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Players & Rosters

  • Teams must roster players of the correct age in keeping with an honor code and corresponding to the year of the bracket. An opponent’s team manager may request proof of age directly to The XPL if there are disputes or suspicions that ineligible players are being used. The policy also applies to guest players.
  • Players using false information when joining the league will be considered an illegal player and all games involving that player will be forfeited.
  • A player playing while suspended may result in a forfeit of the game and the illegal player will be suspended from further activity at XPL pending management ruling.
  • Forfeits can be declared for games involving ineligible players, ineligible age players, suspended players. The game score for a forfeited game will be 3-0.
  • Players must meet the age requirement
  • Rosters must be submitted 1 week before the first game.
  • A team can not add another player on to their team after the second week.

Guest Players

  • Guest players must be set up in the Avila app and are subject to approval by the XPL board 24 hours before a game
  • To be eligible for the Final Event (last week of the season), players must have guest played in one of the previous seven games
Pay Guest Player Fee

Scoring

Four players from the same team must touch the ball before a goal is awarded

  • All goals are worth one (1) point
  • 4 players from the same team must touch the ball to score.
  • The format is 4v4 – 4 players plus the XPL trainers
  • An XPL trainer is considered one of the players
  • An XPL trainer may be considered as one of the 4 players that touches the ball before a goal is awarded

Example

If three players touch the ball four or more times amongst themselves, an attempt on goal will not be allowed. Four players from the same team must touch the ball to be live (live means four players have already touched the ball). Once the ball is live and an attempt on goal is made, and opposing players don’t deflect or touch the ball; then a goal will be awarded.

  • Penalty kicks are worth one (1) point

6-7 years old

  • penalties must be taken from the midfield spot
  • the ball can go in on the ground

8+ years old

  • penalties must be taken 10 feet behind the midfield spot
  • the shot cannot be bouncing and must and go in through the air
Penalty kicks are taken without a goalie. A field player can not defend the attempt on goal.
  • Hitting the crossbar while taking a penalty: worth two (2) points
  • does not have to score a goal
  • must be a direct hit (ball can not bounce and hit the crossbar)
  • Own goals do not count
  • Teams delaying the start of a game due to not being ready at game time or having less than the minimum amount of players available will be penalized accordingly:
  • one (1) goal at 2 minutes in
  • an additional goal at 3 minutes in
  • an additional goal at 4 minutes in
  • forfeit of game at 5 minutes in (3-0)
  • Scoring can happen from anywhere on the field as long as 4 players from the same team have touched the ball

Excessive leads or mismatches

  • If a team leads by 4 goals, the opposing team can add 1 player on the field immediately.
  • If a team with an extra player scores two goals, they must revert to 5 players on the field.

Schedules and Standings

  • The schedules and standings will be available on our website
  • Standings will be determined by points:
  • three (3) points for a win
  • one (1) point for a tie
  • zero (0) for a loss
  • Tiebreakers to determine standings will be followed in the following order:
  • head-to-head
  • goal differential
  • goals for
  • Teams may request games be rescheduled if 24 hours notice is provided. If a reschedule is granted, it may take place at any one of the four Avila Soccer facilities.

Equipment

  • The Game Ball Size may be size 4 or 5.
  • All team members shall wear the same color jerseys to distinguish them from the opposing team and the XPL trainer. Players are asked to bring alternate color shirts (dark & light) in the event both teams are the same color. In the event both teams have the same color shirts, the HOME team must change. If alternate color jerseys are not available, color vests will be used.
  • Each player is required to have shin guards covered by socks or shin guard sleeves.
  • Players wearing any kind of protective gear (i.e. knee pads) must wear the soft cushioned type. No hard plastic or metallic protective equipment is allowed. XPL trainers reserve the right to make exceptions based on the protective gear.
  • Knee braces are allowed on the condition that any potentially harmful edges or protrusions are adequately padded. The XPL trainer has the right to disallow any potentially harmful knee braces.
  • Players with casts of any kind are not allowed to participate, unless cleared by management.
  • Watches, pedometers, fitness bands, rings and/or pierced jewelry must be covered by tape or removed per XPL trainer’s instructions for safety and welfare of all players.
  • All other equipment the XPL trainer deems dangerous (including ball caps) to a player or opponent will not be allowed.

Game Clock

  • The game shall consist of two (2) 22-minute halves for the XPL
  • Half-time interval will be 2 minutes. In the interest of time constraints, the half-time may be shortened to catch up on lost time due to injuries or other stoppages in play.
  • Time between games shall be fourteen (14) minutes and teams are required to be ready to play. In the interest of time constraints, the time between games may be shortened to catch up on lost time due to injuries or other stoppages in play.
  • The game clock may be stopped for serious injuries (XPL trainer’s discretion).
  • After the time between games or after the half-time has expired, the game clock will be started regardless if the teams are on the field prepared to play. The XPL trainer will start the game when both teams are ready.
  • An XPL trainer may start play before one or both teams are ready if they think the team is not adequately preparing themselves for the game or simply stalling. Any goals scored after the XPL trainer’s whistle count regardless of the team’s readiness.

