In most cases, TASL adheres to the Laws of the Game according to FIFA. You can download a PDF of the FIFA Laws of the Game at Laws of the Game.

In some cases, TASL supplements or deviates from FIFA rules. It is every player's responsibility to understand the Laws of the Game and the rules and policies specific to participation in TASL. This page contains important and commonly requested information regarding:

• TASL additional rules
  • Point system
  • Coed rules
  • Slide tackle policy
  • Policy on illegal players
  • Referee abuse and assault
  • Summer Heat rules
• TASL administrative policies
  • Player Code of Conduct
  • Discipline and appeals process
  • Game day requirements
  • NCASA player pass card sample
  • Player insurance through NCASA/USASA
  • Referee pay policy
  • Rescheduling games
• TASL Bylaws
• TASL Conflict of Interest

In addition to the information in this section, you should download a PDF of the official TASL Rulebook 2008--2009 in order to familiarize yourself with all TASL rules and policies.

This section provides an overview of TASL-specific rules of play.

The Point System is meant to provide a uniform way for all of TASL's playing divisions to determine season standings. For a complete description of the TASL point system, see TASL point system for season standings.

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The TASL Coed Division complies with FIFA's Rules of the Game with the following exceptions:

• A coed team that cannot field a female player at any time automatically forfeits the game.
• Coed games play 35 minutes halves.
• Slide tackling is strictly prohibited in all coed divisions per the TASL Slide tackle policy.

 For coed games played on smaller fields such as WRAL Centex A or Centex B:

• The Coed Division format is 10 vs. 10 with three females on the playing field at all times.
• Coed teams that can only field 2 female players in a 10 vs. 10 format will play with nine players.
• If there is only one female on the field, the team MUST play with eight players.

For coed games played on full size fields such as WRAL Durhambulls, Durham Twin Lakes or Middle Creek:

• The standard format is 11 vs. 11 with three females on the playing field at all times.
• However, if both team captains agree, the game format on the full size playing field can be changed to 10 vs. 10 with three females on the playing field.
• Coed teams that can only field 2 female players in an 11 vs. 11 format will play with ten players.
• If there is only one female on the field, the team MUST play with nine players.

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Slide tackling is strictly forbidden in the TASL Coed Divisions and in the Men's Over 40 and Men's Over 50 leagues.

The slide tackling policy for these leagues is as follows:

• A player slide tackling the first time during a game shall receive an immediate yellow card.
• A player slide tackling the second time during a game shall receive a red card and a one game suspension.
• Every slide tackle shall result in a direct free kick (a penalty kick if in the penalty box).

Generally, a slide tackle is an intentional slide within your horizontal body length of an opposing player. Whether the opposing player was touched in any way is irrelevant; a “clean” slide tackle shall still result in a card and free kick. The gender of the person slide tackled makes no difference, as all slide tackles are illegal.

The referee has discretion to determine what is and what is not a slide tackle, but the referee has no discretion regarding the imposition of a card or cards. The following plays are legal:

• Sliding for the ball when there are no other players within your horizontal body length
• A goalie sliding for the ball, even if feet first, so long as the goalie’s intention is to catch or smother the ball
• Reaching for the ball but unintentionally slipping due to field conditions

We understand that slide tackling is typically acceptable in soccer. However, because men, women, and older adults participate in TASL, we take extra precautions to avoid injuries.

You can also download a PDF of the TASL Slide Tackling Policy.

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Before playing in a TASL match, TASL requires that ALL players appear on your team's roster AND have a valid NCASA player pass designating their assigned team.

An illegal player is defined as a player that:

• does not appear on your team's TASL roster; and
• does not have a current, valid NCASA player card specific for your team.

Players that played during a previous season or that are planning to join your team in the future are not exempt from this policy. Players waiting to receive their NCASA player pass or those that have a pass with another team designation are not exempt from this policy. Every player must have a current, valid NCASA player pass that designates the current team assignment.

The referee crews are instructed to check your team's rosters and player passes BEFORE the match begins, and ENFORCE the No Pass, No Play Rule. So be aware that if for any reason a player does not have his or her pass, they are NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE.

If it is confirmed that an illegal player has participated in any TASL match, the team in violation of this policy is subject to the following sanctions:

• The team score for the match shall reflect the game as a 3 - 0 loss.
• The team standings will reflect a 3 point deduction in points.
• The team will be assessed an Illegal Player Fine as follows:
  • $60 for any Men's Division team
  • $50 for a Coed Division team

Please report any suspected violations of this policy to the TASL office and include as many details as possible. You can email information on suspected violations to registrar@tasl.us.

You can also download a PDF of the TASL--Policy on Illegal Players.

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Misconduct on the field, or off the field during match-related activities, is a serious offense. It is essential that you understand the TASL Code of Conduct and the penalties associated with misconduct toward referees and other game officials.

Please download the TASL--Referee Abuse Policy in order to ensure that you understand TASL policies on misconduct.

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Summer Heat is the special TASL summer league. For a full description of the Summer Heat rules, see Summer Heat.

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This section contains an overview of TASL administrative policies.

All TASL players are expected to adhere to the TASL Code of Conduct. Please download the TASL Code of Conduct and submit a signed copy of the Code to your Team Captain.

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TASL is committed in providing a safe, fair, and fun environment so that everyone can enjoy the great game of soccer. Occasionally, TASL must use the discipline process to enforce league rules and policies. For an overview of TASL Discipline and Appeals processes, see Discipline and Appeals.

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It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the following game day requirements. These requirements are strictly enforced.

