General 

All decisions of the Referee are final and binding. The league reserves the right to decide on all matters relative to the league and its decisions are final. In the event of inclement weather, the league coordinator may reschedule a match, change the division structure, reduce match duration, or cancel a match. If a game is canceled due to weather or other reasons outside the league’s control, the game may NOT be rescheduled.

Fighting 

Any player who engages in fighting of any kind, retaliatory or otherwise, will be automatically dismissed from the league without a refund. Not only will that player be removed from the league, but the team may also be banned indefinitely. Fighting may result in criminal charges. Any fighting or ejections will be turned over to the Bend FC Disciplinary Committee. See rule 6.9. “Trash Talking,” threats, or verbal altercations MAY be considered fighting by the league. The league will take all reasonable measures to remove individuals who display dangerous or threatening behavior.

Registration 

• Players must be 18 years old or older or be 16 years of age and be registered with Bend FC as both a youth player and US Club as an adult player.
• Recommended Roster size of 14. A minimum of three (3) female players and four (4) male players must be included on each coed team roster.  A max roster size is 18.
• Players must be listed on the official Bend FC roster to be eligible to play; rosters may be adjusted through the 4th week of the season. Additional changes after the 4th week of games will only be permitted for injuries, emergencies, or by approval of the league director. Player interchange from one match to the next is not authorized and will result in a forfeit.
• Teams may roster up to 18 people for league play, however, no more than 14 may play in a single match.
• YOUTH PLAYER CARDS ARE NOT VALID IN ADULT LEAGUES.
• All adult players must have a valid US Club adult player card.
• Players may only roster on one team per league. 
• Sub players are not allowed in any league. All players must pay in full for every league they register in.

The Field 

• Field dimensions are as marked on the field and are approximately ~ 35 by 70 yards for all divisions. 
• The League will be played at the Bend FC Soccer Complex at Pine Nursery or other contracted facilities as needed.

Game Official

Referees or game officials will be provided as available. If a game official or referee isn’t available, the game will be played without a referee. Each team will have a designated captain or representative who keeps score, keeps time, and enforces rules.

Equipment 

• It is strictly forbidden to wear metal cleats on the synthetic turf field. 
• Jerseys: The home team will wear dark tops, and the visitors will wear white tops. The season’s schedule will designate Home and Visitors for each match. If a team has custom jerseys, they must be a contrasting color with the scheduled opponent’s dark or white jerseys. If not the team with the custom jerseys must change. 
• Ball Size: Matches will be played using a size five (5) soccer ball. All teams are required to bring a size five (5) ball to each match. 
• NO JEWELRY: Jewelry shall not be worn by players during warm-ups and/or competition. Medical alert bracelets are not considered jewelry and shall be taped to the body and the alert may be visible. Small religious adornments are not considered jewelry and shall be worn under the uniform and taped to the body. Religious adornments that can be removed should be removed if possible. Religious or medical earrings that are larger than the earlobe, and hang below the earlobe must be removed. All other medical or religious earrings must be taped with padded tape to the body on both sides of the earring. Medical or religious finger rings, such as wedding bands, must be taped with padded tape. If the referee feels the adornment (earrings, finger rings) is dangerous, the item MUST be removed. Safety is the top priority.
• Shin Guards must be worn and covered with soccer socks

Pre-Match 

• Team managers shall ensure that all players are at the field ten (10) minutes before the scheduled match. 
• The team manager must submit a roster 24 hours before the first game. Up through the 4th week of games, a manager may resubmit a roster every week with adjustments at a minimum of 24 hours before their teams contest. A FINAL TEAM ROSTER MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE THE 4TH WEEK OF COMPETITION. After the 4th week, rosters are final.
• A team that cannot field four rostered players at the scheduled start time will forfeit. Coed must field 5, including  two (2) females and two  (2) males. Teams without player minimums will  forfeit the match. This includes reductions in eligible players due to send-offs. 
• The team forfeiting shall be declared the loser by a score of two (2) goals to (0) zero. 
• A referee will be assigned to each match as available. The referee will serve as the timekeeper and scorekeeper. The referee is part of the field of play and their calls are final. If a referee is not available, each team must designate a field player or captain to keep score and time.

Forfeiting a Match

The match is played: If a team doesn’t have enough players to legally play a match, the team will forfeit the match. Legally means all players are rostered and ready to play at game time. If a game is forfeited and the team who forfeits finds enough players to play the match anyway, no fines are accrued.