Start, Restart and End of Play

  • A kick-off from the center mark starts play at the beginning of each half and after every goal. A player taking the kick-off can only touch the ball once until another player touches it (see Two-Touch Rule). The kick-off may go forward or backwards.
  • Visitors kick-off to begin the game.
  • During all kick-offs, both teams shall remain on their halves of the field until the ball is in play.
  • A goal CANNOT be scored directly from a kick-off.
  • All free kicks, goal kicks, and out-of-bounds restarts are indirect.
  • Restarts take place by either a kick-off, free kick, out-of-bounds, corner kick, or dropped ball. Any restarts resulting from out-of-bounds shall be taken within 2 feet of the wall where the ball went out. For all restarts, the ball must be stationary and opposing players must be at least five (5) feet away. A player taking the restart may only touch the ball once before another player on the field touches the ball. If a player violates this rule, the opposing team gets a free kick at the spot of the second touch infraction.
  • Corner kicks are restarts that occur when the ball crosses the defensive end wall and is last touched by a defensive player. The ball is placed on the Corner kick spot on the side it went out.
  • A dropped ball restarts play if neither team has clear possession of the ball at a stoppage.
  • The game is over when the scoreboard sounds or when the XPL trainer signals that game time ended.

Two-Touch Rule

  • For any start (including kick-offs), restarts or penalty kicks, the player addressing the ball may only touch the ball once until another player (offensive or defensive) touches the ball. This includes the ball coming off the wall or glass. If the player addressing the ball touches it a second time before another player touches it, a free kick (no foul) is awarded to the other team.

Ball out of Play

  • The ball is out of play when it touches any netting above the perimeter walls.
  • The ball is out of play when it makes contact with the superstructure (ceiling/lights/beams).
  • The ball is out of play when it makes contact with any player or spectator outside the arena walls.

Substitutions

  • Unlimited Substitutions
XPL trainers handle all House Team substitutions, and or dedicate a volunteer to handle substitutions.
For parents who put their own team: they must signal an XPL trainer before a substitution can be made. Transitions will be done within 15 seconds.
  • Guaranteed Substitutions
During guaranteed substitution times (i.e. after a goal is scored), teams will be allowed 15 seconds to complete player substitutions. The XPL trainer shall issue a warning to an offending team for the first offense, if stalling. Subsequent violations can result in a 2-minute penalty. The following examples are guaranteed substitutions:
  • After a goal is scored
  • After a time penalty has been awarded
  • During an injury timeout
  • At an XPL trainer’s stoppage
  • Prior to the start of any half or overtime period

Fouls & Violations

A free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the point of infraction, for a player who commits any of the following offenses (all fouls are called at the discretion of the XPL trainer):

  • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
  • Trips an opponent.
  • Charges an opponent from behind.
  • Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
  • Obstructing an opponent when not in possession of the ball. This includes standing between the opponent and the ball so as to form an obstacle. Obstruction is not called when a player has a ball and is shielding so as to prevent an opposing player from stealing the ball or if the ball is kicked downfield and a player attempts to run through an opponent who has established position.
XPL trainers handle all House Team substitutions, and or dedicate a volunteer to handle substitutions.
For parents who put their own team: they must signal an XPL trainer before a substitution can be made. Transitions will be done within 15 seconds.
  • Pushes an opponent.
  • Holds an opponent.
  • Playing in a dangerous manner (deemed out of control).
  • Playing the ball while any part of one’s body is on the ground or while having a hand/knee on the ground.
  • Slide tackling (contact with opponent). No sliding at an opponent while they are in possession of the ball, no sliding to block shots or score goals. No type of sliding is permitted at all in league play.

Time Penalties

Blue Card

2-minute player penalty; team remains with 4 players on the field

A Blue card shall be assessed for serious fouls and incidents that may include:
  • Boarding (propelling an opponent into the wall)
  • Elbowing
  • Striking
  • Slide tackling
  • Deliberate handball
  • Substitution violations
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior
  • Multiple fouls/penalties assessed against a player
  • Encroachment (continual violation)
  • Delay of game (continual violation)
  • Incidental foul language or spitting on the field
  • Other offenses deemed severe or blatant

Yellow Card

4-minute player penalty; team plays a man down until there is power play goal

A Yellow card shall be assessed for reckless fouls and incidents that may include:
  • A second Blue card (for fouls above)
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior (continual violation)
  • Provoking altercation, short of fighting (i.e. pushing, poking)

