League Rules

Effective Fall 2011 - present

Revised: 12/05/2011


  1. AGES
    Division I: Cannot be 19 prior to August 1 preceding the start of the playing year.
    Division II: Cannot be 16 prior to August 1 preceding the start of the playing year.
    Division III: Cannot be 14 prior to August 1 preceding the start of the playing year.
    Division IV: Cannot be 12 prior to August 1 preceding the start of the playing year.
    Division V: Cannot be 10 prior to August 1 preceding the start of the playing year.

  2. Re-entry into the Jags League after Suspension from the Jags League due to non-compliance of Jags League rules:
    SUSPENDED TEAMS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE OF LEAGUE RULES: ALL FINES AND FEES MUST BE PAID IN FULL. ALL TEAMS MUST POST A $1000.00 BOND AND THE ENTIRE CLUB IS ON PROBATION FOR THE ENTIRE SEASONAL YEAR.

  3. REGISTRATION
    1. For all JAGS league teams, no matter what division and what State, to participate in the league, there will be a registration fee. Age groups u8 through u19 carding through Jags will pay a one time registration fee of $300.00 (excluding out of State teams and teams carding through another league, they have a separate fee). There is a $250.00 Bond for all u16 through u19 teams which must be paid via a separate check at the time of registration. No packets will be validated for a team that has not paid their Bond.
    2. Teams u8 through u19 carding through another league and playing Jags will pay a registration fee of $150.00 per season. There is a Bond for all u16 through u19 teams which must be paid via a separate check at the time of registration.
    3. Out of State teams will pay a $150.00 registration fee per season (this does not include the NJYS fee). There is a $250.00 Bond for all u16 through u19 teams which must be paid via a separate check at the time of registration.
    4. If you purchase a Jags packet you MUST play in the Jags league or the Team and Club will be placed in bad standing and fined $1500.00 to the team and $1000.00 to the Club. The entire Club will be suspended until the fines are paid.
    5. All teams must pay for their carding packet (price of carding packet included in the league fee of teams carding though Jags).
    6. A team or club with fines outstanding from any previous season shall not be allowed to register unless all fines are paid.
    7. A team from another state may register and play in the JAGS League, provided that the team is in good standing in its own state association, meets all rules and regulations of New Jersey Youth Soccer, United States Youth Soccer and the United State Soccer Federation (USSF) for playing in another state. This will include purchasing a pass packet from New Jersey Youth Soccer ($100.00 fee for the seasonal year). **This is in addition to the Jags league registration fee.**
    8. All teams playing in Region 1 Premier League or any of the Regional subsidiary Leagues MUST disclose this information prior to purchasing a packet or at the time of Spring registration to the Jags League.
    9. Jags reserves the right to deny any team a packet and entrance into the Jags league.

  4. PLAYING SEASON
    The league year shall be September 1st ----- August 31st. Each segment shall carry an appropriate registration fee and shall be conducted formally to include standings. Voting privileges shall be for period of one year, with the year being from September 1 through August 31.
    1. Fall season is to extend from July through December for meeting purposes. (August 01 through December 01 for game purposes.)
    2. Spring season is to extend from January through June for meeting purposes. (The day after the Jags January League meeting through the weekend that follows Memorial Day Weekend for game purposes)
    3. All JAGS carded teams must play a fall season (except U-15 and older). However, All JAGS carded teams including U-15 and older must play in that carded seasonal years spring league.
    4. Any team not completing their Jags League schedule in its entirety will be fined $1500.00 and the Club will be fined $1000.00 per team, placed in bad standing with the league, be removed from all Jags activities, including the Jags Tournament and possible expulsion from the league in future seasons.
    5. All teams playing in Region 1 Premier League or the Regional subsidiary League (excluding u13 & u14) MUST have their Jags League schedules completed by the last weekend in May of that year’s playing Spring season, no exceptions other than weather.
    6. U8 through and including U10 (ONLY) may card US Club and participate in the Jags League as a US Club team. The entire team must play on the same passes. (Example: if the team is playing on US Club passes, every player on that team must play on US Club passes. The same goes if the team is playing on USYSA passes, then the entire team plays on USYSA pass. A TEAM CAN NOT MIX PASSES!)

