Northern Westchester Co-Ed Soccer

This group is an Organized Pick-Up with the expectation that members act in good faith by abiding in the rules and the culture of accountability.

## Membership & Fees

• Waiver & Profile Requirement: All members and their guests must e-sign the general liability waiver via the Google Form. To continue participating long-term, players must create their own profiles and become group members.
• Payment Model: Functions under an Annual, Quarterly, or Per Diem (pay as you play) structure via Venmo (`@Union-WestchesterCtyCoEdSoccer`) or Cash.
  • Venmo Note: Payments must include a note with your name and specify it is for "Northern Westchester." The payee is responsible for covering any transaction fees.
  • Non-Transferable: Fees are non-transferable between types. Excess payments are retained by the group for administrative processing fees.
• The Trial Game: The first normal match (non-night/under the lights) is free for new members and their new guests. If you fail to attend your scheduled free game, you forfeit the privilege and must pay standard fees for your next match.
• Fee Structures:
  • Annual: $70 (Covers the 2026 calendar year only, ending in December; it is not a rolling 365-day pass). Night games under the lights ("Permitted W/Lights") require an additional $5 per game.
  • Quarterly: $40 for Q1 (Jan–Mar), Q2 (Apr–Jun), and Q4 (Oct–Dec). $50 for Q3 (Jul–Sep). No overlapping or pro-rating across quarters is allowed. Attending a "Permitted W/Lights" game while on a quarterly structure requires $10 per game.
  • Per Diem: $3 for Normal games, $10 for Permitted games, and $15 for Permitted W/Lights.

## Guest Policy (+1s) & Minor Regulations

• Standard Guests: Limited to one guest per member, strictly as a one-time trial to experience the group. Members cannot use a "+1" slot to RSVP for another existing or past group member/guest.
  • Guest Validation: The host member must message the match chat with their guest's full legal name and have the ewaiver signed before RSVPing for their guest. Failure to do so, will result in the guest losing the spot
• Regulations for Bringing Minors (Under 18):
  • Permission: Requires explicit, advance approval from the head organizer (Drew).
  • Field Supervision: Minors must sign a specific "Minor E-Waiver" and must be accompanied on the field by their legal guardian during play. They can only participate as a "+1" slot.
  • RSVP Restriction: Minors can only claim an active spot after the match day RSVP window closes to ensure adult members have priority access and to prevent unfair team balancing.
  • Minor Fees: Per diem rates are discounted: $3 for Normal games, $5 for Permitted games, and $10 for Permitted W/Lights.

## Attendance, Deadlines & The Attendance Penalties

• Game Limits: Matches require a 10-player minimum to be held, up to a standard maximum of 22 players on the field. Field dimensions may occasionally restrict RSVP limits further.
• Field Type Designations: Match headers will explicitly list "Turf", "Grass", or "Turf/Grass" to guide footwear selection. A "Turf/Grass" listing indicates venue uncertainty; players are strongly advised to bring both style cleats to the site.
• RSVP Deadlines:
  • Weekend & Holiday matches: Closes at 22:00 (10:00 PM) the night before.
  • Weeknight matches: Closes at 17:00 (5:00 PM) the day of the match.
• Late Drops (Post-Deadline): If an emergency or work conflict arises after the deadline, you must notify Drew with a general reason, remove yourself from the "Going" list, and immediately post in the match discussion page that your spot is open. Failure to do this results in an automatic strike.
• Claiming Open Spots: Waitlist entries are not automatically moved after the RSVP window closes. Open spots must be claimed first-come, first-served by replying directly to the late-dropper's open-spot thread in the chat or a create a post saying they are claiming the open spot. You cannot claim spots before they open
• Strike Penalties & Suspensions:
  • No-Shows / Unexcused Late Drops: Results in an automatic 1 strike applied to your profile (and/or your guest's profile). Accumulating 3 strikes triggers a suspension.
  • Suspension Terms: The first annual suspension is 1 week, starting on the day the final penalty was issued. Subsequent suspensions increase weekly (e.g., 2 weeks, 3 weeks) for multiple offenses.
  • Punctuality: You must be on the field, fully geared up, by the designated "Team Selection" time. Arriving late results in a 1/2 strike, an obligation to help clean up the field post-game, and an automatic placement into goal on the next goalie rotation.
• Walk-on Rule & Roster Overflows: If a non-RSVP'd player shows up and an open spot remains at "Team Selection" time, they may play. If teams are completely full, extra players cannot join the match. They may volunteer to sit on the sideline as substitutes, but playing members are not obligated to rotate out unless they actively choose to volunteer.

