Rules & Regulations

By registering with, joining, or participating in Liga Primos, each team, player, coach, and team representative agrees to comply with all League rules, regulations, policies, disciplinary procedures, and financial obligations.

Participation in any Liga Primos match or competition constitutes acceptance of these rules, regardless of whether a participant has individually signed or acknowledged each rule.

Teams and participants are responsible for reviewing and understanding League rules. Failure to read or understand the rules does not exempt anyone from compliance, disciplinary action, fines, fees, or other League obligations.

Each team may field a maximum matchday squad of nine (9) registered players.

All players must be registered with the League no later than 72 hours before kickoff.

Players age 15 or older are eligible, provided any required medical clearance and parental waiver are on file.

Each team must submit a completed Game-Time Roster to the referee for every match. The roster should be submitted before kickoff but must be provided no later than the start of the second half.

The Game-Time Roster must accurately identify the players participating in that match.

Failure to submit the required Game-Time Roster by the start of the second half will result in a $5 fine.

Transfer Approval: A player wishing to transfer must first notify both their current team and the receiving team. Both teams must agree to the transfer before it is submitted to the League. Liga Primos has final authority to approve or deny all player transfers.

Transfer Deadline: No player transfers will be permitted during the final three (3) games before the playoffs or during the playoffs.

Transfers Are Final: Once a transfer is approved, it is final for the remainder of the season. The player may not return to their previous team or transfer to any other team within the League until the start of a new season.

Violations: Any team that knowingly violates or attempts to circumvent this transfer policy will receive an automatic six (6)-point deduction. The player involved will be suspended for the remainder of the season and assessed a $25 fine.

Players must wear appropriate soccer equipment and attire. Shin guards must be completely covered by socks. Players must wear a numbered shirt matching their team’s designated color or a complete matching team uniform. Player numbers must be clearly visible.

Soccer cleats or turf shoes appropriate for the playing surface are required. Footwear with exposed metal, sharp edges, damaged studs, or any other dangerous feature is prohibited.

Jewelry is prohibited during matches and must be removed before entering the field. Prohibited items may not simply be covered with tape.

A smooth wedding band without raised stones, settings, sharp edges, or protrusions may remain only if completely and securely covered with athletic tape. Rings with raised or dangerous surfaces must be removed.

Medical or religious items that cannot reasonably be removed may be permitted at the referee’s discretion if securely covered and determined not to present a safety hazard.

The referee has final authority to determine whether equipment is safe. A player wearing prohibited or unsafe equipment must correct the issue before entering or returning to the field.

Matches consist of two 30-minute halves with a five-minute halftime interval.

Unlimited substitutions are permitted when the ball is out of play and with the referee’s permission. The entering substitute must wait until the departing player has left the field. Entering without permission may result in a yellow card.

A team must have at least five (5) eligible players on the field to start or continue a match.

If, at any point during the match, a team is reduced to fewer than five (5) eligible players due to red cards, injuries, or any other reason, the referee shall immediately abandon the match.

If the reduction below five players results from red-card accumulation, the offending team will forfeit the match regardless of the score at the time the match is abandoned. The opposing team will be awarded the victory and the applicable three (3) league points.

Teams are not required to have a full nine-player lineup to begin a match; however, no match may begin or continue with fewer than five (5) eligible players.

Slide tackles are prohibited.

A sliding challenge that would otherwise constitute a fair challenge for the ball will be penalized with an indirect free kick. If committed inside the penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken from the appropriate location and the offender may be cautioned.

A sliding challenge that independently constitutes a direct-free-kick offense will be penalized as that offense. If committed by a defender inside their own penalty area, a penalty kick may be awarded.

A legal throw-in requires the player to:

• Face the field of play.
• Have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline when the ball is released.
• Throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head.
• Take the throw from approximately where the ball left the field.

A throw-in is not illegal merely because a player’s technique or motion looks different. If the requirements above are satisfied, the throw-in is legal. An illegal throw-in results in a throw-in for the opposing team from the same location.

Throw-In: A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the ball enters the opponent’s goal without touching another player, play restarts with a goal kick. If it enters the thrower’s own goal without touching another player, play restarts with a corner kick.

