HOLY CITY SOCCER LEAGUE (HCSL) Men’s Over 25 Adult Soccer League - 2025 Fall Season

RULES:

The 8v8 Division of the Holy City Men’s Adult Soccer League will be played using two 30-minute halves and the FIFA Laws of the Game shall apply to all matches unless otherwise stipulated here.

1. FIELD OF PLAY: Moultrie Middle School 645 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
2. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight-a-side. Minimum number of players on the field of play is 6.
3. All players must be 25 years of age or if 24, turning 25 before the end of the season. Exception: Each team may have one (1) joker / player who is between the ages of 21-24. 
4. Each team must have at least 5 players 35 years of age or older on the roster. If players are 34, they must be turning 35 before the end of the season. Each team must have 2 players over 35 playing on thefield at all times. Players over 35 on both teams will wear armbands to help identify players over 35 and ensure both teams are adhering to the rules. 
   • We suggest teams having 6 or 7 players over 35 on their rosters to accommodate this rule. If teams don’t have 2 players over 35 present and playing on match days, they must play a player down.
   • If a team forgets to play 2(two) 35+ year olds and is called out by the opposing team captain then possession is handed to the opposing team at the kickoff spot / halfway line. Captains must notify the referee.
   • If a team scores with less than 2(two) 35+ year olds on the field, the opposing team captain is responsible for notifying the referee before kickoff and the goal will be disallowed and the opposing team will regain possession at the kickoff spot / halfway line.
   • If a team is found guilty of intentionally breaking the rule by allowing players under 35 to wear armbands then the guilty team will be handed a forfeit.
   • This is a gentlemen’s league and we play by the honour system. Referees will not enforce these rules unless confronted by a captain.
5. SUBSTITUTIONS: Either team may have unlimited substitutions; There must be a stoppage in play in order for substitutions to occur. (Throw-Ins, Corner Kicks, Goals Kicks, Free Kicks, After Goals are scored etc., however, subs must enter at the halfway line and be waved in by the referee.
6. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT: No non-soccer related equipment or jewelry are authorized. SHINGUARDS ARE MANDATORY!
7. UNIFORMS: All players must play with matching jerseys. Goalkeepers must wear distinct colors (Red, Green or Yellow goalie jerseys should be ordered from the league) Home Teams (1st Team) wear BLACK jerseys, Away Teams (2nd Team) wear WHITE jerseys.
8. REFEREES: One referee will be assigned to each match.
9. DURATION OF THE GAME: The game is two 30 minute halves with a 5 minute half-time.
10. GRACE PERIOD: There is a 10 (ten) minute grace period.
11. COMPLETION OF GAME: If a game is abandoned by the referee due to weather conditions the following shall apply:
    • If abandonment occurs after the completion of the first half, the score at the time of abandonment shall stand as the final score. 
    • If abandonment occurs during the first half, the balance of the game shall be rescheduled and remaining time played. The rescheduled game shall commence at the time when the game was abandoned (e.g. the 16th minute) with the score as it stood at the time of abandonment (e.g. 3-1). If a game cannot be rescheduled then the score at the time of abandonment shall stand as the final score.
12. INCLEMENT WEATHER: HCSL’s website / Face Book Page and group emails will inform league participants whether games are cancelled due to field conditions.
13. OFFSIDE: There will be no offside violations.
14. START OF PLAY: Opposing players must be a minimum of 6 yards away prior to all kickoffs. A goal may NOT BE scored directly from a kick off.
15. GOALKEEPER RESTRICTION / PRIVILEGES: The FIFA Laws of the Game that pertain to regular 11v11 games also apply in 8v8 games (including, the back pass, the 6-second time period to release the ball after possession; and double possession).
16. GOAL KICKS: Taken no further than 4 yards of the goal line within the penalty kick area.
17. FREE KICKS: Opposing players must remain at least 8 yards from the ball. Once the ball is stationary, The kicker will have FIVE seconds to play the ball after being signaled by the referee to do so. Infractions will result in an indirect free kick!
18. PENALTY KICKS: A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark. (10 yards from the goal line). All players except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and at least 5 yards from the ball.
19. CORNER KICKS & THROW IN’S: The FIFA Laws of the Game that pertain to regular 11v11 games also apply in 8v8 games.
20. BALL SIZE: A size 5 ball will be used in all matches.
21. OBSCENE LANGUAGE: Any player guilty of using vulgar language may be issued a straight red card. 
22. SLIDE TACKLES: NO SLIDE TACKLES ALLOWED, exception to goalkeepers. Infractions will result in an indirect free kick!
    • SLIDE TACKLE DEFINITION: A sliding tackle, also called slide tackle, is a tackle in association football. It is completed with one leg extended to push the ball away from the opposing player. Sliding tackles can often be sources of controversy, particularly when players being tackled fall down over the tackler's foot (or the ball stopped by the tackler's foot), and penalties, free kicks and cards are assessed (or are conspicuous by their absence). As per the term SLIDE TACKLE, a TACKLE means TACKLE which obviously means players are near each other. The SLIDE TACKLE rule DOES NOT APPLY if a player slides to secure a ball going out of play or anywhere else on the field within a safe distance from any opposing player as this is not a TACKLE.
    • Refs will call a free kick against any player who makes a slide tackle anywhere near the player with the ball, regardless of contact or not. This rule applies anywhere on the field and goals will be called back if players score on a slide tackle with an opposing player or keeper.

PLAYER ROSTER:

1. Each team must register at least 14 players to begin the season. 16 players are recommended. There are no limits on registrations in a season if deemed necessary due to injuries / players out, but no more than 16 players fitted players can be present at any given match during the season. Also: No players can be added / registered to a team’s roster after week 12 of the season. (Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis and ONLY if approved by the advisory board and league directors)
2. Every player must have a valid picture ID (i.e. Driver’s License) or valid SCASA Pass and rosters mustbe checked in with the referee before game kick-off.