## Equipment Rules

• Footwear Requirements: AG, FG, Turf cleats, or flats (e.g., Sambas) are permitted. Long studs or metal studs are strictly banned. Players wearing them will be immediately sent home.
• Personal Gear Disclaimer: Organizers provide essential match gear (folding goals, balls, cones, pinnies, and keeper gloves). If you volunteer your personal equipment for group use, you do so at your own risk; the group and its organizers are not liable for lost or damaged personal items.

## Game-play & House Rules

• Standard Adaptations: Matches follow standard FIFA rules with zero-referee self-officiating. Players make calls as infractions occur; however, individuals who abuse calls to gain a competitive advantage will have their calling privileges revoked.
• Match Duration: Standard halves run roughly 45 minutes (delayed starts will shorten play). In extreme heat, matches dynamically shift into three 30-minute thirds.
• No Slide Tackling: Absolutely no slide tackling by field players, no ground play, and no dangerous physical challenges near other players.
• The Three-Card Discipline System:
  • Yellow Card: Formal warning. Carries over for one week.
  • Orange Card: Formal warning + a mandatory 5-minute time out. Carries over for one week.
  • Red Card: Immediate ejection from the current game and a minimum 1-week suspension from the group.
• Handballs & Goal Interference: Handballs stop play and result in an automatic award/turnover (no advantage calls without an official referee). If a handball or illegal ground-play infraction directly stops a certain goal, the goal will be automatically awarded at the discretion of the organizer. If not awarded, play restarts with a corner or free kick depending on the location.
• Restarts & Scoring Restrictions: Goals cannot be scored directly from goal kicks or standard out-of-bounds restarts (excluding direct free kicks and corners). The ball must be played back into bounds; it cannot be immediately dribbled in. By default, play restarts at the center circle after a goal, subject to organizer adjustments based on field sizes.
• Dispute Resolution: If an on-field dispute occurs, only the team captains and the players directly involved are permitted to discuss the matter with the organizer or referee. Organizers hold the absolute final say in all match matters.
• Ball Chaser Rule: If you kick the ball far away—or if it deflects off someone and travels far out—you or your teammates are strictly obligated to retrieve it. If you lose a match ball, you must pay for its replacement or face an immediate ban.

## Goalkeeper Rules

1. Mandatory Safety: All keepers must wear gloves featuring finger protection. Organizers provide these on-site.
2. Rotation Schedule: Goalies rotate roughly every 10 minutes unless an alternative duration is unanimously agreed upon.
3. Substitution Windows: Keeper changes can only happen when the ball is completely out of play and in the possession of the team requesting the switch. Gameplay will pause briefly to facilitate the change.
4. Field Rights: Keepers maintain the right-of-way during physical challenges and are authorized to slide, but they must do so with extreme caution.
5. Drafting Rotation: If no players volunteer to take a turn in goal, captains or organizers will directly appoint the next player from that team's roster. Late arrivals and walk-on players are automatically placed first in line for the next keeper rotation.

## Player Etiquette, Health & Conduct

• Field Boundary Restrictions: If you must temporarily step off the field for any reason (including fetching a ball via the chaser rule), you must wait for the ball to go out of play or return strictly through the halfway line to prevent an unfair numerical advantage.
• Match Commitment: Players are expected to stay for the entire game. If you know beforehand you cannot stay, do not hold an RSVP spot if a waitlist exists. Leaving early for a legitimate emergency requires notifying the organizer on-site.
• Zero Tolerance Misconduct: No fighting, excessive unrequested on-field coaching, profanity, or verbal harassment/antagonizing. Violators will receive one warning before being permanently removed from the field.
• Position Uniformity: All players must be physically capable of playing every position on the pitch. Attempting to play through a debilitating injury that prevents full movement or goalie rotation will result in being turned away from the field and issued a strike. Message the match organizer before showing up if you are unsure of your injury status.
• Captain Authority: Team captains have full jurisdiction over field positioning. Players must respect and play the specific positions they are assigned.
• Skill Level Awareness: Players must remain mindful of the varying skill levels within the group. Experienced players are explicitly required to cater their intensity and challenges to match the capability of the player they are playing against.
• Health & Illness Policy: If you are sick with any disease or illness transmissible in a social setting, do not attend. Players exhibiting symptoms of illness will be promptly sent home by organizers.

## Miscellaneous Policies

• Player Poaching: Recruiting or poaching group members for external soccer groups without the express permission of the main organizer (Drew) is strictly prohibited.
• Media Release: Photos, videos, and other promotional media may be captured during matches. By RSVPing and entering the field, you waive your image rights and grant permission for the group to use this media for promotional needs.
• Member Removals: Organizers have the right to remove players from this group & games at will