The match isn’t played: If a team doesn’t have enough players to legally play a match, the team will forfeit the match. Legally means all players are rostered and ready to play at game time. If a game is forfeited and the team who forfeits doesn’t find enough players to play a match, the team who forfeits accrues a fine of $50. 

Multiple forfeits: If a team forfeits more than one match in a season, the team may be removed from the league and all rostered players will not be able to participate for 6 months.

The Match/Rules 

All matches will be played in accordance with FIFA, Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) “Laws of the Game,” found at FIFA website, with the following modifications: 

• Duration of Match: matches have two twenty-five (25) minute halves and a five (5) minute halftime. 
• Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to game time and check in with the referee. Game time is forfeit time. The referee will keep the official time. 
• A tied score at the end of regulation time during the regular season remains a tied score. There are no overtime periods. 
• Each team plays with 7 players (minimum of 3 females for coed). Team must have a minimum of 4 players to start and finish a game. If a team has less than 3 females, they may start the game with 2, games would be played 7 v 6 unless arrangements are made with the other team and referee, and everyone (both teams and referee) agrees to those arrangements prior to kickoff.
• Unlimited substitution is allowed with the referee's permission. Subs may enter at any stoppage of play except free kicks. NO MORE THAN 14 PLAYERS MAY ENTER ANY ONE MATCH.
• Substitutions: There are unlimited substitutions. Substitutions can only occur when the ball leaves the field of play and with the referee’s permission. Substitutions occur on the sidelines with the players entering and exiting the field at approximately the same location near mid field. The substitute can only enter the field after the player who is being substituted for has left the field. An unfair substitution shall result in an indirect free kick for the opponent at a point determined by the referee. 
• There is NO SLIDING allowed by field players. Only the goalkeeper may go to the ground to play a ball. The restart is an indirect free kick. Repeated offense by the team may result in further disciplinary action. A player who slides and tackles an opponent may be ejected either by red card or straight ejection. NO SLIDING IS ALLOWED INCLUDING SLIDING WITH THE PURPOSE OF KICKING, SLIDING TO PREVENT A PASS, SLIDING TO PREVENT A GOAL, OR SLIDING TO TACKLE. A slide is determined when a field player has more areas of their body touching the ground than their normal two feet.

Offside law is NOT in effect at any time in Bend FC Adult 7v7 leagues.

Conduct
The referee may show a yellow or red card to the player or players who commit fouls. 

• Sportsmanship Policy-No game is important enough to warrant physical or verbal abuse of officials or participants. Each team is responsible for the actions of its members at all times during competition. Unsportsmanlike conduct, including intimidation, infliction, or threat of bodily harm, will not be tolerated and could subject an entire team to disqualification. 
• The team manager or captain is the only player allowed to approach the referee with questions or concerns. Team captains are responsible for the behavior of their players. 
• Any participant who is ejected from a game must leave the facility immediately. Failure to leave within 2 minutes will result in forfeiture of the game. Any ejected player must sit out his/her team’s next scheduled game. 
• Any participant who receives a red card for violent conduct will be suspended for the remainder of the season. 
• Any participant who accumulates 3 yellow cards during the season will be suspended for his/her team’s next game. 
• Any participant found to be disrespectful to the facilities or grounds will be suspended for 30 days or more. 
• League Standings: Teams receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. 
• Should there be a tie: the tiebreaker will be as follows: 

1. Head-to-Head result
2. Least number of forfeits
3. Least number of goals against
4. Most goals for
5. Least amount of Red Cards 

Playoffs 

A playoff may be scheduled in some leagues.

The only rule change for playoffs is that a playoff match cannot end in a tie and “Kicks from the Mark” will be used to determine a winner. Kicks from the mark are best of 5 and must alternate male/female in coed.

3 refs may be used for playoff games. 

Field Usage Policies 

All participants and spectators must adhere to the Bend FC Complex rules as well as following usage policies. 

• No glass bottles are allowed on fields. No Food allowed on fields. 
• Pick up trash after games. 
• Only Rostered players are permitted on the turf. All spectators must stay outside of the turf.
• No dogs or other animals allowed inside the fence at the Bend FC complex.
• No lawn chairs or canopies are allowed on the turf.

