Northern Westchester Co-Ed Soccer

This group is for any adult (18+ years old) with any skill level, that have the interest, accountability, dedication, and (most importantly) attitude to play the game in a welcoming setting. We play around the Northern Westchester area (Granite Knoll, Cortlandt, Crompond, and Yorktown Heights).

All members and their guests must e-sign and returned via their email, the group's general waiver, and created their own profile if they are to become a member.

Fees/ Player Dues :
The first game for all new members and guests is free. After that, they must either pay the Annual fee or Quarterly fee to continue participating in the group. Any player fees owed or donations must be done in either cash or venmo. Fees must be paid before participating in events and notice of how you will pay be fee may be required when asked by the organizer.

• Annual fee: $15- 2024 Calendar Year, $60 - 2025 Calendar Year
• Quarterly fee: (financial quarter 1, 2,3 or 4) $40

- Paying the Quarterly fee is not transferable to the Annual fee, and any excess payment for any ( Annual, Quarterly) fee may be collected for administrative processing fees.

Venmo:
@Union-WestchesterCtyCoEdSoccer
-please add a note for your name and that it is for Northern Westchester.

When signing up and match attendance:
1. For equipment, you may wear shinguards and should play in AG/FG/Turf cleats or Flats. Players cannot wear (sg) long or metal studs to play, if they do, they will be sent home.
2. Match Day headers will have "Turf" "Grass" or "Turf/Grass" in the titles, this is meant to help designate whether or not we will be at a turf field or a grass field, so do also pay attention to which field location we intend to play at. This is to help awareness of players if they intend to bring AGs/ FGs/ Flats/ Turf cleats. Turf/Grass designates uncertainty of which field we will be on but it's always advised players bring both types of cleats (Grass and Turf) should they have them.
3. Members of the group cannot RSVP for other members by listing them as guests (+1s). When signing up a guest, you must notify the organizer of the name of your guest immediately right after RSVPing for them, and have sent their guest's signed ewaiver to the email box by 21:30 (9:30pm) the night before the match day or else the spot will be forfeited.
-Guests are only meant to be for people to try out the group, people who pay fees must become members of the group, and at maximum per player, only one guest is allowed.
4. The RSVP close time will be set to 22:00 (10:00pm) the night before a match. If a matter occurs where you unable to attend the match after the RSVP close time, you will notify the organizer (Drew) of the general reason (ex: work or family emergency). You must then remove yourself from the "Going" list, and post your spot in the match day discussion page immediately and post your spot is now open, if you do not you will be given a strike automatically. Any member may then claim the open spot by posting a reply to the post directly for themself (and their guest, if room allows) only, it is first come first serve. As waitlistees, after RSVP closes, you will not be moved into the "going" list. Open spots, post-rsvp close, may be claimed only via the match day chat.
5. There is a 10 player minimum for matches to be held with up to a max of 24 players allowed on the field, however field size may limit the amount of rsvps. Typically, <14 players we will use folding goals and 14+ players we will use the 8 x 6 goals or bigger goals on the field.
6. Situations such as weather (using weather.gov) or emergencies will occur that can cause a match-day cancellation. Players are to be aware of this and keeping an eye on the match day discussion/notifications to stay aware of changes. Organizers will endeavor to make the cancellation decision before the RSVP closes.
7. You (and your guest(s)) will be accountable to attend matches when you are on RSVP list and must un-rsvp yourself and/or your guest (when applicable) before RSVP closes if you/ they cannot attend the match. If you do not, you will be given a "strike" for yourself and/or your guest and be suspended from playing after 3 instances. You will also be given half strikes if you show up late and then penalized with helping clean up the field post-game.
- A member's first annual suspension is 1 week and it will increase weekly as they get multiple sets of suspensions. Suspension begins on the match day you received your penalty on
8. Be on time! This means being on the field, geared up and ready to play by the time specified in match day headers as "team selection" time. Waitlistees are not expected to attend matches, however if a player who is not on the "going" list shows up and there is a spot open for that person by the "team selection time" this player will be given a spot in the game. The late person(s) cannot join the match if teams are full, as we will not exceed the player capacity listed in the event.
- Extra players may choose to sit on the side and be substitutes, however no one who is playing is obligated to utilize them unless they want to and substitution(s) will only apply to those who volunteer.
9. If you are sick with a disease or illness that can be transmitted in a social setting you will not attend matches. If you do attend, you are subject to be sent home
10. Captains, chosen by organizer, will choose teams, and only players who are present may be selected to play. If player(s) show up late they will be pooled together and then selected from after normal selection has occurred.

