Rules &
Player Guidelines

1. Our Golden Rules

These principles are the foundation of Naples Social Soccer.

• Play for fun. Friendly competition is encouraged. Aggressive or intimidating behavior is not.
• Respect everyone. Treat teammates, opponents, organizers, and referees with courtesy.
• No slide tackling. Slide tackles are prohibited, even if you contact the ball first.
• Avoid dangerous contact. No pushing, reckless charging, tripping, or unnecessarily physical challenges.
• Include everyone. Share the ball and encourage players of all abilities to participate.
• Respect decisions. Accept calls and organizer instructions without arguments.
• Leave your ego at home. We're here to enjoy soccer, not audition for the World Cup.

Our most important rule: Everyone should leave the field wanting to come back.

2. Basic Soccer Rules

We generally follow the traditional Laws of the Game, with modifications appropriate for recreational, small-sided soccer.

Starting and restarting play

• Games begin with a kickoff from the center of the field.
• After a goal, the opposing team restarts with a kickoff.
• When the ball completely crosses a sideline, the opposing team takes a throw-in.
• When the ball crosses the goal line without a goal, play restarts with a goal kick or corner kick, depending on which team touched it last.
• Opponents must give appropriate space for free kicks and restarts.

Organizers may adjust restart procedures to suit the field and game format.

Ball handling

Players may use their feet, legs, torso, and head to control the ball.

Handball offenses follow the applicable soccer rules. Goalkeepers may handle the ball within their own penalty area, subject to the usual restrictions.

Fouls

Fouls include:

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
• Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent.
• Pushing, holding, or recklessly charging another player.
• Dangerous challenges or excessive physical contact.
• Handball offenses.
• Slide tackling.

Our recreational rules are intentionally stricter about physical contact than competitive soccer.

When in doubt, choose the safer play.

Offside

For our initial small-sided games, we anticipate playing without the offside rule.

However, players should avoid standing permanently near the opposing goal waiting for passes.

Offside rules may be introduced for larger-sided games as the organization develops.

3. Game Format

Our initial games will emphasize small-sided, recreational soccer.

The exact format will depend on attendance, field availability, and participant preferences.

• Teams: Typically 5v5, 6v6, or 7v7.
• Game length: Short games or periods with regular breaks.
• Substitutions: Unlimited rolling substitutions, made safely and without disrupting play.
• Team balance: Organizers will make reasonable efforts to balance teams by experience and ability.
• Goalkeepers: Rotated when practical, unless players volunteer for the position.
• Scores: May be kept informally. Winning is not the primary objective.
• Referees: Games may be supervised by a referee, designated organizer, or volunteer captain.

As participation grows, we may introduce structured teams, seasons, and additional game-format rules.

4. Player Equipment and Clothing

All players must wear appropriate equipment to participate safely.

Required equipment

• Shin guards: Proper soccer shin guards must be worn during play.
• Soccer socks: Socks must completely cover the shin guards.
• Appropriate footwear: Soccer cleats, turf shoes, or indoor soccer shoes suitable for the playing surface.
• Athletic clothing: Comfortable shorts and shirts suitable for soccer.

Team shirts and colors

To help organize balanced teams, players should bring two athletic shirts:

• One white or very light-colored shirt.
• One dark-colored shirt, preferably navy or black.

Avoid gray, medium-blue, or other colors that could be difficult to distinguish between teams.

Organizers may provide colored training bibs (pinnies) to help identify teams or accommodate players who don't have both shirts.

Official Naples Social Soccer shirts may be offered in the future but are not required for participation.

Footwear guidelines

• Natural grass: Molded soccer cleats are generally appropriate.
• Artificial turf: Turf shoes or soccer cleats specifically permitted by the facility.
• Indoor courts: Nonmarking indoor soccer shoes where required.
• Metal studs: Not permitted.

Players must follow any additional footwear requirements established by the facility.

Equipment restrictions

For everyone's safety:

• Jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and watches, must be removed unless specifically permitted under applicable safety rules.
• Clothing or equipment with sharp or dangerous components is prohibited.
• Hard or exposed accessories that could injure another player are not allowed.
• Hats and other accessories must not present a safety hazard or violate facility rules.
• Medical braces and protective equipment may be worn if safely designed and approved for play.

Organizers may inspect equipment and require unsafe items to be removed before participation.

5. Welcoming New Players — The Armband Rule

Everyone deserves to feel like part of the team.

Players who are new to soccer or returning after a long absence may choose to wear a brightly colored armband.

The armband signals that other players should make an extra effort to help them feel comfortable and included.