Additional Information

1. Games will be played on Sunday
2. Games will be played 7 on 7 with goalkeepers
3. Games will be played using 7x21 goals on 45x60 yard fields
4. Games will be coed, and each team must have a minimum of three women field players and three men field players
5. Goalkeepers can be anyone player on the roster of either sex
6. Games are recreational, designed for fun, fitness, and entertainment
7. Games will consist of two 25-minute halves and a 5-minute halftime
8. Games will be played on the Bend FC Turf Fields
9. Referees will be provided as available. If you are interested in officiating, please contact Jessica at adultleagues@bendfc.com
10. Home teams must wear a dark colored shirt; Away teams must wear a white shirt
11. FIFA laws of the game will be applied
12. Each team will play a minimum of 7 games and may or may not have a week off

Rule – 6.7 “NO SHOW”

Bend FC’s "No Show" rule is a set of guidelines implemented by the organization, to address situations where a team fails to show up for a scheduled game, reservation, or event without providing any prior notice or cancellation. 

• “No Show” - If a team doesn’t show up with the minimum number of players to start a game the team forfeits the game 
• Loss of game - The game will not be rescheduled 
• Fines - The team that “No Shows” a game will be charged a $50 “No Show” fee that must be paid to re-register in the next adult league session. TEAM MANAGERS will personally be responsible for the team's fine. 
• Notice - Teams must give a 48-hour notice that they can NOT provide a team for the Sunday games. In this case, the game may or may not be rescheduled and NO fines will accumulate.
• Two Game Rule - If a team “No Shows” twice, gives notice that they can NOT field a team twice, or any combination of the two, the team MAY be removed from the league for the remainder of the season. 

Rule – 6.8 Game Termination

Any team, any player within that team, that receives a red card during gameplay, before or after game play or ejection, will create an immediate termination of said game. The team receiving the red card will immediately forfeit the match and the match will not be rescheduled. Any team that receives two red cards in a season will forfeit the remaining matches and be removed from the league for the remainder of the season. “The Team” or “The Individual Player” may be permanently suspended or expelled from the league. Any team receiving a red card or ejection will need to go, in writing or in person, before the Disciplinary Committee and the Disciplinary Committee's judgments on the matter will be final. 

Rule – 6.9 Disciplinary Committee 

Any player, parent, spectator, coach, manager, administrator, or adult player who is ejected or asked to leave the premises during a BEND FC event or match due to verbal abuse, physical abuse, or other, towards another PERSON will be suspended pending the following processes: 

• If a player or coach receives a RED card or two YELLOW cards and is ejected from a match,  that player or coach must miss the remainder of that match plus one more match. In addition to the suspension, the player or coach will have to abide by any league or tournament sanctions or rules. 
• If a player or coach receives a RED card or two YELLOW cards and is ejected from a match for the second time in a club year cycle, that player or coach must miss the remainder of that match plus one more match. In addition to the suspension, the player or coach will have to abide by any league or tournament sanctions or rules. As a second offense, the suspended player or coach will have to meet with the club's Director of Coaching and a second member of the club’s management team before returning to the team. The club management can add additional match suspensions to the player or coach if the members of the management team feel a stronger suspension is warranted. 
• If a parent or spectator is ejected or asked to leave the premises at any time during a Bend FC  event, match, or practice; the parent or spectator may NOT return to any Bend FC’s event, match,  or practice until they appear before the club’s DISCIPLINARY committee. The club’s  DISCIPLINARY committee may require additional processes including but not limited to;  sportsmanship training, writing letters, and/or additional suspensions for the removed individual. 
• Any act of violence, referee assault, or bad sportsmanship by a Bend FC player, parent, coach, or spectator will result in a disciplinary committee hearing and may result in permanent suspension, temporary suspension, or other disciplinary actions in addition to any criminal charges or league-required disciplinary action.

*Players who are ejected in one Bend FC league may not play in any Bend FC league until their suspension is served. Example: A player is ejected in coed and also plays in womens league. That player is removed from both leagues until suspension is served.

The Club’s Disciplinary Committee will be composed of two club administrators, one board member, and a member of the Central Oregon Referee Committee

Rule - 7.0 Official Rosters

Teams must submit an official roster before their first game and can resubmit rosters through the fourth week of play. After the fourth week, rosters will be frozen. Teams may pick up players, players must have a valid US Club player card, to play a forfeited game to avoid a fine only. If a team uses players not on their roster, the game is forfeited. Teams that do not show up for a scheduled match will be fined. Teams that “No Show” twice in a single season will not be allowed to participate a minimum of one league season. Teams may have up to 18 on a roster but only 14 may play in a single game.

Refunds

Registration fees are payable in full by the stated deadline. All registration fees MUST be paid before a team is scheduled to play games. No refunds will be issued for games canceled due to weather (excessive high heat, lightning, thunder, cold temperatures, snow, etc.), an opponent not showing up, shortened games, abandoned games, or acts beyond our control (smoke, fires, closed fields, government mandates, etc.). Teams that withdraw from the league before registration closes will receive a full refund, less an admin fee. Teams that withdraw from the league after registration has closed will not receive a refund.

