Rules – Cowtown Soccer – Fort Worth Texas

League Rules

Youth Leagues	Men’s Open	Men Over 30
Coed Open		Coed Over 30

Cowtown Youth Leagues

The Cowtown Soccer League follows all FIFA and/or IFAB Laws of the game except for the following listed:

Cowtown League Rules

ALL players must be paid in full before the 1st game.
ALL players must have a wristband for each game.
Teams consist of 7 players (1 of which is the goalkeeper).
Teams may start with a minimum of 5 players. At least 1 must be female, and 1 of the 5 starting players is the goalkeeper, thus giving a 4 male – 2 female – plus GK lineup.
Teams can play/exceed more than 2 female field players, however male players can NOT exceed more than 4 field players.
Teams must wear the same shade of color shirts with numbers.
Goalkeepers must wear a different colored shirt than either team.
Teams must provide their own ball. (Each team must provide a game ball).
Two 24 minute halves or four 12 minute quarters. Half time not to exceed 5 minutes. Added/Stoppage time at Officials discretion.
All games ending in a tie will remain in a tie.
Officials game fee, $15 per team.

Cowtown In Game Rules

To start a game the ball must go backwards (first pass to be played in their own half).
ALL dead ball/restarts are indirect kicks (commonly known as “Two Touch”) except for penalty kicks. For an indirect free kick to contribute towards a goal the ball must be touched a second time by ANY other player on the field before crossing the goal line.
For ALL dead ball/restarts all opposition players must be 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
The distance of a penalty kick is 9 yards from the goal line and the penalty taker is allowed 2 steps back from the ball prior to the kick.
A penalty kick must be taken by a player on the field at the time of the foul.
Goalkeepers may not hold the ball more than 5 seconds after taking possession/control in their hands.
If a goalkeeper commits a foul by “back pass” the ball will be placed at the top of the box (outside) still to be taken as an indirect free kick.
Slide tackles are illegal for all players including goalkeeper –
Goalkeepers can play the ball (as a foot save) from the ground in the box after making a save, but they cannot lunge or slide feet first.
Yellow cards: A player that receives a yellow card must leave the field of play for either 2 minutes or until the opponent scores. (Whichever comes first).
The referee may also have a player sit out for 5 minutes, but allow another player on the team to enter after 2 minutes or a goal conceded.
Red cards: A player who receives a red card is ejected from the game and will not return. A player who is currently off the field may enter after 5 minutes passes.

Cowtown Men’s open

The Cowtown Soccer League follows all FIFA and/or IFAB Laws of the game except for the following listed:

Cowtown League Rules

ALL players must have a wristband upon receipt of payment.
Teams consist of 7 on field players (1 of which is the goalkeeper).
Teams may start with a minimum of 4 players (1 of which is the goalkeeper).
Teams must wear the same shade of color.
Teams must provide their own ball. (Each team must provide a game ball).
Goalkeepers must wear a different colored shirt than either team.
Two 25 minute halves. Half time not to exceed 5 minutes. Added/Stoppage time Officials discretion.
Regular season games that end in a tie will remain a tie.
Playoff/Championship games that end in a tie will lead into a best of 5 penalty kicks.
Officials game fee, $15 per team.
Dual officials fees during playoffs/championship games $30 per team.
All registration fees are final, no refunds, no transfer of fees (including injuries) to other players.
Cancellation of games with 24 hours notice ref fees are not required. Cancellation less than 24 hours notice ref fees are required.

Cowtown In Game Rules

ALL dead balls/restarts are direct kicks. All free kicks will start on the whistle.
All opposition players must be at least 5 yards from a deal ball/restart before it is kicked.
A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in unless the ball is touched a second time by either team. (A throw-in is not a kick therefore is an indirect restart).
To score a goal, the whole ball must completely cross the goal line.
Goalkeepers may not hold the ball more than 5 seconds after taking possession/control in their hands.
If a goalkeeper commits a foul by back pass the ball will be placed at the top of the box (outside) allowing for a direct free kick.
The distance of a penalty kick is 9 yards from the goal line and the penalty taker is allowed 2 steps behind the ball prior to the kick.
A penalty kick must be taken by a player on the field at the time of the foul.
Slide tackles are illegal for all players including goalkeepers –
Goalkeepers can play the ball from the ground (a foot save) in the box after making a save, but they cannot lunge or slide feet first.
Yellow cards: A player that receives a yellow card must leave the field of play for either 2 minutes or until the opponent scores. (Whichever comes first).
The referee may also have a player sit out for 5 minutes, but allow another player on the team to enter after 2 minutes or a goal conceded.
Red cards: A player who receives a red card is ejected from the game and will not return. A player who is currently off the field may enter after 5 minutes passes.

