Golden Rule
First and foremost all NOLA Fray leagues are 50% Social and 50% Sport. We do have officials; however, we expect individuals to respect the league’s culture of fair and fun play. Foul language and rough play will not be tolerated and individuals who cannot adhere to our standards of fair play and sportsmanship may be asked to leave the league. NOLA Fray wants everyone to have a fun and be social while enjoying a great sport. NOLA Fray will do whatever they can to make sure all players are having fun.
Registrations & Team Size
NOLA Fray is proud to relieve captains of the burden of paying for full teams. While captains and players are able to prepay for additional players and or full teams, it is not a requirement for participation in our leagues. We welcome individual player payments.
We are also proud to welcome those who do not have a full team (small groups and free agents) to participate in our league.
Our primary mission is to make it easier for people to have fun and get involved with social sports and these policies help accomplish that goal.
Because of these policies, all registrations are on a first come first serve basis and any roster that does not reach our standard size (based on each sport) is eligible to receive free agents and or small group by the league. Rosters made up of primarily free agents and or a collection of small groups may field more players than the standard roster size. This policy is in place to help ensure free agent teams are able to consistently field teams each week.
Individual Registration
All players must be 21 years of age or older.
All players must be registered through the commi.sh website and have signed a Registration/Waiver Form.
Rosters
1. NOLA Fray aims to place no more than the following amount of players on each team: 11v11 (16-18 players), 9v9 (13-16 players), 8v8 (10-12 players), 7v7 (10-12 players), 6v6 (8-11 players), 5v5 (8-11 players).
2. Only Registered NOLA Fray players are allowed to play on a given team. NOLA Fray retains the right to suspend any team playing with unregistered players.
3. During playoffs, only players on a team’s original roster will be allowed to participate.
4. For 11v11 ,9v9, and 8v8 teams must field at least three (3) females. For 7v7, 6v6, and 5v5 teams must field at least two (2) females at all times.
5. If a team only has only two (9v9, 8v8) or one (7v7, 6v6, 5v5) female(s) show up to play, the game can continue but that team must play with one less guy.
6. During the playoffs, teams may not use subs and may only use players on their roster.
Uniforms
1. Teams shall try the best they can to have matching colored shirts before player t-shirts have been received. A light and a dark shirt are recommended.
2. Players should make every effort to wear a t-shirt provided by NOLA Fray (if only to maintain consistent uniform colors).
3. Shirts will be received in the second week of regular season game play.
Regular Season Schedule
1. Schedules will be created based on the amount of teams playing in each league. It is normal for a few games to be lost because of inclement weather. The league makes no guarantee of any certain number of games- If conditions beyond the control of the league are present, including but not limited to, excessive inclement weather conditions.
2. NOLA Fray will do what they can to reschedule games that were lost due to inclement weather.
Weather Related Game Cancellation
2. NOLA Fray Hotline will be updated as soon as possible prior to first game start time with field closing and game delay information.
3. DC Fray Weather Hotline: 1-855-PLAY-USS
4. Suspended Games – If, due to weather conditions, safety conditions, or referee discretion a game is halted prior to halftime, it will be replayed if possible. A game halted at halftime or later will stand as indicated by the score when the game was halted.
5. Rescheduled Games – If a game is cancelled for any reason, the league will reschedule if possible.
League Standings
1. Game Statistics (wins and losses) will be recorded and posted on the NOLA Fray web page.
2. Teams are encouraged to review their respective League Standings page periodically. The Team Captain should notify the League Host of any errors.
3. A 3-3 draw will be posted for games cancelled and not rescheduled at the end of the regular season.
4. Ties in the League Standings will be decided by head to head outcomes. If teams did not play head to head the cumulative points scored during the season will determine the tie breaker.
Gameday Ties
1. If there is a tie at the end of regulation during the regular season, that games will be recorded as a tie.
2. When daylight is a factor on grass fields, games can end in ties and standings will be determined at the end of the season.
3. If there is a tie at the end of regulation during playoffs, the game will be determined by a shootout.
A. Teams select 5 players to shoot (3 guys, 2 girls)
B. Teams will alternate taking direct penalty shots from the penalty (if available) or 12 yards from the goal-line with a goalie. (no male/female shooting order is necessary.)
C. If tied after the 1st round of 5v5, the 2nd round will be SUDDEN DEATH (i.e., 1st player from Team A scores and 1st player from Team B misses – Team A wins)
D. Players who shot in the 1st shootout are not eligible to shoot again until all remaining players present have shot.
E. If and when one (1) team begins to utilize players for the second time due to a lack of numbers, the other team may “re-use” players as well. This means some players on the team with more people present may or may not shoot.
Equipment – Please consider when preparing for the season
1. Shin guards (must be totally covered by socks to reduce the risk of injury) are mandatory and are an absolute requirement for all players.
2. Only soccer/athletic shoes are acceptable. No street shoes or metal cleats. Referees’ decisions on footwear suitability are final.
After the Game
1. Each team shall take responsibility to ensure bench areas are ready for play and the area is clean after the game. Generally, NOLA Fray will have fields set-up and properly lined at the beginning of the first game. Field set up by teams is the exception rather than the rule. Help with cleanup is always appreciated.