Dropped Ball: A goal cannot be scored directly from a dropped ball. The ball must touch at least two players before a goal may be awarded. If it enters the opponent’s goal without touching at least two players, play restarts with a goal kick. If it enters the team’s own goal, play restarts with a corner kick.

Once a goalkeeper gains control of the ball with the hands inside the penalty area, the goalkeeper has a maximum of eight (8) seconds to release the ball into play. The referee should visibly count down the final five seconds. If the goalkeeper retains possession for more than eight seconds, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.

The referee may begin a visible five-second countdown when a team is deliberately delaying a restart after being ready and able to resume play.

• Throw-In: Failure to restart before the countdown expires results in the throw-in being awarded to the opposing team.
• Goal Kick: Failure to restart before the countdown expires results in a corner kick for the opposing team.

The referee should clearly indicate when the countdown begins. The countdown is intended to address deliberate or excessive delay and should not penalize reasonable time needed to retrieve the ball, reposition players, or prepare for a legitimate restart. These rules must be applied consistently to both teams.

Matches will begin at their scheduled time. Referees are expected to start matches promptly. Delays or postponements are permitted only with League approval because of severe weather, lightning, unsafe field conditions, or other circumstances beyond the teams’ control.

A team that forfeits remains responsible for all applicable game-related fees, including team, field, lighting, card accumulation, and other outstanding League fees.

A team that knows it cannot participate must notify the League as soon as reasonably possible. Failure to provide timely notice will result in an additional fine. Proper communication is required out of respect for opponents, officials, and others traveling or preparing for the match.

A team that refuses to continue or deliberately abandons a match without authorization will forfeit the match, remain responsible for applicable fees, and may face additional fines or disciplinary action.

Only the referee or authorized League officials may suspend, postpone, or abandon a match because of weather, field conditions, safety concerns, or other circumstances requiring play to stop.

Three points are awarded for a win and one point for a draw.

Standings are determined by:

• Points
• Goal difference
• Goals scored

If teams remain tied, a playoff may be used to determine championship, promotion, or relegation positions.

Two Yellow Cards in the Same Match: A player who receives two yellow cards in the same match will receive a red card and be sent off. The resulting dismissal carries a $15 fine. The player also receives a one-match suspension, and the player’s team must play with one fewer player for the remainder of the match.

Straight Red Card: A player who receives a straight red card will be assessed a $30 fine.

These fines are separate from any additional suspension or disciplinary action that may apply under other Liga Primos rules.

Any player, substitute, substituted player, coach, or manager who is sent off must leave the vicinity of the field and technical area.

A person who has been sent off may not communicate with the team verbally, electronically, or by any other means while the match is in progress. Violation results in:

• Three-point team deduction
• $10 team fine
• Five-match suspension for the offender

Accumulation of five cautions results in an automatic one-match suspension.

Violent conduct will be referred to the League’s disciplinary panel for review and additional sanctions where appropriate.

Players, coaches, team officials, referees, and spectators are expected to demonstrate respect, integrity, sportsmanship, and appropriate conduct.

Discriminatory, threatening, abusive, or harassing conduct is prohibited.

Match-fixing and betting on Liga Primos fixtures by League participants are strictly prohibited.

Teams are responsible for the conduct of their supporters and are expected to assist League officials in addressing inappropriate spectator behavior.

All participants must comply with applicable League inclusion, safety, and safeguarding policies.

Liga Primos requires players, team officials, referees, vendors, and spectators to comply with St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks regulations.

All of St. Mary’s County parks and facilities are TOBACCO, SMOKE AND VAPE FREE.

Smoking, vaping, and the use of tobacco or nicotine products are prohibited where applicable under County regulations.

Each team is responsible for cleaning its bench, sideline, and playing area immediately following its match. Bottles, cans, food containers, tape, equipment, and other trash must be removed or properly disposed of.

Vendors must keep their designated vending area and surrounding area clean. All trash, packaging, food waste, and other materials generated by the vendor must be removed or properly disposed of before leaving.

Spectators must properly dispose of their trash and leave viewing areas clean. Teams are responsible for reminding their families, guests, and supporters of this requirement.

LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

Keeping League facilities clean and complying with County park regulations is a shared responsibility. Failure to comply may result in League disciplinary action and/or action permitted by St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks.