RULES

LEAGUE INFO

Queer Van Soccer is open to queer women, non-binary, and trans folks. The goal of the league is to support the queer and trans community of soccer in a positive, welcoming atmosphere. QVS players use various pronouns (e.g., she/her, he/him, they/them, he/they, she/they) so please be cognizant of your language while you’re participating. It’s better to ask than assume someone’s pronoun or just stick to gender-inclusive language like ‘they,’ ‘folks,’ or ‘team.’

QVS is a recreational league with players of all skill levels. It’s about having fun, helping beginners learn the rules and develop their skills, and meeting new people. Please keep that in mind when you’re on the field.

GENERAL RULES

  1. Firstly, there is absolutely NO slide tackling.

  2. All teams will wear either black or white shirts each week. The schedule will indicate whether your team is the “home” team (wearing white) or the “away” team (wearing black), so make sure to check the schedule each week to confirm.

  3. We play RAIN OR SHINE. Any cancellations will be communicated via email and your team captains 3 hours before game time.

  4. A match will consist of a 10 minute warm up, two 25 minute halves, and a 5 minute halftime. Try to get to the field 15 minutes early to get your gear on and warm-up.

  5. We will be playing 11-a-side which means one person in net and 10 others on the field.

  6. Substitutions can be made “on-the-fly” – EXCEPT for the goalie, who can only be substituted at a stoppage in play.

  7. All games will be reffed by experienced players. Please treat them with respect and recognize that they too are learning and improving with experience. We will not tolerate any harassment of referees.

  8. A team can use up to 3 subs each game. If more than 3 subs are used, it is considered a forfeit (0 points) and the opposing team receives 2 points (a win). The game is still played with as many subs as the team(s) would like.

  9. Aggressive or unsportspersonlike play will not be tolerated and will result in a player being temporarily or permanently removed from the game. This is a recreational league with a mix of skill levels so please be considerate.

GAME RULES

  1. The game will start with a kick-off at the centre spot with the home team kicking off to begin the game. The away team will kick off the second half.

  2. The away team will choose which end they play on for the first half of the game.
    Teams will change ends at half-time.

  3. A kick-off will also restart the game after a goal is scored.

  4. The opposing team must be at least 8 yards away from the ball in any direction on a kick-off until the ball has been put into play.

  5. Balls that are out of play when the ball has crossed the sideline will result in a throw-in. A throw-in must be done with both hands, from behind the head, and with both feet on the ground; the thrower cannot play the ball again until it has been touched by another player. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. Offside rules do not apply on a throw-in.

  6. Balls that are out of play when the ball has crossed the goal line (but not into the net) will result in a corner kick if a defending player was last to touch the ball or a goal kick if an offensive player was the last to touch the ball.

  7. Goalies are not allowed to handle the ball with their hands when the ball is thrown or kicked to them by their own team. They ARE allowed to use their hands inside the accepted goal crease when the opposing team throws or kicks the ball towards the goalie. If a goalie uses their hands to play the ball in when it was thrown/passed by their own team then the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick at the spot of the handling.

Offsides

A player is in an offside position if:

  • They are nearer to their opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.

  • A violation will occur when they are in an offside position (previous bullet point) at the same time the ball is being passed forward to them.

A player is NOT in an offside position if:

  • They are in their own half of the field of play.

  • No part of the attacking player (head, body, or feet is closer to the opponents’ goal than the final defender (not including the goalkeeper).

  • They are receiving the ball from a throw-in.

The offside will be called by the ref when the kicker has released the ball and it is obviously intended for the offside player. If a player is considered offside, the opposing team shall take an indirect free kick from the place where the infraction occurred. In a situation where there are two players, one with the ball, and the other is in an offside position, the following will apply: If the player with the ball takes a shot on net and the offside player was running at the net, and therefore in a position to get a goal or receive a pass, they are part of the play, and therefore offside. If they were running towards their own goal, and trying to get onside when their team mate took the shot, then they were NOT part of the play, and were NOT offside.

Fouls

Most importantly, to prioritize the safety of our goalies, offensive players must make every effort possible to
avoid contacting the opposing goalie in their box (especially charging). In a 50/50 situation, the charging player should allow the goalie to have the ball.

There is absolutely NO slide tackling. Slide tackling includes any player, including the goalie, who leaves the ground in a foot or feet‐forward motion. The goalie may dive head-forward or on their side to make a save, but may not dive feet‐forward. If the foul occurs in the penalty box area, a penalty kick is awarded). If a player attempts a second slide tackle they are to be removed from the game. Players who repeatedly slide tackle may be removed from the league.

A direct free kick shall be awarded from the point of the infraction when an opposing player intentionally commits any of the following behaviours: kicks, trips, charges, strikes, holds or pushes an opponent, handles the ball, i.e. carries, strikes or propels the ball with their hand or arm (this does not apply to the goalkeeper within their own penalty-area), or slide tackles an opponent.