  5. EQUIPMENT
    1. Division I, II, and III shall use a #5 ball. Divisions IV and V shall use a #4 ball.
    2. No jewelry of any kind, including but not limited to, bracelets, earrings, necklaces or rings may be worn during a game. Watches may not be worn during a game, nor may a hooded sweatshirt be worn either under or over the team jersey. Eyeglasses must be worn with protective goggles (at the discretion of the referee).
    3. All players will wear shin-guards and appropriate shoes. Players may wear appropriate under garments under their shirt and shorts, but the under garment must match the shirt or shirt it is under (ie: black shorts..black under garment, white shirt ...white under garment).
    4. All goals will be securely anchored.

  6. SCHEDULES
    Day and time of all games shall be specified on the official league schedule distributed prior to the start of the season. The league will not schedule any games on weekends normally used for tournaments, i.e. Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Memorial Day. The first game of the day shall start no earlier than 10am unless the Executive Committee or Games Commissioner has approved an earlier time.
    1. Game Changes.
      1. Games must be played as scheduled except for (a) State Cup games, (b) last minute school field conflicts, (c) Religious reasons or (d) unplayable fields. In the event of the above conflicts, teams shall follow the rescheduling rules in paragraph 6.C.
      2. Any team may not play in a tournament if they have a scheduled league game.
    2. Cancellations:
      1. Inclement weather and hazardous field conditions. To cancel for these reasons, the home team must notify the Age Coordinator and Games Commissioner before 10:00am on the day of the game (or 2 hours prior). If a relocation or immediate adjustment is not possible, the home team must immediately notify the opposing coach of the cancellation. If the visiting team has a playable field, the visitors have the right to have the game moved to their site. If the teams are scheduled to play again at a later date, the schedule will be changed to allow the home team to host the next game.
      2. Only the referee can cancel a game once cancellation time has passed.
      3. Canceling a game without permission unless due to weather. $250.00 fine first offense; second offense $250.00 fine and suspension from league (length of time to be determined by the League Executive Board); 3rd offense (whether it is the same game being canceled or 3 different games) removal from league. Upon reaching the 3rd offense, pending removal, the Jags Executive Board will deal with each issue on a case by case basis. (All fines must be paid within 7 days and or prior to the teams next came whichever comes first.)
      4. Canceling of a game must be done by Wednesday, 6pm of the scheduled week if not sooner and canceled for a NJYS allowable reason. Non-compliance of this rule will carry heavy sanctions as well as paying any and all fees incured.
      5. In any of the above situations, follow the rescheduling rules in paragraph 6.C.
    3. Rescheduling:
      1. Requests to reschedule a game must be under the authority of the Age Coordinator and Games Commissioner. Failure to do so will result in the game not being recognized as a league game or declared a forfeit at the discretion of the Executive Committee. (forfeit fine will be imposed)
      2. A postponed game must be rescheduled through the Age Coordinator and Games Commissioner within seven (7) days of cancellation with the exception of postponements due to State Cup competition. Game date need not fall within the seven-day limit, however date, time and location of the game must be determined. The game must be played prior to the scheduled end of the season which is December 01 for Fall and the weekend after Memorial day weekend for Spring.
      3. In the event the game is not rescheduled, within the specified time, the Age Coordinator and/or Games Commissioner may reschedule the game. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit and the forfeit fine applies.
      4. Both coaches must contact the Age Coordinator and Games Copmmissioner to confirm the rescheduled game.
      5. If the rescheduled game is not played there will be a $100.00 fine per incident. (Fall season games must be made up before December 01; Spring season games must be made up before the weekend after Memorial Day weekend).
    4. Schedule Completion:
      1. All games for the Fall season must be completed by Dec 01 of that carded season.
      2. All games for the Spring season must be completed by the weekend directly after Memorial Day Weekend of that carded season ...no exceptions.
      3. Any team not completing their league schedule will be suspended from all Jags activities, including the Jags Tournament, fine $1500.00 plus forfeit fines, their Club fined $1000.00 and both put on probation for the entire upcoming season, once allowed re-entry into the Jags League. (except for teams that disband and have turned in the passes and pink roster to the District Commissioner) Payment must be received within 7 days of notification.

  7. OFFICIALS
    1. The Home Team will schedule all games played by the league with the referee assignor for the area where the game is to be played.
    2. Any team that schedules an official for a JAGS game (e.g.; not using a referee assignor) will forfeit that game. (forfeit fine applies)
    3. A three-person crew may be used at any time as long as both teams agree prior to the match and prior to the scheduling of the officials. See fee schedule to determine the fees. (example: if it is a D4 match the fee will be $40 center and $20 for each sideline official)
    4. An assignor can only charge once for a game, even if it is re-scheduled. The league fee for assigning a Jags league game, no matter what the level of the game and/or the amount of people contained in the refereeing crew, is $6.00 per game. This is appealable on a case by case basis to the Jags Executive Board.

