session ending.  If an adult team does not submit their discount or trophy order within two weeks of the end of the session, then they forfeit their trophies and/or discount. 
    • Youth:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Each first place team will receive up to 12 trophies.  If teams want additional prizes or awards, they may purchase them from the Sportsplex.
    Kick-Off
    • The home team will defend the goal furthest from the scoreboard and will kick-off the first half. The visitors will defend the goal under the scoreboard and will kick-off the second half. A goal can be scored directly on a kickoff.  Kick-off can travel forwards or backwards.
    Substitutions
    • Substitutions are free and unlimited as long as such substitutions do not interfere with the flow of the game. Furthermore, each and every substitution must wait until the player they are substituting for is off the field before they can enter. Teams that violate this rule will be given a warning for having too many players on the field by the referee. If a team has been warned but continues to ignore this rule then the referee will award a direct kick to the opposing team from the 30 foot mark. The referee has the right to award a yellow card if teams continue to ignore this rule.
    • Any team that continues to make illegal substitutions after the opposing team is awarded a free kick will be given a team yellow card.
    • Teams may substitute for the goal keeper during play. Play will not stop for goal keeper changes. The referee should be notified of a change in goalkeeper. Penalty for failure to notify official of keeper substitution will result in a loss of possession.
    Out of Bounds
    • Turf Field Leagues - The ball is in play throughout the arena, including the walls, side netting and the netting behind the goal. Any ball touching the ceiling netting or entering a team box is considered out of bounds and a kick (indirect) will be awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball. The ball will be placed directly bellow or the spot closest to where the ball touched the netting or went out or just outside the goalie box if the ball touches the ceiling net inside the goalie box.
       
    • Sportcourt Leagues - All teams will play 7 v  7, including goalies.  The ball is in play throughout the arena, including the walls and glass.  All netting is out of bounds as is the wall behind each end line.  Any ball that hits the netting or ceiling or entering a team box will result in an indirect kick for the team that did not last touch the ball.  Any ball that hits the wall behind either end line last touched by the attacking team will result in a "ball-in-hand" restart by the defending goalkeeper.  Any ball that hits the wall behind either end line last touched by the defending team will result in a corner kick for the attacking team.
Free Kicks
• On all free kicks, the defensive team must remain ten feet from the ball until the ball is kicked. After the ball has been placed, the defensive team must retreat (within three seconds) ten feet from the ball. Repeated failure to do so or failure to do so after the initial request by the kicker or official is encroachment and the referee may award that player a blue card or a yellow card for egregious offenses.
• Only one whistle will be sounded for free kicks. Failure to take such kick within five seconds results in a turnover of possession where the opposing team will take the free kick from the same spot.

Center Line Rule

• The center line rule is in effect whenever the keeper is in possession of the ball with his hands. Prior to crossing the center line, the distributed ball must first touch the floor outside of the box, a side wall, a teammate, or an opposing player. The center line rule will apply to drop-kicks as well as throws by the keeper. If the ball crosses the center line without touching one of the above, a violation results in a direct free kick from the center line. If the keeper dribbles the ball outside of the box, the center line rule no longer applies.
Yellow and Red Cards
• Please refer to the above general rules for yellow and red card violations.
• Any player that receives a yellow card will be sent off for a two minute penalty. The team of that carded player shall play a person down for the duration of those two minutes. Any team that receives a yellow card, the manager shall pull one player off the field to serve the mandatory two minute penalty. The referee shall keep track of the two minute penalty and inform the penalized team when the penalty is completed, at which time the team shall play at full strength.
• Any player that receives a red card shall be sent completely off the playing area and shall not return. The team with the offending player shall play the rest of the game with a player down. If a team receives a red card, the manager shall pull one player off the field and the team shall play the rest of the game with a player down.

Slide Tackling
    Slide tackling is illegal. Repeated offenders are subject to a yellow and or red card.

Penalty Kicks

• Penalty Kicks shall be taken from the penalty area near the top the keeper box. The keeper must stand with heels on the goal line until the kick is taken. When the whistle is blown, the kicker has 5 seconds to make his/her direct kick. If a player does not kick the ball within 5 seconds then the penalty kick will be taken away and the defense will obtain possession of the ball. Player taking the Penalty Kick may take as many steps as desired.
Goalkeepers
• After gaining possession of a ball, the goalkeeper must release it within five seconds. The goalkeeper may not pick up a ball that has been intentionally passed to him by a teammate off of that teammate's foot. Any goalkeeper infraction results in a free kick (direct) awarded to the opponents at the 30' mark. If there is obstruction or inadvertent charging committed against the goalkeeper, the referee will award a free kick. Violent or serious foul play against the goalkeeper may result in a yellow or red card.
Standings
• Teams will receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. League champion will be determined by the championship game. If the championship game has ended in a tie, the winner shall be determined by the team with the most points. Any tie breakers in points shall be determined in the following order:
  
  The winner of any head to head league play
  Least Goals Allowed
  Most Goals Scored
• If teams are still tied after the above tie-breakers have been calculated, the Sportsplex will award co-champions.
FIFA Rules
• The Dulles Sportsplex will follow FIFA rules for all situations not otherwise covered in these rules.