ALL indirect free kicks are to be taken from the spot of the foul. This includes when the goalkeeper illegally plays the ball with their hands.

Handball

A handball is considered a foul if either: a player intentionally touches the ball with their hand/arm; or a player unintentionally touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. If the opposing team has the clear advantage after a handball then play shall continue without stopping. Any handball that occurs in the defensive penalty box will result in a penalty kick for the opposing team.

Corner Kicks

When the ball passes over the goal line (but not a goal) and was last touched by a member of the defending team, a member of the opposing team will take a corner-kick; the ball is placed within a one yard radius from the corner closest to where the ball went out of play. A goal may be scored from such a kick and the defending team must stand at least 8 yards away from the ball until it is in play. The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

Goal Kicks

When the ball passes over the goal line (but not a goal) and was last touched by a member of the opposing team, a member of the defending team will take a goal kick. The ball is placed approx. 5 metres from the goal line. It must be touched by any player another 5 metres away for it to be in play again. A goalkeeper cannot receive the ball into their hands from a goal-kick and the kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

Penalty Kicks

The goal box, also called the penalty box, in soccer is an area 18 yards (10 metres) square. If there are any fouls that occur inside this area, a penalty kick is incurred. A penalty kick (which is a direct free kick) will be awarded anytime a foul of any type is committed and called within the goal box. It will be taken from the penalty mark on the field with all players, except the goalkeeper and the player taking the kick, outside of the penalty area and at least 10 metres from the penalty mark. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked. The kick must go forward and the kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

CONDUCT STATEMENT

Queer Van Soccer is dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming space for all people to enjoy soccer. All members of the league are encouraged to recognize their roles and responsibilities, on individual, team and community levels, in supporting the maintenance of a positive, fun and safe environment based on the core values of mutual respect and inclusiveness.

To support this commitment, QVS holds a zero tolerance policy for improper conduct – ranging from poor sporting behaviour, to bullying behaviour, to acts of violence. This policy applies to all volunteers, players, subs, and spectators. The policy requires that all persons participating in QVS sanctioned events demonstrate good sporting behaviour and treat other participants with civility and respect. Please keep in mind that, while poor sporting behaviours may not be intentional, they may have serious impacts to players, those witnessing, and the ethos of the league.

The following types of conduct are considered in violation of the shared commitment to (1) good sporting behaviour and (2) maintaining a safe and inclusive environment:

▪ insulting, slanderous, transphobic, racist, fatphobic, and/or derogatory language, including attempts to deliberately embarrass and misgender people

▪ verbal/physical baiting or taunting;

▪ verbal/physical harassment;

▪ threatening behaviour, including aggressive physical approaches to another individual or group;

▪ intentional physical striking of another individual (including pushing, punching, tripping, shoving, etc);

▪ attempting to provoke or entice violence in others;

If you engage in any of the conduct outlined above, then your actions may result in expulsion, suspension, or other discipline.

Social Media Policy

QVS will not inhibit the freedom of personal expression or respectfully shared opinions. However, if a player or member makes an online statement or post that is generally considered to be homophobic/transphobic/sexist/racist/ableist or seeks to harass, discriminate and/or vilify for any reason, the safe spaces the club strives to build are threatened and so this may constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct.​

Process for dealing with policy breaches

Should an altercation occur, every attempt should be made to deal with it in the moment through calm and kind conversation. If that does not feel safe or becomes unsafe or unproductive, walk away and as soon as you’re able to, please contact the QVS committee and we will take steps to find a solution involving all parties including mediation and/or disciplinary measures. If an incident is submitted, the QVS committee will review and take action to investigate the violation. Investigation of a violation may include, but is not limited to:

▪ Contact and follow up with the Member(s) directly involved within 72 hours of the violation being reported;

▪ Gathering of information and/or request for submission of a written statement of the occurrence by the Member(s) directly involved within seven days of the violation being reported;

▪ Gathering of verbal and/or written statements of the occurrence from the other players, subs, spectators, and/or other key witnesses to the occurrence within seven days of the violation being reported.

Once information has been gathered, and before any disciplinary action is taken, the parties involved will be offered the option of mediation facilitated by the Committee. If we are unable to remain unbiased, an outside mediator would be called in. Mediation is an opportunity for all parties to demonstrate empathy and understanding in the hope of reaching a mutually satisfactory outcome. If disciplinary action is required, we will communicate the decision in person and/or in writing to the Member(s) involved. Depending on the extent and severity of the behaviour, and/or repeat incidences of the behaviour, penalties could include: temporary or permanent probation, suspension from some or all QVS events and activities for a specified period of time, or a permanent expulsion from QVS. In the case of a situation where violence has occurred or been threatened, we will require the offending Member to immediately cease attendance at all QVS functions, including all games.