SAFL INFO & REGULATIONS

League Information

Site Usage:

• The league will operate using LeagueApps as its centralized platform for all administrative, scheduling, communication, and registration functions. LeagueApps will serve as the league’s primary operating system, ensuring streamlined and standardized experience across all participating teams, clubs, and administrative personnel.
• LeagueApps will be used to manage all core league functions, including but not limited to:
  • Team registrations
  • Player waivers and eligibility verification
  • Scheduling (games, practices, and other events)
  • Rostering and team communications
  • Score reporting and standings.

League Type:

• Format: 7v7 Co-Ed recreational league.
• Roster Limit: Each team may register up to 12 players maximum. No exceptions.
• Team Cap: The league will consist of 10 to 12 teams total.

Season Dates and Duration

• Season Start Date: Friday, September 12, 2025.
• Season Format: A 10-game season, broken down as follows:
  • 8 regular season games per team.
  • 2 playoff games (semifinal and final rounds).
• Contingency Weeks: An additional 2 weeks are reserved to accommodate potential weather-related cancellations or other unforeseen delays.
• Projected End Date: Friday, November 21, 2025, inclusive of any contingency weeks.
• Game Schedule (Tentative)
  • Games will be held weekly on Friday evenings, with three designated time slots:
    • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Note: Game times and field assignments are subject to change based on final registration numbers and field availability.

Cost Structure

• Team Registration Fee: $800 per team.
• Individual Free Agent Player Fee: $80 per player (for free agent registration or team-based cost-sharing).
• Note: All payments must be made prior to the start of the season.

Cancellation and Credit Policy

• SA FC Management, L.L.C. maintains a strict no-refund policy for all adult league registrations, whether team-based or individual/free agent.
• No Refunds Issued: Refunds will not be provided under any circumstances, including voluntary withdrawal, schedule conflicts, or missed games.
• Account Credit Eligibility: If a registered team or free agent is unable to participate, they must notify league administrators prior to the official season start date to be eligible for account credit. Players agree and acknowledge that they are not entitled to an account credit.
• Credit Use: Account credits may be applied to a future San Antonio FC Adult League season. Credits are non-transferable and will not be granted after the league start date or without advance written notice.
• Player Substitutions: If a player is unable to participate after registration, it is the player’s responsibility to secure a replacement. The replacement player may reimburse the original registrant directly and must be officially rostered and cleared by league staff. Uniform transfer is permitted in this scenario.

SAFC Adult League Rules and Regulations

Officials

• Provided by S.T.A.R.: Certified officials will be assigned to all matches.
• Zero Tolerance Policy: Arguing with or disrespecting officials will not be tolerated and may result in cautions, ejections, or league discipline.

Complex Rules

• NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED IN COMPLEX
• Tents and chairs are allowed but no staking more than 3 inches, weights preferred.

Equipment

• Game Ball: A regulation size 5 ball will be provided by S.T.A.R. for each field. An alternate ball may be used only if both team captains agree prior to kickoff.
• Shirts/Uniforms: All players are required to wear league-provided shirts for each game. Shirt colors will be assigned by the league.
• Shin Guards: Mandatory for all players—no exceptions.

• Prohibited Equipment:
  • Cleats with metal or ceramic studs
  • Hard casts or braces, unless fully padded with at least ½ inch of closed-cell slow-recovery foam.
  • Headgear with hard or stiff components (including billed caps)
  • Jewelry (except for smooth wedding bands)
• Smart Devices: Low-profile fitness trackers or smartwatches may be worn only if fully covered with a sweatband or athletic tape.