Game Cancelations

Games canceled due to weather (excessive high heat, lightning, thunder, cold temperatures, snow, etc.), an opponent not showing up, shortened games, abandoned games, or acts beyond our control (smoke, fires, closed fields, government mandates, etc.) will not be rescheduled. Bend FC will monitor weather and AQI but as an adult league, players need to make the best decisions for themselves and their personal health. Games will not typically be canceled or rescheduled due to weather or AQI unless the conditions are so severe that a league wide decision needs to be made.

Player Cards

No refunds are available via US Club or Bend FC for player cards.

**NOTE: Bend FC 7v7 leagues are for fun, fitness, and recreation. Players who play over aggressively, play out of control, trash talk, intimidate, or take these leagues too seriously may be better served playing in a different league. If a player cannot play at a recreational level, they should not sign up to play.

Special Rules for Coed B and Below

Mercy Rule: If a team leads by 5 or more goals, the opposing team may add an additional player. When the lead drops below 5 goals, the team must remove the extra player.

Protection Rule: This rule aims to protect smaller/lighter players from uncontrolled and overly aggressive play by larger players. This rule is also to help protect inexperienced players. If the referee determines that a player's actions reasonably intimidate or threaten another player, either on his/her team or the opposing team, through aggressive or forceful play, a foul may be called and a direct free kick awarded. If the player continues to play in this manner after a first foul, that player will be made to exit the game. This includes:

• High/Hard Kicks: Any kick (or goalkeeper throw) taken with excessive force toward a smaller/lighter player, within an arc described by arm span, and rising above waist level relative to that player. The ball does not need to make contact for a foul to be called.
• Physical or Verbal Intimidation: Any attempt to exploit gender differences through physical or verbal intimidation.
• Larger Player Responsibility: The larger/bigger player is responsible for avoiding all contact with a smaller/lighter player. The responsibility lies on the bigger player and the foul will be called and a free kick given. 

Adult Combination League: If a league combines two ability levels, the macho rule of the lower ability league will apply

Additional Information
Bend FC adult leagues are registered through US CLUB SOCCER. All players must hold a US Club Adult Player card to participate. Below are some US CLUB FAQ’s:

• What is the 100% rule?
  The so-called 100% rule is a U.S. Soccer requirement that all players in a club or league be registered with the appropriate U.S. Soccer member. It cannot be interpreted to mean that if some teams want to play in state cup, for example, that all the club’s teams have to register with the state association whether they play or not, as long as they’re registered with another U.S. Soccer member. A U.S. Soccer member can only require that the players that are participating in its programs register with them, as long as the other players are registered with the U.S Soccer via another member.
• US Club Soccer offers recreational (“rec”) membership to youth clubs, leagues or programs that are primarily in-house or intramural in nature. Rec programs benefit from easy registration and a reduced registration fee in addition to US Club Soccer’s philosophy of eliminating red tape and over-regulation. 
• All Bend FC players must acknowledge and accept all US Club waivers, included in registration.

Air Quality for Adult Programs
Bend FC uses the Bend Park and Recreational District matrix using multiple methods to assess air quality conditions to make decisions on cancellations and closures for adult programming. Bend FC’s turf complex is inside the Bend Parks and Recreational Pine Nursery. This approach is because smoke conditions can change rapidly and official Air Quality Index reporting can lag several hours. Bend Park and Recreation monitors:

• The most current air quality index as reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Air Quality Index (AQI) – 8th and Emerson station in Bend
• Remote sensor readings using district instruments
• 5-3-1 Visibility Scale
• Trends of several hours
• Forecasts when available.

Please remember that some people are particularly sensitive to smoke because of respiratory issues. These adults should make their own health decisions and Bend FC is not responsible for decisions adults make for their own health.

Bend FC will make the following modifications to ADULT outdoor activities that do not have indoor options when conditions are expected to be in the following AQI ranges:

• AQI 100-150: Outdoor activities will continue but may be modified including decreased intensity and more frequent breaks.
• AQI 151-200: Outdoor activities will be limited to one hour and modified including decreased intensity and more frequent rest periods. Drop in, self-guided activities will usually remain available. 
• AQI 201 or higher: Outdoor activities will normally be suspended or canceled but Bend FC adult league coordinator will make the final decision.

Please direct questions to:

General Manager, Donnie Emerson

Adult League Coordinator, Jessica Passage