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

• Substitute Player 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 - Referees are paid by TASL.

• 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 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 ARS Field A or ARS Field 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, Baker Roofing, Daly Sevens or PowerAde or 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.

Slide tackling is strictly forbidden in the TASL Women's, All Coed, Men's Over 40 and Men's Over 50 divisions.

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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TASL requires all players to be currently registered and paid for your team and have a valid, NCASA player pass before playing in a TASL match.  If the Team Captain is not in possession of the player’s pass, the player must have certification from the TASL office that the player is in good standing and is allowed to play in the game with a valid photo identification.

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 or certification from the TASL office. 

Examples of an illegal player:  a player that was rostered to your team last season, or last year; a player that may join your team next week; a player that has not yet received a pass from NCASA; a player that has a pass for another team.     

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 without certification from the TASL office.

A team in violation of this policy is subject to the following sanctions if it is confirmed that an illegal player has participated in any of their TASL matches:

            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, via the Team Captain, will be assessed a $100 Illegal Player Fine.

The illegal player and the Team Captain will automatically receive a 3 game suspension.

Please report any suspected violations of this policy to the TASL office, including as many details as possible.

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 to the referee:

• A roster with team members names and their uniform numbers.

• A valid player pass for each team member on the roster.

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, please inform the TASL office.

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 or certification from the TASL office, they will not be allowed to play.

• Players arriving late must present their NCASA player card to the Assistant Referee before entering the field.

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

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Referee crew

A typical referee crew consists of three referees: one (1) Center Referee and two (2) Assistant Referees.

In the event that one or more Assistant Referees are unavailable to officiate, the Center Referee may select Club Linesmen to assist with officiating the game.

Forfeited games

If a game is cancelled due to a TASL team forfeit, the referee crew will be paid by TASL.

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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.

Matches that are cancelled due to weather are automatically rescheduled and will be posted on the website under Schedules.  If the first half of a match is completed, the game is considered complete and will not be rescheduled.

If a team desires to reschedule a game, the following procedures and fees will apply. The Team Captain must submit the reschedule request through the website at http://www.tasl.us/schedules/reschedule%20form.htm and pay the $50 Reschedule Request Fee before the request will be considered. 

·         Teams are permitted to request ONE reschedule per season.

·         Reschedules are not guaranteed.

·         Reschedules are only allowed if the opposing team has not already had a reschedule during the season.

·         Reschedule requests must be received at least 10 business days in advance of the game.

o   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.

·         Date and time options will be provided to the team captains for review and agreement. If agreement is not met after two options of dates are provided the requesting team will automatically forfeit the game, which will be scored as a 3-0 loss for the requestor.

·         Reschedules will not be permitted based on forfeits at the field.

·         No reschedule requests are accepted during the last 3 weeks of the season.

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.

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.