  8. GAMES/TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES/FORFEITS
    1. NO GAME CARD NO GAME PLAYED!!
    2. GAMES
      1. The duration of games will be:
        Division I - 45 min/half.
        Division II - 40 min/half.
        Division III - 35 min/half.
        Division IV - 30 min/half.
        Division V - 25 min/half.
      2. Game Results:
        All scores are to be called or e-mailed into the Age Coordinator by 8 PM of the day on which the game was played by both coaches. Reports are to include the presence or absence of an assigned referee.
    3. Team Responsibilities:
      1. Home Team:
        • to have a field available
        • good game ball
        • paying 1/2 the officials' fee
        • correct lining of the field
        • goal nets and corner markers, with goals properly secured
        • completed JAGS game card
        • valid player and coaches passes
        • calling in score to Age Coordinator
        • notifying opposing coach and Age Coordinator in case of cancellation
        • rescheduling of postponed games through proper channels
        • restricting all spectators to an area 20 yards either side of the mid-field and at least 5 feet away from their own team's touch line.
        • to get the game card to the league upon completion of the game.
      2. Visiting team:
        • paying 1/2 of the officials' fee
        • complete Jags game card
        • valid player and coaches passes
        • contacting home team for field verification and uniform color
        • restricting all spectators to an area 20 yards either side of the mid-field and at least 5 feet away from their own team's touch line
        • calling in score to Age Coordinator
      3. In case of color conflict the home team will change jerseys.
      4. All games in Divisions III, IV, and V may be played even if a referee is not present, providing there is mutual agreement between coaches and they agree on a referee.
      5. Co-captains are permissible, however only one shall act as a speaking captain.
      6. All players and coaches (U11 through and including U19) must present valid NJYS (out of state teams must present their state youth soccer passes e. g. EPYSA, ENYSA, DYSA, etc) player and coaches passes prior to either the start of the game or, in the case of a late arriving player, prior to entering the game. A team that is unable to present their passes within 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the game will forfeit the game. (Teams cannot use any other pass/passes other than their State Youth Soccer Association passes...e.g. no US Club, Super Y, etc.)
      7. Teams will take position on opposite sides of the field at the mid-field lines. Coaches and substitutes will stay at the mid-field unless invited by the referee to enter the playing field.
      8. All coaches and players will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner becoming to a representative of JAGS and exhibit good sportsmanship at all time before, during, and after soccer related functions.
      9. Substitutions will be permitted: after any Goal (both teams), any goal kick (both teams), injuries when play is stopped and the injured players team is substituting (if coach goes on the field of play to tend to the player, that player must come off) and for a team’s own possession on a throw-in.
    4. Forfeits:
      1. Forfeit time shall be 15 minutes after scheduled starting time of the game. The team forfeiting the game shall pay the full referee fee, any field charges the opposing team may incur as well as be fined $250.00 by the Jags league. ( payment must be received within 7 days and or prior to the teams next game whichever comes first).
      2. Teams shall forfeit if they compete with an illegal roster, and be subject to further penalties by JAGS and New Jersey Youth Soccer.

  9. PLAYING RULES
    1. In accordance with FIFA.
    2. All carded players must be from the same team.
    3. Only 7 goal differental will be allowed, any goal after the differential 'A $100.00 fine per goal'.
    4. NO USYSA PASS NO PLAY
    5. NO GUEST PLAYERS
    6. NO SECONDARY CARDED PLAYERS
    7. NO US CLUB PASSES or any other Organization passes other that USYSA
    8. RED/YELLOW CARDS

  10. RED/YELLOW CARDS
    1. A player or coach ejected from a game shall automatically be suspended for the remainder of that game and one game thereafter. A coach or player who is ejected shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00). The coach's/player's club must pay the fine before the pass will be returned. Only games actually played will count towards the suspension. Additional suspensions and/or fines may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Any suspensions that do not exceed the minimum specified previously.
      1. A coach receiving a yellow card will be fined a minimum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense. The coach's club must pay the fine. Additional yellow cards issued to the same coach may have additional fines and/or suspensions imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
      2. When a coach who is carded to multiple teams in our League has been red carded, his/her suspension will be for a specified number of weeks, not games.
    2. A player or coach receiving three(3) yellow cards during a playing season will be suspended for the game following the one in which the third card is received, or made known to the Executive Committee.
    3. Red Card for violent conduct is a 3 game suspension and a $250.00 fine. Payment must be received prior to pass being returned.