Cowtown Men Over 30

The Cowtown Soccer League follows all FIFA and/or IFAB Laws of the game except for the following listed:

Cowtown League Rules

ALL players must have a wristband upon receipt of payment.
Teams consist of 7 on field players (1 of which is the goalkeeper).
Teams may start with a minimum of 4 players (1 of which is the goalkeeper).
Teams must wear the same shade of color with numbers.
Teams must provide their own ball. (Each team must provide a game ball).
Goalkeepers must wear a different colored shirt than either team.
Teams may have two 27+ year old players but only one can be on the field at a time – (There will be two wristbands on this person(s)).
Goalkeeper age is 18+, but a goalkeeper under the age of 30 cannot play past half field.
Two 25 minute halves. Half time not to exceed 5 minutes. Added/Stoppage time Officials discretion.
Regular season games that end in a tie will remain a tie.
Playoff/Championship games that end in a tie will lead into a best of 5 penalty kicks.
Officials’ game fee, $15 per team.
Dual officials fees during playoffs/championship games $30 per team.
All registration fees are final, no refunds, no transfer of fees (including injuries) to other players.
Cancellation of games with 24 hours notice ref fees are not required. Cancellation less than 24 hours notice ref fees are required.

Cowtown In Game Rules

ALL dead balls/restarts are direct kicks. All free kicks are on the whistle.
All opposition players must be at least 5 yards from a deal ball/restart before it is kicked.
A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in unless the ball is touched a second time by either team.
If a goalkeeper commits a foul by back pass the ball will be placed at the top of the box (outside) allowing for a direct free kick.
Goalkeepers may not hold the ball more than 5 seconds after taking possession/control in their hands.
The distance of a penalty kick is 9 yards from the goal line & is allowed two (2) steps behind the ball prior to the kick.
A penalty kick must be taken by a player on the field at the time of the foul
Slide tackles are illegal for all players including goalkeepers –
Goalkeepers can play the ball from the ground in the box after making a save, but they cannot lunge or slide feet first.
Yellow cards: A player that receives a yellow card must leave the field of play for either 2 minutes or until the opponent scores. (Whichever comes first).
The referee may also have a player sit out for 5 minutes, but allow another player on the team to enter after 2 minutes or a goal conceded.
Red cards: A player who receives a red card is ejected from the game and will not return. A player who is currently off the field may enter after 5 minutes passes.

Cowtown Coed Open

The Cowtown Soccer League follows all FIFA and/or IFAB Laws of the game except for the following listed:

Cowtown League Rules

ALL players must have a wristband upon receipt of payment.
Teams consist of 7 players – 3 females, 3 males & a goalkeeper.
Teams may start with a minimum 4 players, 1 being the goalkeeper and at least 1 female field player.
(A female goalkeeper does not count towards the required female field player).
Co-ed MUST have a minimum of 1 female field player at all times. Co-ed teams can exceed 3 female field players, male players can NOT exceed 3 field players.
Teams must wear the same shade of color shirts.
Teams must provide their own ball. (Each team must provide a game ball).
Goalkeepers must wear a different colored shirt than either team.
Two 25 minute halves.Half time not to exceed 5 minutes. Added/stoppage time Officials’ discretion.
Regular season games that end in a tie will remain a tie.
Playoff/Championship games that end in a tie will lead into a best of 5 penalty kicks.
Officials’ game fee, $15 per team.
Dual officials fees during playoffs/championship games $30 per team.
All registration fees are final, no refunds, no transfer of fees (including injuries) to other players.
Cancellation of games with 24 hours notice ref fees are not required. Cancellation less than 24 hours notice ref fees are required.

