Adult Soccer Rules Modifications

A.A. COUNTY ADULT SOCCER LEAGUE RULES -  2026

SPORTSMANSHIP - BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE GAME!

 

League rules emphasize skill development, equal playing time, and safe, respectful competition. While specific guidelines vary by sport, the core principles generally require strict age eligibility, zero-tolerance policies for unsportsmanlike behavior, and a strong focus on fun rather than winning.

These foundational guidelines are designed to ensure fair play, safety, and a positive environment for all participants.

The accordion tabs below outline the league Rules for Anne Arundel County’s Recreation & Parks Adult Soccer League.

It shall be the policy that the rules of play of this league shall be the National Federation of State High Schools, unless amended or modified herein, and are governed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks’ Guidelines and Reference Manual. 

Tobacco, Drug, and Alcohol Prohibition

  • No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers of any kind, are permitted in or on any Board of Education-owned or leased buildings or grounds at any time.
  • No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers of any kind, are permitted in or on any R&P buildings or grounds at any time. To include, but not limited to:
    • restrooms, spectator and concession areas, dog parks, aquatic facilities, or playgrounds in any R&P recreational facility or park. 
  • Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited within 100 yards of an organized activity at an R&P recreational facility or park. 
     

An organized activity is an event with a defined start and end time, held in a designated or permitted area. Examples of organized activities include athletic events and concerts.

Zero Tolerance Procedures

  • PURPOSE: To implement and provide a procedure that allows for a safe environment for player participation, Coach Instruction, Fan support, and officials. The following procedure is designed to deter unsportsmanlike behavior at youth sporting events.

In cases where unsportsmanlike behavior is being displayed, the referee/official (s) have the authority to:

  • Stop the game and warn the offending sideline (s).
  • The next display of unsportsmanlike behavior by the offending sideline(s) will result in termination of the game.
  • If the officials cancel a game due to unsportsmanlike behavior, the Recreation & Parks Department will determine the contest's outcome.

Disciplinary Action For Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The Department has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions for inappropriate and/or unsportsmanlike behavior and/or non-compliance with departmental policies, guidelines, or standards. This authority is not limited to programs sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

  • Ejections In Adult Sports
    • Players, coaches, or spectators ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct by departmental personnel or game officials will be suspended for a minimum of two (2) weeks, including playoffs and tournaments at departmental facilities.  
    • Ejections occurring at the end of the season will result in the suspensions being carried over to the next sport or season. The suspended individual may be barred from all sites
    • A coach who refuses to provide the full name of an ejected player and/or coach to departmental personnel or game officials will be subject to disciplinary action. Coaches/team representatives must notify the sports supervisor of the ejected player within 24 hours of ejection.
  • Physical Confrontations
    • A player, coach, or spectator who makes or threatens physically aggressive contact with another individual, other than a game official, may be suspended from all county-sponsored sports for a minimum of one (1) year from the date of the incident.
    • A player, coach, or spectator who threatens physically aggressive contact with a game official may be suspended from all County-sponsored sports for a minimum of two (2) years from the date of the incident.
    • The suspended individual may be barred from all County parks, facilities, and County-sponsored activities.
  • Non-Appealable Disciplinary Sanctions
    • The following disciplinary sanctions may not be appealed:
      • Probation
      • One or two-game Suspension for Participants in Youth Activities (includes coaches)
      • Two-week Suspension for Participants in Adult Activities
      • Recruiting violations
         

  • Yellow and Red Cards

    • Yellow Cards - Any player who receives a yellow card must leave the field for 5 minutes. 
      • A player may be replaced. (2 yellow cards = 1 red card) 
      • Any player receiving 2 yellow cards in a game will be ejected from the game and will receive a 2-week suspension. 
      • The suspended player must leave the park during the suspension. Additional suspensions may be given. Good Sportsmanship is not an option!!!
    • Red Cards - Any player receiving a red card will be suspended for 2 weeks from ALL LEAGUES. 
      • The suspended player or coach must leave the park during the suspension. 
      • Any player or coach receiving 2 red cards will be suspended from all soccer leagues for the remainder of the season. 
      • Additional suspensions may be given. 
      • During any suspension, the suspended person will be prohibited from all A.A. Co. R & P events.
      • It is the coach's responsibility to report the player or coach to the Sports Supervisor. Any coach not reporting the cards/ejections will be subject to suspension.
         

    Sportsmanship is not an Option!!!! Threatening the Official, Fighting, or Profanity will not be tolerated and WILL receive disciplinary action.

