League Guidelines

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.

All goals are worth one (1) point

4 players from the same team must touch the ball to score.

• The format is 5v5 – 4 players and 1 trainer on each team
• 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)

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

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
• highest team average for Game Level based on the 7th game played per Avila App
• coin toss

Minimum Designated Challenge Score per age group

• 6 year olds – 21 points
• 7 year olds – 23 points
• 8 year olds – 26 points

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.

The game shall consist of two (2) 16-minute halves for the XPL

The game shall consist of two (2) 13-minute halves for the KPL

Half-time interval will be 4 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 twenty (20) 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.