OUTDOOR SOCCER 7's
JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement
Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.
Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.
Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.
Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.
1. Equipment/Field Set-Up:
KWCJAM will provide one game ball per game. Teams are suggested to bring both a light and dark jerseys to each game. Home teams will be white, away teams will wear dark. Protective Gear - we suggest that shin guards are worn to prevent accidental kicks to the shins, however, they are not mandatory. Cleats are allowed as long as they are not metal. KWCJAM will provide all nets and have the field set-up before each game. Please help roll out the nets to help ensure that all games are started on time.
2. Game Time/Default:
Please arrive 15 minutes early to help set up fields and start your games on time. 55-minute games are comprised of two (2) 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime. 85-minute games are comprised of two (2) 40-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime. The KWCJAM representative will act as timekeeper and signal the start and end of each half with a whistle. Teams are comprised of seven (7) players, two (2) men or gender minority and two (2) women or gender minority. These seven players include the goalkeeper. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 15 minutes after the official start time. A team can play with a minimum of 5 people.
3. General Rules:
In general, standard soccer rules apply to all KWCJAM games. Notable exceptions are listed below:
i. Each half starts with one team initiating play by making a pass from the centre of the field. This pass does not have to travel forward but must not be touched by the kicker a 2nd time until it is touched by another player. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.
ii. If a ball is kicked out of bounds along the sidelines, a kick-in is awarded to the opposite team.
iii. If a ball is kicked out of bounds along the goal line by the offence, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team. All kick-ins (or restarting of play) must be indirect.
iv. If a ball is kicked out of bounds along the goal line by the defence, a corner kick is awarded to the attacking team. Corner kicks are considered a restart of play, and therefore must be indirect.
v. Substitutions can be made at any time, either while there is a stoppage in play, or "on the fly". Goalkeepers may only be subbed during a stoppage in play.
vi. A handball infraction occurs when the ball hits any part of the player's arm, from the SHOULDER down. Players may use their arms to block the ball from hitting their groin area, and women can also use their arms to block the ball from hitting their chest without a handball being called. This rule will reduce the number of stoppages in play. Please don't abuse this rule.
vii. All free kicks (including corner kicks) are indirect. To score off an indirect kick, the ball must first be touched by another player (offence or defence)
viii. The offending player should call their own infractions, however, any players involved in the incident can also make a call. Players not on the field at the time of any incident cannot make a call at any time.
ix. Each team should bring both light and dark coloured shirts to each and every game.
x. Metal cleats are not allowed
xi. A game can end in a tie during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a shoot-out: three players on each team (minimum of 1 woman or gender minority and 1 man or gender minority shooters) take one shot. Anyone can shoot, including the goalie. After three shots, if still tied, teams continue taking single shots until one team has scored (and the other team does not). The order of shooters must be maintained. Please note that playoff games should only be 50 minutes in length for leagues with a 55 minute game slot, in anticipation of needing the extra time to settle a tie.
xii. Players may not jump to play the ball with their feet. Any player who kicks or attempts to kick the ball that is above their waist while standing on the ground will have a foul called on them.
4. Off-sides:
There are NO off-sides. However, a strategy of consistently "cherry-picking" is considered to be unsportsmanlike.
5. Sliding:
Even if contact is made with the ball first, sliding (whether on defence to stop an attacker or on offence to strike the ball) is not allowed under ANY circumstances. Exception: goalies can slide to make a save or block a loose ball. This can only be done within the goalie crease area, and should be done with the safety of all players in mind.
6. Scoring:
To score a goal, the ball must enter the net and cross the goal line fully.
7. Goalies:
8. Discrepancies/Disputes:
9. Rough Play:
ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE TCS&SC POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY ON THIS SUBJECT. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.