Time
Teams will play two (2) 20-25 minute halves or 30-35 minute halves for 11v11. There will be a running clock with a 2-5 minute half-time or as required due to adjusted game times per field allocations. Game times and half lengths are subject to time restrictions from a facility or permit.
Forfeits
1. Teams must be ready to play their game within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled game time.
2. If a team does not have at least two (2) females and four (4) guys then they are considered to have forfeited 9v9 and 8v8.
A. Should teams have enough of their own players that they don’t need to forfeit but not enough for a whole team, they may pick up players from another team provided that they are registered NOLA Fray Players.
B. If remaining players from the scheduled team arrive after the start of the game then any players who have been picked up by another team should leave the game.
C. Any team who picks up players should not add more players than can play on the field at any given time- meaning that team should not have any substitutes.
Playoff Eligibility: teams that notch 2 or more forfeits during the regular season will not be eligible for the playoffs
Substitutions
1. Referees are responsible for managing substitutions and shall be made upon his/her consent.
2. Generally speaking, unlimited Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
A. Throw In – YOUR possession.
B. Goal kick – either team.
C. Goal – either team.
D. Injury when the referee stops play that team is allowed to substitute for the injured player. The opposing team is then allowed to substitute a single player.
E. Yellow Card – Referee may choose for an immediate substitution of carded player. Carded players will remain on the sideline for at least two (2) minutes.
Slide Tackling
1. Slide tackling is NOT permitted.
2. The performance of a slide tackle may be grounds for a booking on the part of the referee. The level of booking is up to the discretion of the referee. Players may slide when not creating a dangerous play, i.e. sliding to keep a ball in play away from other players.
Offsides
Off-sides is always in effect for 11v11 and 9v9 Leagues but is not in effect for 8v8 or 6v6 Leagues.
Misconduct and Fouls
Yellow Card – Referees will immediately substitute player out for a minimum of two (2) minutes.
Red Card – A player receiving a red card, or two (2) yellow cards in the same match, must leave the field premises, sight and sound, within one minute without substitution.
Any player receiving a red card will be suspended from the following match.
Multiple red cards in one season will be grounds for suspension -without refund- from the league.
Handballs: Intentional vs. Unintentional
When a handball occurs it is at the discretion of the referee to deem it intentional (foul) or unintentional (change or possession,free kick). ANY handball that occurs inside the goalie box will result in a direct penalty kick for the offensive team or a goal/free kick for the defensive team depending on the team at fault.
Penalty Kicks – penalty kicks can be awarded during a game if a foul occurs in the goalie box. It is at the discretion of the referee to award a direct kick penalty kick or to award an indirect kick.
There is to be no contact or over aggression with the goalie or any field player.
1. A first offense will result in a warning.
2. A second offense will result in a player being taken off the field for a time period determined by the ref dependent on severity.
3. A third offense will result in a player being taken out of the game and possibly suspended for the following game. Calls are at the discretion of the ref.
Fouls are at the discretion of the ref and all penalties assessed for said fouls are the refs decision. We are a social league and want to make sure everyone has a good time and most importantly is safe.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers may punt, throw, or send goal kicks as far as they like across the half-line.
Goalkeepers may throw in the ball for their team.
Goalkeepers are to have a safe zone and no player should make contact with them at any time.
Goalkeepers may not handle a throw in by their team with their own hands unless touched by an opposing player on the way in.
Throw-Ins
A goalkeeper may be permitted to throw in the ball for their team.
The goalkeeper may not pick up the ball with their hands when thrown in by their own player unless it touches someone from the opposing team.
Throw-ins must be conducted near the spot the ball left the field, and with both feet touching the ground, as well as the proper form of both hands coming from behind the head in a forward motion. Players will be given an opportunity to correct a throw in one time,at the discretion of the ref, if at that point it is still a bad throw the ball can be given to the opposite team.
Free Kicks
All fouls will be followed by an indirect kick unless otherwise noted by the ref for leagues with 9v9 or less. Direct kicks will be in effect depending on the foul for 11v11 leagues.
All players conducting Free Kicks are expected to have a reasonable amount of space to make the kick. The opposing team should allow a five (5) pace distance for the Free Kick to be conducted.
Team Conduct
Discipline – The Team Captain assumes the responsibility regarding team leadership and maintenance of order and discipline. NOLA Fray expects each Captain to set a positive example for their players in promoting good sportsmanship and self- control.
Sideline Control – The Captain is responsible for the behavior of his/her bench area. After being verbally warned or cautioned (yellow card) by the referee for unsportsmanlike behavior from his/her bench area, the Captain will receive a red card if the situation persists.
The referee also has the power to eject any spectator at any time at his or her discretion.
Use of Foul Language is not appreciated in any circumstances and can result in a warning or in extreme circumstances can result in ejection from a game. NOLA Fray plays on city park property and there are others present during games, thus, we cannot allow for inappropriate conduct.
Player Suspension
NOLA Fray will refuse registration to any player currently on suspension from any Washington DC-area league.
NOLA Fray also reserves the right to suspend players from league play.
This is at the sole discretion of NOLA Fray and cannot be appealed. Registration fees will not be refunded to suspended players.