Over 58 Specific Rules

(as of 7/27/2022)

Based on FIFA Laws and Marin Soccer League 11v11 rules. Below are the major differences.

Rules of Play

1. Eligibility:

   1. Field players must be at least 58 years old, or turn 58 during the calendar year.

   2. Goalkeepers must be at least 55 years old, or turn 55 during the calendar year.

2. Number of Players:

   1. Seven (7) field players + goalkeeper

   2. Six (6) field players + goalkeeper will be allowed if both teams agree before the start of a given game.

   3. Teams must have a minimum of six (6) players to begin, continue, and conclude a match.

   4. The official will start the game clock as scheduled, but provide teams with fewer than six (6) players, a ten (10) minute grace period to produce the minimum required six (6) players before awarding a forfeit to the opposing team, with the resulting score registered as a 3-0 result.

3. Ball: Each team should have at least one properly-inflated match ball, size 5.

4. Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions at any stoppage, with the referee’s permission

5. Rosters: Each team must have an official roster (“roster”) that is recorded with the Marin Soccer League (MSl) and California Soccer Association North (CSAN).

   1. Each team can have up to 18 players on its roster.

   2. Any changes to the roster must be recorded with the MSL and CSAN.

6. Guest Players:  A team using one (1) or more guest players is limited to a total of 11 players for the game.

   1. Allowed guests:  Based on finish the season before:

   2. First and second place teams will have up to 3 guest players per game with a maximum of 11 players.

   3. Third and fourth place teams will have up to 4 guest players per game with a maximum of 11 players.

   4. Fifth place team will have up to 6 guest players per game with a maximum of 11 players.

   5. If additional rostered players show up late, either the late rostered players cannot play or an equal number of guest players must leave the game.

   6. A guest player can be any age-eligible player registered with the MSL.

   7. Players who are otherwise suspended (i.e., red card) from play in the O58 or O50 divisions are not eligible as guest players.

   8. Guest players must be added to the official roster that is handed to the referee at the start of the game.

   9. They can be handwritten in.

   10. Guest players must be able to provide proof of age-eligibility and registration to the referee, should the referee request it.

7. Equipment:

   1. Footwear: Molded cleats and turf shoes are acceptable footwear

   2. Shin pads: All players must wear shin guards.

   3. Uniforms: Teams are required to provide their own uniform. In case of similar colored uniforms, the home team (first on the schedule) will wear an alternate color.

   4. Goals: Marin Soccer League has purchased two 18.5’ x 6.5’ goals & nets (“Marin goals”) for the league. Another set is kept at Hall.

   5. The O58 Team Managers shall assemble the Marin goals before each game and take them home after the games and bring them back for the next game.

   6. Penalty Area Flat Rubber Markers: Each goal set will have 20 orange rubber markers to create penalty areas prior to each match. Penalty areas will be measured 12 yards from the goal line and 12 yards from each post.

8. Duration of Play:

   1. Two 40-minute halves

   2. 5-minute halftime

9. Restarts:

   1. Timing: Restarts take place in a reasonable amount of time (6 seconds from the time of ball placement); if the official believes the team in possession is attempting to delay a restart to gain some advantage in the match, the official should initially warn the delaying team; if the ball is not played immediately or the attempt to delay re-occurs, the official may give a yellow card to the offending player, at his or her discretion.

   2. Goalkeepers must also release within 6 seconds after gaining possession and returning to their feet. Goalkeepers may use unlimited steps to bring the ball to the boundary of the penalty area.

   3. Ball out of play: If the ball has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air, the restart is a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in.

10. Slide-tackling:

    1. Slide tackling is NOT allowed.

    2. A player who makes a slide tackle will receive an automatic yellow card.

11. Offsides:

    1. No offsides.

12. Injuries:

    1. Any player who is bleeding must leave the field.

    2. Time may be stopped for injuries at the official’s discretion.

13. Goalkeeper:

    1. Release and Redistribution: Punts and drop kicks are not permitted. The ball must be distributed by a throw, normal place kick or kick from a dribble. If penalized, an indirect free kick from midfield will be awarded to the opposing team.

    2. Back passes: goalkeepers may NOT handle the ball if intentionally passed from the feet (or anywhere below the knee) of his own teammate.

    3. No step restriction: goalkeepers are not limited in steps after possession; however, goalkeepers must release the ball from their hands within 6 seconds after possession while on their feet.

14. Direct and Indirect Free Kicks

    1. Opposing players must give a minimum of five (5) yards on all kicks and corner kicks or may be cautioned (and a re-kick may be awarded to the team in possession).

    2. Opposing players must be outside the penalty box for goal kicks.

15. FIFA Penalty Kicks

    1. Penalty spot will be 12 yards from goal, the same length as the top of the penalty area.

    2. The kicker is not limited to a one-step approach; goalkeepers must keep at least one foot on the line at the time the ball is struck - a violation may result in a re-kick at the official’s discretion.

16. Misconduct Rules

    1. Yellow; caution:

       1. Players receiving a yellow card must exit the game for 4 minutes. If available, a substitute player may take his place.

       2. Players who accumulate two yellow cards will receive a red card (see below).

    2. Red:

       1. Ejection without replacement for the duration of match. The offender must leave the playing area (which includes the player’s bench) and sit out the team’s next match.

    3. Goalkeepers must serve their own penalties.

    4. Fighting: There is a “Zero Tolerance Policy” towards fighting or any violent conduct. Any player engaged in fighting will face further judgment by the MSL Disciplinary Committee and could be banned for the season or permanently, without refund. For more details, please see Rule 12 at the Marin Soccer League website.

    5. All other Rules, as posted on the MSL website, where not specifically indicated as meant for other divisions, will apply.

17. Procedure to decide ties in standings.

    1. No more than 5 goal differential recorded for each game.

    2. If one team is up by 5 goals, the “losing” team may call the game (at any time) and then the managers will split up the teams for a scrimmage for the rest of the time allotted for the game.  The referee shall remain (since he has been paid).

    3. If a tie for first, there will be co-champions (with a playoff game to follow – see paragraph “18” below)

    4. To determine the standings for the playoff games, we will first look to head-to-head between the teams, then goal differential, then fewest goals allowed

18. End of Season Playoff and Tournament

    1. At the end of the season, before the round robin tournament, we will have a playoff where team 1 will play team 2, and team 3 will play team 4.  No game for team 5.

    2. The fee for the playoff will be incorporated into the fee paid by each team at the start of the season.

    3. All teams will then play a round robin tournament:  2 Saturdays, 20-minute games, each team will play 4 games each Saturday.