Cowtown In Game Rules

All kick offs and free kicks are indirect kicks. All free kicks are on the whistle. Goal kicks and corner kicks are direct kicks.
All opposition players must be at least 5 yards from a deal ball/restart before it is kicked.
On center kickoffs the ball must go back or parallel it cannot go forward.
A goal may not be scored directly from an indirect free kick or a throw-in.
If a goalkeeper commits a foul by “back pass” the ball will be placed at the top of the box (outside) still to be taken as an indirect free kick.
Co-ed female goals count as 2 goals unlimited per female player. Co-ed male goals count as 1 goal.
Male players can score a team/combined cap of 7 (no individual player limits).
The distance of a penalty kick is 9 yards from the goal line and the penalty taker is allowed two steps behind the ball prior to kick.
A penalty kick must be taken by a player on the field at the time of the foul.
Co-ed female penalty kick counts as 2 goals.
Goalkeepers may not hold the ball more than 5 seconds after taking possession/control in their hands.
Slide tackles are illegal for all players including goalkeepers –
Goalkeepers can play the ball from the ground (as a foot save) in his/her box after making a save, but they cannot lunge or slide feet first.
Yellow cards: A player that receives a yellow card must leave the field of play for either 2 minutes or until the opponent scores. (Whichever comes first).
The referee may also have a player sit out for 5 minutes, but allow another player on the team to enter after 2 minutes or a goal conceded.
Red cards: A player who receives a red card is ejected from the game and will not return. A player who is currently off the field may enter after 5 minutes passes.

Cowtown Coed Over 30

The Cowtown Soccer League follows all FIFA and/or IFAB Laws of the game except for the following listed:

Cowtown League Rules

Teams consist of 7 players – 3 females, 3 males & a goalkeeper. (Female goalkeeper does not count toward the minimum required female field players).
Teams may start with a minimum 4 players, 1 being the goalkeeper and at least 1 field player must be female and cannot continue with any less.
Teams can exceed 3 female field players, male players can NOT exceed 3 field players.
Teams may have 2x 27+ year old male players but only 1 can be on the field at a time. (These will be represented by two wristbands on this person(s)).
Goalkeeper age is 18+, but a goalkeeper under the age of 30 may not play past half field.
Teams must wear the same shade of color shirts.
Teams must provide their own ball. (Each team must provide a game ball).
Goalkeepers must wear a different colored shirt than either team.
Two 25 minute halves. Half time not to exceed 5 minutes. Added/stoppage time Officials’ discretion.
Regular season games that end in a tie will remain a tie.
Playoff/Championship games that end in a tie will lead into a best of 5 penalty kicks.
Officials’ game fee, $15 per team.
Dual officials fees during playoffs/championship games $30 per team
All registration fees are final, no refunds, no transfer of fees (including injuries) to other players.
Cancellation of games with 24 hours notice ref fees are not required. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice ref fees are required.

Cowtown In Game Rules

All kick offs and free kicks are indirect. Free kicks are on the whistle. Goal kicks and corner kicks are direct.
All opposition players must be at least 5 yards from a deal ball/restart before it is kicked.
A goal can NOT be scored directly from a throw-in. It is to be treated like an indirect kick.
If a goalkeeper commits a foul by “back pass” the ball will be placed at the top of the box (outside) still to be taken as an indirect free kick.
To score a goal the whole ball must completely cross the goal line.
Co-ed female goals count as 2 goals unlimited per female player. Co-ed male goals count as 1 goal.
Male players can score a team/combined cap of 7 goals (no individual limits).
The distance of a penalty kick is 9 yards from the goal line and the penalty taker is allowed two steps behind the ball prior to kick.
A penalty kick must be taken by a player on the field at the time of the foul.
Co-ed female penalty kick counts as 2 goals.
Goalkeepers may not hold the ball more than 5 seconds after taking possession/control in their hands.
Slide tackles are illegal for all players including goalkeepers –
Goalkeepers can play the ball from the ground (foot save) in his/her box after making a save, but they cannot lunge or slide feet first.
Yellow cards: A player that receives a yellow card must leave the field of play for either 2 minutes or until the opponent scores. (Whichever comes first).
The referee may also have a player sit out for 5 minutes, but allow another player on the team to enter after 2 minutes or a goal conceded.
Red cards: A player who receives a red card is ejected from the game and will not return. A player who is currently off the field may enter after 5 minutes passes.

UPDATED 2022