  • Language Rule Guidelines
    • Any foul language, which can possibly be heard in the stands or through the field area, will result in an ejection from the game and a suspension per the rules and regulations. 
      • The team will not play short. Any player receiving a red card will be suspended for 2 weeks from ALL LEAGUES. The suspended player or coach must leave the park during the suspension. Any player or coach receiving 2 red cards will be suspended from all soccer leagues for the remainder of the season.
    • Foul Language that is regarded as incidental, under the breath, or reflex action, will result in a verbal warning. A second instance of the above (2), by the same person, will result in a yellow card. 
      • The team will not play short.
      • Any player who receives a yellow card must leave the field for 5 minutes. A player may be replaced. (2 yellow cards = 1 red card) 
      • Any player receiving 2 yellow cards in a game will be ejected from the game and will receive a 2-week suspension from all leagues. The suspended player must leave the park during the suspension. Additional suspensions may be given.
  • These guidelines give the officials the tools they need to eliminate foul language. It also allows room for warnings. If a player continues to use foul language, he/she is "penalized" by the 5-minute penalty or ejection. The team is not necessarily penalized since they do not play short.
  • Check website: https://www.aacounty.org/recreation-parks/sports or the Team Sports Portal
    • Weekend Leagues: Call the Recreation & Parks Hotline #410-222-7312 OR check the website listed above
    • Weekday Leagues: Call the Bachman Sports Complex Rain Line at 410-553-8996. If the game has not been canceled (the hotline will not be updated), the official will decide playability at the game site. Games will not be played if there is lightning.

Player Eligibility

  • Men’s “Unlimited” Divisions 
    • All players must be 18 years old by the first day of the season. No Exceptions. 
  • Men’s 30 & Over 
    • All players must be 30 years old by the first day of the season, with the following exception:
      • Each 30 & Over team may have 2 players who are 28 years old at the start of the season
  • Men’s 40 & Over
    • All players must be 40 years old by the first day of the season, with the following exception:
    • Each 40 & Over team may have 2 players who are 38 years old at the start of the season
  • CoEd “Competitive/D1” 
    • All players must be 18 years old by the first day of the season. No exceptions. 
    • Players can only be on 1 Coed roster in the Coed league. (Players Can’t Play Both Competitive & Recreational). 
  • CoEd “Recreational/D2” 
    • All female players must be 18 years old by the first day of the season. All male players must be 30 years old by the end of the season, with the following exceptions:
    • Two male players can be 25-29 years old on each team. 
    • Players can only be on 1 Coed roster in the Coed league. (Players Can’t Play Both Competitive & Recreational). 

Player Identification

  • All Leagues - Identification may be checked before the start of the game. 
  • Players must carry proof of Age/ID to every game. Failure to provide identification upon request will result in the player not being allowed to participate in the game.
  • Challenges to a player's age/eligibility must be done on-site before the start of the match or at halftime.
  • Players failing to produce proof of age upon request should be removed from the game and the name submitted to the RP office for further review.

Rosters

  • Players can only be listed on ONE roster for the Anne Arundel County league.
  • All Rosters must be turned in before the first game. NO NEW PLAYERS may be added after the roster has been submitted unless a Sports Add/Drop Form is received. The roster is limited to 25 players. 
  • If a player's eligibility is questioned, the player(s) must provide proof of Identification. A valid state-issued identification card with a picture (Driver's License, Military ID, Passport, or State ID card) will be accepted as proof. 
  • Coaches are required to have a copy of their roster on hand and be given to the officials if a player’s eligibility is questioned.

Uniforms

  • Team shirts must be identical with 6" numbers clearly visible on the back of each jersey. Numbers must be permanent; no tape. 
  • Shin guards are mandatory. 
  • Jewelry is not allowed during games (at the discretion of the game officials). This includes hair jewelry, piercings, and rings. This is a safety precaution.
  • No metal spikes allowed.

Game Balls

  • Each team must provide 1 ball and 2 corners (visible) markers/posts for each game. Any team not adhering to this is in jeopardy of forfeiting the game.

Game Time / Start Time

  • The clock will start at the scheduled game time. Teams must have a minimum of 7-players (Coed at least 1 woman on the field) to begin a game. 
  • If a Team cannot field the minimum number of players after 15 minutes, the game will become a forfeit. In COED games/matches ONLY, if the referees do not show up by 9:30 pm, the game will be recorded as a 3-3 tie.
  • All Divisions - 45-min halves with a 5 minute Half time. 
  • Half a game constitutes a whole game, and the final score is what exists at the point the game ended.

