Official 5v5 Soccer Rules/Regulations 

5v5 Soccer Rules

1. Team Composition

   • 5 players per team on the field

   • 8 players maximum per team

   • The Team that signs up at check in is your team, only use of other players on your team is if both teams agree and the players team has already been eliminated, a substitution of a players outside of you roster will result in a penalty kick.

2. Game Duration

   • 15-minute games, 7-minute 30-second halves, Double Elim- 14-minute games, 7-minute halves

   • 1 timeout per team per game (2 minutes)

   • Halftime: 2-5 minutes

3. Player Fees

   • $8-10 per player per session (online/offline)

4. Payouts

   • Winners are guaranteed a payout based on the number of players and teams signed up for the week

5. Player Requirements

   • Must have 5 players to avoid disqualification (no refunds)S

   • Late arrival results in disqualification (no refunds)

   • Check-in and wristbands are required for all players

   • Free drinks for players with wristbands, sponsored by Riverhead Beverage

6. Team Reservations

   • Reserve spots online; pay online or in cash at the check-in table

   • Captains Reserve a team online and disclose their roster at check in  

7. Equipment Responsibility

   • Retrieve lost balls after the game; a $15 fine for each lost ball

8. Gameplay Rules

   • No offside rule

   • All out of bounds are kick-ins

   • No free kicks

   • Teams can name themselves and wear coordinated jerseys/shirts (nothing inappropriate)

   • Winning two tournaments in a row requires sitting out the next tournament

9. Officials

   • All decisions by officials are final

   • Officials only interfere in controversial calls; they oversee semi-finals and finals

   • This is a glorified pick-up games, make your own calls until finals 

10. Kick-off

    • Determined by rock, paper, scissors (best of 1)

    • All players must be inside their own half, with non-kicking players at least 2m from the ball

    • Ball can move in any direction at kick-off

    • After a goal, play restarts with a kick-off by the opposing team

Goalkeeper Rules

• Can:

  • Receive a pass back from teammates with their hands

  • Throw the ball as long as it does not cross midfield

  • Come outside of the crease

  • Kick the ball anywhere, anytime

• Cannot:

  • Be replaced outside the crease (no other player can use their hands)

  • Throw the ball past midfield

  • Use their hands outside the crease

Penalty Kicks / Fouls

• Penalty Kicks:

  • Goalkeeper must stand on the line

  • Penalty taker must be identified before the kick

  • One step allowed before striking the ball

  • Re-take penalties if rules are breached to advantage

• Fouls:

  • In the crease: penalty kick

  • Outside the crease: ball given to the victim's goalie

  • Officials judge if a foul is egregious to award a penalty kick outside the crease

Substitutions

• Notify the referee for any player substitutions

• Referee consent required for substitutions at appropriate stoppages

• Oncoming player enters only after the other player has left

• Notify the referee before changing the goalkeeper

• Goalkeepers can be substituted once per game unless injured

Fair Play

• Sliding:

  • Sliding to cut off a pass or shot is allowed

  • Intentional slide tackles result in a penalty

• Behavior:

  • No violent, aggressive play, unsporting behavior, or foul language

  • Yellow card: player sin-binned for 2 minutes, not replaced

  • Red card: player leaves the field, not replaced, cannot play in the rest of the tournament (team can substitute after the game)

• Persistent/Extreme Abuse:

  • Referee may abandon the game, potentially disqualifying one or both teams from the competition

Tournament Format

• 8-team bracket style tournament (double round elimination) or AAR (round robin) format depending on the number of teams

Aldrich Sports League Concussion Management Protocol

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1. Education and Training:

 

• Training for Organizers: Both organizers (Francis Buonaiuto and Joe Aiello) have completed training on recognizing and managing concussions using the CDC’s “Heads Up” program.

• Informing Participants: Provide a brief overview of concussion symptoms and the importance of reporting them to all participants at the beginning of each tournament.

 

2. Recognition and Response:

 

• Immediate Removal: If a participant shows any signs of a concussion (e.g., headache, dizziness, confusion, balance problems), they will be immediately removed from play.

• Symptom Checklist: Use a standard symptom checklist (available from the CDC) to assess the participant on-site. https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html#:~:text=Slurred%20speech%2C%20weakness%2C%20numbness%2C,passed%20out%2Fknocked%20out)

3. Medical Evaluation:

 

• Seek Professional Evaluation: Advise the participant to seek evaluation from a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

• Written Clearance: Require written clearance from a healthcare professional before the participant can return to future tournaments.

 

4. Rest and Gradual Return to Play:

 

• Mandatory Rest: Enforce a rest period for physical and cognitive recovery, typically at least 24-48 hours.

• Gradual Return Protocol: Follow these steps for a participant returning to play:

• Step 1: Light aerobic activity (e.g., walking) for 5-10 minutes.

• Step 2: Moderate activity with limited body and head movement.

• Step 3: Non-contact training drills.

• Step 4: Full contact practice.

• Step 5: Return to full competition.

 

5. Documentation and Communication:

 

• Incident Reports: Document any head injuries and the steps taken afterward.

• Communication: Ensure participants and, if applicable, their guardians are informed about the injury and the necessary steps before returning to play.

 

6. Prevention Measures:

 

• Proper Equipment: Encourage all participants to use appropriate protective equipment.

• Safe Play Guidelines: Educate players on safe play techniques and strictly enforce rules to minimize the risk of head injuries.