| League Rules & Policies |
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Mission Statement & History |
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The NMSL is an amateur soccer league for both Men and Women and services multiple age divisions such as Over40, Over48 and Over55. The NMSL vision is focused on connecting soccer, beyond just an open division, but a well operated and functional adult league throughout the United States by providing a nationwide, professionally managed network of teams, players, managers, fans, and business partners.
The NMSL strives to offer a competitive structure to allow for organized playing opportunities nationwide for member teams and players of various age divisions. The NMSL leadership is dedicated to the success of each of its owners, players, partners and sponsors, making every effort to provide a quality structure of sports management and administration to all levels in our local communities.
The National Masters Soccer League (NMSL) was formed in 2015 by Alberto Schroth and was originally called the Southern California Futbol Association. At that time, the league consisted of only 15 teams with one age division, Over-40. The former league was commonly referred to as the "Over40 Soccer League" and has been in existence at least since the early 80’s.
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All participants in the National Masters Soccer League (NMSL) agree to abide by our Rules and Policies, exhibit fair play, and show respect to all other participants. All participants of the NMSL are expected to behave in a respectful and appropriate manner while engaged in any NMSL activities. All participants are encouraged to exercise respectful judgment regarding the safety of our members as well as others who may be at NMSL events.
As a member of NMSL you are expected to: - Have read the policies and rules and agree to compete/participate within the rules and policies.
- Play within the spirit of the league, which is to have fun and be social in a sporting environment.
- Treat all participants respectfully without discrimination.
- Compete / participate in the spirit of fair play and honesty.
- Refrain from verbal and or physical abuse of game officials and other players.
- Refrain from using profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language.
- Put the good of the game and your fellow participants safety and enjoyment above the desire to win.
- Acknowledge and shake hands with the opposing team members at the end of the game (or prior if preferred).
- Act in a manner that will earn respect for yourself and with the league, both within and outside the competition area
NMSL Code of Conduct includes but is not limited to:
Aggressive Behavior: a) No participants may use physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and or other such conduct, which threatens or endangers the health and safety of any person
b) No participants may use aggressive words or threatening body language to harass or intimidate any person at any time.
Disorderly Conduct: a) No participants may participate in a BCMSL game if they are under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, regardless the legal status of those substances. b) Any participant who is under the influence of alcohol, or otherwise impaired, and engages verbally with a referee, player, or team official, is guilty of disorderly conduct and subject to sanction by the discipline committee.
c) Team Officials (Coaches and Managers) are responsible for the conduct of their players and must immediately remove form the game any player that is under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Any violation of the Code of Conduct may result in penalties, suspension or dismissal from the league for the player, team official and, if warranted, the team. No refund will be provided for loss of membership privileges due to the breach of the Code of Conduct
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NMSL ADMINISTRATION
The National Masters Soccer League (NMSL) shall be administered by the League Director. The league Director reserves the right to make any changes that are deemed necessary for the betterment of the league and its participants. This includes modifications and changes to existing rules, as well as player suspensions.
NMSL strives to serve the sporting needs of its participants and shall be administered through an Executive Committee. The League may appoint/create additional roles within the Administration as required.
The League Director / Owner of the league: - Has the right to nominate, appoint, or remove any member or members of the Executive Committee and Disciplinary Committee
- Shall preside over all NMSL meetings unless otherwise delegated
- Has the right to approve or veto any recommendation made by the standing committees
- Is solely responsible for all financial matters of NMSL
- Is the sole signing authority for NMSL
- Is the legal representative of NMSL, unless otherwise delegated
- Is solely responsible for all external correspondence unless otherwise delegated
The Executive committee’s role is to promote, expand and guide the NMSL in alignment with the leagues Vision, Code of Conduct, and Rules & Policies.
The Executive Committee: - Consists of the League Director, the Head Referee, the League Scheduler, the Discipline Committee members and any at large members appointed by the President.
- Shall achieve consensus through a majority vote when necessary
- Alternate members of the Executive Committee shall be appointed by the League Director for the purpose of creating a quorum
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NMSL PLAYING SEASONS
NMSL will operate two (2) Seasons’ each year consisting of a Spring League and a Winter League. If possible, the NMSL frequently hosts an annual Summer Cup tournament. The NMSL Summer Cup fills the gap between the normal league seasons and is played in June to August.
NMSL TEAM REGISTRATION
Starting 2025 Fall Season, Teams must register with the NMSL and pay a Team Registration Fee to be eligible to participate. This fee is essentially a downpayment towards the cost of permits and league operations and will be credited to each team's account towards final billing.
NMSL PLAYER REGISTRATION
Starting with 2025 Fall Season, all players must register with the NMSL in order to be eligible to participate in an NMSL sanction event. Players will be required to re-register for each and every subsequent season (Spring or Fall, or Summer Cup).
The Player Registration Fee is $25. This only has to be paid once a year which occurs during the Fall Season. Teams may elect to pay this fee on behalf of their players. Exceptions: - Players that have previously paid a Player Registration fee in the past will not have to pay this fee. Just send an email stating this and your registration fee will be waived for 2025.
- Players that are either active-duty military, veterans, member of law enforcement, fire department, or EMT will have their Player Registration Fee's waived.