  11. PROTESTS
    *** There will be no protests - see appeals ***

  12. APPEALS
    1. The Appeals Committee, consisting of an Executive Committee member serving as Chairman and 2 or more members of the league who are not part of the Executive Committee, will hear all protests. They will recommend action to the league president who will enforce the committee's decision. An appeal of a decision of the Appeals Committee to the Executive Committee must be accompanied by a $100.00 fee and must be submitted in writing, postmarked within 72 hours receipt of the decision of the Appeals Committee, to the league president, vice president, or general secretary. The appeal will be heard and ruled on by the Executive Committee and the fee returned if the appeal is upheld.
    2. Appeals are to NJYS discipline/appeals or to USSF (United States Soccer Federation).
    3. In the event of a successful appeal all fees will be refunded.

  13. ROSTERS
    1. All rosters must be carded through the JAGS League DC. Any exceptions for the rule will be made by the JAGS League DC and will be verified in entirety. Failure to Card through the JAGS League Dc will result in the team being fined $100.00 and suspended until the fine is paid.
    2. Rosters are limited to 22 players for u17 and up(18 must be declared the day of the game for that specific game); 18 players for u11 through u16; and 14 player for u8 through u10.
    3. The official team roster shall be on file with the League Secretary no later than the day before the scheduled start of the playing season. Failure to have your roster on file will result in your team being accessed a $100.00 fine, forfeit all games until on file, and possible suspension from the JAGS/MAPS league. Any roster changes must be on file with the League Secretary before the player participates in JAGS play or the penalties from the previous apply.
    4. Any team found to have an illegal roster shall forfeit any game in which the roster was not correct and shall be subject to additional sanction at the Executive Committee's discretion as well the forfeit fine applies.
    5. U7 players may play ONLY on U8 teams (NO EXCEPTION).
    6. U8 players may play on a u8, u9 and u10 team with the majority of the players on said team being age appropriate. U8 players cannot play u11 or older per NJYS rules.
    7. U9 players may play u9 and u10 with the majority of the team being age appropriate. U9 players cannot play u11 or older per NJYS rules.
    8. U10 players may play u10 and u11 with the majority of the team being age appropriate. U10 players cannot play U12 or older per NJYS rules.
    9. U-11 State rule that "majority" of rostered players must be age appropriate.

  14. TRANSFER POLICY
    1. There is no longer a transfer window. A player may transfer at any time during the season via proper procedure. The transferring player must still sit out three (3) played league matches after transfer paperwork has been processed through the Jags League DC.

  15. UNIFORMS
    1. All teams must have the same color numbered shirts, matching shorts and socks. Duplicate uniform numbers are not acceptable. "Blue Jean" shorts are not permitted. The keeper's shirt must be a distinctly different color from all field players and the referee. If wear undergarments, the undergarment MUST match the garment that it is under color wise.
    2. In case of uniform conflict, the home team must change. Communicate with the opposing coach to determine uniform colors.
    3. All players must wear shin-guards for all games. Socks must be pulled up to cover the shin-guards.
    4. Uniform shirts/jerseys will be tucked into the shorts at all times.

  16. FIFA LAWS
    1. The Laws of the Game, as set forth by FIFA, shall apply for JAGS competition except as modified herein.

  17. JAGS RULES
    1. Ignorance of the laws that apply to league play shall not be a reason for non-compliance
    2. Failure to comply with the league constitution and playing rules shall result in team and/or club being subjected to a fine and/or penalty at the discretion of the Executive Board.

  18. MAPS FLIGHT
    Maps is the name of a Division/Flight within the Jags League. The Maps Division/Flight is to be considered the highest level of play within the Jags League. Teams wishing to play in the Maps Flight will be required to play a season in a lower Division/Flight prior to being considered for the Maps Division/Flight unless the team can prove they are qualified for the Maps Division/Flight. (e.g. finalist or champion of The National Cup Series of which ever State they compete).

  19. MULTIPLE REGISTRATION
    Effective at the end of the Spring 2003 (JAGS Tournament Time) the Jersey Area Girls Soccer League will no longer be accepting Secondary Player passes for the JAGS in any and all flights/divisions.