When playing with someone wearing a newcomer armband:

• Pass them the ball! Experienced teammates should actively look for opportunities to involve newcomers.
• Give them additional time and space to receive, control, and pass the ball.
• Avoid aggressive defensive pressure and physical challenges.
• Encourage their efforts, even when they make mistakes.
• Offer friendly advice when welcome, without turning the game into a coaching session.

The armband is optional. Players may stop wearing it whenever they feel comfortable.

The best players make everyone around them better.

6. Coed Play and Fair Participation

Naples Social Soccer is a coed recreational community.

We welcome adults of all genders, ages, and experience levels.

Our goal is to create balanced games where everyone has meaningful opportunities to participate.

• Include all teammates in passing and attacking opportunities.
• Avoid consistently dominating possession or play.
• Encourage teammates rather than criticize mistakes.
• Rotate players and positions when practical.
• Help maintain balanced teams and enjoyable games.

We may establish additional team-composition guidelines as participation grows.

7. Share the Game

We love good soccer, great passes, and spectacular goals!

But we also believe that the best games are the ones where everyone gets involved.

• Experienced players should make an effort to include less experienced teammates.
• If you're dominating the game, look for opportunities to create scoring chances for others.
• When teams are unevenly matched, organizers may rebalance them.
• Celebrate teamwork and good sportsmanship as much as goals.

There is no individual goal limit.

Great players don't just score goals. They help everyone enjoy the game.

8. Sportsmanship and Player Conduct

Friendly competition is encouraged. Unsportsmanlike behavior is not.

The following behavior is unacceptable:

• Deliberately dangerous or excessively physical play.
• Repeated reckless challenges.
• Verbal abuse, harassment, or discriminatory behavior.
• Threatening or intimidating other players.
• Persistent arguing or confrontations.
• Ignoring organizer instructions or safety rules.
• Repeatedly disrupting the recreational atmosphere.

Addressing problems

Depending on the circumstances, organizers may:

1. Give a verbal reminder or warning.
2. Require a player to take a temporary break.
3. Remove a player from the remainder of a session.
4. Suspend or revoke participation privileges for repeated or serious misconduct.

Serious misconduct may result in immediate removal without a prior warning.

Our goal is not to discourage skilled or competitive players. It is to maintain an environment where everyone feels safe and welcome.

9. Florida Weather & Lightning Safety

Florida weather can change quickly. Player safety always comes first.

Lightning and thunderstorms

• Play stops immediately when thunder is heard or lightning is observed.
• All players must leave the field and seek safe shelter.
• Safe shelter includes a substantial enclosed building or a fully enclosed, hard-topped vehicle.
• Dugouts, open pavilions, tents, and trees are not safe lightning shelters.
• Play may resume only after at least 30 minutes have passed since the last thunder or lightning.
• Any additional thunder or lightning restarts the 30-minute waiting period.
• Organizers may cancel games whenever conditions are unsafe, even if the 30-minute period has elapsed.

Heat and hydration

Southwest Florida's heat and humidity require extra precautions.

• Bring plenty of drinking water.
• Take hydration breaks as needed.
• Organizers may shorten games or add breaks during hot weather.
• Players should stop immediately if they experience dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, or other symptoms of heat illness.
• Suspected heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 and begin rapid cooling.

No game is worth risking someone's health or safety.

10. Player Health and Injury Prevention

Soccer is a physical activity, and injuries can occur even in recreational games.

We encourage all participants to:

• Warm up before playing.
• Play within their physical capabilities.
• Take breaks whenever needed.
• Avoid playing through injuries or significant pain.
• Wear appropriate footwear and protective equipment.
• Inform organizers of unsafe field conditions.
• Stop immediately if they feel unwell or experience an injury.

Players are responsible for assessing their readiness to participate and should seek medical guidance when appropriate.

Participation may require completion of a registration form and liability waiver.

11. Decisions and Disputes

Games may be supervised by referees, organizers, or volunteer captains.

• Respect decisions without prolonged arguments.
• When a call is unclear, prioritize fairness and safety.
• Organizers have final authority over player conduct and session management.
• Disagreements should be handled calmly and respectfully, preferably away from active play.

Remember: It's recreational soccer. The next play matters more than the last call.

12. Our Community Promise

By joining Naples Social Soccer, players agree to support a welcoming, respectful, and recreational environment.

We're building more than a place to play soccer.

We're building a community where adults can stay active, make friends, enjoy friendly competition, and rediscover their love of the game.

Whether you're a lifelong player or just getting started, there's a place for you here.

Good soccer. Good people. Your kind of game.

These guidelines are a starting point and may be updated as Naples Social Soccer develops, secures playing facilities, and establishes its final game formats. Venue requirements and applicable safety rules take precedence.