Slide Tackling

  • Slide tackling is prohibited in ALL Leagues. Penalty will be:
    • CoEd Leagues - Automatic Red card
    • All other leagues - Automatic yellow card

Substitutions 

  • Allowed on own throw-in, goal kicks, and injury (one-for-one).
  • Sub on possession throw-ins (piggy-backing is allowed in all leagues).

Illegal Players

  • Any team that allows an illegal player to participate in any game will forfeit all games that the illegal player has played in, and the coach of the team will be given up to a 2-week suspension.
  • Women may protect themselves by crossing their arms across their chest to avoid injury from players or kicked balls. Discretion should be used by the referees to avoid unnecessary handball violations in the circumstances. 

Scoring and score reporting

  • Goal Scoring: All goals scored either by male or female players (COED) will only count as 1 point.
    • Score Reporting - All coaches are responsible for reporting the game results within 24 hours after the game, with the following
    • Score/Result of the game 
    • Red Cards given to players 
    • # of officials
  • Games results not reported may result in a loss for each team. Standings can be found on the website: www.aacounty.org/recparks.

Point System

  • Call in or email your game results. Game results not reported to the office may result in a loss for each team. Email: rpchan88@aacounty.org or text: 443-336-1554.
    1. Game Won = 3 points
    2. Game Tied = 1 point
    3. Game Lost = 0 point

Tie-Breaker Rule

  • In the event of a tie between 2 or more teams, the following tie-breaker rule will be in effect. 
    • First would be record/points. 
    • Second would be Head-To-Head. 
    • Third will be goal differential. Fourth will be Total Goals Scored. Fifth will be Coin Flip.

Playoffs 

  • A single-elimination playoff will be offered after the regular season.
  • Playoff brackets will be posted on the website after the regular season of league play.

Tie Breaker Rule for Play-offs

  • Coin Toss determines the goal team will defend.
  • 2 - 10-minute Sudden Death Overtime. First score wins the game.
  • Penalty Kicks (alternating teams after each kick), 5 kicks per team. If tied after the 5 kicks, 1 kick per team until the tie is broken (i.e., 1 to 1). Note: players who kick must be on the field at the end of the game.
  • Players may not come off the bench to kick

Forfeits: Forfeited games will be scored as 3-0 per FIFA rules. Any team forfeiting 2 games can be removed from the league. 

Referees and Referee Fees:

  • Each team is responsible for paying the referee on the field before each game. 
  • The fee is listed on the league schedule. 
  • The team that forfeits will be responsible for the payment of both officials. The fee must be paid before resuming play in the league. They must be paid at the Bachman Sports Complex, 570 E. Ordnance Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060, during business hours. 
  • If a team decides they need to cancel a game, they must notify the Program/League Supervisor (410-222-0017) at least five (5) calendar days in advance. 
  • The games will be rescheduled only if time permits. If less than five (5) calendar days, the team canceling must first get the opposing team to agree to the cancellation. 
  • Both teams involved must contact the Program/League Supervisor. If the Program/League Supervisor is not notified at least 48 hours in advance, the team canceling the games will be charged with forfeits and will be responsible for paying the forfeit fees. These games will not be rescheduled.
     

Masters 40& Over Soccer League Specific Rules

  • FIFA Substitution Rule (Substitution on Dead Ball)
  • Substitution on All Throw-ins and Goal Kicks

Senior 50 & Over Soccer League (Specific Rules)

  • The 50 & Over Soccer League will follow the following rules and guidelines for league play.
    1. League will be run twice per year with Spring & Fall leagues. 
    2. The schedule will be posted on the recreation website. Game days will be on Thursday nights at 9:10 pm on various turf fields within the county.
    3. Format will be: 11 v 11 with a 25-man roster that must be turned in before or by your 2nd match. 
    4. All teams are required to have matching, same color jerseys with numbers on the back. 
    5. Starting in 2022, all players on all teams must be 50 years old during the calendar year. 
    6. All teams will be allowed up to two 40-and-over goalies every year, but that will be the only position those players can play! 
    7. The match will consist of 20-minute quarters (80-minute match + 5-minute halftime)
    8. Kickoffs will be done at the start of EACH QUARTER!
    9. Weather-related cancellations will be rescheduled based on time and availability.
    10. Coaches ensure the honor and honesty of players’ behavior, age eligibility, and sportsmanship.
    11. FIFA rules will be used for all matches with the following exception: 
      • Sub on possession throw-ins (piggy-backing is fine!), all GK’s, no CK’s, injury sub 1 for 1, and stoppage of clock after goals.