• All teams must have:
  • Uniforms with numbers on them
  • Alternate uniforms available in case of a conflict
• Before the start of each game, the Team Captain, or designated representative, must submit the following information to the referee:
  • A roster with team members names and their uniform numbers.
  • A three-part Match Report pre-filled with the basic game information.
• Referees are responsible for checking rosters, uniforms, jewelry, and shin guards before the start of the game. Please ensure your teammates are prepared for the referee check. If the referee is not performing this check, make a note on the Match Report under "Comments".

  Before the start of the game, referees will check each player against the team roster. At check-in, players must:

  • Be wearing their team uniform displaying the number listed on the team roster
  • Present their NCASA player pass to the referee. If a player does not have a card they will not be allowed to play.

• Players arriving late must present their NCASA player card to the Assistant Referee before entering the field.
• After the game, both Team Captains should receive a copy of the Match Report for their records. Keep all Match Reports until the end of the season. Make sure the referee names are on the report.
• Team Captains are responsible for retrieving players' NCASA player pass from referees after the game (except for any red carded player).

Please note: Captains are not required to report scores.

You can also download a PDF of the TASL--Game Day Requirements.

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For instructions on how to complete your NCASA player pass, click the image to the left. For more information on the NCASA player pass and associated fees, see NCASA player fees.

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To learn about player insurance options through NCASA or for information on submitting a claim, see the NCASA insurance information.

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We recommend that the Team Captain keep a copy of this policy with the team at the field. You can download a PDF of this policy at TASL--Referee Pay Policy.

Each TASL team is required to pay the referee crew, in cash, prior to the start of the game. The Team Captain, or designated team representative, must give the referee fee payment to the Center Referee.

Note to Team Captains: Prior to the start of the game, you are required to pay the applicable fee amount listed in this policy. Fee amounts vary based on the number of referees in the referee crew.

If there is a disagreement regarding the fee amount due, you must pay the amount listed in this policy. After the game, notify the TASL office of the disagreement and TASL resolve the discrepancy.

Referee crew fees

A typical referee crew consists of three referees: one (1) Center Referee and two (2) Assistant Referees. Referee fees for a three-person crew are as follows:

Partial referee crew fees

In the event that one or more Assistant Referees are unavailable to officiate, the Center Referee can select Club Linesmen to assist with officiating the game. Teams are required only to pay referee fees for referees that are present and which officiate the game. If only two referees are available to officiate, the Team Captain must pay the:

• Center Referee fee
• Assistant Referee fee for one (1) Assistant Referee or Club Linesman

If a referee arrives after the start of the game, the fee for that referee is adjusted according to the following rules:

Referee pay policy for rained out games

If a game is cancelled due to field or weather conditions immediately prior to the start of the game or during the first half of play, the Team Captains must still pay the applicable referee crew fees. TASL will reimburse teams by check for referee fees paid for games cancelled at the field.

If a game is cancelled due to field or weather conditions during the second half of play, the game and score are considered final. TASL will not reimburse teams for referee fees paid for games cancelled during the second half of play.

Note: Teams are not responsible for paying referee fees for games cancellations posted on the TASL Weather Hotline.

Referee pay policy for forfeited games

If a game is cancelled due to a TASL team forfeit, the referee crew will be paid using the forfeiting team's Performance Bond.

In the case of a forfeited game, the Center Referee should send a Match Report identifying the forfeited game and team name to the TASL office.

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TASL recognizes that occasionally games must be rescheduled for weather or other reasons. Please review the following information so that you understand the process for rescheduling games.

If the referee crew cancels your game during the first half of play, Team Captains should fax the Match Report to (919) 834-4369 (Attn: Scheduler).

Write "Rain Out Make Up" in the scores section and include the following information in your Match Report:

• Date and time of cancelled match, field name, team names, and division
• Team Captain contact information

After faxing the Match Report, notify your Division Representative of the cancellation. Make-up games are scheduled at the earliest availability based on division and field availability.

Note: Full-day, CASL-cancelled matches are automatically rescheduled. In the case of a CASL-cancelled match, Team Captains are not required to submit a Match Report.

If a team requests to reschedule a game, the following procedures and fees will apply. The Team Captain must notify the TASL office in writing and present a valid reason for the request to reschedule the game. The request must be approved by the TASL office. The options available for reschedule requests will primarily be on non-play dates (i.e. Friday or Sunday). There will be no credits provided for field use fees for either team in the event that a reschedule date cannot be agreed upon.

1. More Than Ten Days Notice: The Team Captain must notify the TASL office at least 10 days prior to the proposed cancellation and must submit a payment of $25 for consideration of the reschedule. Each team will be provided with two new date options for the reschedule. Both teams must agree on the new date for the reschedule. If a date is not agreed upon, the game will be recorded as a 3-0 forfeit for the team that was not able to make the originally scheduled game.
2. Less than Ten Days Notice: The game will not be rescheduled. The score will record as a 3-0 loss for the team that was not able to make the originally scheduled game. An administrative fee of $25 will be assessed to the team unable to play. The Performance Bond will not be used except in the event that there is less than two days notice of the cancellation.
3. Less than 48 Hours Notice: The game will not be rescheduled. The score will record as a 3-0 loss for the team that was not able to make the originally scheduled game. The Performance Bond will be used.
4. Forfeits at the Field: If a team fails to play a scheduled game, it will be considered a forfeit. The game will not be rescheduled and the score will be recorded as a 3-0 forfeit for the team that was not able to make the originally scheduled game. The Performance Bond will be used.
5. No reschedule requests will be considered in the last three weeks of league play.

You can also download a PDF of the TASL Policy on Rescheduling Games.

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If you are interested in the formal structure and organization of TASL, you can download a PDF of the TASL Bylaws. You can also download and review the TASL Conflict of Interest Policy.