Rules Downtown Soccer Toronto
Downtown Soccer Toronto modified FIFA laws of the game :
DST follows a modified set of the official FIFA rules. FIFA's Laws of the Game can be found here: click here
Our modifications are below:
This document lists the modifications to be used for play in Downtown Soccer Toronto’s regular season. Further modifications are stipulated for the play-off series (see DST PLAYOFF POLICY). Where there is discrepancy between the FIFA Laws and the modifications herein, these modifications take precedence.
IN GENERAL
Infringements and Sanctions
Given that DST is a recreational league, the Referee may at any time and at his or her discretion, decide to allow any player to re-take a throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, or free kick instead of following the sanctions as outlined in the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Procedures to Determine the winner of a match
During regular season play, teams that are tied in score at the end of regulation time will be assessed a draw and 1 point each awarded. No extra time will be played during regular season play. Specific rules governing Playoffs are determined on a yearly basis (see PLAYOFF POLICY).
The team scoring the most goals in a game is assessed 2 points in the league standings.
Law 1
Dimensions
The length of the field may be modified or limited by the location acquired for the season’s play.
Flagposts
Flagposts may or may not be used (depending upon availability).
Goals
Goal dimensions are determined by what is available on the field of play acquired for the season’s play.
Law 3: Number of Players
DST does not limit the number of substitutions in a game, nor does it limit players who have left the field from returning at a future time, unless otherwise sanctioned by the Referee.
Either team at any stoppage of play can request substitutions. Players are substituted 1 for 1, however multiple substitutions can be made during the same stoppage. Stoppage of play is defined by the following: goal kick, corner kick, and penalty kick. Substitution (for either team) on a throw-in will only be allowed if initiated by the team with possession. The Referee has the final word on player substitutions.
Infringements/Sanctions
A first infringement regarding substitutions should be met with only a warning and a free kick. A yellow card may be shown on subsequent infringements upon the Referee’s discretion.
Substitutions are not allowed for stoppages of play in which the ball remains in play and a free kick is awarded. Substitutions must come from the centre of the field. Substitutions coming from other areas may be refused at the discretion of the Referee.
Technical Area
Off-field players are requested to stay at least 6 feet from the Touch Line at all times. A line may or may not be drawn to illustrate this distance. This line, the Technical Area, is assumed to continue past the goal line on either side of the field. In addition, teams are requested to stay on their half of the playing field while on the sidelines.
Players are asked to observe the Technical Area. At the referee's discretion, any player standing between the Technical Area and the Touch Line may be shown a yellow card.
LAW 4: Player’s Equipment
Safety
Players who require vision correction are encouraged to wear sport-specific eyewear or contact lenses. Regular eyewear may pose a safety concern. The Referee should caution a player to this effect, but will not ask him or her to leave the field of play, nor will the player be shown a yellow card.
LAW 5: The Referee
During regular season play, DST has the option of using only 1 Referee without Assistant Referees. Playoffs should be officiated by 1 Referee and 2 assistants.
LAW 6: Assistant Referees
During regular season play, the Referee will be the only official on the field and will assume the responsibilities of the Assistant Referees.
LAW 7: Duration of the Match
Periods of Play
DST allows the alteration of the duration of play at any time, given the assent of the Team Leaders of both teams and the Referee(s).
Half-Time Intervals
In order to keep to the determined schedules, the Referee may adjust the half-time interval at his or her discretion.
Abandoned Matches
Given that DST pays for permits on an hourly basis at the beginning of the season and cannot reschedule games, abandoned games will result in forfeiture for the team(s) abandoning. A draw may be awarded if both Team Leaders consent.
LAW 8: Start and Restart of Play
Dropped ball
The Referee may instruct a team to turn over possession of the ball once it is dropped. Once the ball is dropped, the team given the ball should send the ball, unchallenged to the defensive players or zone of the opposing team and play should re-start in earnest.
LAW 12: Fouls and Misconducts
Cautionable Offenses
Once shown a yellow card, DST also requires that a player leave the field of play for 5 minutes. That player may be substituted during his sanctioned period. The Referee will advise when the sanctioned player may return to play. In the case that there are no substitutes available, the team with the offending player must play short-handed during this period.
DST is a recreational amateur sporting league. For safety reasons, the following will be considered cautionable offenses and are forbidden:
- Slide tackles
- Bicycle/scissor kicks (regardless of proximity of other players)
Sending-Off Offenses
Particular attention is brought to point 6: “uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”. DST is a co-ed, queer-positive amateur sporting league that fosters an environment free from harassment. DST takes a zero-tolerance position with regards to offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.
Sent-off players will be shown a red card, and may undergo additional sanctions as shown in DST’s Disciplinary Policy.