Rules to follow when playing:
1. Most standard FIFA rules apply and without a referee, players, have the ability to make calls as offenses occur but may lose that ability if they abuse it or make calls purposely to gain an advantage. As general modifications to the standard rules: Depending upon the goal size the offside rules will be invoked (folding (no), 8 x 6 (maybe) or 12 x 6 (yes)), no slide tackling from field players, ground play or anything that would be reasonably deemed too dangerous or physical when near other players, there are 3 types of cards: yellow, orange (a warning + 5 minute time out) and red (removal from the game and at least one week suspension from playing). Yellow and Orange cards will stay with a player for one week post receiving them.
2. Halves are generally ~45 minutes, however starting late will cut into this. If the weather is too hot, the game will be split into 30 minute thirds
3. If a handball occurs during play, the handball will be automatically awarded. There are no decisions for advantage or disadvantage unless a referee is available. If a hand ball (or ground play) occurs that impedes an otherwise goal, the goal will be awarded at the decision of the organizer. If the goal is not awarded, it will be a corner or direct kick depending upon the location of the occurrence.
4. When the ball goes out of play, the ball must be played back in and cannot be dribbled into play.
5. Aside from direct free kicks, corners or restarts, goals cannot be scored from goal kicks or when the ball goes out of bounds.
6. By default, when goals are scored, play will begin at the center of the field. This is subject to change by Organizer(s)'s decision based on player count and field size.
7. If a dispute occurs, captain(s) of teams and player(s) directly involved, are the only ones allowed to discuss with organizer/referee.
8. Be respectful to your fellow group members, and the equipment (ex: goal nets, ball) provided for the group's use. If you kick the ball far away, you or your teammates are obligated to go get it (chaser rule). If you lose the ball, you will pay for it or else be banned from playing.
9. Organizer(s) have final say in all matters

For player etiquette during the match:
1. If you have to step off the field (including the chaser rule), please wait for the ball to be out of play before returning or go to the half way line to come back in, this is to avoid gaining an unfair advantage
2. You will stay the whole match unless an emergency occurs, in which you will inform the organizer before you leave. If you know in advance that you cannot play the whole game, it is advised that you do not hold an rsvp spot when there is a waitlist.
3. No toxic behavior (fighting, excessive unrequested coaching, profanity or verbal harassment/ antagonizing). You will be warned then asked to leave.
4.All players must be able to play every position. Any injury that could deter them from being able to do this, will cause them to be turned away from playing and given a strike for their attendance. If you have questions about if your injury would be applicable here, message the match day organizer to ask.
5. Be respectful of the skill and abilities of other players, many of you have played the game long enough to be able to gauge someone's ability and should cater to that level when possible especially on challenges.
6. Organizers will not catch everything, it is up to players to communicate, in a respectful manner, when a violation to any of the rules stated above occurs or a situation is beginning to occur.

When keepers are used:
1. All keepers must have some sort of finger protection gloves when playing goal (gloves are provided by organizer).
2. Keeper rotation is about every 10 minutes (unless a different time duration is agreed upon)
3. Keeper change can only occur when the ball is out of play and in the possession of the team that is looking to do the change. Game-play will be stopped while this change occurs
4.Keepers have a 5-10 yard box (depending on goal size) to be able to use their hands, designated by the lines on the field.
5. If no volunteers, Captains or Organizers will pick, from that respective team, the next person to go into the keeper position.
6. Keepers will have right of way for challenges, and the ability to slide, but must do so with caution.
7. Players who are late to the game (including "walk-ons") will be automatically placed into the keeper position on the next rotation.

For Minors
1. Special permission must be given by the head organizer (Drew) in order for a minor to play in this group
2.Minors (anyone under the age of 18) must sign the "Minor E-Waiver" and must be accompanied by their legal guardian on the field when playing, they are not allowed to play without their guardian on the field, and so can only be +1's.
3. Minors can only hold a spot (as a +1) in the match day after the RSVP closes for that match day, this is to avoid an unfair advantage on a team, and give an opportunity for adult members to sign up.
4. Minors are expected to follow every rule listed above but exceptions may exist at the decision of the match day organizer.

All players are expected to not poach others in the group for other activities without permission from the main organizer (Drew). If you have any questions about anything else, please feel free to message the main organizer