Player Rosters & Eligibility

• Roster Rules:

• Maximum on field: 7 players
• Minimum to start: 5 players (including at least 2 females)
• Gender Balance: A maximum of 4 males and minimum of 2 females on the field at any time
• Forfeits & Exhibition Matches:
  • A team with fewer than five players at game time will forfeit the match; however, if at least four players are present, an officiated exhibition may still be held to avoid a forfeit fine.
• Mercy Rule Adjustment:
  • If one team leads by 4 or more goals, that team must remove one male player from the field.
• Substitutions:
  • Allowed on any dead ball.
  • Substitutes may not enter the field until the exiting player is completely off.
• Player Protests:
  • Eligibility protests must be made before halftime, unless a late-arriving player is in question.

Game Format

• Match Duration: Two 20-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime.

• Tied Games: Regular season matches may end in a tie.
• Match Finality: Once the second half begins, games are considered final in the event of cancellation.

Start of Play

• Initial Possession: Determined by Rock, Paper, Scissors. Winner chooses whether to start with possession or choose a side.

• Sides: Teams switch sides at halftime.
• Scoring from Kickoff: Goals may not be scored directly from a kickoff.

Ball out of Play

• The ball is out when it fully crosses any boundary line or when play is stopped by the referee.

Scoring

• All goals are worth one point.
• A goal is scored when the ball entirely crosses the goal line.

Offsides

• There is no offside rule in this league.

Goalkeeper Rules

• Goalkeepers may use their hands only within their own penalty area.

Goal Kicks & Corner kicks

• Goal Kicks: Taken anywhere within the goal area. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.
• Corner Kicks: All corners are direct. The corner flag may not be moved to facilitate the kick.

Slide Tackle Policy

• General Rule: Sliding is not permitted, except by goalkeepers within their own penalty area.
• Illegal Slide (no contact): Results in an Indirect Free Kick.

• Illegal Slide (with contact): Results in a Direct Free Kick.
• Goalkeeper Slide Exceptions: Permitted if:
  • Within the penalty area
  • Slide is aimed at the ball, not an opponent.
  • No reckless or dangerous conduct occurs.
• Violations by Goalkeepers: Penalized with a Penalty Kick.
• Persistent or Dangerous Slides: Subject to yellow or red cards, at the discretion of the referee.

Fouls and Misconduct

• Yellow Card (Caution):
  • Issued for dangerous play, dissent, or persistent infringement.
  • Offending player must leave the field for a minimum of two minutes, during which their team plays shorthanded.

• Time penalty is not shortened by goals scored during the period.
• Red Card (Ejection):
  • Issued for violent conduct, serious foul play, or abusive behavior.
  • Player is immediately removed, and team plays shorthanded for the remainder of the match.
  • Additional disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, may be imposed by league administrators.

Free Kicks & Penalty Kicks

• Free Kicks: May be direct or indirect based on the nature of the infraction.
  • Defenders must remain 7 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• Penalty Kicks:

• Awarded for direct free kick fouls inside the defending team’s penalty area.
• Any player may take the kick.
• The goalkeeper on the field at the time of the foul must defend the penalty.

Playoff Format

• Match Duration: Two 20-minute halves with a 3-minute halftime.

• Tied Games: Proceed directly to penalty shootout—no extra time.
• Shootout Procedures:
  1. Each team selects five shooters: 3 males, 2 females, alternating by gender.
  2. If tied after five rounds, teams alternate shooters until a winner is determined.
  3. Sudden death shootout must alternate male and female shooters. No player may shoot a second time until all eligible teammates of the same gender have shot.
• Default Rulebook: Any rules not specifically mentioned here follow the Laws of the Game set forth by FIFA.

Standings & Tiebreakers

• Point System:
  • Win: 3 points
  • Tie: 1 point
  • Loss: 0 points
• Tiebreakers (in order):

• Total Points
• Head-to-Head Result
• Fewest Goals Allowed
• Goal Differential (if needed)

Questions or Additional Information

If you have any questions regarding league rules, registration, scheduling, or general participation, please contact:

STAR Staff

Email: Star@sanantoniofc.com

We encourage all team captains and participants to reach out in advance of the season start date with any clarifying questions to ensure full compliance with league policies.