Commonwealth Soccer League, Inc.

(Posted 3/1/08 at 1:56 a.m.) -- Please review the modifications to the rules for the 7v7 division highlighted in red font below. 

(Posted 11/25/07 at 1:06 p.m.) -- Below are the rules for CSL's 7v7 Recreation Division. There will be some changes made beginning with the Spring 2008 season in hopes of getting more SOLID teams signed up. The changes are highlighted in bold font. 

The Commonwealth Soccer League’s (CSL) 7v7 Recreation Division will consist of men 30 years and older and women of all ages. CSL will allow for special exemptions on a case-by-case basis. This document highlights the features of the 7v7 Recreation Division.  It also supplements the latest revision of the CSL’s Policies and Procedures.  Players and teams seeking to join and questions concerning the division should be forwarded to thecsl1997@yahoo.com.

The Coed Recreation Division

o       Is open to men 30 years of age or older as of the start date of the current season.

o       Is open to women of any age.

o       Plays 7 vs. 7 matches with 35 minute halves.

o       Plays on a small field (approximately 50x75 yards when available).

o       Plays with small goals (6’ by 18’ when available).

o       Each team will be required to have 2 "designated players" on the field at all times. Designated players are defined as either: a) a female player; b) a player over the age of 50. At least one of these designated players MUST be a female.

o       Requires 5 players per team to begin a match (At least 1 of which must be a woman).

o       Prohibits slide tackling, but keepers may still slide while playing for the ball.

o       Utilizes a single referee with no assistant referee.

o       Has no law pertaining to offside (Law 11).

o       Allows substitution on the fly at midfield.

Other exceptions to traditional CSL Rules:

o       Keepers are not allowed to punt, drop kick or throw the ball in the air beyond midfield.  The penalty is an indirect free kick at the spot where the ball crossed the center line.

o       In applicable matches decided by penalty kicks, the teams will take 3 penalty kicks.  Teams must alternate female and male kickers in any order.

Other key points for CSL team managers:

o       CSL player membership / registration required.

o       The CSL team fee is $650.00.

o       A player may simultaneously be on the roster of a team in the 7v7 Recreation Division and on one of the CSL’s Open Division teams. (CSL reserves the right to deny players whose skill level is above the “recreational” level to prevent teams from “stacking” which is not the purpose of the division).

• All 7v7 Recreation Division teams must have registered a minimum of seven (7) players no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled start of the season to the League Registrar or risk forfeiture of a regular season game (or games) or team fee.

o       7v7 Recreation Division teams will be considered a returning team if 5 current players were on the previous season’s roster.

o       Registration requirements will be as documented in the CSL season registration letter and registration package.