- Players who are also Team Managers (one per team) will have their Player Registration Fee waived.
Any team leaving the league once the season is in progress will not be refunded any fees (player or team) and may be subject to fines and penalties for forfeit of scheduled games.
Any team leaving the league once the season is in progress will be responsible for the assigned field rental fees for the season unless a replacement team is found or the league is able to mitigate the cost of the field rental. |
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Game Cancellation Policy:
In order to cancel a game, the Game Cancellation link on the homepage must be selected and the form must be filled out and submitted. - Games cancelled within 2 days of kickoff: $200* fee plus loss of points
- Games cancelled within 1 week of kickoff: $50 fee plus loss of points
- Games cancelled more than 1 week in advance: No fee, no loss of points
*Note, if the scheduler is able to schedule another team so that there is no loss in venue usage, then the cancellation fee will be reduced to $50.
Background: Cancellation fees are in place because all of the venues require advanced reservations and payments. When a venue goes unused, the cost of the venue is paid by the league regardless of usage.
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League Rules
The current FIFA laws will govern play for all divisions with the following exceptions:
AGE RESTRICTIONS In the Over40, Over48 and Over55 Divisions, players must be at least 40, 48, or 55 years old, respectively, anytime during the current calendar year. However, the following exceptions apply: Exception #1: Over40 Division - For any game day, each team is allowed two (2) players under 40, but they must be at least 36 years old. Note, starting in May, 2023, this exception reduces to only 1 player. In addition, the player goalie may be as young as 30 years old. - On November 1st, 2025, the number of underage players will drop to one (1)
- On June 1st, 2026, there will be no more exceptions for underage players.
Exception #2: Over48 Division - For any game day, each team is allowed three (3) players under 48, but they must be at least 45 years old. Note, starting in May, 2023, this exception reduces to only 1 player. In addition, the player goalie may be as young as 40 years old. - On November 1st, 2025, the number of underage players will drop to two (2)
- On June 1st, 2026, the number of underage players will drop to one (1)
Exception #3: The league has allowed special exceptions for certain players to play in the Over48 division even though they do not meet the minimum age restriction policy. The names of these players are posted on the webpage.
SUSPENDED PLAYERS The list of suspended players will be posted on the League’s website, as well as emailed to all team managers. It is the responsibility of each team manager to know who is not eligible on their team. If a suspended player(s) participates in a game, all the games that the suspended player(s) has participated in may result in a forfeit, and the team may be fined $50.00 per player for every game that the suspended player(s) participates in.
GAME OFFICIALS Depending on the game matchup, the game official assignor may send more than one referee. Teams are required to pay for the 2nd referee, even if there is no pre-notification of their arrival. Cost: The officials’ fee for (11v11) is $50 per game, per team. This fee will be paid in the form of cash prior to the start of the game. If there is a 2nd referee, each team will be required to pay $75. In the event a venue only has one game that Sunday, the referee cost will be $55 per team. Referee Abuse: Legal action will be sought against any individual who physically attacks a game official.
GAME PLAYPRE-GAME Player Check-in: Players will be required to check-in with the referee before being allowed to play. Game Ball: Both teams must furnish a ball that is acceptable by the game official for game play. Each team must have at least two (2) back up balls. A team may forfeit their game if they are unable to produce an acceptable game ball with backup. It will be the referees’ discretion whether or not a ball is acceptable. Equipment: Metal cleats are not acceptable. All players must wear shin guards in order to play.
KICK-OFF Team No-Show: A team that does not show up will automatically receive a forfeit and be responsible for the entire game officials’ fees. There will also be $50 no-show penalty Insufficient Players: A team that doesn’t have enough players (at least 7) at kickoff will also receive a forfeit. However, if after the forfeit is declared, the team is able to round up enough players (e.g., borrowing from the opposing team), a friendly game may be allowed as long as there is mutual agreement between team managers. Each team will still be required to pay their share of the game officials’ fees. Borrowing Players: Teams are prohibited from “borrowing players” from a previous game. Players must be on the team's roster in order to be eligible. Kickoff Time: There is no grace period. The game will start as soon as one team is on the field ready to play.
NON-LEAGUE GAMES (a.k.a. Friendlies) All league rules will be enforced during any friendly games. All players must be on a team roster in order to participate. All Red Card rules will still apply regardless if the game is a friendly or an official league game. Teams will be allowed to borrow players for friendlies only.
OTHER RULES
Yellow Cards: Yellow cards entail an automatic five (5) minute cooling off period. The player may NOT be substituted. If the goalie receives the yellow card, another player may sit out his five minutes. Red Cards: Red Cards are subject to fines and suspensions. Fines are to be paid by the team managers or players to the league office before the next scheduled game. Fines can be paid online, or by dropping off a check at the league office. Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions are permitted during all NMSL sanctioned games (league or cup) with referee approval. Concussions: If a player receives any type of concussion or head injury, as deemed by the referee, the player must sit out the rest of the game unless cleared by a certified healthcare official. Water Breaks: If the environmental temperature exceeds 90°F (32.2C), the referee must give a mandatory 120 sec water break at both the 22nd minute and 67th minute. NO EXCEPTIONS
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