Red Card

Player ejection, 5-minute team penalty

A Red card shall be assessed for violent fouls and incidents that may include:
  • A third Blue card or third time penalty (for fouls above)
  • Intentionally elbowing an opponent above the shoulder
  • Vicious slide tackling, seriously endangering/injuring an opponent
  • Fighting
  • Leaving Team Bench area to engage in a fight or confrontation with the opposition or XPL trainer
  • Extreme unsportsmanlike behavior including:
  • Spitting at an opponent or other person
  • Extremely abusive language or behavior towards an opponent or XPL trainer
  • Bodily contact with XPL trainer in dissent
  • After two power play goals, the team can put another player back on the field other than the player who was ejected from the building

Other Violations

  • Last Man Back/Penalty Kick
If a “last-man-back” or obvious scoring opportunity foul occurs (XPL trainer discretion), a foul is called and the offensive team is awarded a free-kick from the midfield spot. Both teams are to be behind the midfield spot.
The free kick is taken on the XPL trainer’s whistle, but play is not live. If the goal is made, a kick-off is taken. If the goal is missed, then a goal kick is taken from the touch line. Time is not stopped (XPL trainer discretion), but the game cannot end until the free kick is taken.
  • Advantage Rule
Generally, advantage will be only allowed when the team against which a foul or violation has been committed will benefit from an existing offensive advantage. The Advantage Rule should be applied near or in the offensive half of the field.
  • Serving Penalties
  • All players must serve their own penalties.
  • Players serving their time penalties must serve their entire time penalty before returning to play, unless they are the only bench player available.
  • For each time penalty being served by a player, his or her team plays with one less field player until the time penalty expires.
  • Should a player receive a time penalty and the time penalty drops the team below the minimum amount of players to play, the offending team must forfeit the game.
  • Power Play Goal
If a team is scored upon while having fewer players on the field, due to one or more players serving time penalties, a player may return from the team’s bench/penalty area. A player serving a time penalty must serve their entire time penalty. If both teams receive time penalties at the same time and/or have equal numbers of players serving time penalties, the Power play goal is not in effect.
  • Multiple Penalties
When a team has two players in the penalty box and a goal is scored by the opposing team, only the first player penalized can be replaced. If another goal is scored, the second player may be replaced even though both players must serve out their penalties in the box. Only two players may serve time penalties at a time. If a third player receives a time penalty, his/her time penalty does not begin until at least one of the other teammates’ time penalties has expired.

Parent/Spectator Etiquette

At the XPL, we believe that everyone plays a role in creating an environment where players can thrive and develop their Soccer IQ. As parents and spectators, your enthusiasm and support are invaluable, and here are some ways you can contribute:

Cheer for both teams

Celebrate great plays, teamwork, and effort on both sides, not just goals. In doing so, parents rise to a higher standard themselves, setting the tone for sportsmanship and positivity. By becoming active participants in creating this unique atmosphere, parents embody the values of XPL and stand as a vital part of what makes this league soar above the rest.

Focus on the process, not just the results

At XPL, we emphasize building Soccer IQ and fostering long-term growth. Recognize the small wins—strategic passes, quick decisions, and creative plays—that will benefit players in the future.

Encourage teamwork

Applaud instances of collaboration and selflessness on the field, as these are the building blocks of success in soccer.

Let the trainers do the coaching

Trust the highly skilled XPL trainers to guide the players with on-field corrections and advice. Your role is to support and enjoy the game from the sidelines.

Respect everyone on and off the field

Show respect to all players, trainers, referees, and fellow spectators. Positive energy from the sidelines creates an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and motivated.

Familiarize yourself with league expectations

Take a moment to review the league’s Possession rules at the very least. By doing so, you help reinforce the purpose of XPL as a transformative and joyful experience for every participant.

Together, we can make every match a rewarding experience for all involved. Your encouragement and respect set the tone for the players and leave a lasting impact on their growth, both on and off the field. So, bring the noise, bring the energy, and let’s make game day electric! Cheer for every pass, every play, every moment like it’s the biggest match of the year—because for these players, it is. Your spirit from the sidelines is the heartbeat of the XPL!

Team Boxes

  • Home team is the first team listed on the schedule. Teams must take the bench designated for the Home team or Visitor (Guest) team.
  • No one except coaches and players are allowed in the team boxes with a maximum of 2 coaches per team.
  • Teams will switch sides (on the field/not benches) at halftime. XPL trainers will not switch sides, but switch teams. This allows teams to play with two trainers during a game
  • Flash photography is prohibited from within the players boxes.
  • Glass containers are prohibited in the players’ box.
  • Players are asked to exit the players’ box immediately after the game and hold player conferences, discussions, etc. in another part of the facility.
  • Players are asked to pick up all their belongings and trash immediately concluding their game.

End Zones and Side Zones

  • End Zones: only one player from the opposite team may enter at a time
  • Side Zones: these are no tackle zones, players are not allowed to tackle anyone in the side zones
  • If XPL trainers feel more limitations are needed to get the players to play more fluidly, they could add end zones and side zones

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